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Entity magazines finds out more about Jon Snow's great-grand uncle Aemon Targaryen to see what it could mean for Game of Thrones.

Aemon Targaryen died in season five of “Game of Thrones” with Samwell Tarly at his side, portrayed by actor Peter Vaughan.

But Maester Aemon was much more than a kindly old gentleman. He’s a man that could’ve been king. The man of the Night’s Watch was not like a lot of his counterparts. He could have had a much different life and what we know of him is still somewhat shrouded in mystery. Here are five facts about Aemon Targaryen that could help you get to know him better.

1 The Family Tree

Entity magazines finds out more about Jon Snow's great-grand uncle Aemon Targaryen to see what it could mean for Game of Thrones.

via HBO, Giphy

Maester Aemon was formerly known as Aemon Targaryen. His father was King Maekar Targaryen, who named him after Aemon the Dragonknight. He was the second born son, and being unable to inherit the throne from his elder brother Aerion, Aemon joined the Order of the Maesters to be of service to his people.

To do so, he had to give up the Targaryen name.  All of this makes Aemon Jon Snow’s great grand-uncle and Daenerys’ great uncle. (At least I think. Family trees are difficult. This is show lineage. He has another brother in the books.)

2 He Didn’t Always Plan on Joining the Night’s Watch.

Entity magazines finds out more about Jon Snow's great-grand uncle Aemon Targaryen to see what it could mean for Game of Thrones.

via HBO, Giphy

As we know from non-lecherous, not gross and now thankfully dead Pycelle, maesters hold coveted positions around Westeros. If Aemon had wanted, he could’ve gone on to be Grand Maester. When Aerion died, Aemon joined the Night’s Watch to prevent people pitting him against his younger brother Aegon V (called “Egg” by Aemon) who inherited the throne.

Had Aemon not been a maester, he would have been ahead of Aegon in the line of succession. Aegon V went on to father raging lunatic Mad King Aerys II. Aegon and Aemon remained close despite the Night’s Watch being light-years away from King’s Landing. Who knows, if Aemon had become king instead, maybe we could’ve avoided this mess we’re in now.

3 He Might’ve Known About Jon.

Entity magazines finds out more about Jon Snow's great-grand uncle Aemon Targaryen to see what it could mean for Game of Thrones.

I will NEVER stop using this gif. via HBO, Giphy

His brother, King Aegon V, wasn’t the only Targaryen that Maester Aemon was close to. He also exchanged letters with his great-nephew Rhaegar. It’s possible the two could’ve had a close relationship, he might’ve been a crow, but crows aren’t unknown to travel to the south.

While he made the same choice during Robert’s Rebellion that a young Jon Snow did during the War of Five Kings, to stay with the Night’s Watch instead of going to assist his family, it would stand to reason that Rhaegar or Lyanna would inform Aemon of Jon’s birth at the Tower of Joy.

Things were looking bleak for Rhaegar near the end of Robert’s Rebellion and a proud Targaryen prince would’ve wanted someone to know that his child was out there. Some people might counter with the fact that near the end of his life Aemon believed Daenerys to be the last living Targaryen. At 104 and dying, perhaps he was simply delirious in his ramblings. He might’ve believed that it would be best for Jon to not know. But maybe he told someone else.

After all, “Love is the death of duty.”

Edited by Kayla Caldwell
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