Lyonel Strong

Lord Lyonel Strong was the Lord of Harrenhal and Hand of the King to Viserys I Targaryen. He is the father of Ser Harwin Strong and Larys Strong.House of the Dragon | Official Website for the HBO Series | HBO.com
==Biography==
===House of the Dragon: Season 1===
Lyonel attends a meeting of the Small Council in the Red Keep. When the Heir's Tournament is brought up Lord Lyman Beesbury suggests that the tourney should be delayed for the cost of it and to wait until the king's child is born. Lyonel responds that most of the nobility of Westeros is already on their way to King's Landing. King Viserys then states that the tourney will last more than half a week and before it is over his child will be born, so there is no need for a delay.
Lyonel attends a Small Council meeting that discusses King Viserys's younger brother Prince Daemon's actions with the City Watch and the criminals of the capital. Daemon defends himself by stating that he followed the king's laws and asks for Lyonel's opinion. He begins to reply but is interrupted by Ser Otto Hightower, the Hand of the King.
Lyonel attends the Heir's Tournament seated in the royal box. He is later notified by Otto of the news of the birth of Prince Baelon and the death of Queen Aemma.
Lyonel attends the funeral of Aemma and Baelon.
At a Small Council meeting debating the succession, Lyonel states to Otto that the succession is already set by precedent and law. Grand Maester Mellos then proposes that it may be wise for Viserys to name a successor. Lyonel asks who else has a claim, with Otto suggesting the king's firstborn child Rhaenyra, which Lyonel objects to as no woman has sat the Iron Throne in one hundred years. Mellos responds that it is only by tradition and precedent. Lord Corlys Velaryon then offers that there are others who have a claim, and Lyonel interjects laughing as he calls out the claimant as Princess Rhaenys, the "Queen Who Never Was." The discussion becomes a shouting match before being interrupted by a furious King Viserys berating his Small Council for behaving like crows squabbling over corpses while he is still mourning his wife and son.
Lyonel attends a Small Council meeting in which Daemon is reported to have held a celebratory party at a pleasure house on the Street of Silk and is claimed to have dubbed Baelon the "Heir for a Day."
Lyonel is in attendance at the ceremony naming Rhaenyra as Princess of Dragonstone and heir to the Iron Throne.
Following the death of Lord Commander of the Kingsguard Ryam Redwyne, Lyonel attends a Small Council meeting to discuss finding a replacement. The meeting is interrupted by Corlys Velaryon, who demands action be taken against the Triarchy, to take back the Stepstones. Viserys says that envoys have been sent to Pentos and Volantis in hopes of finding common cause, but otherwise refuses to take action.
The Small Council is informed by a Dragonkeeper Elder that Prince Daemon has stolen a dragon egg. Otto Hightower calls Daemon's actions sedition, to which Lyonel agrees. Ultimately, Otto agrees to go to Dragonstone to confront Daemon.
That night, Lyonel is summoned to the Small Council chamber by Viserys for a private meeting, as Viserys wants his unencumbered opinion on whether or not he should marry Laena Velaryon. Lyonel advocates for marrying her on the basis of her heritage and that it would fix Corlys Velaryon as an ally. When Viserys cites Laena's young age as an issue, Lyonel dismisses it, saying that she will mature. The meeting is interrupted by Ser Steffon Darklyn, announcing that Rhaenyra has returned from Dragonstone.
Lyonel attends a Small Council meeting where King Viserys announces, to the shock of everyone present, that he intends to marry Lady Alicent Hightower.
Three years later, Lyonel, along with his sons Harwin and Larys, joins a royal hunt arranged by Viserys to celebrate the second nameday of his and Alicent's son, Prince Aegon.
After arriving at the Kingswood, Lyonel and his sons, along with the rest of the gathered nobility, applaud the royal family as they step out of their carriage.
As Lyonel converses with Viserys, they are interrupted by a furious Rhaenyra, accusing Viserys of trying to marry her off to the great houses like a prize. They get into a heated argument that catches the attention of everyone gathered in the tent. The argument is interrupted by Otto Hightower, announcing that a white hart has been spotted – a regal portent for Prince Aegon’s nameday, he claims.
The hunting party is informed by the Royal Huntsman, Ser Howland Sharp, that the white hart's fresh droppings were found half a league to the east, and that they now have its trail.
That night, Lyonel informs Viserys that riders have been sent out in search of Rhaenyra, who had stormed out of the camp after their argument, and that Ser Criston Cole of the Kingsguard also went after her. Viserys, now quite drunk, vents his frustration at not being able to control his own daughter, to which Lyonel reminds him that even King Jaehaerys had trouble controlling his children, especially his daughters. Lyonel offers his advice on the matter of finding a match for Rhaenyra. Though Viserys asks if he's going to propose his own son, Ser Harwin, as her match, Lyonel instead suggests she marry Laenor Velaryon, the son of Lord Corlys, as he has Valyrian blood, and their union could help sate Corlys and mend the widened rift between their houses. Viserys gives Lyonel a grateful pat on the shoulder as he leaves.
The next day, a stag is captured, though not a white one. Lyonel and the rest of the party watch as Viserys struggles to put down the captured animal. When he finally does so, all applaud him.
Later, Lyonel and the rest of the party watch in some surprise as Rhaenyra returns to the camp with a boar she and Ser Criston killed.
After the dismissal of Otto Hightower, Lyonel is appointed Hand of the King.
Lyonel accompanies Viserys and Rhaenyra to Driftmark, the seat of House Velaryon, to discuss a marriage pact between Rhaenyra and Laenor Velaryon. Upon arriving at High Tide, they are greeted by Laena Velaryon, and Lyonel voices his indignation that Lord Corlys isn't there to personally greet the king.
They proceed to the Hall of Nine, where they discuss the terms of the marriage pact with Corlys and Rhaenys. Corlys congratulates Lyonel on becoming the Hand of the King.
Upon returning to King’s Landing, Viserys collapses, and is rushed to his chambers, where he is treated by the Maesters. Maester Orwyle provides Lyonel with a new medicine to help the king sleep. Left alone with the king, Lyonel administers the medicine to him. Viserys laments that he wishes he had been tested during his reign, confiding in Lyonel that he is afraid he will not be remembered, since he never embarked on any great conquest nor suffered any major defeats. Lyonel points out that many would consider that to be a good legacy, to which Viserys remarks that a peaceful and uneventful reign rarely made for great songs sung at feasts. Lyonel suggests that living in peace is more important than having songs sung after one’s death and says that many who yearn to be tested, when faced with a crisis, wish it never came to them. Viserys expresses appreciation for Lyonel’s honesty.
==Personality==
Lyonel was an ethical and loyal man. He was fiercely loyal to King Viserys, serving him faithfully for decades as both the Master of Laws and as Hand of the King. His council was unmarked by self-interest as stated by Viserys and he was a good man, earning the trust of the king with him seeking for his advice (even though Otto Hightower was the Hand by that time). He was also capable of acting without needing the approval of Viserys.
Unlike most members of the Small Council, Lyonel was completely honest and transparent, having no personal ambitions or interests and always wanting the best for the realm. 
==Quotes==
====Spoken by Lyonel====
====Spoken about Lyonel====
==Family==
==Behind the scenes==
On September 24, 2021, HBO announced that Gavin Spokes had been cast in the role of Lyonel Strong for House of the Dragon. His character description reads as follows:
:"Master of Laws to King Viserys and Lord of Harrenhal."
==In the books==
Lyonel Strong was a large, balding man with a reputation as a battler. Though he was slow of speech and quiet and frequently mistaken for a brute, he was actually extremely intelligent and well-learned due his six years of study at the Citadel, from which he grew very knowledgeable of law. He was married three times and sired two daughters in addition to his sons Harwin and Larys, though Grand Maester Munkun and Septon Eustace claim that he also fathered a bastard daughter, Alys Rivers. Lyonel's third wife was already dead by the time he enters the narrative, and none of his wives were identified by name - nor was it specified if his two sons and two daughters were all born to the same wife out of the three.
In 109 AC, Viserys appointed Lyonel as the Hand of the King, replacing Otto Hightower.
==Appearances==
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==References==
===Notes===
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Category:Bannermen of House Tully
Category:Hands of the King
Category:Individuals appearing in House of the Dragon
Category:Lords of Harrenhal
Category:Masters of Laws
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