The Riders of Vermithor in Fire & Blood: A Deep Dive
In George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, the history of House Targaryen is filled with dragons and their riders. The formidable dragon Vermithor, also known as the Bronze Fury, is no exception. Throughout his long life, Vermithor had a couple of notable riders, but his story is most closely associated with one individual. The most significant rider of Vermithor in Fire & Blood is Hugh Hammer, a blacksmith and bastard from Dragonstone who claims the dragon during the Dance of the Dragons.
Vermithor’s Initial Bond with King Jaehaerys I Targaryen
Vermithor’s story begins with King Jaehaerys I Targaryen, also known as the Old King. Jaehaerys I was Vermithor’s first and longest rider. Their bond began early in Jaehaerys’ life, and they remained connected for over half a century. During Jaehaerys’s reign, Vermithor was a powerful force and a symbol of the king’s authority. After the death of Jaehaerys, Vermithor became riderless for almost five decades.
The Riderless Years on Dragonstone
Following the death of Jaehaerys I in 103 AC, Vermithor retired to the volcanic island of Dragonstone and made his lair within the smoking caverns of the Dragonmont. He remained unclaimed throughout the reign of Jaehaerys’s successor, King Viserys I Targaryen. During this time, Vermithor was one of the three wild, riderless dragons on Dragonstone, alongside the Cannibal and Silverwing, who had also lost her rider with the passing of Queen Alysanne, Jaehaerys’ beloved wife. Despite not having a rider, Vermithor remained a formidable presence on the island. He was not actively aggressive, but his immense size and power were clear to all. His presence served as a reminder of the Targaryen’s past power and a potential force for the future.
Hugh Hammer: The Bastard Who Claimed Vermithor
The Dance of the Dragons, a brutal Targaryen civil war, saw the rise of many unexpected figures, and Hugh Hammer was one of them. With the death of King Viserys I, his daughter Rhaenyra and his son Aegon II clashed, each claiming the throne, and the realm was plunged into chaos. Desperate for dragonriders, Rhaenyra’s faction, the Blacks, put out a call for volunteers. These would-be dragon riders, often referred to as dragonseeds, were tested to see if they could bond with a dragon.
The Sowing of the Seeds
This event, often called the Sowing, the Red Sowing, or the Sowing of the Seeds, was a gamble. Many failed, but Hugh Hammer, a bastard blacksmith, succeeded in claiming Vermithor. He was bold, brash, and strong, with a powerful presence that seems to have appealed to the veteran dragon. Hugh was not a traditional noble, but the needs of war overlooked the issue of his low birth. He was given the surname “Hammer” upon becoming a dragonrider. With Vermithor’s size and experience, the Blacks now had an additional weapon in the war.
Hugh’s Betrayal at Tumbleton
However, the dragon’s allegiance would prove unstable. In a twist of fate, Hugh and the other dragonseed Ulf White, who had claimed Silverwing, betrayed the Blacks at Tumbleton, turning their dragons on the forces they were meant to be supporting. This event, known as the Betrayal at Tumbleton, became a major turning point in the war. With his mighty dragon, Hugh was among the most powerful individuals in Westeros. Despite being a blacksmith, Hugh now had the power to command kings and was no longer beholden to anyone.
The Death of Hugh and Vermithor
Hugh’s rise to power would be short-lived. He and Ulf White became increasingly arrogant and demanding, calling themselves lords and princes. Ultimately, Hugh was killed before he could reach Vermithor in the Second Battle of Tumbleton. Vermithor, now riderless once again, was engaged in a desperate battle with Seasmoke and Tessarion. He killed Seasmoke by ripping his head off, but his own wings were so badly damaged that he could not take flight, and he collapsed and died alongside the dragon he had killed. Vermithor did not survive the Dance of the Dragons.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who was the first rider of Vermithor?
The first rider of Vermithor was King Jaehaerys I Targaryen, known as the Old King.
2. How long did Jaehaerys I ride Vermithor?
Jaehaerys I rode Vermithor for approximately half a century, his entire reign and the majority of his life.
3. What happened to Vermithor after Jaehaerys died?
After Jaehaerys died, Vermithor became riderless and lived in the Dragonmont caverns on Dragonstone.
4. What was the “Sowing of the Seeds”?
The Sowing was a desperate attempt by the Black faction during the Dance of the Dragons to recruit new dragonriders. They tested dragonseeds, individuals who were believed to have Targaryen blood, to see if they could bond with unclaimed dragons.
5. Who was Hugh Hammer before becoming a dragonrider?
Hugh Hammer was a bastard blacksmith from Dragonstone.
6. How did Hugh Hammer claim Vermithor?
Hugh Hammer successfully bonded with Vermithor during the Sowing of the Seeds. He seemed to have a powerful presence that impressed the old dragon.
7. What was the Betrayal at Tumbleton?
The Betrayal at Tumbleton refers to when Hugh Hammer and Ulf White betrayed the Blacks and turned their dragons, Vermithor and Silverwing, against them.
8. Did Hugh Hammer become a Lord?
After claiming Vermithor, Hugh Hammer became increasingly arrogant and began to call himself Lord. He also demanded titles and riches, feeling that a dragonrider should be treated like nobility.
9. How did Hugh Hammer die?
Hugh Hammer was killed in the Second Battle of Tumbleton before he could reach his dragon Vermithor, with some sources claiming he died when Ser Jon Roxton beheaded him in a brawl.
10. How did Vermithor die?
Vermithor died in the Second Battle of Tumbleton. After killing Seasmoke, his wings were too badly damaged to fly, and he fell and died.
11. Did Daemon Targaryen ever ride Vermithor?
In Fire & Blood, Daemon Targaryen never rides Vermithor. He is already bonded to his own dragon, Caraxes.
12. Was Vermithor bigger than Caraxes?
Yes, Vermithor was significantly bigger than Caraxes. Caraxes was a large dragon, but Vermithor was one of the largest dragons alive during the Dance.
13. Was Vermithor bigger than Vhagar?
Vhagar was larger than Vermithor. Vhagar was the oldest and one of the largest dragons in Westeros at the time.
14. Did Vermithor fight Vhagar?
No, Vermithor never fought Vhagar in the Fire & Blood narrative.
15. Was Vermithor on Team Black?
Initially, Vermithor was on Team Black when claimed by Hugh Hammer. However, Hugh later betrayed the Blacks, aligning the dragon with the Greens. After Hugh’s death, Vermithor was without a rider, but due to Hugh’s treason, the dragon never fought for the Blacks again.