Highlights
- House Targaryen navigates political maneuvers in House of the Dragon to uphold ancient strength through smart decisions and alliances.
- Houses betraying Rhaenyra for Alicent's Greens spark family conflict into war in House of the Dragon, leading to chaos and discord.
- House Hightower's cunning led to war by manipulating Viserys' succession, while House Lannister and Baratheon also contributed to the power struggles.
HBO's House of the Dragon depicts the constantly shifting wheel of politics. Members of House Targaryen, such as Viserys I and later, the Dowager Queen, Alicent Hightower, took various political decisions to ensure the ancient strength of the Targaryens remains intact. Viserys chose Rhaenyra to save the realm, while Alicent mistakenly thought her son, Aegon, and his namesake - the Conqueror, had the same mettle.
Saddest Deaths In House Of The Dragon
As a prequel to Game of Thrones, it's no surprise that House of the Dragon features some truly heartbreaking deaths.
The disgraceful Houses in House of the Dragon are the ones who broke faith with King Viserys' chosen heir, Rhaenyra Targaryen, after swearing oaths of fealty to her, and defected to Alicent's party - the Greens. Their representatives sowed discord in the realm and played their part in snowballing a family conflict into a war.
1 House Hightower
Otto Hightower Is Directly Responsible For Kin Strife
Alicent Hightower's cunning father, and the Hand, Otto, schemed to place his blood on the Iron Throne ever since Viserys' first wife, Aemma Arryn's death. When Viserys was a widower, Otto pushed the king to name Rhaenyra heir because he knew Daemon was a force to be reckoned with, and a female heir could be supplanted in time. In the meanwhile, Otto ordered his daughter to visit the king privately to act as a distraction:
I thought you might go to him, offer him comfort... He'll be glad of a visitor. You might wear one of your mother's dresses.
Otto's older brother, Hobert Hightower, who swore an oath to Rhaenyra, pressed him to brainwash the king into naming Aegon heir. The Hightowers knew a war of succession was certain. They waited for Viserys' death and pulled the carpet out from under Rhaenyra. Otto then struck fear in Alicent's heart:
You're no fool and yet you choose not to see it. The time is coming, Alicent. Either you prepare Aegon to rule, or you cleave to Rhaenyra and pray for her mercy.
Otto used Alicent as a pawn, and the Hightowers of Oldtown geared for war.
2 House Lannister
The Prideful Lannisters Conspired To Install Aegon On The Throne
Jason Lannister, much like the son of a steward, Ser Criston Cole, failed to handle Rhaenyra's rejection and made her an enemy.
New Dragons And Their Dragonriders In House Of The Dragon Season 2
As season 2 of HBO's House of the Dragon draws closer to its summer 2024 release date, these are the dragons and dragonriders who are about to debut.
House Lannister was one of the invitees to Rhaenyra and Laenor Velaryon's wedding. Lord Jason walked up to the high table to congratulate King Viserys and hoped to pay respects to Queen Alicent, who was missing from the celebrations. Jason's twin, Tyland, served as Master of Ships on Viserys' small council. He was among the few to cast doubt on Lucerys Velaryon's potential to succeed his grandsire, Corlys as Lord of the Tides:
The boy has been raised most of his life away from Driftmark. He can fly a dragon, yes, but can he command a fleet?
After Viserys died in House of the Dragon, Otto summoned Tyland and the rest and informed them of the king's so-called dying wish to have Aegon succeed him as Lord of the Seven Kingdoms. Tyland replied:
Then we may proceed now with the full assurance of his blessing on our long-laid plans.
Tyland Lannister doesn't act surprised when Alicent asks whether the small council has been planning secretly to install Aegon.
3 House Wylde
Jasper Wylde Was Rhaenyra's Biggest Opponent At Court
A well-known member of Viserys' small council, and Master of Laws, Jasper Wylde is hostile towards Rhaenyra and fiercely loyal to Alicent. When the Princess is summoned to King's Landing to make a petition in favor of Lucerys' succession rights to Driftmark, Jasper is seen seated next to Alicent at the small council. He wants what the Greens want:
The Sea Snake has never formally named him as heir, if it comes to that. The crown must choose what is best for the realm.
Jasper, also present at the Green council, mentions that he, Otto, and Tyland have been planning to usurp Rhaenyra:
My Queen, there was no need to sully you with darkling schemes.
When Lord Beesbury objects to the treason, seizure, and theft at the Green Council, Jasper interrupts, "Plot or no, the king changed his mind." He accedes to have Rhaenyra and her children murdered. Alicent threatens to remove him from the council and send him to the Wall because of his lack of scruples.
4 House Baratheon
Lord Borros Baratheon Sided With The Greens
One of the Great Houses - Baratheon under Lord Borros - sides with Queen Alicent Hightower in the Dance of the Dragons. Borros is eager to do so, as he has four unmarried daughters, and Alicent's secondborn son, Aemond Targaryen, offers his hand in marriage.
Every Game Of Thrones House Missing From House Of The Dragon
These Game of Thrones houses didn't make it to House of the Dragon, for one reason or another.
Lord Borros isn't beholden to his father's vows and refuses to entertain Rhaenyra's messenger, Lucerys, at his court. He ushers the boy out, calls him a "pup" and lacks royal etiquette. Baratheons declare for the Greens and become oath breakers in the war.
5 House Tully
Rhaenyra Fears Lord Grover Is Fickle
The head of House Tully, Lord Grover, rules Riverrun and over the Riverlands. He was among the hundreds of lords and landed knights who swore fealty to Viserys' decreed heir, Princess Rhaenyra. Otto counts Riverrun among his allies in House of the Dragon season 1, episode 9 "The Green Council," saying:
Let Ravens be sent to our allies, Riverrun and Highgarden.
Since the Riverlands are the central region of the Seven Kingdoms, the Hightowers count on Riverrun's support in the upcoming Dance. Lord Grover wants to defect to the Greens in lore but is too old to act on it. His heir, Ser Elmo, saves the honor of House Tully by fighting for the Blacks. Rhaenyra fears Lord Grover is "easily swayed" in the show's canon:
He will need to be convinced of the strength of our position and that we will support him should it come to war.
For now, it remains to be seen how House of the Dragon season 2 adapts Lord Grover Tully's character for the show.
