WARNING: This article contains MAJOR SPOILERS for Fire & Blood, the book on which House of the Dragon is based.
Summary
House of the Dragonseason 2, episode 8 teased that the Stark army will be part of many battles to come, with the appearance of the Winter Wolves teasing Cregan Stark’s role in the Dance of the Dragons. While season 1 took place mostly betweenKing’s Landing and Dragonstone, the show has since expanded its scope with stories and characters from all across the Seven Kingdoms and even Essos. For example,House of the Dragonseason 2’s premiere introduced Cregan Stark, and although he was missing for the finale,the Lord of Winterfell will be very important.
Even though theTargaryen civil warstarted in the south of Westeros, such a high-stakes conflict was going to include the Starks and other Northern houses eventually. As soon as Aegon II Targaryen was crowned in King’s Landing, Rhaenyra started to gather up allies and enforce the vows they had made to her in front of King Viserys. Jacaerys Targaryen was sent to Winterfell, where he discussed the inevitable war with Cregan Stark and asked for the support of Winterfell.Cregan reaffirmed his loyalty to Queen Rhaenyraand agreed to send swords to her cause.
House Of The Dragon Season 3: Cast, Story & Everything We Know
The Game of Thrones prequel series House of the Dragon returned for its long-awaited second season in 2024, and now season 3 is confirmed.
House Of The Dragon’s Northern Army Are The Winter Wolves
The North Has Pledged Their Loyalty To Queen Rhaenyra
The Northern army shown inHouse of the Dragonseason 2’s finaleis the Winter Wolves, a group of relatively old bannermen from houses sworn to the Starks such as Manderly and Dustin. While not the most refined soldiers, these greybeards can be vicious warriors in times of need. Cregan initially warned Jace thatHouse Stark could not send all their finest warriors to the southconsidering there was too much happening in the north, yet that he would give Rhaenyra a significant amount of greybeards who would fight loyally for her.
As proven several times inGame of Thrones, the Starks have always been known for their loyalty.
However, given that the Dance of the Dragons only escalated after Jace visited Winterfell, Cregan Stark is now fully aware that the fate of the realm lies in how this conflict will be settled. As proven several times inGame of Thrones, the Starks have always been known for their loyalty. Having pledged their loyalty to Viserys’ appointed heir, Rhaenyra, Cregan is ready to lead his house’s bannermen against the greens.Cregan does not appear in the season 2 finale, and it is unclear whether he is marching with the Winter Wolves.
Which Battles The Winter Wolves Fight In
The Winter Wolves Have Some Big Victories
InFire & Blood, the Winter Wolves are led by Roderick Dustin of Barrowton. Marching from Winterfell and sailing from the White Harbor, these Northern soldiers properly joined the war following the fall of King’s Landing, after which Rhaenyra sat on the Iron Throne but still had plenty of enemies to defeat. With Aegon missing and House Hightower’s supporters still mobilized to reclaim the throne, a series of battles continued to happen as Rhaenyra tried to rule.The Winter Wolves’ first major battle in the Dance was the Battle by the Lakeshoreagainst the Lannister host.
Cregan Stark is Ned Stark’s great-great-great-great-grandfather.
The Northern army was also involved in the death of Ser Criston Cole south of Harrenhal, a major victory for Rhaenyra that put an end to months of battles in the Riverlands. The remaining soldiers would join the rest of Team Black’s army in the First Battle of Tumbleton, during which Ormund Hightower was killed.The Winter Wolves had suffered many casualties, though, and after the betrayals of Ulf and Hugh at Tumbleton, most of the Northern men that had left Winterfell at the start of the war were dead.
Where Is Cregan & When Will He Return In House Of The Dragon?
Cregan Stark Plays A Major Role During (& After) The War
In the book, Cregan Stark does not join the battlefield initially, meaning he was not at Lakeshore or Tumbleton when the White Wolves fought against the Greens. However, once Rhaenyra had to flee King’s Landing following a series of riots,Cregan Stark gathered a new army to help the queen reclaim the cityand put an end to the war once and for all.Rhaenyra’s death by dragonfireand Aegon II’s return to King’s Landing did not change Cregan’s plan – he would continue to march in front of his Northen army to take down the usurpers.
Aegon III, the oldest son of Rhaenyra and Daemon, becomes king after the death of Aegon II. Cregan Stark briefly serves as his hand.
Cregan Stark will return inHouse of the Dragon, and it is safe to say he is one of the most important players in the show outside of the Targaryens and Hightowers.House of the Dragonmay even spend more time with Cregan thanFire & Blooddoes during the actual war so that his presence in the aftermath feels more earned. Cregan will be particularly important inHouse of the Dragonafter the deaths of Rhaenyra and Aegon, which leads into a period of transition led by Lord Stark that became known as the Hour of the Wolf.
House of the Dragon
Cast
House of the Dragon is a 2022 fantasy drama set in the world of Westeros, chronicling the Targaryen dynasty at its height. The story revolves around King Viserys’s controversial decision to name his daughter Rhaenyra as heir to the Iron Throne, sparking tensions and divisions within the realm.
