Warning! This article contains spoilers for House of the Dragon and George R. R. Martin's Fire and Blood.

Summary

  • In House of the Dragon, Ulf claims to be a Targaryen grandson of Jaehaerys I.
  • Ulf's introduction hints at his role in the Dance of Dragons as a Dragonseed who claims a dragon and s Rhaenyra as the rightful ruler.
  • Ulf becomes a key figure in the Battle of the Gullet and later betrays the Blacks for personal gain, ultimately being poisoned.

House of the Dragon's cast of characters.

Ulf was introduced in House of the Dragon season 2, episode 3, where he revealed himself in a pub scene to be a bastard of Targaryen descent. This character was depicted as a well-known member of King's Landing's citizens, claiming to his friends in a tavern that he is a Targaryen grandson of Jaehaerys I and thus a brother of Viserys and Daemon. This begs whether Ulf is actually a member of House Targaryen and how his introduction will change the course of House of the Dragon.

Related
House Targaryen Explained: Origins, Dragons, Kings & Game Of Thrones History

There's more to House Targaryen's history than what's depicted in House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones. Here's what we know from the books.

Ulf Is A Dragonseed, But Not The Grandson Of King Jaehaerys I Targaryen

Ulf Has Targaryen Blood, But Not Of The Same Noble Stock He Claims

Ulf (Tom Bennett) lit by firelight staring ahead in House of the Dragon season 2, episode 3

In House of the Dragon, Ulf boldly claims to be the brother of Viserys and Dameon, and the uncle of Rhaenyra. Interestingly, this is a House of the Dragon book change. In Fire and Blood, it is revealed that Ulf is a Dragonseed, but it is not confirmed how he is linked to House Targaryen. The show alters this, with Ulf claiming to be a son of Baelon the Brave. It remains to be seen whether Ulf's claim turns out to be true, with Fire and Blood's nature as narratively unreliable, making either possibility likely.

In Fire and Blood, Baelon is often described as being incredibly loyal to his wife. Baelon was even depicted as rejecting advances later in his life, proving how loyal he was to his partner. As such, this makes it unlikely that he sired a Dragonseed like Ulf. That said, House of the Dragon is not afraid to make changes based on the book's unreliable narrators, with one potentially being that Ulf is indeed a grandson of Jaehaerys I Targaryen.

Ulf Claims The Dragon Silverwing In House Of The Dragon

Ulf Will Play An Important Role In The Impending Dance Of Dragons

In House of the Dragon season 2, episode 7's ending, Rhaenyra hosts an event called the Sowing of the Seeds, where bastards of Valyrian descent are brought to Dragonstone and allowed to try and claim dragons. In the process of trying to claim Vermithor, the Sowing falls to chaos, and Ulf falls off the platform and into the caverns below Dragonstone. He wanders about, searching for an escape, when he accidentally stumbles upon the space of Silverwing, a massive gray dragon who seems to take a quick liking to him.

Silverwing was previously the dragon of Queen Alyssane Targaryen, the wife of King Jaehaerys. Silverwing is known for being docile and friendly to humans in comparison to other, more dangerous dragons; hence, she quickly bonds with Ulf without much threat. Silverwing also has a mystical bond with the dragon Vermithor, reflecting the romantic relationship between their previous king and queen riders. Ulf claiming Silverwing instantly changes his luck, transforming him into one of the most powerful men in the realm.

What Happens To Ulf In The Dance Of The Dragons

Fire & Blood Explains What Becomes Of Ulf White

Ulf looking up at the walls of King's Landing in House of the Dragon season 2

After claiming Silverwing and ing the Blacks in the Dance of Dragons, Fire & Blood details what happens to Ulf. Ulf's first battle in the Dance comes in the Battle of the Gullet. This conflict sees the Greens, with the aid of a host of ships from the Triarchy, attempt to break the Velaryon blockade of Blackwater Bay. Ulf fights in this battle aboard Silverwing, aiding in reducing losses on the side of the Blacks. Eventually, Ulf was integral to two more battles, the First and Second Battles of Tumbleton.

The First Battle of Tumbleton saw Ulf and a fellow Dragonseed - another House of the Dragon character Hugh Hammer - betray the Blacks by siding with the Greens. Ulf did this in order to be named the Lord of Bitterbridge by Daeron Targaryen. During the Second Battle of Tumbleton, Ulf slept through the battle due to being intoxicated. Ulf's friend Hugh fell in the battle, leading the former to hastily declare he would lay claim to the Iron Throne. Eventually, Ulf was poisoned, which will undoubtedly be featured in House of the Dragon's future seasons.

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House of the Dragon
Release Date
August 21, 2022
Network
HBO Max
Showrunner
George R.R. Martin
  • Headshot Of Matt Smith In The UK premiere of Sky series 'House of the Dragon'
    Prince Daemon Targaryen
  • Emma D'Arcy Profile Picture
    Emma D'Arcy
    Alicent Hightower

WHERE TO WATCH

Streaming

Taking place about 172 years before the events of Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon tells the tale of the rise of the Targaryens, the only family of dragonlords to survive the Doom of Valyria. The popular HBO spinoff show first starred Milly Alcock and Emily Carey as Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower before they were replaced by Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cooke, who play the older versions of the characters. Also starring in the series is Matt Smith (Prince Daemon Targaryen) and Paddy Considine as Rhaenyra’s father, King Viserys Targaryen.

Directors
Miguel Sapochnik, Clare Kilner, Alan Taylor, Greg Yaitanes, Geeta Vasant Patel, Andrij Parekh
Writers
George R.R. Martin, Ryan Condal
Seasons
4