WARNING! This article contains MAJOR SPOILERS for House of the Dragon season 1, episode 9, and George R. R. Martin's Fire & Blood.The concluding action set piece in Rhaenys elects to spare Alicent and the greens in a powerful yet nonviolent gesture, her actions have unintended consequences for the common folk. Rhaenys's choices at the Dragonpit undoubtedly stir anger within the commoners of King's Landing, planting the seeds of revolution that will eventually lead to a violent revolt.
Rhaenys can be commended for her nonviolence against the nobility, but the same can't be said for the effect her actions have on the common folk. This theme of neglect and inadvertent punishment for the subjects of the realm is evident in ing Rhaenyra and the blacks, however, she may have the best interest of the realm in mind when confronting the greens. Her grand entrance on dragonback and benevolent choice to spare the greens is a plea to their faction. Rhaenys is aware of the greens' intentions and knows that they will only lead to further bloodshed of both nobility and innocent common folk alike. There's a tragic irony in the futility of Rhaenys's efforts, as her own violent actions lead to ensuing brutality in the Dragonpit.
Why The Storming Of The Dragonpit Is So Important
In George R. R. Martin's Fire & Blood book, the storming of the Dragonpit is an immensely consequential moment in the Targaryen civil war called the Dance of the Dragons, which leads to the death of five dragons. The citizens of King's Landing grow increasingly disgruntled about the leadership of Queen Rhaenyra, and this uneasiness escalates following the death of Queen Helaena. The commoners are eventually convinced to raid the Dragonpit by a religious prophet known as the Shepherd.
The greens suffer three dragon casualties during the Storming of the Dragonpit. Helaena's children Prince Jaehaerys and Princess Jaehaera lose their dragons, Shrykos and Morghul. Additionally, Helaena's own dragon, Dreamfyre, is taken by the common folk, but not without a fight, allegedly slaying more men than the other three dragons housed in the Dragonpit combined. That fourth dragon is Tyraxes, belonging to Prince Joffery Targaryen. Joffery rides his mother's dragon, Syrax, in an attempt to save his own mount, but this choice proves fatal, as he loses his grip and plummets to his end. This decision foreshadows Rhaenyra's death, as she is left without a dragon and forced to flee King's Landing once again for Dragonstone.
When Will The Storming Of The Dragonpit Happen In House Of The Dragon?
According to Fire & Blood, Aegon II's coronation occurs in 129 AC, with the Storming of the Dragonpit following shortly thereafter in 130AC. The fact that Storming of the Dragonpit takes place roughly a year after Rhaenys's entrance on Meleys is unquestionably significant. Although Rhaenys may think her stand against the greens is virtuous, her confrontation ignites the beginnings of civil unrest within King's Landing. The results of Rhaenys's actions are a microcosm of the injustices the commoners are so often subjected to at the hands of the realm's nobility. Although House of the Dragon has multiple time jumps, don't expect this to continue in future seasons. Congruently, the unrest in King's Landing won't simmer for much longer, as yet another catastrophe at the Dragonpit looms in House of the Dragon.
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