Why did Daemon kill Willem Blackwood in House of The Dragon? His motives, explained

Daemon Targaryen killing Willem Blackwood in House of the Dragon was both very complicated and strategic, something that was essential given the political and military situation in which it occurred.

During the Dance of the Dragons, the civil war between the Targaryen factions known as the Blacks and Greens — in support of Rhaenyra Targaryen and Aegon II Targaryen — the securing of different noble houses was quite important.

One of the most vital areas in Westeros is the Riverlands, which were split in their loyalties, some houses belonging to the Blacks and others to the Greens. In House of the Dragon season 2, Willem Blackwood had become a staunch supporter of Rhaenyra and Daemon Targaryen.

He was put in charge of assaults against their rivals, House Bracken, who declared for the Greens. Blackwoods and Brackens engaged in a series of conflicts with one another, escalated by the civil war.

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Why Did Daemon Kill Blackwood House of the Dragon?

Willem Blackwood, who had pledged his allegiance to Daemon and Rhaenyra, was tasked by Daemon to launch brutal attacks on several places in the Riverlands. This was part of a campaign against House Bracken, another house that fought for Aegon's Greens.

Opposite to him was the new Lord Paramount of the Trident, Oscar Tully, who championed the interests of the Riverlords.

Tully wanted Daemon to openly denounce the atrocities and execute Blackwood as proof that he would not countenance such actions. That was bad timing on the part of Daemon, who urgently needed the Riverlords to boost Rhaenyra's claim to the throne.

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The act of loyalty and betrayal in House of the Dragon season 2 episode 7

Daemon understood that politically he needed to appease the Riverlords, and so he decided to sacrifice Blackwood.

Killing Blackwood would prove his commitment to justice and that no man — least of all his supporters — could act a law unto themselves. The move would pacify the Riverlords and gain him their allegiance. Daemon executed Blackwood — an act of political expedience.

He demonstrated to the Riverlords that he won't play games concerning order and justice, even if it involved punishing his allies. The act served to cement the Riverlords on Rhaenyra's side and further hardened her position in the ongoing struggle.

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The aftermath of Daemon's actions in House of the Dragon

While the execution of Blackwood was to cost Daemon a loyal ally, it had the further effect of securing for him the support of the other Riverlords.

In an important sense, that was critical in consolidation and assuring that the Riverlands remained loyal to Rhaenyra's cause. Their loyalty was important to the larger struggle for control of the Iron Throne.

Daemon's actions underline the convoluted and sometimes ruthless nature of the political manoeuvring during the Dance of the Dragons. His willingness to make some hard choices, even if it entailed personal disloyalty, underlines the cost and brutal reality of the Targaryen civil war.

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Daemon Targaryen killed Willem Blackwood for the strategic consolidation of power and tying up the loyalty of the Riverlords to the cause of Rhaenyra.

That marked a brutal deepness within political juggling and manoeuvring in the Dance of the Dragons, underlining how difficult choices one has to make and the sacrifices that need to be made for power.

Through such acts, one looks upon the intricate system of alliances and rivalries that characterizes this stormy period in Westeros as a Targaryen civil war begins to take shape in House of the Dragon.