WARNING! This article contains major SPOILERS for House of the Dragon season 2, episode 3 and George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood book, on which the show is based!
Summary
The Battle of the Burning Mill occurs off-screen inHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 3, leaving its contents and real background a mystery in the HBO adaptation. Regarded as thefirst real battle in the Dance of the Dragons, the Battle of the Burning Millis a bloody fight in the Riverlands that culminates in heavy losses for supporters of both Rhaenyra and Aegon. Given how highly anticipated the Dance’s battles are inHouse of the Dragonafter the incredible action shown inGame of Thrones, it’s surprising that the show skipped over the combat.
After showing young soldiers from Houses Bracken and Blackwood arguing over their support of either Aegon or Rhaenyra,House of the Dragonseason 2, episode 3 simply cuts to the aftermath of a devastating battle. The camera pans over hundreds of dead bodies as the Burning Mill lies quiet, bloody, and smoking from the ruinous combat. When word reachesTeams Green and Black, Aegon’s council argues over whether it counts as a victory or can even be considered separate from the two houses’ centuries-long feud. However, missing context from theFire & Bloodbook helps clear up the cause, winner, and impact of the Battle of the Burning Mill.
What Really Caused The Battle Of The Burning Mill
The Brackens and Blackwood have feuded for centuries
House of the Dragonseason 2, episode 3 implies that the Battle of the Burning Mill began shortly after young members of the Brackens and Blackwoods began fighting about Rhaenyra and Aegon, escalating into a full-scale battle. The real cause of the battle is a bitdifferent in George R.R. Martin’sFire & Bloodbook, clarifying that the swordfight between the young soldiers is more of a prelude to the full-scale combat than the incident that actually begins the battle. The realbattle is commanded by Ser Amos Bracken and Lord Samwell Blackwood on their respective sides.
When loyalties to each side were being decided afterHouse of the Dragonseason 1’s ending, House Blackwood declared for Queen Rhaenyra, while House Bracken allied with King Aegon II. As hinted at in the show,the Brackens and Blackwoods have feuded for over 10,000 years, with the real reason for their opposition having been lost to time despite their animosity being increasingly strengthened. Their long-standing feud was previously hinted at inHouse of the Dragonseason 1, episode 4, when young Willem Blackwood killed Jerrel Bracken while both were vying for young Rhaenyra Targaryen’s hand in marriage.
Their long-standing feud was previously hinted at inHouse of the Dragonseason 1, episode 4, when young Willem Blackwood killed Jerrel Bracken while both were vying for young Rhaenyra Targaryen’s hand in marriage.
Consequently, thefeuding Brackens and Blackwoodsrarely needed a reason to begin conflicts with one another. Still, the Dance of the Dragons and opposing loyalties to Rhaenyra or Aegon gave them an excuse for a wide-scale battle.In the book, Samwell Blackwood and Amos Bracken also had a lengthy personal vendetta against one anothersince they dueled and unsuccessfully fought to marry Rhaenyra, prior to her betrothal to Ser Laenor Velaryon.
Red Robb Rivers
Willem Blackwood
According toFire & Blood, theBattle of the Burning Mill began when Lord Samwell Blackwood sent raiders into the Brackens’ land, with this conflict over territory lines being highlighted in the opening scene of season 2, episode 3. In return, Ser Amos Bracken ordered his troops into the Blackwoods’ land, leading the Blackwoods to ambush their enemies at a riverside mill. When Team Black’s Blackwoods met Team Green’s Brackens in the field, the first real army-represented battle of the Targaryen Civil War commenced.
Who Died At The Battle Of The Burning Mill & Who Actually Won?
Commanders from both the Bracken and Blackwood armies were killed
The two biggestdeaths inHouse of the Dragonseason 2’s Battle of the Burning Mill are Lord Samwell Blackwood and Ser Amos Bracken. These two deaths were significant casualties on both sides for the Riverlords, as Amos was the son of Lord Humfrey Bracken while Samwell was the Lord of Raventree Hall at the time of his demise. According toFire & Blood,Amos killed Samwell in single combat, with Amos soon being killed by a weirwood arrowduring the battle. Furthermore, the arrow that killed Amos was said to have been shot by Alysanne Blackwood, the younger sister of the slain Lord Samwell.
House of the Dragonseason 2, episode 3 also focuses on the opening argument’s young Bracken soldier dead in the river.
It’s unclear exactly how many men and women died at the Battle of the Burning Mill, but George R.R. Martin’sA World of Ice and Firebook suggests that the battle was a victory for Rhaenyra’s Team Black. However, both sides suffered numerous casualties, withAegon’s council inHouse of the Dragonbeing hesitant to call it a victory for either side. Since the aftermath of the battle led to Daemon subduing Lord Bracken and taking Stone Hedge, on the other hand, it can still arguably be considered a win for Team Black in the Dance.
All 16 Members Of Rhaenyra’s Small Council Explained
Rhaenyra’s small council is composed of members of her family, her Queensguard, and several lesser lords. Here are the members of the Black Council.
Why Did House Of The Dragon Skip The Battle Of The Burning Mill?
Director Geeta Vasant Patel discussed the impact of not seeing the battle
Since neither Aegon nor Rhaenyra’s councils had actually sanctioned a battle and fighting yet, it makes sense thatHouse of the Dragonskipped over the battle to make it more of a surprise for both sides’ rulers. Additionally, there were no supporting ormain characters fromHouse of the Dragonseason 2in the Battle of the Burning Mill. With only an hour-long runtime, theseries likely wanted to bide its allocated minutes for the outing with the major players’ reactions instead.
Since neither Aegon nor Rhaenyra’s councils had actually sanctioned a battle and fighting yet, it makes sense thatHouse of the Dragonskipped over the battle to make it more of a surprise for both sides’ rulers.
In anexclusive interview withScreen Rant,House of the Dragonseason 2, episode 3 director Geeta Vasant Patel gave insight into the missing Battle of the Burning Mill. In response to the question of why the battle was cut, Patel stated that would have to be answered by “HBO and Ryan [Condal, the showrunner].” Discussing the scene itself, Patel explained, “They have a conversation, and then we cut to everyone dead. So, you have to actually experience the battle that you didn’t get to see.” While Patel was initially disappointed to not shoot an action-heavy sequence, the crux of the battle’s high emotions was effectively revealed through the opening scene’s dynamic argument.
New episodes ofHouse of the Dragonseason 2 release Sundays at 9 p.m. 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.
