Battle of the Honeywine
Battle on the Honeywine | |||||||||||||||||
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Conflict | Dance of the Dragons | ||||||||||||||||
Date | 129-131 AL AC | ||||||||||||||||
Place | the banks of the river Honeywine | ||||||||||||||||
Result | Aegon II (the Greens) victory | ||||||||||||||||
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The Battle on the Honeywine was one of many battles fought during the Dance of the Dragons, between Aegon II (the Greens) and Rhaenyra Targaryen (the Blacks) for control of the throne of the Seven Kingdoms after the death of their father, Viserys I.[2]
Prelude
When Viserys I died in 129 AC there was an immediate question over the line of succession. Some lords favored Aegon II as the rightful heir in the Andal custom of male ascension over female in the line of succession. While other lords supported Rhaenyra Targaryen, as was her fathers wish that she become Queen after his death.[3]
Just prior to this battle was the Battle in the Gullet in which both sides suffered heavy losses but prince Jacaerys Velaryon and his dragon Vermax were killed in battle. For that reason alone it was seen as a loss for the Blacks. A fortnight later in the Reach, Lord Ormund Hightower found himself caught between the forces of Thaddeus Rowan and Tom Flowers Bastard of Bitterbridge coming in from the northeast with a large host of mounted knights. From behind his retreat was being cut off from Ser Alan Beesbury, Lord Alan Tarly and Lord Owen Costayne.[4]
The Battle
Lord Ormund Hightower and his forces were trapped between the forces of Thaddeus Rowan and Tom Flowers, the Bastard of Bitterbridge on one side and Ser Alan Beesbury, Lord Alan Tarly and Lord Owen Costayne from the other on the banks of the Honeywine. Lord Hightower's lines were starting to crumble and defeat seemed all but a forgone conclusion. Just then, a massive shadow appeared in the sky above them and it was none other than Daeron Targaryen on his dragon Tessarion. It was then that the battle turned to the favor of Aegon II's forces and the route was underway with heavy losses in the retreat.[5]
Aftermath
This would be the second defeat in a row for Rhaenyra Targaryen and her supporters (the Blacks) at the hands of Aegon II and his supports (the Greens). These losses proved this would not be an easy war for either party and no quick end was in sight. Rhaenyra Targaryen also lost many seasoned commanders in Tom Flowers Bastard of Bitterbridge, Ser Alan Beesbury, Lord Alan Tarly and Lord Owen Costayne. Both sides however suffered heavy casualties.[6]
Daeron Targaryen was hailed as a hero that day and knighted by Lord Ormund Hightower with the Valyrian steel longsword Vigilance.[7]
Quotes regarding the battle
– Responding to Lord Hightower's praises after The Battle on the Honeywine