TV Series
Fantasy, Drama, Epic
Release Date: August 21, 2022
Creator: George R. R. Martin, Ryan Condal
Main Cast:

• Paddy Considine as King Viserys I Targaryen
• Matt Smith as Prince Daemon Targaryen
• Emma D’Arcy as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen
• Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower
• Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower

Plot Summary

Set nearly two centuries before the events of Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon dives deep into the Targaryen family—their rise to power, their dragons, and the brutal civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons. The show focuses on the Targaryen dynasty as it navigates the fragile throne of Westeros, teetering on the brink of civil war due to succession disputes and family betrayals.

At the center of the conflict are two powerful women, Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy), the daughter of King Viserys I Targaryen (Paddy Considine), and Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke), the daughter of the King’s hand, Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans). Rhaenyra, who is promised the throne as her father’s heir, faces bitter opposition from Alicent, who believes her own children should claim the throne. Their rivalry sets the stage for a bitter and bloody war between Rhaenyra’s supporters and Alicent’s faction—a war that will devastate the realm.

With dragons flying high over Westeros and the Targaryens grappling with loyalty, love, and power, the series charts the fall of the Targaryen family’s once mighty reign and the destruction that occurs when ambition and pride drive men to war.

What Makes House of the Dragon Stand Out?

1. Epic Scale and Politics – House of the Dragon delivers all the political intrigue and backstabbing that made Game of Thrones so thrilling, but with the added complexity of family loyalty and a claim to the Iron Throne. The shifting allegiances and constantly evolving political dynamics make it impossible to predict who will come out on top.
2. Dragons – The Targaryens and their dragons are at the heart of the show. The dragons play a mᴀssive role in the series, from soaring through the skies in stunning aerial battles to symbolizing the power struggles and dominance of the Targaryen family.
3. Family Drama – While the world of Westeros is often brutal and filled with political ambition, House of the Dragon also focuses on the family dynamics that lead to the collapse of the Targaryen dynasty. The tension between Rhaenyra and Alicent is both personal and political, with each believing they have a right to the throne. This emotional core gives the series a unique depth compared to its predecessor.
4. Complex Characters – The series showcases multi-layered characters, each with their own desires and motivations, from the ruthless and ambitious to those who are torn by love and duty. Paddy Considine’s portrayal of King Viserys I, a man caught between his duties and his love for his family, is particularly compelling, as is Matt Smith’s Daemon Targaryen, a prince whose ruthless nature clashes with his sense of honor.

Key Highlights

🔥 Dragons, Battles, and Fire – Expect epic battles that showcase the dragons’ ferocity and power. The CGI effects that bring these mᴀssive creatures to life are breathtaking, and their role in the Targaryen conflicts is central to the drama.

⚔️ The Dance of the Dragons – The core conflict of the series is the Targaryen civil war, known as the Dance of the Dragons. This epic war between Rhaenyra’s faction and that of her brother Aegon II is filled with treachery, bloodshed, and betrayal. The stakes are high, as both sides fight for control of the throne.

👑 Court Intrigue and Betrayal – Much like Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon is rife with manipulation, betrayal, and shifting alliances as characters vie for power. The political chess matches in the royal court are just as thrilling as the dragon-filled battles.

Why You Should Watch

✅ Fantasy at Its Best – If you loved Game of Thrones and its complex characters, power struggles, and dragons, House of the Dragon will offer all of that—and more. The series is a perfect blend of political intrigue, family drama, and high fantasy.

✅ Incredible Visuals and Action – The show features stunning visual effects, from dragons flying through the skies to sprawling battlefields. The action is intense, and the stakes are incredibly high, making every battle feel like a game-changer.

✅ Compelling Storylines – The show’s deep dive into the Targaryen legacy—including love, betrayal, and ambition—will have you hooked. The clash of personalities and ideals between Rhaenyra and Alicent brings a fresh take on the rivalry for power.

What Fans Can Expect

🔮 A Stunning Return to Westeros – Dive back into the world of Westeros, but from a different perspective, one that focuses on the Targaryen dynasty and its turbulent rise and fall.

🔥 Heart-Pounding Drama – The tension, betrayal, and manipulation will keep you on the edge of your seat, while the epic battles and dragon warfare will captivate your imagination.

⚔️ Ruthless Family Feuds – Family loyalty will be tested, as the Targaryens’ internal conflicts spiral out of control, leading to a bloody civil war that could change the course of Westeros forever.

Why You Shouldn’t Miss It

House of the Dragon is more than just another fantasy series; it’s a complex tale of family, power, betrayal, and the consequences of ambition. If you want to witness the rise of the Targaryen family—and the catastrophic downfall of their rule—this show is a must-watch. With its thrilling storyline, stunning visuals, and powerful performances, House of the Dragon proves that Westeros is far from done with captivating audiences around the world.

👑 The Iron Throne is within reach—but only for those who can survive the bloodshed.

A Farmer’s Misplaced Hammer Led to the Largest Roman Treasure in Britain

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November 16, 1992 was the day which changed Suffolk-resident Eric Lawes’ life in a huge way. What he thought would have been an innocent search for a hammer he had misplaced on his farm in Hoxne Village, Suffolk, England ended up bringing him much more than he had bargained for — namely, uncovering the hiding spot of a long-hidden treasure. Based on the Guardian’s coverage of the story, Eric Lawes had been previously gifted a metal detector upon his retirement as a parting token. He decided to put his retirement gift to good use in order to locate the hammer which he had had some trouble finding. According to a 2018 Smithsonian Magazine article, when the device started recording that there was a strong signal coming from the earth, he knew that he was about to discover something big. As he started digging, it soon became clear to him that he had unearthed a treasure trove.

The Guardian reports that, when Lawes saw that his preliminary digging had yielded a few gold coins and silver spoons, he immediately contacted both the local archaeological society and the police department. Archaeologists came to the property the following day and had the area of earth holding the treasure carefully sectioned-off and removed. Their hope was that at a later stage, in their laboratory, they could examined the items in order to identify both their age and how they were stored.

When all was said and done, close to 60 pounds of items made from silver and gold were found on the site. These included more than 15,000 Roman coins, 200 gold objects, and several silver spoons. For archaeologists, this find — which later became labeled as the Hoxne Hoard — was an incredible discovery. AP News reported that archaeologist Judith Plouviez was over-the-moon about the discovery, saying that it was “an incredibly exciting and amazing find.” What’s more, another archaeologist, Rachel Wilkinson, told Smithsonian Magazine that this discovery was “the largest and latest ever found in Britain.”

Ordinarily, archaeologists would use radiocarbon dating as a means of identifying the age of ancient relics. However, they couldn’t locate any suitable material from the haul. Consequently, they determined the age by examining writing on the coins, as well as the ruler carved into them, estimating that the treasure was probably buried in either 408 or 409 AD.

Roman-era archaeologist Peter Guest told Smithsonian Magazine that “if you look at them a little more carefully, then they should be dated to the period after the separation of Britain from the Roman Empire.” He offers as part of his evidence the fact that almost all of the coins found in the Hoxne Hoard were clipped – in other words, small chunks of their edges had been taken off. These clippings would have been used to create coins which were similar to the Roman coins of that era.

Guest has a logical reason for this, arguing that “The Roman Empire wasn’t supplying Britain with new gold and silver coins, and in light of that, the population tried to get over this sudden cutoff in the supply of their precious metals by making the existing supplies go further.”

Archaeologists also believe that the treasure belonged to a Romano-British family. During that time, considering that there was so much societal discord and upheaval, it was common for Romans who had settled in Britain to bury their most prized possessions.

That said, one archaeologist is of the belief that the hoard had a lot of sentimental value for the Romano-British family to whom it is believed to have belonged. In her book The Hoxne Late Roman Treasure: Gold Jewellery and Silver Plate, Catherine Johns claims that the manner in which the treasure was kept supported this claim. Some of the items which were recovered had been packaged in small, wooden boxes which were lined with leather. What’s more, pieces of wood, locks, and nails, among other things, surrounded the gold and silver pieces. This leads Catherine to assert that the package was carefully buried and not simply chucked away in a rush.

Interestingly enough, the items unearthed might shed some light on the identity of the family who owned them. They cite a gold bracelet bearing the inscription “UTERE FELIX DOMINA IULIANE,” which roughly translates to “use this happily Lady Juliane”. A second name “Aurelius Ursicinus” has also been discovered. This has consequently led some to believe that Juliane and Aurelius were the couple and the original owners of the treasure. That said, that has yet to be confirmed.

All in all, the discovery was a real treasure for archaeologists, and by extension, for Lawes. According to Smithsonian Magazine, in recognition of his discovery and willingness to contact authorities, the British government rewarded him with over £1.7 million, an amount which he shared with the farmer whose land was dug out in order to get the treasure. Funnily enough, apart from the treasure, Lawes also found his lost hammer — which now resides in the British Museum.