House of the Dragon has seen a number of deaths and political decisions over the past few episodes. Aegon prepares to challenge Rhaenyra’s claim. Alicent plans to marry Aegon with his daughter Helaena. Then after the death of Lyonel and Harwin Strong, Lord Lars Strong became 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 in his seat, but this decision almost feels like a betrayal of his wife, Princess Rhaenys, as he ignores Baela and her claim to Driftmark. Let’s explore why.
Lord Corlys decides to make Lucerys heir to Driftmark
Lord Corlys Velaryon makes Lucerys heir to Driftmark
During Episode 8 of House of the Dragon, 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 plays with fire, he will dominate the seas. However, Lucerys, like Jon Snow, says he doesn’t want it. Lord Corlys reminds him that it is his birthright. But he claims that if he became Lord of Driftmark, it would mean everyone is dead.
Princess Rhaenys Targaryen wants Laena’s daughters to sit on Driftmark’s throne
Princess Rhaenys Targaryen tells Lord Corlys to name Baela her heir
Rhaenys Targaryen is obviously filled with anguish and grief given that her daughter has just died. She is in an emotional state and naturally takes her anger out on others like Daemon and even Corlys. However, it cannot be denied that she is telling the truth. Not only does she call out Lord Corlys for his ambition and pride, but she rightly points out that he’s not driven by justice for Rhaenys and instead is driven by his own lust for power. It is then that she confronts him about Driftmark’s future. She wants him to pass on the line of Laena to her eldest daughter Baela who has true Velaryon blood. She even makes it clear that Lucerys isn’t really Leanor’s son. Princess Rhaenys would even justify the decision by saying that it is to honor the memory of Laena.
Why is this decision actually a betrayal of Princess Rhaenys?
Baela Targaryen
Lord Corlys does not want to disinherit his son Laenor. Moreover, he does not want to put aside his grandson Lucerys either. He understands that making Baela his Driftmark heir instead of Lucerys would just fuel rumors that the boys were the result of Ser Harwin Strong. However, his last line is one that feels like a betrayal. Lord Corlys says history doesn’t remember blood, it remembers names. This could mean two things. First, Lord Corlys could be referring to the fact that Baela and Rhaena are raised as Targaryens while Lucerys is a Velaryon.
Princess Rhaenys Targaryen with an older Baela Targaryen
However, it could also mean that he doesn’t want a daughter to sit on the throne instead of a son. For a man who refutes patriarchy since his wife was passed over for the Iron Throne, it’s shocking that he treats his grandchildren the same way. The first reason can be dealt with quite easily. Just as Jacaerys would become a Targaryen upon ascending the Iron Throne, Lord Corlys could also change Baela Targaryen into Velaryon upon ascending Driftmark. The only remaining reason is sex. In fact, Rhaenys herself points out that her worry about how she lost the crown is just a front for her own ambitions.
By refusing to have Baela as an heir, he perpetuates the same legacy of patriarchy. After all, Baela takes after her mother Laena. She is a strong and powerful girl who already became a dragon rider at a young age. But the Driftmark case is not over yet. Episode 8 will see Corlys’ brother, Vaemond Velaryon, make his play for the seat at High Tide.
