*Warning: Spoilers ahead for House of the Dragon season three episode seven and Fire & Blood* House of the Dragon season three episode seven sees Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) refuse to die in ignominy – and while the word itself explains his motives, there’s an even darker meaning to it when you know his fate in George R.R. Martin’s books. Aegon has spent much of the Game of Thrones prequel’s third chapter on the road with Larys (Matthew Needham) to save him from being murdered by his own brother Aemond (Ewan Mitchell). Last week, Larys suggested Aegon forgets about his claim to the Iron Throne and flees to Essos, escaping the ongoing civil war. Although Tyland Lannister (Jefferson Hall) wanted him to stay and fight, Aegon realised he’s neither a good man nor a good king, and sides with Larys. But this all changes in season three episode seven when an army of House Mooton soldiers fighting for Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) cuts off their escape route. It’s ultimately a turning point for Aegon, who’s left with nowhere else to run. Credit: HBO Since Rhaenyra wants Tyland, Larys suggests he turns himself in so Aegon can flee, while Tyland suggests giving Aegon to him so they can flee. But Aegon shuts down both of their plans. He releases Larys and Tyland from their duty to him (although Tyland stays to fight), declaring, “I shall run no more.” He’d rather die as a Targaryen king than spend the rest of his life in hiding. Thankfully for Aegon, when he’s finally cornered, Sunfyre awakes from his dragon coma and burns his opponents to a crisp. But what he says before that is interesting. Why Aegon’s ‘ignominy’ speech is so tragic Credit: HBO Tyland warns him that he’ll die if he doesn’t run, to which Aegon responds, “Then I will die, but not as a fugitive. Unknown. Covered in dust. Not with an arrow in my back or trapped like a fox in a hole. “I’ll make my stand here and be buried as a king, with my dragon. I will not have the histories say that I was slain in ignominy by my own brother.” Ignominy literally means public shame, humiliation or disgrace, particularly after losing respect or honour. In Aegon’s case, he’s referring to the humiliating aftermath of the Battle of Rook’s Rest, where he was left horrifically burned by Aemond and Vhagar. He fears history will remember him as a broken ruler defeated by his own brother, and so chooses to be remembered as a king who died honourably defending his claim. As said, it all works out for him in House of the Dragon (at least so far), but for anyone who’s read George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, his use of this word in particular comes with a cruel irony. You see, in the books, Aegon does initially claim victory after Sunfyre finds his way back to him. He orders his dragon to kill Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) before reclaiming the Iron Throne. “the short, sad reign of aegon ii” the way nobody likes him 😭 pic.twitter.com/6lcwRVO7aD — ️️luna (SPOILERS) (@daenerysim) May 11, 2024 But his victory is short-lived. As his health continues to deteriorate and support for his rule collapses, he’s poisoned before he can secure his legacy. While no definitive culprit is ever named, it’s widely believed that Larys and Corlys (Steve Toussaint) were behind the assassination. It’s no coincidence that Martin titled this part of Fire & Blood ‘The Short, Sad Reign of Aegon II’. That’s what makes Aegon’s speech so tragic – he vows that history won’t remember him dying “in ignominy”, but ultimately he has no control over either his fate or his legacy. For all the latest film and TV updates and hot takes, like our Facebook page. Featured image credit: HBO Post navigation Next story
