Includes SPOILERS for House of the Dragon season 2, episode 7.
Summary
House of the Dragonseason 2, episode 7, reveals thatAddam of Hull is the rider who claimed Seasmoke, raising questions about his origins and the relationship between dragons and riders. As Jacaerys Velaryon explains in the latest episode, part of what holds the Targaryen dynasty in power is the idea that they have a connection with dragons. If anyone can tame a dragon, the mystification surrounding their reign is dispelled, and the common folk will see them as mortals. This ties to the larger idea of theDance of the Dragonsleading to the dynasty’s eventual downfall.
Played by Clinton Liberty in theHouse of the Dragoncast, Addam of Hull isshown throughout season 2 to be the bastard son of Corlys Velaryon. Episode 6 saw Seasmoke reject Ser Steffon Darklyn and then fly out to find Addam, implying it had some sort of connection with him. Seasmoke was previously bonded to Ser Laenor Velaryon, Lord Corlys' trueborn son, but there’s more there to break down.
Addam Of Hull Isn’t Targaryen But Does Have Valyrian Blood
Addam Claiming Seasmoke Suggests Valyrian Blood Is The Only Requirement
Addam of Hull isn’t a Targaryen as far as the story reveals. He could have Targaryen blood, but that’s beside the point. Addam has Velaryon blood, which was another house that came from Old Valyria and settled in Westeros. This suggests that it’snot necessarily about Targaryen blood but about Valyrian blood. After all, Valyria was ruled by many dragonlord families, not just the Targaryens, so there’s no reason to suspect that it would be exclusive to just them decades later.
As mentioned, House Targaryen’s rule over the Seven Kingdoms has an air of mysticism to it. The houses and common folk of Westeros believe the Targaryens to be closer to gods due to their ability to bond with dragons. Therefore, if anyone with Valyrian blood can claim a dragon, they lose an aspect of their rulership that makes the populace revere them. The Targaryens wanted the Realm to believe only they could do it, but it’s not true.
6 Game Of Thrones Families Descended From Targaryens
Everyone is related to everyone in Game of Thrones, with multiple prevalent noble houses carrying Targaryen blood even after the Mad King’s fall.
Is Being Valyrian Really Necessary To Ride A Dragon?
This Seems Possible, But It’s Not 100% Confirmed
While those with Valyrian blood are the only ones to claim the manydragons inHouse of the Dragon, there’s no reason to suspect it’s 100% necessary. It’s sort of a self-fulfilling idea.Valyrians and Targaryens, by extension, have perpetuated the idea that only they can claim dragons; therefore, they’re generally the only ones with the opportunities to do so. If non-Valyrians believe themselves incapable, they won’t try, and the question can’t be answered concretely.
In the show’s source material,Fire & Blood, there’s a character named Nettles who winds up claiming a dragon during the Dance. Her origin of Valyrian blood is questionable, and she uses a clever strategy to bond with her dragon instead of the usual method. The existence of Nettles raises the debate about whether it’s necessary to be Valyrian. However, she seems to have been cut fromHouse of the Dragon, so the TV show likely won’t provide a concrete answer to this question.
House of the Dragon
House of the Dragon is a 2022 fantasy drama set in the world of Westeros, chronicling the Targaryen dynasty at its height. The story revolves around King Viserys’s controversial decision to name his daughter Rhaenyra as heir to the Iron Throne, sparking tensions and divisions within the realm.
