In “House of the Dragon” Season 2, much attention is given to the primary factions, Team Black and Team Green, often making it challenging to follow the other houses and their shifting alliances. A crucial yet brief scene in Episode 7 highlights this complexity during a Small Council meeting in King’s Landing.
The meeting, which discusses the war effort, is interrupted by a visiting dragon, prompting Prince Regent Aemond to rush off. However, a key piece of information is revealed by Lord Jasper Wylde about the Hightowers’ struggles, specifically their conflicts with House Beesbury.
The information provided by Lord Jasper Wylde indicates that Lord Ormund Hightower is facing significant challenges due to threats from armies allied with House Beesbury. This mention, though easy to overlook, is likely to become significant as the season progresses. The Hightowers, staunch allies of Queen Dowager Alicent and part of Team Green, are finding it difficult to contribute effectively to the war due to the ongoing hostility from House Beesbury.
House Beesbury’s animosity towards the Hightowers stems from events that transpired in Season 1. Following King Viserys’ death, the succession crisis saw Lord Lyman Beesbury, then Master of Coin, openly opposing Aegon II’s ascension to the Iron Throne over Rhaenyra, Viserys’ named heir.
This stance against Aegon II and support for Rhaenyra placed House Beesbury at odds with the Hightowers, who supported Aegon II.
The conflict escalated dramatically when Lord Beesbury met a gruesome end during a Small Council meeting. Ser Criston Cole, a loyal supporter of the Hightowers, killed Lord Beesbury by forcefully shoving him back into his seat, causing his head to be crushed against the council table’s marble ball.
This violent act not only eliminated a vocal opponent but also sowed deep-seated resentment within House Beesbury against the Hightowers and their allies.
As a result, House Beesbury’s enmity towards the Hightowers has added another layer of conflict for Team Green, forcing them to contend with adversaries on multiple fronts.
This subplot exemplifies the intricate and often brutal politics of Westeros, where personal vendettas and past grievances can significantly influence the broader war dynamics. The ongoing feud underscores the recurring theme of individual egos and rivalries sparking larger conflicts within the narrative of “House of the Dragon.”
