Summary
House Hightower of the Reach is at the forefront of the civil war between Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen and her half-brother, Aegon II. The Hightowers of Oldtown field swords for the Targaryen-Hightower king, Aegon II. As it happens, Alicent Hightower is the Dowager Queen, the daughter of Aegon II’s Hand, and the niece of Lord Hobert Hightower of Oldtown.
PerHouse of the Dragon, House Hightower isthe third-richest House in the realm, only next to Houses Lannister and Velaryon. They have maintained wealth and influence across several generations and possessa Valyrian steel sword named Vigilance. An old money family, these quotes aptly describe the Hightowers ofHouse of the Dragon.
1"The Beacon On The Hightower, Do You Know What Color It Glows When Oldtown Calls Its Banners To War?"
Season 1, Episode 5: “We Light The Way”
Larys Strong asks his brother, Ser Harwin, this question, and"Green,“comes the reply. Queen Alicent Hightower makes a dramatic entrance at Rhaenyra and Laenor Velaryon’s wedding. She arrives just as King Viserys Targaryen begins the wedding speech. She deliberately shows up late, dressed in the colors of House Hightower, to set the tone for future interactions with Princess Rhaenyra.
Alicent’s choice of dress is no accident, but a war cry. Her emerald green ensemble signals that her loyalties lie with her father, Otto, whom Viserys dismissed as Hand a short while ago. Alicent is almost always seen in emerald green and her color of clothing indicates a split with Princess Rhaenyra, who dresses in the quintessential Targaryen black and red colors.
2"My Father And I Are Mere Stewards Of The King’s Will And Wisdom.”
Season 1, Episode 8: “The Lord Of The Tides”
Rhaenyra leaves for King’s Landing when the legitimacy of her secondborn, Lucerys, and by extension, Jacaerys is called into question by Vaemond Velaryon. She and Prince Daemon feel they could have been received properly after years of staying away.
Alicent Hightower finds time to visit the couple later in the day as she’s busy ruling inViserys' stead, who is bedridden due to “the rot.“Rhaenyra doesn’t like that Alicent and Otto exercise their will in her father’s name. The Kingdoms know that real power resides with the Hightower duo, while King Viserys is relegated to a secondary role and rarely sits on the Iron Throne.
3"Ah, The Maesters…”
Queen Alicent and Princess Rhaenyra cross paths inHouse of the Dragon’s “The Lord of the Tides,” when the Princess is summoned to King’s Landing to petition in favor of Prince Lucerys as the rightful successor to Driftmark. Everyone and their mother at court knowRhaenyra’s first three sonsfrom her first marriage to Laenor are Velaryon only in name. Since the Princes do not share blood with the Lord of the Tides, Corlys Velaryon, Vaemond petitions himself to be the rightful successor to Driftmark.
Rhaenyra is shocked to see her father’s deteriorating condition. It’s been six years since they last saw each other, and her father is at the point of death. The Hightowers have taken advantage of this situation and used Viserys' failing health to concentrate power in their hands. They are the reason Vaemond Velaryon is emboldened to contest the succession of Driftmark in the first place. Real power before the start of the Dance of the Dragons lies with the Hightowers, and it’s only a matter of time until they usurp the throne.
4"The Emblems Of The Seven Serve Only To Guide Us On An Uncertain Path. To Remind Us Of A Higher Authority.”
In the same conversation, Daemon Targaryen points out that the Targaryen heraldry in the Red Keep has been replaced with the emblems of the Faith of the Seven. Alicent Hightower has a clever reply for Daemon, as she’s a devotee.
House Hightower of Oldtown is a patron ofthe Faith of the Seven. Traditionally, the House established commercial relations far and wide and opposed bloodshed and wars. Their participation in the Dance of the Dragons remains an exception. The Hightowers were the first royals to accept the Seven when the Andals brought it to Westeros. Under the Hightower patronage, the office of High Septon and the Starry Sept were established in Oldtown.
While preparing to leave for Oldtown, Otto Hightower chastises Alicent for choosing Rhaenyra over him and House Hightower. Alicent retorts that it was he who caused bitterness at the court by nudging the king to supplant Rhaenyra and favor Aegon.
Otto tells Alicent that war is coming and that she must prepare Aegon to usurp power. He uses his dismissal as an opportunity to fearmonger and push his agenda. Otto wants to see his blood on the Iron Throne, while the truth is, that Rhaenyra’s camp hopes for a peaceful transfer of power. Otto’s brother, Lord Hobert Hightower, is no less. He wants to reap the benefits of the regime which has a Half Hightower, Half Targaryen yoke.
6"You Are The Challenge. You Are The Challenge, Aegon. Simply By Living And Breathing."
Season 1, Episode 6: “The Princess And The Queen”
In the next time jump, Alicent Hightower is heard parroting her father and uncle’s words. She’s had another son since, and now she’s become a paranoid mother of three children inHouse of the Dragon.
Alicent is anxious and resentful towards Rhaenyra’s claim to the Iron Throne and wants something to be done about it. Knowing full well that her husband, the King, won’t replace his firstborn from Aemma Arryn, she poisons young Aegon’s mind. The Hightowers' propaganda machinery rests on the fact that King Viserys' male heir should get to sit on the Iron Throne and that Rhaenyra is a cutthroat who will stop at nothing to get her revenge against Alicent and her children.
7"No Matter How Fat The Leech Grows, It Always Wants For Another Meal."
Season 1, Episode 7: “Driftmark”
Daemon Targaryen hits the nail on the head by calling Otto Hightower for what he is - a power-hungry leech. Otto is back as Viserys' Hand inHouse of the Dragon’s “Driftmark” and is looking for ways to maximize power. Daemon sees through him from the start. He knows the man has naked ambition and is gearing up for war.
Otto represents the Hightowers inHouse of the Dragon. They devise plans that will profit the House and themselves.
