Why Criston Cole’s Handkerchief Matters in ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3

‘House of the Dragon’ captivates its audience not through grand gestures, but with subtle details that resonate deeply. This is particularly true for Ser Criston Cole, whose journey in season three has been significantly influenced by a small yet meaningful object he carries throughout the episodes.

Once regarded as one of the most despised characters in the franchise, Cole’s choices have consistently pushed the realm closer to conflict. However, amidst his increasingly ruthless actions, a handkerchief, gifted to him by Alicent Hightower, has emerged as a poignant symbol, accompanying him through every battle.

The handkerchief first appeared in season two, episode three, titled ‘The Burning Mill’, during a heartfelt farewell between Alicent and Cole before he heads off to war. At that time, their secret affair had already begun following the death of her husband, King Viserys. Despite their relationship becoming strained due to Cole’s second-guessing of Alicent during a Small Council meeting, she presented him with a token of her affection.

Cole specifically requested her favor to carry into battle, and Alicent obliged by giving him a handkerchief adorned with an ornate letter A. Although they never met again after that moment, Cole kept the handkerchief close during all subsequent campaigns.

The significance of the handkerchief became even more pronounced in season three, episode six, when Cole and his men march toward Harrenhal alongside Gwayne Hightower. Gwayne notices the handkerchief and accuses Cole of violating his Kingsguard vows, prompting Cole to reflect on the choices that led him to this moment.

This moment of regret intensifies during the episode’s opening, where Cole and his remaining men are ambushed by the Black army in a sequence known as the Butcher’s Ball. Surrounded and outnumbered, Cole retrieves the handkerchief from his sleeve, caresses the embroidery, and wraps it around the hilt of his sword before challenging his foes to a duel.

This act becomes his final gesture before he is struck down by a barrage of arrows, with the handkerchief still clutched in his hand—a final link to the relationship that mattered most to him. Fabien Frankel, the actor portraying Cole, noted that this emotional connection was intentional as he approached the character’s concluding arc.

Frankel shared with Variety that both Alicent and Rhaenyra lingered in Cole’s thoughts throughout the war, but he felt that Alicent occupied a more significant space in his mind, suggesting that Rhaenyra had faded into the background. For Cole, the war had become about Alicent, reframing the handkerchief as more than just a prop; it symbolizes what he was truly fighting for in his final moments.

This adds a tragic layer to his demise, as Alicent remains oblivious to his fate, confined within the Red Keep and cut off from any news of the conflict. The handkerchief stands as the sole remnant of their unfinished relationship, even though Alicent never learns of its profound significance.

For a character often defined by cruelty, the handkerchief reveals a rare glimpse of vulnerability, a detail the show clearly intended for viewers to recognize until his last breath.

‘House of the Dragon’ continues its third season weekly on HBO and HBO Max.

What are your thoughts on the handkerchief’s significance in Criston Cole’s final moments? Share your insights in the comments.