Who is Torrhen Stark in House of the Dragon? Everything to know about the 'King Who Knelt'

House of the Dragon season 2 episode 1 premiered on HBO and Max on Sunday, June 16, 2024. The first installment of the second season, titled A Son for a Son, takes viewers back to Winterfell and they hear the voice of Lord Cregan Stark, who says, "Duty is sacrifice. It eclipses all things, even blood."

A ceremony is featured in the first episode in which House Stark sends one of their Kin to the Night's Watch, similar to Jon Snow, who joined the Night's Watch in Game of Thrones. The Night's Watch needs the Starks to fight the enemy beyond the wall.

In the latest episode of House of the Dragon, Lucerys’ brother Jacaerys is on a mission to Winterfell to obtain the North’s support for the upcoming civil war - the Dance of The Dragons.

When Jacaerys talks to Lord Cregan Stark, the latter tells him about Torrhen Stark, his ancestor in House of the Dragon. He mentions that it was he who started the custom of one in 10 men being required to join in the Night's Watch during the long winters. The Starks consider this to be a duty of honor rather than a sentence. In episode 1 of House of the Dragon season 2, he speaks about Torrhen Stark and says:

"Through its long tradition, the Night’s Watch cultivated its strength from doomed men who had their life as their only possession. But my ancestor, Torrhen Stark, began a tradition by making an offering at the onset of winter."

He continues:

"One in 10 men from our household must be chosen to fortify the watch. This is not a sentence, but an honor. A duty embraced by all who serve the North."

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House of the Dragon: Torrhen Stark and his Legacy explored

Before Aegon Targaryen arrived to invade Westeros, Torrhen Stark was the head of House Stark and the King in the North. After he swore to Aegon, he became the first Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North. Later, Torrhen returned to Winterfell after Aegon captured King’s Landing and the Red Keep.

Although many of his North Men weren’t pleased about the surrender and wanted him to go against the Targaryens, Torrhen continued to help Aegon in his future conquests as he believed in unity and wanted the North to prosper under Aegon's rule.

Torrhen was buried in the Crypts of Winterfell after his death.

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Why did Torrhen Stark bend his knee to Aegon I Targaryen?

To protect his people and his army from Aegon I Targaryen and his dragons, Torrhen Stark decided to surrender to him rather than oppose him, and was thus called the 'King Who Knelt.'

Torrhen was a sensible leader who resisted giving in to arrogance. He was aware of the power Aegon, his dragons, and his sisters possessed. They could have used dragon fire to unleash hell and wipe out everyone from the north. Torrhen bowed his head and gave up, as he wished to save his people.

In addition, Torrhen thought that Aegon would unite the Seven Kingdoms and support the North in its conflict with the army of the dead, often known as the White Walkers. The dragons played a massive role against the army of the dead and a combined army of the Targaryens and the Starks could have saved the rest of the world against the impending winter.

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How many men did Torrhen Stark have?

Torrhen, the King In The North had a total of 30,000 men. He took his massive army into the Riverlands to fight against the Targaryens, led by Aegon Targaryen, who were coming to capture the North after having conquered most of Westeros.

In the latest House of the Dragon episode, while trying to gain support from the North, Jacaerys attempts to invoke Cregan's ancestry and reminds him of Torrhen Stark by saying:

“Surely the great Torrhen Stark would’ve sooner died than bend the knee — unless he believed the Conqueror could bring unity to the Seven Kingdoms.”

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House of the Dragon season 2 is now streaming on Max.