House of the Dragon Season 3 just came to a close with a massive battle and plenty of consequential twists and turns. In the tradition of Game of Thrones, no characters were truly safe, with many major players ultimately dying. And with only one season of the show left, the board needed a bit of a reset ahead of the final stretch. Find out what happened in Season 3 Episode 8, including which key characters kicked the bucket.
(Warning: Spoilers for House of the Dragon Season 3 Episode 8 ahead.)
Who died in House of the Dragon Season 3 Episode 8?
After learning that Aegon and his dragon were alive, Rhaenyra marched to the Sept of Baelor to finally follow through on her coronation. High Septon Balman, as he did in Episode 3, rejected Rhaenyra and refused to crown her in the light of the Seven. Rhaenyra ordered Alyn of Hull to kill the old man. It took a bit of convincing, but Alyn eventually obeyed his queen and killed the High Septon.
Most of the bloodshed came in Tumbleton, where the Rivermen and Winter Wolves finally arrived to root out the Hightowers, who took the town hostage. After the battle got underway, Roderick Dustin – a.k.a. Roddy the Ruin – chased down Ormund Hightower himself. Ormund handicapped Roderick, but got grossed out by the blood and lost his advantage. Roderick took advantage and stabbed Ormund in the name of the North. Before Ormund died of the wound, however, Ulf White flew in on his dragon, Silverwing. Earlier in the battle, Ormund publicly beat and chastised Ulf for missing his cue and failing to betray Team Black. As a result, Ulf turned on both sides and burned them all – including Ormund Hightower and Roderick Dustin. Hugh Hammer’s wife Cat also died during the fighting, although the foot soldiers breaking into houses may have been responsible for her passing.
To cap off the episode, Rhaenyra returned to the Red Keep and immediately got some bad news. Halaena Targaryen jumped from her window and died when she hit the ground – think Tommen Baratheon in Game of Thrones Season 6. Mysaria, who Rhaenyra had banished to Essos, saw Halaena on her way out of the castle earlier in the episode and told the princess that the queen planned to keep her prisoner forever. Halaena, a Targaryen dreamer, stitched her own death and Rhaenyra’s bloody reign into a tapestry before ending her and her unborn child’s lives.
House of the Dragon FAQs
Who died in House of the Dragon Season 3 Episode 8?
High Septon Balman, Ormund Hightower, Roderick Dustin, Hugh Hammer’s wife Cat and Halaena Targaryen died in the latest episode of House of the Dragon.
Who killed Ormund Hightower on House of the Dragon?
Roderick Dustin stabbed Ormund Hightower during the battle of Tumbleton. Ulf White delivered the fatal blow, though, burning both men with his dragon.
Who died in House of the Dragon Season 3?
Prince Jacaerys Velaryon, Jason Lannister, Sharako Lohar, Ser Simon Strong, Otto Hightower, Ser Luthor Largent, Ser Criston Cole, Adrian Redfort, High Septon Balman, Ormund Hightower, Roderick Dustin, Hugh Hammer’s wife Cat and Halaena Targaryen were the most notable characters who died over the course of House of the Dragon Season 3.
When does House of the Dragon Season 4 come out?
House of the Dragon Season 4 is slated to come out sometime in 2028, per a press release from HBO last November.
