Who Are The Greybeards In House of the Dragon (& Why Does Cregan Stark Promise Them?)

Who Are The Greybeards In House of the Dragon (& Why Does Cregan Stark Promise Them?)

As a seasoned scholar of Westerosi history and lore, I must say that the events unfolding in the realm are reminiscent of the turbulent times during the Dance of the Dragons. The North, with its stalwart Greybeards and the ever-loyal House Stark, stands as a beacon of resilience amidst the chaos.


In the “House of the Dragon,” it is the Greens who ultimately seize Rhaenyra’s throne. With the specter of conflict looming, she knew she needed to solidify her alliances. Thus, she dispatched her son, Prince Jacaerys, for negotiations with the Vale and the North. It was suggested by her council that the Starks were not likely to forget their sworn obligations.

At Dragonstone, the Blacks were counting on the Starks to honor the oath Lord Rickon Stark made to Viserys and Rhaenyra in King’s Landing. However, they needed to verify if Rickon’s son, Cregan, was bound to Rhaenyra. Before leaving, Rhaenyra, her heir, advised Jacaerys Velaryon to behave well. She mentioned that the new Lord of Winterfell, Cregan, was around the same age as Jacaerys, hoping that these young men would forge an alliance within House of the Dragon.

Cregan Stark Pledges The Greybeards In House of the Dragon

In the second season of “House of the Dragon,” we delve deeper into the Kingdom of the North, focusing on Winterfell and the Wall. A raven, symbolizing the North, soars above the land before reaching Winterfell, where some members of the Stark family are gathered in the castle’s yard. Through a voiceover by Cregan, the Stark values of duty, sacrifice, and honor are emphasized. The importance of the North fulfilling its “grande obligation to the Seven Kingdoms” by safeguarding the Wall is discussed. As fans of “Game of Thrones” may recall, the Night’s Watch serves as the protective barrier not only for the people but also against the unknown threats beyond the Wall. Cregan declares:

As a proud descendant, I carry on a long-standing family tradition initiated by my forebear, Torrhen Stark. In the spirit of the approaching winter, it’s my turn to make an offering: one out of every ten men from our household is selected to strengthen the Watch.

As the men left Winterfell, they journeyed towards the Wall, with Cregan stressing the importance of the North being prepared since winter was approaching.

The camera shifts to Cregan and Jacaerys Velaryon at the Wall. Jacaerys subtly reminds Cregan of a historical lesson: his ancestor, King Torrhen Stark, once surrendered to Aegon Targaryen due to the Conqueror’s dragons. Torrhen gave up his kingdom by bending the knee, earning him the title ‘King who Knelt.’ He crossed the Trident and presented Aegon with the crown of the Kings of Winter. Later, he served as the Warden of the North and Lord of Winterfell. Despite leading an army of 30,000 men, Torrhen lacked a strategy against the Targaryen dragons. Since then, the North has been a significant kingdom within the larger union, largely due to Aegon’s vision or the Song of Ice and Fire.

Note: The North is an independent kingdom in Game of Thrones canon.

Who Are The Greybeards In House of the Dragon?

Who Are The Greybeards In House of the Dragon (& Why Does Cregan Stark Promise Them?)

Jace contends that the Green faction’s power grab endangers the harmony of the Seven Kingdoms. He emphasizes that lords should not overlook their pledged allegiance to King Viserys’ true successor, Rhaenyra. Cregan concurs, further stating:

Starks are faithful to their promises, my lord, yet I find myself constantly divided in my loyalty, torn between the North and the South.

Cregan emphasizes his loyalty lies with the North’s Kingdom and orders his men to remain stationary. Gazing out over the wilderness beyond the Wall, Cregan warns Jace about dangers that surpass their understanding. Furthermore, he mentions that his ancestors’ dragons, Vermithor and Silverwing, refused to fly past the Wall, indicating a mysterious danger lurking beyond it.

As someone who has spent much of my life exploring Westeros and beyond, I can attest to the awe-inspiring grandeur that is the Wall. It was during my youth that I had the privilege of accompanying my father on a visit to this colossal structure, where he introduced me to King Jaehaerys and Queen Alysanne. At the very outlook, His Grace stood in silent reverence as their dragons, the embodiment of the world’s greatest power, hesitated at crossing the seemingly insurmountable barrier.

The last thing Jace learns from Cregan is that the Wall keeps out Death. At this very moment, Cregan pledges thousands of Greybeards to Rhaenyra’s cause. He calls them men “who have already seen too many winters.” The Greybeards, according to Cregan, are stalwarts, battle-hardened and strong fighters. Jace accepts the seasoned Northmen to fight in his mother’s name.

When Will The Greybeards Appear In House of the Dragon?

Who Are The Greybeards In House of the Dragon (& Why Does Cregan Stark Promise Them?)

In the tales of Fire & Blood, Lord Roderick Dustin from Barrowton leads a force of 2,000 Greybeards, who refer to themselves as Winter Wolves. These veteran warriors, with their gray beards and rough skin, ride shaggy horses. They aspire to earn honor by wielding axes, spiked maces, iron swords, and mauls in battle.

As a gamer, I find myself engaging in a crucial conversation with Lord Forrest Frey and Lady Sabitha Frey next. The objective? Securing The Twins, and indirectly, The Crossing. To sweeten the deal, Vermax, my trusty dragon, accompanies me to their court. However, Forrest Frey seems agitated, claiming that the Stark army is advancing at a snail’s pace. I need The Crossing to swiftly move Cregan Stark’s Greybeards into the Riverlands. Though Cregan isn’t central to the current events, known as the Dance, he and his Greybeards will eventually clash with the Westermen, led by Lord Humfrey Lefford, a new character in House of the Dragon, in a battle at the Lakeshore. There’s a high likelihood that in the final episode of House of the Dragon, the Greybeards will utilize The Crossing and join forces with the Rivermen in the Riverlands, fighting under the banner of the Dragon Queen.

Why Is The North The Most Important Kingdom In House of the Dragon?

Who Are The Greybeards In House of the Dragon (& Why Does Cregan Stark Promise Them?)

Aegon embarked on a campaign to rule the Seven Kingdoms following a potent, visionary dream. In this dream, he saw an ominous darkness descending from the North during a catastrophic winter, devastating life as we know it. He was convinced that a Targaryen would be crucial in safeguarding the world during these trying times, and believed this savior, known as the Prince That Was Promised, would stem from his lineage. The Prophecy of Aegon is a closely guarded tale, passed down from ruler to ruler. Viserys shares this secret with Rhaenyra, and she, in turn, tells Jace about it.

Before Rhaenyra shares Aegon’s Song with Jace, she first dispatches him to garner the North’s backing. She consented to deploy her dragons in battle not merely for the sake of the throne, but because she felt obligated to honor her father’s promises.

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2024-08-05 00:34