Includes SPOILERS for House of the Dragon season 2, episode 5, and Fire & Blood, the show’s source material.
House of the Dragon season 2 has featured Ser Alfred Broome as one of the most outspoken members of Rhaenyra’s council, and there are reasons why. As one of the supporting members of House of the Dragon’s cast, Broome is played by British actor Jamie Kenna. The beginning of the Dance of the Dragons has left Rhaenyra in desperate need of allies, and many new minor characters have been added to the rotation as representatives of these forces. For example, Daemon’s Harrenhal plotline has introduced Ser Simon Strong.
Rhaenyra’s small council is primarily composed of lords and knights from houses geographically close to Dragonstone and Driftmark. Many of them swore oaths to King Viserys years ago, and their proximity to Rhaenyra makes them stout allies of her cause. “The Red Dragon and the Gold” saw many of Rhaenyra’s allies taken out by the Greens’ army, including Lord Staunton, a member of her council. As her council thins in numbers, Ser Alfred Broome has become the loudest voice at the table.
Why Alfred Broome Is So Important To Rhaenyra’s Small Council
Alfred Broome Doesn’t Fully Believe In Rhaenyra As A Monarch
In the absence of Daemon and Corlys, and with Rhaenys’ death, Alfred Broome has posed a common threat to Rhaenyra in her small council, commonly serving as a contrarian. In episode 5, Broome makes misogynistic remarks about women’s ability to lead during wartime, and he’s constantly raised his voice in outrage at her decisions throughout season 2. Alfred Broome is a knight from House Broome who’s served on Dragonstone’s garrison for multiple decades, having been there since King Jaehaerys’ reign, roughly 20 years before the show started.
With that in mind, Broome essentially represents the old guard of Westeros, while the essence of Rhaenyra’s rule is change. She is a woman vying for her right to rule in a patriarchal society, and though Broome has served her in many ways, he may not fully support the idea of what she represents. In the absence of men like Corlys and Daemon, Broome wouldn’t dare speak out, but with them gone, he’s a thorn in Rhaenyra’s side who doesn’t truly like taking orders from her. Amid a rebellion ripe with betrayal, this is a rocky foundation for him as one of Rhaenyra’s supporters.
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Alfred Broome Does Betray Rhaenyra In The Dance Of The Dragons
Alfred Broome Leads A Coup At Dragonstone Leading To Rhaenyra’s Death
Alfred Broome’s continuous hostility toward Rhaenyra is setting up his future betrayal. Season 2, episode 5’s ending saw Rhaenyra send him away to meet with Daemon at Harrenhal, which he took as an insult as if he was being sent on timeout for his behavior. This will likely continue to sow division between them. Rhaenyra’s primary goal is to capture King’s Landing, and sometime, likely in season 3, she’ll succeed in doing so, and she’ll require a force to be left on Dragonstone to represent her name.
As a senior member of Dragonstone’s guard, Alfred Broome expects to be left as castellan of Dragonstone. Instead, she selects Ser Robert Quince, who hasn’t appeared yet on the show. When Rhaenyra captures King’s Landing, King Aegon is forced to flee the city, and he and his dragon Sunfyre take refuge on the island of Dragonstone. He’s able to do so by promising Broome wealth and lordship for protection. Broome then participated in a coup against Robert Quince, seizing the castle. He also attempts to kill Baela’s dragon, Moondancer.
Rhaenyra eventually returns to Dragonstone after riots in King’s Landing, and she’s shocked to find out what happened there. With Rhaenyra believing Broome to be an ally, he has her escorted to the castle, where he traps her and has her men killed. He then takes her to Aegon II and Sunfyre, who executes her with dragonfire. Aegon II then keeps Rhaenyra’s son, Aegon III, hostage and returns to King’s Landing with Broome at his side.
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Who Jeyne Arryn Is In HOTD & How She’s Connected To Game Of Thrones
House of the Dragon season 2, episode 5 officially introduces Rhaenyra’s cousin Lady Jeyne Arryn, who plays a significant role in the Targaryen war.
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What Happens To Alfred Broome
Alfred Broome Gets What He Deserves
While Rhaenyra isn’t the winner of the Dance of the Dragons, neither is Aegon. Upon returning to King’s Landing, Aegon II is betrayed and killed, and Rhaenyra’s son, Aegon III, is planted on the Iron Throne. But not before Aegon II tries to have Aegon III’s ears chopped off, which he hires Alfred Broome to carry out. Luckily, Alfred Broome is killed on his way to carry out these orders, as he’s pushed into the trench below the drawbridge at Maegor’s Holdfast, landing in spikes where he dies over two days. House of the Dragon viewers have a lot to look forward to.
House of the Dragon
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Taking place about 172 years before the events of Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon tells the tale of the rise of the Targaryens, the only family of dragonlords to survive the Doom of Valyria. The popular HBO spinoff show first starred Milly Alcock and Emily Carey as Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower before they were replaced by Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cooke, who play the older versions of the characters. Also starring in the series is Matt Smith (Prince Daemon Targaryen) and Paddy Considine as Rhaenyra’s father, King Viserys Targaryen.
- Cast
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Jefferson Hall
, Paddy Considine
, Fabien Frankel
, Ryan Corr
, Eve Best
, Gavin Spokes
, Graham McTavish
, Steve Toussaint
, Olivia Cooke
, Sonoya Mizuno
, Bill Paterson
, Matthew Needham
, Emma D’Arcy
, Matt Smith
, Rhys Ifans
, David Horovitch - Release Date
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August 21, 2022
- Seasons
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2
- Streaming Service(s)
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HBO Max
- Franchise(s)
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Game of Thrones