🧙 House Strong: The Lost Starks of the Riverlands | Fire and Blood theory 

Amazing video, Matt! Truly enjoyed all of it. The last statement is particularly resounding--yes, House Strong has sown its seeds, and the roots are spreading. I think it's natural to want to conclude that Dunk is a Strong descendent. I kinda hope this isn't confirmed, though, because I prefer the unknown aspect of his parentage. It's nice to at least have the interpretation one of the greatest heroes in Westeros wasn't special because of lineage.

Show Robert Baratheon, “Gods I was STRONG then.” Theory complete. ✔️

It occurs to me that the history of Westeros, at least from Aegon forward, is the story of two bloodlines trying to come together while other forces keep them apart. Whenever the houses gifted with the magic of the First Men meets the blood of the Dragon Lords the realm manages to tear itself apart, whether that blood comes from Bracken or Blackwood, Strong or Stark. And interestingly it's always the Oldtown alliance of the Hightowers, the Citadel and the Church of the Seven which seem ready to pry the two bloodlines apart.

"House Ghostrider" is perhaps the unexpectedly best laugh I've had about anything ASOIAF-related for some time.

In fire and blood Credgan Stark calls the “Strong” Valyrian son of Rhaenyra a true friend and they bond, he even compared him to his brother

You know, looking at the cast in House of the Dragon, they do look like Starks. Harwin looks like what Ned's brother Brandon would look like. Larys looks like he could be related to Ned. It's actually pretty interesting.

Fun fact: Ser Robert Strong is named Ser Robert Kraft in german which translates to strength or force because there would have been confusion with House Stark otherwise

Wow... I already thought that John Arryn's letter to Ned Stark, "the seed is strong", was in depth but this just blows my mind.

The Witch Queen of Harrenhal can be killed by no man. Varys: I am no man! *stabby stabby*

Stark in Swedish also directly translates into Strong as well.

I find it interesting that house strong an offshoot of house stark mixed with Targaryen created 3 black haired sons with ryanera and harwin and also again with Jon snow. Nobody is talking about that

here after seeing the beautiful harwin strong

Robert: "It's not too late, Ned. I have a son. You have a daughter. Let's unite our houses, Ned!" His Strong genes: "Hahahahaha joke's on you..."

What if this is how House Stark had been playing the Game of Thrones? By placing one of their own in the south to start their own family and slowly but surely take everything. Notice how similar Strong features are to 'the wolfsblood'? A thirst for battle, strong sexual desire, decisions dictated by impulses, rashness, strength in battle etc. They are basically one and the same. Baratheons all have Strong heritage, which is Stark heritage. This way, it is a Stark leading the Stormlands, even if they don't know they are Starks. The Strong's have been repeatedly in control of King's Landing. The Strongs once conquered the Riverlands, the *only neighbouring region connected by land to House Stark's domain* . There are Strong in the Golden Company, giving the Starks access to the strongest mercenary company in Essos. Not to mention the Company of the Rose, which is almost entirely made of Northmen who refused to bend the knee. In such a way, House Stark has kept an eye on and influenced the events of the Seven Kingdoms without anyone knowing, *a wolf in sheep's clothing, so to speak.*

When George is listing First Men houses and the interviewer says "Seaworth" and George is like "Umm" I cracked up laughing.

I recognize that voice! No one has a more calming voice than Robert from In Deep Geek!

I hope the House of the Dragon show does the Strongs justice. I think they are starting to hint that Larys is a greenseer or at least a skinchanger (a lot of shots of rats crawling around)

As for the theory of Brienne being a descendant of Dunk, it would imply Dunk hooked up with one of Egg's sisters who was betrothed or married to the Lord of Evenfall, a lord of House Taarth. I dunno, been hearing more about House Taarth lately, and the Sapphire Isle sounds pretty cool. Would be a shame if the main bloodline of their House is actually extinct, and Brienne is of a line of Bastards. Not to mention, who's to say, maybe she's connected to Dunk not by his make line, but of a daughter Dunk had that married to a Lord of Evenfall

Wonderful - us book lovers do so appreciate these new ideas and theories from the book canon - especially with the new season of the show nearly upon us it's like an antidote to all the trite rubbish around at the moment - thank you 💜

Just FYI I lost it when I read Sara Snow since my irl name is Sara Friesen (yes freezin) and I'm also a woods witch

In deep geek reading was a nice touch

5:50 "Seaworth" a pure example of someone who isn't listening.

I love how you got my boy Robert from In Deep Geek in this video.. That’s funny how you mentioned Clubfoot.. he and a knight from that house were the only to be executed by the MAN Lord Cregan Stark. Who in my opinion and besides the Dragon Knight is the best ! Most honorable, loyal.. sword play?? Forget about it! Even the Dragon Knight said he never faced a better swordsman... anyway... I know I went way off there. Thanks for doing this video because like you said... people just don’t know about this House and it’s members and what a role they have and most likely will play in the upcoming stories.

I always wo dered why G. R. R. Martin wouldn't named the House Stark as "House Strong" and "wasted" that name with a minor house of Westeros until I read "Fire and Blood"

If Osmond Strong build the walls at Kings Landing, is it possible he built certain passageways (similar to how Tyrion knew about the secret passageways) that makes it look like Winterfell, or that the people from Winterfell would recognize by a certain building pattern (how the passages are laid out, etc.)? Syrio Forell was very clear to tell Arya which turns to make at one point - perhaps there is a pattern.

Great vídeo. It leads me to think that "The seed is strong" goes both ways. Back to the Baratheons having Strong blood and to Jon Snow having Stark Blood

Oh Matt, what a great video and Robert quoted the passages so beautifully 😍 can't wait for your next live stream collabs!

The woman suggesting seaworth cracks me up.

Watching again so I can actually pay attention. 😘 Thanks Joe! I always enjoy the inclusion of a good live chat. Well done, Magic J!

The seed is Strong :)

Loved how you got Robert to read.

Joe / Matt , absolutely fantastic breakdown of a mysterious and seemingly quite important House to the narrative and its history. No idea why i didn't get this notification when it came out (RU-vid's fault not your own) but what a treat when I came across it doing the usual browse of your channel & content. There have been brief Strong mentions in the ASoIaF series but clearly a massive step up in terms of frequency , influence and importance in F & B which I expect to continue into the next installment. From their evolution from a supplementary house to the crown and other powerful houses into having their own climbing ambitions. Along with their influence on past events, connections to powerful people in history , potential Stark association , possible notable descendants and what seems to be likely infiltration of some of the most powerful bloodlines on the continent. Not only the parallels to the ancient past but to those in the current narrative as well are quite abound. With GRRM it seems pretty much any mysterious First Men House not living in the North will have a fair degree of influence on the current ASoIaF narrative and its histories from the Blackwoods , Daynes or as presented here , the Strongs. To me the Strongs are becoming the Chekov's gun , similar to how GRRM mentioned about Nymeria and her wolfpack , in that you don't put it out there not to use it ; to me it seems the huge uptick in mentions of House Strong (in F & B which i expect the trend to continue in part two) all the connections that result from them and so many members of their House in positions of influence in the past through to almost the current Planetos/Westerosi timeline ; has to be an indication that more concrete evidence may emerge from GRRM of the big part the Strong's played in the narrative’s past and possibly more recently as well. Alys Rivers in particular was a fascinating piece of F & B , telepathic skull exploding and strangulation is certainly an attention getter coupled with her other possible general abilities, influence on Aemond , carrying his illegitimate child and seemingly defacto Lady of Harrenhal at one point. I look forward to seeing where her arc goes in the next F & B installment. Ntm Qyburn giving the undead science wight formerly The Mountain the name Strong (Robert Strong) must have something to do with what he discovered at Harrenhal during his time there. Great vid , interesting insights and I totally agree House Strong is a name on the rise with GRRM which i expect to be expanded upon in subsequent novels from him.

I've always felt Harrenhal was important, perhaps the most important castle of Westeros. As such, any of the houses which held the seat historically are likely filled with hidden meaning.

Wow, this stuff is LEGIT!!! Great video. Keep them coming.

Been seeing a lot of your content in my feed old and new lately man, Enjoyed every video I have watched so far homie. Great job, kisses. hugs. respect brotha.

Stark means strong in danish Norwegian swedish and old english also! For example I do strong man competitions in sweden called “starkeviking”

Wow, you’ve made a believer out of me! Always feel silly for missing so much from my initial reading/listening of these books...

15:18 That's a mirror of Florys the Fox, one of the daughters of Garth. x'D She also kept 3 husbands, each ignorant of the other. lel

So clever! Love this!! I've tried to align all of the current characters with the past to see what the future holds. But I get lost because many of them could parallel two or three others.

Robert saying Lady Dustin's bloody sword speech 😲 I blushed 😆

Craker of a video Matt! Beautifully put together

Thank you. Really well done. Thoroughly enjoyed watching this: so logically and clearly explained, my eyes widened to the larger picture.

Great deep dive! Loved the ending too!

I loved this video it was like I learnt something from the books that isn't touched on in the show without needing to actually read a book. That makes me very happy

One of the best house lore videos I've seen

An excellent theory and very well researched. There is also something i might add. During the conquest of the Vale there was a "witch" of House Upcliff, a First Men House of the Vale, who supported Robar Royce against the Andals. This member of House Upcliff died in the battle, but the Upcliffs did just what you described with the other First Men houses - they stayed independent until one of their brides married into House Arryn and brought Witch Isle into the dominion of the Vale.

This is very good. I don’t know how I missed hearing this one but I’m glad it came up as a suggestion.

Amazing analysis! Thanks for sharing

I hope we get to see Cregan Stark in the show. That dude was a badass

This is an excellent deep dive on this connection!

Super interesting. Thanks for posting

This makes a lot of Sense because Orys Baratheon didn't seem to be exactly a Strong, so I wonder if the current Baratheon genes were from the Dundarron's or something else, the Strong blood is a good explanation but Rogar Baratheon had also very Baratheon characteristics even tho he was previous to Lucamore's bastards. So it may be a mix of both Dundarron and Strong blood what they make today Baratheon characteristics.

Top shelf lore & theory. Another!

This is superb. Thank you for your insights

Indeep Geek should read for the audiobooks, if Winds and a Dream of Spring ever comes out

If Jacaerys had been King as he was the heir to the true Queen Rhaenyra we could have had a Half Strong/Half Targaryen King :(

Really enjoyed this video, super interesting

I'd say Queen Alyssane could just as likely have been talking about the Blackwoods or the Massey's as the Strong's. For all that there's been a lot on the Strongs more recently the Blackwoods have a much bigger part in the story as well as a stronger connection to the Starks. FWIW. Cheers! S.

Newly subbed Loving it so far gonna make my way through your content ☘️

Because of your videos House Strong might be my new favorite house in Westeros 😉

You talking about Alys being a wet nurse that's also feeding the kids magic, reminds me of old Nan and her stories and Winterfell 🥰

The seeds is indeed strong with this video my friend !

A fantastic video!

The Baratheons come from the lines of Durran Godsgrief and "the Strong Right hand" of Aegon, Orys. They don't need any help from house Strong to be Strong. Great Video though. I can't believe I've never seen this channel before.

I love this channel. I don’t want it to be one of those channels that’s makes to many videos nobody cares about but I really wish he made more videos and look forward to the next one

Awesome video!!! Thank you

An excellent video! Kudos!

great video....really great job of bringing together all the hints about the importance of the strongs...i've often wondered if they served some structural purpose with the isle of faces as the starks do in the north winterfell/the wall (her name also resonated with the witch king of angmar)

it all makes sense now. great video

This is awesome!

Ah, I'm very late to this discussion, but since Riverlanders don't marry siblings but only cousins beside Blackwoods and Brackens GRRM badly needed a third - and very magical First-Men Riverland-House with Dragon-links, he could explain the magical strength of Daenerys Bloodline. Untill it is established, it can't be explained why Egg failed at hatching his egg, while his granddaughter succeeded being of even thinner dragon-blood. (Though both of Betha Blackwoods grandmothers might be Bloodraven's sisters. Riverlanders don't marry siblings, only cousins, so one of them needed to marry somebody... really Strong.) - That Daenerys' blood also ran Strong would be very welcome.

👏👏👏 Thoroughly excellent video!

this was a special video, loved it the drum beat in the background really brang the hype makes me think..Stannis, more Baratheon than Strong? maybe not. since people think Stannis seems more at home in the North & even gets described as Stark-like in the way of the older Kings of Winter would have been

loved this video!

AGOT is actually ck2 game and player just liked their name, So they were granted important position.

Truly enjoying your videos, Matt! Incredible work. Thank you so much.

Great video !! House Strong is one of greatest forgetten houses. A feast for crows is one of my favorites of the series

Hearing In Deep Geek was such a pleasant surprise! Great vid

I was just reading about this on reddit. Thanks!

In Deep Geek has such a great voice for GRRM readings. This is still well thought out material. I would elect IDG for the reading of the next novel.

Really fascinating theory however I'd contend with the idea that the Baratheon's have the 'Strong' gene in them, as it were, as Rogar Baratheon (along with Orys, but I'm thinking especially of Rogar) was shown to be a very battle-loving guy, and quite sex-driven as well. This is made all the more problematic when the little accounts we get of Durrandons (WOIAF was very weak on the Stormlands front sadly) show traits that would be familiar to Robert Baratheon's friends. I think the Baratheon's behaving like that is just, well, Baratheon/Durrandon temperament. This theory is really interesting though because now it provides at least some form of avenue for understanding Larys' motives. Larys has always been an enigma; definitely anti-Rhanyra, yet not clearly on the greens side either (he did, after all, assassinate Aegon II). He was also completely willing to die when he could have taken the black to avoid death, so pure personal power seems unlikely. The connection with the Old Gods, the Weirwoods, and Alys Rivers gives room for people who know much more than me to dive into his behaviour and explain it. Thank you so much for it, it's a great video!

great video 👍

Joe as great as ever

@5:52. Always loved GRRM's reaction here. Like "Lady...be quiet...Seaworth...Davos is not a first man. In fact that name came from Stannis when he knighted him. .." Seaworth" Slap!!

Greyarea sent me here.

Another great video. I look forward to the upcoming discussion. BTW, what is the origin of your opening music? It always reminds me of “In the Hall of the Mountain King.”

House Ghost Rider. good one! Also, the narration by Robert was an awesome touch. Up Thumbed

Nice and thanks for the backstory

great video, I've been wondering about this a lot since House of the Dragon dropped. The bigger question for me is what it implies for Rhaenyra and Harwin's possible relationship. Could Rhaenyra be trying to fulfill the prophecy of ice and fire by hooking up with House Strong? Was Harwin's death to a fire at Harrenhal really an accident? or as i suspect, an intentional sacrifice? As we've seen with Visery's, prophecy makes the otherwise kind Targaryen's do abominable things and Jacaerys has a lot of the hallmarks of the prince that was promised prophecy.

Starks and targaryen are linked together by opposite attraction

I think my favourite part of fire and blood was the fact the last Strong standing requested his club foot be taken off and it was later stolen. In the current story, that foot could easily appear much like the dragon egg. Though I doubt it being a gift.

Great video.

"The seed is Strong" - Arryn, Jon

First time I listened to one of videos it’s outstanding 💕

This tinfoil tastes like steak. I'll have another helping in the Disputed Lands. Thanks!

awesome video

Woot!!! Get Hyped. George Planned it All along!!

Enjoyable video, but the Starks have the long as their most distinctive feature (I gather) i remember Craster (the wildling) guessing who is Jon Snow because of his look.

I watched the whole video but I felt like Greekgodx was reading me every quote.

I love your channel !! I also absolutely love game of thrones