Who is Corlys Velaryon?

Lord Corlys Velaryon is the head of House Velaryon and the husband of Princess Rhaenys Targaryen. He is also known as the Sea Snake. The character is a part of the American fantasy drama television series House of the Dragon. It is played by Steve Toussaint, a British actor. The series started streaming on August 22, 2022, with one episode dropping every Monday at 6:30 am IST.

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Who is Corlys Velararyon?

Corlys Velaryon was born in 53 AC at Driftmark to the eldest son of Lord Daemon Velaryon. He is named after his great-granduncle, Ser Corlys Velaryon, who served King Aegon I Targaryen as the first Lord Commander of the king’s guard. 

He started traversing the seas when he was just six, first crossing the narrow sea to Pentos with his uncle. He first captained a ship when he was just 16 and was revered at the age of 23. He got the nickname the “Sea Snake” from the ship he designed and built, which sailed on nine voyages to Essos. 

During his first voyage, he sailed beyond the Jade Gates to Yi Ti and Leng. He returned with treasures like silk, spices and jade, doubling the wealth of House Velaryon. According to the stories, Corlys lost half his crew on his second voyage. His third voyage led to him becoming the first Westerosi to navigate the Thousand Islands in the Shivering Sea and visit Nefer in N’ghai and Mossovy. 

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He used his great wealth to construct a new seat, High Tide, where he stored his eastern treasures. In 90 AC, Corlys married Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, the only child of Prince Aemon Targaryen. Princess Rhaenys Targaryen was to succeed her grandfather, King Jaehaerys, as ruler of the Seven Kingdoms but was passed over in favour of her cousin Viserys. Corlys and Rhaenys have two children, Laena and Leanor. 

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According to Steve Toussaint, the pair are actually very much in love in the series, House of the Dragon, unlike other marriages in the franchise which are often done out of convenience. 

According to Fansided.com, HBO is developing another show which is to be titled either 9 Voyages or Sea Snake. The series will solely focus on the life and adventures of Lord Corlys Velaryon.