House of the Dragon Season 3 finished its run with a decision that carries heavy implications for the wider Westeros timeline. During the finale, Rhaenyra Targaryen ordered the execution of the High Septon after he refused to provide his blessing for her rule. This event serves as a sharp departure from the source material and raises questions about how the Targaryen dynasty maintains power in the face of religious opposition.
Historically, the relationship between the Iron Throne and the Faith of the Seven remains a central pillar of Targaryen rule. In the lore, Aegon the Conqueror established legitimacy by securing the church's endorsement. This alliance allowed him to stabilize his reign quickly. By executing the High Septon, Rhaenyra breaks a foundational agreement that held the realm together for generations. This development will likely become a primary narrative hurdle for the upcoming Aegon the Conqueror feature film as creators look to establish how the first Targaryen king successfully courted the religious establishment to secure his throne.
Some fans point toward the later events of Game of Thrones to contrast Rhaenyra’s actions with Cersei Lannister’s strategy. When Cersei destroyed the Sept of Baelor, she removed her religious opposition permanently, yet faced minimal political fallout. Rhaenyra’s choice to execute just one leader rather than dismantling the entire institution highlights a different approach to governance. While Rhaenyra’s move feels aggressive, history suggests that managing the Faith of the Seven is the true test of any ruler in the Seven Kingdoms.
Whether this specific plot point alters the canon of the announced movie remains to be seen. However, the connection between the High Septon’s fate and the early days of the Targaryen conquest suggests that the showrunners are reevaluating how religious authority intersects with monarchical power. The implications of this scene will color how viewers interpret the motives and challenges of the original conquerors when their story finally arrives on screen.