Dragons often bond with new riders once their old ones die, but which had the most masters over its life?

The Targaryens possess several superhuman traits and abilities, but they still die like any other lord and peasant in the Seven Kingdoms. Their lifespans aren’t longer than average, but their pride and joy, their dragons — those beasts can live for centuries, growing larger and stronger. When a dragon loses its dragonrider, it often bonds with another rider, and some beasts can have several masters over their long lives.

Admittedly, even the longest-living dragons didn’t have that many riders, though.

Vhagar Was the Queen of All Dragons

The first contestant is the Queen of All Dragons, Vhagar. Her first dragonrider was Visenya Targaryen herself, the sister-wife of Aegon the Conqueror. At the time, Vhagar was the smallest of the three dragons, but she lived longer than the other two and became the largest and oldest dragon by the time of House of the Dragon.

After Visenya, Vhagar bonded with Prince Baelon “the Brave” Targaryen and after his death, spent years alone. Eventually, she was found and tamed by Lady Laena Velaryon, and after her, Prince Aemond “One-Eye” Targaryen managed to command her, returning the Queen of All Dragons to his House.

In total, Vhagar has had four dragonriders by far.

Balerion Was Known as the Black Dread

Here’s where things get a bit interesting. Balerion’s ascent began when Aegon the Conqueror rode him to Westeros, using the huge dragon’s power to conquer and establish the Seven Kingdoms. Under Aegon, Balerion took countless lives, claimed countless lands, and fully earned his nickname, the Black Dread, by his deeds.

After Aegon, his son King Maegor the Cruel rode on Balerion, continuing the mighty dragon’s rain of terror by burning down Faith Militant’s forces and establishing the Dragon Pit there. Then, it was Princess Aerea Targaryen’s turn, and she even took Balerion to the ruins of the Old Valyria, successfully surviving there for over a year together. And of course, King Viserys I Targaryen, whom we saw in House of the Dragon Season 1, later took over and rode Balerion until the old dragon’s death.

But most people tend to forget that before Aegon the Conqueror, Balerion had been actually claimed by Daenys Targaryen, the young woman who foresaw the Doom of Valyria and saved her House by sharing her vision. Together with Daenys, there are now five riders who bonded with Balerion, making him the most “popular” dragon in (known) history.