As the annual Game of Thrones fever does its familiar ramp-up prior to the release of the new season (COULD JULY COME ANY SLOWER???), we’ve scored a flurry of rumours, fan-theories and potential slip-ups.
Latest and juiciest: it looks like someone’s leaked a page from an upcoming edition of Empire magazine that reveals Jon Snow‘s real name.
You may remember the head-exploding confirmation of the R + L = J theory in the finale of season 6 (SPOILERS: Jon Snow is not Ned Stark‘s bastard, but actually the son of Ned’s sister Lyanna and Rhaegar Targaryen, making him an actual heir to the Iron Throne – if Lyanna and Rhaegar’s marriage was official, which is a whole ‘nother kettle of fish that fans are desperately hoping will be addressed in the coming season BUT ANYWAY I DIGRESS).
During that scene in the Tower of Joy, Lyanna whispers to Ned, “His name is…” and then the next word is inaudible.
The name does actually make a lot of sense: apparently Jaehaerys I was the longest reigning Targaryen king in history, and seemed to be an all-round pretty good guy. And a dragon-rider.
Foreshadowing? We can only hope so. Until then, we know nothing… Jaehaerys Targaryen.