Here’s Why Rhaenyra Targaryen Should Have Killed The White Hart

Rhaenyra Targaryen should have killed the White Hart. It would have helped stop the Dance of the Dragons. How? Read on to know.

By Ishita Chatterjee
November 29,2022
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Currently, the House of the Dragon fandom is divided into two factions- The Blacks and The Greens. There are continuos discussions about the upcoming Dance of the Dragons. And also what characters like King Viserys Targaryen could have done to prevent the civil war. But there was one thing Rhaenyra Targaryen could also have done that could potentially have stopped the Dance. She should have killed the White Hart. Why would that have helped? Read on to know more.

The Normal Interpretation Of The White Hart Event 

White Hart from House of the Dragon Episode 3
White Hart from House of the Dragon Episode 3

King Viserys Targaryen throws a tourney for the second name day of his firstborn son Aegon II Targaryen. During the day, there is a hunt for a White Hart, who is considered an auspicious omen. The courtiers with the King think that if they capture the animal, then it will be a divine message. It will mean that Aegon II Targaryen is the rightful heir. And as a result, Viserys could remove Rhaenyra as heir without any qualms.

But the hunt doesn’t go as planned. Viserys and his men don’t find the White Hart and instead slaughter an ordinary stag. The actual animal shows itself to Rhaenyra, who lets it go. This moment was interpreted by almost everyone as Rhaenyra Targaryen being the rightful heir. And she was going to be a good ruler because she lets the innocent animal go.

Why Rhaenyra Targaryen Should Have Killed The White Hart?

Queen Alicent attacks Rhaenyra and her sons
Queen Alicent attacks Rhaenyra and her sons

But Rhaenyra Targaryen letting the animal go might have eventually led to the Dance of the Dragons and everyone questioning her claim. So if she had killed the White Hart and brought it to everyone, then they would know that she was the chosen monarch. As a result, it’s possible that after that her claim would become a bit more stronger as it would have been backed with a divine symbol.

Also, Rhaenyra Targaryen willing to kill the animal would have indicated that she was willing to do what it takes to secure the Iron Throne. Her leniency meant that she wanted to be a good and kind ruler, but not one who was willing to take the hard decisions. This is echoed by her decisions later in life too.

King Viserys
King Viserys

She knew that Alicent Hightower was scheming against her and didn’t take the olive branches offered. For example, Rhaenyra offered to marry her eldest son Jacaerys with Alicent’s daughter Haelaena. But Alicent refused. Rhaenyra knew it all and yet did nothing to eliminate thorns in her way to the Iron Throne. Letting that problem fester ultimately led to the Dance of the Dragons. Instead, if she had indeed done what Alicent Hightower thought she would always do and killed her half-siblings, then the realm would be together and their dragons would be alive.

Rhaenyra also made the mistake of leaving during Viserys’ waning years. Had she remained, she would have been able to control the politics and prevent the Greens from essentially taking over adminstration. So her letting the Stag go relates to her undoing as she takes decisions with her heart and not with her brains. Had she showed up with the slain Hart, her claim would be stronger and everyone would see her as ruthless.

What do you think of this interpretation of the White Hart incident? Do you agree with it?