HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Made a Notorious Targaryen a Big Part a New Dragonrider’s Story

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As a seasoned dragon historian and longtime fan of the Targaryen dynasty, I’ve always found the intriguing tales of their complex family tree to be both captivating and heart-wrenching. Among these stories, Saera Targaryen’s exile and life in Essos hold a unique allure.

Rhaenyra Targaryen’s desire for dragon riders was fulfilled in the second last episode of “House of the Dragon” season two. With this newfound power, Rhaenyra has never been more formidable. However, unbeknownst to her, “Fire & Blood” readers are aware that she owes the addition of one of her dragonriders to a notorious relative. This relative is none other than Saera Targaryen, played by Milly Alcock, who was previously shunned as an outcast in House Targaryen. Saera is King Jaehaerys’s daughter and Hugh Hammer’s mother, a character with an intriguing past that adds significant depth to the history of House Targaryen. Thanks to her bastard son, Saera now holds more importance than we ever imagined.

Hugh Hammer’s Targaryen Blood Comes From His Mother

Ulf the White from “House of the Dragon” has declared that he’s the illegitimate son of the late Baelon the Brave, who fathered King Viserys and Prince Daemon. However, it was uncertain if Ulf himself believed this assertion before departing for Dragonstone in response to Rhaenyra’s summons. We haven’t yet determined whether Ulf is genuinely Baelon Targaryen’s offspring. Nevertheless, his connection to House Targaryen is evident: only those with Old Valyrian blood can tame unclaimed dragons.

In “House of the Dragon” season two’s seventh episode, it holds true for another resident of King’s Landing who owns a dragon, apart from Ulf. However, Hugh the blacksmith is distinct in that he is aware of his Targaryen lineage’s origin. Unlike Ulf, whose mother’s identity remains uncertain, Hugh can trace his ancestry back to his own mother. From what he shared about her, it is evident that she could only be Saera Targaryen, an intriguing character from George R.R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood.”

Hugh Hammer shared an unspoken truth with his sorrowing wife for the first time. He revealed details about his mother, explaining, “She held a unique position in society, working at an establishment of indulgence. Her privileges were greater than most due to her connections. And since wealthy patrons preferred older women, she was highly valued. My mother often compared me to her brothers’ sons, Viserys and Daemon.”

Who Is House of the Dragon‘s Saera Targaryen?

Among Baelon Hugh’s siblings, there is only one sister worth mentioning: Saera Targaryen. Born as the fifth daughter and ninth child out of thirteen to King Jaehaerys and Queen Alyssane, Saera boasted exceptional beauty, intelligence, charisma, and bravery. However, she was also known for her unruly behavior, disobedience, stubbornness, manipulation, and volatile temperament.

After reaching womanhood, Princess Saera became infatuated with numerous men at the royal court. However, her close relationships at the age of fifteen with two ladies and three young lords eventually drove her into self-imposed exile from the Realm. These six individuals spent an inordinate amount of time together, causing unease among onlookers who feared the worst. King Jaehaerys, however, was not among the concerned parties. With Saera’s servants constantly accompanying them, he believed it was implausible for any mischief to occur.

Saera’s prank at the brothel resulted in a major scandal, as the Princess admitted to her father that she had already slept with all three of her male friends. One of them was also involved in another friend’s pregnancy, leaving uncertainty about who the father was. The King was infuriated and considered publicly humiliating Saera, but his wife convinced him otherwise. However, things escalated when the Princess tried to escape using a dragon, leading to her imprisonment.)

Saera Targaryen’s Exile, Escape to Essos, and Life in Volantis

Following the gruesome scene of her father executing one of Saera’s male companions in a trial by combat, King Jaehaerys decided to send his daughter to Oldtown to join the Silent Sisters. His intention was to help Saera adopt a more refined behavior and set her on a virtuous path.

He was wrong again. After a year-and-a-half of harsh living, Saera Targaryen escaped and made her way to Essos where she began working in a pleasure house in Lys. When news of her new profession eventually reached King’s Landing it crushed Jaehaerys. He forbade his wife from even writing their daughter, let alone visiting her. Alyssane ignored him and wrote Saera letters on occasion, never getting a reply. She also hired guards to watch over her daughter. And after three of their other girls died, she pleaded with her husband to call Saera back home. Jaehaerys refused.

After approximately 14 years, Saera left for Volantis, where she was both wealthy and notorious. As Hugh Hammer remarked on “House of the Dragon,” a silver-haired Princess like Saera could command a substantial fee for her skills. In her new residence, she amassed even greater wealth by operating a renowned establishment catering to pleasure seekers. (Based on his apparent age, Saera had given birth to Hugh Hammer during her stay in Lys.)

At the Great Council called by Jaehaerys to determine his heir, three men emerged claiming to be Saera Targaryen’s illegitimate sons. Despite having her own potential claim, Saera remained silent. When questioned about her decision, she famously declared, “I have my own realm to rule here.”

Jaehaerys, deeply distraught and filled with rage and sadness, could never come to terms with his daughter’s elopement and her life in Essos. In his twilight years, as Alicent Hightower tenderly cared for him, the aging monarch would frequently mistake her for Saera Targaryen, cherishing the illusion that his long-lost child had miraculously returned to him.

Hugh Hammer, Saera Targaryen’s Son, Claims the Dragon Vermithor on House of the Dragon

Saera Targaryen’s valiant son Hugh Hammer returned home instead. After visiting their ancestral castle on Dragonstone, he will assist Rhaenyra, Jaehaerys’ granddaughter, in her bid for the Iron Throne. In an unexpected turn of events, he will ride Vermithor, Jaehaerys’ own dragon, to aid her in her struggle.

A daughter shunned by her family, bearing white hair as a blacksmith’s child in a brothel, has transformed into a dragonlord, wielding power over the only creature equal to Vhagar’s strength. This unexpected turn of events significantly alters the Dance of the Dragons and the Realm’s course. It also rewrites Saera Targaryen’s tale, as the infamous princess continues to leave her mark on House Targaryen even after many years have passed.

As a seasoned writer with a passion for history, particularly that of dragons and the Targaryen dynasty, I can attest to Mikey Walsh’s expertise in these subjects. He holds a distinguished position as a staff writer at TopMob and proudly carries the title of dragon historian. His voice resonates across various social media platforms, including Twitter and Bluesky, under the handle @burgermike. I’ve come across many rankings of the Targaryen kings, and Mikey is always among the top authorities consulted for accurate and insightful information. His extensive knowledge and dedication to his craft make him an invaluable resource for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of this fascinating era.

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2024-07-29 05:22