The Velaryons are among the most significant noble Houses in Westeros during the events of House of the Dragon. Thanks to their domain of the sea and their alliance with House Targaryens, the Velaryons are arguably the second most influential house in the realm, if not the richest or most powerful.
Still, House of the Dragon can only cover so much ground, especially considering the show focuses on the Targaryens. Thus, several key details about the Velaryons, including their background and the causes for their eventual decline, remain known only to book readers and lore fanatics.
House Velaryon's Words
Unlike many other major houses, the Velaryons do not have their words canonized by any published words in the A Song of Ice and Fire saga. However, according to the semi-canon source The Citadel, the Velaryons' words are "The Old, the True, the Brave."
Although hardly the most memorable motto, these words perfectly describe the Velaryons. They take considerable pride in their Valyrian ancestry and status as one of the Freehold's oldest and last surviving Houses. The Velaryons go to great lengths to maintain their reputation, particularly during the Targaryens' early years on the Iron Throne.
The Velaryons Arrived At Westeros Before The Targaryens
The Targaryens liked to tell the story of how they escaped the Doom of Valyria twelve years before it happened by leaving for Westeros. However, the Velrayons predate the Targaryens in Westeros, at least according to their family's stories.
Their claims make sense, considering the Velaryons settled on the fertile island of Driftmark rather than the stony Dragonstone. Upon arriving at the island, the Valyrian family began constructing their ancient seat, Driftmark, followed by High Tide. Successful trading ventures and their proven prowess at sea made the family incredibly wealthy and influential, a reputation they kept for centuries.
The Velaryons Are Sworn To Dragonstone
The Velaryons are sworn to Dragonstone, meaning they were one of House Targaryen's biggest supporters for years. Even when their relationship with the dragons was shaky, as it was during much of Viserys I's rule, the Velaryons maintained their oath to the Targaryens.
However, their allegiances changed after Robert's Rebellion. Robert granted Dragonstone to his younger brother, Stannis, meaning the Velaryons were now sworn to the Baratheons. As such, the Velaryons are among Stannis' biggest supporters once he presses his claim to the Iron Throne.
The Velaryons Had Two Seats
The Velaryons are one of the few houses in Westeros with two seats. The first, Driftmark, is their ancestral seat, a cold and damp place that many others could discard as unsuitable to a family of their wealth and standing. Driftmark also became crowded over the years, leading Corlys to look for alternatives.
Thus, he used his riches to build a second, larger, more luxurious castle and used it as his seat. High Tide was finished a few years before the Dance of the Dragons, with Spicetown blossoming from a fishing village nearby. These two are among the most famous castles in Westeros, making the Velaryons unique among even the most select houses in the realm.
The Velaryons Are Often Masters Of Ships
During the Targaryen reign, the Velaryons usually held the spot of Master of Ships and Lord Admiral. The noble house provided the bulk of the Royal Fleet and was famous for its prowess and skill at sea, making them logical choices to fulfill both roles.
The Small Council plays a prominent role in Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon, but the role of Master of Ships is somewhat underrated. Corlys Velaryon occupies it in the latter, thus giving the position some prestige among mainstream fans. Mace Tyrell was the most significant figure to be Master of Ships in GoT, perhaps explaining the position's lack of popularity.
Aegon The Conqueror Has Velaryon Ancestry
Aegon the Conqueror is among the most, if not the most, influential people in Westerosi history. The Conqueror united the Seven Kingdoms under Targaryen rule, establishing a dynasty that would last for nearly 300 years and bringing relative peace to an otherwise chaotic realm.
Aegon had Velaryon ancestry. His mother was Valaena Velaryon, continuing a rich tradition of Targaryen/Velaryon unions that solidified the bond between the two ancient Valyrian houses. The families continued marrying sons and daughters throughout the centuries, a tradition that survived until the latter years of Targaryen rule in Westeros.
The Sea Snake
Corlys Velaryon, the Sea Snake, is a major player in House of the Dragon. A prominent ally of House Targaryen, Corlys is cunning and menacing, harboring a latent ambition for the Iron Throne and using his children to achieve it.
Corlys was famous even before he participated in the Dance of the Dragons, thanks to his numerous exploits across the known world's seas. House Velaryon was already significantly rich, but Corlys did his part to increase his house's wealth. He was the first man to sail to the far lands of Yi Ti, returning with a wide assortment of silks, spices, and other riches that greatly favored the Velaryons and becoming the richest man in Westeros.
Oakenfist
Following the Sea Snake's death, Alyn, the supposed bastard son of Corlys' late son, Laenor, succeeded him as Lord of Driftmark. Alyn lost his brother during the Dance of the Dragons but proved resilient and capable, becoming a worthy successor to Corlys.
Alyn's many exploits earned him the name "Oakenfist." He won many victories, the most significant against Dalton Greyjoy, the Red Kraken, and during Daeron I's conquest of Dorne. He made six great voyages throughout his life, cultivating a reputation as an intrepid explorer and fierce warrior.
The Velaryons & The Small Council
Because of their close and strategic relationship with the Targaryens, the Velaryons often occupy prominent places in the dragon king's Small Councils. The family has secured the Master of Ships position, but they have also taken on other responsibilities.
Most notably, the first-ever Lord Commander of the Kingsguard was a Velaryon. Ser Corlys Velaryon was Lord Commander during Aegon the Conqueror's reign, while Daemon Valeryon served as Jaehaerys the Wise's Hand of the King. The Sea Snake was Rhaenyra Targaryen's Hand, and several female Velaryons became queens to the many Targaryen kings.
The Velaryons Survive Until Game Of Thrones
Few, if any, non-readers would've known the Velaryons were still around by the time the Baratheons took over the Iron Throne. Game of Thrones hardly mentioned them, and even their book counterparts were barely prominent in the plot, mainly acting as supporters of Stannis Baratheon. Aurane Waters, the Bastard of Driftmark, also acts as Tommen Baratheon's Master of Ships, appointed by Queen Regent Cersei.
The Velaryons' role as major players in the game ended with the Targaryens' fall from grace; however, their influence dwindled even before that. Still, while they might've not been as influential as they once were, their power, which comes from their fleet, remained untouched, as few other houses could match them at sea.