How Did Aegon Targaryen Die?

If you are struggling to keep up with the history of Westeros now that 'House of the Dragon ' is making headlines, we are here to help you.

With the 'Game of Thrones ' prequel looking back into the Targaryen history, it does not quite cover the times of the Conquest – a military endeavor by King Aegon I Targaryen to unite the seven kingdoms into one realm.

Setting the stage for the Targaryens as the ruling dynasty in Westeros, Aegon was the one who placed himself – and therefore his heirs – on the Iron Throne after conquering the seven kingdoms. He did it with the help of the dragons, naturally; himself, he rode Balerion – the biggest dragon in the history of Westeros. His sister-queens rode Meraxes and Vhagar.

Aegon is a Targaryen pioneer in several things. For instance, he was the first to display the House's three-headed dragon symbol. Besides, he was the one to establish the law of King's Peace, meaning that no conflict could erupt in Westeros without the leave of the Iron Throne.

Such an impressive history would suggest that Aegon I died in a battle. However, his legacy was mostly peaceful, as was his death. He died of a stroke at the age of 64 when telling his grandsons Viserys and Aegon the stories of the Conquest.

His funeral pyre was lit up by Vhagar in a tradition that we saw in 'House of the Dragon', with dragons lighting up every Targaryen's last fire.

Despite his good intentions of uniting the seven kingdoms, his death triggered a lot of conflicts and turmoil, with the reigns of Aenys I and Maegor I being filled with chaos and battles. Then, according to the books, came the times of Dance of the Dragons – the civil war between the Targaryens for the throne succession.

The times of this very war are to be covered in 'House of the Dragon', which is currently streaming on HBO Max.