The last episode of Season 3 of House of the Dragon provided a new backstory that deviates from the book source, but what is actually behind Alys Rivers and the history of the greatest castle in Westeros?
Warning: The following article contains spoilers about Alys Rivers from the last episode of Season 3.
In the last episode of House of the Dragon (Season 3), Alys Rivers tells Aemond Targaryen a story about Harrenhal and the original ruler of this once-glorious castle. She speaks of Balerion, the dragon of Aegon the Conqueror, who burned the castle down. The descendants of Lord Harren, along with him, were supposed to be burned and killed.
However, one boy survived. His mother did everything to save him. When all the Maesters from across Westeros failed, the mother relied on ancient sorcery and beings that lived in the woods
. This likely refers to the Children of the Forest.
But even they could not heal the son, and he died. The mother tried to take her own life, but she was cursed and could not die. Because she shared Harren’s greed
, she could not leave the Riverlands and had to serve every lord in Harrenhal. Aemond notes that this was over 100 years ago, and Alys only replies: A long time, if you are alone.
Even though she does not directly say it, it is clearly implied that she was the mother of Lord Harren’s son and thus over 100 years old. This takes the series further than the books and gives Alys a deeper backstory.
But what actually happened to Harrenhal?
A king who opposed the greatest conqueror of Westeros
Who was the king of Harrenhal? Harren Hoare originally came from the Iron Islands and inherited the rule over them and the Riverlands from his father. As a king, Harren, also known as Harren the Black, was more of a tyrant and a hated ruler.
He wanted to build Harrenhal, a new seat for his reign. This took nearly 40 years. This endeavor drained his subjects and lands considerably, as building the greatest castle in Westeros is not a cheap affair – let alone the costs and manpower needed to maintain the castle later on.
Around the time of its completion, the most important historical event in Westeros began: Aegon’s Conquest. After House Targaryen fled before their homeland Valyria was destroyed, they lived on Dragonstone. One day, Aegon felt like claiming Westeros. He began a conquest with his two wives (who were also his sisters). With an army and allies, including House Velaryon, they set out for Westeros.
Equipped with 3 dragons, including the largest ever seen in Westeros, Aegon forced many houses to kneel. One who resisted was King Harren Hoare. Due to his tyranny, the lords of the Riverlands sided with the Targaryen king.
Harren rejected an offer from Aegon and barricaded himself in Harrenhal. Even the greatest castle could not stop the dragon Balerion. He destroyed it and burned Harren and his sons. Afterwards, various lords received the castle (ruins), but never truly for good. This is where the myth comes from that a curse lies upon the place.
House of the Dragon expands on this story and presents another curse affecting Alys Rivers, seemingly the former wife of Harren, even over 100 years later. She was thus present at the time of Aegon’s Conquest and the destruction of Harrenhal.
What do you think about the series adding new story elements? Do you think it’s good or should one stick strictly to the source material? Feel free to let us know in the comments. More about the dragons from Westeros can be found here: The 10 most powerful dragons in the Game of Thrones universe in the power ranking
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