Spoilers for “Fire & Blood” to follow.
“Duty is sacrifice,” Cregan states in the episode, acknowledging the price to be paid for being honorable in such a ruthless, unpredictable world. Cregan takes Jace to The Wall, making him understand that the 700-foot tall barrier wasn’t built to keep out invaders or beasts but to keep death at bay. As guardians against the cold and the dark, the Night’s Watch have a duty to protect their people from the unforgivable winter, along with the fallout of war that does not directly concern them. Jace convinces Cregan that this war will affect the North without question, and after they receive a raven bearing news of Lucerys’ death, Cregan promises 2,000 of his men to Rhaenyra’s cause. Meanwhile, Lady Arryn also pledges her support in exchange for a dragon to guard The Vale.
“Fire & Blood” details that Cregan maintained his position as the head of House Stark through the reigns of four kings: Viserys I, Aegon II, Aegon III, and Daeron I. Cregan played a crucial role during the Dance of the Dragons, aiding Rhaenyra’s cause and fighting several battles against Aegon II’s forces while facilitating the coronation of Aegon III, Rhaenyra and Daemon’s firstborn. He also served as Aegon’s Hand during a brief period known as The Hour of the Wolf. Although Cregan is prone to hostilities in the name of war, he is known to be a formidable swordsman and military commander who reigned over House Stark with an iron will.
The Cregan we meet in “House of the Dragon” might be considerably young. However, he already seems hardened by the trials of inhabiting Winterfell and fortifying the cause of the Night’s Watch (which he perceives as an honor, as opposed to a sentence).
