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The '''Defiance of Duskendale''' was a landmark event during the reign of [[Aerys II]]. The year it occured in precisely is currently unknown, though it seems to have occurred somewhere around the year {{Date|276}} (see [[Defiance of Duskendale#Timing of the Defiance|below]]). It 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]].
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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]]
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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]].
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==Prelude==
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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}}
  
==The Defiance==
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==The Defiance of Duskendale==
According to semi-canon sources, Lord [[Denys Darklyn]] of Duskendale, asked King Aerys II for certain rights for his citizens and a new town charter for [[Duskendale]]. Aerys refused and this led to an escalation of events, some say driven by the influence of Lord Denys' Myrish wife Lady [[Serala]]. The Darklyns refused to pay more taxes to the crown, and since Aerys wished to distance himself from his Hand, Lord Tywin, he decided to deal with the problem himself. Aerys went to Duskendale with the [[Kingsguard]] and a small force of men, to arrest and execute Lord Denys. Instead he was imprisoned.<ref>ConJose (San Jose, CA; August 29-September 2) report [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/1282/ So Spake  Martin]</ref> During the capture, Ser [[Symon Hollard]] slew Ser [[Gwayne Gaunt]] of the [[Kingsguard]].
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The Defiance began in {{Date|277}} when Lord Denys ceased to pay his taxes,{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}} to demonstrate his anger.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/1282/ ConJose (San Jose, CA; August 29-September 2)]</ref>  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}} Aerys was shoved roughly, stripped of his royal raiment, and even struck.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}} Young [[Robin Hollard]], a squire, pulled the king's beard.{{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 paralyzed when Lord Denys sent word that at the first sign that Tywin intended to storm the town, Lord Denys would kill the King.
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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. 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 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 for his life to be spared and as he had saved King Aerys, he could not refuse him.{{ref|affc|9}}
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The Defiance lasted half a year.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}{{Ref|AFFC|9}} 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}}
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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 slaying his killer, Ser [[Symon Hollard]]. Before the castle's gates could be closed, Ser Barristan had managed to get a horse and brought the king to safety, despite an arrow wound to the chest.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}{{Ref|ASOS|67}} Without a hostage, Lord Denys surrendered.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}
  
 
==Aftermath==
 
==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.{{ref|affc|9}}  
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King Aerys's vengeance was terrible. Though Lord Denys begged for mercy, the King demanded the deaths of Denys and his immediate family, as well as his uncles, aunts, and distant kinsmen living in Duskendale. [[House Hollard]], Lord Denys's goodkin, were attainted and executed as well. Ser [[Jon Hollard]], who had been married to Lord Denys's sister, died together with his wife and young son. [[Robin Hollard]], the squire who had pulled Aerys's beard when he had first been seized, died upon the rack. The only exception was young [[Dontos Hollard]], whose life was spared when Ser Barristan Selmy requested it. Aerys, unable to refuse the man who had saved his life, granted this boon. Lord Denys's wife, Lady [[Serala]], had her tongue and womanly parts torn out, after which she was burned alive. As cruel as her death was, her enemies believe she should have suffered worse.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}{{ref|affc|9}}
  
==Timing of the Defiance==
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The lands and incomes of [[Duskendale]] were granted to [[House Rykker]], while the lands of [[House Hollard]] were taken away, their villages burned, and their castle torn down.{{Ref|AFFC|9}}
According to Ser [[Barristan Selmy]], Aerys never left the Red Keep after the Defiance of Duskendale, the only exception being the [[Tourney at Harrenhal]]).{{Ref|aDwD|67}} Since Aerys visited a tourney hosted by Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] when his son Rhaegar was seventeen (which took place in either {{Date|276}} or {{Date|277}}, since Rhaegar was born in {{Date|259}}, the Defiance took place in between these two tourneys, so in or between the years {{Date|276}} and {{Date|281}}.
 
  
However, it is stated that Aerys hadn't "left the Red Keep for years" in {{Date|281}}, which pushed the Defiance of Duskendale closer to {{Date|276}} than to {{Date}281}}.
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Despite what happened, the people of Duskendale still love Lord Denys. They blame his foreign wife, and half of them still feel that the punishment Aerys gave her was too kind by half.{{Ref|AFFC|9}}
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Following his half year of captivity at Duskendale, Aerys II Targaryen was forever a changed man. It is believed by some that it was the Defiance which caused the King's madness.{{Ref|AFFC|9}} [[Barristan Selmy]], however, claims that it had always been in him, with the lapses of madness growing more frequent over time,{{Ref|ASOS|71}} and it is considered that the Defiance shattered what little sanity Aerys had left.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}} His madness grew significantly worse in the years that followed. He would no longer allow others to touch him, and as a result, his hair and fingernails grew longer and longer. No blades were allowed near him, except for the swords of his [[Kingsguard]], and his judgements became more severe and crueler. From the end of the Defiance in {{Date|277}}, until the [[tourney at Harrenhal]] in {{Date|281}}, Aerys refused to leave the [[Red Keep]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}{{Ref|ADWD|67}}
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Furthermore, his experience at Duskendale had convinced Aerys that his son and heir, Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]], had conspired with Tywin to have Aerys killed during the Defiance by storming the walls, which would have allowed for Rhaegar to ascent the Iron Throne and marry Lord Tywin's [[Cersei Lannister|daughter]]. Aerys grew mistrustful of Tywin as a consequence, going as far as to refuse to meet with Tywin without the presence of all his Kingsguard knights. Relations with his son became more strained, and the king began to mistrust everyone, from the [[smallfolk]] to his own wife, Queen [[Rhaella Targaryen]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}
  
 
==Recent Events==
 
==Recent Events==
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===''A Feast for Crows''===
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The story of the Defiance of Duskendale is recounted to [[Brienne of Tarth]] when she travels to [[Duskendale]] in search of [[Sansa Stark]].{{ref|AFFC|9}}
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===''A Dance with Dragons''===
 
===''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's son Aerys.  ''Stood, and saw, and heard, and yet did nothing''. He tells himself that he did [[Kingsguard|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.  
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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 Targaryen|Jaehaerys II]]'s son [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys]], and tells himself that he did [[Kingsguard|his duty]] and kept his vows. However, he admits that some nights, he wonders whether he had done that duty too well. As Aerys's 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]] sacked the town. Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaegar]]'s ascension might have been for the better. These thoughts leave the memory of Duskendale bitter to Ser Barristan.{{Ref|aDwD|67}}
  
 
==Quotes==
 
==Quotes==
{{Quote|Duskendale had been his finest hour, yet the memory tasted bitter on his tongue.}}
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{{Quote|[[Duskendale]] had been his finest hour, yet the memory tasted bitter on his tongue.{{Ref|aDwD|67}}}} - [[Barristan Selmy]]
  
 
==References and Notes==
 
==References and Notes==
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[[Category:Events]]
 
[[Category:Events]]
 
[[Category:House Darklyn]]
 
[[Category:House Darklyn]]
[[Category:Crownlands]]
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[[Category:House Targaryen]]
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[[Category:Duskendale]]
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[[es:Resistencia del Valle Oscuro]]
 
[[es:Resistencia del Valle Oscuro]]
 
[[fr:Défi de Sombreval]]
 
[[fr:Défi de Sombreval]]
 
[[ru:Восстание Сумеречного Дола]]
 
[[ru:Восстание Сумеречного Дола]]
 
[[zh:暮谷城之乱]]
 
[[zh:暮谷城之乱]]

Revision as of 22:37, 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,[1] to demonstrate his anger.[2] 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][3] Aerys was shoved roughly, stripped of his royal raiment, and even struck.[1] Young Robin Hollard, a squire, pulled the king's beard.[3]

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.[3][1]

The Defiance lasted half a year.[1][3] 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 slaying his killer, Ser Symon Hollard. Before the castle's gates could be closed, Ser Barristan had managed to get a horse and brought the king to safety, despite an arrow wound to the chest.[1][4] Without a hostage, Lord Denys surrendered.[1]

Aftermath

King Aerys's vengeance was terrible. Though Lord Denys begged for mercy, the King demanded the deaths of Denys and his immediate family, as well as his uncles, aunts, and distant kinsmen living in Duskendale. House Hollard, Lord Denys's goodkin, were attainted and executed as well. Ser Jon Hollard, who had been married to Lord Denys's sister, died together with his wife and young son. Robin Hollard, the squire who had pulled Aerys's beard when he had first been seized, died upon the rack. The only exception was young Dontos Hollard, whose life was spared when Ser Barristan Selmy requested it. Aerys, unable to refuse the man who had saved his life, granted this boon. Lord Denys's wife, Lady Serala, had her tongue and womanly parts torn out, after which she was burned alive. As cruel as her death was, her enemies believe she should have suffered worse.[1][3]

The lands and incomes of Duskendale were granted to House Rykker, while the lands of House Hollard were taken away, their villages burned, and their castle torn down.[3]

Despite what happened, the people of Duskendale still love Lord Denys. They blame his foreign wife, and half of them still feel that the punishment Aerys gave her was too kind by half.[3]

Following his half year of captivity at Duskendale, Aerys II Targaryen was forever a changed man. It is believed by some that it was the Defiance which caused the King's madness.[3] Barristan Selmy, however, claims that it had always been in him, with the lapses of madness growing more frequent over time,[5] and it is considered that the Defiance shattered what little sanity Aerys had left.[1] His madness grew significantly worse in the years that followed. He would no longer allow others to touch him, and as a result, his hair and fingernails grew longer and longer. No blades were allowed near him, except for the swords of his Kingsguard, and his judgements became more severe and crueler. From the end of the Defiance in 277 AC, until the tourney at Harrenhal in 281 AC, Aerys refused to leave the Red Keep.[1][6]

Furthermore, his experience at Duskendale had convinced Aerys that his son and heir, Prince Rhaegar Targaryen, had conspired with Tywin to have Aerys killed during the Defiance by storming the walls, which would have allowed for Rhaegar to ascent the Iron Throne and marry Lord Tywin's daughter. Aerys grew mistrustful of Tywin as a consequence, going as far as to refuse to meet with Tywin without the presence of all his Kingsguard knights. Relations with his son became more strained, and the king began to mistrust everyone, from the smallfolk to his own wife, Queen Rhaella Targaryen.[1]

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.[3]

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, and tells himself that he did his duty and kept his vows. However, he admits that some nights, he wonders whether he had done that duty too well. As Aerys's 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 sacked the town. Prince Rhaegar's ascension might have been for the better. These thoughts leave the memory of Duskendale bitter to Ser Barristan.[6]

Quotes

Duskendale had been his finest hour, yet the memory tasted bitter on his tongue.[6]

- Barristan Selmy

References and Notes