Those early book readers found clues within George RR Martin's series that led them down this path, but show-only fans had plenty of breadcrumbs to pick up on, as well. To refresh your memory, Rhaegar was the eldest son of the Mad King who had two children with his first wife, Elia. The answer may have been our first clue. In season seven, episode three, Jon has his first real-life experience with a dragon. Not only is he not the bastard son of Ned Stark, but he is not a bastard at all, having been conceived within wedlock following a secret marriage between Rhaegar and Lyanna. Out of all the Stark children, the news would probably hit him the hardest, since he escaped Winterfell and traveled with Rickonbefore sending him off with Osha the Wildling. His annulment and subsequent remarriage means Jon was born inside of marriage. Jon Snow! Sam had just learned from Daenerys herself that she'd torched his brother and father after they refused to bend the knee to her and her dragons. Daenerys will probably be more concerned with Jons newfound claim to the Iron Throne. Daenerys (Emilia Clarke), Jon Snow, and a number of the prominent GOT characters in Winterfell are planning their preparations for the battle against the Night King (Vladimir Furdik) and his army of the dead. He wanted to know if she was still alive, if she knew about him and where he was, or where he was going. After Bran and Sams reveal, Jon finally knows that he and Daenerys are aunt and nephew. Instead, it looks like Jon Snow was saved so he could do what he does . Before parting ways with Ned to join the Nights Watch, Jon asked Ned about his mother. On a personal level, Jon will probably have hang-ups about what happened between them: After all, the Starks recently fought a war to dethrone a king made mad by generations of incest. And although Ned never tells Jon who his mother is, A Game of Thrones is filled with foreshadowing of what's to come: Tales of Rhaegar Targaryen allegedly raping Jon's aunt Lyanna Stark, and, from Daenerys Targaryen's perspective, a love story between Rhaegar and Lyanna. After Sam asks Jon if he would have done it, he says he has executed men who have disobeyed him. It is not entirely clear why. All Rights Reserved. when will Jon find out he's a Targaryen on. What it Means to Ride a Dragon in Game of Thrones, The 30 Best Game of Thrones Theories Into Season 8, appeared on the Internet a year after the book was published, Jon can find Rhaegar Targaryen's harp in Lyanna's tomb, Game of Thrones: Reviews, Recaps, and Interviews, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. In episode four of season one, Jon is at Castle Black discussing how anonymous his mother is in his mind. The truth about Jons parents has been one of the most enduring mysteries of Game of Thrones, with the series previously hinting at much of this information. Here is when, where and from whom Tyrion may have discovered the truth about Aegon Targaryen. And will Bran even make his way back to Winterfell to tell his brother/cousin the truth about his parentage? She follows that info up by sharing that Rhaegar then married someone else via a secret ceremony in Dorne. Jon wanted to know about his mother. That book tells the story of the Stark family's. Still, that sweet sweet moment when poor Jon Snow finally finds out that he's a Targaryen is going to be nothing short of amazing. The dragon responds positively. ", RELATED:Every Season Of Game Of Thrones Ranked, When speaking withSamwell Tarlyabout a letter they receivedabout Daenerys Targaryen, Maester Aemon, her uncle, says"A Targaryen alone in the world. To discover what happened when Ned Stark arrived at the Tower of Joy. In the Season 7 finale, Sam meets Bran. What is likely more of a concern for Jon is this news of her ruthless slayings of prisoners of war. Why the vague wording here? Sam says that he and Bran worked it out. But that was in the closing moments of the Season Seven finale, and though the audiencealong with dear sweet Samwell Tarly and awkward teen, Three-Eyed Raven Bran Starklearned the truth, Jon Snow still had no idea as he hooked up with Daenerys Targaryen, a woman who was just revealed to us to be his aunt. Bran knew. Sometimes, when the northern army breaks for meals, he eats quickly in order to have a few minutes to warg into Lady. There was a problem. The name that Jon's true parents chose for him was Aegon Targaryen. "Game of Thrones" Season 7, Episode 5 airs Sunday, Aug. 13 at p.m. on HBO. That is when Sam points out that Jon has also shown them mercy. Write to Megan McCluskey at megan.mccluskey@time.com. (Laughs) I think Jon will go, 'You've been spending way too much time in the cave, mate.'". Behind him is a wooden beam, that looks like it has two letters distinctly carved into it: R and L. R+L=J. Hence, there was a chance that Jon Snow was Lyannas illegitimate son by Rhaegar Targaryen. Ned did not answer. The same thing is happening with Young Griff from the books. Dad was there, but he's not your dad. A Timeline Rundown Of How Jon Snow Found Out About His - CINEMABLEND And, when Martin's saga was adapted for television, it was the most popular theory among fans of the HBO show. His partner Gilly, however, stumbled across some important information. Ever since fans learned last season in one of Bran's . How many wolves lived in Game of Thrones? Martin Is Writing ASOIAF In Isolation, Why Emilia Clarke Is Annoyed With the GoT Ending, Game of Thrones Fans Found Another Big Plot Hole, Bran: Not Totally Useless During Big Fight on GoT. This would all be very simple if Bran didn't also choose. Basically, he's more of a Stark kid than he's ever been. Game of Thrones season eight, episode four, The Last of the Starks, provided fans with a number of talking points for HBO and Sky Atlantic to ponder upon, from Missandeis (played by Nathalie Emmanuel) death to Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) abandoning a romance with Brienne of Tarth (Gwendoline Christie). It's possible, maybe even probable, that Jon will find out in a more dramatic way than Bran casually revealing his heritage via raven. Name already in use - github.com Lastly, if she cared. This means that Jon is not the bastard son of Ned Stark, as everyone long believed. Oh! Jon Snow Learns He Is Aegon Targaryen in Game of Thrones - Esquire If Jon is to publicly reveal R+L=J, then he wouldn't introduce himself as a Stark as the would hurt his case. He is no longer King in the North. As expected, Ned kept his word to Lyanna, with Jon only finding out his true name is Aegon Targaryen at the beginning of Game of Thrones season 8. The revelation that Rhaegar and Lyanna had a secret marriage proves that Jon Snow is the rightful King of Westeros, but Sam didn't get to hear all of the information before cutting off Gilly and leaving Oldtown. Once discussions over the battle plan end, Bran and Tyrion remain in the room alone. Jon Snow famously used to know nothing. When Game of Thrones starts, Jon believes he is the illegitimate son of Ned Stark and an unidentified woman. He ends up getting the hang of it quickly though, in what seems to be a sign that riding dragons is in his blood. Tyrion Lannister could have discovered the truth about Jon Snow from a number of sources. That he is a Stark and a Targaryen? Author George R.R. It took seven seasons for Game of Thrones to reveal who Jon Snow's real parents are: Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar . However, kit harington and jon to know what proves most problematic about other characters jon snow and daenerys'. Most notable of which, Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning and greatest swordsman of Westeros. Bran, therefore, may have told Tyrion in order for those close to Jon and Daenerys to be aware of the revelation. While Jon initially tried to keep his Targaryen blood a secret, the word quickly got out as his supporters, such as his sister Lady Sansa Stark, wanted him to vie for the throne over Daenerys. Game of Thrones: Jon Snow Knows Knows Who His Father Is | Time Jon Snow learning he was a Targaryen became a key point in his character arc, but he was one of the last to learn who his real parents were. It would be awkward to add a P.S. "[Rhaegar]rode right past his wife, Elia Martell, and all the smiles died," Baelish divulged. The last time Ned and Jon spoke in season 1, Ned promised to tell Jon who is mother was when they met again. It's strange how this takes place, in the middle of the episode, with few people really acknowledging that it happened. His good friend Sam recently took up whatever the Game of Thrones version of an internship is, but didn't get much time to learn. But, finally, at the end of the first episode of Game of Thrones Season Eight, Jon's most loyal friend, Sam Tarly, reveals his true identity. The Tower of Joy is, of course, located in Dorne. He is free to live among a people whose society and culture he understands not to mention the added bonus of their reverence of him as something of a hero. In an interview (via Entertainment Weekly), Jon Snow actor Kit Harington teased that Snow's journey after Game of Thrones will see the character going to battle with many of his past traumas, and that could include his Targaryen lineage. As the Three-Eyed Raven, Bran is set to play a huge role in Game of Thrones Season 8, but if we want to know what that means we'll just have to wait and see. Lyanna then gave birth to Jon whose real name is Aegon Targaryen before she died. Magazines, Arthur Dayne and the Targaryen kingsguard, Or create a free account to access more articles. Martin Is Still Finishing His Books, A Year Later, Every GoT Finale Question, Answered, George R.R. But Ned was killed on the orders of Joffrey Baratheon and never saw Jon again. RELATED:Game of Thrones: 14 Unanswered Questions After The Season 8 Premiere. Bran intially sets out to find Jon Snow at the Wall, where he's been sent to join the Night's Watch. If Ashara truly is revealed to be Jons mother in The Winds of Winter, shell have been in on the secret, while its also likely that she would know the truth if her wet nurse is his mother. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. With just those clues from A Game of Thrones, the first known R+L=J theory .css-umdwtv{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:.0625rem;text-decoration-color:#FF3A30;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:inherit;-webkit-transition:background 0.4s;transition:background 0.4s;background:linear-gradient(#ffffff, #ffffff 50%, #d5dbe3 50%, #d5dbe3);-webkit-background-size:100% 200%;background-size:100% 200%;}.css-umdwtv:hover{color:#000000;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;-webkit-background-position:100% 100%;background-position:100% 100%;}appeared on the Internet a year after the book was published in 1997. And after he tells Jon his true heritage, he adds, "You gave up your crown to save the people. 4. Will Dany fight alongside Jon if he would get the throne over her? Shortly afterwards, Sansa is shown thinking to herself on top of the battlements in Winterfell. .css-o05pt{display:block;font-family:Didot,Didot-fallback,Georgia,Times,serif;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:0rem;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;text-shadow:0 0 0 #000,0 0 0.01em transparent;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-o05pt:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-o05pt{font-size:1.18581rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:0.25rem;margin-top:0.625rem;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-o05pt{line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-o05pt{font-size:1.23488rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:0.5rem;margin-top:0rem;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-o05pt{font-size:1.39461rem;line-height:1.2;margin-top:0.9375rem;}}The 30 Best TV Shows on Prime Video, Tan & Gigi Aren't Your Typical Reality Show Judges, Daisy Jones & The Six: Book vs Show Differences, 35 Classic Photos from the Academy Awards, 46 of the Coolest Set Photos in Movie History. Bran is a warg and a greenseer serving as the new Three-Eyed Raven. Season 7, Episode 5, "Eastwatch" may or may not be the time, but it certainly feels like we're getting close to that major revelation. There are hints that Melisandre might at least suspect Jon's parentage when she speaks to Daenerys. But, finally, at the end of the first episode of Game of Thrones Season Eight, Jon's most loyal friend, Sam Tarly, reveals his true identity. She runs on coffee and classic movies, taking pride in having watched every film on AFI's 100 Greatest Films list and every Best Picture Oscar winner. What if, this reader theorized, Jon Snow was actually Lyanna Stark's child with Rhaegar Targaryen? Martin revealed that Howland Reed wont be a POV character in the A Song of Ice and Fire books because he knows too much, hinting he does also know the identity of Jons parents in the novels. How Jon Snow Learns About His Real Parents in Game of Thrones It is fleeting, but this description of Oberyn's sounds much more like an affair than an abduction. This means that the Targaryens would've known about the coming White Walker threat Aegon's very reason for conquering Westeros and uniting the country to prepare for the invasion. And now, Jon Snow finally knows too: He is the son of Rheagar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark which means hes a trueborn Targaryen, and not a bastard. I think Bran will certainly feel a slight amount of responsibility with what's happened," Wright said. Besides, who would support Jon's claim to the Iron Throne. Tyrion and Lord Varys (Conleth Hill) have a discussion in season eight, episode four regarding how many people know about Jon Snow being a Targaryen. Fortunately for Jon, two of his closest allies do know about Jon's true parentage, but will they tell him before he makes a major familial mistake? Although making Jon his bastard son put a public stain on Ned Starks honor as he seemingly cheated on Catelyn, Game of Thrones reveals that Ned had kept his honor all along, as he was maintaining a promise he made to his dying sister. All Rights Reserved. How did Jon Snow find out that he is a Targaryen? - Quora The reveal took place during one of Bran Stark's visions, where he traveled back in time and visited the famous Tower of Joy. Photo illustration by James Kim and Martin Gee for TIME; HBO, How Black Filmmakers Are Reclaiming Their History Onscreen. Write to Eliana Dockterman at eliana.dockterman@time.com. When Game of Thrones' Samwell Tarly hears from Bran that Rhaegar and Lyanna are Jons parents, he realizes that the secret woman Rhaegar married was Lyanna Stark, making Jon not just their legitimate son, but also a Targaryen heir. He made the executive decision to send Rickon off on his own with Osha. He is notthe son of Ned Stark and a mistress, but rather, the child of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark. 'Game of Thrones' Jon Snow Is Aegon Targaryen Explained - TVLine Was that Game of Thrones hint that the dragon sensed what Jon had no way of knowing yet? When Sansa suggests Jon wouldnt survive in the south because of her familys history, Tyrion responds: As youre brother once told me, hes not a Stark., Daenerys hand then goes on to say: She (Daenerys) wants to make the world a better place, I believe in her., Tyrion goes to leave, only for Sansa to say: What if theres someone else? Sam explains what was at stake. New York, Jon Snow's important Game of Thrones backstory, explained - For The Win Fans have known the truth since the end of Season 6, but is someone going to tell Jon about all of this? In Game of Thrones season 6, the Three-Eyed Raven takes Bran back in time to when Lyanna died after giving birth to a baby, with Lyanna simply saying promise me, Ned before giving him the child. Game of Thrones characters Bran Stark (Isaac Hempstead-Wright) and Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner) are the two most likely to have told him. Jon was conceived in a loving relationship. In both Game of Thrones and the books, Ned Stark is the only character confirmed to have known about Jon Snow's father since he was born. Wylla has also been speculated to have been the wet nurse present while Lyanna gave birth to Jon Snow on Dorne, which would have made her privy to the information about Jon Snows Targaryen identity. RELATED:Game Of Thrones Theory: Jon Snow Isn't The Only Secret Targaryen, "You may not have my name, but you have my blood," Ned tells Jon. Robb is named after Robert Baratheon, Bran after Brandon Stark, Rickon after Rickard Stark. Ned brought Jon to Winterfell as a baby after fighting in Robert's Rebellion. He follows up by saying that Jon gave up his crown to save his people. Talk later! Game of Thrones' books confirm that Ned went to Starfall following Lyannas death because he had to return House Daynes ancestral sword after killing Ser Arthur Dayne, with it being likely that Wylla was simply the wet nurse for Jon during their stay there. Bran Stark | Game of Thrones Wiki | Fandom And your father, your real father, was Rhaegar Targaryen. Jons parentage was Westeros best-kept secret for over 25 years, but once it spread to Jon himself, quickly became common knowledge among Westeros nobility. ), it honestly isn't the best time for all of that. Bran and Sam had put together the clues last season: Sam and Gilly found documents at the Citadel that showed Rhaegar had annulled his marriage to Elia Martell and eloped with Lyanna Stark afterward. After the assassination of Jon Snow by the coward Alliser Thorne, Jon's body is left in the snow for some time. Sad. It was then that Bran discovered Jon Snow was truly Lyanna Starks son, with the details of Jon Snow's father coming about in season 7. While Bran is being carried away, Summer stays behind to attack the wights, sacrificing his life in order to save his master. 'Hey, yeah, by the way, I'm a tree wizard now, and dad's not your father.' Jon was also rendered useless in the Battle of Winterfell, so ending the Night King was obviously not to be his fate either. Robert asks about the mother of Neds bastard, whom Ned confirms as Wylla. Ned never again mentions Wylla, and dies before he can tell Jon the truth about his mother. Later on in season seven, Jon has an intimate moment with Drogon, where the dragon of Daenerys looks into Jon's eyes, and allows him to rub his hand against his head. Jon asks what Sam is talking about. HBO. It would be cool if Jon ended up burnt somehow by. However, it was never explicitly stated. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Making his claim to the Iron Throne a legitimate and rightful one. "And at this stage, it could even be Ned. The finale finally confirmed what millions of fans probably already knew: Jon Snow is the legitimate son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark. Technically, at this point we have had the big reveal at the end of season six, but as far as we know the only thing that changed was his last name: from Snow to Sand (Sand is the last name given to bastards of Dorne). She has been writing about entertainment for 5 years, and as you may suspect, still finds it as entertaining to do as when she began. As The Hollywood Reporter noted, "Talking to him about his past via a messenger raven feels a bit impersonal, but then again, everything about Bran these days is impersonal.". But along with that, this will hurt Dany's claim for the Iron Throne, even if Jon is uninterested in becoming the King of the Seven Kingdoms. Erica Gonzales is the Senior Culture Editor at ELLE.com, where she oversees coverage on TV, movies, music, books, and more. "I never met my mother," Jon says. In Game of Thrones' Season 8 premiere, Jon Snow learned a truth that changes everything: his true lineage. If it plays out similarly in Winds of Winter, Jon will finally achieve his . How does the conquest go when another king and another dragon play their part and what does this mean to the past, present and future. As Bran flashes back to Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryens secret wedding ceremony, he proclaims something else. Game Of Thrones: Everyone Who Knew Jon Snow Was A Targaryen Before Him It was right there before our eyes. Ashara was presumed to be a love interest of Ned before Roberts Rebellion, with her story apparently coming to an end when she threw herself out the window and into the sea at Starfall after the rebellion. That is the last name given to the illegitimate children of the North. The promo for Episode 5 showed Dany riding Drogon home to Dragonstone, and Jon leading another White Walker planning session with their team. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our, Digital Will he sit back and let a woman like this take control of the Seven Kingdomsa woman whom his own sisters distrust? As the white walkers flood into the cave, Summer and The Children of the Forest protect Meera and Hodor as they help Bran.