Everything we know about House Strong of Harrenhal

House of the Dragon introduced many new noble houses to fans of Westeros, expanding upon the lore established in Game of Thrones, written by George R. R. Martin. Drawing from the history chronicled in Fire and Blood, the prequel series showcases the Dance of the Dragons, the devastating Targaryen civil war. While the conflict primarily revolves around House Targaryen, numerous smaller houses played significant roles in shaping the events leading to and determining the outcome of the war.

One such house is House Strong of Harrenhal. Having inherited the cursed and haunted castle of Harrenhal, many believed House Strong was destined for misfortune. Several prominent members of the family were deeply involved in the war. Harwin Strong, rumored to have fathered sons with Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, brought questions about the legitimacy of her heirs. Lyonel Strong, Hand of the King to Viserys I, influenced many key decisions leading up to the war. Meanwhile, Larys Strong, serving as Master of Whisperers to King Aegon II, saved the Greens from numerous pitfalls and orchestrated critical events behind the scenes.

The history of House Strong, however, extends beyond the Dance of the Dragons. As detailed in Fire and Blood, their story is rich with intrigue, power struggles, and tragedy. Here is everything we know about House Strong of Harrenhal.

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What is the history of House Strong?

Credits: A Wiki of Ice and Fire

House Strong was a noble family in the Riverlands. They were known for their role as Lords of Harrenhal, the largest castle in Westeros. Their sigil symbolized the three forks of the Trident River. This lineage traced back to the First Men, linking them to Westeros’ early history.

Over generations, the Strongs aligned with powerful houses, including House Tully and House Targaryen. Their influence peaked during the reign of the early Targaryens. They served as loyal allies, contributing members to the court and the Kingsguard.

Despite their prominence, House Strong faced tragedy during the Dance of the Dragons. A fire at Harrenhal led to their eventual downfall. Their extinction in 131 AC marked the end of an influential legacy.

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Quick Facts

House of the Dragon

• Lyonel Strong served as Hand of the King to Viserys I.
• Harwin Strong was rumored to be Rhaenyra Targaryen’s lover and the father of her children.
• Larys Strong, known as Clubfoot, played a key role in King Aegon II’s council.
• The family faced tragedy when Lyonel and Harwin perished in a fire at Harrenhal.

Fire and Blood

• Ser Osmund Strong became Hand of the King under Aegon I Targaryen.
• Ser Lucamore Strong joined the Kingsguard but broke his vows, leading to severe punishment.
• Lyonel Strong was known for his wisdom and ethical counsel as Hand of the King.
• The Strongs traced their lineage back to the First Men.

In the show

Credits: HBO

House Strong: An Overview

House Strong, a noble family of the Riverlands, served as vassals to House Tully. Their sigil depicts three rivers flowing from a black escutcheon with a white hand. The family’s seat was Harrenhal, a castle known for its curse and tragic history.

Lord Lyonel Strong led the house during the reign of King Viserys I Targaryen. He held the titles of Lord of Harrenhal, Master of Laws, and later, Hand of the King. His sons, Harwin and Larys Strong, played key roles in the events leading to the Dance of the Dragons.

Harwin Strong, known as Breakbones, was a celebrated knight and rumored lover of Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen. Larys Strong, nicknamed The Clubfoot, became infamous for his cunning as Lord Confessor and Master of Whisperers for King Aegon II.

Despite their initial prominence, House Strong suffered a swift decline during the Dance of the Dragons. Lyonel and Harwin perished in a fire at Harrenhal, orchestrated by Larys. The family’s reputation and influence dwindled following these events.

Lyonel Strong: A Trusted Advisor

Lord Lyonel Strong was a Riverman of great wisdom and integrity. As Hand of the King, he served Viserys I Targaryen with loyalty. He provided impartial counsel on matters of succession and alliances. His suggestion of Rhaenyra Targaryen’s marriage to Laenor Velaryon demonstrated his foresight.

Lyonel’s tenure as Hand was marked by his unselfish dedication. He refrained from exploiting his position for personal gain. His advice during critical moments earned him the trust of the king and respect from the court.

When scandal surrounded his son Harwin’s rumored relationship with Rhaenyra, Lyonel sought to protect his family’s honor. He resigned as Hand and returned to Harrenhal with Harwin. However, their lives were cut short in a fire that destroyed the castle’s main tower.

Lyonel’s death marked the beginning of House Strong’s decline. Despite his tragic end, his legacy as a fair and wise advisor endures. His contributions to the Targaryen court influenced the history of Westeros. Following Lyonel’s death, the family’s prominence faded as the curse of Harrenhal claimed yet another victim.

Harwin Strong: The Bold Knight

Ser Harwin Strong, known as Breakbones, was famed for his immense strength and skill in combat. As the eldest son of Lyonel Strong, he was heir to Harrenhal and a knight of renown. His rise to Commander of the City Watch of King’s Landing showcased his leadership.

Harwin’s close relationship with Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen fueled rumors of a romantic involvement. Many believed he fathered her three sons, Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey Velaryon. This speculation caused tensions within the royal court and questioned the legitimacy of Rhaenyra’s heirs.

Despite the controversy, Harwin remained loyal and protective. He famously rescued Rhaenyra during a brawl at her pre-wedding feast. His bravery and devotion made him a key figure in her life, though his actions drew ire from the Greens.

After being dismissed from the City Watch due to the scandal, Harwin returned to Harrenhal with his father. Both perished in a fire orchestrated by Larys Strong, who sought control of the family’s seat.

Harwin’s legacy endured through his rumored children. Jacaerys, in particular, remembered him as a loving father.

Larys Strong: The Schemer

Lord Larys Strong, also called The Clubfoot, was the youngest son of Lyonel Strong. His deformity did not hinder his rise to power. As Lord of Harrenhal, Master of Whisperers, and Lord Confessor, he became a feared and calculating figure in Westerosi politics.

Larys cemented his control over Harrenhal by orchestrating the deaths of his father and brother in a fire. This ruthless act allowed him to inherit the family’s title and seat. His alliance with Queen Alicent Hightower further solidified his influence.

As Master of Whisperers for King Aegon II, Larys manipulated events to benefit the Greens. He uncovered plots, eliminated enemies, and used his network of spies to maintain power. His actions behind the scenes shaped key outcomes during the Dance of the Dragons.

Simon Strong: The Castellan of Harrenhal

Ser Simon Strong, a knight of House Strong, served as the castellan of Harrenhal during the Dance of the Dragons. He was the uncle of Lyonel Strong and the granduncle to Larys and Harwin Strong. Simon initially supported the Greens but shifted his allegiance to Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen upon Prince Daemon Targaryen’s arrival at Harrenhal.

Simon pledged loyalty to Daemon, openly criticizing his great-nephew Larys for his alleged crimes, including the fire that claimed Lyonel and Harwin’s lives. His support bolstered Rhaenyra’s position in the Riverlands, and his willingness to defy the Greens demonstrated his pragmatic approach to the war.

Simon provided Daemon with vital updates on the movements of Criston Cole’s army and key defections to the Greens. He facilitated alliances by summoning House Blackwood to Harrenhal and introducing Daemon to Oscar Tully, heir to Lord Grover Tully. These efforts strengthened Rhaenyra’s cause in the region.

Simon emphasized the importance of raising an army in the Riverlands, understanding the strategic value of the region. His actions helped consolidate support for Rhaenyra’s faction during critical moments of the civil war.

Portrayed by Simon Russell Beale, Ser Simon Strong appears in six episodes of House of the Dragon Season 2. His character plays a significant role in showcasing the shifting allegiances and complexities of the Dance of the Dragons.

Alys Rivers: Healer and Seer

Alys Rivers resided at Harrenhal during the Dance of the Dragons. She was rumored to be the bastard daughter of Lord Lyonel Strong. As a healer, she took on the role of the castle’s maester after the previous one fled. Alys’s knowledge of the Old Gods and her enigmatic demeanor set her apart from other figures in the conflict.

Alys was present when Daemon Targaryen captured Harrenhal. She warned him of his fate, claiming he would die there. Alys revealed insights into Daemon’s past and current struggles, often unsettling him with her cryptic remarks. She served as both a confidant and a mysterious guide during his time at Harrenhal.

Alys’s interactions with Daemon included moments of tension and reflection. She treated his injuries and offered counsel about the Riverlords, predicting shifts in alliances. Alys’s knowledge and intuition proved crucial, as she correctly anticipated key events, including the death of Grover Tully, which solidified support for Rhaenyra’s cause.

Despite her mysterious nature, Alys became an integral part of the unfolding events at Harrenhal. Her actions influenced Daemon’s decisions and the broader course of the Dance of the Dragons. She embodied the eerie and cursed reputation of Harrenhal, blending superstition with calculated advice. Portrayed by Gayle Rankin in House of the Dragon, Alys Rivers appears in multiple episodes.

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In the books

Credits: John McCambridge

House Strong of Harrenhal

House Strong of Harrenhal was a noble family from the Riverlands. Their seat was Harrenhal, a castle associated with misfortune and tragedy. Like others who claimed Harrenhal, their house eventually became extinct. House Strong’s sigil featured three rivers, representing the Trident’s forks, in blue, red, and green on white.

House Strong descended from the First Men and gained prominence during the Targaryen reign. Their history is deeply tied to significant events, including Aegon’s Conquest and the Dance of the Dragons. Members of House Strong held powerful roles in Westeros, shaping the history of their time.

Despite their influence, House Strong faced repeated tragedies. Fires, betrayals, and war decimated their family. The final blow came during the Dance of the Dragons, leading to their extinction. Harrenhal’s curse seemed to follow House Strong to their end, leaving a legacy of power and loss.

Members of House Strong were instrumental in Targaryen history. Lyonel Strong served as Hand of the King, and Harwin Strong was Rhaenyra Targaryen’s sworn protector and rumored lover. Larys Strong, known as the Clubfoot, played a shadowy role as master of whisperers, orchestrating key events in the civil war.

Ser Simon Strong, Lyonel’s uncle, served as Harrenhal’s castellan during the Dance of the Dragons. Initially loyal to the Greens, Simon switched to Queen Rhaenyra’s side when Daemon Targaryen arrived. He criticized Larys for alleged crimes, including the Harrenhal fire, and supported Rhaenyra with critical intelligence and alliances.

Historical Members of House Strong

Ser Osmund Strong served as Hand of the King for Aegon I Targaryen. He oversaw the construction of the wall surrounding King’s Landing. Lucamore Strong, his descendant, joined the Kingsguard but was exiled to the Wall after fathering sixteen children. His offspring were scattered across Westeros.

Lord Bywin Strong, Lucamore’s brother, became the first Lord of Harrenhal from House Strong. Under his leadership, the family gained Harrenhal but also began to experience the castle’s infamous curse. Bywin’s descendants played significant roles in the Targaryen dynasty’s history.

The Decline and Legacy of House Strong

House Strong’s decline began with Lyonel and Harwin’s deaths in 120 AC. Larys Strong inherited Harrenhal, but his scheming and betrayals alienated many. During the Dance of the Dragons, Larys aligned with the Greens, further isolating the house from other noble families.

By the war’s end, Aemond Targaryen’s attack on Harrenhal eliminated most of the Strong family. Larys was executed by Lord Cregan Stark during the Hour of the Wolf, marking the house’s extinction. Harrenhal passed to House Lothston in 151 AC.

In later years, references to House Strong lingered in Westerosi history. Petyr Baelish cited their fate as an example of Harrenhal’s curse. Exiles like Denys and Duncan Strong, serving in the Golden Company, bore the family name, though their lineage remained uncertain.

Ser Robert Strong, a mysterious Kingsguard knight under Tommen Baratheon, also carried the Strong name. His origins were shrouded in mystery, leaving speculation about his ties to the once-prominent house. In Game of Thrones, this was revealed as the reanimated corpse of The Mountain Who Walks, Ser Gregor Clegane.

Quotes

“Thus did the flower of House Strong, an ancient line of noble warriors boasting descent from the First Men, come to an ignoble end in the ward at Harrenhal.” – Fire and Blood

Quick Answers

What is the origin of House Strong?

House Strong descends from the First Men, the earliest settlers of Westeros. They became prominent during the early Targaryen reign (Books).

Who played Lyonel Strong in House of the Dragon?

Gavin Spokes portrayed Lyonel Strong, showcasing his wisdom and loyalty.

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01/03/2025 12:27 pm GMT