House of the Dragon season 2 has introduced the blacksmith Hugh Hammer – who is he and why is he so important?

House of the Dragon season 2 has introduced Hugh Hammer, but who is he and what's his story?

As it turns out, he's a pretty significant figure in Westerosi history, and his involvement in the Targaryen civil war is a huge deal. We first see him petitioning King Aegon in the first episode of the season, but he's become a key figure in the show since then. 

Now, before we go any further, a warning that the following will contain spoilers for House of the Dragon season 2 episodes 1-7. We also delve into a story contained in George R.R. Martin's source material, which means there are also spoilers for the book! Turn back now if you don't want to know what might be happening next! 

Still reading? Then let's delve into story of the blacksmith Hugh Hammer and what it means for House of the Dragon.

Who is Hugh Hammer in House of the Dragon?

In House of the Dragon season 2, episode 1, King Aegon holds court over the small folk who come to petition him for favors. One blacksmith in particular, who goes only by Hugh in the episode, is a pretty significant part of Westerosi history. 

His introduction sees him petitioning Aegon to be paid before he and his team have built the Scorpions used to defend against dragons, since the cost of iron has grown, so it seems clear this is none other than Hugh Hammer. Kieran Bew is playing him.

As the season goes on, we see that Hugh and his wife are struggling in poverty in King's Landing, and their child is sick. Ultimately, Hugh answers the call for dragonseeds and goes to Dragonstone to try and tame a dragon. As it turns out, he's the bastard son of Saera Targaryen, Daemon and Viserys's aunt who was banished by her father. She ended up in Lys working in a pleasure house, and then Volantis as the owner of her own pleasure house. This heritage allows Hugh to claim the dragon Vermithor at Dragonstone. 

Hugh Hammer's story explained *book spoilers* 

Much like in the show, in George R.R. Martin's Fire and Blood, Hugh is a bastard with Valyrian heritage. During the Dance of the Dragons, Rhaenyra's son Jace Velaryon puts out a call for people who might be able to ride dragons – thanks to his Valyrian blood, Hugh is one of these dragonseeds. Hugh eventually claims the dragon Vermithor and fights on the side of the blacks. 

But, eventually, he switches allegiances – he and his fellow turncoat Ulf White are dubbed the Two Betrayers when they join the side of the greens. 

Hugh aspires to become king and manages to get soldiers on his side thanks to a prophecy predicting a new king: "When the hammer shall fall upon the dragon, a new king shall arise, and none shall stand before him." Game of Thrones fans might remember Rhaegar Targaryen was killed by Robert Baratheon's hammer…

Hugh crowns himself with black iron, but is ultimately killed by a knight fighting on the side of the greens – fittingly enough, he's killed with Valyrian steel. 

House of the Dragon continues weekly on HBO in the US and Sky and NOW in the UK. For more, check out our pieces on:

• House of the Dragon season 2 showrunner on why Blood and Cheese is nothing like Game of Thrones' Red Wedding
• House of the Dragon season 2 showrunner doesn't feel the pressure of following the controversial Game of Thrones season 8: "Our challenge comes from within"
• House of the Dragon showrunner teases season 3: "You don't want to end up in that place where you're doing the same thing again and again"
• House of the Dragon season 2 showrunner breaks down the complicated relationship between Daemon and Rhaenyra: "Conflict is the order of the day"
• House of the Dragon season 2 showrunner says Rhaenyra and Alicent's bond is still the heart of the show: "We understand that these two women are connected"
• The House of the Dragon dragons, listed and explained
• Greens vs. Blacks, explained
• The Targaryen family tree
• The House of the Dragon timeline
• The history of Vhagar
• The Song of Ice and Fire prophecy