Third Dornish War

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Third Dornish War
Date 61 AC
Location Red Mountains of Dorne
Result Iron Throne victory
Belligerents
House Targaryen.svg Iron Throne/House Targaryen:
House Baratheon.svg House Baratheon
House Dondarrion.svg House Dondarrion
Vulture King
Notable commanders
House Targaryen.svg King Jaehaerys I Targaryen
House Baratheon.svg Lord Rogar Baratheon
House Dondarrion.svg Lord Simon Dondarrion
Vulture King
Ser Borys Baratheon
Strength
Vermithor
500 stormlanders
Small force of Marcher knights
Hundreds of outlaws
Losses
MinimalSer Borys Baratheon
Vulture King
Most of the outlaws

The Third Dornish War, also known as Lord Rogar's War, was the war of another rebel calling himself the Vulture King and his followers who pillaged the Dornish marches during the reign of Jaehaerys I Targaryen in 61 AC.[1]

According to Archmaester Gyldayn, the name "Third Dornish War" is a misnomer, as the Prince of Dorne kept the armies of Dorne out of the conflict. Gyldayn considers "Lord Rogar's War", a name given to the conflict by the smallfolk, a much better name.[1]

Prelude

Ser Borys Baratheon was the heir to Storm's End until his older brother, Lord Rogar Baratheon, finally had a son, Boremund, in 52 AC. Borys became bitter and traveled to Myr and Volantis before returning to Westeros, where he joined forces with the Vulture King of the Red Mountains. Using his knowledge of the stormlands, he assisted the rebel in raiding and pillaging his former home.[1]

In 61 AC Lord Rogar Baratheon traveled to King's Landing, asking King Jaehaerys I Targaryen for his leave to end the threat. Jaehaerys replied that Lord Rogar not only had his leave, but the king's own sword too.[1]

Battle

When pursued, the Vulture King would disappear into the Red Mountains to evade capture, retreating to one of his camps high in the mountains. However, his tactics were to little avail against the Targaryen forces. King Jaehaerys I Targaryen flew upon Vermithor, setting aflame each of the Vulture King's crude camps in the mountains. Lord Rogar Baratheon's column traveled into the mountain from the east, at first by horse but soon afoot along goat tracks. Lord Simon Dondarrion of Blackhaven led a small host of marcher knights into the mountains from the west, sealing off a potential route of escape for the Vulture King.[1]

Ser Borys Baratheon was the first to be cornered. Lord Rogar's men made short work of Borys's men, but when Rogar and Borys came face to face, Jaehaerys refused to let Rogar become a kinslayer and personally challenged Borys to single combat. Borys accepted the challenge, and was cut down by Jaehaerys with Blackfyre.[1]

The Vulture King was eventually captured in a previously burned lair. Led before Jaehaerys and Rogar in chains, Lord Rogar ordered the captive's chains removed and that he be given a spear and shield. Lord Rogar commanded that if the Vulture King managed to slay him in single combat, he would be allowed to go free. The Vulture King proved unable to defeat the Stormlord, however, and was slain by Lord Rogar.[1]

In total, the war lasted not even half a year.[1]

Aftermath

Following the defeat of the Vulture King, raiding fell off sharply along the Dornish Marches for a time.[1]

As the actions of King Jaehaerys I Targaryen during the conflict became known throughout the Seven Kingdoms, the lords of the realm grew to respect their king more, and any doubts they still might have had about Jaehaerys's bravery were removed.[1]

Many years later in 83 AC, Morion Martell succeeded his father as Prince of Dorne, but scorned how two decades before his (unnamed) father had allowed Jaehaerys to enter Dornish lands unmolested and without his leave. Rash and foolish, Morion sought to avenge what he perceived as a slight upon Dornish honor by launching the Fourth Dornish War, which ended in his humiliation.[1]

Quotes

The fight that followed is named in the histories as the Third Dornish War, but that is a misnomer, for the Prince of Dorne kept his armies well out of the conflict. The smallfolk of the time called it Lord Rogar's War, and that name is far more apt.[1]

References

  1. 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 Fire & Blood, The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain.