House of the Dragon: The true father of Rhaenyra’s children – therefore the succession to the throne is in danger

In the 6th episode of “House of the Dragon” we are introduced to a changed situation at the royal court. The legitimate origins of Rhaenyra Targaryen’s children are in doubt. Could suspicion of Ser Harwin Kraft be growing?

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Rhaenyra’s Cheeks – Jacaerys, Lucerys, Gottfrid (Power?)

The second half of the first season of “House of the Dragon” begins with Rhaenyra giving birth to her third son, Gottfrid. Until the end, the episode is driven by the question of who the father of Rhaenyra’s children is and what consequences arise from this. For the audience it is crystal clear: Ser Harwin Kraft is the biological father of Rhaenyra’s children.

His familiarity with the boys and the princess are just an indication of this. Added to this is the external distinctiveness. There is nothing graceful, delicate and silver about the boys’ auburn hair and flat noses – which all Targaryen and Velaryon children should have.

Rhaenyra’s rival Alicent Hightower has long not only suspected this fact, but has seen it as a pure fact. Between Rhaenyra, her husband Laenor Velaryon and Harwin, there is an unspoken truth that everyone has come to terms with. The series makes this unmistakably clear.

But what happens when rumors spread and questions are asked? Whispers can quickly turn into accusations, putting everyone involved in danger. Ser Kriston Kraut’s provocation of Ser Harwin Kraft on the castle’s training grounds changes everything. Now the slander of Rhaenyra’s children and her Velaryon lineage soon spreads throughout the empire and Rhaenyra, and her succession to the throne is openly called into question.

How important is Ser Harwin Kraft’s paternity of Rhaenyra’s children really?

The fact that Ser Harwin Kraft is the true father of Rhaenyra’s children, even if it were not true, is said to play a major role in the civil war that breaks out. Episode 6 ends with the gruesome deaths of Ser Harwin and his father Lyonel, Hand of the King, on Harrenhal. Both burn in the cursed castle, not entirely without the insidious involvement of third parties. However, this will not be enough to curb the rumors about the true parentage of Jacaerys, Lucerys and Joffrey.

As “House of the Dragon” progresses, it is to be expected that more and more voices will be raised against Rhaenyra and her illegitimate children. Driven, of course, by Alicent, who sees her own children Aegon, Aemond and Helaena as the sole and rightful heirs to the Iron Throne.

In order to further discredit Rhaenyra and her claim, she refers to her children in the books as “the Strong Boys”. The dispute between Rhaenyra and Alicent’s children will shape the entire upcoming Dance of the Dragons and the future of the empire.

Viserys is almost the only one left convinced of his daughter’s innocence and the descent of her children from Laenor. But his attempts at mediation are of no use, because the rifts between queen and princess are already too deep. Just to ask the simple question “Who is the father?” It hasn’t been possible here for a long time.

What happens to Rhaenyra and the sons of Ser Harwin Kraft?

Unfortunately, the fate of the Princess of Drachenstein and her sons is not a happy one. The war for the Iron Throne will be bloody and costly for all parties, both the Greens and the Blacks. In the Dance of the Dragons, Rhaenyra and Harwin’s children will be at the forefront, albeit with their dragons. Lucerys is said to be the first to fall and the civil war to begin first. He dies at Storm’s End in a bitter dragon duel against Aemond.

Rhaenyra’s eldest Jacaerys will accompany his (official) grandfather Corlys Velaryon when the Battle of the Gurgle occurs. Jacaerys is supposed to fall in this naval battle against the resurgent Triarchy, the new allies of Alicent and the Greens. Gottfrid’s fate is probably the most tragic. During the brief period of success for Rhaenyra when she takes the capital of King’s Landing, rebellions against her break out. Gottfrid tries to ride his mother’s dragon Syrax, but is hit by a crossbow bolt and falls into the depths.

But Rhaenyra’s line should not end with her first three sons. She has more children with her uncle and second husband Daemon. The most prominent of them, the later Aegon III, is said to be of great importance for the Targaryen legacy.