WARNING! This article contains SPOILERS for House of the Dragon season 2, episode 7!
Summary
As Aemond Targaryen continues his rule inHouse of the Dragonas the acting Prince Regent, his latest course of action issending two of Aegon’s Kingsguard members to the Night’s Watch. This isn’t the first time that theGame of Thronesfranchise has seen knights in King’s Landing be removed from their posts and sent to the Wall, and it won’t be the last time it happens inHouse of the Dragon’s story. Typically offered as an alternative to death, sending men to the Night’s Watch is often considered among the worst sentences given the general lack of glory, isolation, and harsh conditions.
Back at the Red Keep, Larys Strong and Jasper Wylde look on as Aemond Targaryen makes Sers Martyn Reyne and Eddard Waters kneel on the ground as he strips them of their white cloaks. Aemond had already shown his distate for these two knights earlier inHouse of the Dragonwhen heaccused Aegon of prioritizing his sobriquetand naming “lickspittles” to the Kingsguard.Prior to becoming knights of Aegon’s Kingsguard, Martyn and Eddard were irresponsible friends of Aegon, so Aemond certainly relished the opportunity to remove them and send the knights to the Wall.
Aemond Sends The Kingsguard To The Wall Because Of The King’s Landing Riots
Sers Martyn Reyne & Eddard Waters Are Scapegoats For The Kingsguard’s Riot Failures
The reason why Aemond sends these two Kingsguard knights to the Wall is becausethey’re charged with inciting the King’s Landing riots fromHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 6. The riots began after Rhaenyra and Mysaria sent food to the city’s smallfolk after they had been starved by the Gullet blockade, which the people blamed on Aegon and Aemond. While calling Rhaenyra the rightful Queen, the smallfolk began to surround and throw objects at Queens Helaena and Alicent. Despite Alicent’s calls for the knights to sheathe their swords, Martyn and Eddard exacerbated the violence by fighting the smallfolk.
Similar to Daemon killing Willem Blackwood as a scapegoat for his failures, Aemond sends Martyn and Eddard to the Wall as scapegoats for the riot and to obtain more control over the Kingsguard.
It was Ser Leon Estermont’s rash decision to cut off a man’s hand that escalated the riot, leading to him being fatally attacked by the smallfolk outside the Great Sept. While it’s still up for debate whether these two surviving knights can truly be to blame for causing the King’s Landing riots,Aemond needed to punish someone for failing to stop this chaosand put the Queens in harm’s way. Similar toDaemon killing Willem Blackwoodas a scapegoat for his failures, Aemond sends Martyn and Eddard to the Wall as scapegoats for the riot and to obtain more control over the Kingsguard.
Aemond Sending The Kingsguard To The Wall Is Really About Control Over Aegon
Aemond Is Removing All Remnants Of His Brother’s Authority That He Can
Aemond had the opportunity to forgive these knights and keep them in their positions, but he already knew that they were incompetent and unqualified for the job anyway. Furthermore, Martyn and Eddard were Aegon’s close confidantes and friends, who are far less bound by the oaths of the Kingsguard and the pursuit of honor and glory in protecting their King. Rather, their posts were given to them because they were knights whose company Aegon enjoyed, withtheir devout loyalty to Aegon also posing a problem to Aemond’s control over the King.
What Aemond Gives Aegon In House Of The Dragon Season 2, Episode 6 & What It Means
Aemond Targaryen gives King Aegon an important object when visiting him in House of the Dragon season 2, episode 6, which represents their new roles.
With Aemond already asserting his power over Aegon in other ways, removing his brother’s chosen Kingsguard knights further erases the authority of Aegon in the crown’s rule and operations. Similar to howAemond removed Alicent from the Small Councilto form a group of people obedient to and fearful of him, the Prince Regent is reorganizing the Kingsguard to be composed of dutiful knights and warriors more likely to heed his authority. AsHouse of the Dragon’s war continues,Aemond is ensuring that the Red Keep reflects his own reign as king in all but name.
House of the Dragon
Cast
House of the Dragon is a 2022 fantasy drama set in the world of Westeros, chronicling the Targaryen dynasty at its height. The story revolves around King Viserys’s controversial decision to name his daughter Rhaenyra as heir to the Iron Throne, sparking tensions and divisions within the realm.
