April 17th, 2011 was the day Game of Thrones premiered on HBO, and the medieval fantasy series went on to become the most popular show in the world. The series is based off of A Song of Ice & Fire, a book series written by George R.R. Martin, and when the show ended in 2019, HBO started to develop multiple prequel series, including one that focuses on the great Targaryen civil war known as the Dance of Dragons.
The show is called House of the Dragon, and if it follows the source material, it will focus on Aegon II and his half-sister Rhaenyra as they fight over their father's throne. This war of succession is one of the most important periods in the history of Westeros, as it caused irreparable damage to House Targaryen. HBO released a trailer for the new show not long ago, and it features a number of callbacks to both the books and Game of Thrones.
7 Blackfyre Makes An Appearance
A number of legendary swords have appeared in Westeros over the centuries, and most of them were made of Valyrian steel. These swords typically belonged to great Houses, and the Targaryens possessed two of their own. One of them was a special longsword called Blackfyre.
This sword holds special meaning for the Targaryens, as it is the sword that Aegon the Conqueror wielded during his conquest. It is said that every Targaryen King wielded this sword until it was given to a bastard and lost. Blackfyre can be seen in the hand of King Viserys during the trailer when he is addressing the Lords of Westeros.
6 Syrax Is The First New Dragon To Be Shown
One of the reasons why Game of Thrones became so popular is because it featured dragons, and if House of the Dragon remains faithful to the source material, fans will get to see well over a dozen new dragons this time around. The trailer gave viewers their first real glimpse at one of the new dragons flying over King's Landing.
The she-dragon's name is Syrax, and her rider is none other than Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, who serves as one of the show's main characters. The trailer clearly shows a younger version of the princess arriving at court. Syrax is known for her yellow scales, and for playing a role in the Dragonpit riots.
5 The Necklace Worn By The Younger
The trailer made it very clear that House of the Dragon will have a few flashback scenes, and most of them will undoubtedly focus on Rhaenyra. Based on what was shown in the trailer, Rhaenyra is in fact named Viserys' heir, which explains her presence at court.
During the fealty ceremony, Rhaenyra can be seen wearing the colors of her House, but she is also wearing a necklace that is quite unique and significant. The necklace has several chains on it, and the centerpiece features the Targaryen sigil. The other visible chains have the sigils of House Tully, Martell and House Lannister on them. This is meant to symbolize the union of the Seven Kingdoms under Rhaenyra.
4 Aegon's Painted Table
When Daenerys arrived on Dragonstone, she brought all of her allies together and held a meeting to discuss strategy, a meeting that took place in front of Aegon's painted table. This table was first seen in season 2 of Game of Thrones when Stannis still ruled the former Targaryen stronghold.
Aegon Targaryen had this table built years before his conquest, and he used it to plan his invasion. It was incredibly detailed thanks to existing maps, and because he and his sisters surveyed the continent while on their dragons. The table can be seen in the trailer where Rhaenyra is likely holding a meeting with her war council.
3 The Return Of Harrenhal
Harrenhal is still the largest castle in Westeros, and it has been considered a cursed place ever since Aegon's conquest. The castle was completed while Harren the Black served as the final King of the Isles and the Rivers. He was a tyrant however, and many of his vassals turned against him when Aegon began invading.
Harren refused to bend the knee, and Aegon used his dragon to burn the castle. Harren and his entire line ended that day. The trailer showed the inside of a broken-down and dark castle that can only be Harrenhal. the castle is of strategic importance, and Prince Daemon Targaryen used it as his base of operations during the civil war.
2 The Infamous Dagger Returns
Littlefinger was an obvious traitor in waiting, and he knew how to play each side. He was the one who hired the man who tried to assassinate Bran in the first season of Game of Thrones, and he purposefully gave him a Valyrian steel dagger in order to frame Tyrion.
This dagger is now synonymous with treachery, and existed well before the attempt on Bran's life. Alicent Hightower marries King Viserys and gives him sons, who she proclaims as the true heirs to the Iron Throne. In the trailer, Alicent is seen trying to stab Rhaenyra with the infamous dagger.
1 The True Iron Throne
The Iron Throne was the main source of conflict in Game of Thrones, and it will be the reason why Westeros gets plunged into civil war in House of the Dragon. Fans got a glimpse of the iconic throne in the trailer, but it looks a bit different this time around.
The throne was built after Aegon's conquest, and it was made up of the swords of his conquered foes. It was actually his dragon, Balerion, who forged the throne with his fire. The trailer showed the Lords of House Stark, Baratheon and Velaryon kneeling before the throne, which is slightly more elevated and asymmetrical in design, and it is surrounded swords which look like dangerous thorns. This is how the Iron Throne is depicted in George R.R. Martin's books.
House of the Dragon will premiere on HBO on August 21, 2022.