House of the Dragon has kicked off its season 2. The Targaryens have therefore been back on our screens since June 17 to offer us the continuation of the quarrels between Rhaenyra and Aegon. Which of the two will sit on the Iron Throne and rule the Seven Kingdoms, we do not yet know precisely. All we have to eat is a first episode, accompanied by new credits.
Each season is an opportunity for HBO to renew the introduction to its episodes. Like last year, and as was the case for Game Of Thrones also, the credits change subtly with each new chapter. This week, spectators were able to discover a whole new atmosphere: an embroidery series, featuring the Targaryens, which includes its share of explanations and clues.
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Inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry
The first thing to know about this generic is that it is inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry. Embroidery, which is part of our French historical heritage, was an inspiration both visually, but also in terms of what it represents. If you’ve taken your history classes, you know that the work depicts the events between 1064 and 1066, which range from the end of the reign of the English King Edward the Confessor to the Battle of Hastings.
If at first glance the medieval side is the only link with our heroes of House of the Dragonit must be understood that the tapestry actually represents the thorny succession to the throne of England. Two men then dispute the legitimacy to govern: Harold Godwinson and William, Duke of Normandy. The embroidery thus describes the main battles between the two rivals and the significant events which led to the outcome we know today (Harold II was finally crowned). A fairly obvious parallel with the succession of the Iron Throne and the governance of Westeros.
Although this object is of inestimable documentary value, it is not considered to be completely neutral in its description of events. Historians highlight the fact that William the Conqueror is portrayed in a better light than his opponent, so he could partly a work of propaganda. Will the series credits have the same purpose? At the moment, Rhaenyra seems to be favored, but that could change soon.
The Scourge of Valyria
As on the Bayeux tapestry, the credits of House of the Dragon relates events prior to the current conflict, which allows us to better understand the issues. Concerning the Targaryens, we can notably see the Bane of Valyriaa tragedy that explains why the Targaryens are who they are in House of the Dragon.
Although we cannot attribute this mishap to anyone, we know that the region has experienced dark times. Volcanoes were erupting, the population was decimated, and dragons were dropping like flies. The only survivors of this ordeal were the Targaryens, thanks to the foresight of one of the members of the house. Daenys’ premonitory dream saved the family, who took the last living dragons with them. This episode then explains how dragons became weapons in their own right, key elements in any military negotiation, as we can see from the first episode of season 2. Without this Scourge of Valyria, the Dance of the Dragons described in the series could never have happened.
The Prophecy of Aegon the Conqueror
This is also the case for the conquest of King Aegon, the first of his name. Also called Aegon the Conqueror, he is mentioned several times in House of the Dragon. Viserys, on his deathbed, relies on his prophecy to legitimize Rhaenyra’s reign. A message that she will never hear since it is Alicent who receives it on behalf of her own son Aegon, second of the name.
In the credits, we finally see this much-adulted character. He is the first owner of Vhagar, a dragon who will play a key role in the rest of the episodes, and he is the king who unified the Seven Kingdoms in Westeros. We see him on his steed, flying alongside his sisters, before bringing down his adversaries thanks to the striking power of the dragons. These creatures have therefore already allowed a Targaryen to win a war – and not the least. Will they be able to do it again with Rhaenyra and Aegon II?
The rest of the events date back from the reign of Maegor the Cruel to that of Viserys, including that of Jaehaerys. The very end of the credits depicts the tragic outcome of the end of the first season, namely the death of Rhaenyra’s son. The war is underway on both sides, and all means are good to fight back. It remains to be seen what will be added to the introduction next Monday, for the release of episode 2.
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