Hugh Hammer

Hugh Hammer, or Hard Hugh, was the bastard son of a blacksmith on Dragonstone during the Dance of the Dragons. He was one of the dragonspawn and became a dragonrider riding Vermithor.
Nickname(s): Hugh Durão
Lord Hammer
The Traitor
Title(s): Sor
Lord of Bitterbridge
Loyalty: Blacks
Greens
Two Traitors
Race: Valyrian Descent
Culture: Crown Lands
Born: in Dragonstone
Died: 130 AD, in Tumbleton

Hugh was tall and broad, with hands strong enough to bend steel bars. He wielded a war hammer. Hugh could not read or write.

Hugh was a blacksmith's bastard on Dragonstone when the Dance of the Dragons began. When Prince Jacaerys Velaryon called for dragonriders in 129 AC, Hugh was allowed to ride Vermithor, the dragon of the late King Jaehaerys I Targaryen. Hugh fought valiantly for the blacks at the Battle of the Gullet. Hugh then began calling himself Hugh Hammer. After the fall of King's Landing, Prince Daemon Targaryen suggested that Hugh marry the late Lord Rosby's daughter, but Rhaenyra refused. The queen instead knighted Ulf the White and Hugh, and granted them lands in Driftmark. According to Mushroom, Hugh beat one of Rhaenyra's knights to death in a dispute over a maiden on the Street of Silk. When Daemon suggested that Houses Baratheon and Lannister should be destroyed for their support of King Aegon II Targaryen, he proposed granting Casterly Rock to Hugh, but after Lord Corlys Velaryon opposed the idea, Rhaenyra refused the suggestion. In 130 AC, Ulf and Hugh were sent to help the blacks defend the city of Tumbleton from the approaching hosts of Lord Ormund Hightower. During the First Battle of Tumbleton, however, the Two Traitors defected to the greens. Proclaiming himself Lord Hammer, Hugh desired to become a king. He gained support from some soldiers who believed in a prophecy that spoke of a new king arising once a hammer fell on a dragon. Prince Daeron Targaryen threw wine in his face when Hugh made his claim. In response, Hugh threatened to beat him. The next day, Hugh wore a black iron crown, which was knocked off by Ser Roger Corne. Hugh then nailed three horseshoes to Roger's skull, and the ensuing fight between Hugh's supporters and Roger resulted in three dead and twelve wounded. Afterwards, Hugh slept with the widow of a knight he had killed during the First Tumbleton.

The group that formed after this conflict, called the Caltrops, conspired to kill Hugh and Ulf, but their plans were interrupted by the Second Battle of Tumbleton. As Hugh prepared for battle, Ser Jon Roxton killed him with his Valyrian steel blade, Orphanmaker. Jon was killed by Hugh's men, supposedly after slipping on one of their entrails.

“Little boys should have better manners when men are talking. I don’t think your father beat you enough. Be careful that I don’t make up for it.”
—— Hugh to Prince Daeron Targaryen
“We need a strong man to lead us, not a boy. The throne should be mine.”
—— Hugh's Claim
“Why be a lord when you can be a king?”
—— Hugh to his supporters