Simon Strong

Simon Strong
Political information
House(s)	Strong
Affiliation(s)	Greens (formerly) Blacks
Title(s)	Ser Castellan of Harrenhal
Personal information
Culture	Rivermen
World of Westeros
Series	House of the Dragon
Season(s)	2
Appeared in	6 episodes (see below)
First seen in	"The Burning Mill"
Portrayed by	Simon Russell Beale

"I, Ser Simon Strong, castellan of Harrenhal, swear fealty to Rhaenyra of House Targaryen, the First of Her Name. I swear this by the Old Gods, and the New."

―Simon Strong capitulates to Daemon Targaryen

Ser Simon Strong is a knight of House Strong during the Dance of the Dragons.

Biography

Background

Simon is the uncle of Lyonel Strong and granduncle of Larys Strong and Harwin Strong. He serves as the castellan of Harrenhal.

House of the Dragon: Season 2

When Prince Daemon Targaryen and his dragon Caraxes arrive at Harrenhal to claim the castle for the Blacks, Ser Simon hastily bends the knee and declares his allegiance to Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen, inviting Daemon to dine with him. Over dinner, Simon assures Daemon, who refuses to touch his plate, that the food isn't poisoned and he is welcome in the castle. When Daemon questions Simon's submission, given the lord of his house has declared for Aegon, Simon brands his great-nephew Larys a scourge on their family, making it clear he believes Larys murdered his father and brother to claim lordship of Harrenhal, noting the suspicious nature of the fire that claimed their lives. Simon then converses with Daemon about making House Tully declare for the Blacks.

Simon awakens Daemon from a nightmare to inform him that a raven has arrived, warning Criston Cole's army has departed King's Landing, Houses Rosby and Stokeworth have defected to the Greens and added their forces to Cole's, and Cole is likely making for Harrenhal. Simon expresses his concern even if Daemon can raise an army in the Riverlands, it may not be ready in time to face Cole. Simon also introduces Daemon to Oscar Tully, grandson and heir to Lord Grover Tully. After Oscar informs Daemon of his grandfather's deteriorating health and his lack of authority to speak in Grover's stead, Daemon mocks House Tully as "a fish without a head" to Simon and questions which side in the recent clash between Houses Blackwood and Bracken declared for Rhaenyra. Once informed the Brackens declared for Aegon, Daemon orders Simon to summon the Blackwoods to Harrenhal. Simon is later present when Daemon negotiates with Ser Willem Blackwood.

Quotes

Simon: "You should know that a substantial number of those swords have now declared and are presently at war. Houses Bracken and Blackwood have long detested one another."

Daemon: "Why?"

Simon: "Oh, well... the answer to that is lost in time. Sin begets sin begets sin."

— Simon Strong

Family

Lord Strong Deceased

Lady Strong

Simon Strong

Wife

Lyonel Strong Deceased

Wives

Son(s)

Harwin Strong Deceased

Rhaenyra Targaryen

Larys Strong

Germund Strong

Paxter Strong

Jacaerys Velaryon

Lucerys Velaryon Deceased

Joffrey Velaryon

Behind the scenes

On April 24, 2023, HBO announced that Simon Russell Beale had been cast in the role of Simon Strong for House of the Dragon: Season 2. His character description reads as follows:

"The great uncle to Lord Larys and castellan of Harrenhal."

In the books

In Fire & Blood, Simon is Lyonel Strong's uncle. It is unknown if his brother was Lord Bywin Strong, the first Strong to hold Harrenhal.

Appearances

• – "The Burning Mill"
• – "The Red Dragon and the Gold"
• – "Regent"
• – "Smallfolk"
• – "The Red Sowing"
• – "The Queen Who Ever Was"

External links

• Simon Strong on A Wiki of Ice and Fire (potential spoilers for House of the Dragon)

House Strong
Head	Larys Strong	Heir	Unknown
Seat	Harrenhal	Region	Riverlands
Titles	Lord of Harrenhal
Members	Simon Strong · Germund Strong · Paxter Strong
Deceased	Lyonel Strong · Harwin Strong
Household	Alys Rivers
Overlords	House Tully