Fans of House of the Dragon are curious to know about Samwell Blackwood. The series continues to introduce and develop different characters and their relations with each other. Viewers are wondering about Samwell Blackwood’s role and whether he was recast in Season 2.
So, who is Samwell Blackwood? Is he related to Willem Blackwood? Here is everything you need to know.
Who is Samwell Blackwood in House of the Dragon Season 2?
Samwell Blackwood was the Lord of Raventree Hall. He was present during King Viserys’ reign and died during King Aegon II’s era. Being the head of House Blackwood, Lord Samwell Blackwood led his army in the Battle of the Burning Mill.
In House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 3, it is shown that the Battle of Burning Mill began due to the young members of House Bracken and House Blackwood. They were arguing over Rhaenyra and Aegon which eventually resulted in a full-fledged battle. In the book Fire & Blood, the real cause of the conflict is portrayed differently, showing that a swordfight preludes the war rather than initiating it. The Brackens allied with King Aegon II, while the Blackwoods supported Rhaenyra. As loyalties were decided in season 1 ending, the two parties have been at loggerheads for over 10,000 years.
Season 1 Episode 4 hinted at this feud when members of both families wished to marry Rhaenyra. According to the book, the Blackwoods had sent raiders into Bracken’s land. Ser Armos, the son of Lord Humfrey Bracken, sent his army into Blackwood land leading to an ambush. The Battle of the Burning Hill was the first actual battle in the Targaryen civil war.
Did Samwell Blackwood appear in House of the Dragon Season 1 and was he recast?
Samwell Blackwood did not get recast in Season 2 because he has not appeared on the show yet.
The Blackwood boy seen in Season 1 Episode 4 is Willem (played by Alfie Todd), an original character for House of the Dragon. Samwell was killed off-screen, and Aemond mentioned his death during a small council meeting.
Are Samwell and Willem Blackwood related in House of the Dragon?
House of the Dragon is yet to establish a relationship between Samwell and Willem Blackwood.
In the show, Willem is a member of House Blackwood of Raventree Hall. However, his real relationship to the house is unknown except that he is Lord Lucas Blackwood’s great-great-grandson. He does not appear in the novels, A Song of Ice and Fire and Fire & Blood. It was previously believed that the character was based on Samwell. As episode 3 effectively introduces Samwell in the show’s narrative off-screen, a relationship between him and Willem may be established in the future.
