House Of The Dragon: Things You Might Not Know About Ser Harwin Strong

House Of The Dragon: Things You Might Not Know About Ser Harwin Strong

Highlights

  • Ser Harwin Strong, the real father of Rhaenyra’s children, played a key role in
    House of the Dragon
    season 1.
  • His sudden death at Harrenhal, along with his father, may mean he won’t be part of future events in the series.
  • House of the Dragon
    provides a definitive solution to Harwin’s death, adding depth to his character arc.

As a devoted fan of George R.R. Martin’s epic saga, I find myself both enchanted and perplexed by the adaptations brought forth in “House of the Dragon.” One character who has garnered my attention is Ser Harwin Strong, the Breakbones.


In the first season of “House of the Dragon,” Lord Harwin Strong played a significant role. Although he wasn’t as prevalent as other key figures in the events leading to the Dance of the Dragons, he was instrumental in revealing that he was the biological father of Rhaenyra’s sons, Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey.

In the upcoming series, it’s possible that Strong will not appear, as he met an untimely end at Harrenhal along with his father. This leaves a wealth of information about his past unexplored in the books like “Fire & Blood”, which delves into the history of House Targaryen. The second half of this extensive work forms the foundation for “House of the Dragon”.

6 A Clear Killer

The Books Left It Ambiguous

House Of The Dragon: Things You Might Not Know About Ser Harwin Strong

In both the books and the series House of the Dragon, Harwin meets his end at Harrenhal, the stronghold of his family. Yet, the culprit behind his death remains undetermined in the literary world. It is speculated that several individuals could have been responsible, among them Daemon, who appeared to harbor jealousy towards Harwin due to his affair with Rhaenyra.

In contrast, the series House of the Dragon leaves no doubt that it was Larys who committed the murders of Harwin and his father. Although Harwin had limited screen presence in the show, this conclusive explanation for his death plays a significant role in completing his character’s storyline.

5 How He Got Rhaenyra

Injury Leading To A Closer Bond

House Of The Dragon: Things You Might Not Know About Ser Harwin Strong

In the hit series House of the Dragon, an important aspect not explicitly explained is how Harwin and Rhaenyra came to be together. While episode five portrays Harwin bravely navigating a melee to reach her and escort her away, when we resume in episode six, Harwin has already sired three bastards with Rhaenyra. This suggests that their relationship might have begun before these events.

In the books, we delve deeper into their relationship. During the tournament marking her wedding to Laenor Velaryon, Rhaenyra bestowed her favor on Ser Harwin, who later suffered a broken collarbone in the tournament at the hands of Ser Criston Cole. This incident offers a hint about how Rhaenyra and Harwin gradually grew closer over time, eventually becoming secret lovers.

4 His Nickname

The Strongest Man In Westeros

House Of The Dragon: Things You Might Not Know About Ser Harwin Strong

In the series “House of the Dragon”, while viewers might be familiar with Harwin being called Ser Harwin “Breakbones” Strong, the show doesn’t delve into the origin or significance of his nickname. Like many knights in Westeros, Harwin earned his nickname through his actions or abilities, and that holds true for him as well.

The nickname “Breakbones” was given to Ser Harwin because he was widely recognized as the strongest man in Westeros. While it’s uncertain if this reputation was entirely deserved, the title undoubtedly aided him in securing his role as captain of the King’s Landing City Watch. In the books, Harwin is portrayed as a colossal, brutal figure, while the House of the Dragon version presents him more as a versatile character, large but not exceptionally so.

3 His Contentedness

Harwin Lacked Ambition In The Book

House Of The Dragon: Things You Might Not Know About Ser Harwin Strong

In House of the Dragon, Harwin was portrayed as having some degree of ambition. Contrary to this, in the book, he did not ascend to the position of commander of the City Guard. Instead, he remained a Captain within their ranks. The aspiration for personal advancement that defines his television character was not present in the book version of Harwin’s personality.

In the novels, Tylandryos seemed perfectly happy simply being with Rhaenyra, a common occurrence for him. He even found opportunities to spend more time with her in the books, joining her at Dragonstone following their conflict with Alicent’s feud. However, in the series, he misses out on those years spent with her.

2 Rhaenyra Spurned Him

She Originally Wouldn’t Let Harwin Court Her

House Of The Dragon: Things You Might Not Know About Ser Harwin Strong

A significant event in Harwin’s history is that during Rhaenyra’s search for a suitor, Harwin Strong was among those who tried to win her affection but ultimately failed. In the end, Rhaenyra chose Laenor Velaryon as her spouse, as recorded in the book.

In the world of “House of the Dragon,” it’s not suggested that Rhaenyra and Harwin could have married each other. The book implies a romantic involvement between them, as they were found together in bed a year before Rhaenyra’s wedding. However, their relationship is only depicted as being cordial or respectful in the book, with no indication of anything deeper until after her marriage.

1 A Larger Family

The Show Forgot About His Sisters

House Of The Dragon: Things You Might Not Know About Ser Harwin Strong

In both Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon, there’s an abundance of characters that can be challenging to follow. Remarkably, the series effectively manages to present a large cast without overwhelming viewers. For instance, Harwin is depicted as having a brother named Larys, who seemingly kills Harwin and their father with the intention of seizing control over Harrenhal.

In the book, Harwin actually had two sisters in addition to what’s portrayed in “House of the Dragon.” The Strong family, as depicted in the series, appears smaller than its actual size. Although the show doesn’t definitively exclude the existence of more Strong siblings, they are never mentioned and seem to be absent from the show’s narrative reality, suggesting that perhaps they were not part of the storyline.

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2024-08-09 23:54