Ser Harwin Strong will become Princess Rhaenyra’s next sworn protector in House of the Dragon
Ser Criston Cole has become Princess Rhaenyra’s sworn protector. It was after she chose him as a knight in the Royal Guard. He has been by his side ever since. He followed her when she went up into the forest during the hunting camp to celebrate Aegon II’s second birthday. Ser Criston also accompanied her on her tour arranged by King Viserys to find her a suitable suitor. He was also seen guarding Rhaenyra’s room at night. However, with the recent events of The House of the Dragon episode 5, Princess Rhaenyra’s Sworn Protector Mantle is up for grabs. It will be Ser Harwin Strong, also known as the Breakbones, who is the eldest son of Lyonel Strong, the current Hand of the King, to fill the position.
Ser Criston Cole is no longer Rhaenyra’s sworn protector.
During Episode 5 of House of the Dragon, Ser Criston Cole and Rhaenyra’s relationship was destroyed by a sequence of events. Returning from High Tide after arranging Princess Rhaenyra’s wedding to Ser Laenor Velaryon, Ser Criston Cole made his choice. He proposed marriage to Rhaenyra and asked her to run away with him. They would be free together and could live happily the rest of their lives without the burden of duty and responsibility, especially as the king’s heir. By the end of the episode, all that tension boiled over and culminated in Ser Criston Cole becomes violent. He punched Ser Joffrey Lonmouth in the face and brutally killed him right in the middle of wedding celebrations in front of everyone.
So, naturally, Ser Criston will no longer be Rhaenyra’s Sworn Protector. In fact, his position in the Kingsguard is also up in the air. He will most likely keep his job due to his new alliance with Queen Alicent Hightower. She will convince King Viserys to let him stay on the Kingsguard and even manage to make him Lord Commander in the future after Ser Harrold’s death.
Ser Harwin “Breakbones” Strong will take over next
The mantle of Princess Rhaenyra’s Sworn Protector will be taken over by Ser Harwin Strong. It will be according to the books. It will also help set up another scandal involving Rhaenyra in House of the Dragon. Episode 5 has already prefigured this event. When the crowd became unruly and chaotic during the wedding celebrations as Ser Criston Cole attacked Joffrey Lonmouth, Rhaenyra got pushed around. Ser Harwin Strong, who was seen dancing with Rhaenyra, has already come to her rescue. He carried her on his shoulder out of the hallway. This already makes him Rhaenyra’s protector.
He has already been seen in House of the Dragon. Ser Harwin Strong left an impact in Episode 3 with just one look. Princess Rhaenyra was returning from the forest after killing the boar that attacked her. Her bloodied appearance shocked everyone as she made her way to camp. However, Ser Harwin Strong looked at her with an expression of approval and awe. He even gave her a reassuring smile. Fans will also remember seeing it in Episode 4. That was when Rhaenyra and Daemon were at King’s Landing, enjoying the night. He was the captain of the City Watch that Rhaenyra had met.
The future of Rhaenyra and Ser Harwin
He is the perfect candidate for Princess Rhaenyra’s Sworn Protector. They already know each other and understand each other quite well. In fact, in the books, during the 10 Day Tournament scheduled after Rhaenyra and Laenor’s wedding, Ser Harwin Strong asked for her favor. Since then, he has been by her side even throughout the Dance of the Dragons and has supported her and the Blacks. In the House of the Dragon Episode 6 preview, it looks like the series is also exploring a scandal between Princess Rhaenyra and Ser Harwin.
