Jacaerys Velaryon’s insight is keen in House of the Dragon season 2, episode 7, as he correctly predicts that one of the Targaryen bastards will name himself king. While Rhaenyra desperately needs riders for her dragons, Jace’s reservations about the bastards Hugh Hammer claiming Vermithor and Ulf claiming Silverwing are warranted. Not only do they undermine Jace’s own claims of Targaryen legitimacy by proving that being raised in Dragonlord nobility has no bearing on the ability to ride a dragon, but Hugh and Ulf also pose threats to both Rhaenyra and Aegon’s holds on the Iron Throne.
While Jacaerys expresses his anger over Rhaenyra’s “dragonseeds” plan, he presents an important hypothetical regarding what Rhaenyra will do if one of the “baseborn, silver-haired dragonriders decides he wants to rule the Seven Kingdoms.” Rhaenyra dismisses this question, but Jace has a good point. Indeed, this exact fear becomes a reality in the Dance of the Dragons, as George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood book reveals that the silver-haired Targaryen bastard Hugh Hammer eventually strives to sit on the Iron Throne.
House Of The Dragon Season 2 Foreshadows Hugh Hammer Declaring Himself King In The Dance
Jacaerys Correctly Predicted A Targaryen Bastard Deciding They Should Be King
While Prince Jacaerys Velaryon will be dead by this time, Hugh Hammer will decide that he should be the one to rule the Seven Kingdoms during the Dance of the Dragons. After fighting for Team Black during the Battle of the Gullet (when Jacaerys tragically dies) and the Fall of King’s Landing (when Rhaenyra secures the Iron Throne), Hugh Hammer and Ulf betray Rhaenyra and defect to the Greens during the First Battle of Tumbleton. Hugh and Ulf were sent to defend Tumbleton from Green armies, but end up turning their dragons, Vermithor and Silverwing, on the town and destroying it.
Once Hugh starts wearing a black iron crown, Team Green swiftly ends his “reign” by killing the pretender.
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After the “Two Betrayers” briefly join the Greens, Hugh calls himself “Lord Hammer” and expresses his intent to become King of Westeros. Hugh decides that the king should be a “strong man… not a boy,” referring to Prince Daeron Targaryen, and explains his right to be king is “The same [reason] as the Conqueror. A dragon.” In Fire & Blood, the silver-haired Hugh’s claim grows upon hearing of a prophecy foretelling a new king rising when the “Hammer falls upon the dragon.” Once Hugh starts wearing a black iron crown, Team Green swiftly ends his “reign” by killing the pretender.
How House Of The Dragon Has Already Set Up Hugh’s King Twist
Hugh’s Twist At Tumbleton Has A More Detailed Setup In HOTD Than Fire & Blood
In addition to Jacaerys’ fears in House of the Dragon season 2, episode 7, the show has already included some important details setting up Hugh Hammer eventually naming himself king. For one, Hugh has now lost his daughter and his wife, leaving him without a purpose in King’s Landing while also needing to prove himself as a strong leader after failing his family. Additionally, Hugh’s wife has made several mentions of going to live with her brother in Tumbleton, which is where he betrays Rhaenyra and eventually names himself king in the Dance.
House of the Dragon has also placed a bigger emphasis on the power of prophecies regarding the Targaryens, so Hugh eventually hearing the prophecy about the hammer, king, and dragon will likely be a more important part of his character arc. Furthermore, Hugh Hammer’s mother is Princess Saera Targaryen, which would make him King Jaehaerys’ oldest-living direct male descent after Daemon’s death. Plus, Hugh now rides Vermithor, formerly bonded with King Jaehaerys I Targaryen and the largest living dragon after Vhagar.