What Rhaenyra Is Missing—and What She Has Left in House of the Dragon

A Quick Reminder From Season 1

In Season 1 of House of the Dragon, a younger Rhaenyra (then played by Milly Alcock) goes on a tour of King’s Landing with her uncle Daemon. They watch a play about who should rule after King Viserys:

• An actor asks: “The brother, the daughter, or the little princeling of three?”
• The crowd boos the idea of Rhaenyra becoming queen.
• They cheer for her half-brother Aegon instead.

Daemon explains: “Many of the smallfolk are like to believe that as a male, Aegon should be the heir.”
Rhaenyra shrugs it off: “Their wants are of no consequence.”
Daemon warns her: “They’re of great consequence if you expect to rule them one day.”

Important Point
Ruling is not just about sitting on a throne. The wishes of regular people matter—a lot.

Where Things Stand Now

Fast-forward about 20 years in the story. Rhaenyra is now queen. She’s learning the hard way that Daemon was right.

To rule the Seven Kingdoms, a king or queen needs more than magic flying lizards (dragons). Right now, Rhaenyra is running low on:

• Soldiers
• Gold
• Allies

Rhaenyra’s Big Problems With the Nobility

In the latest episode, Rhaenyra talks with Sabitha Frey, the Lady of House Frey.

Here’s what happened earlier:

1. Jacaerys promised Harrenhal (a big castle) to the Freys.
2. In exchange, the Freys let the Northmen cross a river at the Twins.
3. Now Rhaenyra takes that promise back. She says anyone who brings her Aemond’s head gets Harrenhal.

This is risky. A similar promise-break got Robb Stark killed in Game of Thrones. Rhaenyra has a dragon, so maybe she’s safe—for now. But Sabitha sits on her council without much joy.

Other noble troubles:

• Rhaenyra fed nobles rats to shame their wealth while poor people starve.
• She sent the City Watch to raid noble homes and share their food.
• Daemon warned: “They’ll resent you for this … It is a gesture only.”

The Smallfolk Are Unhappy

Two episodes later, the regular people (called “smallfolk”) are not in love with their queen.

Signs of trouble:

• They fight with the City Watch.
• They paint “Queen of Bastards” on walls.
• Some gold cloaks (the city police) turn up dead.

Why does this matter? The smallfolk have no power alone, but together they are a crowd—and crowds can riot. In Game of Thrones, a food shortage sparked a deadly riot in King’s Landing.

King’s Landing eats food shipped from elsewhere. War blocks that food. Rhaenyra even blocked the city before—causing the shortage—and now can’t fully fix it.

The Gold Cloaks Want Pay

The City Watch (gold cloaks) keeps order. They follow Daemon, but loyalty isn’t free.

• They are more like hired soldiers than noble knights.
• Littlefinger once said: “Who do they follow? The man who pays them.”
• Right now, no one is paying them.

Daemon promises double pay later. But by episode’s end:

• Nine gold cloaks are dead at a table.
• Words in blood say: “a feast for traitors.”
• Their leader, Ser Luthor Largent, is among them.

Ormund is paying smallfolk to stir trouble (with coins showing Daeron). Rhaenyra’s harsh orders made it worse.

Not Enough Soldiers Anywhere

Almost no one is left to help:

• Corlys Velaryon is mad at Rhaenyra and his fleet is weak.
• Daemon’s army is stuck far away.
• Rhaenyra pulls house guards to the streets—which lets Alicent escape.

Important Point
A queen with no army at home is in big danger.

Religion: The Faith of the Seven

Gold and food aren’t everything. Religion matters too.

• Rhaenyra prays at the sept (church).
• Daemon laughs at her.
• She says both the people and the gods want respect.

Last week, the High Septon refused to bless her because he already blessed Aegon. He said:

• “My gods do not deal in dragons.”
• “Do not make an enemy of the Faith.”

History lesson:

• Targaryens converted to the Faith to keep peace.
• The Faith hated their brother-sister marriages.
• King Jaehaerys made a special rule letting Targaryens marry siblings.
• The Faith is based in Oldtown, near the Hightowers (Rhaenyra’s enemies).

Rhaenyra’s pray-time turns into a fight with Daemon. Not a great look for the septons watching.

The Maesters Aren’t Fully Loyal

Maesters are like smart advisors and doctors. They also live in Oldtown.

• Rhaenyra kept Orwyle as grand maester.
• But Orwyle secretly gives moon tea (a pregnancy blocker) to Alicent.
• Mysaria knows and doesn’t tell Rhaenyra.

So her advisors are not discreet.

What Does She Have Left?

Let’s list what Rhaenyra lacks:

• Love of the smallfolk
• Loyalty of the gold cloaks
• Devotion of the Faith
• Strength of an army
• Discretion of advisers
• Gold to pay anyone

What she has:

• Six dragons

Important Point
Dragons are super strong, but maybe not enough alone.

A History Lesson From Ormund

We usually hear: Aegon the Conqueror used 3 dragons and won all of Westeros.

But Ormund tells the real story:

• Meria Martell of Dorne fought back with sneak tactics.
• They burned fields, poisoned wells, hid in caves.
• A bolt killed Aegon’s sister-wife Rhaenys and her dragon.
• Aegon gave up and left Dorne free.

Ormund’s lesson: “A cunning mind can resist the most savage of beasts.”

He thinks he can be a new Meria Martell against Rhaenyra.

Summary

Rhaenyra has the throne and six dragons, but she is missing almost everything else a ruler needs: happy commoners, paid police, religious backing, a real army, loyal advisors, and money. History shows dragons alone don’t always win. A smart enemy like Ormund could outthink her.

FAQ

What are “smallfolk”?

Smallfolk are the regular everyday people in Westeros—not lords or kings.

Why won’t the gold cloaks stay loyal?

Because they are paid fighters. If no one pays them, their loyalty fades.

Who is Meria Martell?

She was the ruler of Dorne who used clever tricks to stop Aegon the Conqueror and his dragons.

What is the Faith of the Seven?

It is the main religion in Westeros, like a big church group, based in Oldtown.

Does Rhaenyra have any dragons?

Yes, she has six dragons, which is currently her biggest source of power.