House of the Dragon wasted no time in establishing the many conflicts that are raging in the Seven Kingdoms. However, one of the greatest threats to King Viserys Targaryens' rule is largely playing out in the background.
The following paragraphs contain spoilers for House of the Dragon and Fire & Blood.
Viserys experiences a minor injury on his back due to sitting on the Iron Throne. The wound mysteriously refuses to heal. In fact, it is expanding. In the same episode, Viserys receives a second cut from the throne that similarly becomes infected, leading to the amputation of two of his fingers.
The reason Viserys' wounds will not heal is more symbolic than anything as common as bacterial infection. The significance of being cut by the Iron Throne has deep roots in Targaryen history and Game of Thrones legend, dating back to the creation of the thrones.
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 blades he had taken from his foes in Game of Thrones. The ironwork monstrosity, as George R.R. Martin referred to it in Game of Thrones, was constructed with the intention of causing severe agony.
Aenys' son Aenys was crowned by his brother, the usurper Maegor, six years after Maegor's notoriously brutal rule. He spent the night brooding alone on the Iron Throne, with one of Maegor's many wives finding him dead in the seat with several other spikes wounding his throat.
Maegor's death is conceivable, including that he committed suicide or that Elinor was murdered. However, many believe that the Iron Throne itself is the cause of Maegor's death; this is what spawns popular beliefs that the throne chooses who is worthy or not of ruling Westeros and that those who are deemed indeserving suffer harm from its blades.
Does anyone 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 King Scab because he cut himself so often on the Iron Throne; his death was neither accidental or due to an infection as a result of one of his many cuts. Rather, his death occurred at the end of Jaime Lannister's sword.
The Iron Throne isnt a supernatural judge, jury, or executioner who disposes of 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 not a fit ruler, those odds will increase exponentially.
What does Viserys' being cut by the Iron Throne mean?
Viserys' decision to name Rhaenyra his replacement or to wed Alicent Hightower only stoke more outrage against him.
Viserys first iron throne break occurred at an unknown time, but his second injury is of great importance, coming immediately following his decision to oust Daemon from the line of succession. This decision is one of the key decisions that ultimately leads to the first Targaryen civil conflict. It may also serve as a further proof that Viserys is a weak king capable of shouldering 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 deficiency as king.