House of the Dragon Part 2: Who is Hugh Hammer? Dragon Seed Explained

Emma BowmanAugust 7, 2024

House of the Dragon Part 2: Who is Hugh Hammer? Dragon Seed Explained

Hugh the Blacksmith plays a huge role in House of the Dragon Season 2 — but who is this man who plays such a pivotal role?

House of the Dragon Season 2 is now over, and there are plenty of new faces to keep an eye on. There’s Blood and Cheese, Aryn of Hull, and, of course, Hugh the Blacksmith. After demanding that King Aegon pay for the iron in advance amid the impending war, he’s returned several times throughout the show, and will continue to do so in Season 3.

His scenes may seem inconsequential at first, but Hugh ends up becoming a soldier in the Targaryen Civil War and is related to one of the most controversial Targaryens.

Here’s everything you need to know about Hugh, along with spoilers for the books (and possibly the show).

Who is Hugh Hammer?

Hugh the Blacksmith is actually Hugh Hammer, a “dragonseed” who becomes a dragonrider in Dance of the Dragons.

In the TV show, he is played by Kieran Bew. He is also known as Hugh the Hammer, Hard Hugh, and The Betrayer.

Kieran Bew plays Hugh Hammer in House of the Dragon
“Dragonseed,” as they are known, are bastards of Valyrian descent. There are many of them running around Westeros, and Hugh is one of them in the books. So he has dragonriding blood, and in Dance of the Dragons, he rides Vermithor, the dragon of the late King Jaehaerys I Targaryen.

Hugh Hammer in the Books Explained

When Prince Jacaerys Velaryon called for dragonriders, Hugh fought for Rhaenyra Targaryen at the Battle of the Gullet.

He was later knighted by Rhaenyra, along with Ulf the White (keep an eye out for him!).

While Hugh and Ulf continued to support the Blacks for a while, Hugh became obsessed with the throne, which eventually led to conflict within the Targaryen ranks.

Without giving too much away, suffice it to say that Hugh is a character to watch as the battle for the Iron Throne becomes more and more formidable.

Hugh Hammer in House of the Dragons Explained

Hugh first appeared in Episode 1 of Season 2 during a trial with King Aaegon II, where he asked for financial support amid rising iron prices.

While the smiths were crafting scorpions to protect King’s Landing from dragons, the cost of iron increased. Hugh asks Aegon to pay in advance so that the craftsmen can be financially supported.

Aegon initially seems quite willing to help the common people when he can, but he is thwarted by Otto Hightower. Although Aegon had promised to pay the smiths early, this was naturally delayed after the murder of his infant son Jaehaerys in Season 2 Episode 1.

In Episode 2, we meet his wife and sick daughter. His wife explains that King’s Landing is short on food and supplies and that people are hoarding what they can. Hugh assures her that the king has promised to help, though she seems skeptical.

In Episode 5, they attempt to leave King’s Landing, despite Aemond (who is acting as Prince Regent) ordering the borders closed. As a result, they are trapped in the city along with the rest of the population.

In the same episode, Rhaenyra and Jace plan to track down the dragon seeds and train them to ride for their side.

Then, in Episode 7, things change for Hugh. News reaches King’s Landing that Rhaenyra is searching for bastards with Targaryen blood. As one of them, Hugh travels to Dragonstone and bids for a dragon. He is successful and ends up riding Vermithor, the second largest dragon in the group.

Episode 8, the season finale, does not focus much on Hugh, despite him now being a key figure in the Blacks. He is mainly seen trying to control the unruly Ulf so as not to displease the royal family. Rhaenyra assures them that when she reclaims the throne, she will knight her bastards.

In the Season 2 finale, Hugh can be seen gearing up and donning his armor, preparing for the battles to come in House of the Dragon Season 3. Basically, expect to see more of Hugh as the series continues.

Who were Hugh’s parents?

Hugh’s father was a blacksmith, and his mother was Princess Saera Targaryen, daughter of King Jaehaerys I.

There’s a lot to say about Saera Targaryen, and we’ve got everything you need to know about her in our guide. But in short, she was abandoned by her family and lived as a prostitute, and later a brothel owner.

She was banished by her family for her father’s grief, though she became a wealthy and successful woman. She had several sons with different fathers, but Hugh went on to fight in the Dance of Dragons. (He revealed his mother’s identity to his wife in Episode 7.)

There’s a bit of poetic justice here, as Vermithor had been his grandfather’s dragon. Jaehaerys I had ridden the dragon before him, and after his death, the dragon sat waiting.

It’s thanks to Hugh’s mother that he has dragon-riding blood and can join the ongoing war.

For more explanations, check out our guide to Alyrie Florent and Cregan Stark. You can also find out when new episodes of House of the Dragon are coming out and find out what we think of the season so far with our House of the Dragon Season 2 review.

We also have a guide that breaks down all the House of the Dragon filming locations. And while you wait for the new season, here are 5 TV shows like House of the Dragon to watch.

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