Learn the history leading up to House of the Dragon with George R. R. Martin!

In preparation for the upcoming House of the Dragon, HBO has just released a rather nice video in which George R. R. Martin himself, author of A Song of Ice and Fire and co-executive producer for this show, tells us all about the history of the Targaryens, Velaryons and Hightowers—everything you may need to know before embarking on this new journey set two centuries before Game of Thrones.

You can see how the seeds of war are sometimes planted in a time of peace. People die, and sons take over for fathers as lords, and they don’t necessarily think they’re bound by their fathers allegiances, or decisions, or vows. So, little by little, the seeds are spreading. — George R. R. Martin

Dragons will rule the Seven Kingdoms for the next hundred years, just as they did the last. — King Viserys I Targaryen

Alongside Martin’s wonderful history lesson, we get a few lightly-animated illustrations of King’s Landing as it grows, a weirwood on fire, Oldtown and its Hightower, the Velaryon Fleet (on Driftmark? It looks more city-like than I’d expect), and three dragons breaking a siege against a castle.

There are also a few new shots from the show, although nothing mindblowing:

King Viserys (Paddy Considine) looking ominously at flames

A closer shot of the dragon flying over the Red Keep

A young Aicent Hightower (Emily Corey) enters the throne room

The Great Council of Harrenhal!

Old King Jaehaerys (Michael Carter) calls the Great Council to choose his successor

King Viserys (Paddy Considine) and Queen Aemma (Sian Brooke) share a moment

Alicent’s litter, guarded by a kingsguard, enters King’s Landing

We’ve seen this King’s Landing shot before in third-party footage, but this is better quality

So, what do you think about this? Personally, I could hear Martin talk all day!

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