House of the Dragon houses and character guide

The end of Game of ThronesMany fans have an in-depth knowledge of all the noble houses and their rulers. They also know where they are located, as well as who they are allied with. However, with House of the DragonIt was 200 years ago. Game of ThronesWe, the ones who chose to forgo reading George R.R. Martin’s Fire & BloodThey are almost starting from scratch. There are a few familiar houses in the mix — most obviously House Targaryen, with a few others to come — but for the most part, House of the Dragon is populated by houses that we didn’t get to see in Game of Thrones.

To help you keep track of the various houses — and how they fit into the ongoing political schemes and upcoming war — we’ll be updating this guide throughout the season.

[Ed. note: The following contains spoilers for House of the Dragon episode 2.]

House Targaryen

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“Fire and Blood”
The Royal House of Westeros. Their ancestral seat is Dragonstone, though they rule out of King’s Landing. Their sigil depicts a three-headed red dragon lording over a field of black.

The entire show is about House Targaryen, so this is probably the one house you don’t need help keeping straight (or at least we’d hope). We’ll still go over the bullet points here, though, just in case.

If House of the Dragon Beginning, Viserys the Targaryen has been elected King of Westeros by the Great Council. He succeeded his grandfather Jaehaerys. Viserys named Rhaenyra his heir following the death of Aemma Arryn his wife and the birth of their son Baelon. He also removed his brother Daemon Targaryen (the line of succession). Viserys then marries Alicent Hightower. This creates a crisis of succession and sets off the Dance of the Dragons.

House Hightower

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“We Light the Way”
They are the rulers of Oldtown where is situated Citadel. They fealt House Tyrell of Highgarden. Their sigil is composed of a white tower with flames and gray fields.

Of all the new prominent houses in House of the DragonHightower, is one to watch. Lord Hobert Hightower is the head of this house. His younger brother Ser Otto, is Hand to King Viserys II Targaryen. It’s Otto who encourages his daughter Alicent to get close to the king after the death of his wife Aemma, leading to Alicent’s upcoming marriage to Viserys. Otto also has a son, Ser Gwayne Hightower, who participated in the Heir’s Tournament in the series premiere.

Hightower holds fealty to House Tyrell, but they also have several vassals of their own: Bulwer, Costayne, Cuy, and Beesbury, whose lord, Lyman, serves as Viserys’ Master of Coin.

House Velaryon

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“The Old, the True, the Brave”
Driftmark’s rulers, an island off Blackwater Bay. Their seat is High Tide, an island-castle off Driftmark’s coast. The sigil of the Silver Seahorse is an Aquamarine Field.

House Velaryon is one of the oldest (and wealthiest) houses in Westeros, with a bloodline as ancient as House Targaryen — as its current lord, Corlys “the Sea Snake,” loves to remind Viserys. The Velaryons may not be dragon riders, but they are a Valyrian house, originating from Essos’ Valyrian Peninsula. Corlys is married to Viserys’ cousin, Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, dubbed the Queen Who Never Was after she was passed over as Jaehaerys’ heir. Corlys and Rhaenys are parents to Laena (and Laenor)

Corlys, also known as Lord of the Tides, serves as Viserys’ Master of Ships and commands the Royal Fleet. Corlys joins Daemon Targaryen after Viserys refuses to marry Laena, a 12-year-old girl, in favour of Alicent Hightower.

House Strong

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One of the noble houses in the Riverlands, which fealts House Tully. Their home is Harrenhal. Their sigil consists of three parts: blue, red and green that converge around a fist placed on a field.

House Strong is ruled over by Lord Lyonel Strong, who acts as Viserys’ Master of Laws. Larys is his youngest child, while Ser Harwin is the oldest. He is also known as Breakbones.

House Strong’s seat is Harrenhal, which hosted Jaehaerys I Targaryen’s assembly to choose an heir. But between Harrenhal’s alleged curse and the fact that the seat was held by House Whent when Game of Thrones began, things already aren’t looking great for House Strong’s future in House of the Dragon.

House Cole

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House Dondarrion Stewards at Blackhaven is a castle located in the Dornish Marches. The sigil of their Stewards is ten circles in black on a field.

We met the hunky Ser Criston Cole in the series premiere when he defeated Daemon Targaryen in the Heir’s Tournament — a loss made more spicy by the fact that Cole is common-born. Criston’s father is the steward to the Lord of Blackhaven, but despite technically being called a noble house, House Cole is largely looked down upon in noble society for their “low-born” status. Cole’s Dornish ancestry probably doesn’t help matters either.

House Westerling

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House Lannister, a noble Westerlands family that swears loyalty to them. They are seated at the Crag.

Ser Harrold Westerling is a long-standing member of the Kingsguard, having begun his service under Jaehaerys’ rule. He serves currently as Rhaenyra’s sworn shield. You can read more about him here. Game of ThronesThe only instance House Westerling appeared was when Robb Stark gave them their seat. This house was a prominent part of the Song of Ice and Fire series. Robb married Jeyne Westerling, rather than Talisa Megyr in the books.

House Lannister

“Hear Me Roar!”
They are the rulers of Westerlands. Casterly Rock serves as their home. Their sigil consists of a golden Lion on a Crimson Field.

House of the DragonWe will have at least two Lannisters in this season’s series: the twins Tyland, and Jason (current Lord of Casterly Rock). With Lannister being one of the Great Houses of Westeros — and one of the most beloved houses from Game of Thrones — we’re curious to see what type of impact this new set of Lannister twins has on the political proceedings.