As the third season of House of the Dragon unfolds, the geopolitical chessboard of Westeros continues to pivot around the massive, decaying fortress of Harrenhal. Following a second season that chronicled Prince Daemon Targaryen seizing the stronghold, the fortress remains highly contested as the Targaryen civil war intensifies. Left behind to defend the castle after yielding it to Team Black, Ser Simon Strong was forced to face one ordeal after another in its defense.
His struggle highlights a well-known truth established since the original Game of Thrones lore: a dark fate historically befalls everyone who holds Harrenhal, a cursed legacy that heavily foreshadowed what lay in store for Simon Strong himself.
While the television adaptation kept the core of his book storyline intact, the series significantly expanded his screen time. This expanded narrative role turned him into a highly beloved character for fans and cast members alike. This article examines the legacy of the pragmatic castellan, exploring how his television arc evolved from his original, slightly different depiction in George R.R. Martin’s books.
📜Quick Details:
Title: Ser, Castellan of Harrenhal
Died: 132 AC, Harrenhal (In the show) / 130 AC, Harrenhal (In the books)
House: House Strong
Allegiance: House Strong, Greens (formerly), Blacks
Culture: Rivermen
Played by: Simon Russell Beale
Who was Simon Strong?
Credits: Ollie Upton/HBO
Ser Simon Strong was an elderly knight of House Strong who served as the castellan of Harrenhal during the Dance of the Dragons. In terms of family lineage, he was the uncle to Lord Lyonel Strong and the great-uncle to Ser Harwin and Lord Larys Strong.
When the Targaryen civil war broke out, he held the responsibility of managing the massive, decaying fortress of Harrenhal. His narrative differed between the source material and the television adaptation.
In George R.R. Martin’s book, Fire & Blood, Simon yielded Harrenhal immediately upon the arrival of Prince Daemon Targaryen and his dragon, Caraxes, to avoid an impossible siege. In the HBO show House of the Dragon, this event was expanded into a larger storyline. The series focused on his difficult interactions with Daemon as they tried to manage and win over the lords of the Riverlands. He is played by actor Simon Russell Beale.
Quick Facts
Show
- He served as the castellan of Harrenhal and pledged absolute loyalty to Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen
- The character was brought to life on television by actor Simon Russell Beale
- He was the uncle to Lord Lyonel Strong and the great uncle to Ser Harwin and Lord Larys Strong
- He immediately yielded his fortress and bent the knee upon the arrival of Prince Daemon Targaryen
- He openly condemned his great nephew Larys and believed Larys orchestrated the fire that killed his own family members
- He advised Daemon on local Riverlands rivalries and helped him connect with Oscar Tully and House Blackwood
- Prince Aemond Targaryen mercilessly killed the aging castellan alongside his two sons during a brutal assault on Harrenhal
Books
- He was noted as an elderly knight managing the massive and decaying fortress of Harrenhal by the year 129 AC
- He surrendered Harrenhal as soon as he saw Caraxes and was subsequently held hostage inside the castle with his grandsons
- Ser Criston Cole eventually recovered the castle and briefly freed the elderly knight from his captivity
- Prince Aemond Targaryen grew angry and believed the old man was a traitor for yielding the castle to Daemon so easily
- Aemond forced the aged knight into a duel and slew him before feeding his remains to the dragon Vhagar
- His death was followed by the executions of all remaining Strong family members at Harrenhal except for Alys Rivers
In the TV Adaptations
Credits: Ollie Upton/HBO
House of the Dragon Season 2
Ser Simon Strong was the uncle of Lord Lyonel Strong and served as the castellan of Harrenhal. When Prince Daemon Targaryen brought his dragon to claim the castle, Simon swiftly bent the knee. He pledged absolute loyalty to Queen Rhaenyra and cordially invited Daemon to dine.
During their meal, Simon reassured a highly suspicious Daemon that the food remained unpoisoned. He openly condemned his great-nephew, Larys Strong, as a scourge on their family. Simon shared his firm belief that Larys deliberately orchestrated the fire that murdered his own father and brother to usurp Harrenhal.
Simon later warned Daemon about Ser Criston Cole’s march toward Harrenhal with the newly defected forces from Houses Rosby and Stokeworth. Seeking regional support, Simon introduced Daemon to Oscar Tully, though the young heir lacked the authority to commit his dying grandfather’s army.
Facing a delayed Tully alliance, Daemon inquired about local Riverlands rivalries. Simon confirmed that House Bracken declared for King Aegon. Following Daemon’s immediate orders, the castellan summoned House Blackwood to Harrenhal and stood by as the prince negotiated military terms with Ser Willem Blackwood.
As Daemon amassed an army, Ser Alfred Broome arrived and encouraged Daemon to claim the Iron Throne for himself. Deeply alarmed by Broome’s behavior and fearing that Daemon was about to betray Rhaenyra, Simon secretly sent a raven to Dragonstone to alert the Queen of the massive army at Harrenhal and his fears of imminent treachery. This prompted Rhaenyra to fly directly to the castle. Upon her arrival, Simon immediately met her in the courtyard, bowed to confirm his unwavering loyalty, and guided her to Daemon.
House of the Dragon Season 3
Simon later traveled from Harrenhal to reach Daemon’s military camp. He arrived just as the allied forces celebrated a major victory at the Battle by the Lakeshore. Amidst the triumph, Simon delivered the tragic news that Prince Jacaerys Velaryon died during the Battle of the Gullet.
When Prince Aemond Targaryen retaliated and launched a brutal assault on Harrenhal, he mercilessly killed the aging castellan alongside his two sons.
In the books
Credit: Diego Gisbert Llorens
Background
By the year 129 AC, Simon Strong was an elderly man. Lord Lyonel Strong was his nephew, and Harwin and Larys Strong were his great-nephews. However, historical records never clarified Simon’s relationship to Lord Bywin Strong, who was the first member of House Strong to hold Harrenhal.
The Dance of the Dragons
During the Dance of the Dragons, Simon surrendered Harrenhal as soon as he saw Caraxes, the dragon of Prince Daemon Targaryen. Daemon then held Simon and his grandsons as hostages inside the castle.
Ser Criston Cole, the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, eventually recovered the castle and freed Simon from captivity. However, Prince Aemond Targaryen grew angry after the fall of King’s Landing. He believed Simon was a traitor who yielded Harrenhal to Daemon much too easily.
Aemond forced the aged knight into a duel and slew him. He then fed Simon’s remains to his dragon, Vhagar. Afterward, Aemond ordered the executions of all the remaining Strong family members at Harrenhal. He spared only Alys Rivers, whom he took as his bedmate.
Quotes
“I, Ser Simon Strong, castellan of Harrenhal, pledge fealty to Rhaenyra of House Targaryen, First of Her Name. I swear this by the old gods and the new. Supper is venison with black cabbage and peas. No redcurrant. Sorry about that.” — Simon Strong to Daemon Targaryen in House of the Dragon
“First to suffer for it was Ser Simon Strong. Prince Aemond had no love for any of that ilk, and the haste with which the castellan had yielded Harrenhal to Daemon Targaryen convinced him the old man was a traitor.” — Fire and Blood
Quick Answers
Who is Simon Strong?
Ser Simon Strong is an elderly knight of House Strong who serves as the castellan of Harrenhal during the Dance of the Dragons. In the book, Simon yields the castle immediately upon the arrival of Prince Daemon Targaryen and his dragon, Caraxes, to avoid an impossible siege. In the show, his storyline is expanded, showcasing his loyalty to Queen Rhaenyra and his difficult interactions with Daemon as they attempt to win over the Riverlands.
How does Simon Strong die?
Simon Strong is murdered by Prince Aemond Targaryen, but the exact events differ depending on the version of the story. In the book, Aemond frees Simon from Daemon’s captivity but later grows convinced that the old man is a traitor for yielding Harrenhal so easily. Aemond forces Simon into a duel, slays him, and feeds his remains to his dragon, Vhagar, in 130 AC. In the show, Aemond retaliates with a brutal assault on Harrenhal and mercilessly kills the aging castellan alongside his two sons in 132 AC.
How is Simon Strong related to Larys Strong?
In terms of family lineage, Ser Simon Strong is the great-uncle to Lord Larys Strong and Ser Harwin Strong, and the uncle to their father, Lord Lyonel Strong. In the show, Simon openly condemns his great-nephew, expressing his firm belief that Larys deliberately orchestrated the fire that murdered Lyonel and Harwin to usurp Harrenhal. There is no mention of Simon openly accusing Larys of this crime in the book, though their familial relationship remains the same.
Is Simon Strong loyal to Queen Rhaenyra and Daemon?
Simon Strong’s allegiance shifts from the Greens to the Blacks after Daemon arrives at Harrenhal. In the show, Simon swiftly bends the knee, pledges absolute loyalty to Rhaenyra, and actively assists Daemon by summoning local lords like the Tullys and Blackwoods. He even travels to Daemon’s camp later to deliver news of the war. However, the book depicts a much more passive role; Simon simply surrenders to Daemon and is held as a hostage inside the castle alongside his grandsons.