Who is Sara Snow? Will she be in House of the Dragon?

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Who is Sara Snow?

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Sara Snow, according to some accounts, was the bastard daughter of Lord Rickon Stark of Winterfell and the half-sister of Lord Cregan Stark. Her existence is a matter of debate among Westerosi historians, with some affirming her role in key events while others dismiss her as a fictional creation.

Quick Facts

• Culture: Northmen
• Allegiance: House Stark
• Father: Lord Rickon Stark (alleged)
• Sibling(s): Cregan Stark (alleged half-brother)
• Spouse(s): Prince Jacaerys Velaryon (rumored)
• Status: Existence disputed by some historians

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Sara Snow in Fire and Blood

Credit: amaati

Mushroom’s Account

The primary source for Sara Snow’s existence is Mushroom, the court fool of King’s Landing. According to his account:

• Sara met Prince Jacaerys Velaryon when he flew to Winterfell to meet Lord Cregan Stark.
• The two had a secret romance and intimate relations “amongst the snow.”
• They allegedly married secretly in the godswood of Winterfell before a heart tree.
• This union supposedly influenced the Pact of Ice and Fire between Houses Stark and Targaryen.

Archmaester Gyldayn’s Skepticism

Contrasting Mushroom’s tale, Archmaester Gyldayn casts doubt on Sara Snow’s story:

• He questions whether Sara Snow existed at all.
• Gyldayn suggests the story might be one of Mushroom’s “fevered imaginings.”
• While conceding Sara might have existed and Jacaerys might have slept with her, he dismisses the idea of marriage.
• He points out that Jacaerys was betrothed to Lady Baela Targaryen and unlikely to break this for a “northern bastard girl.”

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Sara Snow in House of the Dragon

Credit: HBO

Absence in Season 2

Despite anticipation from book readers, Sara Snow was notably absent from House of the Dragon Season 2, Episode 1. The show’s portrayal of Jacaerys Velaryon’s visit to Winterfell and meeting with Cregan Stark omitted her character entirely.

Reasons for Omission

• Time Constraints: The episode had numerous events and storylines to cover, leading to a brief appearance of Cregan Stark.
• Narrative Focus: The show prioritized Jacaerys obtaining House Stark’s support and highlighting connections to Aegon’s dream and the future events of Game of Thrones.
• POV Limitations: Writer Sara Hess explained that the show’s point of view is primarily Targaryen-centric, limiting their ability to explore all aspects of the book’s lore.
• Simplification: Given the disputed nature of Sara’s existence in the source material, omitting her simplifies the narrative for television.

Impact on the Story

The removal of Sara Snow’s character and the associated scandal alters the dynamic between Jacaerys and Cregan. In the show, their interaction is focused solely on political alliance, removing the personal and romantic elements present in some versions of the book’s account.

Future Possibilities

While Sara Snow was cut from Season 2, Episode 1, it’s unlikely that she will appear in future episodes. This decision aligns with the show’s approach of streamlining the complex and often contradictory narratives present in Fire and Blood.

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Quotes

“When Lord Cregan learned that his half-sister had been dishonored, his wroth was such as might have been expected of him, but softened at once when Sara told him that she and the prince had secretly wed beneath the heart tree in Winterfell’s godswood.” – Mushroom, as quoted in Fire and Blood

“That the prince might have bedded Lord Cregan’s bastard half-sister on this occasion is not impossible. That he married her in secret is preposterous.” – Archmaester Gyldayn, Fire and Blood

Quick Answers

Did Sara Snow really exist?

Sara Snow’s existence is disputed. While Mushroom’s account affirms her reality, other historians like Archmaester Gyldayn question whether she ever lived.

What is Sara Snow’s connection to House Stark?

According to accounts that support her existence, Sara Snow was the bastard daughter of Lord Rickon Stark and half-sister to Lord Cregan Stark.

Did Sara Snow marry Prince Jacaerys Velaryon?

Mushroom’s account claims they married secretly in Winterfell’s godswood, but other historians widely dispute this.

Why was Sara Snow cut from House of the Dragon?

Sara Snow was omitted due to time constraints, narrative focus on the Targaryens, and the show’s decision to simplify some of the more complex or disputed elements from Fire and Blood.

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