House of the Dragon season 2 has introduced dragonseeds – but what are they?

House of the Dragon season 2, episode 3 has introduced a pretty intriguing concept – dragonseeds.

Now, you might be wondering just what this means, and who the dragonseeds are. If that's you, then we have you covered. We've got everything you need to know about the dragonseeds below, including which ones we've already been introduced to.

That means there are spoilers below for episode 3 and George RR Martin's novel Fire and Blood , so turn back now if you're not up to date and you don't want to know what might happen next.

What are the dragonseeds in House of the Dragon?

'Dragonseed' means a bastard with Valyrian heritage; the Targaryens and the Velaryons are both of Valyrian descent. This heritage allows a dragonseed to potentially claim a dragon of their own, despite not being officially part of House Targaryen or House Velaryon.

In George RR Martin's Fire and Blood, Jace Velaryon eventually wants to bolster Team Black's dragon riding forces, so he puts out a call for dragonseeds who could potentially claim a dragon of their own.

Who are the dragonseeds so far?

So far, we've been introduced to four dragonseeds. The first to arrive was Hugh Hammer , who, in the book, eventually successfully claims the dragon Vermithor. We first meet Hugh in House of the Dragon season 2, episode 1 ; he's the blacksmith who petitions Aegon for help.

Next, we met Addam of Hull, who in the books is a bastard of either Corlys or Laenor Velaryon . He claims Laenor's dragon Seasmoke and is eventually legitimized by Rhaenyra as Addam Velaryon. His brother Alyn is also a dragonseed, though Alyn isn't able to ever claim a dragon in Martin's book.

Finally, we see a mysterious tavern-goer in House of the Dragon season 2, episode 3 who, though currently unnamed, appears to be Ulf the White. He claims to be a dragonseed – bastard son of Baelon the Brave, which makes him the illegitimate brother of Viserys and Daemon Targaryen.

House of the Dragon continues weekly on HBO in the US and Sky and NOW in the UK. For even more on the show, check out our deep dives on:

• House of the Dragon season 2, episodes 1-4 review
• A guide to House of the Dragon season 2
• House of the Dragon season 2 showrunner on why Blood and Cheese is nothing like Game of Thrones' Red Wedding
• House of the Dragon season 2 showrunner doesn't feel the pressure of following the controversial Game of Thrones season 8: "Our challenge comes from within"
• House of the Dragon showrunner teases season 3: "You don't want to end up in that place where you're doing the same thing again and again"
• House of the Dragon season 2 showrunner breaks down the complicated relationship between Daemon and Rhaenyra: "Conflict is the order of the day"
• House of the Dragon season 2 showrunner says Rhaenyra and Alicent's bond is still the heart of the show: "We understand that these two women are connected"
• House of the Dragon season 2, episode 2 recap and Easter eggs
• How Blood and Cheese is different from the book
• Cregan Stark explained
• Daeron Targaryen explained
• The House of the Dragon dragons , listed and explained
• Greens vs. Blacks , explained
• The White Worm , explained
• The Targaryen family tree
• The House of the Dragon timeline
• Who wins the Dance of the Dragons ?
• The history of Vhagar
• The Song of Ice and Fire prophecy
• House of the Dragon season 2 release schedule