Does Ulf the White Betray Rhaenyra in ‘House of the Dragon’?

Fans of ‘House of the Dragon’ have been grappling with a pressing question as the Dance of the Dragons unfolds. Does Ulf the White truly betray Rhaenyra, and if so, what leads a man she personally elevated to side with her enemies?

The short answer is yes, and the narrative behind his betrayal is far more complex and human than a straightforward villainous turn. Ulf’s storyline has become one of the most discussed elements of the ongoing Targaryen civil war, rooted in how he was recruited in the first place.

Ulf the White is introduced in ‘House of the Dragon’ season two as a man from King’s Landing with silver hair, claiming to be the grandson of Jaehaerys I Targaryen. Although Ulf is not Jaehaerys’ grandson and lacks a direct claim to the throne, he does possess Targaryen blood, sharing that lineage with Hugh, another impoverished man from King’s Landing.

Rhaenyra’s choice to recruit individuals like Ulf stemmed from desperation. Her forces were significantly outnumbered in the skies, prompting her to welcome the so-called dragonseeds—individuals of potential Targaryen descent who could claim a riderless dragon for her cause.

The four dragonseeds who emerge victorious and fight for Rhaenyra’s claim are Addam of Hull, Ulf the White, Hugh Hammer, and Nettles. Addam claims Seasmoke, Ulf rides Silverwing, Hugh mounts Vermithor, and Nettles tames the wild dragon known as Sheepstealer. Silverwing, once belonging to Queen Alysanne Targaryen, places Ulf in possession of one of the most historically significant dragons in Westeros.

For someone who spent his life as a nobody in King’s Landing, this newfound power alters everything. This transformation from a powerless bystander to a dragonrider is often cited as the real catalyst for what follows.

Reports on the source material suggest that Ulf’s issue was never a lack of opportunity but rather a lack of power. The series seems to suggest that he never intended to remain subordinate once he acquired a dragon. This perspective reframes the betrayal as less about sudden greed and more about a man who always felt entitled to more.

The pivotal moment occurs during the Battle of Tumbleton. Rhaenyra dispatches Ulf, Hugh, and their dragons to defend the outpost, but the dragonseeds quickly betray her forces, using their dragons to incinerate the town and shifting their loyalties to Team Green. Following this, Ulf and Hugh earn the infamous title of the Two Betrayers.

Part of their motivation stems from unfulfilled promises. Daemon attempted to persuade Rhaenyra to reward Ulf and Hugh with genuine power, including proposals to marry Ulf into House Stokesworth or grant him control of Storm’s End. However, Rhaenyra declined, sensing their ambitions were rooted in self-interest rather than the greater good. This refusal, whether justified or not, seems to have confirmed Ulf’s beliefs about his standing in her court.

The aftermath hits Rhaenyra hard, as she becomes increasingly paranoid that her remaining dragonseeds might also betray her. This betrayal creates chaos for both Team Black and Team Green.

Switching sides does not grant Ulf the life he envisioned. After Rhaenyra seizes King’s Landing with Hugh’s assistance, he is knighted and granted lands on Driftmark. However, once the duo defects at Tumbleton to join the Greens, Hugh begins to style himself as Lord and believes he is destined for kingship.

Ulf’s fate on the other side of the conflict is not much better. Following the capture of Tumbleton, he grows increasingly arrogant, unpredictable, and demanding, seeking castles, wealth, and honors that clash with both his humble origins and the trust his new allies placed in him, rendering him a political threat to both factions.

Team Green’s Prince Daeron does offer Ulf the title of Lord of Bitterbridge, but it fails to satisfy his insatiable ambition. This relentless desire ultimately costs him everything.

Neither Ulf nor Hugh emerges unscathed from the war they helped to shape. The Two Betrayers meet their end during and after the Second Battle of Tumbleton, with Ser Jon Roxton striking down Hugh before the battle concludes.

Ulf’s demise is arguably even more tragic given his aspirations. While the inebriated Ulf sleeps through the chaos, still attempting to claim the throne, Ser Hobert Hightower serves him poisoned wine. Ulf consumes three glasses and succumbs to the subtle poison in his sleep an hour later, marking a quiet and humiliating end for a man who once rode Queen Alysanne’s dragon.

This bleak conclusion highlights the downfall of a character whose journey began with great promise. Ulf transitioned from an overlooked man-at-arms to a dragonrider who played a crucial role in the Battle of the Gullet, only to let ambition lead to his own destruction. Whether the show portrays him as a tragic figure or merely a cautionary tale remains to be seen as season three approaches.

Now that Ulf’s fate and motivations are becoming clearer, do you believe ‘House of the Dragon’ is setting him up as a genuine tragedy or simply a warning about the consequences of unchecked ambition in the presence of a dragon?