Ser Criston Cole’s Unceremonious Death Sparks Fury: Did House of the Dragon Fail the Kingmaker?
By Chloe Bennett
Q1: Why did Criston Cole receive the title "The Kingmaker"?
In George R.R. Martin's Fire & Blood, Cole earned the title because he convinced Prince Aegon to claim the Iron Throne over Rhaenyra Targaryen and personally placed the conqueror's crown upon Aegon's head during the Green Council's coup. In the television adaptation, that responsibility was shared between Cole, Otto Hightower, and Alicent Hightower.
Q2: Did Criston Cole ever regret his affair with Rhaenyra Targaryen?
Yes. Cole was consumed by guilt over breaking his Kingsguard vows of chastity. When Rhaenyra refused to abandon her royal title to flee with him to Essos, his guilt turned into deep resentment, driving him into the service of Queen Alicent Hightower.
Q3: How does Criston Cole's television death compare to the book's Butcher's Ball?
In the book, Cole is executed by three archers led by Red Robb Rivers after his plea for a single-combat duel is mockingly rejected. In the HBO adaptation, the confrontation was reimagined into a chaotic ambush featuring an unexpected combatant who dealt the fatal blow.
Chloe Bennett explores the intersection of pop culture, streaming entertainment, digital trends, and contemporary lifestyle. Her weekly commentary reaches thousands of culture enthusiasts.
