House of the Dragon Season 2 introduced some intriguing new faces. Among these is Alyn of Hull, who might not have a massive role yet but is definitely one to watch.
In the first episode of Season 2, we see a conversation between Lord Corlys and Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, hinting at Alyn’s mysterious identity.
Alyn of Hull, played by Abubakar Salim, is a sailor working on Lord Corlys’s Velaryon fleet. But who is he really, and why might he be important?
Alyn of Hull is revealed to be the bastard son of Lord Corlys Velaryon and Marilda Hull. This connection is highlighted when Princess Rhaenys insists that Alyn, who saved Lord Corlys’s life, should be honored rather than hidden.
Alyn makes his first appearance in Season 2, Episode 1, when the Sea Snake, Lord Corlys Velaryon, personally goes to the docks to meet him. The interaction between them is significant, with Corlys acknowledging Alyn as the man who dragged him from the sea. This rescue creates a bond of debt and gratitude between them.
We learn more about Alyn’s background as the season progresses. He has a brother named Addam, a shipwright, and hails from Hull, a harbor town on Driftmark’s coastline. The connection between Alyn and Corlys extends beyond that of a sailor and his lord.
Alyn’s origins are hinted at in the show, aligning with ambiguous notes from George R.R. Martin’s books.
In the books, Archmaester Gyldayn suggests that Alyn and his brother might be the children of Ser Laenor Velaryon and Marilda of Hull. However, this theory is disputed due to Laenor’s known preference for men. This is where the court fool Mushroom’s claims gain credibility.
According to Mushroom, Alyn is actually the son of Lord Corlys and Marilda Hull, kept secret to avoid upsetting Corlys’s wife, Rhaenys.
When Rhaenys acknowledges Alyn in the show, it strengthens the possibility that Mushroom’s claims are true, marking Alyn as Lord Corlys’s illegitimate child.
“Alyn’s past is no fault of his. He saved his lord’s life. He should be raised up and honored, not hidden beneath the tides,” Princess Rhaenys declares, indicating a significant shift in Alyn’s status and potential future role.
As the season unfolds, Alyn’s importance becomes more apparent. In Episode 4, Rhaenys herself visits the docks and praises Alyn for saving her husband’s life, hinting at his mother’s beauty, which suggests a deeper, more personal connection.
This moment reveals Rhaenys’s awareness and possible acceptance of Alyn’s true parentage. The episode leaves viewers questioning the dynamics within the Velaryon family and how Alyn fits into it.
The introduction of Alyn of Hull brings fresh intrigue to House of the Dragon. His bravery in the War for the Stepstones, where he saved Lord Corlys, earns him more than just gratitude.
This act positions him as a character of rising importance, someone whose lineage and valor could shape future events in the series.
Alyn’s character arc poses several questions for viewers: Will his lineage be fully acknowledged, and how will this impact the Velaryon family dynamics? Can Alyn, a child born out of wedlock, find his place and honor among the nobility?
