Why did Larys Strong kill Harwin Strong and Lord Lyonel Strong? Who killed Lord Lyonel Strong and Ser Harwin Strong in the book Fire and Blood?

Last updated:October 31, 2022

Episode 6 of The House of the Dragon witnessed a ten-year jump in the series where Rhaenyra Targaryen had three sons, Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey.

It was rumoured that all three sons of Rhaenyra were not actually Rhaenyra and Laenor’s son but it was fathered by Rhaenyra’s alleged lover Ser Harwin Strong.

In the finale of The House of the Dragon, we saw Larys Strong finally revealing his true colour in front of Alicent Hightower.

Just be on the good books of Queen Alicent, and to gain favours from her later on, Larys kills his own blood that is his elder brother Harwin Strong and his father, Lord Lyonel Strong.

But why did Larys kills Harwin and Lyonel Strong?

Why did Larys Strong kill Harwin Strong and Lord Lyonel Strong?

As per our assumption, the reason why Lord Lyonel kill Harwin and Lyonel, that is, his brother and father, is because he wants to be in the good books of Queen Alicent.

As Queen Alicent wished to Lyonel that she had missed her father Ser Otto Hightower’s presence in the court and as the hand of the King and wants him back, hence in order to please the Queen and to be in the good books of the Queen so that he can gain favours from her later on, Lyonel played a master stroke he first kills his brother Ser Harwin Strong and then his father, Lord Lyonel Strong.

Also, there were other personal reasons as well, which we think might be why Larys killed Harwin and Lyonel.

One of the main reasons is the inheritance of the seat of Harrenhal as we know that Lord Lyonel was the lord of Harrenhal, and upon the end of his reign, the seat should be inherited by his first son that is Ser Harwin Strong, if both of them dies then the seat of Harrenhal will eventually come to Larys.

The second reason will be due to the close relationship between Princess Rhaenyra and Harwin, as we know that it was rumoured during that time the three children that Rhaenyra had with Laenor were not Laenor’s children; instead, they were fathered by Harwin only.

It was obvious in Episode 6 that all the children were of Harwin and how protective he was with them even though he fought off Ser Criston Cole when he tried to demean Rhaenyra and called her sons bastard.

Plus, it was obvious that Alicent and Rhaenyra were not on talking terms and hated each other. Besides, Harwin was the commander of the City Watch and the strongest knight in the seven kingdoms.

Larys thought of removing another potential enemy for Alicent to impress her. Hence he planned the murder of his brother and father.

Larys Strong is kind of like Littlefinger (Petyr Baelish), but he is far more ruthless and intelligent than Littlefinger was in Game of Thrones.

Why did Larys Strong kill Harwin Strong and Lord Lyonel Strong? (Image Credit: HBO MAX)

Who killed Lord Lyonel Strong and Ser Harwin Strong in the book Fire and Blood?

In the books, several theories are associated with the killing of Ser Harwin Strong and Lord Lyonel Strong, but it was never actually revealed who was the actual killer.

Some suggested that it was Lord Larys only as he had the most to gain after the death of his brother and father.

Because after the death of both his father and brother, he will inherit the seat of Harrenhal as the last heir and will gain favours from Queen Alicent in future if Aegon II ever becomes the King of the Seven Kingdom.

But the second theory in the book suggested that it was Daemon Targaryen only who was responsible for killing Harwin, one of the reasons being Daemon loved Rhaenyra and Harwin was also allegedly the lover of Rhaenyra, so in order to get rid of the competition and get close to Rhaenyra he killed Harwin.

The third suspect was Lord Corlys Velaryon.

It was believed that Corlys Velaryon was well aware of the love affair between Rhaenyra and Harwin and to avenge Ser Harwin for his son Ser Laenor Velaryon who even being married to Rhaenyra didn’t manage to impregnate her.

The rumours, such as all of Rhaenyra’s children being Harwin’s children, put shame on the Velaryon family; hence he killed Harwin.

The final suspect was King Viserys I Targaryen. It was believed that Viserys was sick of hearing the badmouthing of his own blood Rhaenyra.

He wanted to end all the rumours of Rhaenyra and Harwin; hence he ordered the killing so that the rumours would stop.

But we think Larys Strong being responsible for the killing of Harwin Strong and Lyonel Strong makes the most sense and adds spice to the whole conflict.

I think Rhaenyra will hold Alicent responsible in the next episode for Harwin’s death.

Also Read: