House of the Dragon: Who Are the Greens and Blacks?
In the first season of the TV series House of the Dragon, between one time leap and another during the eight episodes broadcast exclusively on Max, the foundations of the first great battle to conquer the Iron Throne were laid. A no-holds-barred war known in George RR Martin’s books as A Dance with Dragons, which essentially breaks out within the Targaryen family. But this inevitably ends up involving all the other houses present in the Seven Kingdoms, who inevitably have to decide which side they are on.
House of the Dragon: Who Are the Greens and Blacks?
At this point in the history of House of the Dragon two sides arise: the Greens and the Blacks. A crucial point present in George RR Martin’s novels and this spin-off/prequel tells the story that precedes what happens in the TV series Game of Thrones about two hundred years before the reign of Daenerys Targaryen. During the first season of House of the Dragon, it was possible to get a precise idea of who the two main rivals and their allies are. The second season of House of the Dragon picks up exactly where the first ended, with new entries and their respective alignments ready to join the two factions to take part in The Dance of the Dragons. But who are the Greens and Blacks in detail? To find out, all you have to do is continue reading this article.
The Greens in House of the Dragon
As shown at the beginning of the House of the Dragon TV series, the current King Viserys I Targaryen chooses Princess Rhaenyra as heir to the Throne. She was the only daughter born from her first marriage to Queen Aemma Arryn, who died giving birth to her second son Aegon, who in turn died after a few hours. A decision that not everyone appreciated since it was a female successor, although the members of each house later swore the same loyalty to the future queen. Viserys’ decision triggers the emergence of various conflicts in the Kingdom, some of which were already present well before Princess Rhaenyra acceded to the Throne. Mainly because of Queen Alicent Hightower, Viserys’ second wife. Who after giving a firstborn son to the King, she begins to have claims on the Iron Throne to elect their son Aegon II.
The situation evolves also due to jealousy, as before her marriage to Viserys, Alicent was Rhaenyra’s best friend. When Otto Hightower, Alicent’s father, and Hand of the King, later reports some gossip about Rhaenyra to the King, he is chased away by Viserys. The latter’s behavior ends up worsening relations with Alicent, who begins to harbor a grudge against Rhaenyra. As the rumors reported by Otto about her Princess were true, Viserys still chooses to protect her. During the wedding between Rhaenyra and Laenor Velaryon, Alicent appears at the wedding feast dressed in green like the color of her House, the Hightower, implicitly declaring a warning of war. A color that, as is shown throughout the story, she also decides to keep for her children’s clothes, even though they are Targaryen on her father’s side. When Rhaenyra begins to have children who later turn out to be the result of betrayal, Alicent demands even more that Aegon inherit the Throne as the King’s firstborn male and pure Targaryen.
The Allies of the Greens?
In the story of House of the Dragon Alicent is not the only one who is angry with Rhaenyra for past events. Ser Criston Cole, the Princess’ former bodyguard, decides to swear loyalty to Queen Alicent after Rhaenyra rejects his marriage proposal. She also has the support of the entire Hightower House, including that of her father Otto. Who in the meantime resumed serving Viserys as Hand after the death of his predecessor Lyonel Strong. Otto was also the first to have designs on the Iron Throne after the premature death of Queen Aemma. For this reason, he has always pushed his daughter Alicent to come forward with Viserys, to become his wife and procreate heirs.
In the same way, Alicent’s children are also on the side of the Greens not only for reasons related to family ties. But also, because the Queen put the same pressure on them that she suffered from Otto when she was young, thus making them grow up with a certain biased perspective. Alicent can also count on the alliance of House Harrenhal thanks to her confidant Ser Larys Strong. The latter, after having his brother Harwin and father Lyonel killed, becomes the Lord of Harrenhal and obtains command of the House.
The Resources of the Greens?
The Greens have a few dragons on their side, Aegon’s and Helaena’s, but at the same time they have two tricks up their sleeves. The first is Vaghar, Laena Velaryon’s dragon who after his death is claimed by Aemond Targaryen. Vaghar is the largest and strongest among the dragons currently in circulation, which also numerically adds to those of Aegon and Helaena. Another point in favor of the Greens is that they live in Red Keep, the place where the Iron Throne is located and which they protect at all costs after the departure of Viserys.
The Blacks in House of the Dragon
Targaryens wear red and black clothing. For this reason, in the story of House of the Dragon, they are classified as the Blacks to differentiate themselves from the opposing faction of the Greens. As rivals of Aegon and Alicent, there are Rhaenyra and her eldest son Jacaerys, as the Princess is entitled to the Throne by right by the will of Viserys, who in turn will pass it on to her children. As is revealed throughout House of the Dragon, the true father of Rhaenyra’s children is not her husband Laenor Velaryon, but her lover Harwin Strong.
The Allies of the Blacks?
However, since the marriage between Rhaenyra and Laenor is signed with an agreement between the two where both are aware of their respective extramarital affairs, the children are still raised by the couple and recognized with the surname of Laenor. House Velaryon, which in turn is aware of the situation, still decides to support Rhaenyra precisely because the children bear their surname and also because the Velaryons descend from the Valyrian civilization like the Targaryens. Lord Corlys Velaryon is an excellent ally as he is one of the richest men on the Continent and also has the sea fleet on his side. Later thanks to her second marriage to her uncle Daemon Targaryen, there are further advantages for Rhaenyra. Prince Targaryen acquired the title King of the Narrow Sea following his victory at the Stepstones. Furthermore, Daemon has a residence in Pentos, where the local Prince Reggio Haratis offered him part of his riches in exchange for protection.
Black Resources
The Targaryens also have five dragons, while other free and tamable specimens are present at Dragonstone. The fortress where Rhaenyra moves to live with Daemon and the rest of their family.
Future Allies?
In the first season of House of the Dragon, all the actual alignments of each existing House were not shown in detail. So both the Greens and the Blacks still have a chance to prevail over each other based on possible new alliances. Among these are those who swore loyalty to Rhaenyra when Viserys proclaimed her as her heir, who could continue to keep their word to the King and therefore ally themselves with the Blacks. Similarly, those who at the time did not agree with the sovereign’s decision, despite committing the crime of perjury, can seize the opportunity to switch to the Greens’ side. However, in the first season of House of the Dragon, certain allies and new potential aids are revealed, which will be explored better in the second season of the TV series.
