The civil warHouse of the Dragonhas long been building towards has finally arrived, tearing the realm in two after generations of peace. Based onFire and BloodbyGeorge R. R. Martin, the two sides of the fracturedHouse Targaryenthat are in conflict for the Iron Throne are commonly referred to as the Greens and the Blacks. This may be confusing for those who haven’t read the source material. So,who are the Greens and the Blacks, and which side has the advantage?As Season 2 shows the battles, alliances, and betrayals of the war referred to as the Dance of the Dragons, these two sides are in constant motion. But to understand the story, it’s important to remember where each side stands.
The beginning of the war is straightforward. Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) was named by her father, King Viserys I (Paddy Considine), as heir to the Iron Throne. While a woman never ruled before, the King had no other living children and, reluctant to remarry, didn’t believe he would have more. At the time,his heir was his unpopular and volatile brother, who was not suited for the throne, so there was little choice. The lords of Westeros swore allegiance to Rhaenyra, confirming her as their next ruler. However, a few years later, when Viserys new wife, Queen Alicent (Olivia Cooke), bore him a son, Prince Aegon Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney), the realm had doubts. Many of the men of Westeros expected that upon Aegon’s second name day, the King would replace Rhaenyra as heir with his firstborn son Aegon, following tradition. He did not and instead continued to support his daughterRhaenyra’s successionfor the remaining years of his reign. But the sexism in Westeros is strong, andupon Viserys' death, the realm split into two sides, setting into motion the battle for the throne.
House of the Dragon
The reign of House Targaryen begins with this prequel to the popular HBO seriesGame of Thrones.Based on George R.R. Martin’sFire & Blood,House of the Dragonis set nearly 200 years beforeGame of Thrones, telling the story of the Targaryen civil war with King Viserys.
Why Are They Called the Greens and Blacks?
Half of Westeros supports Rhaenyra, while the others fight for Aegon’s claim, leading to a bloody war that comes between families. But why are they called the Greens and the Blacks? The answer can be found in the now iconic scene from Season 1, Episode 5, “We Light the Way,” in whichQueen Alicent wears a green dressto Princess Rhaenyra’s wedding, making a clear statement as she furthers her son’s claim to the Iron Throne. Rhaenyra’s side seems to be called the Blacks largely because it is the traditional color of the Targaryens, as she continues to use the familiar red and black dragon banner. Meanwhile, Aegon embraces a green and gold color scheme, reflecting his mother’s family and the color of his owndragon, Sunfyre.
The origin story of how the Greens and the Blacks got their names isa slight variation from what happens inFire and Blood. In the book, Alicent uses a similar statement dress, but this takes place at King Viserys and Queen Alicent’s fifth wedding anniversary celebration. Queen Alicent, who would typically wear the colors of the House she married into on such an occasion, chooses instead to wear a green dress in honor of her family —House Hightower. So, from that moment on, the side that fights for her son’s claim is referred to as the Greens. At the same event, Princess Rhaenyra is wearing a red and black dress to symbolize House Targaryen, and thus, her side of the war becomes known as the Blacks.
Who Is On the Side of the Blacks and Rhaenyra?
On the Black side, fighting for the rights of Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen and her heir, Prince Jacaerys Velaryon (Harry Collett), are the men of the realm who value their honor and refuse to go back on their sworn oaths to defend her rights of succession. Rhaenyra has sons, her heir Jacaerys ‘Jace’ Velaryon, Lucerys ‘Luke’ Velaryon (Elliot Grihault), and Joffrey Velaryon,who were all fathered by Ser Harwin Strong(Ryan Corr) before his untimely death, though officially, their father was Rhaenyra’s first husband, Laenor Velaryon (John MacMillan).
Rhaenyra’s family also includes Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith), her uncle and husband, his daughters frompoor Lady Laena(Nanna Blondell), Baela (Bethany Antonia), and Rhaena (Phoebe Campbell), and the two sons Rhaenyra and Daemon share, Aegon (the younger) and Viserys, who are too young to fight. The family is his with a blow when Luke is killed at the end of Season 1 before the war truly begins. While her family should be guaranteed supporters, a fight with Daemon calls that into question. Once her greatest competition for the throne,Daemon supported Rhaenyra’s claim until, haunted by the effects of Harrenhal, he contemplated putting forth his own.Daemon’s ruthlessness has hurt Rhaenyra’s causea few times, but he has not turned away from her completely yet. At the very least, both oppose the Greens.
The Velaryons are loyal to Rhaenyra even after the death of Lady Laena andthe supposed death of Ser Laenor. Lord Corlys (Steve Toussaint) chooses to side with Rhaenyra and her sons, though he knows they do not share his blood because they share his name. He is still trying to maintain the legacy of his family house, and without legitimate children to carry on his name, he feels he must support his “grandsons.” Daemon’s daughters siding with Rhaenyra makes the choice simpler, as the Blacks are also the side that will defend his granddaughters.House Velaryonbrings the full might of their ships and wealth to Rhaenyra, making her almost impossible to beat on the water. They maintain a naval blockade around King’s Landing, cutting off trade and making things difficult for the Greens. Princess Rhaenys Targaryen (Eve Best) was willing to fight for Rhaenyra as well,sacrificing herself for the war, and until then, her advice served Rhaenyra well.Lord Corlys Velaryon is now Rhaneyra’s Hand, and as a highly influential figure,his backing, strategic planning abilities, money, and ships are vital to Rhaenyra’s campaign.
Rhaenyra has several more councilors. Fleeing King’s Landing, Mysaria, akathe White Worm(Sonoya Mizuno), fell, almost accidentally, into Rhaenyra’s company. Believing she will be a better queen, she offers her talent for getting information to Rhaenyra. This is essential because it gives the Blacks eyes and ears in King’s Landing and the Red Keep while they are away at Dragonstone. Mysaria has also won Rhaenyrathe support of the smallfolk in King’s Landing. Other members of Team Black include her council members, Maester Gerardy (Phil Daniels), Alfred Broome (Jamie Kenna), Bartimos Celtigar (Nicholas Jones), Lord Gormon Massey (James Dreyfus), and Lord Simon Staunton (Michael Elywn). Rhaenyra has a loyal Queensguard as well, led by Steffon Darklyn (Anthony Flanagan) until his recent death while trying to claim a dragon. She lost another Queensgurad knight, Erryk Cargylle (Elliot Tittensor), in Season 2, but Lorent Marbrand (Max Wrottesley) remains.
Rhaenyra has been gathering support throughout Westeros, though not every negotiation has gone her way. Jace ensured the support of the Starks, who guaranteed the Noth, though much of their force must stay in their home due to the coming winter. At the beginning of the war, Jace also secured House Arryn and, by extension, the Vale. Meanwhile, the Riverlands are divided, but the Blackwoods sided with Rhaenyra, and with Daemon’s urging, they forcedtheir long-time enemies, the Brackens, to submit as well. Jace also negotiated a deal with the Freys, providing another Riverlord for the Blacks. The Riverlands are not the only region split in their support as war rages throughout the Crownlands and Reach, where House Beesbury steadfastly opposes the Blacks.With the combined forces of Rhaenyra, Daemon, the Velaryon family, and the other Black supporters, they will prove difficult to beat.
The Blacks have a far superior number of dragons, though several of them are small.Though they lost Rhaenys and her dragon Meleys, they still have four able to fight: Rhaenyra Targaryen on Syrax, Jace Velaryon on Vermax, Daemon Targaryen on Caraxes, and Baela Targaryen on Moondancer. They will also reside on Dragonstone, which has manywild and riderless dragonsroaming free that they can use if they can find some brave souls willing to try and tame them.Seasmoke chose Addam of Hull (Clinton Liberty), who Rhaenyra hopes to win to her side, giving her yet another Dragonrider.
Who Is On the Side of the Greens and Alicent?
On the Green side, fighting for the rights of King Aegon Targaryen, are the houses of the realm who hold to tradition above Viserys' wishes.Aegon’s most ardent supporter is his mother, dowager Queen Alicent, and though less supportive, his sister and wife, Queen Helaena Targaryen (Phia Saban), and his brothers Prince Daeron Targaryen and Prince Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell) are on his side (officially at least). In order to solidify his claim to the throne, and in true Targaryen tradition, Aegon married his sister Helaena, and they had two children, Jaehaerys and Jaehaera, who are still small. Tragically,Jaehaerys was killed at the beginning of the war, leaving Aegon only a daughter who, by the Greens' standards, cannot be the heir. This means thatif Aegon dies, Aemond will succeed him, inciting the second son toviolence against his brother. Aegon survived, for now, but Aemond gained power as regent.
The Greens have the support of the most powerful and influential members of King Viserys’s small council. The former Hand of the King, Ser Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans), brings the entirety ofHouse Hightowerwith him, and the new Hand of the King and Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel).Though seemingly outmatched, the Greens hold an advantage when it comes to proximity.Aegon, his mother, The Hand of the King, and Lord Commander Cole all reside within King’s Landing, and Aegon technically sits on the Iron Throne despite Rhaenyra’s protests. Though the transition to power was not seamless, Tyland Lannister (Jefferson Hall), Grand Maester Orwyle (Kurt Egyiawan), and Jasper Wylde (Paul Kennedy) kept their positions from VIserys’s council and have since been joined by Larys Strong (Matthew Needham), filling out the table.
Larys long helped Alicent, and his discretion and willingness to do whatever is needed will be valuable in the war to come.Larys is a manipulative mastermind, always planning many steps ahead, and Aegon already acknowledged that loyalty. Other Green supporters include the rest of House Lannister, who gathers an army in the Westerlands, the Tyrells, who were secured through their connection to the Hightowers, and Borros Baratheon (Roger Evans) and his house, whom Aemond convinced to join the Greens with a marriage pact in Season 1.
The Greens may have fewer dragons, but with Aegon’s younger brotherAemond bonding with Vhagar, they are not outmatched by much.Vhagar is by far the strongest and largest of the remaining dragons, twice the size of Daemon’s dragon Caraxes. Aegon rides his dragon Sunfyre, and his sister Helaena is bonded with Dreamfyre, though she doesn’t often ride. The King’s other younger brother, Daeron has the dragon Tessarion, who is said to just be large enough for a rider, though neither has appeared.
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Who Has Yet to Pick a Side in the Dance of the Dragons?
At the beginning of Season 2, the war has barely begun, so most of thehouses in Westeroshave not chosen who to support, but they cannot remain undeclared for long. Throughout the season, most have made a decision one way or the other, but a few have held out. Part of the reason the Riverlands is so divided is House Tully’s delay in declaring for either the Blacks or the Greens. With a dying lord, the Tullys waited,but now the old Grover Tully is dead, leaving his grandson to make the choice. After both the Greens and the Blacks reached out to him, young Oscar Tully (Archie Barnes) has little time to declare one way or the other.House Greyjoydelays as well, but not due to a transition of power. They hold out for a better deal, and the Greens hope to reach an agreement.Though there are still neutral parties, all the great and lesser houses of the Seven Kingdoms will soon be called upon to make their choice.Some will be swayed by promises of future advantage, royal marriage, and prosperity, others by their loyalty, duty, and honor, and some will seek to remain neutral to avoid the dreadful price this war will cost all those involved.
House of the Dragonis available to stream on Max in the U.S. with new episodes on Sundays.
