Addam of Hull was the dragonseed who claimed Seasmoke, was legitimized as Addam Velaryon and heir to Driftmark, and died at the Second Tumbleton proving that a bastard could be more loyal than the trueborn. In a war where the two most famous dragonseeds became the Two Betrayers, Addam is the answer to what the seeds were supposed to be.
The Bastard of Hull
Addam was born in 114 AC in the shipyard town of Hull on Driftmark, the son of Marilda of Hull, who named Ser Laenor Velaryon as the father. The realm did not believe it. Laenor was known to prefer men, and rumor, repeated by the fool Mushroom, pointed to Lord Corlys himself. Corlys kept Addam and his younger brother Alyn away from court, so as not to offend his wife Rhaenys, and Archmaester Gyldayn says their true parentage remains disputed.
When the Sowing began, Addam volunteered. He claimed Seasmoke, a pale silver-grey dragon roughly twice the size of Tessarion, who had belonged to Laenor and had lived riderless on the Dragonmont for almost a decade after Laenor’s death in 120 AC. Addam first fought on Seasmoke at the Battle of the Gullet. Afterward Corlys petitioned Rhaenyra to remove the stain of bastardy from both brothers, and she legitimized them. Addam became Addam Velaryon, heir to Driftmark.
The Test of Loyalty
After the Two Betrayers turned at Tumbleton, Rhaenyra’s court looked at the remaining seeds and saw Hugh and Ulf. Addam was ordered arrested in the Dragonpit by Ser Luthor Largent. He had been warned, fled on Seasmoke, and was gone. Corlys, who had spoken in his defense, was beaten and imprisoned for sending the warning. Rhaenyra lost both a dragon and her Hand.
Addam had every reason to stay gone. Instead he gathered nearly four thousand men from the riverlands and attacked the Green army at Tumbleton in the dark: the Second Battle of Tumbleton. He caught the Greens unprepared. Tessarion, whose rider Daeron was already dead, took flight, and Addam turned Seasmoke on her. The battle ended when the enraged, riderless Vermithor began attacking people on the ground, and Seasmoke drove him into the mud. Tessarion joined in, and the three dragons fought to the death on the ground. Vermithor bit through Seasmoke’s neck and tore off his head, but could not fly with it and collapsed and died, and Tessarion was mortally wounded. Addam died in the battle, saving King’s Landing from Rhaenyra’s foes at the cost of his own life.
Alyn and the Tomb
Alyn, Addam’s younger brother, was also legitimized. As a boy he had tried to tame Sheepstealer, who set his cloak on fire before Seasmoke drove the dragon off. By 138 AC he was Lord of the Tides. That year Addam’s bones were moved from Raventree Hall to Driftmark, and Alyn had a single word carved on the tomb: LOYAL. The remains of Seasmoke and Vermithor, meanwhile, became a tourist attraction in the rebuilt town.
On Screen (HOTD Season 3)
Addam has not died on screen by the end of Season 3, and the show has not yet reached the Second Tumbleton. He waits with Hugh and Ulf to ambush Aemond at Harrenhal in the premiere, finds Corlys after the Gullet and hears that Corlys will legitimize Alyn, stands with Baela in the wreckage Vhagar leaves at Wendish Town, and arrives with Rhaenyra on dragonback for the showdown with Caraxes and Sheepstealer in the riverlands. If the show follows the book, his arrest and the Second Tumbleton are still to come. See how the Season 3 finale left everyone and the Battle of Tumbleton.
FAQ
Is Addam of Hull Corlys Velaryon’s son?
Officially he was Laenor Velaryon’s bastard, but Laenor preferred men, and the rumor that Corlys himself was the father is repeated by Mushroom. Archmaester Gyldayn says the truth is disputed.
How does Addam Velaryon die?
At the Second Battle of Tumbleton in 130 AC, leading the night attack on the Green army. His dragon Seasmoke died fighting Vermithor and Tessarion in the same battle.
What dragon does Addam ride?
Seasmoke, a pale silver-grey dragon who had belonged to Ser Laenor Velaryon before Addam claimed him.
Why did Rhaenyra order Addam arrested?
After the Two Betrayers turned at Tumbleton she suspected Addam of turning too. He was warned and escaped, and Corlys was beaten and imprisoned for the warning.
Is Addam in House of the Dragon?
Yes. Addam appears throughout Season 3, and his death at the Second Tumbleton has not happened on screen.