The Blackfyre Rebellion: Key History Behind 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms'

Editor's Note: The following contains spoilers for A Knight of the Seven Kingdom Episode 2.A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms may be removed from the other series of the franchise, but there is one historical event in Westeros that haunts the narrative throughout the novels: The Blackfyre Rebellion (or, more ominously, the First Blackfyre Rebellion). The series seems to rely on the conflict as well, considering that with just two episodes released, the Blackfyre Rebellion has already been mentioned. It shouldn't be a surprise, as the series is set just 13 years after the war ended. While the Dance of the Dragons, which House of the Dragon explores, might be the Westerosi civil war that fans know better, the Blackfyre Rebellions have a lasting effect on Westeros, especially as the conflict continues to resurface for several generations.

What Is the Blackfyre Rebellion?

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has yet to explain the event in detail, but George R. R. Martin's writings give fans the context they need to understand Westeros' political climate during Dunk's (Peter Claffey) adventure. The Blackfyre Rebellion broke out only 64 years after the Dance of the Dragons, and it all goes back to Aegon IV, Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy) and Daemon's (Matt Smith) very own grandson. Aegon IV's complicated family sparked the conflict. Daeron, as the only son of Aegon IV and his sister-wife, Naerys, should have had a clear path to the throne, yet the fact that he was so unlike Aegon IV led to a persisting rumor that Daeron was not the king's son, but the result of an affair between Queen Naerys and her other brother, Aemon the Dragonknight. Perhaps this wouldn't have been such an issue had the lords not been angered by the fact that Daeron placed so much faith in his Dornish in-laws, who were only recently Westeros' enemies.

The resentment only grew worse when Daeron's oldest son and heir, Baelor (Bertie Carvel), took after his Martell mother rather than his Targaryen ancestors. Similar to Rhaenyra's sons, Westeros' lords didn't trust a Targaryen who didn't have the look, preferring Aegon IV's favorite bastard son. Aegon IV had many illegitimate children, and several "great bastards" from noblewomen, including Brynden "Bloodraven" Rivers, Aegor "Bittersteel" Rivers, and Daemon Blackfyre. Daemon, in particular, took after Aegon IV, looking like a warrior, and his mother, Daena Targaryen, was Aegon IV's cousin, giving him as much Targaryen blood as any prince. Aegon IV even gifted Daemon the Conqueror's sword, Blackfyre, which Daemon took as his own name. This favoritism didn't inspire peace, ultimately creating issues for Daeron after Aegon IV legitimized all of his bastards on his deathbed.

Though Daeron tried to keep his father's noble bastards close, Daemon saw the unrest and took his opportunity to claim the Iron Throne. For a year, Westeros was divided in civil war. Though none of the great houses sided with the Blackfyres, many families, mostly in the Stormlands and the Reach, allied themselves with Daemon, leading to a bloody war in the legitimized bastard's name. Yet, not all Targaryen bastards were enemies, specifically Bloodraven, who aided Daeron by leading the archers who killed Daemon and his oldest sons in the Battle of Redgrass Field. But it was the new king's sons, Baelor and Maekar (Sam Spruell), who ultimately led the army during that battle, though Daemon's descendants escaped with the ancient sword, spelling future trouble.

How Does the Blackfyre Rebellion Impact 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms'?

The war has been over for several years when Dunk makes his way to the tourney at Ashford, but Westeros hasn't fully healed, which is why the conflict is so often referenced in the series. In fact, the division is so prevalent that young Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell) fantasizes about slaying the "Blackfyre bastards" as he plays knight following the tourney in Episode 2. While the Blackfyres are not an active threat during A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, Westeros' recent war has left some people at odds, and, assuming the future seasons follow George R. R. Martin's novellas, the festering hatred will only become more central. For now, the Blackfyre Rebellion serves as the context of the political climate, and since Dunk isn't a political player, it is background. Yet with Baelor and Maekar's addition to the series, this defining historical event is important to remember.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is streaming on HBO Max with new episodes on Sundays.