Battle of the Honeywine
Battle on the Honeywine | |||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conflict | Dance of the Dragons | ||||||||||||||||
Date | 130 AC | ||||||||||||||||
Place | the banks of the Honeywine | ||||||||||||||||
Result | Victory for the greens | ||||||||||||||||
|
The Battle on the Honeywine was one of many battles fought during the Dance of the Dragons, between the greens of Aegon II Targaryen and the blacks of Rhaenyra Targaryen for control of the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms after the death of their father, Viserys I Targaryen.[1]
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. Other lords supported Rhaenyra Targaryen, as her father's wish was that she become queen after his death.[1]
Just prior to this battle was the Battle in the Gullet in which both sides suffered heavy losses, including Prince Jacaerys Velaryon and his dragon, Vermax. For that reason alone it was seen as a loss for the blacks.
The Battle
A fortnight later on the banks of the Honeywine in the Reach, Lord Ormund Hightower found himself caught between the forces of Lord Thaddeus Rowan and Tom Flowers, the Bastard of Bitterbridge, coming in from the northeast with a large host of mounted knights. From behind his retreat was cut off by Ser Alan Beesbury, Lord Alan Tarly and Lord Owen Costayne.[1]
Attacked from the front and the rear, 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, Prince Daeron Targaryen on his dragon, Tessarion. It was then that the battle turned to the favor of Aegon II's forces and the rout was underway with heavy losses in the retreat.[1]
Aftermath
This was the second defeat in a row for Rhaenyra Targaryen and her supporters, the blacks, at the hands of Aegon II and his supporters, the greens. These losses proved this would not be an easy war for either party and no quick end was in sight. Rhaenyra also lost many seasoned commanders in Tom Flowers, Ser Alan Beesbury, Lord Alan Tarly and Lord Owen Costayne. Both sides, however, suffered heavy casualties.[1]
Daeron Targaryen was hailed as a hero that day and knighted by Lord Ormund Hightower with the Valyrian steel longsword, Vigilance.[1]
Quotes
– Daeron Targaryen responding to Ormund Hightower's praises after the battle
References and Notes
|