<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="22630410" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Hugh-Hammer" source="keywords">Hugh Hammer</keyword> claims to be related to some popular Targaryens in the latest "<keyword id="20023656" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="House-of-the-Dragon" source="keywords">House of the Dragon</keyword>" episode.</li><li>In "Fire and Blood," he is also a bastard, but his parents are never revealed.</li></ul><em>Warning: Spoilers ahead for "House of the Dragon" season two, episode seven, and the "Fire and Blood" novel.</em><br /><br />Hugh Hammer casually drops a massive bombshell in the latest episode of "House of the Dragon," which may have complicated the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/house-of-the-dragon-targaryen-kid-guide-photos-jace-aegon">Targaryen family tree</a> even further.<br /><br />In the latest episode, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/rhaenyra-targaryen-death-house-of-the-dragon-fire-and-blood-2024-6">Rhaenyra</a> (Emma D'Arcy) tries to recruit Targaryen and Velaryon bastards as dragon riders for her army, because only people with <keyword id="22630411" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Valyrian-blood" source="keywords">Valyrian blood</keyword> can bond with a dragon.<br /><br />After the loss of their daughter, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/who-is-hugh-hammer-house-of-the-dragon-vermithor-rider-2024-6">Hugh</a> (Kieran Bew) tells his wife that he wants to go to <keyword id="22630412" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Dragonstone" source="keywords">Dragonstone</keyword> to claim a dragon so that he can have more power to protect their family.<br /><br />Hugh explains that his mother was a prostitute who was successful because she had the Targaryen's signature silver hair color.<br /><br />"She used to tell me I was no different to her brother's boys, Viserys and Daemon," Hugh says, seemingly referring to the former king, Viserys I, and his brother, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-daemon-targaryen-die-house-of-the-dragon-2024-6">Daemon Targaryen</a>.<br /><br />Hugh never specifies his mother's name, implying that she was just another illegitimate child of Baerlon the Brave, Viserys, and Daemon's parent.<br /><br />This claim is strengthened later in the episode when Hugh becomes the only person who is able to bond with Vermithor, the second-largest dragon in the land.<br /><br />If what Hugh says is true, it is a major departure from "<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-jacaerys-targaryen-die-house-of-the-dragon-fire-blood-2024-7">Fire and Blood</a>," the novel that "House of the Dragon" is based on, since it makes Hugh a direct relative of the Targaryen royal family.<br /><br /><h2>Hugh is not directly related to the Targaryens in 'Fire and Blood'</h2>  <div type="image" title="A still image of &quot;House of the Dragon&quot; episode seven featuring Emma D'Arcy in a black robe with a brown dragon behind her." height="1280" width="1920" msid="112095069" hostid="261"></div>In "Fire and Blood," Hugh is the bastard of an unnamed blacksmith from Dragonstone. Though it is later revealed he has Valryian blood when he claims the dragon Vermithor, there is never a direct link between him and the Targaryens.<br /><br />In an interview before episode seven was released, Bew told<a href="https://decider.com/2024/07/28/house-of-the-dragon-hugh-the-hammer-mother-saera-targaryen/?utm_campaign=decider&amp;utm_source=twitter&amp;utm_medium=social" target="_blank"> Decider</a> that Hugh is related to Saera, one of Baerlon Targaryen's seven sisters.<br /><br />This is not the first time that "House of the Dragon" has changed the "Fire and Blood" storyline. Fans have praised some of these changes, while others have left plot holes, making the story more confusing.<br /><br />Hugh's addition to the Targaryens makes an already puzzling family tree even more complicated. It also seems to hint that the show will adapt another major part of the civil war in "Fire and Blood."<br /><br />In "Fire and Blood," Hugh betrays Rhaenyra and eventually tries to seize the Iron Throne for himself so that he can rule as king.<br /><br />Hugh is not part of the royal succession in Westeros in the TV series, but the fact that he is related to the royal family and has one of the biggest dragons could give him a genuine claim to the throne. It's not like the Targaryens haven't skipped over generations before.<br /><br />We will likely find out Hugh's ambitions with his dragon in next week's season two finale.<br /><br /><em>"House of the Dragon" season two airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and is streaming on </em><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://affiliate.insider.com?h=fed657e5d456898628c785351016f7b12b4d269a5d17af0f15435159aef229d0&amp;postID=66a3ac146550c8ac4ef14301&amp;postSlug=is-hugh-hammer-related-daemon-viserys-house-of-the-dragon-2024-7&amp;site=bi&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.max.com%2F"><em><u>Max</u></em></a><em>.</em><br /><br /><em>Correction: July 29, 2024 — An earlier version of this story misspelled Baelon and mistated how many sisters he had.</em><br /><br />

'House of the Dragon' just made a major change not in the book. It could make the Targaryen family tree even more complicated.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>"House of the Dragon" brought back another beloved character from season one in the latest episode.</li><li>The cameo helps advance Daemon Targaryen's season two storyline in Harrenhal.</li></ul><p><em>Warning: Spoilers ahead for "House of the Dragon" season two, episode six.</em></p><p>"House of the Dragon" continues to surprise fans with cameos from beloved actors — particularly those who have played a role in Daemon Targaryen's narrative arc.</p><p>Throughout much of season two of the HBO drama, the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-daemon-targaryen-die-house-of-the-dragon-2024-6">king consort</a> has been stationed at Harrenhal, a massive castle that's said to be cursed.</p><p>The castle's mysterious connection to the old gods and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/house-of-the-dragon-season-1-episode-5-recap-hbo-2022-9">weirwood trees</a> causes Daemon to hallucinate people from his past, which actor Matt Smith has <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://youtu.be/8tWBb8EDzs4?si=z5yl823XHVTD54D_">described</a> as "a personal journey of discovery and unraveling."</p><p>This storyline has already brought two key players from season one back to our screens: <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/house-of-the-dragon-milly-alcock-season-two-cameo-2024-6">Milly Alcock</a>, who portrayed the younger version of Daemon's niece and wife, Rhaenyra Targaryen; and Nanna Blondell, who portrayed the adult version of Daemon's previous wife, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/house-of-the-dragon-deaths-different-from-book-fire-and-blood">Laena Velaryon</a>. (Daemon also <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/house-of-the-dragon-alyssa-targaryen-incest-scene-explained-2024-7">dreams about his mother</a>, marking Emeline Lambert's onscreen debut as the late Alyssa Targaryen.)</p><p>In episode six, titled "Smallfolk," Daemon's subconscious mind is visited by a fourth member of his family.</p><p>Another trippy vision finds Daemon back in the Red Keep. Seated atop the Iron Throne is his dead brother, King Viserys Targaryen, played by season one star Paddy Considine.</p><div type="image" title="house of the dragon viserys targaryen in daemon's vision" height="1433" width="2880" msid="111936330" hostid="261" sizebytes="115038"></div><p>Daemon relives the moment that Viserys decided to remove him as his heir and banish him from King's Landing. Back in season one, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/house-of-the-dragon-timeline-of-major-events">Viserys lost his cherished wife, Aemma, and newborn son, Baelon</a>, from childbirth complications. Viserys was devastated by their deaths. But as the king's only living male relative at the time, Daemon found cause to celebrate. Viserys was told that Daemon was overheard boasting publicly that Baelon was "The Heir for a Day."</p><p>In Daemon's vision, Viserys demands to know if Daemon really said such a cruel thing. Daemon replies, "You can't possibly still be angry about this."</p><p>"My family was just destroyed," Viserys says. "You should've been at my side."</p><p>Their interaction makes it clear that Daemon deserves the blame for his own fate, echoing <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/house-of-the-dragon-season-2-episode-2-recap-rhaenyra-daemon-2024-6">what Rhaenyra told him four episodes ago</a>. ("You did not lose [the throne], you gave it away. Because you thought ever and only of your own glory, and not of my father in his grief, who needed you.")</p><p>When Viserys begins to cry, Daemon makes to reach for his brother — but doesn't follow through. He backs up, tears in his eyes, and tries to flee the throne room.</p><p>Like Laena, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/house-of-the-dragon-saddest-deaths-ranked-2024-7">Viserys died in season one</a>, so fans didn't expect him to return to the show. But the creepy magic of Harrenhal (possibly channeled through <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/house-of-the-dragon-alys-rivers-explained-2024-6">Alys Rivers</a>) seems to be forcing Daemon to confront his worst betrayals and excavate long-buried feelings of guilt, shame, and jealousy.</p><p>Later in the episode, Daemon sees Viserys again, crumpled and moaning in pain over Aemma's dead body.</p><p>This time, Daemon doesn't get defensive or shrink away. Instead, he embraces Viserys, telling him, "I'm sorry. You needed me. I'm here now." He even gives his brother a kiss on the head. Growth!</p><div type="image" title="house of the dragon daemon viserys vision" height="1426" width="2880" msid="111936333" hostid="261" sizebytes="42236"></div><p>Viserys is palpably, movingly heartbroken in both scenes, a welcome reminder of the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/house-of-the-dragon-paddy-considine-dying-filming-death-scene-2022-12">acting chops</a> that made Considine a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://collider.com/house-of-the-dragon-paddy-considine-emmy-snub/">fan-favorite presence</a> in season one.</p><p>Considine previously said he felt "disappointment" when he realized Viserys had to die so early in the series, largely because he found the role "really interesting."</p><p>"But then I saw the character arc and his demise, and I thought he was a gift," <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/house-of-the-dragon-paddy-considine-king-viserys-1235623396/">Considine told Variety</a>. "Sometimes things just come to you at the right moments. I feel like I was ready for him."</p><p>Considine also told <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/paddy-considine-house-of-the-dragon-interview-1235189088/">The Hollywood Reporter</a> that Viserys was "a really rich, beautiful, and conflicted character," adding, "I've been waiting for a role like this, if I'm being honest."</p><p><em>"House of the Dragon" season two airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and is streaming on </em><a target="_blank" rel="nofollow sponsored noindex" class="" href="https://affiliate.insider.com?h=fed657e5d456898628c785351016f7b12b4d269a5d17af0f15435159aef229d0&amp;postID=669e624ac79d31931d7fbf44&amp;postSlug=house-of-the-dragon-paddy-considine-season-two-cameo-viserys-2024-7&amp;site=bi&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.max.com%2F"><em><u>Max</u></em></a><em>.</em></p>

'House of the Dragon' had another surprise cameo in the latest episode, as Daemon continues to reckon with his past

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Warning: Spoilers ahead for season one of <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/house-of-the-dragon">"House of the Dragon."</a></li><li>We made a chart showing the family tree (or we should say "shrub") of House Targaryen in HBO's show.</li></ul><p>George R.R. Martin's "Fire and Blood" details the complicated legacy of House Targaryen in Westeros. Now HBO's "House of the Dragon" TV series brings a piece of it to life as we follow the reign of King Viserys through to the civil war that erupted after his death. </p><p>Here is a look at how all the major characters in "House of the Dragon" (so far) are related. Scroll below the graphic in order to see our breakdown of the most interesting or pivotal inter-family relationships.</p><link rel="stylesheet" href="https://tbimedia.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/bistudios/_00/dev_edit/graphics/2022/10/2022-10-house-of-dragon-family-tree/index.css" /><p>So, with the context of the family tree above, here are the most pivotal relationships you should keep in mind:</p><ul><li><strong>Rhaenys </strong>was King Jaehaerys' granddaughter through his oldest son, while <strong>Viserys </strong>was the King's grandson through his younger boy. That's why some believed Rhaenys' claim to the Iron Throne was more justified than her male cousin's claim. But the men of the realm thought differently.</li><li><strong>Alicent</strong> and<strong> Viserys </strong>married their only daughter, <strong>Helaena, </strong>to their oldest son, <strong>Aegon, </strong>in between one of the time jumps. (Now Helaena and Aegon have two children of their own, <a href="https://www.insider.com/house-of-the-dragon-targaryen-kid-guide-photos-jace-aegon">which you can read about here.</a>)</li><li>Now that <strong>Daemon </strong>and <strong>Rhaenyra </strong>(who are uncle and niece) are married, their combined children from their first marriages are the following order in terms of age: <strong>Baela, Jacaerys, Rhaena, Lucerys (<a href="https://www.insider.com/house-of-the-dragon-finale-how-luke-dies-fire-and-blood-2022-10">now dead</a>), and Joffrey. </strong></li><li>Note: Daemon and Rhaenyra also have two other trueborn children together that are not on this family tree yet, given their younger age: <a href="https://www.insider.com/house-of-the-dragon-targaryen-kid-guide-photos-jace-aegon"><strong>Aegon the Younger</strong> and baby <strong>Viserys</strong>,</a> named for his grandfather.</li></ul><p>For more on "House of the Dragon," <a href="https://www.insider.com/house-of-the-dragon-season-1-episode-8-recap-hbo-2022-10">read our breakdown of the eight best details you might have missed in the season one finale.</a></p>

See how the main characters in 'House of the Dragon' are all related to each other

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5772d31fdd089548708b4c1a-1686/cersei-queen.jpg" alt="cersei queen" data-mce-source="HBO" /><p class="source"><span>HBO</span></p><p class="caption">Should Cersei really be sitting on the Iron Throne?</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p><em><strong>This post contains spoilers for the "Game of Thrones" season finale. </strong></em></p><p>It took years, tragedy, careful plotting, and a whole bunch of blood and wildfire, but Cersei Lannister is sitting on the Iron Throne. But, does the queen actually have a legitimate claim to the throne? What, exactly, is the line of succession here?</p><p>The real answer is that <strong>it doesn't matter any more</strong>, and that's kind of the point. But, heck, lets get technical with it. </p><h3><strong>Here's who should have inherited the Iron Throne after King Robert Baratheon's death.</strong></h3><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5772d31fdd089548708b4c1b-1440/robert-baratheon-1920.jpg" alt="robert baratheon 1920" data-mce-source="HBO" /><p class="source"><span>HBO</span></p><p class="caption">After Robert Baratheon died, who's next?</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>Superfans and Westerosi genealogy experts have had to follow the royal family tree down some weird paths to get to the bottom of this. Robert Baratheon was king when the season started, and upon his death, his children, Joffrey, Tommen, and Myrcella would inherit the throne in that order. Of course, they're all technically inbred bastards who shouldn't have had a legitimate claim, but that's in the past. After them comes Robert's brother Stannis and his daughter Shireen, followed by Robert's youngest brother, Renly.</p><p>This being "Game of Thrones, they're all dead. So now what? We have to do some deep, deep dives to figure it out.</p><p>Robert's grandmother was actually a Targaryen. Rhaelle Targaryen was also the aunt of the Mad King <span>Aerys, meaning that, ironically, Viserys (dead) and Daenerys would be next up in line. However, Robert's overthrow of the Targaryens and his effective exile of the surviving children would invalidate this claim most likely. </span></p><h3><span>So who is actually left to inherit the throne?</span></h3><p><span><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5772d31fdd089548708b4c1c-1440/viserys-targaryen-1920.jpg" alt="viserys targaryen 1920" data-mce-source="HBO" /><p class="source"><span>HBO</span></p><p class="caption">Did Viserys actually have a claim?</p></div><p></p></div></div></span></p><p><span>We have to go all the way back to Robert's <a href="http://mashable.com/2016/05/03/game-thrones-heir/#WkLtzjxs0uqW">great-great-great-</a></span><a href="http://mashable.com/2016/05/03/game-thrones-heir/#WkLtzjxs0uqW">great</a><span><a href="http://mashable.com/2016/05/03/game-thrones-heir/#WkLtzjxs0uqW">-grandfather</a> to find out.</span></p><p><span>Corwen Baratheon wed a woman named Leyne about 200 years before the show began. They had six children, including Arion, who was Robert's great-great-great grandfather. That bloodline has been snuffed out, but another one of Corwen's children, <span>Elyanna, married Lord Mathin Lannister.</span></span></p><p><span>Can you see where this is going? </span></p><p>Mathin Lannister was Tywin Lannister's great-great-grandfather. Which means that when Tywin died, the true inheritor of the Iron Throne was... Jaime Lannister.</p><h3>That means that Jaime Lannister should be the rightful King of Westeros.</h3><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5772d31fdd089548708b4c1d-1860/9022b7c0-b56d-0132-46b7-0e9062a7590a.jpg" alt="9022b7c0 b56d 0132 46b7 0e9062a7590a" data-mce-source="HBO" /><p class="source"><span>HBO</span></p><p class="caption">Jaimie "the Kingslayer" Lannister is the rightful heir.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>Jaime is Tywin's firstborn son. However, he was a member of the Kingsguard, and members of that elite force are forbidden from taking lands, marrying, or fathering children. Remember, Tywin was furious that Jamie couldn't legally inherit Casterly Rock due to his vows, which were for life.</p><p> </p><p>But when Tommen released Jaime from his vows as a Kingsguard, it freed him up to be the king. Sorry Cersei.</p><p>All of this is very complicated, but it hides what's really the largest point about this whole season, and possibly the show as a whole.</p><h3><strong>None of this succession stuff matters.</strong></h3><p>Why are we talking about who succeeds Robert Baratheon to take the Iron Throne? Because he took it from the Mad King Aerys. From the outset of the series we've established that, to a certain extent, laws about who should become king are worth nothing if a person can simply... become king.</p><p>Cersei took the throne. It's hers - screw the rules.  </p><p>Meanwhile you've got a bastard - a secret Targaryen bastard, no less - proclaimed as the King in the North. Jon Snow's an interesting case, as even though he's the son of a Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen, who was himself the heir to the Mad King before Robert's rebellion. Jon, however, is still a bastard, and thus not eligible for the Iron Throne. Doesn't seem to be stopping the Northerners from coronating him, much to Sansa's chagrin. Bran is still alive too, but it seems doubtful that he'll rule Winterfell as is his right.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5772d31fdd089548708b4c1e-1440/jon snow close up game of thrones.png" alt="Jon Snow close up Game of Thrones" data-mce-source="HBO" /><p class="source"><span>HBO</span></p><p class="caption">What about Jon Snow?</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>Yara Greyjoy lost the Kingsmoot election to her uncle Euron, but she's still planning on ruling the Iron Islands. Theon, the last surviving son of their father and previous king Balon Greyjoy, isn't taking the Throne. Ellaria Sand just straight-up murdered the Martells of Dorne, and now she's in charge of the whole country and nobody seems to mind much?</p><p>And, of course, Daenerys is sailing to Westeros with <a href="http://www.thisisinsider.com/daenerys-alliance-game-of-thrones-2016-6">a massive army</a> to take the whole thing back under Targaryen rule.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5772d31fdd089548708b4c1f-2400/a9ee7d01bb3fb2d4d20f535610e7e26b4c3c6667c40c351f8b81475c824802ff.jpeg" alt="Game of Thrones Daenerys Targaryen" data-mce-source="HBO" /><p class="source"><span>HBO</span></p><p class="caption">And - oh yeah - Daenerys.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>Having the right family name isn't automatically a winning hand in the Game of Thrones anymore. Since the show began, we've seen major houses become almost totally extinguished and a wide range of claimants take their places on the throne.</p><p>Plus, the only king who really, really matters now that winter has come is the Night King, and he certainly doesn't care what your family tree looks like.  </p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/uk-eu-brexit-bad-news-game-of-thrones-2016-6">Here's how the Brexit could impact 'Game of Thrones'</a></h3>        <div>            <div>    <script src="http://player.ooyala.com/v3/6e12e8b3387a44daacfb73afba25a76e"></script>    <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="RvYjRkNDE6GrPj18CDOJbXDaNvV-7C07" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>    <script>    if (typeof RunFunctions === 'undefined') { var RunFunctions = []; }     RunFunctions.push(function()    {         var ooyalapopvideo = OO.Player.create('ooyalaplayer_popvideo', 'RvYjRkNDE6GrPj18CDOJbXDaNvV-7C07',{ autoplay: 'false' });     });    </script>    <noscript><div>Please enable Javascript to watch this video</div></noscript></div>        </div>        <script>(function() { function createPlayer() { OO.ready(function() { RunFunctions.forEach(function(ooyalaFunction) { ooyalaFunction(); }); RunFunctions = [];}); } createPlayer(); }()); </script>    </div>

You Searched For "Targaryen family tree" and got 4 results

'House of the Dragon' just made a major change not in the book. It could make the Targaryen family tree even more complicated.

Ayomikun Adekaiyero

'House of the Dragon' had another surprise cameo in the latest episode, as Daemon continues to reckon with his past

Callie Ahlgrim

See how the main characters in 'House of the Dragon' are all related to each other

Kim Renfro

Here's who actually has the rightful claim to the Iron Throne on 'Game of Thrones'

James Grebey