Game Of Thrones: All 22 Kings And Queens Who Appeared In The Show

July 5, 2020, 1 p.m.

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Game Of Thrones: All 22 Kings And Queens Who Appeared In The Show

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Summary Kings and queens of Westeros ranged from fair rulers to despots, captivating audiences with their blood-soaked journey in Game of Thrones.

House of the Dragon introduces more rulers from Westeros' past, showing the good and bad who have sat on the thrones of the Seven Kingdoms.

Characters like Viserys, Aegon II, Rhaenyra, and Daenerys showcase the various challenges and conflicts faced by those vying for the Iron Throne.

Warning! Spoilers ahead for House of the Dragon and the Fire and Blood novel!The Game of Thrones kings and queens that sat on the Iron Throne ranged from fair rulers with legitimate claims to despots who ruled Westeros with a blood-soaked fist. Game of Thrones remains a monumental piece of television, captivating audiences across eight seasons with its sweeping narrative about who ultimately wins the game of thrones and is crowned king or queen of Westeros. While the final monarch to sit on the Iron Throne in the end was controversial, the journey was exciting, and there were multiple kings and queens throughout Game of Thrones.

Some of the kings and queens in Game of Thrones covet the Iron Throne, the seat of power for the whole Seven Kingdoms, while others seek to rule just over their own territory. Before being melted by the dragon Drogon in the series' final episode, the Iron Throne saw several members of the Game of Thrones cast ascend, but they aren't the only characters who ruled over territory in Westeros. House of the Dragon has revealed even more rulers from Westeros' past, showing the good and the bad who have sat on the various thrones of the Seven Kingdoms.

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22 Jaehaerys I Targaryen

Played By Michael Carter

With House of the Dragon set around 200 years before Daenerys Targaryen was born, Jaehaerys is the oldest king shown within the television universe. He is only seen briefly in the prologue of the first episode, which shows how Viserys became king. While both Viserys and Rhaenys were claimants to the throne, Jaehaerys decided to hold a vote for who would be the successor when he died as a way of avoiding a possible civil war.

This prudent approach was something that highlighted the kind of ruler Jaehaerys was known as. Though not seen in the series, Jaehaerys was known as Jaehaerys the Conciliator for reconciling with the Faith and the Faith Militant Uprising. He was also known as The Old King as he was the longest-reigning king in the history of the Seven Kingdoms. He brought stability to the throne and was a wise king.

21 Viserys Targaryen

Played By Paddy Considine

Viserys is the prominent king in the first season of House of the Dragon. He also happens to be one of the best rulers Westeros had, with his rule known as an extended period of peace only for his death to ignite one of the bloodiest eras in the kingdom's history. Viserys was an intelligent and just ruler who had to combat the ill feelings within his own household.

He sought to name his daughter Rhaenyra as his heir, but the idea that her sons were rumored to be illegitimate meant that she was a controversial choice from the beginning. However, Viserys was able to keep the peace relatively well throughout his reign, insisting that he would not see his inner circle crumble because of in-fighting and distrust. Following his death, the small folk remember him warmly as a ruler who looked out for them and maintained peace.

20 Aegon II Targaryen

Played By Tom Glynn-Carney

Aegon is the oldest son of Viserys Targaryen and Alicent Hightower, but he was never meant to be king. Viserys ignored the critics of his choice to name Rhaenyra as his heir, seeing her as the more suitable choice. However, while on the verge of death, Viserys talks of Aegon the Conqueror which Alicent misinterprets as his desire to have his son Aegon take the throne instead. This misunderstanding puts Aegon II on the Iron Throne and kicks off the Dance of the Dragons.

Aegon II is shown to be a king similar to Joffrey. He likes to inspire fear in people and thinks that cruelty is the same thing as strength. He is also incredibly insecure, always worried that he is seen as a puppet ruler or weak. His insecurities cause him to rush into the Battle of Rook's Rest hastily, which ends with him nearly being killed and being injured so badly that he is unable to lead and his brother Aemond Targaryen takes over as Prince Regent, though not an official king.

19 Rhaenyra Targaryen

Played By Emma D'Arcy

Viserys Targaryen likely named his daughter Rhaenyra as his successor because he felt she would be able to carry on the peace that he ruled over in his time. However, Rhaenyra is immediately thrust into war as her claim to the throne is challenged by Aegon II and she is forced to crown herself as queen at Dragonstone while waging a war on the rest of her family. As a wartime ruler, Rhaenyra has mixed results.

Following the early death of her son, Rhaenyra is consumed with grief and rage, but she ultimately does not let those emotions rule her. She is indecisive at times and has to contend with her husband, Daemon Targaryen, who would prefer to see himself sitting on the Iron Throne. However, a lot of her hesitancy comes from the fact that she wants to see the conflict resolved peacefully. Once she finally admits that is impossible, she takes bold steps to secure the Blacks' footing in the war.

18 Aerys Targaryen II

Played By David Rintoul

Aerys II is the last Targaryen king in Game of Thrones to rule the Seven Kingdoms and is better known to most as The Mad King. He is the father of Rhaegar, Viserys, and Daenerys. Aerys II's claim to the Iron Throne is backed up by generations of previous rulers within the Targaryen family, beginning with Aegon I. It is thanks to Aerys II that audiences learned early on why the Targaryens were so feared, and how dangerous having "Targaryen Madness" so close to the Iron Throne justified a wholesale rebellion.

Aerys II's reign comes to an end during Robert's Rebellion when he's killed by Jaime Lannister, a member of his Kingsguard, during the Sack of King's Landing. This is where Jaime's nickname "kingslayer" comes from. On Game of Thrones, Aerys II only ever appears in flashbacks, frequently shown screaming for his men to "Burn them all!" before being stabbed in the back. However, his reputation is a looming presence over the rest of the series as a king so sadistic that even Daenerys herself condemned him and expressed fear she would become him.

17 Robert Baratheon

Played By Mark Addy

The first king on the Iron Throne audiences were introduced to in Game of Thrones, Robert usurped the throne from Aerys II and established the Baratheon royal house. Beyond winning the throne through the war known as Robert's Rebellion before the events of the show, he also lays claim through House Baratheon's Targaryen connections, with its founder, Orys, believed to be the bastard half-brother of Aegon I.

Once crowned, Robert marries Cersei Lannister and the couple have three children, Joffrey, Myrcella, and Tommen. Unknown to Robert, Cersei's children are actually fathered by her brother, Jaime. Robert's reign lasts for 15 years, coming to an end when Robert dies in Game of Thrones season 1 from a wound received during a boar hunt. The injury, however, isn't simply an accident and was instead orchestrated by Cersei.

Robert was seen as a king who was better at winning the throne than ruling from it. When it came time to actually be king, Robert became bored and uninterested. He preferred to spend his time drinking and womanizing, allowing the Lannisters to plant themselves all around him. While Robert's rule was a time of peace, his ineffectiveness as a king helped set up the chaos that followed.

16 Joffrey Baratheon

Played By Jackie Gleason

Following the death of his father, Game of Thrones season 1 sees Joffrey become the next king of Westeros — though that hadn't been Robert's plan. On his deathbed, Robert signed a decree naming his Hand and friend, fellow rebel Eddard "Ned" Stark, as Protector of the Realm and regent until his heir came of age. Upon learning this, Cersei destroys the royal decree and has Joffrey crowned anyway, cementing his position as the rightful king.

Obviously, this decision isn't universally accepted by the courts of Kings Landing. For his attempt at overthrowing Joffrey by declaring him illegitimate, Ned is arrested for treason and later executed. Joffrey rules for several years in Game of Thrones, until he dies in Season 4 during the reception following his wedding to Margaery Tyrell with Olenna Tyrell behind Joffrey's murder.

Joffrey is a sadistic young king who kills innocent people on a whim and likes to present himself as a conqueror even though he has proven cowardly when met with actual battle. He is a foolish strategist as the murder of Ned Stark ignites the war, and he is only able to hold onto the throne because his grandfather Tywin Lannister is the one who is really in control.

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15 Tommen Baratheon

Played By Dean-Charles Chapman

Having not lived long enough to produce an heir of his own, Joffrey is succeeded by his younger brother, Tommen, as king in Game of Thrones season 4. He also takes Margaery as his wife, since a union between Houses Baratheon and Tyrell is still favorable, and Joffrey and Margaery never consummated their marriage.

Tommen's reign as King of the Seven Kingdoms is even shorter than his brother's, only ruling for three years before Tommen kills himself in Game of Thrones season 6. He dies when he throws himself from the Red Keep after witnessing the Sept of Baelor's destruction and knowing that his wife has died in the blast — and that his mother, Cersei, is the one responsible.

Tommen's time on the Iron Throne is marked by him being controlled by one person after another. Tywin quickly makes movies to use him as a puppet, Margaery begins manipulating him, and Cersei tries her own influence over Tommen. However, when the High Sparrow is given too much power, he basically takes over, making Tommen do whatever he says. In the end, Tommen never made one decision on his own while king.

14 Cersei Lannister

Played By Lena Headey

Having previously sought power by ruling through her children, Cersei finally has herself crowned as queen following Tommen's death in Game of Thrones season 6. Her claim lies not in any lineage or tradition, but simply because most of her enemies die when the Sept of Baelor explodes (an event she puts into motion), leaving no one to stop Cersei from taking the Iron Throne.

Though many will dispute her claim, she manages to reign for two years. The end for Cersei comes when Daenerys Targaryen's forces a sack on King's Landing in Game of Thrones season 8. While Drogon is laying waste to the Red Keep, sections of the castle collapse and crush both Cersei and her brother-lover, Jaime.

Of all the kings and queens in Game of Thrones, it's Cersei who exemplifies how ambition and power-lust drive the nobility of Westeros to commit unspeakable acts in pursuit of the Iron Throne. However, there is no denying the cunningness of her winning the throne and keeping it for as long as she did. Cersei knew how to play her enemies and she let them underestimate her ruthlessness. From blowing up the Sept of Baelor to abandoning the rest of Westeros to fight the White Walkers, Cersei allowed evilness to be her greatest strength.

13 Renly Baratheon

Played By Gethin Anthony

Robert's death in Game of Thrones season 1 is one of the events that kicks off the War of the Five Kings. The conflict sees Robert's two younger brothers, Stannis and Renly Baratheon, vying to take the Iron Throne from Joffrey, while Robb Stark and Balon Greyjoy fight to secede from the Seven Kingdoms and rule their respective territories. Believing Ned's declaration that Joffrey isn't Robert's trueborn son and, therefore, not the legitimate king, Renly is quick to declare himself king in Game of Thrones following his brother's death.

Unbothered by the fact he's actually the younger of the two remaining Baratheons, Renly gains the allegiance of practically every southern lord and builds a massive army, but it's ultimately all for naught. In Game of Thrones season 2, Renly is killed by a shadow creature sent by Lady Melisandre on Stannis' orders.

There was a sense that Renly would have been a just king as he had kindness for others and was willing to strike up alliances, as with Robb Stark. However, he was also not someone who was built for war, no matter how large of an army he was able to amass. The fact that he is the first king of the War of the Five Kings to die speaks to that fact.

12 Stannis Baratheon

Played By Stephen Dillane

Stannis declares himself king in Game of Thrones around the same time Renly does, and as the older brother, his claim as Robert's successor is much stronger. However, Stannis is not well-liked, and he struggles to build support. He does have Lady Melisandre on his side, and as evidenced by how she dispatches Renly, she's a valuable ally, but her magic cannot win him the throne.

Stannis makes little headway in taking the Iron Throne, remaining a king without a kingdom for four years. In the Game of Thrones season 5 finale, Stannis' army is decimated outside of Winterfell following an attempt to oust Ramsey Bolton from the castle, and he is later discovered on the battlefield by Brienne of Tarth, who kills Stannis for his part in murdering Renly.

Stannis was a complex character as he did not necessarily want to be king but felt it was his duty as the rightful heir. He showed more wisdom and courage than any of the other kings when he came to Castle Black to help the Night's Watch defeat the Wildlings. However, he also burned his daughter alive because he thought it would help him win the battle. He was ultimately blinded by the idea that he was "the chosen one."

11 Viserys Targaryen

Played By Harry Lloyd

When Aerys II is killed, House Targaryen does not die out. Two of his children, Viserys and Daenerys, survive and are sent across the Narrow Sea to Essos for safety. Drifting from one free city to the next, they're occasionally taken in by those loyal to House Targaryen, but just as often, the two children must beg on the street. During this time, Viserys, the rightful king, earns the title of The Beggar King.

After trying and failing to gather support for his claim to the Iron Throne for almost two decades, Viserys exchanges his sister in marriage to Khal Drogo for the promise of a Dothraki army. However, Viserys' entitled behavior earns him no friends among the Dothraki, and when he threatens his pregnant sister, now a Khaleesi, Viserys is killed by Khal Drogo midway through Game of Thrones season 1.

Viserys is more talk than action, declaring himself to be the rightful king but never actually convincing anyone that it would be a good idea. He presents himself as a powerful Targaryen, but he is weak, scared, and cannot withstand heat in the way that Daenerys can. His death by molten gold is a sign that he was never the worthy king he liked to pretend he was.

10 Daenerys Targaryen

Played By Emilia Clarke

Following Viserys' death, his sister, Daenerys Targaryen, becomes the last known surviving member of House Targaryen and the rightful queen. Her claim to the Iron Throne is among the strongest of any king or queen in Game of Thrones, but beginning her quest to rule while on another continent puts her at an early disadvantage.

Daenerys' dragons, however, give her the power to fight for her claim to the throne, and during Game of Thrones season 7, she arrives in Westeros like her conqueror ancestor, Aegon I. Daenerys allies herself with Jon Snow, King in the North, and together they defeat The Night King and Cersei.

With her enemies all destroyed, Daenerys is the presumptive queen, but her campaign to rule the Seven Kingdoms has turned her cruel and Daenerys burned King's Landing in retribution. Unable to let Daenerys take her place on the Iron Throne, Jon stabs and kills her in the Game of Thrones finale. She proved herself to be a powerful conqueror and even a compassionate ruler to the impoverished and enslaved people of Westeros. However, it was coming to Westeros and discovering that she was unwanted that ultimately broke Daenerys.

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9 Mance Rayder

Played By Ciaran Hinds

Not every king or queen in Game of Thrones is interested in the Iron Throne. Mance Rayder, for instance, is a former member of the Night's Watch who deserts the order to live among the Wildlings north of The Wall. In response to the growing threat of White Walkers, he manages the impossible and unites the different Wildling clans, leading them south and earning himself the title, King-Beyond-The-Wall.

Unlike most, Mance's title as king is bestowed on him out of respect rather than tradition, giving him perhaps the strongest claim of any to rule over his chosen people. In Game of Thrones' season 4 finale, though, Mance is captured when Stannis' army arrives at The Wall, and in the Game of Thrones season 5 premiere, he is set to be burned at the stake. Instead, Mance is killed by Jon Snow who takes pity on his suffering and shoots him through the heart with an arrow.

8 Balon Greyjoy

Played By Patrick Malahide

The Seven Kingdoms comprised different regions in Westeros that were ruled as separate, sovereign kingdoms until the Targaryens invaded and united them all under a single ruler. One of these earlier kingdoms is the Iron Islands, which once ruled over their own islands as well as much of the Riverlands. Following the death of Robert in Game of Thrones season 1, Balon declares himself king as head of the Iron Islands (for the second time).

Balon declaring himself king of the Iron Islands was strategic, as he hoped to use the ensuing chaos to break away from the Seven Kingdoms and rule from the Salt Throne. Balon managed to rule as King of the Iron Islands for five years and claim some territory in the North, though all of these gains were eventually lost. In Game of Thrones season 6, Balon is killed by his younger brother, Euron Greyjoy, who returns home to claim the Salt Throne for himself.

It is impressive how much Balon was able to achieve with such limited power. However, his victories and longevity in the War of the Five Kings were due to the element of surprise and being so distant from the rest of Westeros. Balon had the smallest impact of the five kings, only really bothering the North and there is a sense that few people even knew Balon crowned himself king.

7 Euron Greyjoy

Played By Pilou Asbæk

Only arriving on the scene in Game of Thrones season 6, Euron had previously been living in exile following his older brother Balon's first rebellion against the crown. When he returns, Euron kills his brother but cannot simply declare himself the next King of the Iron Islands because doing so goes against Ironborn tradition. On the Iron Islands, the right to rule must be won in the Kingsmoot — a ceremony in which claimants to the Salt Throne present their case, and it's left to the assembled Ironborn to choose their king.

The Kingsmoot ultimately picks Euron as king, and he rules the Iron Islands for two years, but he spends most of that time chasing after his niece and nephew and entering a poorly thought-out alliance with Cersei. Euron dies in the penultimate episode of Game of Thrones season 8 when he is killed by Jaime during a brawl.

Euron has some notable achievements during his time on the show, such as laying siege to Casterly Rock and destroying the entirety of Daenerys' fleet. He is also the only human character to kill a dragon on Game of Thrones. However, he was more of a henchman than a king.

6 Yara Greyjoy

Played By Gemma Whelan

In the event of his death, Balon had hoped for his daughter, Yara, to be a queen, but such wishes go against Ironborn tradition. Instead, Yara makes an effort to win the crown via the Kingsmoot, but her uncle Euron proves too convincing and wins the crown instead. Yara and Theon must then flee or be killed. They sail to Meereen where they seek out Daenerys and the two desperate queens form an alliance.

Yara is able to retake the Iron Islands in Game of Thrones season 8. Following the death of Euron and Theon, her claim as Queen of the Iron Islands is undisputed. However, Yara chooses to remain loyal to the Seven Kingdoms and gives up her crown, settling for the title of Lady of the Iron Islands and taking part in the election of Bran as king.

Yara is the best ruler the Iron Islands had in Game of Thrones. She is an effective war commander, winning several victories as part of Balon's invasion of the North, but she is also smarter than him when it comes to admitting defeat. She aligns herself with Daenerys as a key ally rather than Euron's choice to be Cersei's lapdog.

5 Robb Stark

Played By Richard Madden

The North's involvement in the War of the Five Kings begins with Robb declaring war on the Lannisters following the arrest and execution of his father, Ned. While on the march south, the northern bannermen swear fealty to Robb and crown him King of the North during season 1's finale. This action transforms Robb's campaign from winning justice for his father into one of northern succession.

The North no longer recognizes Joffrey as their king, and they wish to become an independent kingdom ruled by the Starks as they had been prior to the Targaryens' conquering. Though Robb wins every battle, his reign as king ends when he is killed at the Red Wedding, betrayed by Walder Frey and murdered by Roose Bolton.

There was a time in the War of the Five Kings when Robb seemed like the strongest of the kings. He proved himself to be an intelligent battle commander, tricking the likes of Tywin and Jaime Lannister with practical moves and strategies. However, it was outside of battle that Robb proved himself to be a foolish young man who was more concerned with honor than what was the right political move, making him a tragic reflection of Ned Stark.

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4 Sansa Stark

Played By Sophie Turner

For much of Game of Thrones, Sansa is merely a pawn in the plans of more powerful people. During season 6, though, she reunites with Jon Snow, and together, they defeat Ramsey Bolton and win back Winterfell. Once again in her ancestral home, Sansa takes on the role of Lady of Winterfell while the northern bannermen declare Jon their new King in the North.

But when Daenerys arrives in Westeros, Jon chooses to swear fealty to her, upsetting a great many of the northern lords — including Sansa. Instead, the northern lords choose Sansa – Ned's oldest living child and the only Stark remaining at Winterfell — to be crowned Queen in the North in Game of Thrones season 8's finale, and the show ends with her ruling over the newly independent kingdom.

After starting the show as a naive and self-centered young girl, Sansa grew into perhaps the most effective political player in the series. She was able to develop winning strategies on the battlefield, rooted out enemies in her midst, made wise political alliances, and gained popularity with her people.

3 Bran Stark

Played By Isaac Hempstead Wright

After Jon kills Daenerys and renounces his claim, there is no clear heir to the Iron Throne. In fact, there's no longer an Iron Throne. With the lords of Westeros assembled to decide the fates of Jon Snow and Tyrion Lannister, a proposal is put forward by Tyrion that this council should choose a new king in Game of Thrones.

Following some deliberation, Tyrion gives a passionate speech for Bran Stark to be crowned king, arguing that he'd be a just king seeing as he's also the Three-Eyed Raven and holds all the world's memories. The council agrees, and in the first election of its kind, Westeros elects Bran the Broken as King of the (newly formed) Six Kingdoms. Audiences don't get a chance to see what kind of king Bran will be, but his selection of his Small Council is a wise one, filled with knowledgeable and honorable people.