House of the Dragon Season 3 Episode 4 further develops the Hightower campaign as Ser Ormund Hightower’s ambitions become increasingly clear. Marching with the Hightower host alongside Prince Daeron Targaryen, Ormund presents himself as a devout leader committed to faith and duty.
However, the episode suggests that his support for Daeron extends beyond family loyalty or political necessity. According to actor James Norton, Ormund sees Daeron not only as a worthy claimant but also as a means to expand his own influence. The dynamic adds another layer to the internal politics of the Greens, where personal ambition continues to shape the course of the Dance of the Dragons.
Ormund believes Daeron represents true Hightower values
Credits: HBO
As Daeron takes on a larger role in Season 3, Ormund seeks to distinguish the young prince from other members of House Targaryen. Norton explained that Ormund views Daeron as someone raised according to the Hightowers’ religious values rather than the traditions associated with Old Valyria. “It’s very much Ormund’s projection of justice and righteousness. You know, he’s been raised in the light of the Seven, and he’s raising Daeron in the same light, not the corrupted, perverse, Valyrian ways of the foreign Targaryens.”
This perspective reflects the long-standing cultural divide between House Hightower and House Targaryen. While the Targaryens have historically embraced their Valyrian heritage and dragonlord traditions, the Hightowers are closely associated with the Faith of the Seven and Oldtown. In Season 3, that ideological contrast becomes increasingly important as Daeron emerges as one of the Greens’ most capable young leaders. Ormund believes the prince embodies the values he wants to see represented on the Iron Throne, making him central to the Hightower strategy during the civil war.
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Daeron’s claim also advances Ormund’s own ambitions
Credits: HBO
Norton also revealed that Ormund’s support for Daeron is motivated by more than conviction. Behind his public rhetoric lies a calculated political objective. “He wants Daeron to be king. And it’s not from a place of pride and love. It’s actually from a place of self-interest, because I think if Ormund can instill Daeron as king, he essentially can become king himself.”
The comment highlights one of Episode 4’s key political undercurrents. Rather than seeking the throne directly, Ormund recognizes that placing a younger and more impressionable Daeron on it could allow him to wield significant influence over the kingdom’s affairs. The strategy mirrors one of the recurring themes of House of the Dragon: while dragons dominate the battlefield, the struggle for power is often determined by those working behind the scenes.
As Season 3 continues to expand Daeron’s role in the Dance of the Dragons, Episode 4 makes it clear that the prince’s growing importance is also elevating Ormund’s political ambitions. Their relationship is no longer defined solely by mentorship but by a shared position in the Greens’ campaign—one that could reshape the balance of power within their own faction as the war intensifies.
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