'House of the Dragon': Is the curse of Harrenhal real? Here's what we know about its history
Contains spoilers for 'House of the Dragon'
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 is set to stream on HBO on Sunday, June 16, 2024.
The show has captivated audiences globally with its expansive action scenes, intricate plot twists, and unforgettable characters who have left an indelible mark on popular culture beyond the realm of Westeros.
Another element that adds to the show is the supernatural mystique, with prophecies and curses being common topics of discussion among the Westerosi folk. Among these, the curse of Harrenhal stands out as a notable example.
Harrenhall is the biggest castle in the seven kingdoms and has featured heavily in both 'Game of Thrones' and 'House of the Dragon'. Fans of 'Game of Thrones' will remember the character Petyr Baelish (Aidan Gillen), who held the title of Lord of Harrenhal.
In the prequel show, Harrenhal belongs to House Strong, with Lyonel Strong (Gavin Spokes) serving as the Lord of Harrenhal.
What is the curse of Harrenhall?
As per George R.R. Martin's books, it is believed that the castle of Harrenhal is cursed, and every house that rules the castle ultimately faces a tragic fate.
The curse of Harrenhal is said to originate from the deaths that occurred in the castle during Aegon's conquests.
The castle was built by Harren the Black, who wanted to build it as the biggest castle in all of the seven kingdoms, one that would be impregnable.
However, the castle did fall when Aegon and his dragons unleashed their fiery might, reducing Harrenhal to ashes.
Harren is also believed to have mixed human blood while building the castle. This, along with the horrors inflicted upon the castle during Aegon's conquest, has earned the castle the infamy of being cursed.
The curse of Harrenhal is referenced in 'House of the Dragon' Season 1 when the castle catches fire, resulting in the deaths of Harwin Strong (Ryan Corr) and his father, Lyonel Strong.
Did the curse of Harrenhall kill Harwin Strong and his father?
The death of Harwin and Lyonel gets blamed on the curse of Harrenhall, but later it is revealed that the fire was caused by Harwin's brother Larys Strong (Matthew Needham) to prove his loyalty to Queen Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke).
Harwin is the biological father of Rhaenyra Targaryen's (Emma D'Arcy) children while she is married to Laenor Velaryon (John Macmillan).
Larys kills Harwin as a demonstration of his loyalty and worth to Alicent, who stands as Rhaenyra's rival.
Larys also benefits from the deaths of Harwin and Lyonel, as he becomes the Lord of Harrenhal with no other heir left. Lord Larys Strong orchestrated the fire with the help of prisoners and ensured their silence by having their tongues removed to prevent them from revealing his identity.
How to stream 'House of the Dragon' Season 2?
'House of the Dragon' is streaming on HBO Max on Sunday, June 16, 2024. To watch the series, you will need a Max Subscription. The streaming platform typically offers three packages that you can choose from depending on your budget.
The low-cost plan that supports advertising costs at $9.99 per month or $99.99 annually.
The second package, which does not support advertising, costs $15.99 per month or $149.99.
Meanwhile, the third package, titled Ultimate Ad-Free, costs $19.99 per month or $199.99 annually.
'House of the Dragon' Season 2 trailer
'House of the Dragon' is streaming on HBO Max on Sunday, June 16, 2024.