Difference between revisions of "Aegon's Conquest"

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| part_of = [[Wars of Conquest]]
 
| part_of = [[Wars of Conquest]]
 
| image = [[File:King Who Knelt.jpg|350px]]
 
| image = [[File:King Who Knelt.jpg|350px]]
| caption = [[Torrhen Stark]] kneels to [[Aegon I Targaryen]], as depicted by Chase Stone in ''[[The World of Ice and Fire]]''
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| caption = [[Torrhen Stark]] kneels to [[Aegon I Targaryen]], as depicted by Chase Stone in ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]''
| date = [[Years before Aegon's Conquest|2 BC]] - {{Date|1}}
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| date = {{date|-2|1}}
 
| battles = [[Aegon's first test]]<br>[[Battle in the waters off Gulltown]]<br>[[Battle of the Reeds]]<br>[[Wailing Willows]]<br>[[Burning of Harrenhal]]<br>[[Last Storm]]<br>[[Field of Fire]]
 
| battles = [[Aegon's first test]]<br>[[Battle in the waters off Gulltown]]<br>[[Battle of the Reeds]]<br>[[Wailing Willows]]<br>[[Burning of Harrenhal]]<br>[[Last Storm]]<br>[[Field of Fire]]
 
| location = [[Westeros]]
 
| location = [[Westeros]]
| result = [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon]] conquers six of the [[Seven Kingdoms]] and builds the [[Iron Throne]].<br>Aegon crowned King of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm.<br>[[Dorne]] remains independent.
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| result = [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon]] conquers six of the [[Seven Kingdoms]] and builds the [[Iron Throne]].<br>Aegon crowned King of the [[Andals]], the [[Rhoynar]], and the [[First Men]], [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]], and [[Protector of the Realm]].<br>[[Dorne]] remains independent.
 
<!-- combatant 1 -->  
 
<!-- combatant 1 -->  
 
| combatant1 = [[House Targaryen]] of [[Dragonstone]]
 
| combatant1 = [[House Targaryen]] of [[Dragonstone]]
Line 64: Line 64:
 
}}
 
}}
  
'''Aegon's Conquest''',{{ref|AFFC|11}}{{ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons}} also called '''the Conquest''',{{ref|ACOK|Prologue}}{{ref|ASOS|14}} was the campaign in which [[Aegon I Targaryen]] conquered most of [[Westeros]]. Supported by his sisters—[[Visenya Targaryen|Visenya]] and [[Rhaenys Targaryen|Rhaenys]]—their [[dragon]]s, and a small army, Aegon subdued six of the [[Seven Kingdoms]], successfully resisted only by [[Dorne]]. Not all the continent had to be taken by conquest, as some regions and houses actively supported [[House Targaryen]] and others submitted voluntarily.
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'''Aegon's Conquest''',{{ref|AFFC|11}}{{ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} also called '''the Conquest''',{{ref|ACOK|Prologue}}{{ref|ASOS|14}} was the campaign in which [[Aegon I Targaryen]] conquered most of [[Westeros]]. Together with his sisters, [[Visenya Targaryen|Visenya]] and [[Rhaenys Targaryen|Rhaenys]], and their [[dragon]]s, [[Vhagar]] and [[Meraxes]], Aegon subdued six of the [[Seven Kingdoms]], successfully resisted only by [[Dorne]]. Not all the continent had to be taken by conquest, as some regions and houses actively supported [[House Targaryen]] and others submitted voluntarily.
  
The first and most prominent of the [[Wars of Conquest]], Aegon's initial campaign lasted two years.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons}} It was followed by the [[First Dornish War]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I}} The date of Aegon's coronation by the [[High Septon (Aegon's Conquest)|High Septon]] during the Conquest has been used by [[maesters]] to track years [[Years before Aegon's Conquest|before]] and [[Years after Aegon's Conquest|after]] Aegon's victory.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}
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The first and most prominent of the [[Wars of Conquest]], Aegon's initial campaign lasted two years.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} It was followed by the [[First Dornish War]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I}} The date of Aegon's coronation by the [[High Septon (Aegon's Conquest)|High Septon]] during the Conquest has been used by [[maesters]] to track years [[Years before Aegon's Conquest|before]] and [[Years after Aegon's Conquest|after]] Aegon's victory.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}
  
 
==Precursor==
 
==Precursor==
The war began in [[Years before Aegon's Conquest|2 BC]] when [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon Targaryen]] and his two sister-wives [[Rhaenys Targaryen|Rhaenys]] and [[Visenya Targaryen|Visenya]] landed with fewer than 1,600 men{{ref|aSoS|54}} on the east coast of [[Westeros]], at the mouth of the [[Blackwater Rush]]. The Targaryens had held the island-fortress of [[Dragonstone]] as the westernmost outpost of the [[Valyrian Freehold]] for a century before the [[Doom of Valyria|Doom]] destroyed Valyria.  
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Lord [[Aenar Targaryen]] had moved his family to [[Dragonstone]], the westernmost outpost of the [[Valyrian Freehold]], twelve years before the [[Doom of Valyria|Doom]] destroyed [[Valyria]].
  
In the century after the Doom, the "[[Bleeding Years]]", they tried to expand their holdings. However, Aegon had been torn between unifying the continent of Westeros and conquering the [[Free Cities]], which had been experiencing bloody strife in the aftermath of Valyria's fall. He rejected a call from several of the Free Cities to help unite them as a new Freehold and chose the far more ambitious course of invading Westeros. With very limited manpower, the Targaryens knew that their full-grown [[dragon]]s would be their ultimate weapon.
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During the [[Century of Blood]], multiple factions struggled for power in [[Essos]]. Towards the end of the Century of Blood, the young Lord [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon Targaryen]], rider of the [[dragon]] [[Balerion]], was approached by the [[Free Cities]] of [[Pentos]] and [[Tyrosh]] to form an alliance. Aegon aided the alliance in defeating the [[Volantis|Volantene]] fleet, after which he returned to Dragonstone. With the struggles for power in the east to an end, Aegon instead turned his attention to the west, to the [[Westeros|lands]] that had always interested him.{{Ref|twoiaf| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}
  
Aegon, the [[Storm King]] [[Argilac Durrandon]], and [[Braavos]] sided with [[Tyrosh]], [[Lys]], [[Myr]], and  in an alliance that broke [[Volantis|Volantene]] hegemony at the end of the "Bleeding Years."{{Ref|ADWD|8}}
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Some believe that Aegon had never visited Westeros before his invasion, but there are reports of him having visited the [[Arbor]] and the [[Citadel]] and possibly [[Lannisport]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} Years before the Conquest he had ordered the construction of the [[Painted Table]], a table at Dragonstone cut into an accurate geographical map of Westeros.{{ref|ASOS|36}}
  
[[Harren Hoare]], the [[King of the Isles and the Rivers]], was nearing completion of his vast castle, [[Harrenhal]], and was said to be looking for more conquests. Argilac had grown afraid of Harren and so proposed an alliance with Aegon. It is believed he wanted to create a buffer zone between him and Harren. He offered the hand of his daughter,[[Argella Durrandon|Argella]], in marriage as well as dowry lands, though much of the lands were in fact in the possession of Harren the Black.  
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[[Harren Hoare]], the [[King of the Isles and the Rivers]], was nearing completion of his vast castle, [[Harrenhal]], and was said to be looking for more conquests. Argilac had grown afraid of Harren and so proposed an alliance with Aegon to create a buffer zone between him and Harren. He offered the hand of his daughter, [[Argella Durrandon|Argella]], in marriage as well as dowry lands, though much of the lands were in the possession of Harren the Black. Aegon refused and instead offered the hand of his best friend and rumored [[bastard]] brother, [[Orys Baratheon]]. Argilac took this as a grave insult and had the hands of the envoy cut off. He sent them to Aegon with the message "These are the only hands you will receive".{{ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}
  
Aegon refused and instead offered the hand of his best friend and rumored [[bastard]] brother, [[Orys Baratheon]]. Argilac took this as a grave insult and had the hands of the envoy cut off. He sent them to Aegon with a message of ''"These are the only hands you will receive"''. Aegon called his banners and took counsel with them and his sisters. Then Aegon sent [[raven]]s to the rulers in the Seven Kingdoms. He informed them that ''"There will be only one king"'' and that those who bent the knee would keep their lands and titles, while those that did not he would destroy.  
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Aegon called his banners and took counsel with them and his sisters, after which he sent [[raven]]s to the rulers in the Seven Kingdoms. He informed them that he would be the only king in Westeros and that those who bent the knee would keep their lands and titles, while those that did not he would destroy.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} He apparently considered all of Westeros as one land, despite the fact that the continent was long split into [[Seven Kingdoms]], and was determined to unify it under his rule.{{ref|ASOS|36}}
  
[[Sharra Arryn]], [[Regent|Queen Regent]] of the [[Vale of Arryn]], made Aegon an offer of marriage and alliance if he named as his heir her son, [[Ronnel Arryn (king)|Ronnel Arryn]], the young [[King of Mountain and Vale]]. [[Meria Martell]], [[Princess of Dorne]], replied she would be Aegon's ally against the Storm King, but would not yield. Aegon rejected both these offers and none of the other rulers would submit.
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[[Meria Martell]], [[Princess of Dorne]], replied she would be Aegon's ally against the Storm King Argilac, but would not yield; Aegon rejected her offer. The Lord of Dragonstone also rejected [[Sharra Arryn]], the Queen Regent of the [[Vale of Arryn|Vale]], who desired the eastern bank of the [[Green Fork]] from Harren, since Sharra offered Aegon an alliance and not submission.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}
 
 
Before launching his invasion, Aegon allegedly visited some Westerosi cities and castles in secret, noting the strength of each king and each lord, and the loyalty they commanded, (some [[maesters]] dispute this, however, with the official histories claiming that he never stepped foot in Westeros before the invasion)<ref>[http://thewertzone.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-full-story-of-targaryen-conquest-in.html?spref=tw&m=1]</ref> and ordered the construction of the Painted Table, a table cut into an accurate geographical map of Westeros. He apparently considered all of Westeros as one land, despite the fact that the continent was long split into [[Seven Kingdoms]], and was determined to unify it under his rule.
 
  
 
==The Conquest==
 
==The Conquest==
 
The seven rulers at the time were:
 
The seven rulers at the time were:
  
[[File:House Stark.PNG|30px]] '''[[Torrhen Stark]]''', [[King in the North]].<br>
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[[File:House Stark.svg|30px]] '''[[Torrhen Stark]]''', [[King in the North]].<br>
[[File:House Arryn.PNG|30px]] '''[[Ronnel Arryn (king)|Ronnel Arryn]]''', [[King of Mountain and Vale]], a young boy whose mother, [[Sharra Arryn]], ruled as [[Regent]].<br>
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[[File:House Arryn.svg|30px]] '''[[Ronnel Arryn (king)|Ronnel Arryn]]''', [[King of Mountain and Vale]], a young boy whose mother, [[Sharra Arryn]], ruled as [[Regent]].<br>
 
[[File:Hoare.png|30px]] '''[[Harren Hoare]]''', [[King of the Isles and the Rivers]], known as Harren the Black.<br>
 
[[File:Hoare.png|30px]] '''[[Harren Hoare]]''', [[King of the Isles and the Rivers]], known as Harren the Black.<br>
[[File:House Lannister.png|30px]] '''[[Loren I Lannister]]''', [[King of the Rock]].<br>
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[[File:House Lannister.svg|30px]] '''[[Loren I Lannister]]''', [[King of the Rock]].<br>
 
[[File:House Gardner.PNG|30px]] '''[[Mern IX Gardener]]''', [[King of the Reach]].<br>
 
[[File:House Gardner.PNG|30px]] '''[[Mern IX Gardener]]''', [[King of the Reach]].<br>
[[File:House Baratheon.PNG|30px]] '''[[Argilac Durrandon]]''', the [[Storm King]], known as Argilac the Arrogant.<br>
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[[File:House Baratheon.svg|30px]] '''[[Argilac Durrandon]]''', the [[Storm King]], known as Argilac the Arrogant.<br>
[[File:MartellCoA.png|30px]] '''[[Meria Martell]]''', [[Princess of Dorne]], a blind, balding woman of 80. Known as the Yellow Toad.<br>
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[[File:House Martell.svg|30px]] '''[[Meria Martell]]''', [[Princess of Dorne]], a blind, balding woman of 80. Known as the Yellow Toad.<br>
  
===Beachhead===
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===Aegon's Landing===
The Targaryen host landed at the mouth of the [[Blackwater Rush]] next to three hills. Upon the [[Aegon's High Hill|highest hill]], Aegon started construction of the [[Aegonfort]], a wooden motte and bailey fort as his first claim to the mainland of Westeros. [[House Rosby]] yielded [[Rosby]] to Rhaenys, while [[House Stokeworth]] surrendered to Visenya after [[Vhagar]] used [[dragonfire]] on the roof of [[Stokeworth]].{{ref|twoiaf| The Conquest}}
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:{{main|Aegon's Landing}}
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The war began in {{date|-2}} when [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon Targaryen]] and his two sister-wives [[Rhaenys Targaryen|Rhaenys]] and [[Visenya Targaryen|Visenya]] landed with fewer than 1,600 men{{ref|aSoS|54}} at the mouth of the [[Blackwater Rush]] next to three hills. Upon the [[Aegon's High Hill|highest hill]], Aegon started construction of the [[Aegonfort]], a wooden motte and bailey fort as his first claim to the mainland of Westeros. The Targaryens were supported by Houses [[House Celtigar|Celtigar]], [[House Massey|Massey]], and [[House Velaryon|Velaryon]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}
  
[[Aegon's first test]] came form Lord [[House Darklyn|Darklyn]] of [[Duskendale]] and Lord [[House Mooton|Mooton]] of [[Maidenpool]], who joined their power and marched south with three thousand men. Aegon sent [[Orys Baratheon]] to meet them on the march, whist he descended on them from above with [[Balerion]]. After both lords were slain, Darklyn's son and Mooton's brother, [[Jon Mooton]], yielded their castles and swore their swords to [[House Targaryen]].{{ref|twoiaf| The Conquest}}
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[[House Rosby]] yielded [[Rosby]] to Rhaenys, while [[House Stokeworth]] surrendered to Visenya after [[Vhagar]] used [[dragonfire]] on the roof of [[Stokeworth]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}
  
Queen Visenya placed a [[Valyrian steel]] circlet, studded with rubies, on her brother's head and Queen Rhaenys hailed him as "Aegon, First of His Name, King of All Westeros, and Shield of His People."{{ref|twoiaf| The Conquest}}
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[[Aegon's first test]] came form Lord [[House Darklyn|Darklyn]] of [[Duskendale]] and Lord [[House Mooton|Mooton]] of [[Maidenpool]], who joined their power and marched south with three thousand men. Aegon sent [[Orys Baratheon]] to meet them on the march, whist he descended on them from above with [[Balerion]]. After both lords were slain, Darklyn's son and Mooton's brother, [[Jon Mooton]], yielded their castles and swore their swords to [[House Targaryen]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}
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Queen Visenya placed a [[Valyrian steel]] circlet, studded with rubies, on her brother's head and Queen Rhaenys hailed him as "Aegon, First of His Name, [[King of All Westeros, Shield of His People|King of All Westeros, and Shield of His People]]."{{ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}
  
 
===Battle in the waters off Gulltown===
 
===Battle in the waters off Gulltown===
 
: {{See also|Battle in the waters off Gulltown}}
 
: {{See also|Battle in the waters off Gulltown}}
Aegon sent his fleet commanded by [[Daemon Velaryon (master of ships)|Daemon Velaryon]] to take [[Gulltown]] with Visenya and Vhagar. A hastily assembled [[House Arryn|Arryn]] fleet, augmented by a dozen [[Braavos]]i warships, met and defeated the Targaryen fleet in a [[battle in the waters off Gulltown]]. Among the dead was Aegon's admiral, Daemon. Visenya descended on the Arryn fleet and burned their ships.{{ref|twoiaf| The Conquest}}  
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Aegon sent his fleet commanded by [[Daemon Velaryon (master of ships)|Daemon Velaryon]] to take [[Gulltown]] with Visenya and Vhagar. A hastily assembled [[House Arryn|Arryn]] fleet, augmented by a dozen [[Braavos]]i warships, met and defeated the Targaryen fleet in a [[battle in the waters off Gulltown]]. Among the dead was Aegon's admiral, Daemon. Visenya descended on the Arryn fleet and burned their ships.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}
  
Rebellion broke out on the [[Three Sisters]], when the Sistermen renounced all allegiance to the [[Eyrie]] and proclaimed Lady [[Marla Sunderland]] their queen.{{ref|twoiaf| The Conquest}}
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Rebellion broke out on the [[Three Sisters]], when the Sistermen renounced their allegiance to House Aryn of the [[Eyrie]] and declared their queen to be Lady [[Marla Sunderland]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}
  
 
===Burning of Harrenhal===
 
===Burning of Harrenhal===
 
: {{See also|Burning of Harrenhal}}
 
: {{See also|Burning of Harrenhal}}
 
[[File:Fall of harrenhal by reneaigner.jpg|350px|thumb|Aegon used his dragons to overcome Harrenhal's defenses (depiction by Rene Aigner©)]]
 
[[File:Fall of harrenhal by reneaigner.jpg|350px|thumb|Aegon used his dragons to overcome Harrenhal's defenses (depiction by Rene Aigner©)]]
Aegon marched northwest to the [[Gods Eye]] and [[Harrenhal]]. Aegon was attacked on the south shore of the Gods Eye twice. The [[Battle of the Reeds]] was a Targaryen victory, but they suffered heavy losses at the [[Wailing Willows]] when two of King [[Harren Hoare|Harren]]'s sons crossed the lake in longboats with muffled oars and fell upon their rear. [[Balerion]] fell upon the victors as they were crossing back across the lake, burning Harren's longboats and sons as well.{{ref|twoiaf| The Conquest}}
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Aegon marched northwest to the [[Gods Eye]] and [[Harrenhal]], but he was attacked by [[House Hoare]] twice on the south shore of the Gods Eye. The [[Battle of the Reeds]] was a Targaryen victory, but they suffered heavy losses at the [[Wailing Willows]] when two of King [[Harren Hoare|Harren the Black's]] sons crossed the lake in longboats with muffled oars and fell upon their rear. [[Balerion]] fell upon the victors as they were crossing back across the lake, burning Harren's longboats and sons as well.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}
  
 
Harren summoned the river lords to defend Harrenhal, but they rose against the Hoares under the leadership of Lord [[Edmyn Tully]] of [[Riverrun]]. One by one the river lords joined their strength to Aegon, with Edmyn being the first to do so. Suddenly outnumbered, King Harren the Black took refuge in his supposedly impregnable stronghold. Aegon met Harren at the gates, under a peace banner to parley.
 
Harren summoned the river lords to defend Harrenhal, but they rose against the Hoares under the leadership of Lord [[Edmyn Tully]] of [[Riverrun]]. One by one the river lords joined their strength to Aegon, with Edmyn being the first to do so. Suddenly outnumbered, King Harren the Black took refuge in his supposedly impregnable stronghold. Aegon met Harren at the gates, under a peace banner to parley.
{{Quote|'''Aegon''': Yield now, and you may remain as Lord of the Iron Islands. Yield now, and your sons will live to rule after you. I have eight thousand men outside your walls.<br>'''Harren''': What is outside my walls is of no concern to me. Those walls are strong and thick.<br>'''Aegon''': But not so high as to keep out dragons. Dragons fly.<br>'''Harren''': I built in stone. Stone does not burn.<br>'''Aegon''': When the sun sets, your line shall end.}}
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{{Quote|'''Aegon''': Yield now, and you may remain as Lord of the Iron Islands. Yield now, and your sons will live to rule after you. I have eight thousand men outside your walls.<br>'''Harren''': What is outside my walls is of no concern to me. Those walls are strong and thick.<br>'''Aegon''': But not so high as to keep out dragons. Dragons fly.<br>'''Harren''': I built in stone. Stone does not burn.<br>'''Aegon''': When the sun sets, your line shall end.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}}}
Once inside he sent every man to the parapets, armed with spears, bows and crossbows, promising lands and riches to whomever could bring down the dragon. As the last light faded Aegon took Balerion up through the clouds and descended well inside the castles walls. The dragon roared his fury and bathed the castle in flame, Harren and his sons died in the [[burning of Harrenhal]]. The next day Aegon accepted an oath of fealty from Edmyn Tully, and named him [[Lord Paramount of the Trident]]. The other river lords did homage as well, to Aegon as king and Edmyn as liege lord.{{ref|twoiaf| The Conquest}}
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Descending from the sky atop Balerion, Aegon used [[dragonflame]] against the great castle, and Harren and his sons died in the [[burning of Harrenhal]].
 +
 
 +
The next day Aegon accepted an oath of fealty from Edmyn Tully, and named him [[Lord Paramount of the Trident]]. The other river lords did homage as well, to Aegon as king and Edmyn as liege lord of the [[riverlands]]. The melted swords of Harren's [[ironborn]] were sent to the [[Aegonfort]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}
  
 
===Conquest of the Stormlands===
 
===Conquest of the Stormlands===
 
: {{See also|Last Storm}}
 
: {{See also|Last Storm}}
The greater part of Aegon's host crossed the [[Blackwater Rush]] heading south for [[Storm's End]] under the command of [[Orys Baratheon]], with Rhaenys accompanying him astride Meraxes. Lords [[House Errol|Errol]], [[House Fell|Fell]] and [[House Buckler|Buckler]], bannermen of Storm's End, surprised the advance elements of Orys's host as they were crossing the [[Wendwater]], cutting down more then a thousand men before retreating back into the trees. Rhaenys unleashed Meraxes and set the forest ablaze.
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While Aegon dealt with Harrenhal, the greater part of his host crossed the [[Blackwater Rush]] heading south for [[Storm's End]] under the command of [[Orys Baratheon]], with Queen [[Rhaenys Targaryen]] accompanying him astride [[Meraxes]]. While the [[Storm King]] [[Argilac Durrandon]] gathered his bannermen to Storm's End, pirates from the [[Stepstones]] raided [[Cape Wrath]] and [[Dornishmen]] from the [[Red Mountains]] attacked the [[Dornish Marches]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}
  
As the [[Storm King]] [[Argilac Durrandon|Argilac the Arrogant]] gathered his swords at Storm's End, pirates from the [[Stepstones]] descended onto [[Cape Wrath]] and [[Dornishmen|Dornish]] raiding parties came storming out of the [[Red Mountains]] to sweep across the [[Dornish Marches]].{{ref|twoiaf| The Conquest}}
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Lords [[House Errol|Errol]], [[House Fell|Fell]] and [[House Buckler|Buckler]], bannermen of Argilac the Arrogant, surprised the advance elements of Orys's host as they were crossing the [[Wendwater]], cutting down more than a thousand men before retreating back into the trees. Rhaenys unleashed Meraxes and set the forest ablaze, killing Lord Errol.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}
  
Word of King Harren's end reached King Argilac. Lords Fell and Buckler, falling back before the approaching host, had sent Argilac word of Queen Rhaenys and her dragon. The old king roared that he did not intend to die like a suckling pig. He would decide his own fate, with sword in hand, so he rode forth to meet his foes in the open field. Rhaenys had witnessed the Storm King's approach, giving Orys a full account of the enemy's numbers and disposition. Orys took up a strong position on the hills south of [[Bronzegate]], and dug in waiting for the stormlanders.{{ref|twoiaf| The Conquest}}
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Word of King Harren's end having reached Storm's End, Argilac rode north to meet his foes in the field. After being advised through Rhaenys's reconnaissance, Orys fortified a strong position on the hills south of [[Bronzegate]] and waited for Argilac's [[stormlands|stormlanders]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}
  
As the two armies met a steady rain started to fall, turning into a howling gale by midday. Argilac, outnumbering the Targaryen force two to one, and with the wind blowing into the faces of his foe, gave the command to attack. The fighting lasted well into the night. Thrice Argilac led his knights against the Targaryen positions, but the slopes were steep, the grounds soft and muddy, so the warhorses struggled, and the charges lost all momentum. Stormlanders sent their spearmen up on foot, blinded by rain the invaders didn't see them until it was to late, and wet bowstrings made them useless. One hill fell then another, and the third and final charge of the Storm King and his knights broke through the centre, only to come upon Queen Rhaenys and Meraxes. Even on the ground the dragon proved formidable, [[Dickon Morrigen]] and the [[Bastard of Blackhaven]], commanding the vanguard, were engulfed in dragonflame, in the chaos the Storm King was thrown from his saddle. Yet still Argilac continued to battle. When Orys came down the hill with his own men, he found the old king holding off half a dozen men, with as many corpses at his feet. He dismounted so as to meet the king on equal footing, and offered him one last chance to yield. Argilac cursed him instead. And so they fought and Orys killed the Storm King. With the death of the king the stormlanders threw down their swords and fled.{{ref|twoiaf| The Conquest}}
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In what became known as the [[Last Storm]], Argilac attacked the Baratheon and Targaryen forces during a howling gale. The Storm King and his knights broke through Orys's center during their third charge, but they then faced Queen Rhaenys. Meraxes's [[dragonflame]] killed the personal guard of Argilac, who was thrown from the saddle. Orys offered him to yield, but Argilac cursed him instead. After Orys slew the wounded Storm King in single combat, the stormlanders threw down their swords and fled.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}
  
For a few days it was feared Storm's End would suffer same fate as Harrenhal, for Argilac's daughter [[Argella Durrandon|Argella]] barred her gates and declared herself Storm Queen. The soldiers of Storm's End proved less eager to die, they raised a peace banner opened the gate and delivered Argella, gagged, chained and naked to the camp of Orys.
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Argilac's daughter, [[Argella Durrandon]], barred the gates of Storm's End and declared herself Storm Queen. The castle's soldiers, however, eventually delivered her to Orys's camp.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} Orys took Argella as his wife and chose the words and sigil of [[House Durrandon]] for the new [[House Baratheon]]. Aegon named Orys the [[Lord Paramount of the Stormlands]] and made him Lord of Storm's End.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Stormlands: House Baratheon}}
  
===The Submission of Crackclaw Point===
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===Submission of Crackclaw Point===
Following the death of [[Harren Hoare|Harren the Black]] at [[Harrenhal]], Aegon had sent his sister Queen Visenya, to demand the submission of the Lords of [[Crackclaw Point]]. The lords understood that they had no chance, so they laid their swords at her feet. Visenya took them as her own men and they would owe no fealty but to the [[Iron Throne]].{{Ref|aFfC|20}} They bent the knee to her without qualm, and in return she promised them that they would be direct vassals of the Targaryens.  
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Following the death of [[Harren Hoare|Harren the Black]] at [[Harrenhal]], Aegon sent his sister-queen [[Visenya Targaryen|Visenya]] to demand the submission of [[Crackclaw Point]]. Its lords understood they had no chance, so they laid their swords at her feet. Visenya took them as her own men and they would owe no fealty but to the [[Iron Throne]].{{Ref|aFfC|20}} They bent the knee to her without qualm, and in return she promised them that they would be direct vassals of the Targaryens.  
  
 
===Conquest of the Westerlands and the Reach===
 
===Conquest of the Westerlands and the Reach===
 
: {{See also|Field of Fire}}
 
: {{See also|Field of Fire}}
  
Meanwhile, the two great western kings had made common cause and assembled their own armies. From [[Highgarden]] marched King [[Mern IX Gardener]], [[King of the Reach]], with a mighty host from [[the Reach]]. Beneath the walls of [[Goldengrove]] he met King [[Loren Lannister]], [[King of the Rock]], leading his own host from the [[westerlands]]. Together they commanded the mightiest host ever seen in [[Westeros]]: an army fifty five thousand strong, including over five thousand knights. The two kings did not linger at Goldengrove, marching north.
+
Meanwhile, the two great western kings made common cause and assembled their own armies. From [[Highgarden]] marched [[Mern IX Gardener]], [[King of the Reach]], with a mighty host from the [[Reach]]. Beneath the walls of [[Goldengrove]] he met [[Loren Lannister]], [[King of the Rock]], leading his own host from the [[westerlands]]. Together they commanded the mightiest host ever seen in [[Westeros]]: an army fifty five thousand strong, including over five thousand knights. The two kings did not linger at Goldengrove, marching north.
  
[[File:King Loren King Mern and their host.jpg|thumb|350px|The Host of the Two Kings', numbered 55,000]]
+
[[File:King Loren King Mern and their host.jpg|thumb|350px|The Host of the Two Kings, numbered 55,000]]
Advised of their coming in his camp beside the Gods Eye, Aegon gathered his own forces and advanced to meet them. He commanded only one fifth the men and was able to move his host alot quicker. At the town of [[Stoney Sept]], both his queens joined him with their dragons, Rhaenys from Storm's End and Visenya from [[Crackclaw Point]].
+
Advised of their coming in his camp beside the Gods Eye, Aegon gathered his own forces and advanced to meet them. He commanded only one fifth the men and was able to more quickly move his host. At the town of [[Stoney Sept]], both his queens joined him with their dragons, Rhaenys from Storm's End and Visenya from Crackclaw Point.
  
The two armies came together amongst the wide open plains south of the [[Blackwater Rush]]. King Mern had the most men so he got the honor of leading the center, his son and heir [[Edmund Gardener|Edmund]] lead the vanguard, King Loren commanded the right and Lord Oakheart the left. The two king's meant to sweep around Aegon's host on both flanks and take them in the rear. Aegon drew his men up in a rough crescent with spears and pikes, with archers and crossbowmen just behind and light cavalry on either flank, command of his host was given to [[Jon Mooton]], Lord of [[Maidenpool]].
+
The two armies came together amongst the wide open plains south of the [[Blackwater Rush]]. [[House Gardener]] commanded the center of the allied army, with [[House Lannister]] the right and [[House Oakheart]] the left. The charge of their knights began to break the Targaryen army, but Aegon and his sisters attacked from the air with their dragons. Over five thousand died in this [[Field of Fire]], while tens of thousands were wounded. Mern and his kin all were all mortally wounded from the battle, ending House Gardener. Loren managed to escape, but he and the Lannister bannermen yielded to Aegon after being captured the following day. Loren was named Aegon's [[Warden of the West]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}
  
The Targaryens waited until the two kings sounded their trumpets and started forward. King Mern himself led the charge on his golden stallion, his son [[Gowen Gardener|Gowen]] beside him. The Gardeners and Lannisters charged through a storm of arrows, sweeping aside the spearmen and shattering their ranks. But Aegon and his sisters had taken to the air. Aegon on [[Balerion]] kept swooping down and repeatedly bathing his foes in flame. Rhaenys and Visenya set fires behind the enemy, the dry grasses and wheat went up at once. The wind fanned the flames and the smoke into the faces of the advancing kings. The scent of fire sent their mounts into panic. Their ranks broke as walls of fire rose on all sides. Lord Mooton's men, safely upwind, waited with bows and spears and made short work of the burning men who staggered from the inferno. The [[Field of Fire]] the battle was known to be called after.
+
Aegon marched at once for Highgarden, hoping to secure its surrender. He found the castle in the hands of its steward, [[Harlen Tyrell]], who yielded the castle without a fight and pledged his support to Aegon. In reward Harlen was granted Highgarden and named [[Warden of the South]] and [[Lord Paramount of the Mander]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}
 
 
More then four thousand men died in the flames, another thousand from sword, spears and arrows. Tens of thousands suffer burns. King Mern was amongst the dead, along with his sons, grandsons, brothers, cousins and other kin. One nephew survived for three days, but when he died [[House Gardener]] died with him. King Loren of the Rock lived, riding through a wall of flame to safety when he saw the battle was lost. The Targaryens lost fewer the a hundred men. Queen Visenya took an arrow to the shoulder but soon recovered.
 
 
 
Loren Lannister was captured the next day. He laid his sword and crown at Aegon's feet, bent his knee and did him homage. Aegon, true to his word, lifted his beaten foe to his feet and confirmed him in his lands and lordship, naming him Lord of [[Casterly Rock]] and [[Warden of the West]]. Lord Loren's bannermen followed his example. Yet the conquest of the west was incomplete and Aegon marched at once for [[Highgarden]], hoping to secure its surrender. He found the castle in the hands of the steward, [[Harlan Tyrell]], who yielded the castle without a fight and pledged his support to Aegon. In reward he was granted Highgarden and named [[Warden of the South]] and [[Lord Paramount of the Mander]].
 
  
 
===Submission of the North===
 
===Submission of the North===
 
[[File:Torrhen Stark bend the knee.jpg|thumb|350px|[[Torrhen Stark]] bended the knee]]
 
[[File:Torrhen Stark bend the knee.jpg|thumb|350px|[[Torrhen Stark]] bended the knee]]
It was King Aegon's intent to continue his march south and enforce the submission of [[Oldtown]], the [[Arbor]] and [[Dorne]], but whilst in Highgarden word of a new challenge came to his ears. [[Torrhen Stark]], [[King in the North]], had crossed the [[Neck]] leading an army of northmen some thirty thousand strong. Aegon immediately flew north on [[Balerion]] racing ahead of his army. He sent word to his two queens and every lord and knight who had bent the knee to him at [[Harrenhal]] and after the [[Field of Fire]].
+
Aegon's next planned to secure [[Oldtown]], the [[Arbor]], and [[Dorne]], but while at Highgarden he learned that [[Torrhen Stark]], [[King in the North]], had crossed the [[Neck]] with an army of [[north]]men some thirty thousand strong. In response, Aegon and his queens gathered the lords and knights who had already yielded to [[House Targaryen]].
  
When Torrhen reached the banks of the [[Trident]] he found a host half again the size of his own awaiting south of the river. Riverlords, westermen, stormlanders, men of the Reach all were there, and above their camp flew Balerion, [[Meraxes]] and [[Vhagar]]. Torrhen's scouts had seen the ruins of Harrenhal, where fires still burned beneath the rubble. He had heard accounts of the Field of Fire as well. He knew the same fate might befall him if he tried to force a crossing of the river. Some of his lords bannerman urged him to attack anyway, insisting Northern valor would win the day. Others urged him to fall back to [[Moat Cailin]] and make his stand on Northern soil. The king's bastard brother, [[Brandon Snow]], offered to cross the river alone under cover of darkness and slay the dragons while they slept.
+
When Torrhen's northmen reached the [[Trident]], they found a Targaryen host half again their size south of the river, including men from the [[Reach]], [[riverlands]], [[stormlands]], and [[westerlands]]. Some northern lords wanted to attack, while others wanted to fortify [[Moat Cailin]]. [[Brandon Snow]] offered to assassinate the sleeping Targaryen [[dragons]]. With Harrenhal and the Field of Fire in mind, however, Torrhen instead sent Brandon with [[maesters]] to negotiate a peace. The following day Torrhen crossed the Trident and yielded to Aegon, becoming [[Lord of Winterfell]] and [[Warden of the North]]. Torrhen has subsequently been known as ''the King Who Knelt''.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}
  
King Torrhen did send Brandon Snow across the Trident, but he crossed with three maesters not to kill but to treat. All through the night messages went back and forth. The next morning Torrhen himself crossed the Trident. There upon the south bank, he knelt, laid the ancient crown of the [[Kings of Winter]] at Aegon's feet and swore to be his man. He rose as Lord of [[Winterfell]] and [[Warden of the North]], and from that day on Torrhen Stark is remembered as the King Who Knelt.
+
===Submission of the Vale===
 +
In response to the Targaryen successes, [[Sharra Arryn]], Queen Regent of the [[Vale of Arryn|Vale]], strengthened the defenses at [[Gulltown]], moved a host to the [[Bloody Gate]], and tripled the garrisons at the way-castles which guard the [[Eyrie]]. Sharra made Aegon an offer of marriage and alliance if he named as his heir her son, [[Ronnel Arryn (king)|Ronnel Arryn]], the young [[King of Mountain and Vale]], but was refused.
  
===Submission of the Vale===
+
Despite Aegon's refusal, [[House Arryn]] felt secure in the Vale. [[Visenya Targaryen]], however, flew [[Vhagar]] to the Eyrie's inner courtyard, and Sharra found sitting on the knee of Aegon's queen her son Ronnel, who asked to fly on the dragon. After flying three times around the [[Giant's Lance]] on Vhagar, Ronnel became Lord of the Eyrie and Aegon's [[Warden of the East]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}{{ref|TWOIAF| The Vale: House Arryn}}
Queen Regent [[Sharra Arryn]] had strengthened the defenses at [[Gulltown]], moved a strong host to the [[Bloody Gate]] and tripled the size of the garrisons at Stone, Snow and Sky, the way-castles that guarded the approach to the [[Eyrie]]. All these defenses proved useless against Visenya, who rode Vhagar above them all and landed in the Eyrie's inner courtyard. When the regent of the Vale rushed out to confront her, with a dozen guards at her back, she found Visenya with King [[Ronnel Arryn]] seated on her knee, staring at the dragon wonder-struck. "''Mother can I go flying with the lady?''" the boy king asked. No threats were spoken, no angry words exchanged. The two queens smiled at one another and exchanged courtesies instead. Lady Sharra sent for the three crowns (her own regents coronet, her son's small crown and the Falcon Crown that had been worn by Arryn kings for a thousand years), and surrended them to Queen Visenya, along with the swords of her garrison. It is said the little king flew thrice around the [[Giant's Lance]] afterward.
 
  
 
===Invasion of Dorne===
 
===Invasion of Dorne===
A host of [[Dornishmen|Dornish]] spearmen guarded the [[Prince's Pass]] in the [[Red Mountains]] but Rhaenys did not engage them. She flew above the pass and descended upon [[Vaith]] to demand its submission, only to find the castle empty and abandoned. In the town beneath the walls, only women, children and old men remained. When asked where their lords had gone, they would only say, "''Away''". Rhaenys followed the river downstream to [[Godsgrace]], but it to was deserted. When she came upon the [[Planky Town]], only women and children were to be found. Finally she came upon [[Sunspear]], seat of [[House Martell]], where she found the Princess of Dorne waiting in her abandoned castle. [[Meria Martell]] eighty years of age, had ruled Dorne for sixty years.
+
Rather than confront the [[Dornishmen|Dornish]] spearmen guarding the [[Prince's Pass]] in the [[Red Mountains]], [[Rhaenys Targaryen]] flew above the pass on [[Meraxes]] to [[Vaith]] and [[Godsgrace]], but found the castles abandoned. When Rhaenys reached the [[Planky Town]], she found only women and children. At [[Sunspear]], seat of [[House Martell]], she found [[Meria Martell]], the aged [[Princess of Dorne]], waiting in her abandoned castle.
{{Quote|'''Meria''': I will not fight you, nor will I kneel to you. Dorne has no king. Tell your brother that.<br>'''Rhaenys''': I shall, but we will come again, Princess, and next time we shall come with fire and blood.<br>'''Meria''': Your words, Ours are Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken. You may burn us, my lady, but you will not bend us, break us, or make us bow. This is Dorne. You are not wanted here. Return at your peril.}}
+
{{Quote|'''Meria''': I will not fight you, nor will I kneel to you. Dorne has no king. Tell your brother that.<br>'''Rhaenys''': I shall, but we will come again, Princess, and next time we shall come with fire and blood.<br>'''Meria''': Your words, Ours are Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken. You may burn us, my lady, but you will not bend us, break us, or make us bow. This is Dorne. You are not wanted here. Return at your peril.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}}}
Thus queen and princess parted and Dorne remained unconquered.
+
Thus queen and princess parted and [[Dorne]] remained unconquered.
  
 
===Submission of Oldtown and Crowning by the Faith===
 
===Submission of Oldtown and Crowning by the Faith===
When word of Aegon's first landing reached [[Oldtown]], the [[High Septon (War of Conquest)|High Septon]] had locked himself in the [[Starry Sept]] for seven days and nights, seeking after the guidance of the gods. He took no nourishment but bread and water, and spent all his waking hours in prayer. On the seventh day, the [[Crone (the Seven)|Crone]] had lifted her golden lamp to show him the path ahead. If Oldtown took up arms against Aegon the city would surely burn. [[Manfred Hightower]], Lord of Oldtown, once told of the High Septon's vision determined that he would not oppose the Conqueror by force of arms. Thus no men from Oldtown burned on the Field of Fire.
+
When word of [[Aegon's Landing]] reached [[Oldtown]], the [[High Septon (Aegon's Conquest)|High Septon]] locked himself in the [[Starry Sept]] for seven days and nights, seeking after the guidance of [[Faith of the Seven|the Seven]]. On the seventh day, the [[Crone (the Seven)|Crone]] allegedly lifted her golden lamp and showed that Oldtown would burn if the city opposed the Targaryens. [[Manfred Hightower]], Lord of the [[Hightower]], decided not to oppose Aegon by force of arms and [[House Hightower]] therefore was not involved with the [[Field of Fire]].
  
When Aegon and his host approached Oldtown they found the city gates open and Lord Hightower riding forth to greet him and offer up his sword, his city and oath. Three days later in the Starry Sept, His High Holiness himself anointed Aegon with the seven oils, placed a crown upon his head and proclaimed him Aegon of House Targaryen, the First of His Name, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm.
+
When Aegon and his host approached Oldtown they found the city gates open and Lord Hightower riding forth in submission. Three days later in the Starry Sept, the High Septon anointed Aegon with the seven oils, placed a crown upon his head and proclaimed him Aegon of House Targaryen, the First of His Name, [[King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men]], [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]], and [[Protector of the Realm]]. This marked the official beginning of Aegon's reign.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}
  
 
==Aftermath==
 
==Aftermath==
Now in control of six of the Seven Kingdoms and known as the Conqueror, Aegon I Targaryen announced he would rule not from [[Dragonstone]] or [[Oldtown]], but from the [[Aegonfort]] and the new city growing around it, [[King's Landing]]. Aegon had melted the swords of those who had opposed him into a throne, the [[Iron Throne]], as a reminder of their submission to the Targaryens.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Conquest}}
+
Now in control of six of the Seven Kingdoms and known as the Conqueror, Aegon I Targaryen announced he would rule not from [[Dragonstone]] or [[Oldtown]], but from the [[Aegonfort]] and the new city growing around it, [[King's Landing]]. Aegon had melted the swords of those who had opposed him into the [[Iron Throne]], a reminder of their submission to the Targaryens.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}
  
The [[Iron Islands]] fell into chaos after the death of [[Harren Hoare|Harren the Black]], leading Aegon to invade in {{date|2}} and force the surviving lords of the [[ironborn]] to submit. Aegon allowed them to choose Lord [[Vickon Greyjoy]] as the new Lord of the Iron Islands.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Greyjoys of Pyke}} Dorne remained unconquered, which led to Aegon invading in {{date|4}}, beginning the bloody and unsuccessful [[First Dornish War]].{{ref|TWOIAF| Dorne Against the Dragons}}
+
The [[Iron Islands]] fell into chaos after the death of [[Harren Hoare|Harren the Black]], leading Aegon to invade in {{date|2}} and force the surviving lords of the [[ironborn]] to submit. Aegon allowed them to choose Lord [[Vickon Greyjoy]] as the new Lord of the Iron Islands.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Iron Islands: The Greyjoys of Pyke}} Dorne remained unconquered, however. Aegon continued the [[Wars of Conquest]] in {{date|4}}, beginning the bloody and unsuccessful [[First Dornish War]].{{ref|TWOIAF| Dorne: Dorne Against the Dragons}}
  
 
==Quotes==
 
==Quotes==
{{Quote|Aegon Targaryen conquered Westeros with '''dragons'''.{{ref|AFFC|19}}}} - [[Asha Greyjoy]] to [[Euron Greyjoy]]
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{{Quote|[[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon Targaryen]] conquered [[Westeros]] with '''[[dragon]]s'''.{{ref|AFFC|19}}}} - [[Asha Greyjoy]] to [[Euron Greyjoy]]
  
==References and Notes==
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==References==
 
{{References|2}}
 
{{References|2}}
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{{Wars in Westeros}}
 
{{Wars in Westeros}}
 
{{War of Conquest}}
 
{{War of Conquest}}
 
{{EnWP|Wars in A Song of Ice and Fire#War of Conquest|small=yes}}
 
  
 
[[Category:Aegon's Conquest| ]]
 
[[Category:Aegon's Conquest| ]]
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[[es:Guerra de la Conquista]]
 
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[[fr:Histoire des Sept Couronnes#La Conqu.C3.AAte d.27Aegon .28An 1.29]]
 
[[ru:Завоевание Вестероса]]
 
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[[zh:征服战争]]
 
[[zh:征服战争]]

Revision as of 15:49, 7 September 2018

Aegon's Conquest
Part of Wars of Conquest
King Who Knelt.jpg
Torrhen Stark kneels to Aegon I Targaryen, as depicted by Chase Stone in The World of Ice & Fire

Date 2 BC – 1 AC
Location Westeros
Battles Aegon's first test
Battle in the waters off Gulltown
Battle of the Reeds
Wailing Willows
Burning of Harrenhal
Last Storm
Field of Fire
Result Aegon conquers six of the Seven Kingdoms and builds the Iron Throne.
Aegon crowned King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm.
Dorne remains independent.
Belligerents
1. House Targaryen of Dragonstone
2. House Darklyn of Duskendale
House Mooton of Maidenpool
3. House Arryn, King of Mountain and Vale
4. House Hoare, King of the Isles and the Rivers
5. House Durrandon, Storm King
6. House Gardener, King of the Reach
House Lannister, King of the Rock
7. House Stark, King in the North
8. House Martell, Princess of Dorne

Aegon's Conquest,[1][2] also called the Conquest,[3][4] was the campaign in which Aegon I Targaryen conquered most of Westeros. Together with his sisters, Visenya and Rhaenys, and their dragons, Vhagar and Meraxes, Aegon subdued six of the Seven Kingdoms, successfully resisted only by Dorne. Not all the continent had to be taken by conquest, as some regions and houses actively supported House Targaryen and others submitted voluntarily.

The first and most prominent of the Wars of Conquest, Aegon's initial campaign lasted two years.[2] It was followed by the First Dornish War.[5] The date of Aegon's coronation by the High Septon during the Conquest has been used by maesters to track years before and after Aegon's victory.[2]

Precursor

Lord Aenar Targaryen had moved his family to Dragonstone, the westernmost outpost of the Valyrian Freehold, twelve years before the Doom destroyed Valyria.

During the Century of Blood, multiple factions struggled for power in Essos. Towards the end of the Century of Blood, the young Lord Aegon Targaryen, rider of the dragon Balerion, was approached by the Free Cities of Pentos and Tyrosh to form an alliance. Aegon aided the alliance in defeating the Volantene fleet, after which he returned to Dragonstone. With the struggles for power in the east to an end, Aegon instead turned his attention to the west, to the lands that had always interested him.[2]

Some believe that Aegon had never visited Westeros before his invasion, but there are reports of him having visited the Arbor and the Citadel and possibly Lannisport.[2] Years before the Conquest he had ordered the construction of the Painted Table, a table at Dragonstone cut into an accurate geographical map of Westeros.[6]

Harren Hoare, the King of the Isles and the Rivers, was nearing completion of his vast castle, Harrenhal, and was said to be looking for more conquests. Argilac had grown afraid of Harren and so proposed an alliance with Aegon to create a buffer zone between him and Harren. He offered the hand of his daughter, Argella, in marriage as well as dowry lands, though much of the lands were in the possession of Harren the Black. Aegon refused and instead offered the hand of his best friend and rumored bastard brother, Orys Baratheon. Argilac took this as a grave insult and had the hands of the envoy cut off. He sent them to Aegon with the message "These are the only hands you will receive".[2]

Aegon called his banners and took counsel with them and his sisters, after which he sent ravens to the rulers in the Seven Kingdoms. He informed them that he would be the only king in Westeros and that those who bent the knee would keep their lands and titles, while those that did not he would destroy.[2] He apparently considered all of Westeros as one land, despite the fact that the continent was long split into Seven Kingdoms, and was determined to unify it under his rule.[6]

Meria Martell, Princess of Dorne, replied she would be Aegon's ally against the Storm King Argilac, but would not yield; Aegon rejected her offer. The Lord of Dragonstone also rejected Sharra Arryn, the Queen Regent of the Vale, who desired the eastern bank of the Green Fork from Harren, since Sharra offered Aegon an alliance and not submission.[2]

The Conquest

The seven rulers at the time were:

House Stark.svg Torrhen Stark, King in the North.
House Arryn.svg Ronnel Arryn, King of Mountain and Vale, a young boy whose mother, Sharra Arryn, ruled as Regent.
Hoare.png Harren Hoare, King of the Isles and the Rivers, known as Harren the Black.
House Lannister.svg Loren I Lannister, King of the Rock.
House Gardner.PNG Mern IX Gardener, King of the Reach.
House Baratheon.svg Argilac Durrandon, the Storm King, known as Argilac the Arrogant.
House Martell.svg Meria Martell, Princess of Dorne, a blind, balding woman of 80. Known as the Yellow Toad.

Aegon's Landing

The war began in 2 BC when Aegon Targaryen and his two sister-wives Rhaenys and Visenya landed with fewer than 1,600 men[7] at the mouth of the Blackwater Rush next to three hills. Upon the highest hill, Aegon started construction of the Aegonfort, a wooden motte and bailey fort as his first claim to the mainland of Westeros. The Targaryens were supported by Houses Celtigar, Massey, and Velaryon.[2]

House Rosby yielded Rosby to Rhaenys, while House Stokeworth surrendered to Visenya after Vhagar used dragonfire on the roof of Stokeworth.[2]

Aegon's first test came form Lord Darklyn of Duskendale and Lord Mooton of Maidenpool, who joined their power and marched south with three thousand men. Aegon sent Orys Baratheon to meet them on the march, whist he descended on them from above with Balerion. After both lords were slain, Darklyn's son and Mooton's brother, Jon Mooton, yielded their castles and swore their swords to House Targaryen.[2]

Queen Visenya placed a Valyrian steel circlet, studded with rubies, on her brother's head and Queen Rhaenys hailed him as "Aegon, First of His Name, King of All Westeros, and Shield of His People."[2]

Battle in the waters off Gulltown

Aegon sent his fleet commanded by Daemon Velaryon to take Gulltown with Visenya and Vhagar. A hastily assembled Arryn fleet, augmented by a dozen Braavosi warships, met and defeated the Targaryen fleet in a battle in the waters off Gulltown. Among the dead was Aegon's admiral, Daemon. Visenya descended on the Arryn fleet and burned their ships.[2]

Rebellion broke out on the Three Sisters, when the Sistermen renounced their allegiance to House Aryn of the Eyrie and declared their queen to be Lady Marla Sunderland.[2]

Burning of Harrenhal

Aegon used his dragons to overcome Harrenhal's defenses (depiction by Rene Aigner©)

Aegon marched northwest to the Gods Eye and Harrenhal, but he was attacked by House Hoare twice on the south shore of the Gods Eye. The Battle of the Reeds was a Targaryen victory, but they suffered heavy losses at the Wailing Willows when two of King Harren the Black's sons crossed the lake in longboats with muffled oars and fell upon their rear. Balerion fell upon the victors as they were crossing back across the lake, burning Harren's longboats and sons as well.[2]

Harren summoned the river lords to defend Harrenhal, but they rose against the Hoares under the leadership of Lord Edmyn Tully of Riverrun. One by one the river lords joined their strength to Aegon, with Edmyn being the first to do so. Suddenly outnumbered, King Harren the Black took refuge in his supposedly impregnable stronghold. Aegon met Harren at the gates, under a peace banner to parley.

Aegon: Yield now, and you may remain as Lord of the Iron Islands. Yield now, and your sons will live to rule after you. I have eight thousand men outside your walls.
Harren: What is outside my walls is of no concern to me. Those walls are strong and thick.
Aegon: But not so high as to keep out dragons. Dragons fly.
Harren: I built in stone. Stone does not burn.
Aegon: When the sun sets, your line shall end.[2]

Descending from the sky atop Balerion, Aegon used dragonflame against the great castle, and Harren and his sons died in the burning of Harrenhal.

The next day Aegon accepted an oath of fealty from Edmyn Tully, and named him Lord Paramount of the Trident. The other river lords did homage as well, to Aegon as king and Edmyn as liege lord of the riverlands. The melted swords of Harren's ironborn were sent to the Aegonfort.[2]

Conquest of the Stormlands

While Aegon dealt with Harrenhal, the greater part of his host crossed the Blackwater Rush heading south for Storm's End under the command of Orys Baratheon, with Queen Rhaenys Targaryen accompanying him astride Meraxes. While the Storm King Argilac Durrandon gathered his bannermen to Storm's End, pirates from the Stepstones raided Cape Wrath and Dornishmen from the Red Mountains attacked the Dornish Marches.[2]

Lords Errol, Fell and Buckler, bannermen of Argilac the Arrogant, surprised the advance elements of Orys's host as they were crossing the Wendwater, cutting down more than a thousand men before retreating back into the trees. Rhaenys unleashed Meraxes and set the forest ablaze, killing Lord Errol.[2]

Word of King Harren's end having reached Storm's End, Argilac rode north to meet his foes in the field. After being advised through Rhaenys's reconnaissance, Orys fortified a strong position on the hills south of Bronzegate and waited for Argilac's stormlanders.[2]

In what became known as the Last Storm, Argilac attacked the Baratheon and Targaryen forces during a howling gale. The Storm King and his knights broke through Orys's center during their third charge, but they then faced Queen Rhaenys. Meraxes's dragonflame killed the personal guard of Argilac, who was thrown from the saddle. Orys offered him to yield, but Argilac cursed him instead. After Orys slew the wounded Storm King in single combat, the stormlanders threw down their swords and fled.[2]

Argilac's daughter, Argella Durrandon, barred the gates of Storm's End and declared herself Storm Queen. The castle's soldiers, however, eventually delivered her to Orys's camp.[2] Orys took Argella as his wife and chose the words and sigil of House Durrandon for the new House Baratheon. Aegon named Orys the Lord Paramount of the Stormlands and made him Lord of Storm's End.[8]

Submission of Crackclaw Point

Following the death of Harren the Black at Harrenhal, Aegon sent his sister-queen Visenya to demand the submission of Crackclaw Point. Its lords understood they had no chance, so they laid their swords at her feet. Visenya took them as her own men and they would owe no fealty but to the Iron Throne.[9] They bent the knee to her without qualm, and in return she promised them that they would be direct vassals of the Targaryens.

Conquest of the Westerlands and the Reach

Meanwhile, the two great western kings made common cause and assembled their own armies. From Highgarden marched Mern IX Gardener, King of the Reach, with a mighty host from the Reach. Beneath the walls of Goldengrove he met Loren Lannister, King of the Rock, leading his own host from the westerlands. Together they commanded the mightiest host ever seen in Westeros: an army fifty five thousand strong, including over five thousand knights. The two kings did not linger at Goldengrove, marching north.

The Host of the Two Kings, numbered 55,000

Advised of their coming in his camp beside the Gods Eye, Aegon gathered his own forces and advanced to meet them. He commanded only one fifth the men and was able to more quickly move his host. At the town of Stoney Sept, both his queens joined him with their dragons, Rhaenys from Storm's End and Visenya from Crackclaw Point.

The two armies came together amongst the wide open plains south of the Blackwater Rush. House Gardener commanded the center of the allied army, with House Lannister the right and House Oakheart the left. The charge of their knights began to break the Targaryen army, but Aegon and his sisters attacked from the air with their dragons. Over five thousand died in this Field of Fire, while tens of thousands were wounded. Mern and his kin all were all mortally wounded from the battle, ending House Gardener. Loren managed to escape, but he and the Lannister bannermen yielded to Aegon after being captured the following day. Loren was named Aegon's Warden of the West.[2]

Aegon marched at once for Highgarden, hoping to secure its surrender. He found the castle in the hands of its steward, Harlen Tyrell, who yielded the castle without a fight and pledged his support to Aegon. In reward Harlen was granted Highgarden and named Warden of the South and Lord Paramount of the Mander.[2]

Submission of the North

Torrhen Stark bended the knee

Aegon's next planned to secure Oldtown, the Arbor, and Dorne, but while at Highgarden he learned that Torrhen Stark, King in the North, had crossed the Neck with an army of northmen some thirty thousand strong. In response, Aegon and his queens gathered the lords and knights who had already yielded to House Targaryen.

When Torrhen's northmen reached the Trident, they found a Targaryen host half again their size south of the river, including men from the Reach, riverlands, stormlands, and westerlands. Some northern lords wanted to attack, while others wanted to fortify Moat Cailin. Brandon Snow offered to assassinate the sleeping Targaryen dragons. With Harrenhal and the Field of Fire in mind, however, Torrhen instead sent Brandon with maesters to negotiate a peace. The following day Torrhen crossed the Trident and yielded to Aegon, becoming Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North. Torrhen has subsequently been known as the King Who Knelt.[2]

Submission of the Vale

In response to the Targaryen successes, Sharra Arryn, Queen Regent of the Vale, strengthened the defenses at Gulltown, moved a host to the Bloody Gate, and tripled the garrisons at the way-castles which guard the Eyrie. Sharra made Aegon an offer of marriage and alliance if he named as his heir her son, Ronnel Arryn, the young King of Mountain and Vale, but was refused.

Despite Aegon's refusal, House Arryn felt secure in the Vale. Visenya Targaryen, however, flew Vhagar to the Eyrie's inner courtyard, and Sharra found sitting on the knee of Aegon's queen her son Ronnel, who asked to fly on the dragon. After flying three times around the Giant's Lance on Vhagar, Ronnel became Lord of the Eyrie and Aegon's Warden of the East.[2][10]

Invasion of Dorne

Rather than confront the Dornish spearmen guarding the Prince's Pass in the Red Mountains, Rhaenys Targaryen flew above the pass on Meraxes to Vaith and Godsgrace, but found the castles abandoned. When Rhaenys reached the Planky Town, she found only women and children. At Sunspear, seat of House Martell, she found Meria Martell, the aged Princess of Dorne, waiting in her abandoned castle.

Meria: I will not fight you, nor will I kneel to you. Dorne has no king. Tell your brother that.
Rhaenys: I shall, but we will come again, Princess, and next time we shall come with fire and blood.
Meria: Your words, Ours are Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken. You may burn us, my lady, but you will not bend us, break us, or make us bow. This is Dorne. You are not wanted here. Return at your peril.[2]

Thus queen and princess parted and Dorne remained unconquered.

Submission of Oldtown and Crowning by the Faith

When word of Aegon's Landing reached Oldtown, the High Septon locked himself in the Starry Sept for seven days and nights, seeking after the guidance of the Seven. On the seventh day, the Crone allegedly lifted her golden lamp and showed that Oldtown would burn if the city opposed the Targaryens. Manfred Hightower, Lord of the Hightower, decided not to oppose Aegon by force of arms and House Hightower therefore was not involved with the Field of Fire.

When Aegon and his host approached Oldtown they found the city gates open and Lord Hightower riding forth in submission. Three days later in the Starry Sept, the High Septon anointed Aegon with the seven oils, placed a crown upon his head and proclaimed him Aegon of House Targaryen, the First of His Name, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm. This marked the official beginning of Aegon's reign.[2]

Aftermath

Now in control of six of the Seven Kingdoms and known as the Conqueror, Aegon I Targaryen announced he would rule not from Dragonstone or Oldtown, but from the Aegonfort and the new city growing around it, King's Landing. Aegon had melted the swords of those who had opposed him into the Iron Throne, a reminder of their submission to the Targaryens.[2]

The Iron Islands fell into chaos after the death of Harren the Black, leading Aegon to invade in 2 AC and force the surviving lords of the ironborn to submit. Aegon allowed them to choose Lord Vickon Greyjoy as the new Lord of the Iron Islands.[11] Dorne remained unconquered, however. Aegon continued the Wars of Conquest in 4 AC, beginning the bloody and unsuccessful First Dornish War.[12]

Quotes

- Asha Greyjoy to Euron Greyjoy

References

  1. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 11, The Kraken's Daughter.
  2. 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19 2.20 2.21 2.22 2.23 2.24 2.25 2.26 2.27 2.28 The World of Ice & Fire, The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest.
  3. A Clash of Kings, Prologue.
  4. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 14, Catelyn II.
  5. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I.
  6. 6.0 6.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 36, Davos IV.
  7. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 54, Davos V.
  8. The World of Ice & Fire, The Stormlands: House Baratheon.
  9. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 20, Brienne IV.
  10. The World of Ice & Fire, The Vale: House Arryn.
  11. The World of Ice & Fire, The Iron Islands: The Greyjoys of Pyke.
  12. The World of Ice & Fire, Dorne: Dorne Against the Dragons.
  13. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 19, The Drowned Man.