Warning: Spoilers forward for “Home of the Dragon” season two, episode three, and the e-book “Hearth and Blood.”
This week’s episode of “Home of the Dragon” took a short detour into the seedier elements of King’s Touchdown — and within the course of, it launched us to one more character who will possible serve a pivotal function later within the collection.
Season two, episode three, titled “The Burning Mill,” briefly spotlighted a cheery bar patron, Ulf. After working the room a bit, Ulf settles down at a desk and virtually instantly claims to a stranger he is a Targaryen descendant.
Whereas it might be straightforward to dismiss Ulf’s declare as drunken rumour, there’s most likely some advantage to it. We’re most likely going to be seeing much more of Ulf in “Home of the Dragon,” relying on how intently it follows “Hearth and Blood,” George R.R. Martin’s historical past of Westeros.
In the event you’re not eager on spoilers for “Hearth or Blood,” or the potential way forward for “Home of the Dragon,” greatest to not learn forward.
Ulf claims to be the son of Baelon the Courageous, and thereby a descendant of King Jaehaerys
On the tavern, Ulf meets a Dornish man and remarks that Dorne was one a part of Westeros that his home by no means conquered. When pressed, he performs coy, after which lets slip that King Jaehaerys was his grandsire. His father, he says, was Baelon the Courageous, making Ulf the illegitimate brother of Daemon Targaryen and King Viserys.
Ulf additionally refers to Rhaenyra — his niece, if his claims are to be believed — because the “one true queen,” a harmful transfer within the Aegon II-controlled King’s Touchdown.
“The blood of the dragon runs by means of these veins, and sure, males would take my head for it,” Ulf says. “A Dragonseed should watch his personal neck when he has no white-cloaked guardsmen to do it for him.”
Ulf ultimately shuts up after saying that his “nephew,” Prince Jacaerys Velaryon, is the rightful inheritor to the Iron Throne. Coincidentally, that is the second that Aegon II walks in together with his entourage — and Ulf is fast to name out an “All hail the King!”
Ulf turns into a dragon rider in ‘Hearth and Blood’
In “Hearth and Blood,” Prince Jacaerys points a problem in a bid to utilize the unclaimed dragons throughout the warfare: Any man capable of efficiently mount a dragon with out a grasp could be richly rewarded. A few of these males had been “seeds” — bastards who had Targaryen blood of their veins.
Ulf efficiently bonded with Silverwing, the previous mount of Queen Alysanne, the sister and spouse of King Jaehaerys. Throughout that point, he was known as “Ulf the White” or “Ulf the Sot,” referencing his white hair and consuming behavior. Finally, he got here to be often called Ulf White.
Ulf fought alongside different dragon riders like Hugh Hammer within the Battle of the Gullet, a pivotal sea battle throughout the warfare. “Hearth and Blood,” citing the historic document left by the dwarf Mushroom, recounts that each Hugh and Ulf celebrated after the violent battle, with Ulf declaring that they need to turn out to be lords.
Ulf and Hugh had been a number of instances denied entry into the Aristocracy. Rhaenyra shut down a possible marriage between Ulf and the daughter of Lord Stokeworth, after killing the lord for betraying her. She additionally denied Daemon’s proposal of granting Storm’s Finish, the seat of Home Baratheon, to Ulf, after the Baratheons sided with Aegon II throughout the warfare.
Within the e-book, Ulf and Hugh betrayed Rhaenyra
Through the warfare, Ulf, Hugh, and their dragons Silverwing and Vermithor, had been despatched to the city of Tumbleton to defend it from Lord Ormund Hightower, who was advancing towards King’s Touchdown. Through the battle, nonetheless, the 2 defected and attacked the city as an alternative.
In keeping with Mushroom’s historic account in “Hearth and Blood,” Ulf descended into hedonism, raping a number of ladies in Tumbleton every evening and continuously consuming. Although Prince Daeron, Alicent and King Viserys’ youngest son, had named him the Lord of Bitterbridge, he coveted Highgarden, the seat of Home Tyrell. He and Hugh refused to advance on King’s Touchdown till they had been rewarded sufficiently, and the lords below Prince Daeron conspired to kill them.
However the combat got here to Tumbleton when Addam Velaryon (beforehand Addam of Hull), one other dragon rider, attacked town on his dragon Seasmoke. Ulf was drunk and asleep throughout the battle, throughout which Hugh, Daeron, and Addam all died. When he awoke, he agreed to march on King’s Touchdown, and stated that he ought to be instilled on the throne after they conquered it.
Shortly after, Hobert Hightower killed Ulf — and within the course of, himself — by means of a poisoned cask of wine.
“Home of the Dragon” season two airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and is streaming on Max.
