Fans have been wondering why House of the Dragon had been following the blacksmith Hugh, but the last episode of The Red Sowing finally revealed that he was one of the dragon riders Rhaenyra recruits in her ‘army of bastards.’
Though Hugh’s family history isn’t expressed in the books, the show has confirmed that his mother was one of the more infamous Targaryens of her time.
Who is Hugh the Hammer’s Mother in HOTD?
During the discussion, Hugh talks to his wife about his mother, and he reveals that she is the daughter of King Jaehaerys Targaryen and the aunt of King Viserys and Daemon. Hugh specifically explains:
“She worked in a pleasure house. She was granted more freedom than most, and because rich men pay more to f*ck a woman with silver hair. She used to tell me I was no different to her brothers’ boys Viserys and Daemon…”
The simple description made fans believe the show confirms that Hugh’s mother is Saera Targaryen.
Saera Targaryen’s Big Scandal
Though Saera’s relationship with Hugh isn’t mentioned in the books, Hugh’s mother's description confirms that she is Saera.
In the books, Saera is considered a ‘difficult child’ who plays all kinds of pranks on her siblings and court servants. However, when she matures, she finds herself in a scandal involving two girls and three high-born boys having a very ‘experimental’ sleepover.
Saera was then sent away to become a Silent Sister in Oldtown for a few years, but she escaped to Lys, where she worked in a brothel. Though this may sound like a tragic end for Saera, it was said that she had moved to Volantis to start her own pleasure house, where she became ‘infamous and wealthy’.
Saera answered when asked if she would return to Westeros, “I have my own kingdom here.”
It’s mentioned that Saera had three bastard sons who came to press their claim to the throne during the Great Council, but there was no mention of Hugh. Based on the timeline though, it does seem that Hugh may have been born around the time where Saera was still just a common whore and not the head of a brothel.
Hugh does mention that he was ashamed of his mother, so it was possible that he never got to see her success; or maybe he just didn’t agree with her leaning into the sex worker lifestyle.
How HOTD Changes Hugh’s Story
Hugh the Hammer was considered to be very integral to the Dance of Dragons, but when it comes to his overall characterization, the show has changed a lot of things to make him more sympathetic. Book Hugh is an arrogant drunk with brute strength, but series Hugh is a hardworking family man who lost his daughter.
No doubt that will change his character motivations moving forward, but everyone is still waiting to see how it will all go down with him when the show gets to Tumbleton.
Catch House of the Dragon now streaming on Max.