Highlights
- Ser Criston Cole goes from foot soldier to Aegon II's Lord Commander, impacting House Targaryen's divide through bad decisions.
- Betraying Rhaenyra to Alicent results in generational hate among House Targaryen members.
- Murdering Joffrey Lonmouth at Rhaenyra's wedding leads to chaos.
Lord Commander of Aegon II's Kingsguard and his soon-to-be Hand, Ser Criston Cole plays a part in igniting the war between Princess Rhaenyra and Queen Alicent in House of the Dragon. Rhaenyra appoints him as her sworn shield among the finest knights of the Seven Kingdoms in House of the Dragon season 1, episode 2 "The Rogue Prince." The son of a steward of the Lord of Blackhaven, Ser Criston has solid combat experience at the time of his appointment.
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Ser Criston's appointment to the Kingsguard station is just the beginning of his story. He goes from fighting as a foot soldier in the Dornish Marches to Aegon II's Lord Commander. He had a direct bearing on the political divide within House Targaryen and shaped the pre-war era through a series of bad decisions.
1 Breaking His Oath
Soiled His Cloak In A Consensual Act
- In Season 1, Episode 4: "King of the Narrow Sea"
Ser Criston and Rhaenyra were close from his investiture to her betrothal to Ser Laenor Velaryon. In between all these years, Criston saw Rhaenyra struggle with the burden of her inheritance. King Viserys' second marriage to Alicent Hightower resulted in the births of subsequent male heirs.
After Daemon's return from the Stepstones, he snuck Rhaenyra into the Street of Silk in the dead of the night. He began introducing her to quite a few things in a pleasure house but abandoned her. She managed to return to the castle, pulled Criston inside, and decided to lose her virginity to him. Granted, Criston initially resisted Rhaenyra's advances, but the love-making was consensual. Criston was being transactional when he expected the Princess to leave everything behind and ride off into the sunset with him. He remembered he had disgraced himself and his station only after she rejected his proposal.
2 Betraying Rhaenyra To Alicent
Set Off A Series Of Disastrous Events
- In Season 1, Episode 5: "We Light The Way"
Ser Criston and Rhaenyra's tryst in the bedchambers would have remained a well-kept secret had he not betrayed her. After the pair parted ways, Ser Criston was back at his station, serving in the Kingsguard. Rhaenyra and Daemon's exploits in the pleasure house set tongues wagging, and word reached Viserys through his Lord Hand - Otto. Alicent overhead their conversation and chose to confront Rhaenyra, who swore about her honesty.
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The King saw through Otto's efforts to besmirch the Princess's honor in an attempt to have her supplanted as heir and dismissed him. Criston opened up to Alicent, divulging every piece of information. This breach of faith led to Alicent's apathy. She saw Rhaenyra as a stepdaughter thereafter and worked to protect the interests of her House and family in the Red Keep. Alicent also poisoned her children's minds, leading to generational hate among members of House Targaryen.
3 Beating Joffrey Lonmouth To Death
Caused Chaos At Rhaenyra's Wedding
- In Season 1, Episode 5: "We Light the Way"
A sworn sword of House Velaryon and Ser Laenor's paramour, Joffrey Lonmouth became a target of Ser Criston's ire at the royal wedding in House of the Dragon season 1, episode 5 "We Light the Way." Ser Criston was unhinged at the time of the Princess' wedding and he took it out on Joffrey, who'd merely suggested that they guard their partners' secrets. Joffrey was unaware that Rhaenyra and Criston had parted ways and of the latest developments.
The guilt-ridden Criston murdered Joffrey in cold blood, leading to chaos at the wedding. He couldn't handle the Princess's rejection and killed an innocent man in the process. He broke Laenor's heart and was responsible for the disastrous wedding. He caused more damage to Viserys' reputation than the pool of spies who spread rumors about the Princess.
4 Showing Contempt For Rhaenyra's Children
Added Fuel To The Fire
- In Season 1, Episode 6: "The Princess and the Queen"
By the time of Prince Joffrey Velaryon's birth, everyone at the court cast doubts on Rhaenyra's children's paternity. She had three sons from her marriage to Laenor, and none had Targaryen or Velaryon features. While Rhaenyra and Ser Harwin Strong's affair was an open secret in the capital, the king chose to turn a blind eye to the Princess's goings-on.
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Ser Criston, on the other hand, riled Harwin during a sparring session in the Red Keep's training yard. By showing contempt towards Rhaenyra's children, he attempted to goad Ser Harwin into a fight in House of the Dragon season 1, episode 6 "The Princess and the Queen." Harwin's reaction upset the onlookers, especially the King and his father, Lord Hand Lyonel Strong. The King's heir's virtue was called into question, and Harwin was dismissed from the City Watch. Rhaenyra and Harwin were separated, and Lyonel took leave to escort his son to Harren's castle. The latter development set in motion the youngest Strong, i.e., Larys' plan to kill his father and brother for a life of privilege and to ally with Alicent Hightower.
5 Killing Lyman Beesbury
Another Cold-Blooded Murder
- In Season 1, Episode 9: "The Green Council"
Ser Criston enjoyed more power by the time of House of the Dragon season 1, episode 9 "The Green Council." King Viserys was dead, and the Greens effectively controlled the seat of power.
The Blacks were at Dragonstone, and Ser Criston was by Alicent's side at the Small (Green) Council meeting. As they discussed the potential and probable usurpation of power, Viserys' longest-serving councilor, Lord Lyman Beesbury, raised questions over the King choosing Aegon as heir on his deathbed. As he accused the council of regicide and power theft, Criston shoved him into his chair, crashing his temple against the marble ball. Criston showed no remorse and refused to remove his cloak. The honorable Lord Lyman's cold-blooded murder signaled the onset of war in House of the Dragon.
