Crownlands

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The Crownlands with the major strongholds

The Crownlands is one of the nine constituent regions of the continent of Westeros. It was never a sovereign nation, instead being contested between the Riverlands, Stormlands and other regions until Aegon the Conqueror seized control of the area during his invasion and made it his primary foothold on the continent. Since then, the Crownlands have been ruled directly by the crown on the Iron Throne. Bastards in the Crownlands are given the surname Waters.

Geography and Climate

The Crownlands are south of the Vale of Arryn, southeast of the Riverlands, and north of the Reach and the Stormlands. The narrow sea lies to the east. With the exception of Crackclaw Point, the land is largely flat. Lying in the middle portion of Westeros, the Crownlands possess a temperate climate.

Notable locations

Economy

The metropolis of King's Landing is the driving force of the region, with the largest population and harbor in the realm. Trade and taxes flow into the capital from every corner of the realm acknowledging the Iron Throne, and many foreign vessels ply their wares as well. Virtually every craft and trade are practiced here, from metalsmithing and shipbuilding to alchemy. Elsewhere, fishing and farming are the norm, with a smattering of the common professions.

History

In the Age of Heroes, the petty kings of House Darklyn ruled much of the future Crownlands, from Duskendale to Crackclaw Point. Although neighboring realms forced them to swear fealty and their lands changed hands many times over the years, the Darklyns remained one of the more influential houses of the region. Two centuries before the Wars of Conquest, the Targaryens of Valyria settled Dragonstone as the westernmost colony of the Valyrian Freehold, becoming another power in the region. It was at the mouth of the Blackwater that Aegon I and his sisters, Visenya and Rhaenys, landed with their initial army, later founding King's Landing.

Since the Conquest, the Crownlands houses have historically been a strong source of support for House Targaryen, with Crackclaw Point being particularly fierce supporters. The Conqueror's original small council included several Crownlanders, including Crispian Celtigar, Daemon Velaryon, and Tristan Massey. Nobles from the region such as Qarlton Chelsted, a Hayford lord, and several Targaryens have served as Hand of the King, and even smallfolk of the region are near enough to catch the royal eye for such service, such as Rossart and presumably Septons Barth and Murmison. Nobles and smallfolk alike also provide much of the manpower for the City Watch of King's Landing. The Kingsguard has also included many Crownlanders, including Duncan the Tall, Donnel of Duskendale, at least six Crackclaw Pointers, and seven Darklyn knights. The Defiance of Duskendale, a rising by the Darklyns, was a sign that even the normally loyal Crownlands were losing respect for the dragonlords. Later, the outlaws of the Kingswood Brotherhood robbed nobles in the forest before being suppressed by the Kingsguard. After overthrowing Targaryen rule Robert Baratheon kept a Crownlands presence among the White Cloaks by naming Boros Blount to the order. Lingering Targaryen sympathies, meanwhile, were the reason that King Robert named his brother Stannis Baratheon the new Lord of Dragonstone.

War of the Five Kings

The Crownlands continue to be sworn to whomever holds the Iron Throne, and the lords of the region are often seen at court. There is lingering anti-Lannister sentiment from the Sack of King's Landing, with House Stokeworth being among those listed by Littlefinger as possible supporters in a hypothetical coup after Robert I's death. On the outbreak of war, the lords of the Narrow Sea gather their fleets to support Stannis Baratheon, while the mainland lords support House Baratheon of King's Landing, backed by the Lannisters. The mainland lords' food supplies are the only thing that prevents King's Landing from starving during the Tyrell embargo. The split of the Crownlands effectively ends after Lannister-Tyrell victory in the Battle of the Blackwater. Since this battle, major engagements in the Crownlands have been an Iron Throne victory at Duskendale over a Northern infantry force, and over Stannis's remnants at Dragonstone. After Joffrey I's death, Queen Regent Cersei appoints Gyles Rosby and Aurane Waters, two Crownlanders, to her small council, although Rosby dies of natural causes and Aurane flees the city after the queen's arrest.