Learn English with House of the Dragon: 25 signature words

House of the Dragon is an argument about who inherits a chair, conducted by people who own dragons. So the vocabulary is the vocabulary of succession: heirs and regents and usurpers, oaths of fealty sworn and banners raised, a dowager queen and a line of succession nobody agrees on. The other half comes off the water, because one side of this war owns the fleet, which means blockades, shipwrights and a port slowly starved. A viewer who knows these 25 words can follow a small council meeting, which is where most of the show happens.

House of the Dragon has 307 signature words, words it uses far more often than TV in general. These are the 25 strongest.

1. 1

   dragon

   A huge winged fire-breathing beast, and in this show the weapon and the birthright of House Targaryen.

   I imagine even dragons get lonely.

   Season 1, episode 2. Said 279 times in 21 episodes, 117x the average show.

2. 2

   heir

   The person who will inherit a title or property, here the one named to take the Iron Throne.

   You are my only heir.

   Season 1, episode 2. Said 128 times in 20 episodes, 109x the average show.

3. 3

   realm

   A kingdom and the people in it, the word this court uses for the Seven Kingdoms.

   Many in the realm would gladly trade positions with you, Princess.

   Season 1, episode 3. Said 130 times in 21 episodes, 84x the average show.

4. 4

   crown

   The headpiece a monarch wears, and by extension the monarchy itself as an institution.

   Will you wear your crown today, Your Grace?

   Season 1, episode 5. Said 98 times in 20 episodes, 38x the average show.

5. 5

   throne

   The seat a monarch sits on, and by extension the office of king or queen.

   I'm next in line to the throne.

   Season 1, episode 9. Said 87 times in 14 episodes, 43x the average show.

6. 6

   knight

   A warrior of noble rank sworn to a lord, addressed as Ser.

   I'd rather serve as a knight and ride to battle and glory.

   Season 1, episode 1. Said 57 times in 16 episodes, 36x the average show.

7. 7

   raven

   A large black bird, used here to carry letters between castles.

   We will exchange letters by raven.

   Season 1, episode 6. Said 41 times in 13 episodes, 101x the average show.

8. 8

   morrow

   An old word for the next day, and in the greeting good morrow, for the morning.

   King's Landing will have my answer on the morrow.

   Season 1, episode 10. Said 29 times in 12 episodes, 196x the average show.

9. 9

   blockade

   A ring of warships that stops anything sailing in or out of a port.

   The markets have been running low since the blockade.

   Season 2, episode 2. Said 30 times in 9 episodes, 114x the average show.

10. 10

    rider

    Someone who rides, in this show almost always a dragonrider.

    But if you wish to be a rider, you must claim that right.

    Season 1, episode 6. Said 31 times in 17 episodes, 59x the average show.

11. 11

    regent

    Someone who rules in place of a monarch who is too young, absent or unfit.

    I now rule my house as regent until my nephew Benjicot comes of age.

    Season 2, episode 4. Said 18 times in 5 episodes, 316x the average show.

12. 12

    usurper

    Someone who takes a throne that is not theirs by right.

    They will be ruled either by you or by the usurper.

    Season 2, episode 3. Said 18 times in 10 episodes, 259x the average show.

13. 13

    succession

    The order in which a title passes from one holder to the next.

    The succession is already set... by precedent and by law.

    Season 1, episode 1. Said 21 times in 9 episodes, 94x the average show.

14. 14

    flee

    To run away from danger.

    The wise sailor flees the storm as it gathers.

    Season 1, episode 6. Said 34 times in 18 episodes, 16x the average show.

15. 15

    banner

    A flag carrying a house's sign, and by extension the sworn soldiers who march under it.

    These beasts proudly carried the banner of House Targaryen. Red dragon on black.

    Season 2, episode 5. Said 25 times in 12 episodes, 44x the average show.

16. 16

    sword

    A long bladed weapon, the ordinary arm of a knight.

    You were born to wield a sword, but not so much an axe, perhaps.

    Season 2, episode 5. Said 42 times in 15 episodes, 9.1x the average show.

17. 17

    oath

    A solemn promise, sworn here to a king or queen and binding a whole house.

    The Riverlands are held together by oaths. House Tully swore an oath to King Viserys.

    Season 2, episode 7. Said 31 times in 11 episodes, 16x the average show.

18. 18

    bend the knee

    To kneel in submission, meaning to accept someone as your ruler.

    The lords of the realm bent the knee to Rhaenyra and swore obeisance to her.

    Season 1, episode 5. Said 16 times in 12 episodes, 132x the average show.

19. 19

    fleet

    A group of warships under one command.

    The Velaryon fleet is in my husband's yoke. He decides where they sail.

    Season 1, episode 10. Said 27 times in 11 episodes, 16x the average show.

20. 20

    tourney

    A tournament, a staged contest of arms fought for prizes rather than in war.

    Those men are tourney knights. My father should be defended by a man who's known real combat.

    Season 1, episode 2. Said 14 times in 6 episodes, 156x the average show.

21. 21

    cloak

    A long loose garment worn over the shoulders, its color marking who a man serves.

    The white cloak is a symbol of our purity, our fidelity.

    Season 2, episode 2. Said 22 times in 12 episodes, 23x the average show.

22. 22

    fealty

    The loyalty a vassal owes a lord, sworn as a formal promise.

    Will you swear fealty to your ruler and her cause?

    Season 3, episode 3. Said 15 times in 10 episodes, 88x the average show.

23. 23

    shipwright

    A person whose trade is building and repairing ships.

    I am one of a dozen shipwrights now called from Hull to attend with all speed to your fleet.

    Season 2, episode 2. Said 8 times in 5 episodes, 2660x the average show.

24. 24

    craven

    Cowardly, and as a noun a coward.

    Then you are craven as well as a traitor.

    Season 1, episode 10. Said 11 times in 8 episodes, 156x the average show.

25. 25

    dowager

    A widow who keeps the title she held through her husband.

    An offer of marriage, perhaps, to the dowager queen?

    Season 2, episode 6. Said 9 times in 5 episodes, 425x the average show.