The Dark History Behind the Haunted Castle in 'Game of Thrones'

The Big Picture

Harrenhal Castle, built by Harren the Black, faced tragic demise when Aegon the Conqueror attacked with dragons, resulting in death and destruction.

Rulers of Harrenhal experienced untimely deaths and unfortunate fates, fostering a belief in the castle's curse stemming from its founder's hubris.

Harrenhal made its debut in Game of Thrones during Season 2, emerging as a pivotal setting for numerous characters and alliances, simultaneously witnessing numerous shifts in power and fatal demises.

George R. R. Martin’s Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon feature numerous tragic events and curses that result in the deaths of many characters. There are certain individuals and locations that seem to be afflicted by an extraordinary amount of misfortune, almost as if they are under a curse. Among these, the haunted castle of Harrenhal stands out as a particularly remarkable case, as it has witnessed a significant amount of loss and tragedy within its walls. The castle, which has experienced both fire and destruction, not only reveals a story of death and despair, but also serves as the backdrop for the tales of our beloved characters. It is the very castle that children in Westeros hear about in their bedtime stories. However, even before we became acquainted with it, Harrenhal had already faced its own fair share of tragic events. Originally constructed to embody the ego of a man whose vanity would ultimately lead to the castle's downfall, Harrenhal is a truly intriguing place. Moreover, it is at Harrenhal that the House Targaryen, under the leadership of Aegon, began their reign over Westeros.

How Did Harrenhal Become Haunted?

Harren the Black constructed Harrenhal before the events of Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon, envisioning it as the most extraordinary castle in Westeros. The ambitious project took an impressive 40 years to complete, and Harren boasted that it was an impenetrable stronghold. However, fate had other plans in store. On the same day Harren claimed his new residence, Aegon the Conqueror and his dragons launched their invasion of Westeros. Aegon extended an offer to Harren, suggesting that he surrender and become the ruling Lord of the Iron Islands, guaranteeing a prosperous future for his descendants. Unfortunately, Harren's arrogance led him to defiantly reject Aegon's proposal. Consequently, Aegon unleashed his mighty dragons on Harrenhal, leading to the tragic demise of Harren and all of his children. The once-magnificent castle was left in ruins, reduced to scorched rubble and molten stone.

Despite the partial destruction, the significance of Harrenhal remained undeniable, prompting the Targaryens to appoint ruling Houses for the castle. Initially, Aegon I Targaryen granted Harrenhal to Quenton Qoherys, but his house quickly perished. The castle had become too vast to defend and excessively costly. Subsequently, it passed on to House Harroway, only to be wiped out by King Maegor I Targaryen. The belief that the castle was cursed due to Harren's hubris grew stronger as most of its rulers met untimely deaths and faced dreadful outcomes. Unfortunately, Harrenhal Castle became a site of numerous distressing events in Westeros, witnessing a substantial number of deaths and heart-wrenching tragedies within its walls. Every Lord and Lady who governed the castle met an early grave, and in some instances, their bloodlines also faded out within three generations.

When Did Harrenhal Appear in 'Game of Thrones'?

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While Harrenhal Castle was mentioned in the first season of the show, it wasn't actually shown until the second season. In Season 1, Janos Slynt, the commander of the City Watch, is given Harrenhal by King Joffrey as a reward for betraying Eddard Stark. After the Lannisters suffer a defeat at the Battle of Whispering Wood, Tywin Lannister reveals his plan to seize Harrenhal and establish it as the headquarters for his forces in the Riverlands.

However, Harrenhal's first appearance on screen is when Arya Stark and Gendry Baratheon are captured by the Lannisters. Tyrion Lannister proposes to Littlefinger that he will give him Harrenhal and lordship over the Riverlands if he helps free Jaime Lannister. Later, after the Battle of the Blackwater, Joffrey grants Littlefinger Harrenhal as a reward for his assistance in securing the Lannister-Tyrell alliance.

In the third season, the Northern army invades Harrenhal only to discover that the Mountain has already deserted the castle and executed all the prisoners. Harrenhal is then controlled by Robb Stark until he departs upon hearing of Hoster Tully's demise. Robb Stark entrusts Harrenhal to Roose Bolton, along with a portion of the Northern army. Despite promising Harrenhal to Walder Frey, as requested by him, it never actually comes under House Frey's control. In Season 4, Locke and Roose abandon Harrenhal and return to the Dreadfort, without specifying the exact timeframe. Following Robb Stark's death at the red wedding, the Lannisters take possession of Harrenhal.

Thereafter, Harrenhal remains unmentioned until Season 7 when it once again lacks a leader. Jaime Lannister appoints Ser Bonifer Hasty as the castellan, who remains in his position until Lord Baelish claims the castle. During Season 7, Harrenhal witnesses the demise of yet another leader when Littlefinger, the last surviving member of his house, is executed for his crimes, most notably his involvement in the War of the Five Kings.

When Did Harrenhal Appear in 'House of the Dragon'?

In House of the Dragon, Harrenhal holds significant importance right from the start. From Episode 1 onwards, Harrenhal serves as the venue for the Great Council, a gathering called by King Jaehaerys I Targaryen (Michael Carter) to determine his successor. It is at Harrenhal that Viserys I Targaryen is ultimately chosen as the new King. Previously, Jaehaerys I Targaryen had granted Harrenhal to House Strong, specifically to Ser Bywin Strong, who later passes the castle to Lyonel Strong (Gavin Spokes).

Tragedy struck Harrenhal when Lyonel Strong and his successor Harwin Strong (Ryan Corr) perished in a devastating fire. While the true culprit behind the fire remains a mystery in the book Fire & Blood, some attribute it to the cursed nature of Harrenhal. However, others point fingers at Lyonel's second son, Larys Strong (Matthew Needham), Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith), Lord Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint), and even King Viserys I Targaryen (Paddy Considine). In the TV show, it is revealed that Larys was the one responsible, using prisoners-turned-tongueless assassins to secretly set the castle ablaze. With the death of his father and older brother, Harrenhal passed on to Larys, the new Lord Strong.

Harrenhal Is in a Strategic Location in Westeros

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Harrenhal holds great significance in both Game of Thrones and House of The Dragon, but its importance in the latter is yet to be fully explored. Regardless of its cursed reputation, Harrenhal remains a strategically valuable stronghold in Westeros. The extensive damage it has suffered does not diminish its significance as a formidable castle. Situated at the heart of Westeros, Harrenhal has been a pivotal location in numerous major conflicts and clashes. Despite the prevailing belief in its curse, the constant turnover of inhabitants might be attributed to its coveted position.

In House of The Dragon's first season finale, Harrenhal Castle remains under the rule of Larys Strong, who aligns himself with the Greens led by Queen Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke). In the upcoming Dance of the Dragons, the castle will play a significant role. Readers of Fire & Blood know that Harrenhal is a crucial setting for the impending civil war and a place where numerous characters meet their tragic fate. Although there hasn't been much activity at Harrenhal so far, this cursed stronghold is expected to be a prominent location in the upcoming season.