Who Is Harwin Strong in House of the Dragon?

Sticking to its original source at least in this, House of the Dragon is full of intriguing secrets and affairs with Westeros’ most influential royals involved, with many side characters taking advantage of their connections to the ruling family for their own good.

Still, some of the most compelling characters never got enough screen time to bate the viewers’ curiosity about a special kind of relationship they once had with House of the Dragon’s leads, and Ser Harwin Strong is surely one of them.

In both Fire & Blood and House of the Dragon, Harwin Strong, in the series portrayed by Ryan Corr, was Lord Lyonel Strong’s eldest son and the heir to the title of Lord of Harrenhal who was also believed to be the strongest man in all the Seven Kingdoms.

Later on promoted to Commander of the City Watch, Harwin got closer to the royal family, specifically to Rhaenyra who he had protected from all the mess that had taken place at her wedding to Laenor Velaryon, which ultimately led to both establishing a secret romantic relationship.

Though it was never openly stated in the series, everyone was still well aware of Harwin Strong being a biological father of Rhaenyra’s three sons, Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey. Despite his inability to be a father to the princes in an open manner, Harwin did stay in touch with his sons, which was later confirmed by Jacaerys in one of the second season episodes.

The prince revealed that, despite Strong’s tragic death a while before, he and his brothers would always cherish the moments they got to spend with Harwin, also implying that he had already been aware of the fact that he was directly connected to Harwin Strong through his origin.

In House of the Dragon season 1, Harwin Strong died trying to save his father from a fire set in his chambers by the Strongs’ enemies. In an attempt to escape the blazing castle, both Harwin and Lyonel got burnt to death after the chambers’ ceiling collapsed on them.