In George R.R. Martin's universe, House of the Dragon continues to introduce a plethora of characters, each adding depth and intrigue to the unfolding drama of the Targaryen Civil War. One such character that fans are eager to learn more about is Benjicot Blackwood, a figure of significance during the tumultuous period known as the Dance of the Dragons.
Benjicot Blackwood, often referred to as Bloody Ben, was the young Lord of Raventree Hall and the head of House Blackwood during the Dance of the Dragons and the subsequent reign of King Aegon III Targaryen. His story is one of bravery, loyalty, and the harsh realities of medieval warfare, making him a compelling character in the lore of Westeros.
Who is Benjicot Blackwood in House of the Dragon?
Benjicot Blackwood has not appeared on any episode of House of the Dragon. According to the books, he became Lord at eleven years old after his father, Samwell, had died in the 129 AC Battle at Burning Mill. He quickly rose through the ranks despite his youth as a good military leader, earning himself the nickname Bloody Ben from his troops.
During the Dance for Dragons, Benjicot was extremely loyal to Queen Rhaenyra, which placed him as an important ally in the black faction. He exhibited this quality in a number of crucial battles, such as the Second Tumbleton Battle and Kingsroad Combat, where he showed great skills and determination to support Rhaenyra’s cause for the Iron Throne.
These battles fought by him significantly shaped this civil war, thus highlighting his importance within it.
Everything we know about Benjicot Blackwood in House of the Dragon
Benjicot was described as tall and slim, with a shy and sensitive demeanor. However, this belied his fierce nature when armored for battle. His duality as both a sensitive young lord and a formidable warrior made him a unique and memorable character.
Despite his tender age, Benjicot played a key role in several Dance of Dragons battles, for example, leading the center during the Second Battle of Tumbleton and playing a crucial part in the defeat of the Greens at the Battle of Kingsroad. His skills enabled him to be called Bloody Ben by soldiers who respected and followed him as leader.
Throughout all these wars, Benjicot’s support for Queen Rhaenyra was unwavering. He even personally appealed to her to protect riverlands from Prince Aemond Targaryen’s incursions, showing that he fought on behalf of blacks. These acts were essential for keeping up morale among Rhaenyra’s loyalists.
He lived a long life serving his house and realm during King Aegon III’s reign. This includes making it possible for Lord Alyn Velaryon to remove his brother Addam's remains from Raventree Hall so that they could be entombed on Driftmark.
When will we see him in House of the Dragon?
HBO Max has not communicated anything about Benjicot Blackwood in House of the Dragon as yet. But with his big role in Dance of the Dragons, he is likely to be seen in future seasons as the show covers this perilous time in Westeros' history.
Some people think that a character resembling Benjicot may appear in previews for future episodes that seem to have been released recently. IMDb names this person as Blackwood Lad, played by Jerry Wilder and possibly featuring Benjicot or any other helper his age.
The introduction of him, given what he represents historically, would enhance further intrigue throughout the series.
Benjicot Blackwood was an extremely courageous and brilliant tactician whose actions had a huge impact on the Dance of the Dragons. Fans of the series eagerly await his introduction in House of the Dragon, where his story will undoubtedly add to the rich narrative tapestry of the Targaryen civil war.