JON Snow’s Targaryen ancestry proved to be a pivotal aspect of Game of Thrones’ final season.
Sabotaging his romance with Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) and sending shockwaves through his siblings, Jon (Kit Harington) found it difficult to come to terms with his noble lineage after being raised as Ned Stark’s (Sean Bean) bastard.
Jon’s backstory was brought to light by Bran Stark (Isaac Hempstead-Wright), who travelled back in time to learn that Jon was the son of Lyanna Stark (Aisling Franciosi) and Rhaeger Targaryen (Wilf Scolding).
This meant he was the rightful heir to the Iron Throne – placing him in direct competition with Daenerys, despite his protestations that he wasn’t after power.
However, it’s alluded to way back in the fantasy drama’s debut episode that Ned wasn’t the only member of the Starks to know of Jon’s secret.
In season one’s opening instalment, Jon is left out of royal proceedings as the Lannisters arrive in Winterfell.
During a conversation with his uncle, Benjen Stark (Joseph Mawle), Jon confessed that he wanted to join The Night’s Watch.
He asked his uncle to take him back to The Wall with him, but Benjen dismissed the idea, shooting back: “The Wall isn’t going anywhere.”
Jon stressed: “I’m ready to swear your oath,” at which point Benjen looked decidedly uncomfortable.
He warned Jon: “You don’t understand what you’d be giving up – we have no families. None of us will ever father sons.”
Jon replied: “I don’t care about that.”
At which point Benjen cryptically said: “You might, if you knew what it meant.
“I’d better get inside. Rescue your father from his guests. We’ll talk later.”
When Benjen said “if you knew what it meant,” could he be referring to Jon’s potential to father royal offspring?
Certainly the stakes are higher when one’s children could legitimately rule the Seven Kingdoms.
It’s possible that Ned could have confided in his brother about Jon, although this is never spelled out in subsequent episodes.
The clue comes after Maisie Williams, who played Arya Stark, opened up about her role on new Sky One show Two Weeks to Live.
Meanwhile, one of the Game of Thrones writers revealed the original plans for Jorah Mormont in the final series.
