The Seven Kingdoms of Westeros | Blacks (Rhaenyra Targaryen | Daemon Targaryen) | Greens (Alicent Hightower) | Houses of Westeros (House Targaryen [Viserys Targaryen] | House Velaryon) | Others | Dragons
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The noble houses of Westeros.
In General
- The Ghost: House Martell and House Tyrell, two power players at the time of Game of Thrones, have been mentioned but have yet to be seen in House of the Dragon.
- Glory Days: By the time the series takes place, House Targaryen is still at the apex of its power, and some Houses (Velaryon, Hightower, Strong) are still powerful. By the time of Game of Thrones (and save for the bid of Daenerys Targaryen for the Iron Throne), they will all either be wiped out or at least reduced to insignificance.
- More Senior Subordinate: The predominance of Houses Velaryon, Hightower and Strong at court vis-a-vis the ruling House Targaryen is essentially this—especially as they are nominally vassals of greater ruling Houses than them (Targaryen, Tyrell and Tully for the three, respectively). While this presumably was a function of previous Targaryen kings (such as Aegon the Conqueror and Jaehaerys I) balancing out the might of the ruling Great Houses (who, it must be remembered, were formerly independent kingdoms subjugated by the Iron Throne), a relatively weak king like Viserys I opens up the realm's politics for more influence-jockeying than there already is.
- Out of Focus: Some major Houses that are power players at the time of Game of Thrones and have a presence in House of the Dragon (Baratheon, Lannister, Stark, Arryn) have little screentime in the first season — the Targaryens (obviously given the series' title), the Hightowers, the Velaryons and to a lesser extent the Strongs hold the spotlight. Boremund Baratheon is a Bit Character (his passing isn't even mentioned) and his son Borros is not shown until the finale of Season 1. Jason and Tyland Lannister have had one episode to shine a bit, House Arryn was briefly present through Queen Aemma, and House Stark briefly shows up at the swearing-in ceremony of Princess Rhaenyra via Lord Rickon.
- Social Climber: All major Houses (save for maybe Stark) make moves to advance their agendas to get closer to the supreme power, with varying degrees of success.
Houses with their own page
Houses in Proximity to the Iron Throne
House Hightower
In General
"We Light the Way."
A vassal house from the Reach that holds fealty to House Tyrell of Highgarden. Politically powerful, the house is based on the city of Oldtown and are historical patrons to the Order of Maesters and the Faith of the Seven.
- Adaptation Dye-Job: In the books, the flames on House Hightower's sigil are red and orange. In House of the Dragon, they are green.
- Ambition Is Evil: The Hightowers are ambitious, to be sure—but so is everyone else. Yet there's a Double Standard, and it's treated as uniquely immoral and dangerous in their case, not helped by their relative "overmighty" status compared to their house's standing, vis-a-vis their Tyrell overlords in the Reach, and the royal House Targaryen. That being said, they do seize power with a coup going against the will of Viserys to have Rhaenyra succeed him (bar Alicent, they intended to do so for years).
- The Clan: As one of the oldest and wealthiest noble families in Westeros, there are numerous younger branches and minor cousins. Even the Hightowers that the story focuses on, Otto and his children, aren't the main branch of the Hightowers, that's Otto's older brother Hobert.
- Colour-Coded for Your Convenience: Green.
- Contrasting Sequel Antagonist: Contrasting "Prequel" Antagonist. They very much fill the role the Lannisters had in roughly the first half of Game of Thrones: the daughter (Cersei/Alicent) of a prominent and pragmatic family member (Tywin/Otto) is married to the king (Robert Baratheon/Viserys Targaryen) thus reinforcing the family's position towards total control of the realm, which is furthered by her firstborn child (Joffrey/Aegon) becoming king, with at least one Spare to the Throne, and they are helped by one huge hidden schemer at that (Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish/Larys Strong). There are differences, such as the firstborn that becomes king having blood from the line of the deceased king in the case of Aegon (while Joffrey is the product of Lannister incest), and the Hightowers-Targaryens pulling off a coup to seize power against the legitimate heir Rhaenyra Targaryen (while Robert Baratheon always intended for Joffrey to become king). Ironically, the Hightowers are vassals and more related to House Tyrell, who would compete with the Lannisters centuries in the future.
- Dragon with an Agenda: Pun unintended, the Hightowers of this era weigh even greater influence than the nominal Great House of the Reach to which they're technically vassals, House Tyrell—primarily due to Otto Hightower's long service as Hand to two Targaryen kings (Jaehaerys I and Viserys I).From the books...
- Foregone Conclusion: By the time of Game of Thrones, House Tyrell will have somewhat regained the upper hand over the Hightowers, who remain powerful, rich and influential in the Reach but not in Westeros as a whole. That said, the Tyrell heirs of the period (Queen Consort Margaery and Ser Loras) are Hightowers by their mother's side.
- A House Divided: Otto and Hobert are political schemers intending on crowning Aegon king, and usurping Rhaenyra. Alicent disagrees and supports her old friend/stepdaughter's claim, despite weakly admitting that she would like to see her son Aegon become king. This appears to have been resolved come "We Light the Way"—as Alicent, confronted with the truth of Rhaenyra's lie, chooses to recommit herself to her birth family's ambition.
- Jerkass Has a Point: Every single accusation they have against the Blacks is true. Rhaenyra did rear bastards out of wedlock and wants to unjustly prompt them onto the line of succession. However, there's the perception that the Greens themselves overstepped their boundaries to undermine the king's authority and poise themselves as rulers; Rhaenyra just made it easier for them.
- Long Game: They arrange for Alicent to marry King Viserys and produce male heirs, wait till Viserys dies (about 19 years) to then unleash The Coup to crown his firstborn son with Alicent, Aegon, instead of the heir Viserys wanted, his daughter Rhaenyra.
- No Historical Figures Were Harmed: Due to Oldtown still being where the headquarters of the Faith of the Seven is located, the Hightowers share similarities with the Borgias or the Medicis: noble families with considerable political influence due to their ties with the religious powers (the papacy in the case of the Borgias).
- The Oath-Breaker: They swore fealty to Rhaenyra as the named heir, but support Aegon instead almost as soon as he is born and forcibly plant him on the throne as soon as Viserys dies, making them this.
- The Tower: Their seat is the Hightower in their city of Oldtown, one of the tallest structures in Westeros, which is also used for their sigil.
- Thicker Than Water: Some of them can be a little distant but they have no major internal rivalries, and they ultimately stick together. Even Otto, while stern and prioritizing his family's political future, genuinely loves his children in a way Tywin Lannister never did. Lord Hobert, despite being overbearing in advancing his family's cause, is quick to support his niece after Otto's dismissal.
- This Means War!: Whenever they declare their involvement in a war, the torch atop their tower burns green, potentially with wildfire. Alicent symbolically displays this the night of the marriage of Rhaenyra and Laenor by wearing a green dress.From the books...
- Well-Intentioned Extremist: Otto and Alicent oppose Rhaenyra's succession due to tradition, law and precedent supporting trueborn younger sons over older daughters, and Rhaenyra's flagrant disregard for law and rules by passing bastards off as trueborn. They feel that for Rhaenyra to be queen, she must put Alicent's sons to death, and that her ascension will instantly cause a Civil War. However they are willing to pursue underhanded and ruthless means by which they intend on maintaining the law, such as Alicent covering up Larys murdering his father and brother, and refusing to punish Criston Cole for murdering Joffrey Lonmouth and Lord Lyman Beesbury (the latter of whom is one of their own sworn vassals), so that they can be allies against Rhaenyra. Not to mention crowning Aegon even if he's the poorest fit to be king in the family.
- What Happened to the Mouse?: Albeit very prominent in the A Song Of Ice And Fire books, House Hightower was never mentioned in the Game Of Thrones show, set almost 200 years later, even when Oldtown and its eponymous Hightower building are shown. The only mention of a Hightower individual in the original show (and not by name) is from Ser Jorah Mormont, whose estranged wife (Lynesse) is a Hightower. Incidentally, the mother of Margaery and Loras Tyrell is said lady's sister (Alerie), also a Hightower, making Ser Jorah their uncle.
Hightowers on other pages
- The Greens: Otto Hightower, King Aegon II Targaryen, Helaena Targaryen, Aemond Targaryen.
- Alicent Hightower
Hobert Hightower
Lord Hobert Hightower
Played By: Steffan Rhodri
The Lord of Oldtown, the head of House Hightower and the older brother of Otto Hightower.
- Alliterative Name: Hobert Hightower.
- Big Brother Bully: Lords over Otto in every sense. His first scene together — condescendingly prompting his younger brother to convince the king of Aegon's better suitability for the crown — quickly shows that he frequently dominates his younger brother and pushes Otto to take actions that Otto himself would not otherwise take.
- The Corrupter: It is implied by their brief dialogue in "Second Of His Name" that Hobert is partly one of the major influences of Otto's development of Ambition Is Evil personality trait in seeing the Hightowers get much more closer to the throne via Alicent and Aegon.
- The Dragon: When Otto loses the royal favor after being sacked from the post of Hand, it falls to Hobert to marshal the influence and power of Oldtown to succor his niece, Queen Alicent.
- Dragon with an Agenda: It is unclear whether it was originally his idea or Otto's, but he is clearly shown to be pleased at the positive reception for his grandnephew Aegon. He has grown more open towards pushing Aegon's claim to the throne over Rhaenyra — even at the expense of his oath below.
- Greater-Scope Villain: As the Lord of Oldtown, he's the head of House Hightower and the main power backing up Otto, Alicent and Aegon II.
- Named by Adaptation: Otto's brother was unnamed in the books.From the books...
- The Oath-Breaker: He pledged fealty to Rhaenyra for the day she would become queen, only to support Aegon II instead.
- Small Role, Big Impact: His limited screentime quickly establishes him as the initiator of House Hightower's push for the throne.
- Sworn in by Oath: He pledges fealty to Rhaenyra Targaryen when she's made Crown Princess at the end of Season 1's first episode. However, the marriage of Alicent to Viserys and the birth of Aegon quite clearly change his mind and he starts supporting Aegon for the throne.
Gwayne Hightower
Ser Gwayne Hightower
Played By: Unidentified (Season 1) Freddie Fox (Season 2)
Eldest son of Otto Hightower, and brother to Alicent.
- Ancestral Name: "Gwayne" is a well-known first name in the Reach.From the books...
- Adaptational Relationship Overhaul: Minor example. The TV show says that he's Otto's "eldest son", but in the book he's described as Otto's youngest son. However, the book gives very little detail about Otto's other children: none of them other than Alicent and Gwayne are ever named in the text, and we only even know from that passing comment that Otto has more than one son. The book never even establishes if Gwayne was younger or older than his sister Alicent.
- Bling of War: Gwayne's armor is essentially the Hightower of Oldtown fashioned into human form, with their chosen colors of white and green feathers.
- Cool Helmet: Featuring a small yet quite detailed tower on top.
- The Faceless: We have yet to see a proper look on his face, as he spends his entire scene helmeted at The Tourney. The moment it comes off, his face is too bruised to distinguish what he looks like.
- Out of Focus: Despite the centrality of his father and sister's role, he has yet to make an appearance beyond The Tourney for the Heir—possibly due to his injuries.
- Satellite Character: His first (and so far only) appearance involves being defeated by Daemon in the joust—mostly to highlight a) that Daemon is perfectly willing to fight dirty even in the lists; b) that any Hightower is fair game for Daemon to pick on; and c) as Otto's son, any attack/disgrace against him is directed against Otto as well.
House Strong
In General
A vassal house from the Riverlands that holds fealty to House Tully. They are the latest house to hold the massive fortress of Harrenhal.
- Beware the Quiet Ones: Compared to the other houses within the royal court of King's Landing, they're not the kind of house that actively try to stand out. However, when their members begin applying themselves (or are given the opportunity to), the results tend to speak for themselves.
- Lord Lyonel initially comes off as a mere placeholder in the small council in the first episode. However, subsequent episodes show how his unique position (compared to Otto Hightower, Lyman Beesbury, Mellos, Corlys Velaryon and Tyland Lannister) makes him a no-nonsense adviser, worthy and competent enough to be Hand.
- Harwin is practically a background character when introduced as a member of the royal hunting party. Yet he is shown to be very competent in his tasks (tracking and catching the deer), and he managed to have parlayed this into a commission in the City Watch. His reputation as the strongest knight precedes him, which is not lightly gained.
- Larys is an even better illustration of this. Because no one takes a man with a disability like him seriously, he has developed a facility for observing and learning peoples' secrets. Without even drawing attention to himself (or his motivations), he has managed to irrevocably break the friendship between Queen Alicent and Princess Rhaenyra—smoothly and nonchalantly, which not even Varys or Peter Baelish, centuries later, ever managed with their influence and intellect.
- Blessed with Suck: Their holding, Harrenhal, was noted in-universe to be a white elephant: enough to elevate its holder into a major lord but nightmarish to maintain. There's also the fact that it is rumoured to be a Haunted Castle and its holders tend to meet grisly ends. Lord Lyonel and Harwin just joined this list in "The Princess and the Queen"—but in a case of Dramatic Irony, the "curse" turned out to be their own kin, Larys.
- Doomed by Canon: Time won't be benign to House Strong of Harrenhal. In Game of Thrones, more than a century and a half after the events of the series, the curse of Harrenhall is still evoked, with even no-nonsense players like Littlefinger being wary of it. Lyonel and Harwin die in episode 6's fire of Harrenhall. In the season 1 finale, Harwin's biological middle son Lucerys Velaryon gets devoured by Vhagar.
- Irony: When Rhaenyra Targaryen was still unbetrothed, Lyonel impressed the king by being his only advisor who didn't push for a marriage with one of his own kin in a blatant attempt to advance his own position. However, not only did he inadvertently set himself up for promotion to Hand by doing so, a decade later, it turns out Harwin would have been right up Rhaenyra's alley, as he has become her lover and the biological father of her first three children. This makes biological Strong offspring the heirs of both House Targaryen and Velaryon.
- Kill It with Fire: Lyonel and Harwin are both killed by a fire in Harrenhal, strongly suggested to have been started by Larys's agents.
- Nice Mean And In Between: Between the three shown members of the house, they fall into the labels neatly:
- Lord Lyonel is Nice, with his honest counsel, interest in the good of the realm, stable personality, and lack of ulterior motives.
- Larys, intentional or not, comes off as Mean, especially since he tends to traffic in whispers within the court. He is solidified here with his commission of both patricide and fratricide.
- Harwin comes off as In-Between, with his gregarious and charismatic personality, balanced by his impulsiveness, rage issues, and secretly committing treason with Rhaenyra.
- Nouveau Riche: As Lord Lyonel represents, they only look like this in comparison to everyone else on the council. The Hand Otto Hightower and Lord Beesbury are from old Reach families, Lord Corlys Velaryon is rich and Old Valyrian (and a naval power), Ser Tyland is a Lannister (the Great House of the Westerlands), while Mellos is Grand Maester. Their possession of Harrenhal (considering its history) implies everything their family owns is owed to Targaryen rule.From the books
- Sibling Yin-Yang: The sons of Lyonel Strong are separately called out by name in "We Light the Way" in scenes that establish a stark difference intact. Larys walks with a cane and stokes drama for unknown ends when he hints to Alicent that Rhaenyra's virtue might not be intact. Harwin Strong fights his way through a crowd to protect Rhaenyra, showing him as very physically capable and loyal to the royal family.
Lyonel Strong
Lord Lyonel Strong
Played By: Gavin Spokes
"Many that are tested only wish to have been spared it."
The Master of Laws and Lord of Harrenhal. He is subsequently named Hand of the King after Otto Hightower's dismissal.
- Betrayal by Offspring: His son Larys arranges his death along with his brother's in order to curry favor with the Hightowers and presumably, to bump himself up as the new head of House Strong.
- Beware the Nice Ones: After spending most of the season as the soft-spoken Only Sane Man of the court, his argument with his son Harwin in Episode Six, where he spends most of it screaming at him, and stopping just short of calling his sons with Rhaenyra "Bastards" has shades of this.
- Cruel and Unusual Death: Burned alive on his own son Larys' order along with his other son Harwin.
- Foil: Viserys initially boots Otto in favor of Lyonel Strong because he thinks Lyonel is more honest and impartial than Otto is. But Lyonel ends up spending a decade colluding with Viserys by pretending that the Strong boys are legitimate, when having an obvious bastard third in line weakens the Crown. In this Lyonel is neither honest nor impartial, although he is clearly very guilty and conflicted over it. While Viserys sees his two Hands in sharp contrast, in the end they both have family loyalties which come first.Viserys: Every lord and lady that calls for an audience with me, every man on my small council, and all councils past, has been self-interested. It is unavoidable.
- The Good Chancellor: One of the few true examples in Westeros, along with Jon Arryn and Davos. Lyonel serves capably and with honesty and integrity, and he is cherished both as a person and as an advisor by Viserys
- Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow: He has a full head of hair at the beginning of the series, but following a Time Skip, he is balding.
- Honest Advisor: King Viserys notes that Lyonel gives him uncommonly honest advice.
- When Viserys expects that Lyonel will add his house's name to Rhaenyra's long list of suitors, Lyonel instead selflessly suggests a marriage pact between the Targaryens and Velaryons.
- When Viserys wishes that he had faced challenges to overcome during his reign, Lyonel tells him that he would probably have wished for peace had he done so. Viserys notes that other advisors would have pandered to him with assurances that he would have easily conquered all opposition.Viserys: But there is a part of me wishes I'd been tested. I often think that in the crucible, I may have been forged a different man.
Lyonel: Many that are tested, only wish to have been spared it.
Viserys: Another lord might assure me that I would rise like Aegon the Conqueror given the chance.
Lyonel: Your Grace, that is...
Viserys: You're right. You're right... as always. It is perhaps best not to know. - Lyonel spends a decade playing along with the charade that Rhaenyra and Harwin aren't having an obvious affair. His collusion causes him a lot of guilt. He eventually decides that if he can't be an Honest Advisor he shouldn't be an advisor at all, and tries to quit. Honesty isn't worth more to him than his son's life, but it is worth more than his position as Hand.Lyonel: There is a shadow over my house, and it grows... ever darker. I can no longer serve you with integrity.
- Honor Before Reason: Downplayed, in that his honorable choice of attempting to resign from being Hand after the aspersions on his House's integrity is, in fact, the most reasonable and fair thing to do. However, in the powder-keg of the forming factions within the Small Council, this decision in fact drives the king to affirm his loyalty, inexorably alienating Queen Alicent even further.Larys: His honor's always been a millstone about his esteemed neck.
- Nouveau Riche: A rare case of this working favorably for a character. His relative lack of vested interest in realm-wide politics makes him, in Viserys I's view, comparatively more impartial than the rest of his council—enough that he became the next Hand after the overmighty Otto Hightower's dismissal.
- Only Sane Employee: At least regarding the case of Laena Velaryon's marriage prospect. Lord Lyonel was the only one who weighed solely on balance of political calculus (in contrast to the direct vested interest of Corlys Velaryon, the immediate protestations — later seen to be quite dishonest and self-serving — of Otto Hightower, and the dispassionate detachment of Grand Maester Mellos). Notably, he isn't swayed by King Viserys's attempt at invoking his higher status as right to reject the Velaryons—especially since the realm needs their might more than ever. He would push on establishing a Velaryon tie even three years later, through Princess Rhaenyra (even as Viserys I assumed he would have been lobbying for his own son, Harwin Strong).(on arguing for Laena Velaryon's marriage to Viserys) [Corlys] would not be like to take it well. I fear nothing short of a direct line to the Iron Throne would satisfy him. You should also consider that we find ourselves on the precipice of war in the Stepstones. And the Sea Snake holds claim to nearly half the realm's ships. ... Driftmark makes for a better ally than it does an enemy. The Sea Snake has made a calculated reach, a fair play for a man of his position.
(on arguing for Laenor Velaryon's marriage to Rhaenyra) It would seem to me that the best match for Princess Rhaenyra is the son of the Sea Snake, Ser Laenor. ... My reasoning remains the same. Laenor is of pure Valyrian descent. He shares blood with your cousin, the Princess Rhaenys. And he is heir to the wealthiest house in the realm. The breach between your houses has not narrowed since I last spoke of it. It would do much to assuage Lord Corlys of any slights real... or imagined. - Politically Incorrect Hero: He is dead set against Rhaenyra being named heir, though it mainly seems to stem from a desire to avoid throwing the delicately established status quo into uproar by appointing a female heir in defiance of historical tradition and precedent. Eventually he comes around to the idea.
- Rank Up: He is given the position of Hand of the King after the dismissal of Otto Hightower.
- Rules Lawyer: Out of the council, Lord Strong seems most keen to respect and uphold precedent on the succession (and is a bit irritated with the wranglings of Lord Hightower and the Grand Maester—be it against Daemon or for Rhaenyra). Perhaps to be expected considering his particular role.
- Situational Sociability: When he's one-on-one with Viserys, he's an Honest Advisor. During small council meetings, however, he tends to be swayed or overruled by the most forceful personality in a discussion (be it Lord Corlys Velaryon or Daemon Targaryen). This may relate to his status as Nouveau Riche, making him less willing to stand up against his more prestigious peers.From the books... His ascent as Hand likely boosted his confidence, such that he would be willing to raise his voice at the Velaryons' tepid reception for Viserys' visit.
Harwin Strong
Ser Harwin "Breakbones" Strong
Played By: Ryan Corr
"You have your honor and I have mine."
The strongest knight in the Seven Kingdoms, and Lyonel's eldest son.
- Amazon Chaser: Seems to be the only person on Viserys's White Stag Hunt happy to see Rhaenyra return with her dead boar, and his smile has a certain… admiring nature to it.
- Beware the Nice Ones: As gentle he is otherwise, he brutaly beats up Criston Cole when he teases him about his sons.
- Contrasting Sequel Main Character: Due to his character function, he serves as the prequel's answer to a few characters:
- The Strong brothers are a lot like the Lannister brothers: One strong, handsome, good-with-a-sword elder son and one physically disabled, clever second son with a talent for scheming. The elder son is societally ideal, everything a man should be... and he's completely uninterested in being his father's heir. He's willing to squander the position he was born into to be the queen's kept man and baby daddy. The second son, by contrast, is ambitious, but overlooked, setting up a scenario of "you're investing in the wrong son" irony. Cut scenes lean into this parallel even more, with Harwin — like Jaime — being protective of his disabled little brother, except that while Tyrion loves Jaime for it, Larys resents Harwin for it and experiences it as infantilizing. Harwin is involved in his secret children's lives as much as he's allowed to be, and this closeness combined with the family resemblance means that people do notice he's their father and it does endanger them all. Harwin is basically the blueprint for what Cersei feared, and the reason she didn't let Jaime do the same.
- As Commander of the City Watch, he indicates the apex of the organization—when it was respected (after Daemon's reforms) and capable of attracting nobility. This level of competence will not be seen again until Bronn of the Blackwater (who looks far rougher, earthier and less muscular than Harwin—not to mention poorer)—and the City Watch is also seen as little better than thugs of the Lannisters.
- Cruel and Unusual Death: Burned alive on his own brother's order along with his father in episode 6.
- A Death in the Limelight: Receives a surge of narrative relevance in episode 6 and dies at the end of it.
- Fatal Flaw: Lack of self-control, overlapping with both Lust and Wrath. His treasonous secret affair with Rhaenyra further inflames tensions between the Blacks and the Greens, puts a shadow over the head of his children all their lives, and lands all of them at greater risk. When Criston Cole subtly taunts him about it, Harwin attacks him in a rage, resulting in him losing his position as commander of the city watch and being sent back to Harrenhal, where he is burned alive, along with his father.
- Foil: Criston Cole and Harwin are both famed and formidable fighters in high positions, Criston being a Kingsguard and Harwin being the commander of the City Watch. They face radically different risks by being romanced by Rhaenyra. Criston is lowborn, with no family at court, and would be exceptionally vulnerable if the relationship were revealed, facing torture and execution. Harwin is highborn, and his father is Hand of the King, giving him an unprecedented level protection to the point where he can have an Open Secret affair for almost a decade. Both men have a temper, and when someone makes a remark about their relationship with Rhaenyra, they beat that man bloody in full view of everyone — Criston to Joffrey, and Harwin to Criston. Harwin and Criston both have princely wards they act very paternally toward, in a way that could raise some suspicions about their relationship with said boys' mothers. Harwin looks like Jace and Luke, making the situation dangerous for their family. Criston looks nothing like Aegon and Aemond, making it clear he's just Platonic Co-Parenting.
- Good Parents: As much as he is allowed to be, considering how his status as a father must remain secret. Harwin is affectionate and loving towards his and Rhaenyra's kids, cradling baby Joffrey and protecting his older boys from the mismatched fights that Criston Cole puts them in during training.
- Hidden Depths: He's actually a lot sharper than he appears at first, best seen when he trades insights with Larys during the wedding between Rhaenyra and Laenor. He's a lot more aware of politics than the average knight.
- Hot Consort: He's Princess Rhaenyra's lover and the father of all of her children after the 10-year timeskip.
- Hunk: Harwin is good-looking in a masculine sort of way, and passed on his looks to all three of his sons.
- I'll Pretend I Didn't Hear That: After apprehending the "boy" who turned out to be Princess Rhaenyra in disguise, he casually lets her go.
- Moral Myopia: He clearly sees his affair with Rhaenyra as something that can be swept away with Plausible Deniability and whataboutism. He even has the temerity to say his father should be in on it—at least more than he already has turned a blind eye to it.Lyonel: Don't play the fool with me, boy. Your intimacy with the Princess Rhaenyra is an offense that would mean exile and death... for you, for her, for the children!
Harwin: It is rumor only... spun by the Princess's rivals.
Lyonel: People have eyes, boy. Yet His Grace the King, it seems, will not accept what his eyes see. This flimsy shield alone stands between you and the headsman. The willful blindness of a father towards his child.
Harwin: I wish my father affected a similar blindness..
Lyonel: Have I not, these many years? - Older Than They Look: Harwin is first shown in 116 AC (during "Second of His Name"). In the year he dies in the fire of Harrenhal (127 AC), after becoming Commander of the City Watch and (the secret) father of Rhaenyra's 'Velaryon' children, only his hairstyle has significantly changed. He shared this good fortune with Criston Cole.
- Open Secret: His being Rhaenyra's lover and the father of her children is known to everyone except Viserys, though it's implied that Viserys is simply choosing to be ignorant of the truth so as not to question the virtue of his daughter, as well as the status of his grandchildren. He even threatens Alicent, his own wife and Queen, with treason for daring to accuse her.
- Rank Up: One year after debuting in "Second of His Name" as merely part of King Viserys's hunting entourage, he reappears in "King of the Narrow Sea" as a member of the City Watch. After the ten-year time skip between "We Light the Way" and "The Princess and the Queen", he is the City Watch's Lord Commander.
- Tempting Fate: Before he leaves for Harrenhal, he says goodbye to Jace and Luke, promising to one day return to see them as men grown. Unfortunately, he's killed soon after by his brother's machinations.
- We Hardly Knew Ye: While he's certainly given a bit more screentime than some other unceremoniously killed off characters, the audience doesn't actually spend much time with him, or get much development on his relationship with Rhaenyra or their children outside of a scene of him being protective of her children from Criston Cole during training and him holding one of her newborns before his death.
- World's Strongest Man: Not inappropriately given his name, he has a reputation for being the strongest knight in the Seven Kingdoms. During the stag hunt, he is the only man holding down the stag without the use of a horse.
Larys Strong
Lord Larys "Clubfoot" Strong
Played By: Matthew Needham
"When one is never invited to speak, one learns, instead, to... observe."
The younger son of Lyonel, born with a clubfoot. He is eventually appointed to the role of Lord Confessor of the royal court.
- Adaptational Context Change: The motivations for the burning of Harrenhal become explicitly different in contrast to the motivations listed upon in Fire & Blood, because of Larys's direct involvement. While most of it is implied to be about disposing of Harwin for "dishonoring" Rhaenyra and being the father of her children, here it is explicitly about eliminating Lord Lyonel to enable Otto Hightower's return to service as Hand, as Larys's disturbing favor to the increasingly-grasping Queen Alicent.
- Adaptational Villainy:
- Before Harrenhal's burning was discussed in Fire and Blood, Larys was only given a cursory mention as joining the King's confessors. Here, he figures significantly in the intrigue of the royal court—including directly breaking up the fraying trust between Princess Rhaenyra and Queen Alicent—the better to explain his growing influence in the latter parts of the story.
- In Fire and Blood, the culprit of the burning of Harrenhal is unrevealed, and several suspects with means and motives are named off, such as Viserys, Daemon, and Corlys in addition to Larys, leaving it up to the reader to draw their own conclusions. Here, it is made explicit that he is the sole mastermind.
- Animal Motifs: He adopts a firefly as his personal sigil. Across different cultures, fireflies are usually symbolic markers of illumination and knowledge, reflecting Larys's role as a Knowledge Broker and spymaster. This symbolism also ties in with the Hightowers' motto "We Light the Way", reinforcing his affiliation with the Hightowers through Alicent. However, fireflies are also associated with the departed souls of the dead, befitting for someone who murdered his father and brother by having his men start a fire in Harrenhal.
- Beneath Notice: In a world where lords, knights and rogues are a regular sight in Westeros (and the general standard for men in the realm), a frail man with a clubfoot would be dismissed as useless. However, this is arguably his greatest weapon; not only has he learnt to be patient, wait and listen (and learn a hell of a lot because of it), but no one would ever suspect just how dangerous he can be, for what he lacks in strength he more than makes up for in cunning.Larys: When one is never invited to speak, one learns, instead, to... observe.
- Beware the Quiet Ones: Compared to his gregarious brother and politically astute father, Larys seems content to sit with the women... and listen. At first, he seems friendly and rather gentle, but his decision to reveal to Alicent that Rhaenyra was given Fantasy Contraception tea by Mellos is very clearly a calculated political act of destruction.
- Brains and Brawn:
- He's the brains to Harwin's Brawn. The brothers are shown to be fairly close despite their differences. Not that this stops Larys from arranging Harwin's death.
- In the service of Alicent, he's the brains while Criston Cole is the brawn.
- Cain and Abel: Arranges for his father and brother to be killed in a fire at Harrenhal. Making it more disturbing is that Harwin and Larys seem to get along pretty well, yet Larys has no regret over his death.
- The Chessmaster: Lacking his brother's physical skills, Larys devotes his attention to manipulating events from the shadows, starting by maneuvering his way into Queen Alicent's confidence.
- Contrasting Sequel Antagonist: Contrasting "Prequel" Antagonist, that is.
- Exaggerated Trope to Expy levels with Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish in Game of Thrones. Larys is one huge Beneath Notice, Non-Action Guy, sociopathic, Faux Affably Evil, opportunistic, ruthless and remorseless schemer close to (and eyeing) the royal court. Both end up Lord of Harrenhal. Unlike House Baelish (which is new and didn't have wealth before), the Strongs are an old house and Larys has his father to pave the way for his court position. Larys is an Evil Cripple with a clubfoot while Petyr is able-bodied. Petyr also doesn't seem to have any living family he could sacrifice to further his goals, while Larys has both his father and brother killed to inherit Harrenhal and weaken Rhaenyra Targaryen. Petyr had a one-sided infatuation with Catelyn Stark that he's transferred to her teenage daughter Sansa, while Larys is a pervert with a foot fetish towards Alicent Hightower.
- He has also be called a mashup of Litterfinger and Varys — his name literally is, at least — taking Varys's role of Knowledge Broker. They both utilize being perceived as less masculine than most men to seem Beneath Notice. Him removing the tongues of his spies is similar to how Varys removed the tongues of his "little birds" in the books. But while Varys has no sexual interests, Larys has a fixation on Alicent and her feet.
- Inverted Trope in that Larys is a lot like protagonist Tyrion Lannister. Both are physically disabled second sons of prominent houses, who are contrasted to their strong, handsome, good-with-a-sword elder brothers. Both Tyrion and Larys get a chance to flex their scheming skills when they get a position at court thanks to their father's role as Hand. However while Tyrion is a well-meaning, if flawed, man serving as the Token Good Teammate for his family and only turning against them when they mistreated him too much, Larys is a self-serving sociopath and is the most evil member of his family, even killing them off for selfish gain, despite having not been mistreated by them onscreen.
- Evil Cripple: His twisted clubfoot gives him a distinctive limp, and he's quite a monstrous fellow. Burning his entire family alive serves as the most obvious evidence.
- Evil Uncle: Played with. He's the biological uncle of Jacaerys, Lucerys and Joffrey and is closely aligned with their Wicked Stepmother Alicent. That said, he never actively targets them nor does he acknowledge them as his kin (though he clearly knows they are). However, Larys claims he would be happy to have one eye of Lucerys cut out after Aemond loses his.
- Faux Affably Evil: Speaks in very polite tones, but it's always clear that his words have either a veiled threat or active scheming backing them up.
- Fetishes Are Weird: Episode 9 reveals that he has a foot fetish, and Alicent pays him back for his services by letting him masturbate to her feet.
Word of Saint Paul is that it's less of a foot thing and more of a power trip thing — although clearly the feet are somewhat relevant because he chose to coerce her into this rather than something else.Matthew Needham
: I don't think it's a foot fetish like we understand in 2022. I think it's weirder than that. It's not just about a man with a clubfoot being attracted to feet. It's that he can make her do it. This is a very disturbed person with a lot of trauma... It's about making her feel as much shame as she does for that part of her body as he does for his. He can cut out tongues and he can cut out eyes. I think he likes that. I think he likes making people incomplete. He can't do that with her. He can, though, associate that part of her body with a trauma so that long after he's gone, she's got this sick feeling about it that's connected to that. That's the thing about assault like that: it makes the victim's body the scene of the crime, and I think that's what he likes to do. So I don't see it like he loves feet. It's the fact that she's not into it and he can make her do it. - Foil: Larys and Criston, Alicent's mad dogs. Both have a track record of unhinged murder (Joffrey Lonmouth and the Harrenhal fire). Alicent just barely has both men on a leash, and they sometimes act out of turn and kill people for her sake when she didn't want that, leaving her appalled and exhausted (Harrenhal and Beesbury). Both think they're her most special boy, her most important ally. Both have a thing for her and she maneuvers both in a way that has a sexual component but stops short of actual sex. Beyond that, the men are quite different. One's Mr. I Kiss Your Hand, and the other's Mr. I Kiss Your Foot. They're Brains and Brawn. Criston is Tall, Dark, and Handsome, while Larys is disabled and weedy looking. Criston serves Alicent publicly, and Larys covertly. Criston really wants to be a Knight in Shining Armor, but his anger often gets the better of him, he commits Crime of Passion, and he regrets it later. Larys is even-tempered and always seems in possession of himself, has no high ideals nor boundaries, his crimes are calmly premediated, and never shows regret for his misdeeds. Criston wants a Courtly Love thing where he serves his lady and loves her at a respectful distance. Larys wants to jerk off while looking at Alicent's feet. Alicent may or may not have feelings for Criston, but she at least plays it like she does because if he thought he was making her uncomfortable that would be a no-go for him. Alicent is obviously viscerally uncomfortable with Larys's attentions, and he likes that. Criston is staunchly loyal to Alicent and wants to please her. Larys is only loyal to Larys.
- Ironic Name: He's from the Strong family yet is physically weak due to his crippled foot.
- Despite being the son of the new Hand of the King, Lord Lyonel, he seems quite more aligned with the politics of Otto Hightower — and is slowly ingratiating himself to Alicent as a source of information.
- Kinslaying Is a Special Kind of Evil: His remorseless murder of his own family visibly shocks Alicent, particularly given kinslaying is a major taboo in Westerosi society.
- Knowledge Broker: He serves as Alicent's informant and demands Sex for Services as payment.
- Lean and Mean: In contrast to his brother Harwin, who's a stocky and tall fellow but has a noble heart, and his father Lord Lyonel who's fairly portly but is undeniably The Good Chancellor, Larys is very weak, much slenderer in figure and not as able-bodied, yet undeniably more dangerous and crueler than either of them could have the capacity for.
- Love Is a Weakness: He turns out to be a firm believer in this, viewing love as just something that just holds you back from achieving your own goals. This monologue comes on the heels of arranging the deaths of his father and brother for his own advancement.
- Maybe Magic, Maybe Mundane: Larys has a habit of knowing an awful lot of information that most others shouldn't know at all. Some astute viewers have pointed out that he might be a Greenseer, which would give him a commonality with the infamous Targaryan spymaster Bloodraven, and there are some visual cues in the show that suggest it could be the case.
- Non-Action Guy: In a setting where most male characters are warriors in one way or another, the crippled Larys stands apart from them.
- No Historical Figures Were Harmed: Bears some similarities to Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord, who is best known for being France's Minister of Foreign Affairs during Napoleon's reign. Talleyrand rose to power through his nominal friendship with Napoleon and played a role in the coup that brought the French general to power, which is not unlike Larys's own ascension when he ingratiated himself with Alicent and allowed Otto Hightower to become Hand again by murdering his own father and brother. Larys's rather nihilistic view of things even mirrors Talleyrand's cynical conduct of Realpolitik, something that Talleyrand's name would become associated with down the line. And last but not least, both of them suffer from a physical disability in their foot.
- Patricide: He also ends up killing his father along with his brother. Unlike Harwin, who may have just been an unfortunate bystander, Lyonel was explicitly a target, killed to ensure Otto Hightower's return as Hand.
- Sibling Murder: He burns his brother alive along with their father.
- The Sociopath: It's not apparent at first as he seems perfectly normal (if a bit scheming), but Episode 6 seems to confirm it. He pays a group of criminals to carry out his will, cuts out their tongues with a smile on his face, orchestrates the deaths of his own brother and father (in a very awful manner at that) and gleefully confesses to such to the horrified Queen Alicent in the same manner one would when discussing getting a promotion at work. All with absolutely no remorse or regret for anything he's done. Additionally, his views on children are disturbingly bleak, seeing them as nothing more than a tool people use to convince themselves they have some form of immortality, but which actually leave them vulnerable.
- Spanner in the Works: He is the one who "inadvertently" slips to Alicent that Rhaenyra was given Fantasy Contraception by Mellos — puncturing holes in Rhaenyra's alibi of maidenhood. Alicent's subsequent conversation with Criston Cole following this eventually solidifies her turning against Rhaenyra. Considering he was offering to be Alicent's "ally" after Otto's dismissal, this was most definitely by design.
- Spies Are Despicable: Adaptational Villainy applies to make him more despicable than his book counterpart. While ostensibly in Alicent's service, he does things that disturb her He starts small, letting Alicent know that Viserys had Rhaenyra drink "morning after" tea to make sure Alicent has doubts about Rhaenyra. He also has Harrenhal burned down, killing his own brother (the alleged father of Rhaenyra's older sons) and father, to Alicent's horror. Years later, he has so much control over her that in exchange for information she exposes her bare feet at him so he can pleasure himself right in front of her, leaving her disgusted at herself.
- Straw Nihilist: He has a rather... morbid... view of the world, to say the least. Even the concept of having a family and legacy, one of the few things that even the darkest of characters would agree makes life worth living, appears to be nothing more than a burden to him. In fact, as far as he's concerned, all attachments of any kind are worthless, and death is nothing more than something you should put off for as long as time will permit.Larys: What are children, but a weakness? A folly? A futility? Through them, you imagine you cheat the great darkness of its victory. You will persist forever, in some form or another. As if they will keep you from the dust. But for them... you surrender what you should not.
- Torture Technician: His job is Lord Confessor, which means he uses torture to get information out of prisoners in the black cells under the Red Keep.
- The Unfettered: Larys is willing to do anything to achieve his goals and proves it by having his father and brother burned alive to get a reward from Alicent at a later date.Larys: You may know what is the right thing to be done, but... love stays the hand. Love... is a downfall. Best to make your way through life unencumbered... if you ask me.
- Wild Card: While he's nominally aligned with Alicent, it's clear he has an agenda of his own. When she's horrified by his murder of the other Strongs, his reassurances come off more like a veiled threat that he will definitely get what he wants from her, regardless of her opinion.
- Would Hurt a Child: Implied. His disturbing speech about the nature of children and their purpose (in his eyes at least) would certainly suggest he'd hurt or kill them if it benefits him. Made explicit in episode 7 when he offers to have one of his young nephew's eyes cut out for Alicent.
Great Houses
House Baratheon
In General
"Ours is the Fury."
The House exerting lordship over the Stormlands.
- Alliterative Family: Baratheon lords of this era have a tendency to have first names starting with "Bor" (Boremund, Borros).
- Boisterous Bruiser: Boremund and Borros are both shown to be belligerent men who have no qualms with speaking their mind even when it crosses into potential treason; Boremund requests the favor of "The-Queen-Who-Never-Was" right in front of Viserys (whom is informed by Otto Hightower that he could have Baratheon's tongue cut out for it) and Borros mocks both the Blacks and the Greens for their infighting.
- Evil Tower of Ominousness: The towers of Storm's End look quite intimidating during stormy nights, as Lucerys Velaryon finds out. Add the fact that the Baratheons end up siding with his mother's enemies, and it's definitely not a welcoming place for him.
- Realpolitik: By the time the Dance of the Dragons starts, the Baratheons join King Aegon II's faction, the Greens, because the Targaryens of that side made more interesting proposals of marriages to Lord Borros. The Targaryens of Dragonstone, meanwhile, have nothing of the sort to offer, and Lord Borros doesn't mind going up against his kin, i.e. Rhaenys (the cousin of his father).
- Undying Loyalty: Significantly played with. The Baratheons being hereditary allies of the Targaryens (as descended from Orys Baratheon, Aegon the Conqueror's first Hand of the King) did not guarantee that either the Blacks or the Greens have preferential command of their loyalty. The Greens anticipated this (as per their offer of Aemond's betrothal). Rhaenyra, perhaps assuming the purported Baratheon connection of the Velaryons (via Princess Rhaenys), fatally underestimated this. There's also the fact that as descendants of the defeated House Durrandon (whose last King, Argilac the Arrogant, Orys Baratheon had to defeat before marrying his daughter), they have a heritage of defiance and independence they're keen to hold onto.
Boremund Baratheon
Lord Boremund Baratheon
Played By: Julian Lewis Jones
The Lord of Storm's End during most of King Viserys' reign, and the cousin of Rhaenys.
- Alliterative Name: Boremund Baratheon.
- Boisterous Bruiser: Cockily responds to Rhaenys wishing him luck by saying he won't need it. Robert clearly got it from somewhere.
- Killed Offscreen: He has died by the time of the Dance, leaving his son Borros as Lord.
- Related Differently in the Adaptation: In the books, Boremund is Rhaenys' uncle, but during the royal tournament she refers to him as "cousin" - though it's possible she was speaking formally and in the sense of "cousin of the royal blood," even though he's still her uncle. The TV series hasn't put out a firm family tree yet.
- Shared Family Quirks: His Establishing Character Moment involves him mouthing off about Rhaenys as the "Queen Who Never Was" in front of the King — showing a willingness to be belligerent even in front of the Targaryens. It is a good reminder that this man will be the ancestor of the Usurper Robert Baratheon.
- Surrounded by Idiots: Boremund had the privilege of sitting beside Rhaenyra to listen to her marriage proposals—and also the unenviable position of explaining why most of them appear so far beneath her, cleaning up things when a Blackwood lad guts a Bracken who insulted him one too many times.
- Sworn in by Oath: He pledges fealty to Rhaenyra Targaryen when she's made Crown Princess at the end of Season 1's first episode.
- Tempting Fate: He expresses confidence at Viserys's tournet when asking for Rhaenys's favor. He gets unseated by Criston Cole shortly afterwards.
- Troll: Rather cheekily asks for Rhaenys' favor by publicly calling her the Queen Who Never Was, something Viserys could have his tongue for. He's a man not afraid to needle the sitting king in front of the entire realm.
- Undying Loyalty: Years after Rhaenys lost the Great Council vote, he still proudly regards her as the Queen Who Never Was. Viserys tolerates this since it does no harm.
Borros Baratheon
Lord Borros Baratheon
Played by: Roger Evans
The House of the Dragon does not seem to know who rules it.
The son of Lord Boremund Baratheon and the first cousin once removed of Rhaenys. He is Lord of Storm's End by the time of Aegon II's coronation, and sides with the latter's faction, the Greens.
- Adaptational Nice Guy: Unlike the books, there's no scene of him implicitly giving Aemond permission to kill Luke. Furthermore, even if he is a pretty belligerent man, he doesn't seem to have passed it on to his daughters, who the original books alleged to have also goaded Aemond to kill the Velaryon prince.
- Alliterative Name: Borros Baratheon.
- Establishing Character Moment: The first (and last) scene he's seen in in Season 1 establishes his coarse pragmatism, having him choose the more advantageous Targaryen side in his eyes over whatever King Viserys once wished for his succession, using Loophole Abuse aplenty to dismiss with belligerence the offer the Blacks make to him.
- Everyone Has Standards: While he is rude to Lucerys when he asks him to swear fealty to Queen Rhaenyra and instead sides with Aemond and King Aegon II, he doesn't allow Aemond to harm Lucerys, having his guards escort Rhaenyra's son back to his dragon. He also appears noticeably disturbed by Aemond's stated desire to gouge out Lucerys' eye and make it into a gift to his mother.
- Loophole Abuse: When Lucerys arrives to ask him to pledge his fealty to Rhaenyra, Borros reminds him that his father swore an oath to her, not he.
- Pragmatic Villainy: While indifferent to Aemond's hostility towards Luke after dressing down the latter, Borros is not letting Aemond violate Sacred Hospitality or enabling him to maim Luke and trigger a Civil War right then and there in the Baratheon throne room.
- Never Learned to Read: He can't read and has his maester do it for him. This is unusual for a highborn lord and especially a Lord Paramount, and helps characterize him as a somewhat oafish lout.
- Realpolitik: While House Baratheon owes its position as stormlords to House Targaryen, there is no reason for him to choose sides between rival Targaryen branches if his family stands nothing to gain from it. The Hightower-Targaryens at least offer him a marriage pact.
- Sacred Hospitality: As far as he's concerned, both Lucerys and Aemond are simply messengers who arrived in peace and enjoy his protection while under his roof. When Aemond challenges Lucerys to a duel right in front of Lord Borros, he forbids the two to shed blood in his castle and orders them to be escorted back to their dragons.
- Slobs vs. Snobs: He can't read and behaves oafishly when dealing with the regal Targaryen, to whom he holds in contempt.
- Uncanny Family Resemblance: Lord Borros is portrayed with the same brown hair and more rounded build of his later descendant King Robert Baratheon, as portrayed by Mark Addy. Like Robert, Borros displays a boorish, somewhat slob behavior and carries himself with the same level of earthy language and belligerence, emphasizing it even more.note
House Lannister
In General
"Hear Me Roar."
The House exerting lordship over the Westerlands.
- Alliterative Family: Tyland's name starts with "Ty", like Tywin and Tyrion more than a century later.
- Fiction 500: Downplayed compared to their status in Game of Thrones, but they're still the second wealthiest house in the Seven Kingdoms.
- Generation Xerox: A pair of twins with ambitions to increase their power by having one of them marry into the royal family, much like their descendants Jaime and Cersei. The most notable characteristics of the future Lannisters (overmightiness, familial squabbling and lack of scruples) are condensed in both brothers as well.
- Realpolitik: Out of the seven Great Houses under Targaryen rulenote , they are the ones who have the closest ties to the Iron Throne (after the Valyrian-descended Velaryons, the post-Conquest loyalist Strongs, and the upjumped Reach-based Hightowers [who are still nominally Tyrell vassals]). They side with the Greens for several reasons:
- As Daemon Targaryen points it out, the Blacks have no friends among them, considering Rhaenyra rejected marriage with Jason years ago during The Grand Hunt for the White Hart, and Jason expected Aegon to become king per the Heir Club for Men back then and was rebuked by King Viserys for it.
- Ser Tyland has served under the Hand of the King Ser Otto Hightower at the Small Council when Viserys was being weakened by illness with Alicent replacing him for such duties, therefore it is no surprise that he approved of The Coup to crown Aegon (while Lord Beesbury had served the longest —since the days of Jaehaerys— and had befriended Viserys and thus was the only one to oppose the coup).
Jason Lannister
Lord Jason Lannister
Played by: Jefferson Hall
"I'd do anything for my Queen... or... lady wife."
The head of House Lannister and Lord of Casterly Rock.
- Abhorrent Admirer: Rhaenyra can't stand him and even Viserys, who wants to marry off Rhaenyra, finds his arrogance obnoxious.
- The Alcoholic: Tyrion and Cersei clearly got it from someone. He spends almost the entire Royal Hunt with a drink in hand or acting slightly inebriated.
- Animal Motifs: His facial hair makes him resemble a lion, appropriately enough considering his family's sigil.
- Deliberate Values Dissonance: Jason is an example of the patriarchal society of the Seven Kingdoms, and his few appearances show that his opinion of women directly correlates to their usefulness towards men. This earns him Rhaenyra's scorn, as his dismissive and chauvinistic personality represents everything Rhaenyra dislikes in men, as well as belittling her identity as a woman of power.
- Identical Twin ID Tag: He wears his hair long to distinguish him from his brother.
- Innocently Insensitive: He can't avoid making sexist remarks in front of Rhaenyra, thinking himself amusing and charming. It has the exact opposite effect he intends. The fact that he keeps doing this implies that he's hilariously unaware that it's offensive to her to begin with.
- Shared Family Quirks:
- He has the arrogant narcissism that was present in almost all the Lannisters to some extent, but best exemplified in Cersei and Joffrey.
- He loves drinking lots of wine like at least two of his descendants, Tyrion and Cersei.
- His swagger is also surprisingly reminiscent of pre-Character Development Jaime generations later.
- Sibling Yin-Yang: Is the cockier and more boorish of the Lannister brothers.
Tyland Lannister
Ser Tyland Lannister
Played by: Jefferson Hall
The twin brother of Jason Lannister and Master of Ships on the Small Council following Corlys Velaryon's resignation.
- Everyone Has Standards: Despite being one of the Lords accepting of The Coup to place Aegon on the throne, including being rather pleased about the idea having Viserys' seeming approval of slaughtering Rhaenyra and her family, he is the most disturbed of them all when Lord Lyman Beesbury is killed for his defiance.
- Identical Twin ID Tag: He has short hair to distinguish him from his brother.
- Loophole Abuse: He points out that while many lords were ordered to swear oaths of fealty to Rhaenyra, most of those lords are already dead.
- Shared Family Quirks: Unlike his brother, Tyland seems to have the more mature and governance-oriented traits of his house — with at least a level of competence and attention to detail like Tywin's, and a calmer (if a bit undramatic) character like Kevan's. Also, like Tywin, he is coldly, pragmatic and thus very willing to tactily order the slaughter of royal children to assure a usurper's path to the throne.
- Sibling Yin-Yang: He is the more serious and dutiful (or dull, as Jason puts it) Lannister brother, concerned with the state of the realm.
House Stark
In General
"Winter Is Coming."
Lords Paramount of the North. Unlike the other Great Houses, they remain largely aloof from matters of politics and the royal court.
- I Gave My Word: As it's pointed out to Rhaenyra, the Starks Of Winterfell hold their oaths as Serious Business, and in a Call-Forward to Game of Thrones, Rhaenyra acknowledges House Stark's reputation as a unwavering honor filled house and this makes her sure they will side with her above Aegon.
- Respected by the Respected: Every time they are spoken of in Season 1 it's with a sense of deep respect, with them noted as a deeply honorable, and faithful family.
Rickon Stark
Lord Rickon Stark
"I, Rickon Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North, promise to be faithful to King Viserys, and to his named heir, Princess Rhaenyra."
Played By: David Hounslow
The Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North during most of the reign of King Viserys.
- Ancestral Name: One of his descendants among the children of Eddard "Ned" Stark in Game of Thrones is also named Rickon.
- Call-Forward: A subtle example. The montage of the lords of Westeros swearing fealty to Rheanyra is interspersed with scenes of Viserys telling her about Aegon the Conqueror's prophetic vision and while Viserys talks about "the prince that was promised" and the "song of ice and fire", we see Lord Rickon bend the knee before her, a little nod to how the two of them are the ancestors of Jon Snow, the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark.
- Killed Offscreen: He died sometime before the death of King Viserys and was succeeded by his son Cregan.
- Shared Family Quirks: In the little amount of screentime he is given during Rhaenyra's swearing-in ceremony, he certainly gave off the level of discomfort at court in the South any traditional Northman is certain to have—much like his descendant Eddard Stark would suffer as Hand of the King to Robert Baratheon.
- Signature Device: His outfit bears the same kind of "twin direwolves" badge that would feature in the outfits of two of his descendants: Robb Stark's cape and Jon Snow's gorget.
- Sworn in by Oath: He pledges fealty to Rhaenyra Targaryen when she's made Crown Princess at the end of Season 1's first episode. And unlike some other houses who invoke Loophole Abuse to get out of it, it's implied that his family will honor it.
- We Hardly Knew Ye: Appears at the end of episode one, has one line and dies offscreen sometime there after.
Cregan Stark
Lord Cregan Stark
The son of Rickon Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North at the time of the start of the Dance of Dragons.
- Sworn in by Oath: His father Rickon pledged fealty to Rhaenyra Targaryen when she was made Crown Princess, and Rhaenyra expects him to honor said oath by siding with her.
- Young and in Charge: Rhaenyra mentions that he's closer to Jacaerys in term of age than herself, and hints to her oldest son that he should try to find a Commonality Connection with Cregan due to this while he's in Winterfell.
House Arryn
In General
"As High as Honor"
Lords Paramount of the Vale.
- Out of Focus: House Arryn's presence was limited to Queen Aemma's person (who died in the pilot episode). Lady Jeyne Arryn, the current Head of House and cousin of the late queen, is only mentioned in dialogue in the fifth and tenth episodes of Season 1.
Aemma Arryn
Queen Aemma Arryn
Rhaenyra's mother, who married King Viserys I Targaryen. Her mother Princess Daella was also a Targaryen, younger sister of Viserys's father, making them first cousins (which isn't considered incest in Westeros), and Aemma has the characteristic Valyrian white hair.
- See House Targaryen
Jeyne Arryn
Lady Jeyne Arryn
Played By: Amanda Collin
Current head of House Arryn and ruler of the Vale in her own right. Rhaenyra's maternal cousin.
- The Ghost: Mentioned by name in two separate episodes of Season 1, setting up her appearance in Season 2.
Vassal Houses
House Royce
Rhea Royce
Lady Rhea Royce
"Husband?! What brings you to the Vale? Have you at last come to consummate our marriage?"
Played By: Rachel Redford
"I knew you couldn't finish!"
The Lady of Runestone and Daemon Targaryen's estranged wife, who resides in the Vale.
- Alliterative Name: Rhea Royce.
- Altar Diplomacy: It's implied that one of the many reasons Daemon dislikes her so much is that he had to marry her out of royal duty, and Daemon is not the kind of guy who is partial towards said duties. It's also hinted that said marriage was arranged to keep Daemon away from the royal court.
- Awful Wedded Life: Actually an Averted Trope. While she and Daemon are married and do loathe each other, it's not in this style. They barely have a marriage at all — at least not in the sense that's relevant to this trope. Their ill opinion of each other is not related to the day-to-day bickering, nagging, and drudgery of a life together — they haven't even seen each other in years.
- Cruel and Unusual Death: Daemon intercepts her when she's out hunting, which startles her horse into throwing her off and then falling on her, severing her spine. Then he takes a rock and beats her to death. When her body is discovered, her skull was crushed.
- Defiant to the End: Even with her spine broken and no way to defend herself, she spends her last moments taunting Daemon.
- Divorce Requires Death: They live in a world where divorce is not an option and whilst an annulment can be sought if the marriage is unconsummated, as theirs clearly was, presumably no septon would sign off on it without Viserys' permission. Daemon tries twice to take a second wife while his first wife still lives, calling it polygamy, but he's told resoundingly that's not an option either. So he kills her, freeing himself up to enter a more desirable marriage and allowing him to take her inheritance.
- Embarrassing Nickname: More like a straight-up insulting nickname, with Daemon referring to her as "my bronze bitch". "Bronze" refers to the "Bronze Kings" of the Vale from House Royce before the Andal Invasion that would leave the Arryns as the most prominent House there. Given how, even with what little we see and learn of her, it's clearly established that she's physically active, rather outdoorsy and a keen horse rider, it's also presumably a bit of a snide jab at how tanned she gets when she's out and about.
- Explain, Explain... Oh, Crap!: She spends what turn out to be her last few moments taunting her husband about their marriage and how he's trapped with her... only to realise just a few moments too late that (a) as a Targaryen, incest is an option open to him, (b) he's not above Til Murder Do Us Part and (c) they're on a lonely road miles from any witnesses...
- Get It Over With: The last thing the viewer hears from her is her saying "I knew you couldn't finish", clearly taunting him into finishing the job.
- Head Crushing: Daemon beat her head in with a rock after crippling her.
- Hunting "Accident": Officially, she was killed when her horse fell on her while she was out hunting and crushed her. Unofficially, given her excellent hunting and riding skills, no one believed a word of that explanation.Corlys: A most surprising end. Lady Rhea's skill as both rider and hunter were well-known.
- Informed Deformity: Daemon says that the sheep are more attractive than she is, but Rhea is played by the attractive Rachel Redford. Granted, Daemon hates her.
- Inheritance Murder: Played with. Daemon threatens Gerold Royce with his claiming of Runestone as Rhea's widower husband, which would effectively disinherit Gerold. This makes Gerold withdraw from his accusation of Rhea's murder towards Daemon.From the books...
- Irony:
- Rhea seems to be the only woman in Daemon's life who is entirely aware of the kind of person he is, but finds him hideous as a result. She has no deference towards him, and unlike Rhaenyra and Laena, she's absolutely not enamoured by him.
- Rhea is almost every bit the kind of woman Daemon likes, namely, her headstrong attitude, her tomboyish streak and independent nature, but there's three key aspects that she isn't: she's no Targaryen, she's no dragonrider, and most importantly, she doesn't put up with any of his bullshit.
- It's Personal: Whatever happened between Rhea and Daemon left them both with a deeply rooted hatred for each other, so much that once they meet again, she has nothing but venomous words to give him.
- Killed Offscreen: Daemon beating her to death is not shown on screen, but her death is confirmed by both Corlys and her cousin later in the episode.
- Offing the Mouth: While it was clear that Daemon was there to kill her regardless, the fact that she spent the majority of their interaction insulting him didn't help her case.
- Shared Family Quirks: Like her descendant Lord Yohn Royce, Rhea is not one to mince words when speaking of or to someone she dislikes and distrusts and is hostile towards House Targaryen.
- Too Dumb to Live: In a way. Her husband, who she knows hates her guts, is approaching her wearing a dark hood and not saying a word as she one-sidedly insults him. She doesn't notice that anything is off until he gets too close to her horse and by then it's too late for her to do anything to defend herself.
- Unwanted Spouse: Rhea and Daemon are as divorced as they can be while still being legally married. They live apart and haven't seen each other in years, which Daemon says is how they both prefer it. He calls her a bitch, complains about her at every opportunity, and repeatedly tries to take new wives.Daemon: I think my bronze bitch is happier for my absence.
Gerold Royce
Ser Gerold Royce
Played By: Owen Oakeshott
"In the Vale, men are made to pay for their crimes."
The cousin of Lady Rhea Royce.
- Beard of Sorrow: Although the whitening of his beard is likely due to aging, having to endure the death of his cousin surely doesn't help.
- Canon Foreigner: He doesn't exist in any book from the A Song of Ice and Fire universe.
- Shared Family Quirks: Like Lord Yohn Royce in the Game of Thrones era, he's hard to fool about murders disguised as something else (the "suicide" of Lysa Arryn in Yohn's case and the Hunting "Accident" of Rhea in his).
- You Killed My Father: He knows full well Rhea's death was no accident, and makes it clear to Daemon Targaryen he knows he did it and wants to see him answer for it.
Other Nobles
Willem Blackwood
Willem Blackwood
Played By: Alfie Todd
"If chosen as your match, princess, your days shall be easy, and nights safe under my protection."
A member of House Blackwood chosen to vie for the hand of Princess Rhaenyra.
- Adaptational Badass: In Fire & Blood, the duel between Bracken and Blackwood ended non-fatally in the Bracken's favour. Here, Willem stands victorious against Jerrel Bracken.
- Adaptational Name Change: His equivalent in the novels is named Samwell Blackwood instead of Willem.
- David Versus Goliath: He is still rather small due to his young age, and he fights against an imposing Bracken somewhere in his teens or just above but manages to defeat him.
- Feuding Families: The Blackwoods and Brackens have been feuding for thousands of years.
- Honor Before Reason: He at first ignores Jerrel Bracken's taunts and begins to leave with dignity, up until Jerrel calls him a craven. As an insult to a man's bravery is a very grave thing in Westeros, he immediately draws his sword against his much larger opponent, an unwise move if Jerrel hadn't gravely underestimated him.
- Hopeless Suitor: While Rhaenyra finds the boy's bravery to ask for her hand in marriage amusing, he's never a serious candidate in her mind. He's too young, marrying into such a minor House brings no benefits to the Targaryens, and he cannot even offer her the protection expected of a husband towards his wife—Rhaenyra is a Dragon Rider. The rest of the candidates make fun of him for this.
- My God, What Have I Done?: He looks horrified after he mortally wounds Jerrel, and numbly lets his sword fall from his hand as he stands over his opponent spitting up blood in the arms of his father.
- Offing the Mouth: After growing increasingly annoyed with Jerrel Bracken's snide comments during his speech to the Princess, he decides that being called craven is the last straw and draws his sword. He does end up killing him, though his own reaction suggests he heavily regretted doing so right after.
- Offscreen Moment of Awesome: As the camera follows Rhaenyra and Ser Cole as they leave the room, we do not get to see how he turns the tide of the fight in his favour and lands the mortal blow.
Jerrel Bracken
Jerrel Bracken
Played By: Gabriel Scott
The representative of House Bracken during the courting of Princess Rhaenyra.
- Adaptational Name Change: The name of the Bracken suitor from the equivalent scene in Fire & Blood was instead Amos Bracken.
- Adaptational Wimp: In the book, Amos was the winner of the duel against Samwell for Rhaenyra's hand. Here, Jerrel is bested by Willem Blackwood and fatally injured.
- Blood from the Mouth: He spits out blood as he lays dying from his wounds
- Country Matters: Refers to Willem Blackwood as a "dumb cunt" for offering Rhaenyra his protection when she has a personal dragon to rely upon.
- Feuding Families: The Blackwoods and Brackens have been feuding for thousands of years.
- Impaled with Extreme Prejudice: He's stabbed through the stomach and chest by Willem Blackwood at the end of their scuffle.
- Jerkass: From what little we see of him before his death, he proves to be crude and arrogant, demeaning Willem for no real reason than the animosity between their two families.
- Suicidal Overconfidence: When Willem Blackwood draws his sword, he confidently matches him with a small dagger, which proves to be a disadvantage that gets him killed despite him easily throwing Willem to the ground at the beginning of their duel.
Allun Caswell
Lord Allun Caswell
Played By: Paul Hickey
The Lord of Bitterbridge and head of House Caswell.
- Bad Liar: When asked to swear allegiance to King Aegon II, Allun is clearly nervous and the last of the nobles to bend the knee, drawing the attention of Larys Strong. After being caught trying to leave the Red Keep, he is questioned by Otto Hightower and Larys on his intentions and loyalty to Rhaenyra. He attempts to claim he has no love for Rhaenyra, but when asked what he was doing cannot come up with any answer and is thus sentenced to hang.
- Dead Guy on Display: His hanged corpse is left in one of the main halls of the Red Keep as a warning to other nobility who may have some loyalty to Rhaenyra.
- Dies Differently in Adaptation: The pro-Rhaenyra Lord Caswell was beheaded for refusing to bend the knee in the book. Here, Allun pretends to submit to Aegon's rule but is caught trying to defect to Rhaenyra and gets hanged instead.
- Named by the Adaptation: Went unnamed in Fire and Blood but receives the name of Allun in the series.
- Sacrificial Lamb: A minor lord whose few appearances comprised of supporting Rhaenyra, Allun is hanged in the Red Keep and his body left there when he attempts to flee the Red Keep and inform her about the usurpation. This shows that the Greens mean business about overturning her claim.
- Undying Loyalty: He pretends to swear allegiance to Aegon II in a bid to later flee the Red Keep and warn Rhaenyra of the coup, knowing that his death if caught will likely be a far worse fate than the other nobles who simply refused to submit.
Lord Merryweather
Lord Merryweather
Played By: Paul Clayton
The Lord of Longtable and head of House Merryweather.
- Conflicting Loyalty: While unmentioned in the episode itself, it should be noted that House Merryweather is a fellow Reach house as House Hightower—which would make one presume they would be onboard the Green coup. This makes his standing by his oath to Rhaenyra remarkable.
- Face Death with Dignity: He remains calm and collected even when the Hightower guards arrest him and take him to the dungeons, despite knowing he's likely to be executed.
- I Need to Go Iron My Dog: Tries to leave with the excuse that he needs to confer with the rest of his house regarding the apparent succession change. When informed that none will be allowed to leave unless they've declared themselves, he defiantly refuses to become an oathbreaker or bend the knee.
- Undying Loyalty: Unlike the majority of lords in the royal court, he remains true to his oath to Rhaenyra even in the face of certain death.
Qoren Martell
Qoren Martell
The Prince of Dorne during Viserys I's reign, when Dorne is still independent from the Targaryens under the Iron Throne.
- The Ghost: Mentioned by name in the small council but doesn't appear on screen in Season 1.
