Editors note: This article contains MAJOR SPOILERS for Fire & Blood, which may appear in House of the Dragon season 3.
With House of the Dragon season 3 on the horizon, many fans are gearing up for the show's big return. The prequel spinoff series to Game of Thrones, based on George R. R. Martin's novel Fire & Blood, takes place roughly 200 years before its predecessor.
House of the Dragon season 2 ends on a cliffhanger, with multiple factions coming together for the Battle of the Gullet. As such, season 3 will likely focus on the vast battle and its aftermath, meaning the First Battle of Tumbleton is probably not too far behind. Longtime fans of the franchise will have to brace themselves for a classic Westeros battle, filled to the brim with betrayal, death, and some striking similarities to a pivotal scene from Game of Thrones.
What is the First Battle of Tumbleton?
As the name would imply, the First Battle of Tumbleton takes place in the town of Tumbleton, located in the Reach. The battle, taking place as a part of the Targaryen civil war known as the Dance of Dragons, is fought between the Blacks, Queen Rhaenyra's (Emma D'Arcy) forces which held Tumbleton at the time, and the Greens, who fought for Queen Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) and King Aegon II Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney).
As Lord Ormund Hightower (James Norton) led his army to the capital, he commanded his Green troops to Tumbleton, the last of Rhaenyra's strongholds on the way to King's Landing. As such, Rhaenyra loyalists from nearby towns throughout the Reach came to her aid, including the Northern army known as the Winter Wolves. Despite this, the Greens vastly outnumbered the Blacks.
Additionally, both sides brought in their dragons for the fight. The Greens utilized Tessarion, ridden by Prince Daeron Targaryen, who proved to be far smaller than the Blacks' two dragons, Vermithor and Silverwing, ridden by the non-Targaryen dragonriders Ser Hugh Hammer (Kieran Bew) and Ser Ulf White (Tom Bennett) respectively.
The Two Betrayers
Once Lord Ormund fell at the hands of Lord Roderick Dustin (Tommy Flanagan), it seemed like the First Battle of Tumbleton had finally come to a close. However, right then, Hugh and Ulf turned their dragons on the town, wreaking fiery havoc. Thanks to Ulf and Hugh, now called "the Two Betrayers," the Greens won the battle, even going so far as to behead many of Rhaenyra's troops who surrendered.
The battle was followed by a lengthy sack of the town. Without Lord Ormund, the Green troops felt directionless, with no one to reign them in and stop their war crimes. Women were raped, men were killed, and the poor population of Tumbleton quickly found itself decimated beyond repair. No one, not even Prince Daeron, could stop them.
Given how much time House of the Dragon season 2 spent on building up Ulf and Hugh before they bonded with their dragons, and how this was portrayed as a victory for Rhaenyra, it will certainly be hard to see their betrayal on screen. Throughout season 2, Rhaenyra's son Jace (Harry Collett), the not-so-secret bastard child of Harwin Strong (Ryan Corr), expresses his dismay that non-Targaryens are taking dragons to the sky, and Ulf and Hugh's betrayal will ultimately prove him right, likely not long after his own death during the Battle of the Gullet.
The First Battle of Tumbleton and the ending of Game of Thrones
On paper, the Sack of Tumbleton feels similar to the final story arc of Game of Thrones, in which Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke), during her attack on King's Landing, loses control. In her madness, Dany utterly destroys the city from which she intends to rule on the back of her dragon, Drogon.
Much like Dany's assault on King's Landing, the First Battle of Tumbleton will feature the utter destruction of a town from atop a dragon. Additionally, both dragon assaults feature a betrayal, as Dany, a longtime fan favorite, turned on the city, just as Ulf and Hugh turn on Rhaenyra.
The final episodes of Game of Thrones proved to be controversial among audiences. Many fans felt frustrated with Daenerys' sudden heel turn, feeling like it wasn't set up enough throughout the previous seven seasons. As such, these audience members consider Daenerys' destruction of King's Landing to be out of character, and an unsatisfying conclusion to her story.
Ahead of House of the Dragon season 3, many viewers anticipating the new season may wonder if the First Battle of Tumbleton will suffer the same fate. While Hugh and Ulf are ultimately less central to their story than Daenerys was, could their turn feel too quick, or will the House of the Dragon team be able to pull off this ambitious plot beat?
Make sure to start watching House of the Dragon season 3 when it airs on HBO Max on June 21 to find out.
Add us as a preferred source on Google