Harwin Strong

Harwin Strong
Biographical information
Died	126 AC Harrenhal, the Riverlands
Political information
House(s)	Strong
Affiliation(s)	City Watch of King's Landing (formerly) Blacks
Title(s)	Ser Lord Commander of the City Watch (formerly)
Personal information
Also known as	Breakbones
Culture	Rivermen
Father	{Lyonel Strong}
Lover(s)	Rhaenyra Targaryen
Issue	Jacaerys Velaryon {Lucerys Velaryon} Joffrey Velaryon
World of Westeros
Series	House of the Dragon
Season(s)	1
Appeared in	4 episodes (see below)
First seen in	"Second of His Name"
Last seen in	"The Princess and the Queen"
Died in	"The Princess and the Queen"
Portrayed by	Ryan Corr

"He was gentle, and fierce. They called him 'Breakbones.' He loved us, I think."

―Jacaerys Velaryon

Ser Harwin Strong, popularly called Breakbones, was a knight of House Strong. He was the eldest son and heir of Lord Lyonel Strong of Harrenhal and the brother of Larys Strong.

Biography

Background

Harwin is the heir to Harrenhal, the largest castle in Westeros. He is said to be the strongest man in all the Seven Kingdoms.

House of the Dragon: Season 1

Harwin participates in the royal hunt in the Kingswood on Prince Aegon Targaryen's second nameday. When Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen returns from the woods covered in blood, with the carcass of the boar she killed in close combat, Harwin grins and looks at her in amazement.

Approximately a year later, Harwin has joined the City Watch of King's Landing. While patrolling the streets of the city, he runs into Rhaenyra, who he mistakes for a boy. Upon recognizing her, he lets her go.

The Strongs are present during Rhaenyra and Ser Laenor Velaryon's pre-wedding feast. Harwin briefly dances with Rhaenyra before being asked by Daemon to switch places with him. Later, a brawl breaks out in the throne room between Ser Criston Cole and Ser Joffrey Lonmouth, sending the crowd into a frenzy. As King Viserys looks for Rhaenyra, Lyonel gestures Harwin to retrieve the princess and save her from being trampled. Harwin tosses and punches people in the crowd to get to Rhaenyra, then slings her over his shoulder and wades out to safety.

Harwin becomes Lord Commander of the City Watch of King's Landing and Rhaenyra's lover over the next ten years, fathering three bastard children: Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey. Following an incident in the Red Keep's training yard in which Harwin attacks Criston Cole for insinuating the illegitimacy of the three princes, Harwin has a heated conversation with Lyonel. Later, Lyonel asks Viserys if he can bring Harwin, who has been dismissed from the City Watch, back to Harrenhal to prepare him to rule their family's seat. The king agrees. After Harwin leaves, Jace asks Rhaenyra if Harwin is his father, to which Rhaenyra replies that he is a Targaryen, and that is all that matters.

At Harrenhal, Lyonel is awakened by a fire set by Larys's agents in the night. Harwin rushes to his father's chamber door, but it has been sealed shut. The ceiling collapses on them, and they both burn to death.

During Laena Velaryon's funeral, Jace, who has already an inkling of his real father's identity, tells his mother that they should be at Harrenhal to mourn Lyonel and Harwin. Rhaenyra answers it would not be appropriate, pointing out that the Velaryons are their kin and the Strongs are not.

House of the Dragon: Season 2

Baela Targaryen asks Jacaerys Velaryon about Harwin in a private conversation, inferring she knows Harwin was Jace's biological father. Jace fondly calls Harwin gentle and fierce, and concludes Harwin did genuinely love him and his brothers, to which Baela agrees.

Harwin's great-uncle, Ser Simon Strong tells Daemon he genuinely believes Harwin and Lyonel's deaths were Larys Strong's handiwork, citing the suspicious nature of the fire that claimed their lives.

Personality

He was a fierce and loyal protector of those he loved.

Family

Lord Strong Deceased

Lady Strong

Simon Strong

Wife

Lyonel Strong Deceased

Wives

Son(s)

Harwin Strong Deceased

Rhaenyra Targaryen

Larys Strong

Germund Strong

Paxter Strong

Jacaerys Velaryon

Lucerys Velaryon Deceased

Joffrey Velaryon

Behind the scenes

On September 24, 2021, HBO announced that Ryan Corr had been cast in the role of Harwin Strong for House of the Dragon. His character description reads as follows:

"'Breakbones', Harwin is said to be the strongest man in the Seven Kingdoms. Ser Harwin is the eldest son to Master of Laws Lyonel Strong and heir to Harrenhal."

In the books

In Fire & Blood, Harwin Strong served as a captain of the City Watch of King's Landing.

Appearances

• – "Second of His Name"
• – "King of the Narrow Sea"
• – "We Light the Way"
• – "The Princess and the Queen"
• – "Driftmark" (mentioned)
• – "The Lord of the Tides" (mentioned)
• – "Rhaenyra the Cruel" (mentioned)
• – "The Burning Mill" (mentioned)

External links

• Harwin Strong on A Wiki of Ice and Fire (potential spoilers for House of the Dragon)
• Harwin Strong on The Official Guide

House Strong
Head	Larys Strong	Heir	Unknown
Seat	Harrenhal	Region	Riverlands
Titles	Lord of Harrenhal
Members	Simon Strong · Germund Strong · Paxter Strong
Deceased	Lyonel Strong · Harwin Strong
Household	Alys Rivers
Overlords	House Tully