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The opening of House Of The Dragon season two gently retconned House Stark's history from George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire reality. Based on Fire & Blood, House of the Dragon is set amid the Targaryen civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons. While the Starks in House of the Dragon season 1 had no major roles, season 2 commenced in Winterfell and tracked Prince Jacaerys Velaryon's trip to the North. Jake had to verify the Starks' allegiance to his mother now the domain was under war.
Although Cregan Stark might have given Rhaenyra some troops, the Lord of Winterfell made it quite plain that the men of the North had to deal with their own issues, especially with relation to the Wall. The Starks assisted in preserving the Wall for next generations; however, Winterfell always needs a Stark. Cregan and Jacen talked about the history between their families during their trip to the wall. Once King of the North, Torrhen Stark promised Aegon the Conqueror his allegiance and became known as "the king who bent the knee."
The dialogue between Jacaerys Velaryon and Cregan Stark in House Of The Dragon season 2, episode 1 strongly hinted to Torrhen Stark kneeling to Aegon Targaryen in the North. Jace discussed how their ancestors struck a bargain in that location when touring the wall. But the last King of the North before the Conquest bent his knee at the Trident, not in Winterfell. Cregan then said that at least Jace did not threaten him with a dragon, which also did not happen to Torrhen during Aegon's Conquest. There was no blood lost during the North's capitulation.
The King of the North and his bannermen marched south against the Targaryen; most of the seven kingdoms already under the wings of the dragons. But after Torrhen saw how big Aegon's army had become thanks to Riverlords, westermen, stormlanders, and men of the Reach, not to mention the three dragons, the King of the North changed his mind. While some Northener lords urged Torrhen to retrieve, others persuaded him to assault nevertheless. Torrhen despatched his brother and three Maesters to negotiate the North's submission in an apparently sensible manner. Torrhen bent his knee; no sword burned.
The place Torrhen bent the knee to Aegon the Conqueror is quite significant, even if it might seem like a minor detail. The North—especially Winterfell—had always been connected with the fortitude and will of the Starks. Worshipers of the Old Gods, the Northerners made a relatively hostile territory their residence and assisted in defending Westeros from the dangers behind the wall. Having a Northerner ruler in the South usually indicates that something is awry since a Stark will always be more strong and deadly in the North.
The first of several times that things did not go for a Stark in the South, especially with the Targaryens involved, Torrhen bending the knee in the Trident was the first incident. After marching to King's Landing following the abduction of Lyanna Stark by Aerys Targaryen, better known as the Mad King, Rickard and Brandon Stark were put to death. Ned Stark met a similar end; Joffrey Baratheon executed him at King's Landing. Not to mention Robb Stark's terrible war against the Lannisters, Sansa Stark was taken prisoner about the same time.
Under development at HBO is Aegon's Conquest, a new Game Of Thrones prequel based on Aegon Targaryen's path into becoming the first Lord of the Seven Kingdoms alongside his sisters. Aegon's Conquest could present a more thorough, book-accurate rendition of Torrhen Stark's surrender should the project go forwards. Though a conversation between a Stark and a Targaryen discussing the realm would most certainly refer to the last King of the North, it is unknown why House of the Dragon season 2 changed such a major detail of Aegon's conquest of the North.
Before conquering Westeros, Aegon had a vision about the Long Night, which he termed "A Dream of Ice and Fire," according season 1, episode 1. Though such a thing is not mentioned in Fire & Blood, Torrhen Stark's surrender could have something to do with Aegon's dream. Although HBO's Aegon's Conquest miniseries might focus on House of the Dragon's Torrhen retcon, it would make more logical for it to highlight Aegon's triumph over the North based on how the book treated things. One can understand Cregan and Jace's exchange as the Northerners' point of view of what transpired during the conquest: Torrhen bent the knee because of the Targaryen dragons. Although the last King of the North might have thought about his choices back in Winterfell, the surrender only took place at the Trident once Torrhen understood Aegon would not be able to be stopped.
About 172 years before the events of Game Of Thrones, House of the Dragon chronicles the ascent of the Targaryens, the only family of dragonlords to withstand the Doom of Valyria. Milly Alcock and Emily Carey originally starred Milly Alcock and Emily Carey as Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower before Emma D'Arcy and Olivia Cooke, who play the adult versions of the characters, took front stage. Along with King Viserys Targaryen, Matt Smith (Prince Daemon Targaryen) and Paddy Considine as Rhaenyra's father also feature in the series.
A gripping prequel, House of the Dragon explores the rich history and complex political intrigues of Westeros. Offering fresh angles on the events that molded the world of Game of Thrones, the show investigates the intricate relationships of power, ambition, and loyalty. Fans of the Game of Thrones universe should definitely check House of the Dragon for its amazing images, likable characters, and captivating narratives.