Warning: Contains SPOILERS for House of the Dragon season 2, episode 4, “The Red Dragon and the Gold.”
Summary
Aemond Targaryen makes a comment about King Aegon II Targaryen’s sobriquet during a discussion inHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 4, and it’s a line with a couple of meanings. Aemond’s rivalry with his elder brother comes to a head in “The Red Dragon and the Gold,” withAegon left near-deathafter catching a blast of fire from Vhagar.
There are a few reasonswhy Aemond tried to kill Aegon, which goes back to their childhood and how he was bullied by his older sibling. However, it’s also very much present in this episode, when Aemond reveals his and Criston Cole’s plans for theDance of the Dragons, and showing he thinks he should be king instead. Aemond tells his brother that he wasn’t informed of the plan because he was too busy drinking with friends and worrying about his"sobriquet,“a line that caused a bit of confusion.
What Sobriquet Means In House Of The Dragon
Aemond’s Line About Aegon Explained
Simply put,a sobriquet is a nickname, and Aemond’s line goes back toHouse of the Dragonseason 1, episode 1, when Blood and Cheese killed Jaehaerys. When that was happening, Aegon was sitting on the Iron Throne with members of the Kinsguard, drinking and talking about what his name would be as king. It had been mentioned that some called himKing Aegon the Magnanimous, while Aegon the Dragonheart was also mooted, although he himself seemed to prefer Aegon the Dragonco*k.
In truth, Aegon’s nicknames are quite different, at least as remembered in history. One of them is Aegon the Elder, to differentiate him from King Aegon III Targaryen, who is known as Aegon the Younger. Some also refer to him as “the Usurper,” believing he took the Iron Throne from Rhaenyra Targaryen when it was hers by right.
Whatever the name, Aemond is clearly annoyed by his brother’s focus on trivial matters when there’s a war to be fought, and it just further proves to him that he would be a better ruler.
The talk of his sobriquet shows Aegon’s thinking about his legacy, something he also references after Jaehaerys' death. It makes it more ironic that, while he is obsessing over said legacy, he’s actually doing very little himself to define it. And, whatever the name,Aemond is clearly annoyed by his brother’s focus on trivial matters when there’s a war to be fought, and it just further proves to him that he would be a better ruler.
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Aemond Mocking Aegon Over His Sobriquet Has A Deeper Meaning
Aemond’s Own Sobriquet Is Not So Kind To Him
Aemond may dismiss Aegon talking about his sobriquet, and in a way he’s right to do so - partially becausethe nicknames given to Aemond himself in history aren’t particularly kind. One of them is Aemond One-Eye, and while Aemond has long since accepted trading an eye for thebiggest dragon inHouse of the Dragon, it is nonetheless a cruel reminder of one of his lowest moments.
Episode 8
August 4
The other nickname for Aemond is “the Kinslayer.“Aemond has said he’s sorry for Lucerys Velaryon’s death, but it hasn’t stopped him from kinslaying again, this time with the death of Rhaenys Targaryen. Kinslaying is one of the greatest taboos in Westeros, and yet Aemond has now done it twice - and almost did a third time.
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Indeed, had he succeeded in killing Aegon, then he wouldn’t just be a kinslayer, but would gain another nickname: Kingslayer. This was, of course, the label infamously given to Jaime Lannister inGame of Thrones, and it followed him around his entire life despite the secret that he’d done what was right for the realm. Whether Aemond killing Aegon would’ve been as just as killing the Mad King is a lot more debatable, but regardless, he’ll always be remembered as kinslayer at the very least inHouse of the Dragon.
New episodes ofHouse of the Dragonseason 2 release Sundays at 9pm ET on HBO and Max.
House of the Dragon
Cast
House of the Dragon is a 2022 fantasy drama set in the world of Westeros, chronicling the Targaryen dynasty at its height. The story revolves around King Viserys’s controversial decision to name his daughter Rhaenyra as heir to the Iron Throne, sparking tensions and divisions within the realm.
