House of the Dragon wasted no time in establishing the many conflicts that are roiling the Seven Kingdoms. However, one of the greatest threats to King Viserys Targaryens' rule is mostly playing out in the background.
[Ed. note: The following pages contain spoilers for House of the Dragon and Fire & Blood.]
Viserys suffers a minor injury on his back after sitting on the Iron Throne, according to the maesters. The wound miraculously refuses to heal, and is even spreading. In the same episode, Viserys receives a second cut from the throne, which similarly becomes infected, leading to themputation of two of his fingers.
The reason Viserys' wounds will not heal is more symbolic than anything as routine as bacterial illness. The significance of being cut by the Iron Throne has deep roots in Targaryen history and Game of Thrones legend, dating back to the thrones' creation.
What does it mean to be cut off from the Iron Throne?
Aegon I Targaryen, the Viserys' ancestor, created the Iron Throne out of a thousand broken swords he had taken from his foes in Game of Thrones. It was designed with the intent of causing extreme discomfort, as George R.R. Martin referred to it in Game of Thrones.
Aenys, the son of Aegons, was succeeded by his brother, Maegor, who eventually murdered him. Six years after Maegor's notoriously cruel rule, his nephew Jaehaerys Targaryen raised banners against him. The next morning, one of Maegor's wives discovered him dead in the seat with one of the thrones blades piercing his neck, and his forearms slashed open by several other spikes.
Maegor's death is reportedly linked to multiple theories, including that he committed suicide or that Elinor murdered him. However, many believe that the Iron Throne itself was responsible for Maegor's death. This is what spawned the popular belief that the throne chooses who is worthy or not of ruling Westeros, and that those who are deemed undeserving suffer injury by its blades.
Does everyone who is cut off from the Iron Throne die?
No, or at least not as a direct result of their wounds.
Daenerys Targaryen's paranoid father Aerys II Targaryen was commonly known as The Mad King, although he was also dubbed King Scab because he stabbed himself so often on the Iron Throne. Rather, the Mad King's death occurred at the end of Jaime Lannisters sword.
The Iron Throne isnt a supernatural judge, jury, and executioner that decides the ruler itself. That being said, anyone who sits on the throne is already at a higher than average probability of death. If they are on the throne and not a fit ruler, those odds increase exponentially.
What does Viserys' separation from the Iron Throne imply?
Viserys's decision to name Rhaenyra as his replacement or to wed Alicent Hightower does not require the Iron Throne to clarify that he is not necessarily a great king.
The second cut could be a clue that Visery's decision to remove Daemon from the line of succession would only cause havoc for himself, his family, and his kingdom. It might also serve as a pretext for Daemon's assertion that Viserys is a weak ruler who is not prepared to shoulder the burden of his own power.
Viserys is less concerned about his health than with political machinations and the devolving stability of Westeros. However, Viserys has already lost two fingers as a result of his removal from the Iron Throne. Only time will tell how much he will pay for his failings as king.