It’s a year of misfortune, drama, death, and events that set the stage for the Dance of the Dragons, the event at the heart of the House of the Dragon series.
George RR Martin is not a writer who shows great tenderness towards his characters. If you have read The iron Throne or seen Game Of Thrones, your mind is undoubtedly marked by difficult times in this universe, such as the purple wedding and the rains of Castamere. Painful memories must certainly rebound.
House of the Dragonwhich is an adaptation of Fire and Blood, is no exception. You will discover the sack of Dragonpit or even the King’s Landing uprising and all kinds of battles in the coming seasons. But in episode 6 of the series, broadcast in France on September 26, a particular event is shown, in part: the year of the Red Spring.
We warn you: we will reveal the rest of the series.
The Year of the Red Spring in House of the Dragon
The year of the Red Spring is the nickname that the peoples of Westeros have given to the year 120, because it concentrates many events of importance and deaths. It is considered that the death of Laena Velaryon (whose staging on the screen diverges from what is told in the novel) constitutes the starting point of this disastrous series.
The disappearance of Laena Velaryon, after a terrible childbirth, is followed by two others, shown in episode 6: the deaths of Lyonel Fort (Hand of the king) and Harwin Fort, his son, who officiated as commander of the watchtower of Port- Real. Both perish in the Harrenhal fire, which was not accidental. The series points Larys Fort, brother of Harwin, as responsible.
The year of the Red Spring is also marked by the assassination of Laenor Velaryon, brother of Laena. He is still alive in episode 6. The killer may be his former lover, the knight Qarl Correy. It is he who we see on several occasions alongside Laenor. They seemed to spin the perfect (and secret) love. In fact, the parents of Laena and Laenor lost their two children.
Also included in the list of events is the return of Otto Hightower as Hand of the King, as Lyonel Fort was burned alive. This return will not play in favor of the peace of the kingdom: Otto does not support Daemon Targaryen, the brother of Viserys, the king. In addition, Otto also worries about his daughter, Alicent, who is married to Viserys, and whose position is threatened by Viserys’ daughter, Rhaenyra.
Aemond Targaryen, son of Alicent and Viserys, loses an eye in a fight started during Laenor’s funeral. Aemond wanted to tame the dragon Vhagar, which displeased Lucerys, Joffrey and Jacaerys Velaryon, the children of Rhaenyra. In the fray, Lucerys pulls out a blade and gouges out Aemond’s eye. This will pay off later in the Dragon Dance.
In fact, the year of the Red Spring poses several elements that prepare the ground for this dance of the dragons – a poetic way to describe the chaotic succession of Viserys Targaryen, the fratricidal struggle between two factions (there are Targaryens on both sides) and dragon dogfights.
It is also in the year 120 that Rhaenrya and Daemon Targaryan, respectively niece and uncle, will marry. From their union will be born Aegon III Targaryen, who will also have his role to play in the dance of the dragons. A role of the very first order, moreover, as much in the conflict to come as in the destiny of the kingdom of the Seven Kingdoms.
In summary, the year of Printemps Rouge is:
- the death of Laena Velaryon after an ugly pregnancy;
- the death of her newborn, within an hour of delivery;
- the assassination of Laenor Velaryon, presumably by her lover;
- the loss of Lyonel Fort, Hand of the King, in the fire;
- the death of Harwin Fort, heir to House Fort, likewise;
- the Harrenhal fire;
- the return of Otto Hightower as Hand of the King;
- the blinding of Aemond Targaryen in a fight;
- the wedding of Rhaenyra and Daemon Targaryen;
- the birth of Aegon III Targaryen.
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