Who Is The Manipulative Larys Strong In House Of The Dragon?

House of the Dragon episode 5 saw Queen Alicent decide that her loyalty lay with House Hightower instead of House Targaryen. She even wore a

By Chandraboli Majumdar
September 21,2022
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House of the Dragon episode 5 saw Queen Alicent decide that her loyalty lay with House Hightower instead of House Targaryen. She even wore a green dress signifying this change during the wedding of Princess Rhaenyra and Ser Laenor Velaryon. This was prompted by several events strung together. One of the conversations that influenced her was with Lord Larys Strong.

Lord Larys Strong in House of the Dragon episode 5

Lord Larys Strong talks to Queen Alicent Hightower in House of the Dragon
Lord Larys Strong talks to Queen Alicent Hightower in House of the Dragon

Son of Lyonel Strong, the Hand of the King, Lord Larys Strong finally gets him moments on screen during House of the Dragon episode 5. He has a conversation with Queen Alicent in the Godswood which changes the course of events in the show. Lord Larys expresses his dismay at seeing Otto Hightower leave the Red Keep in such a hasty fashion. He hints at the fact that he knows about almost every secret and every rumor in the King’s Landing. He says, “When one is never invited to speak, one learns instead to… observed.” Noticing the fact that Queen Alicent has become lonely and without allies in the Red Keep, he offers his support and company.

He slyly changes the topic of conversation to Rhaenyra so as to raise the question of her well being. This is when he mentions the Moon tea that Grand Maester Mellos himself had served to Rhaenyra personally in her chambers under the orders of King Viserys. He also reminds her that it was the same night when Prince Daemon had returned from the Stepstones. Naturally this sows the seeds of doubt in Queen Alicent’s mind as she begins to question whether Rhaenyra had lied to her about her purity. This simple comment unraveled the entire Royal family and led to the Dance of the Dragons.

Who is Larys Strong?

Larys Strong is the Littlefinger of House of the Dragon
Larys Strong is the Littlefinger of House of the Dragon

Lord Larys Strong is the Lord of House Strong and Harrenhal. He is an extremely cunning, wise and intelligent man. In fact, fans have dubbed him as the Littlefinger of House of the Dragon because of his manipulative and opportunistic nature. As seen in the fifth episode, he walks with a limp. This is because he was born with one feet twisted which led to him being called the Clubfoot. However he should not be underestimated. Lord Larys prefers to listen and observe. When he does speaks ever so rarely, he leaves an everlasting impact as seen clearly in the previous episode. He is mostly a friendless man but is very convincing and enigmatic when required.

Lord Larys Strong displays his knowledge in House of the Dragon episode 5 when Queen Alicent enters the hall of the Red Keep wearing a green dress during the wedding of Princess Rhaenyra and Ser Laenor Velaryon. He tells his brother Harwin Strong about how the Hightower of Oldtown glows green when they they declare war.

His goals or endgame in manipulating Queen Alicent seems quite uncertain except for maybe he just wanted to stir the pot. It could also be that he did not deem Rhaenyra as fit for the Iron Throne either due to misogyny and patriarchy or because of the rumor regarding her and Daemon. However later on during the Dance of the Dragons he chooses to side with Aegon II and becomes a loyal and fierce ally of the greens. This is mainly because he despised Rhaenyra for tarnishing the reputation of House Strong with her scandal involving his brother Ser Harwin Strong.

How important will he be in the future?

His role in Dance of the Dragons in the future
His role in Dance of the Dragons in the future

Lord Larys Strong will be a very important character in the future. He will be a part of the small council called after King Viserys’ death by Queen Alicent. There he will form a blood pact with the rest of Aegon’s supporters. He will even draw up a list of the members in court who still supported Rhaenyra. Eventually he becomes the Master of Whisperers for Aegon II Targaryen. Lord Larys also served as Lord Confessor who is basically the royal torturer. While he is mostly a man of intellect, he is also rumored to have resorted to lowly acts. This can be seen in the rumor that he had set fire to Harrenhal. This fire killed both Lyonel and Harwin Strong. And that’s how he became the Lord of Harrenhal.