Everything we know about Grand Maester Mellos in House of the Dragon

Read More:Who is Grand Maester Orwyle in House of the Dragon?

Read More: John Bradley discusses Sam’s ending and how he became the Grand Maester

Who was Grand Maester Mellos?

Credits: HBO

Grand Maester Mellos served King Viserys I Targaryen as an advisor on the Small Council. His background in the Citadel shaped his reliance on leeching as a medical treatment.

Mellos’ involvement extended beyond medical care. His advice influenced key moments, such as Viserys’ remarriage and the delicate issue of succession. His support for Otto Hightower showcased his alignment with the Hand’s faction.

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Quick Facts

Show

• Introduced in House of the Dragon Season 1.
• Played by David Horovitch.
• Featured in four episodes, first appearing in “The Heirs of the Dragon.”
• Known for advising King Viserys on matters of health and governance.

Books

• Mellos is mentioned in Fire & Blood, The Rise of the Dragon, and The Rogue Prince.
• Described as a voice of moderation and tradition on the Small Council.
• His writings suggest hidden tensions in the Targaryen court.

Read More: What is the correct order to read George R. R. Martin’s Game of Thrones books?

In the show

Credits: HBO

Early Life and Service

Mellos studied at the Citadel to become a Maester. He served House Targaryen as Grand Maester during King Viserys I Targaryen’s reign. Although loyal to the Order of Maesters, Mellos often sided with Otto Hightower in council. His role placed him at the center of many key decisions during this time.

In 112 AC, Mellos attended a Small Council meeting in the Red Keep. When the council discussed the upcoming Heir’s Tournament, King Viserys asked Mellos if his prediction of Queen Aemma’s due date was accurate. Mellos confirmed he had reviewed the moon charts carefully. He also advised caution when Viserys expressed confidence the child would be a boy, noting there was no way to be certain.

Later, Mellos attended to an infected wound on the king’s back with Maester Mickon. While Mellos suggested leeches, Mickon recommended cauterization, which they proceeded with. Otto Hightower instructed Mellos to keep the affliction a secret. Mellos was present at another Small Council meeting, where Prince Daemon’s actions with the City Watch were discussed.

During Queen Aemma’s difficult labor, Mellos informed the king that the child was in breech and attempts to turn it had failed. He administered as much milk of the poppy as possible for her pain. Mellos urged Viserys to choose between saving the child or risking both lives. He performed the procedure, delivering the baby but causing Aemma’s death. He later announced the child’s death shortly after birth.

Mellos attended the funeral of Queen Aemma and Prince Baelon. During the succession debate, he supported Otto’s suggestion to name Rhaenyra as heir, arguing tradition and precedent were the only barriers to a woman ruling. The king angrily dismissed the debate, berating his council for their insensitivity while he mourned.

Later Role in the Court

In another Small Council meeting, Mellos was ordered by Otto to send a raven to Oldtown. Mellos read a letter from Prince Daemon, declaring his intent to marry Mysaria and place a dragon egg in their unborn child’s cradle. Mellos accompanied Otto to Dragonstone to retrieve the egg, witnessing Rhaenyra successfully defuse the confrontation.

When King Viserys’s finger became infected, Mellos used maggots to treat the dead flesh. He advised Viserys to marry Laena Velaryon to mend the rift with House Velaryon. He dismissed Rhaenyra’s approval as irrelevant, emphasizing the king’s duty to secure the royal line. Mellos was present when Viserys announced his decision to marry Lady Alicent Hightower instead.

Mellos later delivered moon tea to Rhaenyra under the king’s orders, ensuring it was carefully brewed to avoid side effects. He attended the Small Council meeting where the issue of the Stepstones was raised, explaining Lord Corlys Velaryon’s hostility as a matter of wounded pride. Mellos was also present at Rhaenyra and Laenor Velaryon’s wedding, fleeing when Ser Criston Cole killed Ser Joffrey Lonmouth.

When King Viserys collapsed in the Red Keep, Mellos treated him with leechings despite Orwyle’s suggestion of a poultice. Mellos, aging and frail, struggled to stand during these treatments, raising concerns about his ability to serve effectively. By 126 AC, Mellos had passed away, and Grand Maester Orwyle replaced him on the Small Council.

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In the books

Credits: Douglas Wheatley

Character

Mellos served as Grand Maester during the reign of King Viserys I Targaryen. He acted as a moderating voice on the Small Council, advocating for calm and compromise during disputes between the blacks and the greens. King Viserys regarded Mellos as a trusted advisor and friend throughout his service.

Mellos was known for his reliance on traditional treatments, including frequent leechings. Archmaester Gyldayn, who often referenced Mellos’s accounts in his own writings, considered these methods less effective than the potions and tinctures used by Maester Gerardys. Despite criticism of his practices, Mellos played a significant role in the events of Viserys’s reign.

History

Mellos replaced Runciter as Grand Maester in 112 AC. He supported the marriage between Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen and Laenor Velaryon, despite Laenor’s known lack of interest in women. Mellos also counseled forgiveness for Prince Daemon Targaryen, advocating for a reconciliatory approach to his controversies with the king.

In 120 AC, Mellos suggested in his writings that King Viserys might have ordered the fire at Harrenhal. This fire killed Lord Lyonel Strong and his heir, Harwin Strong. Mellos implied that Viserys acted to conceal the rumors that Rhaenyra’s children were bastards fathered by Harwin, aiming to protect his daughter’s reputation.

When King Viserys injured his hand on the Iron Throne, Mellos’s treatments failed to heal the wound. Princess Rhaenyra brought her own maester, Gerardys, from Dragonstone. Gerardys amputated two of Viserys’s fingers, ultimately saving his life. Mellos’s inability to treat the injury highlighted his limitations as a healer.

Mellos died in 127 AC, collapsing while climbing the serpentine steps. Following his death, Rhaenyra recommended Gerardys as his replacement, while Queen Alicent Hightower supported Maester Alfador from House Hightower. King Viserys chose neither candidate, leaving the decision to the Citadel. The Conclave ultimately selected Archmaester Orwyle as the new Grand Maester.

Read More: John Bradley discusses Sam’s ending and how he became the Grand Maester

Quotes

“The leechings have always brought His Grace relief.”

Read More: What is the correct order to read George R. R. Martin’s Game of Thrones books?

Quick Answers

What is Mellos’ role in House of the Dragon?

In the show, Mellos serves as Grand Maester and a trusted advisor to King Viserys. He emphasizes tradition and aligns with Otto Hightower’s policies.

How is Mellos portrayed in the books?

In the books, Mellos is depicted as a voice of calm and moderation. He influences key decisions during King Viserys’ reign, often advocating for alliances and tradition.

Read More: Who is Grand Maester Orwyle in House of the Dragon?