Honor runs as thick as blood in the Game of Thrones prequel, House of the Dragon. Many houses in Westeros remain loyal to their name, and a family tree must not burn. House of the Dragon features a great number of houses, from the Targaryens to the Lannisters. This Game of Thrones prequel binds fathers, brothers, daughters, and sons in a clash for the iron throne.

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Despite many of the characters in House of the Dragon respecting their duty and their honor, some believe that they are above it. Those that are honorable exhibit great strength and duty and the burden of responsibility.

8 Daemon Targaryen

daemon targaryen from house of the dragon

Daemon’s sense of honor may not seem to exhort itself past his interest, but within those interests come that of the house Targaryen. Daemon has the strength and the will to continue his line and to make sure that even if he is not seated on the iron throne, he is at least in the corners of the mind of whoever wears the crown.

The allegiance that Daemon harbors for himself have seen the murder of his first wife and the treachery of his brother, King Viserys. However, Daemon believes that house Targaryen would thrive with him as king and with his niece as his wife, an honor to both himself and his house.

7 Lord Corlys Velaryon

lord corlys velaryon from house of the dragon

As a father to one of the most powerful houses in Westeros, Corlys Velaryon demands the respect of other houses, and his honor and duty are above all else. At one time, Corlys was set to be the king’s consort, with his wife, Rhaenys Targaryen being titled “the Queen that never was.” Despite lacking the iron throne, Corlys stuck by his wife through love and devotion.

Corlys is the head of the Royal Fleet and remains as lord admiral and Master of Ships. His titles are many and show just how important and deserving he is of his honor. Corlys believes in strength above all else and knows that by giving his son to the king’s daughter, the Velaryon name will continue.

6 Rhaenyra Targaryen

rhaenerys targaryen from house of the dragon

As the daughter of King Viserys, Rhaenyra has seen all too well the cruelties of men and their politics. Rhaenyra may bite her tongue out of patience and intellect above the understanding of the king and his council, for Rhaenyra promises to create a new order once she is queen. She is next in line for the iron throne and set to be the first female ruler of Westeros.

Despite many transgressions, Rhaenyra understands the importance of her role in Westeros and to house Targaryen. She sees it as her duty to provide heirs to the throne, despite the pains of childbirth and how it took her mother. Rhaenyra is an individual amongst a cluster of houses, but still, she remains dutiful to her father.

5 Ser Criston Cole

ser criston cole from house of the dragon

As a knight of the Kinsguard, Criston Cole swore to chastity. This oath of celibacy is all that most Kinsguard have to prove themselves as sworn protectors. Despite this reality, Criston Cole broke his oath when he began a lustful affair with Rhaenyra Targaryen, one that would seek to break him but ultimately make him more honor-bound than ever.

Ser Criston Cole was at his lowest when he walked out to the godswood and removed his white cloak and sword, which were bloodied in comparison to his honor. His suicide attempt was stopped by Queen Alicent, who now remains a loyal ally and a savior for him at his lowest.

4 King Viserys Targaryen

king viserys targaryen from house of the dragon

Part of the folly of Viserys Targaryen is his lack of being tested. Viserys is a man who gives and seeks the council of smarter men to ensure his rule over Westeros is fair and just. All is not stable in his own house, as the members of House Targaryen seem hellbent on being a thorn in his side, almost as prickly and sharp as the iron throne, which seems to be slowly killing him.

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Viserys may like to believe he has an honor to his family, but his warped sense of duty led to his first wife being killed, meaning that his true allegiance has been manipulated to serve that of the iron throne. However, Viserys is not without his loyalties, as he goes against tradition to ensure his daughter will be queen when he dies.

3 Queen Aemma Arryn

aemma targaryen from House Of the Dragon

There is perhaps no woman in Westeros more sworn and aware of their duty than Aemma Arryn. Aemma was the first wife of king Viserys and tried to provide him with many heirs. Aemma has had five failed pregnancies with Viserys, with the only successful one being their first, a healthy daughter named Rhaenyra. As a woman, many men of Westeros need the king and queen consort to produce a male heir so that a woman will not be sworn to sit on the iron throne.

It is through Aemma that Rhaenyra understands her duty as a woman to the horrors of Westeros and its politics. She is entirely loyal to her husband and said the honor is her undoing. Aemma died screaming, bleeding to death in a butchered cesarean section, bleeding for her king one last time.

2 Alicent Hightower

alicent hightower from house of the dragon

Alicent grew up with the royal Targaryen family due to her father, Ser Otto Hightower, being the Hand of the King. During her time at the Red Keep, she developed many bonds with powerful allies, including a sisterhood with the daughter of the king, Rhaenyra Targaryen. Alicent’s sense of honor goes past her self-interests, and she follows the wishes of her father, Otto.

Alicent consoles a grieving King Viserys, and Otto Hightower pushes her to go further. The two manipulate Viserys into taking her as his wife, where the Hightower bloodline will bore into royalty thanks to the birth of Prince Aegon Targaryen. Alicent fulfills her duty to provide Viserys with heirs, to have Otto Hightower’s grandchildren of royal blood, and to question the duty of Rhaenyra.

1 Ser Harrold Westerling

ser harrold westerling from house of the dragon

Lord Commander of the Kingsguard is quite the title and a true test of one’s honor. To have such a role, one must be appointed by the king himself. Ser Harold Westerling was anointed with such a role, with a lifetime of servitude. Harrold Westerling remains one of the longest-serving members of the Kingsguard, proving how much he can be trusted, and his devotion to the Targaryen house.

Harrold Westerling began as the sworn shield to Rhaenyra Targaryen and protected her with his life until his servitude was given to the king himself. Honor is an important role in the Kingsguard, but to Harrold Westerling, it is the only role.

House of the Dragon airs Sundays at 9 PM EST on HBO and HBO Max.

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