Difference between revisions of "Defiance of Duskendale"

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[[File:Marc Simonetti ARIS with Darklinami and Hollardami.jpg|The aftermath of the Defiance of Duskendale - by Marc Simonetti © |thumb|500px|right]]
 
[[File:Marc Simonetti ARIS with Darklinami and Hollardami.jpg|The aftermath of the Defiance of Duskendale - by Marc Simonetti © |thumb|500px|right]]
 
The '''Defiance of Duskendale''', which took place in {{Date|277}}, was a landmark event during the reign of King [[Aerys II Targaryen]]. The Defiance began when the Lord of [[Duskendale]] refused to pay taxes, demanding a new town charter and certain rights for citizens and ended with the extirpation of one noble family and a severe rift between the king and his [[Hand of the King]], Lord [[Tywin Lannister]].
 
The '''Defiance of Duskendale''', which took place in {{Date|277}}, was a landmark event during the reign of King [[Aerys II Targaryen]]. The Defiance began when the Lord of [[Duskendale]] refused to pay taxes, demanding a new town charter and certain rights for citizens and ended with the extirpation of one noble family and a severe rift between the king and his [[Hand of the King]], Lord [[Tywin Lannister]].
==The Defiance==
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==Prelude==
The ancient harbour town of Duskendale seat of kings of old and once the most important port on the [[Blackwater Bay]], had seen its trade dwindle and its wealth shrink as [[King's Landing]] grew and burgeoned. It's young lord, [[Denys Darklyn]], wished to halt this decline, and asked King Aerys II for a new town charter for [[Duskendale]], that would give it more autonomy from the crown. Lord Tywin, as Hand, firmly rejected the proposal and this led to an escalation of events, some say driven by the influence of Lord Denys' [[Myr]]ish wife Lady [[Serala]].{{ref|twoiaf| Aerys II}}  
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[[Duskendale]], which had once been an important port on [[Blackwater Bay]] and a seat of kings, had seen its wealth shrink and trade dwindle due to the growth of [[King's Landing]], nearby. [[Denys Darklyn]], Lord of Duskendale, wished to halt this decline. He desired to win a charter for Duskendale, similar as [[Dorne]] had received nearly a century before. Lord [[Tywin Lannister]], [[Hand of the King]], however, firmly rejected the proposal. Lord Denys was infuriated at Tywin's refusal, and devised a new plan, which would eventually have severe consequences. Some say Lord Denys had been driven by the influence of his [[Myr]]ish wife, Lady [[Serala]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}
  
Lord Denys refused to pay the taxes expected of him, instead inviting the king to come to Duskendale and hear his petition, since Aerys wished to distance himself from his Hand, Lord Tywin, he decided to deal with the problem himself. Aerys went to Duskendale with a small escort led by only one [[Kingsguard]] knight, to bring the defiant Darklyn to heel. Instead, he was imprisoned. During the capture, Ser [[Symon Hollard]] slew Ser [[Gwayne Gaunt]] of the [[Kingsguard]].{{ref|Affc|9}}
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==The Defiance of Duskendale==
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The Defiance began in {{Date|277}} when Lord Denys ceased to pay his taxes. Aware of the strained relationship between King [[Aerys II Targaryen]] and Lord Tywin, he instead invited Aerys to come to Duskendale to hear his petition. When Tywin advised him not to go, Aerys, who wished to distance himself from his Hand, decided to deal with the problem personally. Aerys travelled to Duskendale with a small escort led by only one [[Kingsguard]] knight, Ser [[Gwayne Gaunt]], to bring the defiant Lord Darklyn to heel. Upon arrival, however, the King was imprisoned. Some of the king's escort were killed defending their king, including Ser Gwayne, who was slain by Denys's master-at-arms, Ser [[Symon Hollard]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}{{ref|Affc|9}}
  
Lord Denys continued his defiance, even as a large host sat outside his walls, commanded by [[Tywin Lannister]]. Tywin's ability to act had been paralysed when Lord Denys sent word that at the first sign that Tywin intended to storm the town, he would put the king to death.{{ref|Affc|9}}
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Lord Denys refused to give up the king, and threatened that he would kill Aerys at the first sign of an assault. As Lord Tywin Lannister could not attack Duskendale, he besieged it with a sizable host.{{ref|Affc|9}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}
  
The Defiance ended when Ser [[Barristan Selmy]] sneaked into the [[Dun Fort]], the seat of House Darklyn, and rescued his king. Many songs would later be made about Selmy's daring infiltration. Selmy disguised as a hooded beggar climbed the walls of Duskendale in the dead of night, walking through the town streets. Cloaked and hooded he approached the walls of the Dunfort, scaling the walls of the castle, and slaying a sentry before the man could raise the alarm. Selmy through stealth and courage found his way to the dungeons and freed Aerys and led him to the upper levels. During the escape attempt, Barristan slew two guards and Ser [[Symon Hollard]], avenging the death of his sworn brother, Ser [[Gwayne Gaunt]]. He and the king rushed to the stables, Selmy slaying all those who tried to intervene as the alarm was being raised. Selmy and his king mounted on stolen horses charged out the Dunfort gates before they could be barred and raced through the streets of Duskendale to the towns walls eventually escaping.{{ref|twoiaf| Aerys II}}  
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The Defiance lasted half a year. Lord Denys remained convinced that it was a matter of time until Tywin would offer better terms. However, Tywin gave Duskendale a final demand to surrender the king, promising that refusal would result in the loyalists storming the town, and executing everyone inside.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}
  
Lord Denys, no longer having a hostage, immediately opened his gates and begged for mercy. He was beheaded, along with the rest of his family. Not one Darklyn remained alive. The same was the case for [[House Hollard]], who had sided with [[House Darklyn]] during the defiance, with the exception of [[Dontos Hollard]] who was a child at the time. Ser Barristan asked that his life to be spared, King [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys II]] could not refuse the man who had saved his life, and granted this boon.{{ref|affc|9}}
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The Defiance was eventually ended when Ser [[Barristan Selmy]] offered to perform a solo rescue mission. Lord Tywin gave him a day before he would storm the castle. Barristan scaled the walls unseen at night, making his way into the [[Dun Fort]] disguised as a hooded beggar, before scaling those walls as well. He freed King Aerys out of the dungeons, and while bringing the king to safety, avenged his sworn brother, Ser [[Gwayne Gaunt]], by slayign his killer, [[Symon Hollard]]. Before the castle's gates could be closed, Barristan had managed to get a horse and ride the king to safety.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}} Without a hostage, Lord Denys surrendered.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}
  
 
==Aftermath==
 
==Aftermath==

Revision as of 18:24, 19 October 2016

The aftermath of the Defiance of Duskendale - by Marc Simonetti ©

The Defiance of Duskendale, which took place in 277 AC, was a landmark event during the reign of King Aerys II Targaryen. The Defiance began when the Lord of Duskendale refused to pay taxes, demanding a new town charter and certain rights for citizens and ended with the extirpation of one noble family and a severe rift between the king and his Hand of the King, Lord Tywin Lannister.

Prelude

Duskendale, which had once been an important port on Blackwater Bay and a seat of kings, had seen its wealth shrink and trade dwindle due to the growth of King's Landing, nearby. Denys Darklyn, Lord of Duskendale, wished to halt this decline. He desired to win a charter for Duskendale, similar as Dorne had received nearly a century before. Lord Tywin Lannister, Hand of the King, however, firmly rejected the proposal. Lord Denys was infuriated at Tywin's refusal, and devised a new plan, which would eventually have severe consequences. Some say Lord Denys had been driven by the influence of his Myrish wife, Lady Serala.[1]

The Defiance of Duskendale

The Defiance began in 277 AC when Lord Denys ceased to pay his taxes. Aware of the strained relationship between King Aerys II Targaryen and Lord Tywin, he instead invited Aerys to come to Duskendale to hear his petition. When Tywin advised him not to go, Aerys, who wished to distance himself from his Hand, decided to deal with the problem personally. Aerys travelled to Duskendale with a small escort led by only one Kingsguard knight, Ser Gwayne Gaunt, to bring the defiant Lord Darklyn to heel. Upon arrival, however, the King was imprisoned. Some of the king's escort were killed defending their king, including Ser Gwayne, who was slain by Denys's master-at-arms, Ser Symon Hollard.[1][2]

Lord Denys refused to give up the king, and threatened that he would kill Aerys at the first sign of an assault. As Lord Tywin Lannister could not attack Duskendale, he besieged it with a sizable host.[2][1]

The Defiance lasted half a year. Lord Denys remained convinced that it was a matter of time until Tywin would offer better terms. However, Tywin gave Duskendale a final demand to surrender the king, promising that refusal would result in the loyalists storming the town, and executing everyone inside.[1]

The Defiance was eventually ended when Ser Barristan Selmy offered to perform a solo rescue mission. Lord Tywin gave him a day before he would storm the castle. Barristan scaled the walls unseen at night, making his way into the Dun Fort disguised as a hooded beggar, before scaling those walls as well. He freed King Aerys out of the dungeons, and while bringing the king to safety, avenged his sworn brother, Ser Gwayne Gaunt, by slayign his killer, Symon Hollard. Before the castle's gates could be closed, Barristan had managed to get a horse and ride the king to safety.[1] Without a hostage, Lord Denys surrendered.[1]

Aftermath

Aerys was never the same afterwards. A severe rift appeared between Aerys and his Hand, who he believed had left him to rot in the dungeons of the Dun Fort. House Darklyn was wiped out and the lands and incomes of Duskendale were given to House Rykker. The lands of House Hollard were taken and the castle torn down.[2]

Recent Events

A Feast for Crows

The story of the Defiance of Duskendale is recounted to Brienne of Tarth when she travels to Duskendale in search of Sansa Stark.[2]

A Dance with Dragons

Now in Meereen, hoping with a heavy heart for Queen Daenerys Targaryen's return, Ser Barristan Selmy reflects on how many kings he has known. He remembers that he stood in his white cloak beside the Iron Throne as madness consumed Jaehaerys II's son Aerys. Stood, and saw, and heard, and yet did nothing. He tells himself that he did his duty and kept his vows, but admits that some nights, he wonders if he had not done that duty too well. As Aerys Kingsguard he had seen things that pained him to recall. More than once he has wondered how much of the blood was on his own hands. Ser Barristan thinks that if he had not gone into Duskendale to rescue Aerys from Lord Darklyn's dungeons, the king might well have died there as Tywin Lannister had sacked the town. Then Prince Rhaegar would have ascended the Iron Throne, mayhaps to heal the realm. The memory of Duskendale is still bitter to Ser Barristan.[3]

Quotes

Duskendale had been his finest hour, yet the memory tasted bitter on his tongue.[3]

- Barristan Selmy

References and Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 9, Brienne II.
  3. 3.0 3.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 67, The Kingbreaker.