Game of Thrones fans had a unique relationship with the source material. Reading the books might have spoiled some twists and turns, but the final few seasons blazed a new trail. Fans of House of the Dragons can find out every detail of the upcoming second season before it comes out. While the show may deviate from George R. R. Martin's work, the tale of Cregan Stark and the Hour of the Wolf may spoil the final moments.
House of the Dragon is a considerably more focused experience than Game of Thrones. The original series splits every episode into at least three plotlines, regularly crossing the Known World to explore crossing narratives. House of the Dragon centers on the Targaryen Civil War while only leaving King's Landing to cover the spreading conflict. Subsequently, when issues outside the family burst into the prequel series, it's a bit more jarring than Game of Thrones's ensemble storytelling.
What happened in the Hour of the Wolf?
Again, the following contains spoilers for the events that will occur in House of the Dragon. The show follows the Dance of the Dragons, the civil war for control of the Targaryen Dynasty. King Viserys I Targaryen's first heir is Princess Rhaenyra, but her gender and connection to her imperious uncle Daemon led many to oppose her. Aegon II, the King's only living son, ascended to the throne in a quiet ceremony while Rhaenyra was away. Rhaenyra's supporters became known as the blacks, while Aegon II's were called the greens. A war of succession dominated King's Landing as both parties and their devotees fought for control. Gyldayn, the leading in-universe historian of the time, described the Dance like this:
The Dance was a war unlike any other fought in the long history of the Seven Kingdoms. Though armies marched and met in savage battle, much of the slaughter took place on water, and ... especially ... in the air, as dragon fought dragon with tooth and claw and flame. It was a war marked by stealth, murder, and betrayal as well, a war fought in shadows and stairwells, council chambers and castle yards, with knives and lies and poison.
The Dance ended poorly for all involved. A knight betrayed Rhaenyra as she fled King's Landing, allowing Aegon II to feed her to his dragon. His victory was short-lived. Three black armies opposing Aegon II's reign marched on King's Landing. Men of the Vale armed themselves under the guidance of Jeyne Arryn. Rivermen gathered behind Elmo Tully and his sons Kermit and Oscar. Finally, Lord of Winterfell and Head of House Stark Cregan Stark led the might of the North into King's Landing. Aegon II's small council was justifiably terrified to see such an overwhelming force approaching the Red Keep. They suggested he surrender and take the black, escaping death through a life in the Night's Watch. They found Aegon II dead with poison on his lips.
Rhaenyra's last living son, Aegon III, welcomed Houses Tully and Stark with open arms. The surviving green loyalists yielded quickly, intimidated by the black armies and convinced of rumors of new dragons. Cregan Stark was excited to continue the war, but his bloodlust was denied. Lord Corlys Velaryon established peace negotiations with every remaining kingdom. Stark waited patiently for their answer, then sadly succumbed to the end of the conflict. Cregan would, however, seek justice for Aegon II's death. He arrested 22 men, including Lord Corlys, and bullied young King Aegon III into letting him dictate the trial. Aegon saved Corlys, returning him to his position and arranging a strategic marriage to free him. 19 accused took the black and traveled to the Wall. Cregan finally got to take two lives, Master of Whisperers Larys Strong and Kingsguard member Gyles Belgrave. Cregan Stark beheaded them both with his family's Valyrian Steel greatsword, Ice.
What was the aftermath of the Hour of the Wolf?
Lord Cregan Stark left King's Landing after the trial, his desire for violence sated. Hundreds of his men stayed in King's Landing, marrying women widowed in the civil war. With the Dance of the Dragons finally over, the new King ascended to the Iron Throne. Aegon III Targaryen married his cousin, Jaehaera, and donned the crown the same day. Aegon III was only 11 when he took his birthweight. Seven regents formed a council to lead while Aegon III grew up, making the young King a puppet of more capable political forces. Aegon III was not a celebrated ruler. Some blame him for the death of the last dragon, as he hated the creatures that killed his mother.
For all the fire and blood of the Dance of the Dragons, the conflict ended in cold justice for non-stop betrayal. Both dragons died when their supporters turned against them, revealing the natural world of subterfuge underlying the Dance. Cregan Stark's brief campaign silenced the civil war before setting the terrible status quo back in place. Maybe if Cregan had pushed a bit further, they could have established something like Robert's Rebellion earlier.
