Who is Ormund Hightower in House of the Dragon?

📜Quick Details:

Who was Ormund Hightower?

Credits: worshipanimation

Ormund Hightower was the head of House Hightower and Lord of Oldtown during the Dance of the Dragons. He succeeded his father, Hobert Hightower, and led his house during a time of conflict. Ormund took on significant responsibilities during the civil war.

Ormund was the nephew of Ser Otto Hightower, who served as Hand of the King under Jaehaerys I, Viserys I, and Aegon II Targaryen. The Hightowers’ connection to the Targaryens placed Ormund in an important position during the war. His family ties influenced his role in the events of the conflict.

He wielded the Valyrian steel blade Vigilance, a rare and valuable weapon. Vigilance was a treasured heirloom of House Hightower, symbolizing the house’s power and wealth. The blade added to Ormund’s authority as Lord of the Hightower.

After Hobert Hightower’s death, Ormund became the guardian of Daeron Targaryen, who had been his father’s ward. Daeron was Alicent Hightower’s youngest son and Ormund’s kin. Ormund took responsibility for Daeron, strengthening the family’s position during the war.

As Lord of Oldtown, Ormund ruled over one of Westeros’ most influential cities. Oldtown was a center of knowledge, trade, and religion. Ormund’s leadership ensured the city and House Hightower remained stable during the Dance of the Dragons.

Read More: Who is King Viserys Targaryen in House of the Dragon?

Quick Facts

Show

• Ormund Hightower is the head of House Hightower and Lord of Oldtown during the Dance of the Dragons.
• He succeeds his father, Lord Hobert Hightower, and assumes leadership of his house.
• Ormund becomes the guardian of Daeron Targaryen after his father’s death.
• In Season 2, Otto Hightower informs the Green Council that Ormund is mustering forces in Oldtown.
• Lord Jasper Wylde later confirms that Ormund has begun marching with his host.
• Ser Gwayne Hightower, Ormund’s cousin, arrives in King’s Landing ahead of the main army.

Books

• Ormund Hightower was the Lord of the Hightower during the Dance of the Dragons.
• He wielded the Valyrian steel blade Vigilance, an heirloom of House Hightower.
• He was the nephew of Ser Otto Hightower, Hand of the King to multiple Targaryen rulers.
• Ormund had three sons, Lyonel, Martyn, and Garmund, and a daughter, Bethany, with his first wife.
• He married Samantha Tarly after the death of his first wife.
• Ormund led the Reach forces for the Greens, supporting King Aegon II Targaryen.
• He died during the First Battle of Tumbleton, leaving his army leaderless and his house in turmoil.

In the show

Credits: HBO

Ormund Hightower’s Role

Lord Ormund Hightower is the head of House Hightower and Lord of Oldtown during the Dance of the Dragons. He succeeds his father, Lord Hobert Hightower, and takes leadership of his house. Ormund assumes responsibility for Daeron Targaryen, who had been his father’s ward before his death.

In Season 2 of House of the Dragon, Otto Hightower mentions Ormund during a meeting of the Green Council. He informs the council that Ormund is mustering his forces in Oldtown to prepare for the war.

Later in the season, Lord Jasper Wylde updates the Green Council about Ormund’s actions. He reveals that Ormund has begun his march from Oldtown with his assembled host. Ormund’s cousin, Ser Gwayne Hightower, arrives in King’s Landing ahead of the main army to provide reinforcements.

Read More: Everything We Need to Know about The First Battle of Tumbleton

In the books

Credits: TheMarkyGallery

Ormund Hightower’s Leadership

Ormund Hightower was the Lord of the Hightower and the head of House Hightower during the Dance of the Dragons. He wielded the Valyrian steel blade Vigilance, an heirloom of his house. Ormund was the nephew of Ser Otto Hightower, who served as Hand of the King to Jaehaerys I, Viserys I, and Aegon II Targaryen.

Ormund had three sons, Lyonel, Martyn, and Garmund, and at least one daughter, Bethany, with his first wife. After her death in childbirth, Ormund married Samantha Tarly, who was only two years older than his eldest son.

During the Dance of the Dragons, Ormund led the Reach forces for the Greens, supporting King Aegon II Targaryen. His host included one thousand knights, one thousand archers, three thousand men-at-arms, and additional troops of lesser discipline. However, not all the Reach lords supported him. Ser Alan Beesbury, Lord Alan Tarly, and Lord Owen Costayne raided Ormund’s camps, killed scouts, and attacked his baggage train.

Military Campaigns and Battles

Ormund played a key role in the Battle of the Honeywine. His forces were trapped between Lord Thaddeus Rowan and Tom Flowers on one side and the raiding lords on the other. As Ormund’s lines began to crumble, Prince Daeron Targaryen arrived on his dragon Tessarion, turning the battle in favor of the Greens. After the victory, Ormund knighted Daeron with Vigilance and named him Ser Daeron the Daring.

After the fall of King’s Landing, Ormund continued to lead the Greens in the south. He spared Lady Merryweather during the siege of Longtable but led the sack of Bitterbridge with Daeron. This attack was in retaliation for the death of Prince Maelor Targaryen in that town.

During the First Battle of Tumbleton, Ormund’s archers and heavy cavalry defeated the six thousand troops of Ser Garibald Grey. However, the battle turned when Roderick Dustin, leading the Winter Wolves, charged with war cries. Dustin broke through Ormund’s lines and killed him in single combat, though Dustin was also slain.

After Ormund’s Death

Ormund’s death during the First Battle of Tumbleton left his army leaderless. His cousin, Ser Bryndon Hightower, also died while protecting Ormund during the battle. The remaining Greens forces were divided, with competing factions struggling for leadership. Ser Hobert Hightower, another cousin, unsuccessfully attempted to take command.

Following the Second Battle of Tumbleton, the fragmented Green host disbanded. Ormund’s death marked a turning point for House Hightower during the war. His fifteen-year-old son, Lyonel, succeeded him as Lord of the Hightower. Lyonel later took Samantha Tarly, his father’s second wife, as his paramour, causing controversy within the house.

Read More: What happened in the Battle of the Honeywine?

Quotes

“Ser Otto sent word to his nephew, Lord Ormund Hightower, beseeching him to use the power of Oldtown to put down this rash of rebellions in the Reach.” – Fire and Blood

Quick Answers

Who was Ormund Hightower?

In the books, Ormund Hightower was the Lord of the Hightower and head of House Hightower during the Dance of the Dragons. He supported the Greens and wielded the Valyrian steel blade Vigilance. In the show, Ormund is introduced as the head of House Hightower, mentioned by Otto Hightower in Season 2 of House of the Dragon.

What role did Ormund Hightower play during the Dance of the Dragons?

In the books, Ormund led the Reach forces for the Greens, supporting King Aegon II Targaryen. He commanded a large host and participated in key battles, including the Battle of the Honeywine and the First Battle of Tumbleton. In the show, Ormund is described as mustering his forces in Oldtown to march for the Greens’ cause.

Who were Ormund Hightower’s family members?

In the books, Ormund was the nephew of Ser Otto Hightower and married twice. He had three sons, Lyonel, Martyn, and Garmund, and at least one daughter, Bethany, with his first wife. He later married Samantha Tarly.

How did Ormund Hightower die?

In the books, Ormund died during the First Battle of Tumbleton. He was slain by Roderick Dustin of the Winter Wolves in single combat. This event left his army leaderless and contributed to the Greens’ struggles.

Read More: What was the Siege of Longtable, and will we see it in House of the Dragon?

Fire & Blood: 300 Years Before A Game of Thrones (The Targaryen Dynasty: The House of the Dragon)

$22.00 $16.60

Buy Now

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

01/07/2025 12:47 pm GMT