#I just think rhaenys and laenor have this tradition of watching corlys’ ship leave driftmark

[dreaming-of-the-reality]

“History does not remember blood. It remembers names…”

Continuation of my House of the Dragon season 1 rewatching experience. Where I pick apart small details and examine the events and characters from a different perspective.

This time, I wanna break down Corlys Velaryon’s character and his “loyalty” to Rhaenyra as well as Rhaenys and the part she plays. This one is more of me finally understanding where Corlys is coming from - something that I’m sure most people have already figured out by now, and I’m probably just slow to the party because I didn’t really pay attention to him the first time I watched the show.

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When I first watched the show, I was baffled at Corlys and his blindness towards Rhaenyra’s children. Like how can this man stand there, and think “yep, those are my grandsons alright!” and honestly support their claim to Driftmark over his granddaughters who we can clearly see are legitimate?

We know he would supposedly have no problems naming Baela or Rhaena heir to Driftmark as he himself disagreed with Viserys being named heir over Rhaenys. Claiming she should’ve been next in line and it shouldn’t have mattered if she were a woman.

Most people assume this is the reason Corlys is supporting and fighting for Rhaenyra. Not wanting the same thing that happened to his wife, happen to her.

But honestly? Corlys has never done nor supported anything that does not directly benefit himself and his house. Corlys ultimate approach to anything at all, is “does this benefit me or my house?”

I don’t think he will be as loyal to Rhaenyra as we think he will be…

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For some context:

The Step Stones

Straight from the get go in episode 1, Corlys was insistent that the crown should interfere with the war brewing in the step stones. He mentions how it’s his houses ships and men who were being attacked and slaughtered. This was a fair ask: who would want to sit there and watch as their assets are stolen or broken down? It brings down his house reputation and makes others question their strength, when a few rebels from the free cities can wage war and defeat the fleet of House Velaryon.

Potential Queen?

In episode 2, it’s Corlys who is insistent that Viserys should marry his daughter Laena and unite their two houses. He obviously just did this because he wanted to have his daughter be the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms - something every lord in Westeros would want as it seems to come with many perks and prestige.

Rebelling and disobeying his King

After having his offer declined, and Alicent announced as Viserys’ new bride, Corlys marches out of the small council, and runs straight to Daemon in exchange for support and aid in his battle at the step stones. Corlys does this without leave or permission from the king. He’s angry, has now been ignored twice by the king and crown, and also hasn’t managed to secure any kind of benefit for himself.

This shows that due to Viserys lazy attitude and approach to brewing war, something House Velaryon is suffering for, Corlys is ready to risk it all and disobey the crown to help his house.

When returning from the step stones, Corlys doesn’t even go back to Kingslanding. Instead he goes straight home to Driftmark, and when visited by Viserys in episode 5, he doesn’t even bother to greet the royals at the gates. This shows his ongoing lack of respect towards Viserys, Rhaenyra, and the crown itself.

New sighting of power and legacy

When Viserys offers a marriage proposal between Rhaenyra, the heir to the iron throne, and his only legitimate son Laenor… it gives Corlys a glimmer of hope, in restoring his house’s rank. Marrying into the royal family, and having his son as king consort is his shiny new opportunity that he missed out on with Laena.

However, instead of being joyful and immediately accepting the offer, Corlys’ first question is in regards to the name both Laenor and Rhaenyra’s children would take. By Westerosi tradition, they should take their fathers name, and therefore be Velaryon’s - something that greatly excites Corlys because it would mean his houses’ name would continue on to form a new dynasty of kings and queens.

Of course Viserys shuts this idea down, already knowing what Corlys is thinking, and instead claims that only the second born son would inherit Driftmark with the name Velaryon. The heir being reserved as Targaryen. Corlys thinks this over and accepts the offer.

History remembers names

Now, Corlys and Rhaenys, are not idiots. They can clearly see at Laena’s funeral that Rhaenyra’s children are bastards, and know they have no Velaryon blood in them whatsoever.

They have two granddaughters standing right there in front of them, who are CLEARLY Laena’s daughters, but instead, both choose to turn a blind eye to the legitimacy of Rhaenyra’s sons.

Why? Because as Corlys put it, “history doesn’t remember blood, it remembers names”

If Corlys had decided to care more about blood, he would’ve made Baela or Rhaena the next in line (after Laenor at this point) to inherit the driftwood throne. But because Corlys knows that history books do not care whose blood you have running through your veins, he continues to support Lucerys’ claim to Driftmark.

If he were to name either Baela or Rhaena lady of the tides, his ancestral home would pass to a Targaryen - something he would not let happen. Daemon Targaryen is their father, and therefore they have his name. Lucerys Velaryon however, may not have Corlys’ blood, but he has his name.

Corlys has proven time and time again, that he is only looking out for his house and his legacy. He will take whatever offer he can get, that allows him to climb the ranks.

Rhaenys

Rhaenys on the other hand does not care so much about names. She only cared about her children, and her grandchildren being Baela and Rhaena.

When comforting the children in the Driftmark episode, she runs straight to Baela and Rhaena, and doesn’t seem to think twice about Luke or Jace. She does not consider Luke her grandson, and therefore would most likely prefer Baela and Rhaena be named heir to Driftmark.

I think after the Driftmark episode, Rhaenys could care less about Daemon and Rhaenyra. This episode is very heavy on her - she is attending the funeral of her daughter, who she hadn’t seen in quite a long time thanks to Daemon who refused to leave Pentos to return. She then also loses her son in the very same episode, who was conveniently murdered right before Rhaenyra and Daemon got married. Not to forget how Daemon just stands there watching after his daughters were beaten up.

From here on out, her only priority is to defend and protect her granddaughters.

Lucerys’ claim and legitimacy

Rhaenyra visits Rhaenys in episode 8 in the gardens. As Lucerys’ claim is being questioned and reevaluated, Rhaenyra knows (as Corlys is injured) that Rhaenys is her best chance.

Unfortunately, Rhaenyra has a habit of living in her own happy bubble, thinking everything around her is going great. She expects that Rhaenys will support Luke immediately, using the logic “Luke is her grandson” but is a bit shocked when Rhaenys doesn’t seem to care.

Desperately, Rhaenyra makes her an offer - Baela would marry Jace and become Queen one day, and Rhaena would marry Luke, and become Lady of Driftmark.

This is ultimately the best decision if Rhaenys wanted to support her granddaughters and simultaneously respect her husbands desire to strengthen his house and legacy. So she takes it.

House Velaryon would live on through Lucerys and Rhaena Velaryon, whilst the Targaryen dynasty would live on through Jace and Baela Targaryen.

Rhaenys did not accept Rhaenyra’s offer out of love for her, or loyalty, or her claim. She accepted it as it was the best decision for her house and granddaughters. Corlys would’ve done the same, for the exact same reasons.

The death of Lucerys Velaryon

If my logic is correct thus far, then why didn’t Corlys or Rhaenys pull out of the war when Lucerys died? Rhaena would no longer become lady of Driftmark, Lucerys was dead. Both Corlys and Rhaenys’ children are dead.

We know Rhaenys didn’t even want to get into a war with the greens in the first place, hence not killing them at the crowning. They could’ve chosen to remain neutral and refused to take part.

Especially after (SPOILER) Jace comes back from Winterfell after having met Sara Snow…

Well it’s simply because Joffrey Velaryon is still alive and well. If Joffrey was not there, I truly believe Corlys would’ve been VERY hesitant to support Rhaenyra at all.

Loyalty to Rhaenyra (not)

I honestly DO NOT believe Corlys is being loyal to Rhaenyra out of the goodness of his heart, nor his sense of justice that his own wife was snuffed out of the position as Queen and therefore he must make it right this time around. Rhaenys couldn’t care less as she had already warned both Rhaenyra and Corlys that there were be a war, as the realm would not accept a Queen peacefully.

I think their alliance is only holding on by a thread that happens to have brown hair, brown eyes, whose name starts with a J and ends with a Y. Without Joffrey, supporting the blacks does nothing for Corlys or his house.

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This man is more complex than I originally thought him to be. Maybe I’m just slow and maybe everyone is already like “well yeah duh” but it’s an interesting take on him. That he’s not this loyal puppy dog who cares for Rhaenyra and her children, but instead is playing the long game.

I don’t think he’s going to stay loyal to her as I believe when a better offer comes his way, he will not hesitate to take it.

He can see how this ends. He just wants to make sure that when it does, he’s on the side that wins, and the side who will help strengthen his house and legacy…

[joycieillustrations]

you abandoned us for more adventure at sea, as has always been your way

I had a draft of this already done then eve really had to hit me with that line for some extra angsty zest 😭

Please do not repost without my permission!