House of the Dragon saw a number of deaths and political decisions over the course of the last few episodes. Aegon is being prepared to challenge Rhaenyra’s claim. Alicent plans on marrying Aegon to her daughter Helaena. Then after the death of Lyonel and Harwin Strong, Lord Lars Strong became the Lord of Harrenhal. The only decision left to be made was who would inherit the seat at High Tide. Lord Corlys wants Lucerys to sit on his seat however this decision almost seems like a betrayal to his wife Princess Rhaenys as he ignores Baela and her claim to Driftmark. Let us explore why.
Lord Corlys decides to make Lucerys the heir to Driftmark
During House of the Dragon episode 8, after Laena Velaryon’s funeral, Lord Corlys tells Lucerys Velaryon that his seat and High Tide will one day belong to Lucerys. With his brother, Jacaerys becoming King after Rhaenyra, he would be Lord of Driftmark and Lord of the Tides. While his brother will play with fire, he will rule the seas. However, Lucerys much like Jon Snow says that he doe not want it. Lord Corlys reminds him that it’s his birthright. But he claims that if he becomes Lord of Driftmark it would mean that everybody is dead.
Princess Rhaenys Targaryen wants Laena’s daughters to sit on the throne of Driftmark
Rhaenys Targaryen is obviously filled with anguish and hurt given that her daughter has just died. She is in an emotional state and is naturally displacing her anger on others such as Daemon and even Corlys. However, one cannot deny that she is speaking the truth. Not only does she call out Lord Corlys for his ambition and pride but she rightly points out that he is not driven by justice for Rhaenys and is instead motivated by his own hunger for power. This is when she confronts him regarding the future of Driftmark. She wants it to pass down Laena’s line to her eldest daughter Baela who has true Velaryon blood. She even plainly speaks about how Lucerys is not really Leanor’s son. Princess Rhaenys would even justify the decision by claiming that its to honor Laena’s memory.
Why is this decision actually a betrayal to Princess Rhaenys?
Lord Corlys does not want to disinherit his son Laenor. Moreover, he does not want to cast aside his grandson Lucerys either. He understands that making Baela his heir to Driftmark instead of Lucerys would simply fuel the rumors regarding the boys being a result of Ser Harwin Strong. However, his last line is the one that feels like betrayal. Lord Corlys says that history does not remember blood, it remembers names. This could mean two things. Firstly, Lord Corlys could be referring to the fact that Baela and Rhaena are being raised as Targaryens whereas Lucerys is a Velaryon.
However, it could also mean that he does not want a daughter to sit on the throne instead of a son. For a man who has been refuting the patriarchy ever since his wife was passed over for the Iron Throne, it comes as a shock that he would treat his grandchildren the same way. The first reason can be dealt with quite easily. Just as Jacaerys would become a Targaryen on ascending the Iron Throne, Lord Corlys could also change Baela Targaryen to Velaryon when she ascends Driftmark. The only reason that remains is gender. In fact, Rhaenys herself points out that his concern over how she lost the crown is simply a façade for his own ambitions.
By refusing to have Baela as his heir he is continuing the same legacy of patriarchy. After all, Baela has taken after her mother Laena. She is a strong and powerful girl who has already become a dragonrider at her young age. But the matter of Driftmark has not come to an end yet. Episode 8 will see Corlys’ brother Vaemond Velaryon make his play for the seat at High Tide.
