What If Rhaegar Targaryen Had Married Lyanna Stark? Exploring the Effects on the Throne

In George R.R. Martin's and HBO's /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// series, the intricate web of political allegiance and bloodline has often been a deciding factor in who ascends the Iron Throne of Westeros. The storyline took a radical twist when it was revealed that Rhaegar Targaryen, the heir to the Iron Throne, had secretly married Lady Lyanna Stark. If this scenario had played out, the outcome for the throne could have been vastly different.

Secret Marriage and Its Implications

In the show, it is established that Jon Snow is the legitimate Targaryen heir. This revelation was made much later in the series, and even fewer characters were aware of this critical secret. The marriage of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark added another layer to the complex royal lineage but its immediate impact was not significant, as Jon had no intention of claiming the throne.

Canon and TV Show Discrepancies

Based on the television series, Rhaegar and Lyanna did marry at some point, although Martin's books do not explicitly confirm this. If we consider the implications, when Rhaegar and Lyanna were married, Jon Snow would indeed have been the rightful Targaryen heir, above Viserys and Daenerys, both of whom were then the only surviving children of Aerys Targaryen.

Targaryen Throne Succession Rules

The Targaryen succession rules are well-documented: male heirs come first, followed by females. The traditional order based on previous Targaryen lineage would be: Aerys II, Rhaegar, Aegon (born to Aerys and Elia MARTYR), Jon (born to Rhaegar and Lyanna), Viserys, and Daenerys.

Annulment and Bastardy

There are several scenarios to consider regarding Rhaegar and Lyanna's marriage. If Rhaegar did annul his marriage to Elia Martell before marrying Lyanna, it would, in theory, bastardize Elia's children, removing them from the line of succession. This would place Jon as the rightful heir, followed by Viserys and Daenerys.

However, there is also the possibility of a more complicated annulment where the children from both marriages remain legitimate. If this had been the case, the order of succession would have reverted to Aerys II, Rhaegar, Aegon (if still alive), Jon (if not), Viserys, Rhaenys, and Daenerys. The show's version did not elaborate on the specifics of the annulment, leading to additional complexities.

No Annulment Scenario

In a scenario where Rhaegar did not annul the marriage to Elia, and remained legally married to her, any children from his marriage with Lyanna would also be legitimate. This would mean that the original order of succession would have remained unchanged: Aerys II, Rhaegar, Aegon, Jon, Viserys, Rhaenys, and Daenerys.

Bloodline Disruptions

Finally, any bloodline disruptions would also significantly affect the succession. If Aerys II, Rhaegar, and Aegon were killed, the next in line would be Jon, followed by Viserys and Daenerys. However, if the bloodline disruptions were different, the order could shift dramatically.

Conclusion

While the marriage of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark greatly affected the potential claimants to the throne of Westeros, the actual impact depends heavily on the details of their annulment and the legitimacy of their children. The show's exploration of this storyline added tension and political intrigue, but novels and the series diverge on several key points. These legal and familial nuances are crucial in understanding the complex web of power in Westeros and the possibilities that may have been realized had the characters' actions and decisions unfolded differently.

Keywords: Rhaegar Targaryen, Lyanna Stark, Jon Snow, Targaryen Heir, Westeros