House of the Dragon season 2 sees Rhaenyra planning the war alongside her small council, which has many members in varying roles. Both Game of Thrones and the prequel series have demonstrated the necessity of the monarch’s small council, with the ruler of Westeros surrounded by different lords, knights, and royal family members who’ve been appointed certain roles. With the Blacks and Greens split for the Dance of the Dragons, Rhaenyra’s council consists of many of her local allies, members of her Queensguard, and members of her family.

While House of the Dragon’s cast isn’t quite as expansive as that of Game of Thrones, war is spreading across the continent, and new characters have entered the fold as houses from around the realm pick sides. Season 2’s premiere has confirmed that Rhaenyra’s influence has expanded to the North and the Vale, but there are more local houses from the Crownlands who’ve sworn fealty to her, such as House Velaryon and House Staunton. Her small council is commonly referred to as the Black Council in the source material book Fire & Blood, which will be used for extra context.

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Rhaenyra Targaryen

Rhaenyra Leads The Black Council As Queen

Queen Rhaenyra herself is the leader of the Black Council and has the final say in their decisions. According to King Viserys and the oaths sworn by many of the great houses of Westeros, Rhaenyra Targaryen is the rightful ruler of the Seven Kingdoms, making Aegon II a usurper. The purpose of the Black Council is to see Rhaenyra take control of the Iron Throne in King’s Landing, with various members having vastly different perspectives on how to do so. Season 2 has seen Rhaenyra take steps to avoid a violent cycle, but war inches toward her regardless.

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Daemon Targaryen

Daemon Is Rhaenyra’s Husband, Making Him King Consort

Daemon is Rhaenyra’s wife/uncle, who’s regarded as one of the most prominent warriors and dragonriders in the Seven Kingdoms. He’s been granted the title King Consort on the TV series, which specifically denotes that he is not the ruling monarch. Once the heir to the Iron Throne himself due to being King Viserys’ brother, there seems to still be part of Daemon who wants absolute power for himself, but his and Rhaenyra’s interests align well enough for him to remain with her. He and his dragon Caraxes leave to bring Harrenhal and the Riverlands over to the Blacks.

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Rhaenys Targaryen

Rhaenys Is A Member Of The Targaryen Family And A Dragonrider

Rhaenys Targaryen is another powerful dragonrider who’s granted a position on the council as a member of Rhaenyra’s royal family. Rhaenys is the wife of Lord Corlys Velaryon and was pivotal in season 1 in bringing House Velaryon onto Rhaenyra’s side, making her an immensely valuable ally. While not always keen on Rhaenyra in season 1, her role in the Black Council has seen Rhaenys come to the defense of her cousin, enforcing Rhaenyra’s rule even against Daemon and helping her maintain order against outspoken lords.

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Corlys Velaryon

Corlys Is The Lord Of Driftmark & Leader Of House Velaryon

Corlys Velaryon is an invaluable member of Rhaenyra’s council, though he hasn’t consistently occupied his seat there in season 2. Corlys commands the largest fleet in Westeros and is the ruler of one of the continent’s wealthiest families. In response to Aegon II and the Greens usurping the Iron Throne, Lord Corlys has established a naval blockade of King’s Landing in the Gullet, blocking many of the capital’s main maritime trade routes. Corlys Velaryon is undoubtedly one of the most powerful characters in House of the Dragon season 2.

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Jacaerys Velaryon

Jacaerys Is Rhaenyra’s Son & Heir

Rhaenyra’s eldest son, Jacaerys Velaryon, has proven his worth and position on the Black Council by delegating with House Stark and House Arryn, bringing valuable allies to his mother’s side. Jacaerys is young, but he’s a dragonrider who is passionate and competent in supporting his side. Season 2 shows that he’s granted attendance in the Black Council as a member of Rhaenyra’s loyal family and, importantly, as Rhaenyra’s heir. If Rhaenyra wins the Iron Throne, Jacaerys will one day rule as king, making his personal stake in the Dance of the Dragons quite high.

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Lucerys Velaryon

Lucerys Was Rhaenyra’s Second-Born Son

Lucerys Velaryon sat on the first Black Council at the end of House of the Dragon season 1 despite his young age. As a boy of roughly the age of 12, Lucerys rode the dragon Arrax. Both were killed in the House of the Dragon season 1 ending, serving as the catalyst for the Dance of the Dragons kicking off into a violent cycle. Aside from being part of Rhaenyra’s royal family, automatically granting him a seat, Lucerys Velaryon was the heir to Driftmark and the holdings of House Velaryon. His death creates an issue for Corlys in season 2, as the Seasnake is left without an heir.

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Baela Targaryen

Baela Is Daemon’s Daughter

Baela Targaryen is the daughter of Prince Daemon Targaryen and the late Laena Velaryon, making her the granddaughter of Corlys and Rhaenys. As a member of Rhaenyra’s family and as the betrothed to Prince Jacaerys Velaryon, Baela has a seat on the Black Council. In Fire & Blood, her dragon Moondancer is too small during the early stages of the Dance of the Dragons, but the colorful green dragon has been aged up slightly for the series. Baela is a competent dragonrider, making her of incredible value to the Blacks.

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Rhaena Targaryen

Rhaena Is Daemon’s Daughter

Rhaena Targaryen is Baela’s twin sister, who was previously betrothed to Lucerys Velaryon. She’s barely appeared in the TV series so far, but her familial relations grant her a position on Rhaenyra’s council. Rhaena’s dragon, Morning, isn’t large enough to be ridden during the early stages of the Dance of the Dragons, making her primarily a background character during the early stages of the series. Upon House Arryn’s request for a dragon, Rhaena, the young prince Joffrey Velaryon, and their dragons are sent to Gulltown for safety during the conflict.

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Lord Simon Staunton

Simon Staunton Is The Lord Of Rook’s Rest

Lord Simon Staunton is the first member of Rhaenyra’s council who isn’t part of the Targaryen or Velaryon families. He’s the head of House Staunton and the Lord of Rook’s Rest, a fortress notable for its strategic location in the Crownlands. He’s a lesser lord in the grandstanding of Westeros, but his name and castle are of importance to the Dance of the Dragons, as the Battle of Rook’s Rest is a pivotal moment in the conflict.

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Lord Bartimos Celtigar

Bartimos Celtigar Is The Lord Of Claw Isle

House Celtigar has distinct ties with the Targaryens, as they’re another noble house with Valyrian blood. Lord Bartimos Celtigar is introduced at the first assembly of the Black Council in House of the Dragon season 1, where he bickers with Lord Staunton. Despite his minor appearances in the TV adaptation, he plays a vital role in the Black Council’s decisions in Fire & Blood, and the book details that he’s known for his wealth and ingenuity.

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Lord Gormon Massey

Gormon Massey Is The Lord Of Stonedance

House Massey is another noble house in the Crownlands, ruling the castle Stonedance. Lord Gormon Massey didn’t attend the first Black Council meeting in season 1, but he was mentioned as a potential ally at the time. He’s been present at council meetings in season 2, evidently deciding to join the Blacks. He’s been relegated to the background primarily so far and isn’t a part of any major plot points from the book.

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Ser Alfred Broome

Ser Alfred Broome Is A Knight Serving On Dragonstone

House Broome is a lesser noble house of the Westerlands, making them technically bannermen of House Lannister. However, none of the battlelines in House of the Dragon are neatly defined, and Ser Alfred Broome finds himself as a knight on Rhaenyra’s council. Unlike the other knights present at Black Council meetings, Broome has his own seat at the table. Fire & Blood explains that he’s there because he’d served as a garrisoned knight on Dragonstone for decades prior to the war, meaning he could be in charge of the island’s garrison.

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Maester Gerardys

Gerardys Is The Maester Of Dragonstone

Every small council in Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon has had its maester. While Maester Orwyle serves with the Greens in King’s Landing, Gerardys is the maester of Dragonstone and of Rhaenyra’s household. In season 1, he witnesses Rhaenyra and Daemon’s wedding and monitors Rhaenyra through her pregnancies. Gerardys is also Jacaerys Velaryon’s teacher, making him a trusted figure among the family. He’s present for every Black Council meeting on the show.

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Ser Lorent Marbrand

Ser Lorent Marbrand Is A Knight On Rhaenyra’s Queensguard

Ser Lorent Marbrand was a member of King Viserys Targaryen’s Kingsguard but was assigned to Rhaenyra before the king’s death. He’s already present at Dragonstone at the time the Dance begins and swears allegiance to the Blacks since Daemon threatens to burn him alive. Still, Ser Lorent valiantly defends Rhaenyra during the duel between Erryk and Arryk Cargyll, stepping in front of the Queen even without his armor to protect her from the bloody conflict.

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Ser Steffon Darklyn

Ser Steffon Darklyn Is A Knight On Rhaenyra’s Queensguard

Ser Steffon Darklyn was another member of King Viserys’ Kingsguard who found himself on Dragonstone at the time of the late king’s death. Steffon has served since the time of King Jaehaerys, making him one of the most experienced knights in the realm, and he believes Rhaenyra to be the rightful heir, even though Daemon doesn’t give him much choice. As a member of Rhaenyra’s Queensguard, Ser Steffon is present during meetings of the Black Council.

1

Ser Erryk Cargyll

Ser Erryk Cargyll Was A Knight On Rhaenyra’s Queensguard

Ser Erryk Cargyll was another knight of King Viserys’ Kingsguard who chose to side with Rhaenyra when the war began, traveling to Dragonstone and formally kneeling in front of her. He was a loyal follower of Rhaenyra’s, posted behind the queen during council meetings. He defended her valiantly from his own brother, Ser Arryk Cargyll, when he attempted to assassinate her in House of the Dragon season 2. After killing his brother, Erryk took his own life.