The desire for conquest and power motivates most of the characters in the novel. What form that power takes, and the uses to which the characters put that power, are frequently determined by class and gender. Gyldayn’s history primarily focuses on kings, queens, nobles, and religious authorities. For Aegon the Conqueror, power came by right of conquest and superior weapons—in this case, dragons. As later generations claimed, Targaryens were different mostly because they have dragons. Aegon translated his military win into the authority to govern by being a judicious king who ruled with intention. He also balanced his adherence to his Valyrian culture with that of the country he had conquered. These actions shored up his authority after the Conquest.

The subsequent generations of the Targaryen dynasty did not win the country through conquest and were forced to accommodate their power to what indigenous Westerosi traditions found acceptable. Dragons and the potential for violence they represent were not enough to maintain power, as the end of Maegor’s rule shows. George R. R. Martin shows that many of the revolts that threatened Targaryen power came from ignoring other power sources as well.

While much of the power in this history remained in the hands of great men and women, power was not based on might and class alone.