Balerion the Black Dread was the largest dragon in Westerosi history and the only one to survive the Doom of Valyria.
King Viserys I Targaryen did not intentionally renounce his dragon; Balerion died of old age shortly after being claimed.
The Dance of the Dragons featured a wide array of significant dragons, including Vhagar, Vermithor, and the wild dragon Cannibal.
Historical epics like Vikings prove that intense, character-driven storytelling can achieve massive success without relying on mythical elements.