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Tywin Lannister

2014-12-21T05:11:57Z

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{{Infobox character
| Character_name = [[File:House_Lannister.png|50px|left]] [[File:House_Lannister.png|50px|right]] '''Tywin Lannister'''
| image = [[File:Tywin.jpg|300px]]
| image_caption = Tywin Portrait by Amok©
| Alias = The Lion of Lannister The Old Lion The Great Lion of the Rock
| Title = Lord of [[Casterly Rock]] Shield of [[Lannisport]] [[Warden of the West]] [[Hand of the King]] Savior of the City (of King's Landing)
| Allegiance = [[House Lannister]]
| Race =
| Culture =
| Spouse = [[Joanna Lannister]]
| Place_of_Birth =
| Date_of_Birth = {{Date|242}}<ref>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Ages (Continued3)#Tywin Lannister|Tywin Lannister]] calculation.''</ref>
| Place_of_Death = [[King's Landing]]
| Date_of_Death = {{Date|300}}
| Books = ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'' (Appears) ''[[A Clash of Kings]]'' (Appears) ''[[A Storm of Swords]]'' (Appears) ''[[A Feast for Crows]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[The World of Ice and Fire]]'' (Mentioned)
| coat-of-arms =
| Played_by = [[w:Charles Dance|Charles Dance]]
| TV_series = [[Game of Thrones - Season 1|Season 1]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 2|Season 2]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 3|Season 3]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 4|Season 4]]
}}

'''Tywin Lannister''' is Lord of [[Casterly Rock]], Shield of [[Lannisport]] and [[Warden of the West]]. The head of [[House Lannister]], Tywin is one of the most powerful lords in [[Westeros]], and is the father of [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]], [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]], and [[Tyrion Lannister]]. He loves his children Jaime and Cersei, but despises Tyrion. This is partly because Tyrion is deformed, but also Tywin blames his son for causing his beloved wife [[Joanna Lannister|Joanna]]'s death during his birth, as well as for shaming the family name with his frequent whoring. In the television adaptation ''[[Game of Thrones]]'', Tywin is portrayed by [[w:Charles Dance|Charles Dance]].

==Appearance and Character==
:''See also: [[:Category:Images of Tywin Lannister|Images of Tywin Lannister]]''
[[File:Tiziano Baracchi Tywin face.png|Tywin has a very powerful presence combined with an unflinching gaze. By Tiziano Baracchi © FFG|thumb|300px|left]]
Tywin is a tall, slender, broad-shouldered man in his fifties. He has kept his head shaved ever since he started going bald, but grows out bushy golden side-whiskers, and has green eyes flecked with gold. In battle, he wears deep crimson armor highlighted with gold, with a cloth-of-gold cape.{{Ref|aGoT|56}}

Tywin is a calculating, intelligent, politically astute, ruthless, and controlling man. He dedicates his life and efforts towards maintaining the Lannisters' prestige, and ensuring House Lannister is respected, or at least feared. He is a proven battle commander and politician, and has a very powerful presence combined with an intimidating gaze.

==History==
===Early life===
Tywin was born to [[Tytos Lannister]]. Not much is known of Tywin’s childhood, but his early years were formative ones, shaping his mind and resolve for the life that lay ahead of him. Tywin was forced to watch his mighty house nearly brought to ruin through his father's actions. His father while a gentle and amiable man was also weak willed and eager to please, loans went unpaid and his bannermen did what they pleased mocking him in their cups or openly defying him. Perhaps the most important moment for Tywin was the realization of what power meant, which was driven home when his father, tried to quell Lord Tarbeck, his most disloyal bannermen by having him imprisoned. Lord Tarbeck's wife responded by capturing three Lannisters and threatening to harm them if her husband was not returned. Tywin counseled his father to send Lord Tarbeck back to his Lady in three pieces, one for every Lannister captured, but Tytos was a gentler man than that, and he caved in to Lady Tarbecks demands further weakening the position of their house.{{Ref|aSoS|44}}

As a result of his father's follies Tywin Lannister never laughed as he mistrusted laughter, hearing too much of it directed at his father and House Lannister in his youth. Tywin also seldom smiled when he was young and never smiled again after his wife's death.{{ref|AFFC|33}}

In his youth Tywin had been a friend and companion at court of Prince [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys Targaryen]], whilst his cousin, [[Joanna Lannister]], was a companion and lady-in-waiting to Princess [[Rhaella Targaryen]].{{ref|AWOIAF}} With Tywin already a [[knight]] during the [[War of the Ninepenny Kings]] and Aerys a squire in {{date|260}}, Tywin was granted the honor of knighting his friend.{{ref|TWOIAF| Aerys II}}

===In power===

House Lannister's reputation was low because of Tywin's weak father, Tytos.{{Ref|aSoS|66}} Tywin had to take ruthless steps to rectify the situation restoring the family honor and fortune from its near ruin. Tywin took upon himself the task of putting down his two most unruly houses, [[House Tarbeck]] and [[House Reyne]], for their [[Reyne-Tarbeck Rebellion|defiance]]. He did so with ruthless efficiency, destroying both houses entirely so that their lines were ended, leaving their ruined and shattered castles as a mute testimony to the fate that awaits those who scorn the power of [[Casterly Rock]].{{Ref|aSoS|19}} Such was the brutality of Tywin's destruction of House Reyne that a song called "[[The Rains of Castamere]]" was written as a tribute to the event. Indeed when Lord [[House Farman|Farman]] of [[Faircastle]] grew truculent Tywin sent a messenger with a lute instead of a letter and once "The Rains of Castamere" was played Lord Farman caused no further trouble.

When Tywin's father Tytos finally keeled over of a burst heart while climbing a flight of steps to visit his mistress,{{Ref|aFfC|3}} Tywin became the Lord of Casterly Rock and [[Warden of the West]]. Upon his father's death Tywin found his father's mistress trying on one of his late mother's gowns. A common-born woman and the daughter of a chandler, the mistress dominated Tytos utterly, ordering about the household knights and dismissing servants and helping herself to his late wife's jewelery.{{Ref|aSoS|66}} Tywin had her stripped naked and forced the sobbing woman to [[Walk of Shame|walk the streets]] of [[Lannisport]] to confess to every man she met that she was a thief and a harlot before banishing her from the [[Westerlands]].{{Ref|aFfC|3}}

Tywin married his cousin [[Joanna Lannister]] and from all reports the marriage was a happy one. [[Genna Lannister]] said that Tywin smiled on the day he wed Joanna.{{Ref|aFfC|33}} It was said that though Tywin ruled the Seven Kingdoms ([[Hand of the King|as Hand]]) he was ruled at home by his lady wife. Joanna gave him twins, [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]] and [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] that he hoped would one day be Queen of Westeros and Lord of Casterly Rock, but then disaster struck when his beloved wife died giving birth to [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]], considered a hideous monster. Tywin was devastated by Joanna's untimely death and took no further wife. [[Gerion Lannister]] once told his nephew Tyrion that the best part of Tywin died when Joanna did.{{Ref|aSoS|38}}
[[File:Tywin and Aerys.jpg|thumb|350px|Tywin appointed as [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys II]] [[King's Hand]]]]
Tywin's ability came to the attention of King [[Aerys II Targaryen]], who, impressed with the young and capable heir to Casterly Rock, appointed Tywin, who was twenty at that time, to be his [[Hand of the King]]. Tywin proved himself a brilliant administrator and held the post for twenty years of peace and plenty. Some people joked it was he and not the king who really ruled the land. It ended when Aerys' increasing paranoia and jealousy drove the two into several bitter disagreements. According to Ser [[Barristan Selmy]], Aerys lusted after Tywin's wife when she was alive<ref>Aerys's own unhappy marriage was arranged</ref> which caused further friction between the two. Tension increased at the [[tourney for King Aerys II]] in [[Lannisport]] in {{Date|276}} when Aerys refused Tywin's offer to betroth [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]] to his heir, Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaegar]]. In {{date|281}} Aerys raised [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]], Tywin's fifteen-year old son, to the [[Kingsguard]], robbing Tywin of his prized heir; Tywin understood that the king’s motivations were to make Jaime a hostage to use against his father. Upset at Aerys's treatment of Jaime at the [[Tourney of Harrenhal]], Tywin resigned his position on some thin pretext and returned to [[Casterly Rock]].

===Robert's Rebellion and aftermath===
[[File:Tywin lannister by oznerol 1516-d72zae4.png|250px|thumb|Lord Tywin Lannister of Casterly Rock - by Oznerol-1516 ©]]
When [[Robert's Rebellion]] began, Lord Tywin sat at Casterly Rock and waited, ignoring King Aerys's orders to arm, taking no side until after [[Robert Baratheon]]'s decisive victory at the [[Battle of the Trident]]. After the battle, Tywin mustered his forces and rode for the capital of [[King's Landing]]. After Aerys was convinced by Grand Maester [[Pycelle]] that Tywin had come to aid him, he ordered the gates of the city opened for Tywin. The Westerlanders proceeded to [[Sack of King's Landing|sack the city]]. Aerys was killed by Jaime before Tywin's forces arrived at the Red Keep, but [[Gregor Clegane]] and [[Amory Lorch]], knights sworn to Tywin and under Tywin's orders, slew Rhaegar's wife [[Elia Martell|Elia of Dorne]] and her two young children, [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Rhaegar)|Rhaenys]] and [[Aegon Targaryen|Aegon]]. Tywin wrapped the bodies in crimson Lannister cloaks to better conceal the blood and presented them to Robert Baratheon as a token of fealty. When asked by his son Tyrion years later why Tywin did not let Robert bloody his own hands, Tywin's replied:

{{Quote|We had come late to Robert's cause. It was necessary to demonstrate our loyalty. When I laid those bodies before the throne, no man could doubt that we had forsaken House Targaryen forever. And Robert's relief was palpable. As stupid as he was, even he knew that Rhaegar's children had to die if his throne was ever to be secure. Yet he saw himself as a hero, and heroes do not kill children.{{Ref|aSoS|53}}}}

While earning House Lannister the hatred of both [[House Martell]] of [[Dorne]] and the population of [[King's Landing]], this act also secured the marriage of the new king, Robert Baratheon, to Tywin's daughter [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]], whose proposed betrothal to Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] had been rejected by Aerys much to Tywin's bitter disappointment. Cersei's marriage to the new, young, and popular king did much to make up for Tywin's earlier disappointment.

After the rebellion, Tywin returned to [[Casterly Rock]], where he continued to serve as Lord and Warden of the West. In {{date|289}} Lord [[Balon Greyjoy]] began [[Greyjoy's Rebellion]] against King Robert by burning the Lannister fleet anchored at Lannisport. After the defeat of the Greyjoys, Tywin rebuilt his fleet<ref>So Spake Martin: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/The_Lannister_Fleet The Lannister Fleet]</ref> and hosted another [[tourney at Lannisport]]. Due to King Robert's financial mismanagement of the realm, as well as his own new connection to the throne by marriage, Lord Tywin frequently lent money to the crown, placing the court in King's Landing in debt of over three million [[Currency|gold dragons]] to House Lannister.

Though ruthless, Tywin Lannister is an able and shrewd ruler who brought great prosperity during his tenures as the King's Hand. He is especially talented at the raising of funds, leading to a persistent jest that he must "shit gold."{{Ref|aCoK|30}} The common folk of Lannisport cheered twice as loud for Tywin at the [[tourney for King Aerys II]] as they did for their actual king. Even so, Tywin is more respected than loved in the [[Westerlands]] and he became despised in [[King's Landing]] after his house treacherously sacked the city.

===Children===
When Tywin discovered his son [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]] wed a common girl, [[Tysha]], which in Tywin's eyes would make the house a laughingstock again, Tywin taught him a sharp lesson. He commanded Tyrion's brother [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] to name her a prostitute and made Tyrion watch as Tywin gave Tysha over to his garrison of guards, having each man pay the girl a silver coin after raping her. He forced Tyrion to do the same but pay the girl a gold coin.{{Ref|aGoT|42}} He earned the enmity of his son forever for that act, but Tywin did not care, for it was on his other children that he placed all his hopes.

Tywin later refused to allow Tyrion to travel and see the world as Tywin's brothers had in their youth, fearing he would bring further shame on House Lannister and as a "gift" for Tyrion's sixteenth [[Nameday|nameday]] he put his son in charge of cleaning all the drains of [[Casterly Rock]].{{Ref|aDwD|8}}

When Tyrion became 16-years-old, the official age of adulthood, he believed he would be free to do as he wished. Tywin disillusioned him, replying:

{{Quote|No man is free. Only children and fools think elsewise.{{Ref|aDwD|8}}}}

Though Tywin's children also greatly respect him, none of them have been able to conform to the paths he had laid out for them, which causes many difficulties.{{Ref|aFfC|44}}

==Recent Events==
===''A Game of Thrones''===
[[File:MagaliVilleneuve TywinLannister.jpg|300px|left|thumb|Tywin Lannister preparing for war - by Magali Villeneuve ©]]

Believed to be responsible for hiring an assassin to murder [[Bran Stark]] while he lay in a coma, Tywin's son [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]] is arrested at the [[inn at the crossroads]] by [[Catelyn Tully]], the wife of [[Eddard Stark]], current [[Hand of the King]]. She takes him to her sister [[Lysa Tully|Lysa]], at the [[Eyrie]], for trial. Though Tywin does not care about Tyrion's welfare, he sees the arrest and kidnapping as a direct slight on House Lannister's honor which he will not tolerate. In response Tywin sends Ser [[Gregor Clegane]] and his men, disguised as brigands, to sack and pillage various villages and hamlets across the [[Riverlands]], Catelyn's homeland.{{Ref|aGoT|43}} These raids mark one of the seminal points in what is to become the [[War of the Five Kings]].

Tywin's aim is to draw Eddard out of King's Landing, capture him, and exchange him for the freedom of his son.{{ref|ASOS|17}} Eddard, however, is injured in a skirmish on the streets of King's Landing with Tywin's son [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]], who is unaware of Tywin's plans, and Eddard sends Lord [[Beric Dondarrion]] after Gregor in his stead. When Beric's forces reach the [[Mummer's Ford]], soldiers of Tywin's and Gregor's [[Battle at the Mummer's Ford|attack from all sides]], routing Beric's host.{{ref|AGOT|55}}
[[File:Thomas Denmark tywin jaime.jpg|300px|thumb|Tywin and [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] ride to war - by Thomas Denmark ©]]
As the war gains momentum, Tywin's forces take the majority of the Riverlands and lay siege to [[Riverrun]] before meeting their first real opposition in the [[Battle of the Green Fork]]. Just prior to the battle, Tyrion, having won his freedom from the [[Vale of Arryn]] via [[trial by combat]] and earned the loyalty of many of the [[mountain clans]] along the way, meets with his father. Tywin sends Tyrion and his clansmen into the battle on the left flank, believing the undisciplined men likely to rout, but giving the northern commander, which Tywin believed to be the young and inexperienced [[Robb Stark]], a chance to over-commit and be annihilated.{{Ref|aGoT|62}} The clansmen do not rout, however, and the northern commander is not Robb but instead the more cautious and experienced Lord [[Roose Bolton]]. The battle is a Lannister victory, but it buys enough time for a separate northern force under Robb Stark's command to cross the [[Trident]] at [[the Twins]]. With the [[Battle of the Whispering Wood]] and the [[Battle of the Camps]], Robb is able to capture Tywin's other son, [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]], and lift the siege of Riverrun.{{ref|AGOT|69}}

After the death of King [[Robert Baratheon|Robert]], Tywin is named Hand of the King for his grandson, [[Joffrey Baratheon]].{{Ref|aGoT|57}} After the battle, he sends Tyrion to King's Landing to serve as Hand in his stead, and to prepare the city's defenses in anticipation of an attack from one or both of Robert's brothers, [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]] and [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]], while Tywin manages the war with [[the North]] and the Riverlands.{{Ref|aGoT|69}}

===''A Clash of Kings''===
The loss of Riverrun means that Tywin is not able to pursue and destroy Roose Bolton's forces. Instead he marches south to [[Harrenhal]] while he ponders his next move. Lannister men in the Riverlands are harassed by [[Beric Dondarrion]]'s [[brotherhood without banners|brotherhood]], despite Beric having been reported as slain several times.{{ref|ACOK|30}}

When Robb Stark marches from Riverrun and invades the [[Westerlands]], smashing a new Lannister host being raised and trained by [[Stafford Lannister]] at [[Battle of Oxcross|Oxcross]] and turning his forces loose to scour the Westerlands, Tywin leaves Harrenhal and marches his forces west in pursuit. Robb and Ser [[Brynden Tully]] plan to lead Tywin's army on a long chase across the Westerlands, bleeding his forces and living off of their lands.{{ref|ASOS|14}} However, Ser [[Edmure Tully]], who has been tasked with holding Riverrun but is unaware of Robb's plan, meets Tywin's army in the field in the [[Battle of the Fords]].{{Ref|aCoK|45}}

Tywin's forces are bloodied and thrown back, but the delay allows word to reach Tywin that Stannis Baratheon has murdered his brother Renly and laid claim to much of his army, and that he is marching and sailing on King's Landing with an enormous force. Tywin turns his force southeast on a forced march to the headwaters of the [[Blackwater Rush]], where he meets Lords [[Mathis Rowan]] and [[Randyll Tarly]] of the newly-allied [[Reach]]. They then join with the forces of Lord [[Mace Tyrell]] at [[Tumbler's Falls]].{{ref|ASOS|14}}

Sailing together on barges down the [[Blackwater Rush]], the Lannisters and Tyrells arrive just in time for the waning moments of the [[Battle of the Blackwater]], where they are able to break and drive away the majority of Stannis's army, which had been on the cusp of victory, by taking them in the flank.{{Ref|aSoS|14}} Tywin commands the host's right flank during the battle.{{Ref|aCoK|62}} Tywin is declared Savior of the City by King [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey]]. Tywin's son Tyrion, who had done much for the city's defenses, is critically wounded in the fighting.{{Ref|aSoS|4}}

===''A Storm of Swords''===
[[File:Pojypojy Tywin triumphant.jpg|350px|thumb|Tywin paraded as Savior of the City - by Pojypojy ©]]
Tywin's timely arrival at the Battle of the Blackwater allows him to take the majority of the credit for the Lannister victory. Tywin assumes his official position as King Joffrey's Hand,{{Ref|aCoK|64}} while giving Tyrion, after his recovery, the position of [[Master of Coin]], which Tyrion sees as a demotion and an insult. Tywin arranges for Tyrion to be wed to [[Sansa Stark]]{{Ref|aSoS|19}} before she can be betrothed to [[Willas Tyrell]], giving him claim over [[Winterfell]] and directly denying Tyrion's ambition to inherit [[Casterly Rock]].{{Ref|aSoS|4}} He also makes plans to find a suitor to marry his widowed daughter, Queen [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]], though they are never realized. He offers her to Willas Tyrell but [[Mace Tyrell]], after being hectored by his mother, [[Olenna Redwyne]], refuses the match. Tywin demands that Tyrion act as if the offer were never made.{{Ref|aSoS|32}}

After learning that Robb Stark has unexpectedly wed [[Jeyne Westerling]] and that [[House Westerling]] has gone over to the Starks, Tywin remains in communication, via raven, with Jeyne's mother [[Sybell Spicer]]. He also communicates with [[Roose Bolton]], who has switched sides to the Lannisters after taking Harrenhal, and Lord [[Walder Frey]], who sees Robb's marriage to Jeyne as an insult to [[House Frey]], as it breaks a marriage pact Robb had previously made to wed a Frey girl. The [[Red Wedding]] is the direct result of their correspondence, which sees Robb Stark betrayed and murdered along with the vast majority of his host, effectively ending the war with House Lannister the victor.

[[File:Nachomolina_Tywin_Lannister.jpg‎|Tywin Lannister - by Nacho Molina ©|thumb|350px|left]]
Tywin Lannister has [[Ice]], the [[Valyrian steel]] greatsword of [[Eddard Stark]], reforged into two longswords as gifts, [[Widow's Wail|one]] for Joffrey on his wedding day and [[Oathkeeper|the other]] to Jaime.{{Ref|aSoS|32}} Not long after, King Joffrey is poisoned and dies at [[Purple Wedding|the feast following his wedding]] to [[Margaery Tyrell]]. Tywin's son Tyrion is falsely accused of the crime, and Tywin agrees to be one of Tyrion's three judges, alongside [[Oberyn Martell]] and [[Mace Tyrell]], at his trial. When it becomes clear that he is going to be found guilty, Tyrion demands trial by combat, and Oberyn surprisingly volunteers to champion him. Cersei, being Tyrion's accuser, selects Ser Gregor Clegane to represent the crown. Gregor, despite being poisoned by Oberyn during the trial, wins the duel, slaying Oberyn, and Tyrion is thus found guilty.{{Ref|aSoS|70}}

Tywin faces huge political ramifications from the trial. Before slaying Oberyn, Gregor roars his guilt in slaying [[Elia Martell]] and her son [[Aegon Targaryen|Aegon]] for all the realm to hear. Tywin fears [[Dorne]] might join [[Stannis Baratheon]], which could prolong the [[War of the Five Kings|war]] for years. He plans on having Gregor executed to appease [[House Martell]], but needs it to be seen to be the [[Ilyn Payne|King's Justice]] who carries out the deed, not poison. Tywin commands [[Pycelle]] to heal Gregor, but Pycelle's efforts prove fruitless.{{Ref|aSoS|72}}

Awaiting his sentencing, Tyrion is freed from the Red Keep's dungeon by his brother Jaime and a reluctant Varys. During his escape, Jaime reveals the truth about Tyrion's first wife Tysha, saying she was not a whore but a girl just met on the road and Tywin had made Jaime speak the lie to Tyrion. Tyrion is enraged by this and has Varys show him to a ladder that leads directly into the [[Tower of the Hand]], Tywin's residence, Tyrion finds his ex-lover [[Shae]] in Tywin's bed, wearing nothing but his father's golden chain of office. Tyrion strangles her to death with it. He then takes a crossbow from the wall and finds Tywin in the privy and confronts him about Tysha. Tywin remains belligerent, repeatedly calling her a whore, which Tyrion sees as the final insult; shooting him through his bowels with the crossbow, mortally wounding him. Tywin dies while seated on the privy, his bowels loosening in the moment of death causing Tyrion to think as he left his father's body:

{{Quote|But the stink that filled the privy gave ample evidence that the oft-repeated jape about his father was just another lie. Lord Tywin Lannister did not, in the end, shit gold.{{Ref|aSoS|77}}}}

===''A Feast for Crows''===
After Tywin's body is discovered, it is prepared for a state burial. [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]] has the [[House Kettleblack|Kettleblacks]] remove the body of [[Shae]] and swears she will have the tongue removed of any man who mentions Shae was ever there.{{Ref|aFfC|3}} The remains of Lord Tywin are shown for seven days in the [[Great Sept of Baelor]] before making its way west with an entourage of knights and lords from the [[Westerlands]]. The smell of the body is so bad many of the mourners grow sick or faint from being too near. A drying of the mouth also causes Tywin's lips to curl up and make him appear to smile.{{Ref|aFfC|8}} This disturbs Jaime and Cersei, because Tywin Lannister seldom smiled.

===''A Dance with Dragons''===
Ser [[Kevan Lannister]] thinks of how Tywin would never have dreamed his golden daughter [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]] would experience a similar fate, a [[Walk of Shame|walk of shame]], as Tywin made their father [[Tytos Lannister|Tytos's]] mistress suffer.{{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}

==Quotes by Tywin==

{{Quote|Some battles are won with swords and spears, others with quills and ravens.{{Ref|aSoS|4}}}} – Tywin, to [[Tyrion Lannister]]

{{Quote|'''Tyrion:''' Could the [[House Westerling|Westerlings]] and [[House Spicer|Spicers]] be such great fools as to believe [[House Stark|the wolf]] can defeat [[House Lannister|the lion]]? 
'''Tywin:''' The greatest fools are ofttimes more clever than the men who laugh at them.{{Ref|aSoS|19}}}}
– Tywin and [[Tyrion Lannister]]

{{Quote|There is a tool for every task, and a task for every tool.{{Ref|aSoS|32}}}} – Tywin, to [[Tyrion Lannister]]

{{Quote|When your enemies defy you, you must serve them steel and fire. When they go to their knees, however, you must help them back to their feet. Elsewise no man will ever bend the knee to you. And any man who must say ‘I am the king’ is no true king at all. [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys]] never understood that, but you will. When I’ve won [[War of the Five Kings|your war]] for you, we will restore the king’s peace and the king’s justice.{{ref|aSoS|53}}}}
– Tywin, to [[Joffrey Baratheon]]

{{Quote|I did not fight [[War of the Five Kings|a war]] to seat [[Robert Baratheon|Robert]] the Second on the [[Iron Throne]].{{ref|aSoS|53}}}} – Tywin, to [[Cersei Lannister]]

{{Quote|You are not my son. You say you are the [[Lord Commander of the Kingsguard]], and only that. Very well, ser. Go do your duty.{{Ref|aSoS|62}}}}
– Tywin, to [[Jaime Lannister]]

{{Quote|'''Tywin:''' I suppose the steward sent her on her way. I never thought to inquire. 
'''Tyrion:''' On her way '''where'''? 
'''Tywin:''' Wherever whores go.{{ref|asos|77}}}} – Tywin and [[Tyrion Lannister]], regarding [[Tysha]]

{{Quote|'''Tywin:''' You shot me. 
'''Tyrion:''' You always were quick to grasp a situation, my lord, that must be why you’re the [[Hand of the King]]. 
'''Tywin:''' You ... you are no ... no son of mine. 
'''Tyrion:''' Now that’s where you’re wrong, Father. Why, I believe I’m you writ small. Do me a kindness now, and die quickly. I have a ship to catch. {{Ref|asos|77}}}}
– Tywin and [[Tyrion Lannister]]

==Quotes about Tywin==
{{Quote|I would sooner entrust a child to a pit viper than to Lord Tywin.{{Ref|aGoT|4}}}} – [[Eddard Stark]]'s thoughts

{{Quote|A fool more foolish than most had once jested that even Lord Tywin’s shit was flecked with gold. Some said the man was still alive, deep in the bowels of [[Casterly Rock]].{{ref|AGOT|56}}}}
– [[Tyrion Lannister]]'s thoughts

{{Quote|Every once in a very long while, Lord Tywin Lannister would actually threaten to smile; he never did, but the threat alone was terrible to behold.{{Ref|aSoS|19}}}}
– [[Tyrion Lannister]]'s thoughts

{{Quote|'''Joffrey:''' You talk about [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys]], Grandfather, but you were scared of him. 
'''Cersei:''' Joffrey, apologize to your grandfather. 
'''Joffrey:''' Why should I? Everyone knows it’s true. [[Robert Baratheon|My father]] won all the battles. He killed Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaegar]] and took the crown, while '''your''' father was hiding under [[Casterly Rock]].{{Ref|aSoS|53}}}}
– [[Joffrey Baratheon]] and [[Cersei Lannister]]

{{Quote|'''Kevan:''' Tywin seems a hard man to you, but he's no harder than he's had to be. [[Tytos Lannister|Our own father]] was gentle and amiable, but so weak his bannermen mocked him in their cups. [[Reyne-Tarbeck Rebellion|Some saw fit to defy him openly]]. Other lords borrowed his gold and never troubled to repay it. At court they japed of toothless lions. Even his own mistress stole from him. A woman scarcely one step above a whore, and she helped herself to my mother's jewels! It fell to Tywin to restore [[House Lannister]] to its proper place. Just as it fell to him to rule this realm, when he was no more than twenty. He bore that heavy burden for twenty years and all it earned him was [[Aerys II Targaryen|a mad king]]'s envy. Instead of the honor he deserved, he was made to suffer slights beyond count, yet he gave the [[Seven Kingdoms]] peace, plenty and justice. He is a just man. 
'''Tyrion:''' You love him. 
'''Kevan:''' He is my brother.{{Ref|aSOS|66}}}}
– [[Kevan Lannister]] and [[Tyrion Lannister]]

{{Quote|Lord Tywin Lannister did not, in the end, shit gold.{{Ref|asos|77}}}} – [[Tyrion Lannister]]'s thoughts

{{Quote|I have served six kings, but here before us lies the greatest man I ever knew. Lord Tywin wore no crown, yet he was all a king should be.{{ref|aFfC|8}}}}
– [[Pycelle]]

{{Quote|Men say Tywin never smiled, but he smiled when he wed [[Joanna Lannister|your mother]], and when [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys]] made him [[Hand of the King|Hand]]. When [[Tarbeck Hall]] came crashing down on [[Ellyn Tarbeck|Lady Ellyn]], that scheming bitch, [[Tygett Lannister|Tyg]] claimed he smiled then, and he smiled at your birth, Jaime, I saw with my own eyes.{{ref|AFFC|33}}}}
– [[Genna Lannister]], to [[Jaime Lannister]]

{{Quote|I was seven when [[Walder Frey]] persuaded [[Tytos Lannister|my lord father]] to give my hand to [[Emmon Frey|Emm]]. His ''second'' son, not even his heir. Father was himself a thirdborn son, and younger children crave the approval of their elders. Frey sensed that weakness in him, and Father agreed for no better reason than to please him. My betrothal was announced at a feast with half [[Westerlands|the west]] in attendance. [[Ellyn Tarbeck]] laughed and the [[Red Lion of Castamere|Red Lion]] went angry from the hall. The rest sat on their tongues. Only Tywin dared speak against the match. A boy of ten. Father turned as white as mare's milk, and Walder Frey was '''quivering'''. How could I not love him after that? That is not to say I approved of all he did, or much enjoyed the company of the man he became ... but every little girl needs a big brother to protect her. Tywin was big even when he was little.{{Ref|aFfC|33}}}}
– [[Genna Lannister]], to [[Jaime Lannister]]

{{Quote|Are you down in some hell, Father? A nice cold hell where you can look up and see me help restore [[Aerys II Targaryen|Mad Aerys's]] [[Daenerys Targaryen|daughter]] to the [[Iron Throne]]?{{Ref|aDwD|5}}}}
– [[Tyrion Lannister]]'s thoughts

==Family==
Tywin married his cousin [[Joanna Lannister]], with whom he had three children: [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]], [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] and [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]]. Joanna died when giving birth to Tyrion.

{{Lannister tree}}

==References and Notes==
{{references|3}}
{{EnWP|House Lannister|small=yes}}

==External Links==
* [http://gameofthrones.wikia.com/wiki/Tywin_Lannister Tywin Lannister] on the [http://gameofthrones.wikia.com/wiki/Main Game of Thrones wiki].

{{Template:Hands of the King}}
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[[Category:House Lannister]]
[[Category:Characters from the Westerlands|Lannister, Tywin]]
[[Category:Hands of the King|Lannister, Tywin]]
[[Category:Knights|Lannister, Tywin]]
[[Category:Nobles|Lannister, Tywin]]
[[Category:Wardens|Lannister, Tywin]]

[[es:Tywin Lannister]]
[[fa:تایوین لنیستر]]
[[fr:Tywin Lannister]]
[[pt:Tywin Lannister]]
[[ru:Тайвин Ланнистер]]
[[zh:泰温·兰尼斯特]]

Tywin Lannister

2014-12-21T05:11:13Z

Complexphoenix:

{{Infobox character
| Character_name = [[File:House_Lannister.png|50px|left]] [[File:House_Lannister.png|50px|right]] '''Tywin Lannister'''
| image = [[File:Tywin.jpg|300px]]
| image_caption = Tywin Portrait by Amok©
| Alias = The Lion of Lannister The Old Lion The Great Lion of the Rock
| Title = Lord of [[Casterly Rock]] Shield of [[Lannisport]] [[Warden of the West]] [[Hand of the King]] Savior of the City (of King's Landing)
| Allegiance = [[House Lannister]]
| Race =
| Culture =
| Spouse = [[Joanna Lannister]]
| Place_of_Birth =
| Date_of_Birth = {{Date|242}}<ref>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Ages (Continued3)#Tywin Lannister|Tywin Lannister]] calculation.''</ref>
| Place_of_Death = [[King's Landing]]
| Date_of_Death = {{Date|300}}
| Books = ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'' (Appears) ''[[A Clash of Kings]]'' (Appears) ''[[A Storm of Swords]]'' (Appears) ''[[A Feast for Crows]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'' (Mentioned) ''The World of Ice and Fire'' (Mentioned)
| coat-of-arms =
| Played_by = [[w:Charles Dance|Charles Dance]]
| TV_series = [[Game of Thrones - Season 1|Season 1]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 2|Season 2]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 3|Season 3]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 4|Season 4]]
}}

'''Tywin Lannister''' is Lord of [[Casterly Rock]], Shield of [[Lannisport]] and [[Warden of the West]]. The head of [[House Lannister]], Tywin is one of the most powerful lords in [[Westeros]], and is the father of [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]], [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]], and [[Tyrion Lannister]]. He loves his children Jaime and Cersei, but despises Tyrion. This is partly because Tyrion is deformed, but also Tywin blames his son for causing his beloved wife [[Joanna Lannister|Joanna]]'s death during his birth, as well as for shaming the family name with his frequent whoring. In the television adaptation ''[[Game of Thrones]]'', Tywin is portrayed by [[w:Charles Dance|Charles Dance]].

==Appearance and Character==
:''See also: [[:Category:Images of Tywin Lannister|Images of Tywin Lannister]]''
[[File:Tiziano Baracchi Tywin face.png|Tywin has a very powerful presence combined with an unflinching gaze. By Tiziano Baracchi © FFG|thumb|300px|left]]
Tywin is a tall, slender, broad-shouldered man in his fifties. He has kept his head shaved ever since he started going bald, but grows out bushy golden side-whiskers, and has green eyes flecked with gold. In battle, he wears deep crimson armor highlighted with gold, with a cloth-of-gold cape.{{Ref|aGoT|56}}

Tywin is a calculating, intelligent, politically astute, ruthless, and controlling man. He dedicates his life and efforts towards maintaining the Lannisters' prestige, and ensuring House Lannister is respected, or at least feared. He is a proven battle commander and politician, and has a very powerful presence combined with an intimidating gaze.

==History==
===Early life===
Tywin was born to [[Tytos Lannister]]. Not much is known of Tywin’s childhood, but his early years were formative ones, shaping his mind and resolve for the life that lay ahead of him. Tywin was forced to watch his mighty house nearly brought to ruin through his father's actions. His father while a gentle and amiable man was also weak willed and eager to please, loans went unpaid and his bannermen did what they pleased mocking him in their cups or openly defying him. Perhaps the most important moment for Tywin was the realization of what power meant, which was driven home when his father, tried to quell Lord Tarbeck, his most disloyal bannermen by having him imprisoned. Lord Tarbeck's wife responded by capturing three Lannisters and threatening to harm them if her husband was not returned. Tywin counseled his father to send Lord Tarbeck back to his Lady in three pieces, one for every Lannister captured, but Tytos was a gentler man than that, and he caved in to Lady Tarbecks demands further weakening the position of their house.{{Ref|aSoS|44}}

As a result of his father's follies Tywin Lannister never laughed as he mistrusted laughter, hearing too much of it directed at his father and House Lannister in his youth. Tywin also seldom smiled when he was young and never smiled again after his wife's death.{{ref|AFFC|33}}

In his youth Tywin had been a friend and companion at court of Prince [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys Targaryen]], whilst his cousin, [[Joanna Lannister]], was a companion and lady-in-waiting to Princess [[Rhaella Targaryen]].{{ref|AWOIAF}} With Tywin already a [[knight]] during the [[War of the Ninepenny Kings]] and Aerys a squire in {{date|260}}, Tywin was granted the honor of knighting his friend.{{ref|TWOIAF| Aerys II}}

===In power===

House Lannister's reputation was low because of Tywin's weak father, Tytos.{{Ref|aSoS|66}} Tywin had to take ruthless steps to rectify the situation restoring the family honor and fortune from its near ruin. Tywin took upon himself the task of putting down his two most unruly houses, [[House Tarbeck]] and [[House Reyne]], for their [[Reyne-Tarbeck Rebellion|defiance]]. He did so with ruthless efficiency, destroying both houses entirely so that their lines were ended, leaving their ruined and shattered castles as a mute testimony to the fate that awaits those who scorn the power of [[Casterly Rock]].{{Ref|aSoS|19}} Such was the brutality of Tywin's destruction of House Reyne that a song called "[[The Rains of Castamere]]" was written as a tribute to the event. Indeed when Lord [[House Farman|Farman]] of [[Faircastle]] grew truculent Tywin sent a messenger with a lute instead of a letter and once "The Rains of Castamere" was played Lord Farman caused no further trouble.

When Tywin's father Tytos finally keeled over of a burst heart while climbing a flight of steps to visit his mistress,{{Ref|aFfC|3}} Tywin became the Lord of Casterly Rock and [[Warden of the West]]. Upon his father's death Tywin found his father's mistress trying on one of his late mother's gowns. A common-born woman and the daughter of a chandler, the mistress dominated Tytos utterly, ordering about the household knights and dismissing servants and helping herself to his late wife's jewelery.{{Ref|aSoS|66}} Tywin had her stripped naked and forced the sobbing woman to [[Walk of Shame|walk the streets]] of [[Lannisport]] to confess to every man she met that she was a thief and a harlot before banishing her from the [[Westerlands]].{{Ref|aFfC|3}}

Tywin married his cousin [[Joanna Lannister]] and from all reports the marriage was a happy one. [[Genna Lannister]] said that Tywin smiled on the day he wed Joanna.{{Ref|aFfC|33}} It was said that though Tywin ruled the Seven Kingdoms ([[Hand of the King|as Hand]]) he was ruled at home by his lady wife. Joanna gave him twins, [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]] and [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] that he hoped would one day be Queen of Westeros and Lord of Casterly Rock, but then disaster struck when his beloved wife died giving birth to [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]], considered a hideous monster. Tywin was devastated by Joanna's untimely death and took no further wife. [[Gerion Lannister]] once told his nephew Tyrion that the best part of Tywin died when Joanna did.{{Ref|aSoS|38}}
[[File:Tywin and Aerys.jpg|thumb|350px|Tywin appointed as [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys II]] [[King's Hand]]]]
Tywin's ability came to the attention of King [[Aerys II Targaryen]], who, impressed with the young and capable heir to Casterly Rock, appointed Tywin, who was twenty at that time, to be his [[Hand of the King]]. Tywin proved himself a brilliant administrator and held the post for twenty years of peace and plenty. Some people joked it was he and not the king who really ruled the land. It ended when Aerys' increasing paranoia and jealousy drove the two into several bitter disagreements. According to Ser [[Barristan Selmy]], Aerys lusted after Tywin's wife when she was alive<ref>Aerys's own unhappy marriage was arranged</ref> which caused further friction between the two. Tension increased at the [[tourney for King Aerys II]] in [[Lannisport]] in {{Date|276}} when Aerys refused Tywin's offer to betroth [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]] to his heir, Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaegar]]. In {{date|281}} Aerys raised [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]], Tywin's fifteen-year old son, to the [[Kingsguard]], robbing Tywin of his prized heir; Tywin understood that the king’s motivations were to make Jaime a hostage to use against his father. Upset at Aerys's treatment of Jaime at the [[Tourney of Harrenhal]], Tywin resigned his position on some thin pretext and returned to [[Casterly Rock]].

===Robert's Rebellion and aftermath===
[[File:Tywin lannister by oznerol 1516-d72zae4.png|250px|thumb|Lord Tywin Lannister of Casterly Rock - by Oznerol-1516 ©]]
When [[Robert's Rebellion]] began, Lord Tywin sat at Casterly Rock and waited, ignoring King Aerys's orders to arm, taking no side until after [[Robert Baratheon]]'s decisive victory at the [[Battle of the Trident]]. After the battle, Tywin mustered his forces and rode for the capital of [[King's Landing]]. After Aerys was convinced by Grand Maester [[Pycelle]] that Tywin had come to aid him, he ordered the gates of the city opened for Tywin. The Westerlanders proceeded to [[Sack of King's Landing|sack the city]]. Aerys was killed by Jaime before Tywin's forces arrived at the Red Keep, but [[Gregor Clegane]] and [[Amory Lorch]], knights sworn to Tywin and under Tywin's orders, slew Rhaegar's wife [[Elia Martell|Elia of Dorne]] and her two young children, [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Rhaegar)|Rhaenys]] and [[Aegon Targaryen|Aegon]]. Tywin wrapped the bodies in crimson Lannister cloaks to better conceal the blood and presented them to Robert Baratheon as a token of fealty. When asked by his son Tyrion years later why Tywin did not let Robert bloody his own hands, Tywin's replied:

{{Quote|We had come late to Robert's cause. It was necessary to demonstrate our loyalty. When I laid those bodies before the throne, no man could doubt that we had forsaken House Targaryen forever. And Robert's relief was palpable. As stupid as he was, even he knew that Rhaegar's children had to die if his throne was ever to be secure. Yet he saw himself as a hero, and heroes do not kill children.{{Ref|aSoS|53}}}}

While earning House Lannister the hatred of both [[House Martell]] of [[Dorne]] and the population of [[King's Landing]], this act also secured the marriage of the new king, Robert Baratheon, to Tywin's daughter [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]], whose proposed betrothal to Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] had been rejected by Aerys much to Tywin's bitter disappointment. Cersei's marriage to the new, young, and popular king did much to make up for Tywin's earlier disappointment.

After the rebellion, Tywin returned to [[Casterly Rock]], where he continued to serve as Lord and Warden of the West. In {{date|289}} Lord [[Balon Greyjoy]] began [[Greyjoy's Rebellion]] against King Robert by burning the Lannister fleet anchored at Lannisport. After the defeat of the Greyjoys, Tywin rebuilt his fleet<ref>So Spake Martin: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/The_Lannister_Fleet The Lannister Fleet]</ref> and hosted another [[tourney at Lannisport]]. Due to King Robert's financial mismanagement of the realm, as well as his own new connection to the throne by marriage, Lord Tywin frequently lent money to the crown, placing the court in King's Landing in debt of over three million [[Currency|gold dragons]] to House Lannister.

Though ruthless, Tywin Lannister is an able and shrewd ruler who brought great prosperity during his tenures as the King's Hand. He is especially talented at the raising of funds, leading to a persistent jest that he must "shit gold."{{Ref|aCoK|30}} The common folk of Lannisport cheered twice as loud for Tywin at the [[tourney for King Aerys II]] as they did for their actual king. Even so, Tywin is more respected than loved in the [[Westerlands]] and he became despised in [[King's Landing]] after his house treacherously sacked the city.

===Children===
When Tywin discovered his son [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]] wed a common girl, [[Tysha]], which in Tywin's eyes would make the house a laughingstock again, Tywin taught him a sharp lesson. He commanded Tyrion's brother [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] to name her a prostitute and made Tyrion watch as Tywin gave Tysha over to his garrison of guards, having each man pay the girl a silver coin after raping her. He forced Tyrion to do the same but pay the girl a gold coin.{{Ref|aGoT|42}} He earned the enmity of his son forever for that act, but Tywin did not care, for it was on his other children that he placed all his hopes.

Tywin later refused to allow Tyrion to travel and see the world as Tywin's brothers had in their youth, fearing he would bring further shame on House Lannister and as a "gift" for Tyrion's sixteenth [[Nameday|nameday]] he put his son in charge of cleaning all the drains of [[Casterly Rock]].{{Ref|aDwD|8}}

When Tyrion became 16-years-old, the official age of adulthood, he believed he would be free to do as he wished. Tywin disillusioned him, replying:

{{Quote|No man is free. Only children and fools think elsewise.{{Ref|aDwD|8}}}}

Though Tywin's children also greatly respect him, none of them have been able to conform to the paths he had laid out for them, which causes many difficulties.{{Ref|aFfC|44}}

==Recent Events==
===''A Game of Thrones''===
[[File:MagaliVilleneuve TywinLannister.jpg|300px|left|thumb|Tywin Lannister preparing for war - by Magali Villeneuve ©]]

Believed to be responsible for hiring an assassin to murder [[Bran Stark]] while he lay in a coma, Tywin's son [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]] is arrested at the [[inn at the crossroads]] by [[Catelyn Tully]], the wife of [[Eddard Stark]], current [[Hand of the King]]. She takes him to her sister [[Lysa Tully|Lysa]], at the [[Eyrie]], for trial. Though Tywin does not care about Tyrion's welfare, he sees the arrest and kidnapping as a direct slight on House Lannister's honor which he will not tolerate. In response Tywin sends Ser [[Gregor Clegane]] and his men, disguised as brigands, to sack and pillage various villages and hamlets across the [[Riverlands]], Catelyn's homeland.{{Ref|aGoT|43}} These raids mark one of the seminal points in what is to become the [[War of the Five Kings]].

Tywin's aim is to draw Eddard out of King's Landing, capture him, and exchange him for the freedom of his son.{{ref|ASOS|17}} Eddard, however, is injured in a skirmish on the streets of King's Landing with Tywin's son [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]], who is unaware of Tywin's plans, and Eddard sends Lord [[Beric Dondarrion]] after Gregor in his stead. When Beric's forces reach the [[Mummer's Ford]], soldiers of Tywin's and Gregor's [[Battle at the Mummer's Ford|attack from all sides]], routing Beric's host.{{ref|AGOT|55}}
[[File:Thomas Denmark tywin jaime.jpg|300px|thumb|Tywin and [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] ride to war - by Thomas Denmark ©]]
As the war gains momentum, Tywin's forces take the majority of the Riverlands and lay siege to [[Riverrun]] before meeting their first real opposition in the [[Battle of the Green Fork]]. Just prior to the battle, Tyrion, having won his freedom from the [[Vale of Arryn]] via [[trial by combat]] and earned the loyalty of many of the [[mountain clans]] along the way, meets with his father. Tywin sends Tyrion and his clansmen into the battle on the left flank, believing the undisciplined men likely to rout, but giving the northern commander, which Tywin believed to be the young and inexperienced [[Robb Stark]], a chance to over-commit and be annihilated.{{Ref|aGoT|62}} The clansmen do not rout, however, and the northern commander is not Robb but instead the more cautious and experienced Lord [[Roose Bolton]]. The battle is a Lannister victory, but it buys enough time for a separate northern force under Robb Stark's command to cross the [[Trident]] at [[the Twins]]. With the [[Battle of the Whispering Wood]] and the [[Battle of the Camps]], Robb is able to capture Tywin's other son, [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]], and lift the siege of Riverrun.{{ref|AGOT|69}}

After the death of King [[Robert Baratheon|Robert]], Tywin is named Hand of the King for his grandson, [[Joffrey Baratheon]].{{Ref|aGoT|57}} After the battle, he sends Tyrion to King's Landing to serve as Hand in his stead, and to prepare the city's defenses in anticipation of an attack from one or both of Robert's brothers, [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]] and [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]], while Tywin manages the war with [[the North]] and the Riverlands.{{Ref|aGoT|69}}

===''A Clash of Kings''===
The loss of Riverrun means that Tywin is not able to pursue and destroy Roose Bolton's forces. Instead he marches south to [[Harrenhal]] while he ponders his next move. Lannister men in the Riverlands are harassed by [[Beric Dondarrion]]'s [[brotherhood without banners|brotherhood]], despite Beric having been reported as slain several times.{{ref|ACOK|30}}

When Robb Stark marches from Riverrun and invades the [[Westerlands]], smashing a new Lannister host being raised and trained by [[Stafford Lannister]] at [[Battle of Oxcross|Oxcross]] and turning his forces loose to scour the Westerlands, Tywin leaves Harrenhal and marches his forces west in pursuit. Robb and Ser [[Brynden Tully]] plan to lead Tywin's army on a long chase across the Westerlands, bleeding his forces and living off of their lands.{{ref|ASOS|14}} However, Ser [[Edmure Tully]], who has been tasked with holding Riverrun but is unaware of Robb's plan, meets Tywin's army in the field in the [[Battle of the Fords]].{{Ref|aCoK|45}}

Tywin's forces are bloodied and thrown back, but the delay allows word to reach Tywin that Stannis Baratheon has murdered his brother Renly and laid claim to much of his army, and that he is marching and sailing on King's Landing with an enormous force. Tywin turns his force southeast on a forced march to the headwaters of the [[Blackwater Rush]], where he meets Lords [[Mathis Rowan]] and [[Randyll Tarly]] of the newly-allied [[Reach]]. They then join with the forces of Lord [[Mace Tyrell]] at [[Tumbler's Falls]].{{ref|ASOS|14}}

Sailing together on barges down the [[Blackwater Rush]], the Lannisters and Tyrells arrive just in time for the waning moments of the [[Battle of the Blackwater]], where they are able to break and drive away the majority of Stannis's army, which had been on the cusp of victory, by taking them in the flank.{{Ref|aSoS|14}} Tywin commands the host's right flank during the battle.{{Ref|aCoK|62}} Tywin is declared Savior of the City by King [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey]]. Tywin's son Tyrion, who had done much for the city's defenses, is critically wounded in the fighting.{{Ref|aSoS|4}}

===''A Storm of Swords''===
[[File:Pojypojy Tywin triumphant.jpg|350px|thumb|Tywin paraded as Savior of the City - by Pojypojy ©]]
Tywin's timely arrival at the Battle of the Blackwater allows him to take the majority of the credit for the Lannister victory. Tywin assumes his official position as King Joffrey's Hand,{{Ref|aCoK|64}} while giving Tyrion, after his recovery, the position of [[Master of Coin]], which Tyrion sees as a demotion and an insult. Tywin arranges for Tyrion to be wed to [[Sansa Stark]]{{Ref|aSoS|19}} before she can be betrothed to [[Willas Tyrell]], giving him claim over [[Winterfell]] and directly denying Tyrion's ambition to inherit [[Casterly Rock]].{{Ref|aSoS|4}} He also makes plans to find a suitor to marry his widowed daughter, Queen [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]], though they are never realized. He offers her to Willas Tyrell but [[Mace Tyrell]], after being hectored by his mother, [[Olenna Redwyne]], refuses the match. Tywin demands that Tyrion act as if the offer were never made.{{Ref|aSoS|32}}

After learning that Robb Stark has unexpectedly wed [[Jeyne Westerling]] and that [[House Westerling]] has gone over to the Starks, Tywin remains in communication, via raven, with Jeyne's mother [[Sybell Spicer]]. He also communicates with [[Roose Bolton]], who has switched sides to the Lannisters after taking Harrenhal, and Lord [[Walder Frey]], who sees Robb's marriage to Jeyne as an insult to [[House Frey]], as it breaks a marriage pact Robb had previously made to wed a Frey girl. The [[Red Wedding]] is the direct result of their correspondence, which sees Robb Stark betrayed and murdered along with the vast majority of his host, effectively ending the war with House Lannister the victor.

[[File:Nachomolina_Tywin_Lannister.jpg‎|Tywin Lannister - by Nacho Molina ©|thumb|350px|left]]
Tywin Lannister has [[Ice]], the [[Valyrian steel]] greatsword of [[Eddard Stark]], reforged into two longswords as gifts, [[Widow's Wail|one]] for Joffrey on his wedding day and [[Oathkeeper|the other]] to Jaime.{{Ref|aSoS|32}} Not long after, King Joffrey is poisoned and dies at [[Purple Wedding|the feast following his wedding]] to [[Margaery Tyrell]]. Tywin's son Tyrion is falsely accused of the crime, and Tywin agrees to be one of Tyrion's three judges, alongside [[Oberyn Martell]] and [[Mace Tyrell]], at his trial. When it becomes clear that he is going to be found guilty, Tyrion demands trial by combat, and Oberyn surprisingly volunteers to champion him. Cersei, being Tyrion's accuser, selects Ser Gregor Clegane to represent the crown. Gregor, despite being poisoned by Oberyn during the trial, wins the duel, slaying Oberyn, and Tyrion is thus found guilty.{{Ref|aSoS|70}}

Tywin faces huge political ramifications from the trial. Before slaying Oberyn, Gregor roars his guilt in slaying [[Elia Martell]] and her son [[Aegon Targaryen|Aegon]] for all the realm to hear. Tywin fears [[Dorne]] might join [[Stannis Baratheon]], which could prolong the [[War of the Five Kings|war]] for years. He plans on having Gregor executed to appease [[House Martell]], but needs it to be seen to be the [[Ilyn Payne|King's Justice]] who carries out the deed, not poison. Tywin commands [[Pycelle]] to heal Gregor, but Pycelle's efforts prove fruitless.{{Ref|aSoS|72}}

Awaiting his sentencing, Tyrion is freed from the Red Keep's dungeon by his brother Jaime and a reluctant Varys. During his escape, Jaime reveals the truth about Tyrion's first wife Tysha, saying she was not a whore but a girl just met on the road and Tywin had made Jaime speak the lie to Tyrion. Tyrion is enraged by this and has Varys show him to a ladder that leads directly into the [[Tower of the Hand]], Tywin's residence, Tyrion finds his ex-lover [[Shae]] in Tywin's bed, wearing nothing but his father's golden chain of office. Tyrion strangles her to death with it. He then takes a crossbow from the wall and finds Tywin in the privy and confronts him about Tysha. Tywin remains belligerent, repeatedly calling her a whore, which Tyrion sees as the final insult; shooting him through his bowels with the crossbow, mortally wounding him. Tywin dies while seated on the privy, his bowels loosening in the moment of death causing Tyrion to think as he left his father's body:

{{Quote|But the stink that filled the privy gave ample evidence that the oft-repeated jape about his father was just another lie. Lord Tywin Lannister did not, in the end, shit gold.{{Ref|aSoS|77}}}}

===''A Feast for Crows''===
After Tywin's body is discovered, it is prepared for a state burial. [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]] has the [[House Kettleblack|Kettleblacks]] remove the body of [[Shae]] and swears she will have the tongue removed of any man who mentions Shae was ever there.{{Ref|aFfC|3}} The remains of Lord Tywin are shown for seven days in the [[Great Sept of Baelor]] before making its way west with an entourage of knights and lords from the [[Westerlands]]. The smell of the body is so bad many of the mourners grow sick or faint from being too near. A drying of the mouth also causes Tywin's lips to curl up and make him appear to smile.{{Ref|aFfC|8}} This disturbs Jaime and Cersei, because Tywin Lannister seldom smiled.

===''A Dance with Dragons''===
Ser [[Kevan Lannister]] thinks of how Tywin would never have dreamed his golden daughter [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]] would experience a similar fate, a [[Walk of Shame|walk of shame]], as Tywin made their father [[Tytos Lannister|Tytos's]] mistress suffer.{{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}

==Quotes by Tywin==

{{Quote|Some battles are won with swords and spears, others with quills and ravens.{{Ref|aSoS|4}}}} – Tywin, to [[Tyrion Lannister]]

{{Quote|'''Tyrion:''' Could the [[House Westerling|Westerlings]] and [[House Spicer|Spicers]] be such great fools as to believe [[House Stark|the wolf]] can defeat [[House Lannister|the lion]]? 
'''Tywin:''' The greatest fools are ofttimes more clever than the men who laugh at them.{{Ref|aSoS|19}}}}
– Tywin and [[Tyrion Lannister]]

{{Quote|There is a tool for every task, and a task for every tool.{{Ref|aSoS|32}}}} – Tywin, to [[Tyrion Lannister]]

{{Quote|When your enemies defy you, you must serve them steel and fire. When they go to their knees, however, you must help them back to their feet. Elsewise no man will ever bend the knee to you. And any man who must say ‘I am the king’ is no true king at all. [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys]] never understood that, but you will. When I’ve won [[War of the Five Kings|your war]] for you, we will restore the king’s peace and the king’s justice.{{ref|aSoS|53}}}}
– Tywin, to [[Joffrey Baratheon]]

{{Quote|I did not fight [[War of the Five Kings|a war]] to seat [[Robert Baratheon|Robert]] the Second on the [[Iron Throne]].{{ref|aSoS|53}}}} – Tywin, to [[Cersei Lannister]]

{{Quote|You are not my son. You say you are the [[Lord Commander of the Kingsguard]], and only that. Very well, ser. Go do your duty.{{Ref|aSoS|62}}}}
– Tywin, to [[Jaime Lannister]]

{{Quote|'''Tywin:''' I suppose the steward sent her on her way. I never thought to inquire. 
'''Tyrion:''' On her way '''where'''? 
'''Tywin:''' Wherever whores go.{{ref|asos|77}}}} – Tywin and [[Tyrion Lannister]], regarding [[Tysha]]

{{Quote|'''Tywin:''' You shot me. 
'''Tyrion:''' You always were quick to grasp a situation, my lord, that must be why you’re the [[Hand of the King]]. 
'''Tywin:''' You ... you are no ... no son of mine. 
'''Tyrion:''' Now that’s where you’re wrong, Father. Why, I believe I’m you writ small. Do me a kindness now, and die quickly. I have a ship to catch. {{Ref|asos|77}}}}
– Tywin and [[Tyrion Lannister]]

==Quotes about Tywin==
{{Quote|I would sooner entrust a child to a pit viper than to Lord Tywin.{{Ref|aGoT|4}}}} – [[Eddard Stark]]'s thoughts

{{Quote|A fool more foolish than most had once jested that even Lord Tywin’s shit was flecked with gold. Some said the man was still alive, deep in the bowels of [[Casterly Rock]].{{ref|AGOT|56}}}}
– [[Tyrion Lannister]]'s thoughts

{{Quote|Every once in a very long while, Lord Tywin Lannister would actually threaten to smile; he never did, but the threat alone was terrible to behold.{{Ref|aSoS|19}}}}
– [[Tyrion Lannister]]'s thoughts

{{Quote|'''Joffrey:''' You talk about [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys]], Grandfather, but you were scared of him. 
'''Cersei:''' Joffrey, apologize to your grandfather. 
'''Joffrey:''' Why should I? Everyone knows it’s true. [[Robert Baratheon|My father]] won all the battles. He killed Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaegar]] and took the crown, while '''your''' father was hiding under [[Casterly Rock]].{{Ref|aSoS|53}}}}
– [[Joffrey Baratheon]] and [[Cersei Lannister]]

{{Quote|'''Kevan:''' Tywin seems a hard man to you, but he's no harder than he's had to be. [[Tytos Lannister|Our own father]] was gentle and amiable, but so weak his bannermen mocked him in their cups. [[Reyne-Tarbeck Rebellion|Some saw fit to defy him openly]]. Other lords borrowed his gold and never troubled to repay it. At court they japed of toothless lions. Even his own mistress stole from him. A woman scarcely one step above a whore, and she helped herself to my mother's jewels! It fell to Tywin to restore [[House Lannister]] to its proper place. Just as it fell to him to rule this realm, when he was no more than twenty. He bore that heavy burden for twenty years and all it earned him was [[Aerys II Targaryen|a mad king]]'s envy. Instead of the honor he deserved, he was made to suffer slights beyond count, yet he gave the [[Seven Kingdoms]] peace, plenty and justice. He is a just man. 
'''Tyrion:''' You love him. 
'''Kevan:''' He is my brother.{{Ref|aSOS|66}}}}
– [[Kevan Lannister]] and [[Tyrion Lannister]]

{{Quote|Lord Tywin Lannister did not, in the end, shit gold.{{Ref|asos|77}}}} – [[Tyrion Lannister]]'s thoughts

{{Quote|I have served six kings, but here before us lies the greatest man I ever knew. Lord Tywin wore no crown, yet he was all a king should be.{{ref|aFfC|8}}}}
– [[Pycelle]]

{{Quote|Men say Tywin never smiled, but he smiled when he wed [[Joanna Lannister|your mother]], and when [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys]] made him [[Hand of the King|Hand]]. When [[Tarbeck Hall]] came crashing down on [[Ellyn Tarbeck|Lady Ellyn]], that scheming bitch, [[Tygett Lannister|Tyg]] claimed he smiled then, and he smiled at your birth, Jaime, I saw with my own eyes.{{ref|AFFC|33}}}}
– [[Genna Lannister]], to [[Jaime Lannister]]

{{Quote|I was seven when [[Walder Frey]] persuaded [[Tytos Lannister|my lord father]] to give my hand to [[Emmon Frey|Emm]]. His ''second'' son, not even his heir. Father was himself a thirdborn son, and younger children crave the approval of their elders. Frey sensed that weakness in him, and Father agreed for no better reason than to please him. My betrothal was announced at a feast with half [[Westerlands|the west]] in attendance. [[Ellyn Tarbeck]] laughed and the [[Red Lion of Castamere|Red Lion]] went angry from the hall. The rest sat on their tongues. Only Tywin dared speak against the match. A boy of ten. Father turned as white as mare's milk, and Walder Frey was '''quivering'''. How could I not love him after that? That is not to say I approved of all he did, or much enjoyed the company of the man he became ... but every little girl needs a big brother to protect her. Tywin was big even when he was little.{{Ref|aFfC|33}}}}
– [[Genna Lannister]], to [[Jaime Lannister]]

{{Quote|Are you down in some hell, Father? A nice cold hell where you can look up and see me help restore [[Aerys II Targaryen|Mad Aerys's]] [[Daenerys Targaryen|daughter]] to the [[Iron Throne]]?{{Ref|aDwD|5}}}}
– [[Tyrion Lannister]]'s thoughts

==Family==
Tywin married his cousin [[Joanna Lannister]], with whom he had three children: [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]], [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] and [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]]. Joanna died when giving birth to Tyrion.

{{Lannister tree}}

==References and Notes==
{{references|3}}
{{EnWP|House Lannister|small=yes}}

==External Links==
* [http://gameofthrones.wikia.com/wiki/Tywin_Lannister Tywin Lannister] on the [http://gameofthrones.wikia.com/wiki/Main Game of Thrones wiki].

{{Template:Hands of the King}}
{{Small council}}

[[Category:House Lannister]]
[[Category:Characters from the Westerlands|Lannister, Tywin]]
[[Category:Hands of the King|Lannister, Tywin]]
[[Category:Knights|Lannister, Tywin]]
[[Category:Nobles|Lannister, Tywin]]
[[Category:Wardens|Lannister, Tywin]]

[[es:Tywin Lannister]]
[[fa:تایوین لنیستر]]
[[fr:Tywin Lannister]]
[[pt:Tywin Lannister]]
[[ru:Тайвин Ланнистер]]
[[zh:泰温·兰尼斯特]]

Tyland Lannister

2014-12-20T20:46:56Z

Complexphoenix:

{{Character
| Character_name = [[File:House Lannister.png|50px|left]] Tyland Lannister [[File:House Lannister.png|50px|right]]
| image = 
| image_caption =
| Alias =
| Title = Ser [[Master of Ships]] [[Master of Coin]] [[Hand of the King]]
| Allegiance =[[House Lannister]] [[The Greens]]
| Race =
| Culture =
| Spouse =
| Place_of_Birth =
| Date_of_Birth =
| Place_of_Death =
| Date_of_Death = {{date|133}}.{{ref|TWOIAF}}
| Books = ''[[The World of Ice and Fire]]'' ''[[The Princess and the Queen]]'' ''[[The Rogue Prince]]''
| coat-of-arms =
}}

Ser '''Tyland Lannister''' was a [[knight]] from [[House Lannister]]. The [[master of ships]] and a member of the [[small council]] during the reign of [[Viserys I Targaryen]], he was named [[master of coin]] at the start of the [[Dance of the Dragons]]. He was the younger twin brother of the Lord of [[Casterly Rock]], [[Jason Lannister]].{{ref|TPATQ}}{{ref|TRP}}

==History==
===Early life===
In {{date|112}}, Ser Tyland and his twin Ser Jason vied for the hand of [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]] without success.{{ref|trp}}

===The [[Dance of the Dragons]]===
As the body of the recently deceased [[Viserys I Targaryen]] was growing cold Tyland was amongst the members of the [[small council]] that gathered in the queen's chambers. There, talk turned to the question of succession and the discussion lasted til the dawn. During the meeting Tyland pointed out that many of the lords who had sworn to defend the succession of Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen were long dead. He remarked that it had been twenty-four years, and that he himself swore no such oath and was a child at the time.

At the start of the [[Dance of the Dragons|civil war]] Ser Tyland was named master of coin by Queen [[Alicent Hightower]]. Upon his appointment Tyland acted at once to size the royal treasury. The crown's gold was divided into four parts. One part was entrusted to the care of the [[Iron Bank of Braavos]] for safekeeping, another sent to [[Casterly Rock]] and a third to [[Oldtown]]. The remaining wealth was used by the [[greens]] for bribes and gifts and hiring [[sellsword]]s.{{ref|TPATQ}}

When Prince [[Aemond Targaryen]] was acting as Prince Regent and Protector of the Realm he summoned the bannermen and council and announced his intention to bring the battle to his uncle and chastise the rebellious river lords. Although not all members of the [[green council]] favored this move Ser Tyland supported him.

When Rhaenyra took [[King's Landing]] in {{Date|130}} Dowager Queen Alicent quickly realized that resistance was futile and emerged from [[Maegor's Holdfast]] with her father, Ser [[Jasper Wylde]] and Ser Tyland.

While at the [[Red Keep]] Queen Rhaenyra set about rewarding her friends and inflicting savage punishments on those who had served her half-brother. Ser Tyland was given to the torturers in the hope of recovering some of the crown's treasure that he had divided and sent to different destinations.{{ref|tpatq}} Ser Tyland refused to tell, despite being blinded, gelded, and mutilated by the torturers.{{ref|twoiaf| House Lannister Under the Dragons}}

After the city was taken back by the Greens, Tyland was kept as Master of Coin, and was even sent to the [[Free Cities]] to hire sellswords to fight for Aegon II.

===Later life===
After the Dance ended with [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon III]]'s ascendance to the Iron Throne, a new small council was set up with members of both sides of the war. Tyland was made [[Hand of the King]] for the young Aegon III. He was expected to be a weak Hand, but he wasn't. He died of winter fever in {{date|133}}.{{ref|TWOIAF| Aegon III}}

==Quotes==
{{Quote|I myself swore no such oath.{{ref|TPATQ}}}}

==References and Notes==
{{references}}

{{Hands of the King}}
{{Small council}}

[[Category:House Lannister]]
[[Category:Knights|Lannister, Tyland]]
[[Category:Characters from the Westerlands|Lannister, Tyland]]
[[Category:Masters of coin|Lannister, Tyland]]
[[Category:Masters of ships|Lannister, Tyland]]
[[Category:Hands of the King|Lannister, Tyland]]

[[es:Tyland Lannister]]
[[fr:Tyland Lannister]]
[[ru:Тайленд Ланнистер]]

Balerion

2014-12-20T03:13:30Z

Complexphoenix:

{{See homonyms | Balerion (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox character
| Character_name= Balerion
| image = [[File:Balerion the black.jpg|400px]]
| image_caption = Balerion lets loose his flame. © Fantasy Flight Games
| Alias = the Black Dread
| Title =
| Allegiance = [[Aegon the Conqueror]] [[Maegor I Targaryen]] [[Viserys I Targaryen]]
| Race = [[Dragon]]
| Culture =
| Spouse =
| Place_of_Birth= [[Valyria]]
| Date_of_Birth = or before [[Years before Aegon's Conquest|114BC]]
| Place_of_Death=
| Date_of_Death = {{Date|94}}
| Books = ''[[The World of Ice and Fire]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[The Rogue Prince]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[The Princess and the Queen]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[A Clash of Kings]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[A Feast for Crows]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'' (Mentioned)
}}
[[File:Lindsey Burcar Balerion headshot.png|thumb|400px|Teeth long as swords, jaws big enough to swallow a [[mammoth]] whole. © Lindsey Burcar]]
[[File:Balerion.jpg|thumb|400px|Balerion in the [[War of Conquest]]]]
'''Balerion''', called the '''Black Dread''', was one of the three great [[dragons]] of [[Aegon the Conqueror]] and his sisters, that were used to conquer much of [[Westeros]] during the [[War of Conquest]]. Balerion died of old age<ref>[http://grrm.livejournal.com/360936.html?thread=18791400#t18791400]</ref> in {{Date|94}}{{ref|trp}} during the reign of King [[Jaehaerys I]], around two hundred years old.{{Ref|aSoS|8}}

== Appearance ==
:''See also: [[:Category:Images of Balerion|Images of Balerion]]''

Balerion was the largest of all the Targaryen dragons, his teeth were as long as swords and his jaws big enough to swallow a mammoth whole.{{Ref|aGoT|13}} His fire was as black as his scales, his wingspan so vast that entire towns would fall under his shadow when he passed overhead.{{Ref|aCoK|12}}

==History==
Balerion was named after the ancient god of the [[Valyria|Valyrian Freehold]].{{Ref|aCoK|12}} He was born in Valyria. Balerion was one of the five dragons [[Aenar Targaryen]] brought with him when he fled to [[Dragonstone]] to survive the [[Doom of Valyria]].<ref>[http://thewertzone.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-full-story-of-targaryen-conquest-in.html?spref=tw&m=1]</ref>

He gained recognition as the 'Black Dread' during the [[War of Conquest]], when Aegon rode him to victory and conquered [[Westeros]]. He became notorious when Aegon used him against King [[Harren Hoare]]. Balerion's flames burned so hot that the towers of [[Harrenhal]] went up like candles, melting and twisting into the shapes they retain to this day.{{ref|twoiaf| The Conquest}} King Harren and his sons all perished. Balerion was also deployed in the battle that became known as the [[Field of Fire]], the only time in history that all three of the fabled Targaryen dragons took to the sky at the same time. Between [[Vhagar]], [[Meraxes]] and Balerion, four thousand men were burned to death. King [[Mern Gardener|Mern]] died, and with him [[House Gardener]]. The army was broken and Aegon I was victorious.{{Ref|aGoT|13}}

According to song, at the end of the war Balerion helped to forge the [[Iron Throne]] by melting the swords of Aegon's enemies.{{Ref|aGoT|43}} [[Aegon the Conqueror]] only rode Balerion to battle or for travel.

After Aegon's death, Balerion was claimed by his son [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor]], who had long coveted his father's mount and had not claimed another dragon because he considered all others unworthy. When he was exiled, Maegor brought Balerion with him to [[Pentos]]. After his brother [[Aenys I Targaryen|Aenys]] died, Maegor flew back to [[Westeros]] on Balerion's back to claim the Iron Throne. In his reign as king, Maegor used Balerion to destroy the [[Sept of Remembrance]] and in many other battles against the [[Faith Militant]]. In the [[Battle Beneath the Gods Eye]], Maegor used Balerion to kill his nephew [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Aegon]] and his dragon [[Quicksilver]].{{ref|twoiaf| Maegor I}}

Balerion was later ridden by [[Viserys I Targaryen]], then still a prince. He was Balerion's rider at the time of his death in {{date|94}}. Viserys never claimed another dragon.{{ref|trp}}

Along with other Targaryen [[Dragon skulls (Targaryen)|dragon skulls]] Balerion's huge skull used to hang on a wall in the [[Red Keep]]'s throne room. After the [[War of the Usurper]] King Robert had Balerion's skull removed and stored in a dank cellar along with the others.

There is a rather nice picture of Balerion the Black Dread done in coloured inks in the book ''[[Dragonkin, Being a History of House Targaryen from Exile to Apotheosis, with a Consideration of the Life and Death of Dragons]]'' written by Maester [[Thomax]].{{Ref|aFfC|5}}

==Known dragonriders of Balerion==
* [[Aegon the Conqueror]]
* [[Maegor I Targaryen]]
* [[Viserys I Targaryen]]{{Ref|TRP}}

==Quotes==
{{Quote|His fire was as black as his scales, his wings so vast that whole towns were swallowed up in their shadow when he passed overhead. {{Ref|ACOK|12}}}} - [[Daenerys]]

{{Quote|Balerion the Black Dread was two hundred years old when he died during the reign of Jaehaerys the Conciliator. He was so large he could swallow an [[aurochs]] whole. A dragon never stops growing, Your Grace, so long as he has food and freedom. {{Ref|ASOS|8}}}} - [[Barristan Selmy|Arstan Whitebeard]]

==References and Notes==
{{references|2}}

{{Dragons}}

[[Category:Dragons]]

[[fa:بالریون]]
[[fr:Balerion]]
[[zh:贝勒里恩]]
[[ru:Балерион]]

Balerion

2014-12-20T03:11:36Z

Complexphoenix:

{{See homonyms | Balerion (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox character
| Character_name= Balerion
| image = [[File:Balerion the black.jpg|400px]]
| image_caption = Balerion lets loose his flame. © Fantasy Flight Games
| Alias = the Black Dread
| Title =
| Allegiance = [[Aegon the Conqueror]] [[Maegor I Targaryen]] [[Viserys I Targaryen]]
| Race = [[Dragon]]
| Culture =
| Spouse =
| Place_of_Birth= [[Valyria]]
| Date_of_Birth = or before [[Years before Aegon's Conquest|114BC]]
| Place_of_Death=
| Date_of_Death = {{Date|94}}
| Books = ''[[The World of Ice and Fire]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[The Rogue Prince]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[The Princess and the Queen]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[A Clash of Kings]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[A Feast for Crows]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'' (Mentioned)
}}
[[File:Lindsey Burcar Balerion headshot.png|thumb|400px|Teeth long as swords, jaws big enough to swallow a [[mammoth]] whole. © Lindsey Burcar]]
[[File:Balerion.jpg|thumb|400px|Balerion in the [[War of Conquest]]]]
'''Balerion''', called the '''Black Dread''', was one of the three great [[dragons]] of [[Aegon the Conqueror]] and his sisters, that were used to conquer much of [[Westeros]] during the [[War of Conquest]]. Balerion died of old age<ref>[http://grrm.livejournal.com/360936.html?thread=18791400#t18791400]</ref> in {{Date|94}}{{ref|trp}} during the reign of King [[Jaehaerys I]], around two hundred years old.{{Ref|aSoS|8}}

== Appearance ==
:''See also: [[:Category:Images of Balerion|Images of Balerion]]''

Balerion was the largest of all the Targaryen dragons, his teeth were as long as swords and his jaws big enough to swallow a mammoth whole.{{Ref|aGoT|13}} His fire was as black as his scales, his wingspan so vast that entire towns would fall under his shadow when he passed overhead.{{Ref|aCoK|12}}

==History==
Balerion was named after the ancient god of the [[Valyria|Valyrian Freehold]].{{Ref|aCoK|12}} He was born in Valyria. Balerion was one of the five dragons [[Aenar Targaryen]] brought with him when he fled to [[Dragonstone]] to survive the [[Doom of Valyria]].<ref>[http://thewertzone.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-full-story-of-targaryen-conquest-in.html?spref=tw&m=1]</ref>

He gained recognition as the 'Black Dread' during the [[War of Conquest]], when Aegon rode him to victory and conquered [[Westeros]]. He became notorious when Aegon used him against King [[Harren Hoare]]. Balerion's flames burned so hot that the towers of [[Harrenhal]] went up like candles, melting and twisting into the shapes they retain to this day.{{ref|twoiaf| The Conquest}} King Harren and his sons all perished. Balerion was also deployed in the battle that became known as the [[Field of Fire]], the only time in history that all three of the fabled Targaryen dragons took to the sky at the same time. Between [[Vhagar]], [[Meraxes]] and Balerion, four thousand men were burned to death. King [[Mern Gardener|Mern]] died, and with him [[House Gardener]]. The army was broken and Aegon I was victorious.{{Ref|aGoT|13}}

According to song, at the end of the war Balerion helped to forge the [[Iron Throne]] by melting the swords of Aegon's enemies.{{Ref|aGoT|43}} [[Aegon the Conqueror]] only rode Balerion to battle or for travel.

After Aegon's death, Balerion was claimed by his son [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor]], who had long coveted his father's mount and had not claimed another dragon because he considered all others unworthy. When he was exiled, Maegor brought Balerion with him to [[Pentos]]. After his brother [[Aenys I Targaryen|Aenys]] died, Maegor flew back to [[Westeros]] on Balerion's back to claim the Iron Throne. In his reign as king, Maegor used Balerion to destroy the [[Sept of Remembrance]] and in many other battles against the [[Faith Militant]]. In the [[Battle Beneath the God's Eye]], Maegor used Balerion to kill his nephew [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I|Aegon]] and his dragon [[Quicksilver]].{{ref|twoiaf| Maegor I}}

Balerion was later ridden by [[Viserys I Targaryen]], then still a prince. He was Balerion's rider at the time of his death in {{date|94}}. Viserys never claimed another dragon.{{ref|trp}}

Along with other Targaryen [[Dragon skulls (Targaryen)|dragon skulls]] Balerion's huge skull used to hang on a wall in the [[Red Keep]]'s throne room. After the [[War of the Usurper]] King Robert had Balerion's skull removed and stored in a dank cellar along with the others.

There is a rather nice picture of Balerion the Black Dread done in coloured inks in the book ''[[Dragonkin, Being a History of House Targaryen from Exile to Apotheosis, with a Consideration of the Life and Death of Dragons]]'' written by Maester [[Thomax]].{{Ref|aFfC|5}}

==Known dragonriders of Balerion==
* [[Aegon the Conqueror]]
* [[Maegor I Targaryen]]
* [[Viserys I Targaryen]]{{Ref|TRP}}

==Quotes==
{{Quote|His fire was as black as his scales, his wings so vast that whole towns were swallowed up in their shadow when he passed overhead. {{Ref|ACOK|12}}}} - [[Daenerys]]

{{Quote|Balerion the Black Dread was two hundred years old when he died during the reign of Jaehaerys the Conciliator. He was so large he could swallow an [[aurochs]] whole. A dragon never stops growing, Your Grace, so long as he has food and freedom. {{Ref|ASOS|8}}}} - [[Barristan Selmy|Arstan Whitebeard]]

==References and Notes==
{{references|2}}

{{Dragons}}

[[Category:Dragons]]

[[fa:بالریون]]
[[fr:Balerion]]
[[zh:贝勒里恩]]
[[ru:Балерион]]

Vermax

2014-12-20T03:05:30Z

Complexphoenix:

{{Infobox character
| Character_name= Vermax
| image =
| image_caption =
| Alias =
| Title =
| Allegiance = [[Jacaerys Velaryon]]
| Race = [[Dragon]]
| Place_of_Birth=
| Date_of_Birth =
| Place_of_Death= the [[Gullet]]
| Date_of_Death = {{Date|130}}
| Books = ''[[The Rogue Prince]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[The Princess and the Queen]]'' (Appears)
}}

'''Vermax''' was a male [[dragon]]. He was ridden by Prince [[Jacaerys Velaryon]].{{ref|tpatq}}

==Description==
He was thriving and growing larger every year.{{ref|tpatq}}

==History==
When Prince [[Jacaerys Velaryon]] was young, there were rumours that he was a bastard, fathered by Ser [[Harwin Strong]], instead of [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|his mother's]] husband, Ser [[Laenor Velaryon]]. There rumours were spread by Queen [[Alicent Hightower]] and her followers at court. Those who doubted the paternity of Jacaerys and his brothers also doubted that the dragon eggs the boys had been given would ever hatch, but they were quickly disappointed, as each of the eggs soon hatched in turn. The hatchling that bonded with Prince Jacaerys was Vermax.{{ref|trp}}

===[[Dance of the Dragons]]===
By the time the [[Dance of the Dragons]] began, Vermax was big enough to ride. Prince Jacaerys flew north on his back, as a messenger for his mother, Queen [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]], to treat with Lady [[Jeyne Arryn]], Lord [[House Manderly|Manderly]], and Lord [[Cregan Stark]]. The mission was a success.{{ref|tpatq}} There were rumors later that Vermax laid a clutch of eggs at [[Winterfell]], but this tale is most likely false.{{ref|twoiaf}}

Prince Jacaerys used Vermax in battle, during the [[Battle in the Gullet]]. There, Vermax attacked a fleet, but he flew too low and went crashing down into the sea. Differing tales are told of how and why the dragon fell. Prince Jacaerys also perished.{{ref|tpatq}}

==Known dragonriders of Vermax==
* [[Jacaerys Velaryon]] - first and only rider

==References and Notes==
{{references|}}

{{Dragons}}

[[Category:Dragons]]

[[es:Vermax]]
[[fr:Vermax]]
[[ru:Вермакс]]

Quicksilver

2014-12-20T02:58:53Z

Complexphoenix:

{{Infobox character
| Character_name= Quicksilver
| image =
| image_caption =
| Alias =
| Title =
| Allegiance = [[Aenys I Targaryen]] [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Aegon Targaryen]]
| Race = [[Dragon]]
| Place_of_Birth=
| Date_of_Birth =
| Place_of_Death= the [[God's Eye]]
| Date_of_Death ={{date|44}}
| Books =
}}
:''For the ship see [[Quicksilver (ship)]].''
'''Quicksilver''' was the [[dragon]] of [[Aenys I Targaryen]].<ref>[http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/topic/83614-bubonicon-45/?p=4879997/ Westeros Forum]. Bubonicon 45, Mar 28 2013</ref>

==History==
After Aenys died, Quicksilver was claimed by his eldest son, Aegon. Meanwhile, Aenys's half-brother Maegor usurped the throne and began to crush the [[Faith Militant]] using [[Balerion]], the Black Dread. Eventually Maegor's cruelty grew great enough that Prince Aegon rallied what forces he could in rebellion against him, rallying behind his dragon Quicksilver. They engaged Maegor's royal army, with Maegor riding Balerion, in the [[Battle Beneath the Gods Eye]]. Quicksilver was not a very young dragon at this point, at least two decades old, but it was nowhere near the size and raw power of Balerion (who was by then around a century and a half old and of tremendous size). Balerion made short work of Quicksilver, killing both dragon and rider.

==Known dragonriders of Quicksilver==
* [[Aenys I Targaryen]]
* [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Aegon Targaryen]]

==References and Notes==
{{references}}

{{Dragons}}
[[Category:Dragons]]

[[es:Quicksilver]]
[[fr:Vif-argent]]
[[ru:Ртуть]]

Quicksilver

2014-12-20T02:58:06Z

Complexphoenix:

{{Infobox character
| Character_name= Quicksilver
| image =
| image_caption =
| Alias =
| Title =
| Allegiance = [[Aenys I Targaryen]] [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Aegon Targaryen]]
| Race = [[Dragon]]
| Place_of_Birth=
| Date_of_Birth =
| Place_of_Death=
| Date_of_Death ={{date|44}}
| Books =
}}
:''For the ship see [[Quicksilver (ship)]].''
'''Quicksilver''' was the [[dragon]] of [[Aenys I Targaryen]].<ref>[http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/topic/83614-bubonicon-45/?p=4879997/ Westeros Forum]. Bubonicon 45, Mar 28 2013</ref>

==History==
After Aenys died, Quicksilver was claimed by his eldest son, Aegon. Meanwhile, Aenys's half-brother Maegor usurped the throne and began to crush the [[Faith Militant]] using [[Balerion]], the Black Dread. Eventually Maegor's cruelty grew great enough that Prince Aegon rallied what forces he could in rebellion against him, rallying behind his dragon Quicksilver. They engaged Maegor's royal army, with Maegor riding Balerion, in the [[Battle Beneath the Gods Eye]]. Quicksilver was not a very young dragon at this point, at least two decades old, but it was nowhere near the size and raw power of Balerion (who was by then around a century and a half old and of tremendous size). Balerion made short work of Quicksilver, killing both dragon and rider.

==Known dragonriders of Quicksilver==
* [[Aenys I Targaryen]]
* [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Aegon Targaryen]]

==References and Notes==
{{references}}

{{Dragons}}
[[Category:Dragons]]

[[es:Quicksilver]]
[[fr:Vif-argent]]
[[ru:Ртуть]]

Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)

2014-12-20T02:50:16Z

Complexphoenix:

{{Character
| Character_name = [[File:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|left]] Rhaena Targaryen [[File:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|right]]
| image = 
| image_caption =
| Alias = Black Bride
| Title = Princess Queen
| Allegiance = [[House Targaryen]]
| Race = Valyrian
| Culture = Valyrian
| Spouse = 1st: Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Aegon Targaryen]] 2nd: King [[Maegor I Targaryen]]
| Place_of_Birth =
| Date_of_Birth = {{Date|23}}<ref>A Forum of Ice and Fire: [http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/topic/115696-spoilers-sons-of-the-dragon-reading-at-loncon-today/?p=6134038 (Spoilers) Sons of the Dragon Reading at LonCon Today]</ref>
| Place_of_Death =
| Date_of_Death =
| Books = ''[[The Rogue Prince]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[The Princess and the Queen]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[The World of Ice and Fire]]'' (Mentioned)
| coat-of-arms =
}}

{{Template:See homonyms|Rhaena Targaryen}}

Princess '''Rhaena Targaryen''', called '''The Black Bride'''{{ref|trp}} was the eldest the six children of King [[Aenys I Targaryen]] and Queen [[Alyssa Velaryon]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| Appendix: Targaryen Lineage}} She was a [[dragonrider]] and rode the dragon [[Dreamfyre]].{{ref|tpatq}}

==History==
===Early Life===
Soon after her birth Queen [[Visenya Targaryen]] proposed marrying Rhaena to her uncle, Prince [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor]], but the [[High Septon]] mounted a vigorous protest.{{ref|twoiaf| Aenys I}} Maegor was married to the niece of the High Septon instead, Lady [[Ceryse Hightower]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| Maegor I}}

In {{date|41}} King [[Aenys I Targaryen]] arranged the marriage of Rhaena to her brother, Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Aegon]], which caused an uprising of the [[Faith]].{{ref|twoiaf| Aenys I}} The marriage to her brother lasted for only three years, during which she gave birth to twin daughters: Princess [[Aerea Targaryen|Aerea]] and Princess [[Rhalla Targaryen|Rhalla]].{{ref|twoiaf| Appendix:Targaryen Lineage}}

===Reign of Maegor I===
When King Aenys I, Rhaena's father, died, Rhaena and her husband were being besieged at [[Crakehall]] by members of the [[Faith]]. Instead of Aegon becoming King, Dowager Queen [[Visenya Targaryen|Visenya]] brought Prince [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor]] back from [[Essos]], and made sure he was crowned King.

Prince Aegon and Princess Rhaena sought refuge from King Maegor the Cruel. At one point, Lord [[Lyman Lannister]] protected the Prince and Princess under his roof, extending guest right and refusing all the king’s demands to turn them over. Yet Lord Lyman did not pledge his swords to Aegon and Rhaena.{{ref|twoiaf| House Lannister Under the Dragons}}

When Prince Aegon died in {{Date|43}}, Rhaena became a widow. Rhaena took refuge on [[Fair Isle]], under the protection of [[House Farman|Lord Farman]], who hid her and her daughters. It was [[Tyanna]], one of Maegor's queens, who found them. In {{Date|47}}, Rhaena was forced to wed Maegor.{{ref|twoiaf| Maegor I}} As she was one of the three women who was wed to Maegor under force, who had been proven to be fertile, Rhaena would become known as one of the "Black Brides".{{Ref|TWOIAF| Maegor I}}

When Rhaena learned that her youngest brother, Prince [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|Jaehaerys]], was claiming the throne for himself, she fled [[King's Landing]] on her [[dragon]] [[Dreamfyre]], stealing [[Blackfyre]] away as her king and husband slept, to join Jaehaerys' cause.{{ref|twoiaf| Maegor I}}

==Family==
{{Template:Targaryen tree Aegon}}

==References and Notes==
{{references|2}}

{{Royal consorts of Westeros}}

[[Category:Characters from the Crownlands|Targaryen, Rhaena]]
[[Category:Noblewomen|Targaryen, Rhaena]]
[[Category:House Targaryen]]
[[Category:Dragonriders]]

[[es:Rhaena_Targaryen, hija de Aenys I]]
[[fa:رینا تارگرین]]
[[fr:Rhaena Targaryen (fille d'Aenys I)]]
[[ru:Рейна Таргариен (сестра Джейхейриса I)]]
[[zh:雷娜·坦格利安]]

House Velaryon

2014-12-20T02:41:35Z

Complexphoenix: /* Historical Velaryons */

{{Noble House
| House_name = House Velaryon of Driftmark
| image = [[File:House Velaryon.PNG|250px]]
| image_caption =
| Coat_of_arms = seahorse rampant argent, on sea green
| Words = ''The Old, the True, the Brave''
| Seat = [[High Tide]] or [[Driftmark (castle)|Driftmark]]
| Current_Lord = [[Monterys Velaryon]]
| Region = [[Crownlands]], [[Blackwater Bay]]
| Title = Lord of the Tides Master of [[Driftmark]]
| Heir =
| Overlord = [[House Baratheon of Dragonstone]]
| Ancestral_weapon =
| Cadet_branch =
| Founded_in = prior to [[Years before Aegon's Conquest#Year 114 Before the Conquest|114BC]]
| Founder =
| Died_out =
}}

'''House Velaryon of Driftmark''' rules the island of [[Driftmark]], the largest island of [[Blackwater Bay]] in the [[crownlands]]. Their castles include [[Driftmark (castle)|Driftmark]] and [[High Tide]].{{ref|TWOIAF}} The head of House Velaryon is titled ''Lord of the Tides'' and ''Master of Driftmark''.{{Ref|AFFC|Appendix}} The Velaryons are sworn to [[Dragonstone]].{{ref|AGOT|Appendix}} Their arms depict a silver seahorse on sea green.{{ref|aCoK|10}}<ref>Citadel. Heraldry: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/Heraldry/Houses/1/#In%20the%20area%20of%20King's%20Landing/ In the area of the King's Landing]</ref> Their words do not appear in the books, but according to semi-canon sources they are "''The Old, the True, the Brave''".<ref>The Citadel. [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/Heraldry/Mottoes/ House Mottoes]</ref> A traditional name of the Velaryons is Jacaerys.{{ref|trp}}

==History==
===Before the Conquest===
House Velaryon is an ancient and proud house, with the blood of old [[Valyria]] in its veins.{{ref|aCoK|10}}{{Ref|aFfC|12}} House Velaryon was a closely allied family to [[House Targaryen]] in [[Valyria]]. Velaryons, like the [[House Targaryen|Targaryens]], often have the Valyrian features of silver hair and [[purple eyes]].{{ref|aFfC|12}} The Velaryons traveled to Westeros before the Targaryens, having settled in the island of Driftmark and they claimed that they received the [[Driftwood Throne]] from the [[Merling King (god)|Merling King]] to conclude a pact. The Velaryons filled their coffers by gaining monopoly over the passing trade and Velaryon ships dominated the middle reaches of the Narrow Sea while their allies, the Targaryens ruled the skies with their dragons.{{ref|TWOIAF}}

The House continued to maintain close ties with the Targaryens after the [[Doom of Valyria]], as evidenced by the marriage of [[Aerion Targaryen (father of Aegon I)|Aerion Targaryen]] and [[Valaena Velaryon]], the parents of [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon the Conqueror]] and his sisters [[Visenya Targaryen|Visenya]] and [[Rhaenys Targaryen|Rhaenys]]. When Aegon and his sisters began their [[Wars of Conquest]], Driftmark men followed, and a member of the house, [[Daemon Velaryon]], became Aegon's [[master of ships]]. The first ever [[Lord Commander of the Kingsguard]] was Ser [[Corlys Velaryon (Kingsguard)|Corlys Velaryon]].

===Between the Conquest and the Dance===
Since the Conquest, Velaryons have intermarried with the Targaryens several times. Three Targaryens had a wife from House Velaryon and three Targaryens married into the house: [[Aenys I Targaryen|Aenys Targaryen]], who most likely married [[Alyssa Velaryon]] before his coronation, [[Daemon Targaryen]], who married [[Laena Velaryon]], [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon III]] who married [[Daenaera Velaryon]], [[Corlys Velaryon]] who married [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Aemon)|Rhaenys Targaryen]], his son [[Laenor Velaryon]] who married [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]] and his rumored bastard and legitimated heir [[Alyn Velaryon]] who married [[Baela Targaryen]].{{ref|aCoK|10}}{{ref|tpatq}} The Velaryons often served as Master of Ships and provided much of the [[Iron Throne]]'s royal navy.{{ref|TWOIAF}}

Among the most famous scions of the house was Lord Corlys Velaryon, known as the Sea Snake. Named after the first Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, his fame did not come from his skill with the sword but rather from his many voyages across the seas of the world. Lord Corlys traveled far and wide, sailing as far as Qarth to trade for spices and silk. But the Sea Snake dared to go farther, reaching the fabled lands of Yi TI and Leng, whose wealth doubled that of House Velaryon in a single voyage. The Sea Snake made nine great voyages and on his last travel, Lord Corlys filled his ship's hold with gold and bought twenty more ships at Qarth, loading them with spices, elephants and the finest silk. The wealth the Sea Snake accumulated through his many voyages made House Velaryon the richest in the realm - and for a time, even richer than the [[House Lannister|Lannisters]] and [[House Hightower|Hightowers]] themselves, and himself the wealthiest man in the Seven Kingdoms. Because their ancestral castle, [[Driftmark (castle)|Driftmark]], was damp and crowded, Corlys constructed a new seat for the Velaryons, [[High Tide]].{{ref|TWOIAF}}

===The Dance of the Dragons===
During the [[Dance of the Dragons]], the Velaryons were major supporters of [[the blacks]] against [[the greens]], as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen's first husband had been Laenor Velaryon and Rhaenys Targaryen, the Queen Who Never Was, was wed to Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]]. [[Dragonrider]]s from the house during the civil war included Laenor's sons [[Jacaerys Velaryon|Jacaerys]], [[Lucerys Velaryon|Lucerys]], and [[Joffrey Velaryon]], although accusations persisted that [[Harwin Strong]] was actually the father. Even without these champions (all of whom died in the civil war), the House's wealth and fleets at the time made them a significant power of Westeros, with only the [[House Greyjoy|Greyjoys]] able to match them at sea. Lord Corlys used these fleets to blockade [[Blackwater Bay]]. However, [[Spicetown]] and [[High Tide]] were sacked after the blockade was broken in the [[Battle in the Gullet]], with the Velaryons losing nearly a third of their ships.{{ref|tpatq}} It is unknown if the Velaryons remained at High Tide or returned to the castle of Driftmark.

The [[Battle of Rook's Rest|death]] of Lord Corlys's wife Princess Rhaenys angered the Sea Snake against Rhaenyra, who had refused to send her sons at Rhaenys's side. Rhaenyra brought Corlys back into the fold by making him her [[Hand]].{{ref|tpatq}} To gain more dragonriders, the blacks recruited several [[dragonseed]] smallfolk, among them [[Addam Velaryon|Addam of Hull]] and his brother [[Alyn Velaryon|Alyn]]. According to their mother [[Marilda]] of Hull, the two boys were fathered by the late Ser Laenor Velaryon, Rhaenyra's first husband but it has been hinted by some that Addam and Alyn were actually fathered by Lord Corlys himself back when he spent many of his days at the shipyards of Hull where Marilda's father was a shipwright but was kept far from court and far away from the fiery-tempered Princess Rhaenys.

Addam was able to bond to the dragon [[Seasmoke]], though Alyn failed in his own attempt. Lord Corlys adopted both boys into the House, petitioning Rhaenyra to remove the taint of bastardy from them, making them his heirs. Later, as Rhaenyra grew paranoid, she suspected the boys of treachery - Corlys spoke in their defense and warned Addam in time for him to flee [[King's Landing]]. Addam went on to fight at the [[Second Battle of Tumbleton]], defeating Rhaenyra's foes at the cost of his own life. Meanwhile Lord Corlys was thrown in the dungeon, costing Rhaenyra the Velaryon fleet. He was eventually pardoned by King [[Aegon II Targaryen]]. During the [[Hour of the Wolf]] after the war, [[Alysanne Blackwood]] agreed to marry Lord [[Cregan Stark]] in exchange for allowing the pardoning of Corlys to stand. Lord Corlys Velaryon the Sea Snake died in 132 AC at the age seventy-nine. His body was lay in state beneath the Iron Throne for seven days and the realm wept.{{ref|TWOIAF}}

===After the Dance===

Upon the death of Queen [[Jaehaera Targaryen|Jaehaera]], Lady [[Baela Targaryen|Baela]] and Lady [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Daemon)|Rhaena]] presented Lady [[Daenaera Velaryon]] to the court of King [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon III]]. Lady Daenaera was the daughter of Daeron Velaryon, a cousin to Lord Alyn Velaryon who died fighting in the Stepstones. The young king was taken with the Lady Daenaera who was described as a surpassingly beautiful girl and she became the king's second wife and gave birth to [[Daeron I Targaryen|Daeron]], [[Baelor I Targaryen|Baelor]], [[Daena Targaryen|Daena]], [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aegon III)|Rhaena]] and [[Elaena Targaryen|Elaena]]. Daenaera was an ancestor of the [[Daemon Blackfyre|Blackfyre]] line through her daughter [[Daena Targaryen|Daena]].

Alyn Velaryon, formerly Alyn of Hull became of Lord of Driftmark upon the Sea Snake's death. During the time of regency for the young King Aegon III, Lord Velaryon was the greatest rival to Lord [[Unwin Peake]], then Hand of the King. Lord Velaryon has already thwarted Lord Peake's plans to marry his own daughter of the young king by having him marry his niece Lady Daenaera Velaryon. Lord Alyn was refused his father's place as regent for the young king, and then was made to sail against the Stepstones where he won a great victory at sea and earned the name '''Oakenfist'''. Lord Oakenfist was later dispatched to the Westerlands to with the [[Dalton Greyjoy]] the Red Kraken. Lord Alyn the Oakenfist also supported King Daeron I in his quest to claim Dorne where he also found himself earning the favor Aliandra Martell, the ruling Princess of Dorne.

Lord Alyn Velaryon took to wife his cousin, the Lady Baela Targaryen, daughter of Prince Daemon Targaryen and Lady Laena Velaryon. Despite being married to Baela, Alyn also had a love affair with his cousin, Princess [[Elaena Targaryen]], sister to [[Daeron I Targaryen|Daeron the Young Dragon]], [[Baelor I Targaryen|Baelor the Blessed]] and [[Daena Targaryen|Daena the Defiant]]. Elaena and Alyn had two children together, [[Jon Waters|Jon]] and [[Jeyne Waters]]<ref>Three Maidens in a Tower. (June 27, 2006) [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Three_Maidens_in_the_Tower/ So Spake Martin]</ref> Their son earned knighthood, and was married, beginning a line that still remains in King's Landing to this day, in the person of [[Rennifer Longwaters]], a gaoler in the [[Red Keep]].

===Recent History===
During the [[War of the Usurper]], the Velaryons presumably remained loyal to the Targaryens, sending men with Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] [[Prince of Dragonstone|of Dragonstone]] to fight at [[Battle of the Trident|the Trident]].

==Recent Events==
===''A Clash of Kings''===
Lord [[Monford Velaryon]] answers [[Stannis Baratheon]]'s summons when he crowns himself king and calls his banners. Stannis comments to [[Davos Seaworth]] his disgust about having to sup with his lords, among them Velaryon, whom he expects to threaten to take his levies home unless they attack at once. Lord Velaryon's contribution to Stannis's fleet is the ''[[Pride of Driftmark]]'' and her three sister ships named ''[[Bold Laughter]]'', ''[[Harridan]]'', and ''[[Seahorse]]''. When Stannis makes public the accusations of [[Joffrey Baratheon]] being born from incest, Monford states that only steel will decide the matter.

When Stannis [[Siege of Storm's End (299)|besieges Storm's End]] during the [[War of the Five Kings]], Lord Velaryon urges him to storm the castle walls as soon as possible. Monford burns with his ship at the [[Battle of the Blackwater]]. Before sinking, the ''Pride of Driftmark'' manages to take down two [[House Lannister|Lannister]] ships. When leading his sortie, [[Tyrion Lannister]] finds himself surrounded with Ser [[Balon Swann]] and Ser [[Mandon Moore]] by a circle of Velaryon spearmen. [[Aurane Waters]], the Bastard of Driftmark, is made prisoner during the battle and surrenders to King [[Joffrey Baratheon]]. Monford is succeeded by his six-year-old son, Lord [[Monterys Velaryon]].

===''A Storm of Swords''===
The seahorse arms of House Velaryon are spotted by [[Jon Snow]] during the [[Battle of Castle Black|attack by Stannis]] on the [[wildling]] camp north of the [[Wall]].{{ref|ASOS|73}}

===''A Feast for Crows''===
[[Aurane Waters]] reminds Queen [[Cersei Lannister]] of Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] when she met him at the [[Red Keep]].{{Ref|aFfC|12}} Regardless of his youth and Ser [[Jaime Lannister]]'s objections, Cersei names the Bastard of Driftmark the new [[Master of Ships]]. In that position, Aurane proposes the construction of dromonds and also suggests to crew them with thieves and poachers. When [[Margaery Tyrell]] is accused of adultery, Aurane suggests setting the ships on the river to ease the turmoil. Once he receives notice of Cersei's imprisonment he flees to sea and disappears. Grand Maester [[Pycelle]] believes that he has the idea to set himself up as a pirate in the [[Stepstones]].

==House Velaryon at the end of the third century==

The known Velaryons during the timespan of the events described in ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]'' are:
* Lord {[[Monford Velaryon]]}, Lord of the Tides and Master of Driftmark. Burned with his ship at the [[Battle of the Blackwater]].
** Lord [[Monterys Velaryon]], his son and heir. A young boy.
* [[Aurane Waters]], "the Bastard of Driftmark", Monford's bastard brother. A young and handsome sellsail, former Grand Admiral turned pirate and self-fashioned Lord of the Waters.

{{Velaryon tree}}

==Historical Velaryons==

* Lord [[Daemon Velaryon]], Master of Ships to [[Aegon the Conqueror]] during the [[War of Conquest]].
* Lady [[Valaena Velaryon]], wife of Aerion Targaryen, mother to [[Aegon I Targaryen]], [[Visenya Targaryen]], and [[Rhaenys Targaryen]]. Herself half Targaryen on her mother's side.
* Ser [[Corlys Velaryon (Kingsguard)|Corlys Velaryon]], first Lord Commander of the [[Kingsguard]].{{ref|twoiaf| Aegon I}}
* Lord [[Aethon Velaryon]], Master of Ships to [[Aegon the Conqueror]].
** his daughter, Queen [[Alyssa Velaryon]], wife of King [[Aenys I Targaryen]], mother to [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena]], [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Aegon]], [[Viserys Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Viserys]], [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|Jaehaerys]], [[Alysanne Targaryen|Alysanne]] and [[Vaella Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Vaella Targaryen]].
* Lord [[Daemon Velaryon (admiral)|Daemon Velaryon]], the admiral of ships during the reign of King [[Maegor I Targaryen]].
* Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]], known as the "''Sea Snake''", Master of Driftmark and Lord of the Tides, [[Hand of the King|Hand of the Queen]] to [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]], husband of Princess [[Rhaenys Targaryen (The Queen Who Never Was)|Rhaenys Targaryen]].{{ref|tpatq}}
** Ser [[Laenor Velaryon]], first husband of Rhaenyra Targaryen. Rode the dragon [[Seasmoke]].{{ref|tpatq}} Died in {{Date|120}}.{{Ref|TRP}}
*** Prince [[Jacaerys Velaryon]], first son and heir of Laenor and Rhaenyra.{{ref|tpatq}}
*** Prince [[Lucerys Velaryon]], second son of Laenor and Rhaenyra.{{ref|tpatq}}
*** Prince [[Joffrey Velaryon]], youngest son of Laenor and Rhaenyra.{{ref|tpatq}}
** Lady [[Laena Velaryon]], second wife of Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]] and mother of [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Daemon)|Rhaena]] and [[Baela Targaryen]].{{ref|tpatq}} Died in {{Date|120}}.{{Ref|TRP}}
* Ser [[Vaemond Velaryon]], eldest nephew of Lord Corlys Velaryon.{{ref|trp}}
** His wife, sons and five younger brothers.{{ref|trp}}
* Ser [[Addam Velaryon]], born Addam of Hull, a legitimized bastard and heir to Corlys after the death of Ser Laenor. Rode the dragon [[Seasmoke]].{{ref|tpatq}}
* Lord [[Alyn Velaryon]], born Alyn of Hull, Addam's brother, legitimized bastard heir to Corlys after his brothers death.{{ref|tpatq}} Later Lord of Driftmark, known as Lord Oakenfist. He was a great admiral during the [[Conquest of Dorne]]. Married to Lady [[Baela Targaryen]].
** [[Jon Waters]], his bastard son by Princess [[Elaena Targaryen]], twin to Jeyne Waters.
** [[Jeyne Waters]], his bastard daughter by Princess [[Elaena Targaryen]], twin to Jon Waters.
* [[Daeron Velaryon]], a cousin to Lord Alyn, died fighting for Oakenfist in the Stepstones
** Queen [[Daenaera Velaryon]], his daughter, second wife and Queen of King [[Aegon III Targaryen]], and mother of [[Daeron I Targaryen|Daeron I]], [[Baelor I Targaryen|Baelor I]], [[Daena Targaryen|Daena]], [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aegon III)|Rhaena]] and [[Elaena Targaryen|Elaena]].
* [[Lucerys Velaryon (Master of Ships)|Lucerys Velaryon]], Master of Ships to [[Aerys II Targaryen]].

===Historical Velaryon tree===
{{Velaryon tree Dance}}

==References and Notes==
{{references|2}}

{{Template:HousesCrownlands}}

[[Category:House Velaryon|*]]
[[Category:Noble houses|Velaryon]]
[[Category:Houses from the Crownlands|Velaryon]]

[[es:Casa Velaryon]]
[[fr:Maison Velaryon]]
[[ru:Веларионы]]
[[zh:瓦列利安家族]]

Corlys Velaryon

2014-12-19T18:45:15Z

Complexphoenix: /* References and Notes */

{{Infobox character
| Character_name = [[File:House Velaryon.PNG|50px|left]] Corlys Velaryon [[File:House Velaryon.PNG|50px|right]]
| image = 
| image_caption =
| Alias = The Sea Snake
| Title = Lord of [[High Tide|the Tides]] Master of [[Driftmark]] [[Hand of the King|Hand of the Queen]]
| Allegiance = [[House Velaryon]] [[The blacks]]
| Race = [[Valyria]]n
| Culture = [[Valyria]]n
| Spouse = Princess [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Aemon)|Rhaenys Targaryen]]
| Issue = Ser [[Laena Velaryon]] Lady [[Laenor Velaryon]]
| Father =
| Place_of_Birth =
| Date_of_Birth = {{Date|53}}<ref>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Ages#Corlys Velaryon|Corlys Velaryon]] calculation.''</ref>
| Place_of_Death =
| Date_of_Death = {{Date|132}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| Aegon III}}
| Books = ''[[The Princess and the Queen]]'' (Appears) ''[[The Rogue Prince]]'' (Appears) ''[[The World of Ice and Fire]]'' (Mentioned)
| coat-of-arms =
}}

Lord '''Corlys Velaryon''', known as the '''Sea Snake''', was a Lord of [[House Velaryon]] and the Master of [[Driftmark]]. He was the husband of Princess [[Rhaenys Targaryen (The Queen Who Never Was)|Rhaenys Targaryen]]. During the [[Dance of the Dragons]], he became [[Hand of the King|Hand]] to Queen [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]].{{ref|tpatq}}

==Appearance and Character==
Though he had grown old, Corlys liked to say that he was clinging to life "like a drowning sailor clinging to the wreckage of a sunken ship."

==History==
===Early life===
At some point in time the Sea Snake traveled to [[Essos]] and brought back eastern treasures, which he kept at [[High Tide]]. Corlys was the first [[Westeros]]i to visit [[Nefer]] in [[N'Ghai]] and to navigate the [[Thousand Islands]].{{ref|awoiaf}}

Lord Corlys and his fleets fought alongside Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]] during the [[War for the Stepstones]]. When Daemon declared himself the [[King of the Stepstones and the Narrow Sea]], Corlys placed the crown on the new king's head.{{ref|trp}}

The children of Corlys and Princess [[Rhaenys Targaryen (The Queen Who Never Was)|Rhaenys Targaryen]] both died in {{date|120}}, [[Laena Velaryon]] from childbed fever and Ser [[Laenor Velaryon]] from a quarrel with Ser [[Qarl Correy]]. Later in the same year Prince Daemon, Laena's widower, married Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]], Laenor's widow.{{ref|TRP}}

In {{date|126}} Corlys was struck with a sudden fever; the issue arose of who would succeed him as Lord of the Tides should he die. With his trueborn children dead by law the title would go to his grandson by Rhaenyra, [[Jacaerys Velaryon]]. However, Jacaerys would presumably ascend the Iron Throne after his mother and so Rhaenyra urged him to name [[Lucerys Velaryon]] as his heir. The Sea Snake also had six nephews and the eldest, Ser [[Vaemond Velaryon]], protested that the lordship should pass to him on the grounds that Rhaenyra's sons were [[bastards]] sired by Ser [[Harwin Strong]]. The Velaryon protesters were dealt with by the Targaryens and Lord Corlys presumably recovered.{{ref|trp}}

===The Dance of the Dragons===
Lord Corlys Velaryon sat on the [[black council]] during the civil war known as the [[Dance of the Dragons]]; he was the greatest lord to pledge his strength to the cause of Queen [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]], who was opposed by her half-brother, King [[Aegon II Targaryen]]. More than half of Rhaenyra's army was made up of men sworn to [[House Velaryon]]. Corlys's fleets also gave [[the blacks]] superiority at sea.{{ref|tpatq}}

When Lord [[Bartimos Celtigar]] urged the princess to fly from [[Dragonstone]] to [[King’s Landing]] at once and reduce the city to ash and bone, Corlys demanded to know how that would serve them, telling him "we want to rule the city, not burn it to the ground".{{ref|tpatq}}

The Sea Snake commanded the Velaryon fleet when it closed off the [[Gullet]] and sailed back and forth from Dragonstone and [[Driftmark]], blocking all shipping entering or leaving [[Blackwater Bay]] and thereby choking off trade to and from King's Landing. Eventually, the Velaryon blockade was broken by the [[Battle in the Gullet]].{{ref|tpatq}}

On Dragonstone, after receiving the news that his wife, Princess [[Rhaenys Targaryen (The Queen Who Never Was)|Rhaenys]], had [[Battle of Rook's Rest|fallen at Rook's Rest]] trying to come to the aid of Lord [[House Staunton|Staunton]], angry words were exchanged between the queen and Lord Velaryon. Corlys blamed Rhaenyra for his wife Rhaenys's death. He told Rhaenyra that it should have been her who died, that "Staunton sent to you, yet you left it to my wife to answer, and forbade your sons to join her!" All the castle knew that Princes [[Jacaerys Velaryon|Jacaerys]] and [[Joffrey Velaryon]] had been eager to fly with her to [[Rook's Rest]] with their own dragons.{{ref|tpatq}}

In late {{date|129}}, Prince Jacaerys brought the Lord of the Tides back into the fold by naming him [[Hand of the Queen]]. Together the Hand and Jacaerys planned an assault upon King’s Landing. Not long after, one of the riderless dragons, [[Seasmoke]], took onto his back a fifteen-year-old boy known as Addam of [[Hull]]. Lord Corlys went so far as to petition Queen Rhaenyra to remove the taint of [[bastardy]] from Addam and his brother, [[Alyn Velaryon|Alyn]]. The queen complied and [[Addam Velaryon]] became Corlys's heir to [[Driftmark]].{{ref|tpatq}}

After the queen took King's Landing, as Lord [[Ormund Hightower]]'s host advanced slowly on King's Landing, with Prince [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Viserys I)|Daeron]] scouting ahead on the [[Tessarion|Blue Queen]], Lord Corlys suggested to Rhaenyra that the time had come to talk. He urged the queen to offer pardons. He proposed to let the [[Faith of the Seven]] take charge of Queen [[Alicent Hightower]] and Queen [[Helaena Targaryen]], so that they might spend the rest of their lives in prayer and contemplation. Corlys suggested that Princess [[Jaehaera Targaryen]], the daughter of Rhaenyra's rival, King Aegon II, be made his own ward, and in due time married to Rhaenyra's son, Prince [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon the Younger]], binding the two halves of [[House Targaryen]] together once again.{{ref|tpatq}}

Rhaenyra demanded to know what of her half brothers, [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon II]], [[Aemond Targaryen|Aemond]], and [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Viserys I)|Daeron]]. Lord Corlys suggested they be spared and sent to the [[Wall]]. When Corlys mentioned the sacred vows of the [[Night's Watch]], Rhaenyra questioned the vows of oathbreakers, stating that "Their vows did not trouble them when they took my throne." Her husband, Prince [[Daemon Targaryen|Daemon]], echoed the queen's misgiving and suggested a hard line, but the queen decided to steer a middle course.{{ref|tpatq}}

After the [[Two Betrayers]] switched sides, Lord Corlys was the only person on the black council to speak in defense of the [[dragonseed]]. He remarked that Ser Addam and his brother Alyn were "true heirs" and worthy of Driftmark and that [[Nettles|Netty]] had fought valiantly in the Battle in the Gullet. The Hand's impassioned protests were in vain as by this time the queen had been betrayed so often, by so many, that she was quick to believe the worst of any man. Queen Rhaenyra commanded Ser [[Luthor Largent]] to arrest Addam in the [[Dragonpit]]. Addam, who had been forewarned, managed to make his escape by flying away with Seasmoke. When the balked and angry Luthor returned from the Dragonpit he accused Corlys of treachery. Corlys did not deny it. Bound and beaten, but still silent, he was taken down into the [[Red Keep]]'s dungeons and thrown into a black cell to await trial and execution. This action lost Rhaenyra her fleet.{{ref|tpatq}}

When it became known that Lord Corlys was languishing in a dungeon under the Red Keep, the army that had sailed from Dragonstone to seize the [[Iron Throne]] began to abandon Rhaenyra’s cause by the hundreds. The ones that remained could not be trusted. Corlys's fate is not mentioned in ''[[The Princess and The Queen, or, The Blacks and The Greens (by Archmaester Gyldayn)|The Princess and The Queen]]'' by Archmaester [[Gyldayn]].{{ref|tpatq}}

Once [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]] perished and [[Aegon II Targaryen|King Aegon II]] returned to [[King's Landing]] he had Lord Corlys released, pardoned and now serving Aegon on his [[small council]]. When the approach of [[Cregan Stark|Lord Starks]] army towards the capital became known, Lord Corlys counsel was that King Aegon offer to take the black, the king refused however and was mysteriously poisoned soon after.{{ref|twoiaf| Aegon II}}

Lord Corlys was arrested by Lord Stark in what became known as the Hour of the Wolf. He was later freed though thanks to an edict of Aegon III that [[Baela Targaryen|Baela]] and [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Daemon)|Rhaena Targaryen]] persuaded him to issue. [[Alysanne Blackwood|Black Alys Blackwood]] agreed to marry Lord Stark if he honored the edict, which he did. Thus Corlys was freed and served as one of [[regent|regents]] of young [[Aegon III Targaryen|king Aegon the third of his name]].

Corlys was regarded as the most powerful of the regents of the young King until his death in {{Date|132}} of a Winter fever.{{ref|twoiaf| Aegon III}}

==Quotes==
{{Quote|Mayhaps [[Faith of the Seven|the Seven]] have preserved me for this fight.{{ref|tpatq}}}} - Corlys at the start of the [[Dance of the Dragons]]

==Family==
{{Velaryon tree Dance}}

==References and Notes==
{{References}}

{{Template:Hands of the King}}
{{Small council}}

[[Category:House Velaryon]]
[[Category:Characters from the Crownlands|Velaryon, Corlys]]
[[Category:Hands of the King|Velaryon, Corlys]]
[[Category:Nobles|Velaryon, Corlys]]

[[es:Corlys Velaryon]]
[[fr:Corlys Velaryon]]
[[ru:Корлис Веларион]]

Laena Velaryon

2014-12-19T18:40:48Z

Complexphoenix:

{{Character
| Character_name= [[File:House Velaryon.PNG|50px|left]] '''Laena Velaryon''' [[File:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|right]]
| image = 
| image_caption =
| Alias =
| Title =
| Allegiance = [[House Velaryon]] [[House Targaryen]] [[The blacks]]
| Race = [[Valyria]]n
| Culture = [[Valyria]]n
| Spouse = Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]]
| Father = [[Corlys Velaryon]]
| Mother = [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Aemon)|Rhaenys Targaryen]]
| Place_of_Birth =
| Date_of_Birth = {{Date|93}}<ref>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Ages (Continued2)#Laena Velaryon|Laena Velaryon]] calculation.''</ref>
| Place_of_Death = [[Driftmark]]
| Date_of_Death = {{Date|120}}{{Ref|TRP}}
| Books = ''[[The Rogue Prince]]'' (Appears) ''[[The Princess and the Queen]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[The World of Ice and Fire]]'' (Mentioned)
| coat-of-arms =
}}

Lady '''Laena Velaryon''' was the second wife of Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]] and mother of his twin daughters, [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Daemon)|Rhaena]] and [[Baela Targaryen]].{{ref|tpatq}} A [[dragonrider]] from [[House Velaryon]], she rode the dragon [[Vhagar]]. She died from complications of childbirth.{{ref|trp}}

==Appearance and Character==
Laena was tall, slender, and surpassingly lovely with a great mane of silver-gold ringlets that fell down past her waist. It was said she had inherited the beauty of her mother, [[Rhaenys Targaryen (The Queen Who Never Was)|Princess Rhaenys Targaryen]], the Queen who Never Was, and the adventurous spirit of her father, Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]], ruling Lord of the [[Driftmark]].{{ref|trp}}

==History==
Laena was a candidate for queen during the [[Great Council of 101]]. She had one brother, [[Laenor Velaryon|Laenor]], who was one year younger than her.{{ref|trp}}

After the death of Queen [[Aemma Arryn|Aemma]], King [[Viserys I Targaryen]]'s small council advised him to marry Laena, though she was only twelve at the time. He instead married [[Alicent Hightower]], and [[House Velaryon]] was noticeably absent from the wedding.

Laena was engaged to a son of the [[Sealord]] of [[Braavos]], but when his father died, he squandered his money and power and came to [[Driftmark]]. Her father repeatedly found ways to postpone their wedding, until the Braavosi exile was slain by Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]] in a duel. At 22, Laena married Daemon, and knowing that their marriage would upset the [[Iron Throne]], they flew first to [[Pentos]] and then other [[Free Cities]]. Their dragons, Laena's [[Vhagar]] and Daemon's [[Caraxes]], drew crowds wherever they went. She gave birth to twin daughters, [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Daemon)|Rhaena]] and [[Baela Targaryen]], in Pentos, and eventually returned to Driftmark by ship when Daemon flew to Westeros to ask for Viserys's blessing.

While at Driftmark, Laena became good friends with Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]], and they would often fly together. Rhaenyra announced the engagement of her eldest sons to Laena's daughters. Rhaenyra attended Laena during her labor of her son. The child was malformed and died an hour after being born, and Laena died three days later from childbed fever, despite the efforts of Rhaenyra's maester from [[Dragonstone]], [[Gerardys]]. She tried to fly Vhagar one last time before she died, but collapsed on the tower steps .{{ref|trp}}

==Family==
{{Velaryon tree Dance}}

==Quotes about Laena==
{{Quote|Her ladyship shows far more interest in [[dragonrider|flying]] than in boys.{{ref|trp}}}} - Laena's young maester after [[Viserys I Targaryen]] chose [[Alicent Hightower]] instead of her

==References and Notes==
{{references}}

[[Category:House Velaryon]]
[[Category:House Targaryen]]
[[Category:Characters from the Crownlands|Velaryon, Laena]]
[[Category:Dragonriders|Velaryon, Laena]]
[[Category:Noblewomen|Velaryon, Laena]]

[[es:Laena Velaryon]]
[[ru:Лейна Веларион]]

Laenor Velaryon

2014-12-19T18:37:49Z

Complexphoenix:

{{Infobox character
| Character_name = [[File:House Velaryon.PNG|50px|left]] Laenor Velaryon. [[File:House Velaryon.PNG|50px|right]]
| image = 
| image_caption =
| Alias =
| Title = [[Knight|Ser]]
| Allegiance = [[House Velaryon]] [[House Targaryen]]
| Race = [[Valyria]]n
| Culture = [[Valyria]]n
| Spouse = [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]]
| Father = [[Corlys Velaryon]]
| Place_of_Birth =
| Date_of_Birth = {{date|94}}<ref>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Ages (Continued2)#Laenor Velaryon|Laenor Velaryon]] calculation.''</ref>
| Place_of_Death = [[Spicetown]]
| Date_of_Death = {{Date|120}}{{Ref|TRP}}
| Books = ''[[The Rogue Prince]]'' (Appears) ''[[The Princess and the Queen]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[The World of Ice and Fire]]'' (Mentioned)
| coat-of-arms =
}}

Ser '''Laenor Velaryon''' was a [[knight]] from [[House Velaryon]] and was the first husband of Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]]. He was a [[dragonrider]] whose dragon was [[Seasmoke]].{{ref|tpatq}}

==Appearance and Character==
Laenor had an aquiline nose, silver-white hair, and [[purple eyes]].{{ref|trp}} Ser [[Criston Cole]] alluded that boys were not safe around him.{{ref|tpatq}} It was widely accepted that at the age of 19, Laenor had not shown any interest in women, instead preferring the company of men his own age.{{ref|trp}}

==History==
Laenor was the son of Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]] and Princess [[Rhaenys Targaryen (The Queen Who Never Was)|Rhaenys Targaryen]].<ref>http://grrm.livejournal.com/360936.html?thread=18794728#t18794728</ref> He was one year younger than his sister, [[Laena Velaryon|Laena]]. During the [[Great Council of 101]], some lords spoke for Laenor.

Laenor was [[knight]]ed a fortnight before his wedding with Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]] in {{date|114}}. His groom and likely lover, Ser [[Joffrey Lonmouth]], was mortally wounded by Ser [[Criston Cole]] during the wedding's tourney. Laenor refused to leave Joffrey's side during his passing. Laenor returned to [[High Tide]] while Rhaenyra remained at court in [[King's Landing]]. Laenor eventually found a new favorite, the household knight Ser [[Qarl Correy]].{{ref|TRP}}

Ser Laenor and Princess Rhaenyra had three sons, [[Jacaerys Velaryon]], [[Lucerys Velaryon]] and [[Joffrey Velaryon]], the last named after Ser Joffrey Lonmouth. It was noted none of the children resembled either Laenor or their mother in appearance, causing many to suspect that the children's real father was Ser [[Harwin Strong]].{{ref|TRP}}

Laenor was slain by his friend Qarl Correy over a quarrel in [[Spicetown]] in {{date|120}}. King [[Viserys I Targaryen]] brought his court and dragons to Driftmark for the funeral.{{ref|TRP}} None of Laenor's (supposedly) three sons survived the later civil war, the [[Dance of the Dragons]].{{ref|TPATQ}}

==Family==
{{Velaryon tree Dance}}

==References and Notes==
{{References}}

[[Category:House Velaryon]]
[[Category:Characters from the Crownlands|Velaryon, Laenor]]
[[Category:Dragonriders|Velaryon, Laenor]]
[[Category:Knights|Velaryon, Laenor]]
[[Category:Nobles|Velaryon, Laenor]]

[[es:Laenor Velaryon]]
[[fr:Laenor Velaryon]]
[[ru:Лейнор Веларион]]

Corlys Velaryon

2014-12-19T18:35:44Z

Complexphoenix:

{{Infobox character
| Character_name = [[File:House Velaryon.PNG|50px|left]] Corlys Velaryon [[File:House Velaryon.PNG|50px|right]]
| image = 
| image_caption =
| Alias = The Sea Snake
| Title = Lord of [[High Tide|the Tides]] Master of [[Driftmark]] [[Hand of the King|Hand of the Queen]]
| Allegiance = [[House Velaryon]] [[The blacks]]
| Race = [[Valyria]]n
| Culture = [[Valyria]]n
| Spouse = Princess [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Aemon)|Rhaenys Targaryen]]
| Issue = Ser [[Laena Velaryon]] Lady [[Laenor Velaryon]]
| Father =
| Place_of_Birth =
| Date_of_Birth = {{Date|53}}<ref>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Ages#Corlys Velaryon|Corlys Velaryon]] calculation.''</ref>
| Place_of_Death =
| Date_of_Death = {{Date|132}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| Aegon III}}
| Books = ''[[The Princess and the Queen]]'' (Appears) ''[[The Rogue Prince]]'' (Appears) ''[[The World of Ice and Fire]]'' (Mentioned)
| coat-of-arms =
}}

Lord '''Corlys Velaryon''', known as the '''Sea Snake''', was a Lord of [[House Velaryon]] and the Master of [[Driftmark]]. He was the husband of Princess [[Rhaenys Targaryen (The Queen Who Never Was)|Rhaenys Targaryen]]. During the [[Dance of the Dragons]], he became [[Hand of the King|Hand]] to Queen [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]].{{ref|tpatq}}

==Appearance and Character==
Though he had grown old, Corlys liked to say that he was clinging to life "like a drowning sailor clinging to the wreckage of a sunken ship."

==History==
===Early life===
At some point in time the Sea Snake traveled to [[Essos]] and brought back eastern treasures, which he kept at [[High Tide]]. Corlys was the first [[Westeros]]i to visit [[Nefer]] in [[N'Ghai]] and to navigate the [[Thousand Islands]].{{ref|awoiaf}}

Lord Corlys and his fleets fought alongside Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]] during the [[War for the Stepstones]]. When Daemon declared himself the [[King of the Stepstones and the Narrow Sea]], Corlys placed the crown on the new king's head.{{ref|trp}}

The children of Corlys and Princess [[Rhaenys Targaryen (The Queen Who Never Was)|Rhaenys Targaryen]] both died in {{date|120}}, [[Laena Velaryon]] from childbed fever and Ser [[Laenor Velaryon]] from a quarrel with Ser [[Qarl Correy]]. Later in the same year Prince Daemon, Laena's widower, married Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]], Laenor's widow.{{ref|TRP}}

In {{date|126}} Corlys was struck with a sudden fever; the issue arose of who would succeed him as Lord of the Tides should he die. With his trueborn children dead by law the title would go to his grandson by Rhaenyra, [[Jacaerys Velaryon]]. However, Jacaerys would presumably ascend the Iron Throne after his mother and so Rhaenyra urged him to name [[Lucerys Velaryon]] as his heir. The Sea Snake also had six nephews and the eldest, Ser [[Vaemond Velaryon]], protested that the lordship should pass to him on the grounds that Rhaenyra's sons were [[bastards]] sired by Ser [[Harwin Strong]]. The Velaryon protesters were dealt with by the Targaryens and Lord Corlys presumably recovered.{{ref|trp}}

===The Dance of the Dragons===
Lord Corlys Velaryon sat on the [[black council]] during the civil war known as the [[Dance of the Dragons]]; he was the greatest lord to pledge his strength to the cause of Queen [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]], who was opposed by her half-brother, King [[Aegon II Targaryen]]. More than half of Rhaenyra's army was made up of men sworn to [[House Velaryon]]. Corlys's fleets also gave [[the blacks]] superiority at sea.{{ref|tpatq}}

When Lord [[Bartimos Celtigar]] urged the princess to fly from [[Dragonstone]] to [[King’s Landing]] at once and reduce the city to ash and bone, Corlys demanded to know how that would serve them, telling him "we want to rule the city, not burn it to the ground".{{ref|tpatq}}

The Sea Snake commanded the Velaryon fleet when it closed off the [[Gullet]] and sailed back and forth from Dragonstone and [[Driftmark]], blocking all shipping entering or leaving [[Blackwater Bay]] and thereby choking off trade to and from King's Landing. Eventually, the Velaryon blockade was broken by the [[Battle in the Gullet]].{{ref|tpatq}}

On Dragonstone, after receiving the news that his wife, Princess [[Rhaenys Targaryen (The Queen Who Never Was)|Rhaenys]], had [[Battle of Rook's Rest|fallen at Rook's Rest]] trying to come to the aid of Lord [[House Staunton|Staunton]], angry words were exchanged between the queen and Lord Velaryon. Corlys blamed Rhaenyra for his wife Rhaenys's death. He told Rhaenyra that it should have been her who died, that "Staunton sent to you, yet you left it to my wife to answer, and forbade your sons to join her!" All the castle knew that Princes [[Jacaerys Velaryon|Jacaerys]] and [[Joffrey Velaryon]] had been eager to fly with her to [[Rook's Rest]] with their own dragons.{{ref|tpatq}}

In late {{date|129}}, Prince Jacaerys brought the Lord of the Tides back into the fold by naming him [[Hand of the Queen]]. Together the Hand and Jacaerys planned an assault upon King’s Landing. Not long after, one of the riderless dragons, [[Seasmoke]], took onto his back a fifteen-year-old boy known as Addam of [[Hull]]. Lord Corlys went so far as to petition Queen Rhaenyra to remove the taint of [[bastardy]] from Addam and his brother, [[Alyn Velaryon|Alyn]]. The queen complied and [[Addam Velaryon]] became Corlys's heir to [[Driftmark]].{{ref|tpatq}}

After the queen took King's Landing, as Lord [[Ormund Hightower]]'s host advanced slowly on King's Landing, with Prince [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Viserys I)|Daeron]] scouting ahead on the [[Tessarion|Blue Queen]], Lord Corlys suggested to Rhaenyra that the time had come to talk. He urged the queen to offer pardons. He proposed to let the [[Faith of the Seven]] take charge of Queen [[Alicent Hightower]] and Queen [[Helaena Targaryen]], so that they might spend the rest of their lives in prayer and contemplation. Corlys suggested that Princess [[Jaehaera Targaryen]], the daughter of Rhaenyra's rival, King Aegon II, be made his own ward, and in due time married to Rhaenyra's son, Prince [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon the Younger]], binding the two halves of [[House Targaryen]] together once again.{{ref|tpatq}}

Rhaenyra demanded to know what of her half brothers, [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon II]], [[Aemond Targaryen|Aemond]], and [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Viserys I)|Daeron]]. Lord Corlys suggested they be spared and sent to the [[Wall]]. When Corlys mentioned the sacred vows of the [[Night's Watch]], Rhaenyra questioned the vows of oathbreakers, stating that "Their vows did not trouble them when they took my throne." Her husband, Prince [[Daemon Targaryen|Daemon]], echoed the queen's misgiving and suggested a hard line, but the queen decided to steer a middle course.{{ref|tpatq}}

After the [[Two Betrayers]] switched sides, Lord Corlys was the only person on the black council to speak in defense of the [[dragonseed]]. He remarked that Ser Addam and his brother Alyn were "true heirs" and worthy of Driftmark and that [[Nettles|Netty]] had fought valiantly in the Battle in the Gullet. The Hand's impassioned protests were in vain as by this time the queen had been betrayed so often, by so many, that she was quick to believe the worst of any man. Queen Rhaenyra commanded Ser [[Luthor Largent]] to arrest Addam in the [[Dragonpit]]. Addam, who had been forewarned, managed to make his escape by flying away with Seasmoke. When the balked and angry Luthor returned from the Dragonpit he accused Corlys of treachery. Corlys did not deny it. Bound and beaten, but still silent, he was taken down into the [[Red Keep]]'s dungeons and thrown into a black cell to await trial and execution. This action lost Rhaenyra her fleet.{{ref|tpatq}}

When it became known that Lord Corlys was languishing in a dungeon under the Red Keep, the army that had sailed from Dragonstone to seize the [[Iron Throne]] began to abandon Rhaenyra’s cause by the hundreds. The ones that remained could not be trusted. Corlys's fate is not mentioned in ''[[The Princess and The Queen, or, The Blacks and The Greens (by Archmaester Gyldayn)|The Princess and The Queen]]'' by Archmaester [[Gyldayn]].{{ref|tpatq}}

Once [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]] perished and [[Aegon II Targaryen|King Aegon II]] returned to [[King's Landing]] he had Lord Corlys released, pardoned and now serving Aegon on his [[small council]]. When the approach of [[Cregan Stark|Lord Starks]] army towards the capital became known, Lord Corlys counsel was that King Aegon offer to take the black, the king refused however and was mysteriously poisoned soon after.{{ref|twoiaf| Aegon II}}

Lord Corlys was arrested by Lord Stark in what became known as the Hour of the Wolf. He was later freed though thanks to an edict of Aegon III that [[Baela Targaryen|Baela]] and [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Daemon)|Rhaena Targaryen]] persuaded him to issue. [[Alysanne Blackwood|Black Alys Blackwood]] agreed to marry Lord Stark if he honored the edict, which he did. Thus Corlys was freed and served as one of [[regent|regents]] of young [[Aegon III Targaryen|king Aegon the third of his name]].

Corlys was regarded as the most powerful of the regents of the young King until his death in {{Date|132}} of a Winter fever.{{ref|twoiaf| Aegon III}}

==Quotes==
{{Quote|Mayhaps [[Faith of the Seven|the Seven]] have preserved me for this fight.{{ref|tpatq}}}} - Corlys at the start of the [[Dance of the Dragons]]

==Family==
{{Velaryon tree Dance}}

==References and Notes==
{{References}}

[[Category:House Velaryon]]
[[Category:Characters from the Crownlands|Velaryon, Corlys]]
[[Category:Hands of the King|Velaryon, Corlys]]
[[Category:Nobles|Velaryon, Corlys]]

[[es:Corlys Velaryon]]
[[fr:Corlys Velaryon]]
[[ru:Корлис Веларион]]

Laena Velaryon

2014-12-19T18:35:33Z

Complexphoenix:

{{Character
| Character_name= [[File:House Velaryon.PNG|50px|left]] '''Laena Velaryon''' [[File:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|right]]
| image = 
| image_caption =
| Alias =
| Title =
| Allegiance = [[House Velaryon]] [[House Targaryen]] [[The blacks]]
| Race = [[Valyria]]n
| Culture = [[Valyria]]n
| Spouse = Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]]
| father =
| Place_of_Birth =
| Date_of_Birth = {{Date|93}}<ref>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Ages (Continued2)#Laena Velaryon|Laena Velaryon]] calculation.''</ref>
| Place_of_Death = [[Driftmark]]
| Date_of_Death = {{Date|120}}{{Ref|TRP}}
| Books = ''[[The Rogue Prince]]'' (Appears) ''[[The Princess and the Queen]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[The World of Ice and Fire]]'' (Mentioned)
| coat-of-arms =
}}

Lady '''Laena Velaryon''' was the second wife of Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]] and mother of his twin daughters, [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Daemon)|Rhaena]] and [[Baela Targaryen]].{{ref|tpatq}} A [[dragonrider]] from [[House Velaryon]], she rode the dragon [[Vhagar]]. She died from complications of childbirth.{{ref|trp}}

==Appearance and Character==
Laena was tall, slender, and surpassingly lovely with a great mane of silver-gold ringlets that fell down past her waist. It was said she had inherited the beauty of her mother, [[Rhaenys Targaryen (The Queen Who Never Was)|Princess Rhaenys Targaryen]], the Queen who Never Was, and the adventurous spirit of her father, Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]], ruling Lord of the [[Driftmark]].{{ref|trp}}

==History==
Laena was a candidate for queen during the [[Great Council of 101]]. She had one brother, [[Laenor Velaryon|Laenor]], who was one year younger than her.{{ref|trp}}

After the death of Queen [[Aemma Arryn|Aemma]], King [[Viserys I Targaryen]]'s small council advised him to marry Laena, though she was only twelve at the time. He instead married [[Alicent Hightower]], and [[House Velaryon]] was noticeably absent from the wedding.

Laena was engaged to a son of the [[Sealord]] of [[Braavos]], but when his father died, he squandered his money and power and came to [[Driftmark]]. Her father repeatedly found ways to postpone their wedding, until the Braavosi exile was slain by Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]] in a duel. At 22, Laena married Daemon, and knowing that their marriage would upset the [[Iron Throne]], they flew first to [[Pentos]] and then other [[Free Cities]]. Their dragons, Laena's [[Vhagar]] and Daemon's [[Caraxes]], drew crowds wherever they went. She gave birth to twin daughters, [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Daemon)|Rhaena]] and [[Baela Targaryen]], in Pentos, and eventually returned to Driftmark by ship when Daemon flew to Westeros to ask for Viserys's blessing.

While at Driftmark, Laena became good friends with Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]], and they would often fly together. Rhaenyra announced the engagement of her eldest sons to Laena's daughters. Rhaenyra attended Laena during her labor of her son. The child was malformed and died an hour after being born, and Laena died three days later from childbed fever, despite the efforts of Rhaenyra's maester from [[Dragonstone]], [[Gerardys]]. She tried to fly Vhagar one last time before she died, but collapsed on the tower steps .{{ref|trp}}

==Family==
{{Velaryon tree Dance}}

==Quotes about Laena==
{{Quote|Her ladyship shows far more interest in [[dragonrider|flying]] than in boys.{{ref|trp}}}} - Laena's young maester after [[Viserys I Targaryen]] chose [[Alicent Hightower]] instead of her

==References and Notes==
{{references}}

[[Category:House Velaryon]]
[[Category:House Targaryen]]
[[Category:Characters from the Crownlands|Velaryon, Laena]]
[[Category:Dragonriders|Velaryon, Laena]]
[[Category:Noblewomen|Velaryon, Laena]]

[[es:Laena Velaryon]]
[[ru:Лейна Веларион]]

Addam Velaryon

2014-12-19T18:31:30Z

Complexphoenix:

{{Infobox character
| Character_name = [[File:House Velaryon.PNG|50px|left]] Addam Velaryon [[File:House Velaryon.PNG|50px|right]]
| image = 
| image_caption =
| Alias =Addam of Hull
| Title =
| Allegiance = [[House Velaryon]] [[House Targaryen]] [[The blacks]]
| Race = [[Valyria]]n
| Culture = [[Valyria]]n
| Spouse =
| father =
| Place_of_Birth = [[Hull]]{{Ref|TPATQ}}
| Date_of_Birth = {{Date|114}}
| Place_of_Death = [[Tumbleton]]{{Ref|TPATQ}}
| Date_of_Death = {{Date|130}}
| Books = ''[[The Princess and the Queen]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[The World of Ice and Fire]]'' (Mentioned)
| coat-of-arms =
}}

'''Addam Velaryon''', formerly known as '''Addam of Hull''', was a legitimised bastard from [[Driftmark]] of [[dragonseed]] descent. He became heir to Driftmark and [[House Velaryon]]. He had a brother, [[Alyn Velaryon]]. During the civil war called the [[Dance of the Dragons]], Addam became a [[knight]] and a dragonrider whose [[dragon]] was [[Seasmoke]].{{Ref|TPATQ}}

==Appearance & Character==
Addam was fifteen years old at the outbreak of the [[Dance of the Dragons]]. He was relentless, determined, glib of tongue, and loyal.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

==History==
According to Archmaester [[Gyldayn]], Addam's origins remain a matter of dispute among historians to this day. His mother [[Marilda]] claimed he and his brother [[Alyn Velaryon|Alyn]] were fathered by [[Laenor Velaryon]] but it is more likely they were fathered by Laenor's father, Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]] but kept unacknowledged and far from court to protect them from the [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Aemon)|Queen Who Never Was]].{{ref|TWOIAF| Aegon II}}

===The Dance of the Dragons===
During the [[Dance of the Dragons]], it was decided by Prince [[Jacaerys Velaryon]] that [[the blacks]] needed more dragonriders. Many men on [[Dragonstone]] came forward to answer the prince’s call. One of them, Addam of [[Hull]], managed to bond with [[Seasmoke]]. When his brother Alyn tried to tame [[Sheepstealer]], the dragon set fire to his cloak. Seasmoke drove off Sheepstealer as Addam used his own cloak to beat out the flames.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

Not long after Addam had proven himself by flying Seasmoke, Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]] went so far as to petition Queen Rhaenyra to remove the taint of [[bastardy]] from him and his brother. The queen complied and Addam of Hull, dragonseed and bastard, became Addam Velaryon and Lord Corlys's heir to [[Driftmark]].{{Ref|TPATQ}}

When [[Fall of King's Landing|King's Landing]] fell to Queen [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]], her airborne dragonriders made their descent one by one. Once Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]] was certain there would be no harm, he signaled to his wife to descend upon [[Syrax]]. Addam remained aloft, flying Seasmoke around the city walls, the beat of his dragon’s wide leathern wings a caution to those below that any defiance would be met with fire.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

Once it was decided that Queen Rhaenyra would remain in the King’s Landing, Addam Velaryon remained with Seasmoke and Prince [[Joffrey Velaryon]]. [[Syrax]], Seasmoke and [[Tyraxes]] were expected to suffice for the defense of the city, and the rest of the dragonriders went to battle.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

Apart from Syrax, Seasmoke and the other dragons were kept in the [[Dragonpit]]. It had long been the custom for at least one dragonrider to reside in the pit, so as to be able to defend the city should it come under attack. Because the queen preferred to keep her dragon by her side, that duty fell to Addam Velaryon. With the [[Two Betrayers]] on their minds, many voices in the [[black council]] questioned Ser Addam’s loyalty. Only Lord Corlys spoke in defence of the [[dragonseed]], remarking that Ser Addam and his brother Alyn were “true heirs” and worthy of [[Driftmark]].{{Ref|TPATQ}}

The Hand’s impassioned protests were in vain and Queen Rhaenyra, suspecting a turncloak, commanded Ser [[Luthor Largent]] to arrest Addam Velaryon in the [[Dragonpit]]. Ser Addam, who had been forewarned, managed to make his escape flying away with Seasmoke, fleeing before he could be put to the question. By ordering the arrest of Addam, the queen lost not only a dragon but her Queen’s Hand as well. Corlys was beaten and imprisoned for warning Addam.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

As the [[Second Battle of Tumbleton]] was put into motion, Addam Velaryon was determined to prove that all bastards need not be turncloaks. The singers say that Addam flew from King’s Landing to the [[Gods Eye]] where he landed on the sacred [[Isle of Faces]] and took counsel with the [[Green Men]]. Known fact says that he flew far and fast descending on castles great and small whose lords were loyal to the queen to piece together an army. By the time Ser Addam was ready to descend on [[Tumbleton]], he had almost 4,000 men at his back.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

Ser Addam attacked Tumbleton at night, taking [[the greens]] completely unawares. As chaos ensued Addam could see the battle turning into a rout below him. By this time, two of the enemy dragonriders, [[Hugh Hammer]] and [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Viserys I)|Daeron the Daring]], were dead; although Addam could not have known that, he could see [[Vermithor]], [[Silverwing]] and [[Tessarion]]. The riderless Tessarion took flight and Addam turned his dragon to meet her. Both being young dragons they moved fast and nimbly as they fought. The fight ended when the riderless, enraged Vermithor rose into the sky and set about indiscriminately killing those on the ground.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

As the Bronze Fury wreaked carnage, Seasmoke fell upon him, driving him shrieking into the mud. According to Archmaester [[Gyldayn]], Addam must have felt duty bound to protect his men on the ground, though surely he knew in his heart Seasmoke could not match the older dragon. The riderless [[Tessarion|Blue Queen]] soon joined the fray and all three dragons fought to the death on the ground amidst mud and blood and smoke.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

After the [[Second Battle of Tumbleton]] Lord [[Unwin Peake]] bowed to defeat and ordered a retreat, taking the remnants of the great host that Prince Daeron and Lord [[Ormund Hightower]] had led all the way from [[Oldtown]]. The accused turncloak Addam Velaryn had managed to save King’s Landing from the queen’s foes at the cost of his own life.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

In {{date|138}} the bones of Addam were returned to Driftmark from [[Raventree Hall]]. His brother, Lord Alyn, put only the word "LOYAL" as the tomb's epitaph.{{ref|TWOIAF}}

==Family==
{{Velaryon tree Dance}}

==References and Notes==
{{References}}

[[Category:Dragonseeds|Velaryon, Addam]]
[[Category:House Velaryon]]
[[Category:Bastards|Velaryon, Addam]]
[[Category:Characters from the Crownlands|Velaryon, Addam]]
[[Category:Dragonriders|Velaryon, Addam]]
[[Category:Knights|Velaryon, Addam]]
[[Category:Nobles|Velaryon, Addam]]

[[es:Addam Velaryon]]
[[fr:Addam Velaryon]]
[[ru:Аддам Веларион]]

Addam Velaryon

2014-12-19T18:30:05Z

Complexphoenix:

{{Infobox character
| Character_name = [[File:House Velaryon.PNG|50px|left]] Addam Velaryon [[File:House Velaryon.PNG|50px|right]]
| image = 
| image_caption =
| Alias =Addam of Hull
| Title =
| Allegiance = [[House Velaryon]] [[House Targaryen]] [[The blacks]]
| Race = [[Valyria]]n
| Culture = [[Valyria]]n
| Spouse =
| father =
| Place_of_Birth = [[Hull]]{{Ref|TPATQ}}
| Date_of_Birth = {{Date|114}}
| Place_of_Death = [[Tumbleton]]{{Ref|TPATQ}}
| Date_of_Death = {{Date|130}}
| Books = ''[[The Princess and the Queen]]'' (Mentioned)
| coat-of-arms =
}}

'''Addam Velaryon''', formerly known as '''Addam of Hull''', was a legitimised bastard from [[Driftmark]] of [[dragonseed]] descent. He became heir to Driftmark and [[House Velaryon]]. He had a brother, [[Alyn Velaryon]]. During the civil war called the [[Dance of the Dragons]], Addam became a [[knight]] and a dragonrider whose [[dragon]] was [[Seasmoke]].{{Ref|TPATQ}}

==Appearance & Character==
Addam was fifteen years old at the outbreak of the [[Dance of the Dragons]]. He was relentless, determined, glib of tongue, and loyal.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

==History==
According to Archmaester [[Gyldayn]], Addam's origins remain a matter of dispute among historians to this day. His mother [[Marilda]] claimed he and his brother [[Alyn Velaryon|Alyn]] were fathered by [[Laenor Velaryon]] but it is more likely they were fathered by Laenor's father, Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]] but kept unacknowledged and far from court to protect them from the [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Aemon)|Queen Who Never Was]].{{ref|TWOIAF| Aegon II}}

===The Dance of the Dragons===
During the [[Dance of the Dragons]], it was decided by Prince [[Jacaerys Velaryon]] that [[the blacks]] needed more dragonriders. Many men on [[Dragonstone]] came forward to answer the prince’s call. One of them, Addam of [[Hull]], managed to bond with [[Seasmoke]]. When his brother Alyn tried to tame [[Sheepstealer]], the dragon set fire to his cloak. Seasmoke drove off Sheepstealer as Addam used his own cloak to beat out the flames.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

Not long after Addam had proven himself by flying Seasmoke, Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]] went so far as to petition Queen Rhaenyra to remove the taint of [[bastardy]] from him and his brother. The queen complied and Addam of Hull, dragonseed and bastard, became Addam Velaryon and Lord Corlys's heir to [[Driftmark]].{{Ref|TPATQ}}

When [[Fall of King's Landing|King's Landing]] fell to Queen [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]], her airborne dragonriders made their descent one by one. Once Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]] was certain there would be no harm, he signaled to his wife to descend upon [[Syrax]]. Addam remained aloft, flying Seasmoke around the city walls, the beat of his dragon’s wide leathern wings a caution to those below that any defiance would be met with fire.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

Once it was decided that Queen Rhaenyra would remain in the King’s Landing, Addam Velaryon remained with Seasmoke and Prince [[Joffrey Velaryon]]. [[Syrax]], Seasmoke and [[Tyraxes]] were expected to suffice for the defense of the city, and the rest of the dragonriders went to battle.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

Apart from Syrax, Seasmoke and the other dragons were kept in the [[Dragonpit]]. It had long been the custom for at least one dragonrider to reside in the pit, so as to be able to defend the city should it come under attack. Because the queen preferred to keep her dragon by her side, that duty fell to Addam Velaryon. With the [[Two Betrayers]] on their minds, many voices in the [[black council]] questioned Ser Addam’s loyalty. Only Lord Corlys spoke in defence of the [[dragonseed]], remarking that Ser Addam and his brother Alyn were “true heirs” and worthy of [[Driftmark]].{{Ref|TPATQ}}

The Hand’s impassioned protests were in vain and Queen Rhaenyra, suspecting a turncloak, commanded Ser [[Luthor Largent]] to arrest Addam Velaryon in the [[Dragonpit]]. Ser Addam, who had been forewarned, managed to make his escape flying away with Seasmoke, fleeing before he could be put to the question. By ordering the arrest of Addam, the queen lost not only a dragon but her Queen’s Hand as well. Corlys was beaten and imprisoned for warning Addam.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

As the [[Second Battle of Tumbleton]] was put into motion, Addam Velaryon was determined to prove that all bastards need not be turncloaks. The singers say that Addam flew from King’s Landing to the [[Gods Eye]] where he landed on the sacred [[Isle of Faces]] and took counsel with the [[Green Men]]. Known fact says that he flew far and fast descending on castles great and small whose lords were loyal to the queen to piece together an army. By the time Ser Addam was ready to descend on [[Tumbleton]], he had almost 4,000 men at his back.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

Ser Addam attacked Tumbleton at night, taking [[the greens]] completely unawares. As chaos ensued Addam could see the battle turning into a rout below him. By this time, two of the enemy dragonriders, [[Hugh Hammer]] and [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Viserys I)|Daeron the Daring]], were dead; although Addam could not have known that, he could see [[Vermithor]], [[Silverwing]] and [[Tessarion]]. The riderless Tessarion took flight and Addam turned his dragon to meet her. Both being young dragons they moved fast and nimbly as they fought. The fight ended when the riderless, enraged Vermithor rose into the sky and set about indiscriminately killing those on the ground.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

As the Bronze Fury wreaked carnage, Seasmoke fell upon him, driving him shrieking into the mud. According to Archmaester [[Gyldayn]], Addam must have felt duty bound to protect his men on the ground, though surely he knew in his heart Seasmoke could not match the older dragon. The riderless [[Tessarion|Blue Queen]] soon joined the fray and all three dragons fought to the death on the ground amidst mud and blood and smoke.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

After the [[Second Battle of Tumbleton]] Lord [[Unwin Peake]] bowed to defeat and ordered a retreat, taking the remnants of the great host that Prince Daeron and Lord [[Ormund Hightower]] had led all the way from [[Oldtown]]. The accused turncloak Addam Velaryn had managed to save King’s Landing from the queen’s foes at the cost of his own life.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

In {{date|138}} the bones of Addam were returned to Driftmark from [[Raventree Hall]]. His brother, Lord Alyn, put only the word "LOYAL" as the tomb's epitaph.{{ref|TWOIAF}}

==Family==
{{Velaryon tree Dance}}

==References and Notes==
{{References}}

[[Category:Dragonseeds|Velaryon, Addam]]
[[Category:House Velaryon]]
[[Category:Bastards|Velaryon, Addam]]
[[Category:Characters from the Crownlands|Velaryon, Addam]]
[[Category:Dragonriders|Velaryon, Addam]]
[[Category:Knights|Velaryon, Addam]]
[[Category:Nobles|Velaryon, Addam]]

[[es:Addam Velaryon]]
[[fr:Addam Velaryon]]
[[ru:Аддам Веларион]]

Alyn Velaryon

2014-12-19T18:29:12Z

Complexphoenix:

{{Character
| Character_name = [[File:House Velaryon.PNG|50px|left]] '''Alyn Velaryon''' [[File:House Velaryon.PNG|50px|right]]
| image = 
| image_caption =
| Alias = Alyn of Hull The Oakenfist Lord Oakenfist
| Title = Lord Admiral<ref name=maidens>Three Maidens in a Tower (June 27, 2006) [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Category/C91/ So Spake Martin] </ref>
| Allegiance = [[House Velaryon]] [[House Targaryen]] [[The blacks]]
| Race =
| Culture =
| Spouse = [[Baela Targaryen]]
| Place_of_Birth = [[Hull]], [[Driftmark]]
| Date_of_Birth = {{Date|115}}
| Place_of_Death =
| Date_of_Death =
| Books = ''[[A Feast for Crows]] (Mentioned) ''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[The Princess and the Queen]]'' (Appears) ''[[The World of Ice and Fire]]'' (Mentioned)
}}

'''Alyn Velaryon''', formerly known as '''Alyn of Hull''' and later known as '''Oakenfist''', was a legitimised [[bastard]] from [[Driftmark]] of [[dragonseed]] descent. His brother was Ser [[Addam Velaryon]], dragonrider and heir to [[Driftmark]].{{ref|tpatq}} Alyn was an admiral during the reign of his cousin, King [[Daeron I Targaryen]].

==Appearance==
After his failed attempt to tame the dragon [[Sheepstealer]], Alyn carried scars from the dragon's flame on his back and legs for the rest of his life.{{ref|tpatq}}

==History==

===The Dance of the Dragons===
When it was decided by Prince [[Jace|Jacaerys]] during the [[Dance of the Dragons]] that [[the blacks]] needed more dragonriders, many men on [[Dragonstone]] came forward to answer the prince’s call. Along with his brother [[Addam Velaryon|Addam]], Alyn of [[Hull]] was one of them.{{ref|tpatq}}

Alyn tried to tame [[Sheepstealer]], entering his lair. The dragon set fire to his cloak. His brother Addam used his own cloak to beat out the flames while his dragon [[Seasmoke]] drove off Sheepstealer. Alyn counted himself fortunate to have lived as other seeds and seekers who aspired to ride that dragon ended being eaten by him instead.{{ref|tpatq}}

Not long after Addam had proven himself by flying Seasmoke, Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]] went so far as to petition Queen [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]] to remove the taint of [[bastardy]] from him and Alyn. The queen complied.{{ref|tpatq}}

With the [[Two Betrayers]] on their minds, many voices in the [[black council]] questioned his brother Ser Addam’s loyalty. Only Lord Corlys spoke in defense of the [[dragonseed]], remarking that Addam and his brother Alyn were “true heirs” and worthy of [[Driftmark]].{{ref|tpatq}}

===Later History===
Alyn later took a decisive part in the [[Conquest of Dorne]]. He commanded a fleet that broke the [[Planky Town]] and swept halfway up the [[Greenblood]] river while the main Dornish strength was engaged in the [[Prince's Pass]].{{ref|adwd|17}}

Alyn would have two bastards by Princess [[Elaena Targaryen]], named [[Jon Waters|Jon]] and [[Jeyne Waters]], and an unknown number of children with his wife, Lady [[Baela Targaryen]]. He loved Elaena even though he was married to another.{{Ref|AFFC|8}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Sisters of Baelor I}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| Appendix: Targaryen Lineage}}

==Family==
{{Velaryon tree Dance}}

==References and Notes==
{{references}}

[[Category:Dragonseeds|Velaryon, Alyn]]
[[Category:House Velaryon]]
[[Category:Bastards|Velaryon, Alyn]]
[[Category:Characters from the Crownlands|Velaryon, Alyn]]

[[Category:Nobles|Velaryon, Alyn]]

[[es:Alyn Velaryon]]
[[fr:Alyn Velaryon]]
[[ru:Алин Веларион]]

Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Daemon)

2014-12-19T18:26:50Z

Complexphoenix:

{{Infobox character
| Character_name = [[File:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|left]] '''Rhaena Targaryen''' [[File:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|right]]
| image = 
| image_caption =
| Alias = Rhaena of Pentos
| Title = Lady
| Allegiance = [[House Targaryen]] [[The blacks]]
| Race =
| Culture =
| Spouse = 1st: Ser [[Corwyn Corbray]] 2nd: [[Garmund Hightower]]
| father = Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]]
| Place_of_Birth = [[Pentos]]
| Date_of_Birth = {{Date|116}}
| Place_of_Death =
| Date_of_Death =
| Books = ''[[The Rogue Prince]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[The Princess and the Queen]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[The World of Ice and Fire]]'' (Mentioned)
| coat-of-arms =
}}
{{Template:See homonyms|Rhaena Targaryen}}

Lady '''Rhaena Targaryen''', also known as '''Rhaena of Pentos''', was a daughter of Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]] and [[Laena Velaryon]].{{ref|TPATQ}} Her twin sister was [[Baela Targaryen]]. Rhaena was not a dragonrider during the [[Dance of the Dragons]] as she did not have a dragon of her own. Rhaena was betrothed to her cousin Prince [[Lucerys Velaryon]].

==Appearance and Character==
Rhaena's appearance is unknown. She was thirteen years old during the [[Dance of the Dragons|civil war]].

==History==
Rhaena was born in [[Pentos]]. At some point she was betrothed to her cousin, Prince [[Lucerys Velaryon]]. Rhaena and her twin sister, Baela, each had a [[dragon egg]]. When Rhaena’s egg hatched the hatchling was unhealthy and died within hours of emerging from the egg. Baela’s [[Moondancer|hatchling dragon]] was healthy, however. Before the civil war an egg from another clutch laid by [[Syrax]] was given to Rhaena, and it was said that she slept with it every night and prayed for a dragon to match her sister’s.

During the civil war known as the [[Dance of the Dragons]], Rhaena was chosen to accompany Prince [[Joffrey Velaryon]] to [[Gulltown]] for their protection, although they were told it was to defend the [[Vale]] against King [[Aegon II Targaryen]]’s dragons. Rhaena brought three dragon eggs with her to the Vale where she prayed nightly for their hatching.

Eventually she bonded with the dragon [[Morning]], but it is unknown when this occurred.

Rhaena and her sister introduced [[Daenaera Velaryon]] to their half-brother [[Aegon III Targaryen]], leading to the couple's marriage.{{ref|twoiaf| Aegon III}} Rhaena herself married [[Corwyn Corbray]], by whom she had no issue, and later Garmund Hightower, by whom she had six daughters.{{ref|twoiaf| Appendix}}

==Family==
{{Targaryen tree Dance}}

==References and Notes==
{{references}}

[[Category:House Targaryen]]
[[Category:House Corbray]]
[[Category:House Hightower]]
[[Category:Characters from the Crownlands|Targaryen, Rhaena (daughter of Daemon)]]
[[Category:Noblewomen|Targaryen, Rhaena (daughter of Daemon)]]

[[es:Rhaena Targaryen, hija de Daemon]]
[[fr:Rhaena Targaryen (fille de Daemon)]]
[[ru:Рейна Таргариен (дочь Деймона)]]

Alyn Velaryon

2014-12-19T18:25:50Z

Complexphoenix: /* Later History */

{{Character
| Character_name = [[File:House Velaryon.PNG|50px|left]] '''Alyn Velaryon''' [[File:House Velaryon.PNG|50px|right]]
| image = 
| image_caption =
| Alias = Alyn of Hull The Oakenfist Lord Oakenfist
| Title = Lord Admiral<ref name=maidens>Three Maidens in a Tower (June 27, 2006) [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Category/C91/ So Spake Martin] </ref>
| Allegiance = [[House Velaryon]] [[House Targaryen]] [[The blacks]]
| Race =
| Culture =
| Spouse = [[Baela Targaryen]]
| Place_of_Birth = [[Hull]], [[Driftmark]]
| Date_of_Birth = {{Date|115}}
| Place_of_Death =
| Date_of_Death =
| Books = ''[[A Feast for Crows]] (Mentioned) ''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[The Princess and the Queen]]'' (Appears) ''[[The World of Ice and Fire]]'' (Mentioned)
}}

'''Alyn Velaryon''', formerly known as '''Alyn of Hull''' and later known as '''Oakenfist''', was a legitimised [[bastard]] from [[Driftmark]] of [[dragonseed]] descent. His brother was Ser [[Addam Velaryon]], dragonrider and heir to [[Driftmark]].{{ref|tpatq}} Alyn was an admiral during the reign of his cousin, King [[Daeron I Targaryen]].

==Appearance==
After his failed attempt to tame the dragon [[Sheepstealer]], Alyn carried scars from the dragon's flame on his back and legs for the rest of his life.{{ref|tpatq}}

==History==

===The Dance of the Dragons===
When it was decided by Prince [[Jace|Jacaerys]] during the [[Dance of the Dragons]] that [[the blacks]] needed more dragonriders, many men on [[Dragonstone]] came forward to answer the prince’s call. Along with his brother [[Addam Velaryon|Addam]], Alyn of [[Hull]] was one of them.{{ref|tpatq}}

Alyn tried to tame [[Sheepstealer]], entering his lair. The dragon set fire to his cloak. His brother Addam used his own cloak to beat out the flames while his dragon [[Seasmoke]] drove off Sheepstealer. Alyn counted himself fortunate to have lived as other seeds and seekers who aspired to ride that dragon ended being eaten by him instead.{{ref|tpatq}}

Not long after Addam had proven himself by flying Seasmoke, Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]] went so far as to petition Queen [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]] to remove the taint of [[bastardy]] from him and Alyn. The queen complied.{{ref|tpatq}}

With the [[Two Betrayers]] on their minds, many voices in the [[black council]] questioned his brother Ser Addam’s loyalty. Only Lord Corlys spoke in defense of the [[dragonseed]], remarking that Addam and his brother Alyn were “true heirs” and worthy of [[Driftmark]].{{ref|tpatq}}

===Later History===
Alyn later took a decisive part in the [[Conquest of Dorne]]. He commanded a fleet that broke the [[Planky Town]] and swept halfway up the [[Greenblood]] river while the main Dornish strength was engaged in the [[Prince's Pass]].{{ref|adwd|17}}

Alyn would have two bastards by Princess [[Elaena Targaryen]], named [[Jon Waters|Jon]] and [[Jeyne Waters]], and an unknown number of children with his wife, Lady [[Baela Targaryen]]. He loved Elaena even though he was married to another.{{Ref|AFFC|8}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Sisters of Baelor I}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| Appendix: Targaryen Lineage}}

==References and Notes==
{{references}}

[[Category:Dragonseeds|Velaryon, Alyn]]
[[Category:House Velaryon]]
[[Category:Bastards|Velaryon, Alyn]]
[[Category:Characters from the Crownlands|Velaryon, Alyn]]

[[Category:Nobles|Velaryon, Alyn]]

[[es:Alyn Velaryon]]
[[fr:Alyn Velaryon]]
[[ru:Алин Веларион]]

Alyn Velaryon

2014-12-19T18:25:22Z

Complexphoenix:

{{Character
| Character_name = [[File:House Velaryon.PNG|50px|left]] '''Alyn Velaryon''' [[File:House Velaryon.PNG|50px|right]]
| image = 
| image_caption =
| Alias = Alyn of Hull The Oakenfist Lord Oakenfist
| Title = Lord Admiral<ref name=maidens>Three Maidens in a Tower (June 27, 2006) [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Category/C91/ So Spake Martin] </ref>
| Allegiance = [[House Velaryon]] [[House Targaryen]] [[The blacks]]
| Race =
| Culture =
| Spouse = [[Baela Targaryen]]
| Place_of_Birth = [[Hull]], [[Driftmark]]
| Date_of_Birth = {{Date|115}}
| Place_of_Death =
| Date_of_Death =
| Books = ''[[A Feast for Crows]] (Mentioned) ''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[The Princess and the Queen]]'' (Appears) ''[[The World of Ice and Fire]]'' (Mentioned)
}}

'''Alyn Velaryon''', formerly known as '''Alyn of Hull''' and later known as '''Oakenfist''', was a legitimised [[bastard]] from [[Driftmark]] of [[dragonseed]] descent. His brother was Ser [[Addam Velaryon]], dragonrider and heir to [[Driftmark]].{{ref|tpatq}} Alyn was an admiral during the reign of his cousin, King [[Daeron I Targaryen]].

==Appearance==
After his failed attempt to tame the dragon [[Sheepstealer]], Alyn carried scars from the dragon's flame on his back and legs for the rest of his life.{{ref|tpatq}}

==History==

===The Dance of the Dragons===
When it was decided by Prince [[Jace|Jacaerys]] during the [[Dance of the Dragons]] that [[the blacks]] needed more dragonriders, many men on [[Dragonstone]] came forward to answer the prince’s call. Along with his brother [[Addam Velaryon|Addam]], Alyn of [[Hull]] was one of them.{{ref|tpatq}}

Alyn tried to tame [[Sheepstealer]], entering his lair. The dragon set fire to his cloak. His brother Addam used his own cloak to beat out the flames while his dragon [[Seasmoke]] drove off Sheepstealer. Alyn counted himself fortunate to have lived as other seeds and seekers who aspired to ride that dragon ended being eaten by him instead.{{ref|tpatq}}

Not long after Addam had proven himself by flying Seasmoke, Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]] went so far as to petition Queen [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]] to remove the taint of [[bastardy]] from him and Alyn. The queen complied.{{ref|tpatq}}

With the [[Two Betrayers]] on their minds, many voices in the [[black council]] questioned his brother Ser Addam’s loyalty. Only Lord Corlys spoke in defense of the [[dragonseed]], remarking that Addam and his brother Alyn were “true heirs” and worthy of [[Driftmark]].{{ref|tpatq}}

===Later History===
Alyn later took a decisive part in the [[Conquest of Dorne]]. He commanded a fleet that broke the [[Planky Town]] and swept halfway up the [[Greenblood]] river while the main Dornish strength was engaged in the [[Prince's Pass]].{{ref|adwd|17}}

Alyn would have two bastards by Princess [[Elaena Targaryen]], named [[Jon Waters|Jon]] and [[Jeyne Waters]], and an unknown number of children with his wife, lady [[Baela Targaryen]]. He loved Elaena even though he was married to another.{{Ref|AFFC|8}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Sisters of Baelor I}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| Appendix: Targaryen Lineage}}

==References and Notes==
{{references}}

[[Category:Dragonseeds|Velaryon, Alyn]]
[[Category:House Velaryon]]
[[Category:Bastards|Velaryon, Alyn]]
[[Category:Characters from the Crownlands|Velaryon, Alyn]]

[[Category:Nobles|Velaryon, Alyn]]

[[es:Alyn Velaryon]]
[[fr:Alyn Velaryon]]
[[ru:Алин Веларион]]

Baela Targaryen

2014-12-19T18:21:15Z

Complexphoenix:

{{Infobox character
| Character_name = [[File:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|left]] '''Baela Targaryen''' [[File:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|right]]
| image = 
| image_caption =
| Alias =
| Title = Lady
| Allegiance = [[House Targaryen]] [[The blacks]]
| Race = [[Valyria]]n
| Culture = [[Valyria]]n
| Spouse = [[Alyn Velaryon]]
| father = [[Daemon Targaryen]]
| Place_of_Birth = [[Pentos]]
| Date_of_Birth = {{Date|116}}
| Place_of_Death =
| Date_of_Death =
| Books = ''[[The Princess and the Queen]]'' (Appears) ''[[The World of Ice and Fire]]'' (Mentioned)
| coat-of-arms =
}}

Lady '''Baela Targaryen''' was a daughter of Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]] and lady [[Laena Velaryon]].{{ref|tpatq}} Her twin sister was [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Daemon)|Rhaena Targaryen]]. She was a [[dragonrider]] whose dragon was [[Moondancer]].{{ref|tpatq}}

==Appearance and Character==
Baela's appearance is unknown. Baela was as fearless as her father.{{ref|tpatq}}

==History==
Baela grew up on [[Dragonstone]].{{ref|tpatq}}

Towards the end of the civil war known as the [[Dance of the Dragons]], as [[Dragonstone]] fell to King [[Aegon II Targaryen]], Baela was able to escape from her bedchambers as the door was being smashed down. She managed to reach Moondancer in the stable where the castle dragons were kept. There she loosed her chains and strapped a saddle onto her. As Aegon II flew [[Sunfyre]] over [[Dragonmont]]'s smoking peak and made his descent, Baela rose up on Moondancer to meet him.{{ref|tpatq}}

The dragons fought in the pre-dawn sky, eventually slamming into the ground still fighting. Aegon jumped from the saddle twenty feet from the ground but Lady Baela stayed with Moondancer all the way down. Burned and battered she still found the strength to undo her saddle chains and crawl away from her dragon as Moondancer coiled into her death throes. Ser [[Alfred Broome]] drew his sword to slay Baela, but Ser [[Marston Waters]] wrenched the blade from his hand. [[Tom Tangletongue]] carried her to the [[maester]].{{ref|tpatq}}

Baela and her sister introduced [[Daenaera Velaryon]] to their half-brother [[Aegon III Targaryen]], leading to the couple's marriage.{{ref|twoiaf| Aegon III}} Baela herself married her cousin [[Alyn Velaryon]] and had issue.{{ref|twoiaf| Appendix}}

==Quotes==
{{Quote|So it came to pass that when King [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon II]] flew [[Sunfyre]] over [[Dragonmont]]'s smoking peak and made his descent, expecting to make a triumphant entrance into [[Dragonstone|a castle]] safely in the hands of his own men, with [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|the queen's]] loyalists slain or captured, up to meet him rose Baela Targaryen, Prince [[Daemon Targaryen|Daemon's]] daughter by the Lady [[Laena Velaryon|Laena]], and fearless as her father.{{ref|tpatq}}}} - Archmaester [[Gyldayn]]

==Family==
{{Targaryen tree Dance}}

==References and Notes==
{{references}}

[[Category:Characters from the Crownlands|Targaryen, Baela]]
[[Category:Dragonriders|Targaryen, Baela]]
[[Category:Noblewomen|Targaryen, Baela]]
[[Category:House Targaryen]]

[[es:Baela Targaryen]]
[[fr:Baela Targaryen]]
[[ru:Бейла Таргариен]]

Baela Targaryen

2014-12-19T18:19:57Z

Complexphoenix:

{{Infobox character
| Character_name = [[File:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|left]] '''Baela Targaryen''' [[File:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|right]]
| image = 
| image_caption =
| Alias =
| Title = Lady
| Allegiance = [[House Targaryen]] [[The blacks]]
| Race = [[Valyria]]n
| Culture = [[Valyria]]n
| Spouse = [[Alyn Velaryon]]
| father = [[Daemon Targaryen]]
| Place_of_Birth = [[Pentos]]
| Date_of_Birth = {{Date|116}}
| Place_of_Death =
| Date_of_Death =
| Books = ''[[The Princess and the Queen]]'' (Appears)
| coat-of-arms =
}}

Lady '''Baela Targaryen''' was a daughter of Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]] and lady [[Laena Velaryon]].{{ref|tpatq}} Her twin sister was [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Daemon)|Rhaena Targaryen]]. She was a [[dragonrider]] whose dragon was [[Moondancer]].{{ref|tpatq}}

==Appearance and Character==
Baela's appearance is unknown. Baela was as fearless as her father.{{ref|tpatq}}

==History==
Baela grew up on [[Dragonstone]].{{ref|tpatq}}

Towards the end of the civil war known as the [[Dance of the Dragons]], as [[Dragonstone]] fell to King [[Aegon II Targaryen]], Baela was able to escape from her bedchambers as the door was being smashed down. She managed to reach Moondancer in the stable where the castle dragons were kept. There she loosed her chains and strapped a saddle onto her. As Aegon II flew [[Sunfyre]] over [[Dragonmont]]'s smoking peak and made his descent, Baela rose up on Moondancer to meet him.{{ref|tpatq}}

The dragons fought in the pre-dawn sky, eventually slamming into the ground still fighting. Aegon jumped from the saddle twenty feet from the ground but Lady Baela stayed with Moondancer all the way down. Burned and battered she still found the strength to undo her saddle chains and crawl away from her dragon as Moondancer coiled into her death throes. Ser [[Alfred Broome]] drew his sword to slay Baela, but Ser [[Marston Waters]] wrenched the blade from his hand. [[Tom Tangletongue]] carried her to the [[maester]].{{ref|tpatq}}

Baela and her sister introduced [[Daenaera Velaryon]] to their half-brother [[Aegon III Targaryen]], leading to the couple's marriage.{{ref|twoiaf| Aegon III}} Baela herself married her cousin [[Alyn Velaryon]] and had issue.{{ref|twoiaf| Appendix}}

==Quotes==
{{Quote|So it came to pass that when King [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon II]] flew [[Sunfyre]] over [[Dragonmont]]'s smoking peak and made his descent, expecting to make a triumphant entrance into [[Dragonstone|a castle]] safely in the hands of his own men, with [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|the queen's]] loyalists slain or captured, up to meet him rose Baela Targaryen, Prince [[Daemon Targaryen|Daemon's]] daughter by the Lady [[Laena Velaryon|Laena]], and fearless as her father.{{ref|tpatq}}}} - Archmaester [[Gyldayn]]

==Family==
{{Targaryen tree Dance}}

==References and Notes==
{{references}}

[[Category:Characters from the Crownlands|Targaryen, Baela]]
[[Category:Dragonriders|Targaryen, Baela]]
[[Category:Noblewomen|Targaryen, Baela]]
[[Category:House Targaryen]]

[[es:Baela Targaryen]]
[[fr:Baela Targaryen]]
[[ru:Бейла Таргариен]]

Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Daemon)

2014-12-19T18:11:52Z

Complexphoenix: /* History */ added TWOIAF info

{{Infobox character
| Character_name = [[File:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|left]] '''Rhaena Targaryen''' [[File:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|right]]
| image = 
| image_caption =
| Alias = Rhaena of Pentos
| Title = Lady
| Allegiance = [[House Targaryen]] [[The blacks]]
| Race =
| Culture =
| Spouse = 1st: Ser [[Corwyn Corbray]] 2nd: [[Garmund Hightower]]
| father = Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]]
| Place_of_Birth = [[Pentos]]
| Date_of_Birth = {{Date|116}}
| Place_of_Death =
| Date_of_Death =
| Books = ''[[The Rogue Prince]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[The Princess and the Queen]]'' (Mentioned)
| coat-of-arms =
}}
{{Template:See homonyms|Rhaena Targaryen}}

Lady '''Rhaena Targaryen''', also known as '''Rhaena of Pentos''', was a daughter of Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]] and [[Laena Velaryon]].{{ref|TPATQ}} Her twin sister was [[Baela Targaryen]]. Rhaena was not a dragonrider during the [[Dance of the Dragons]] as she did not have a dragon of her own. Rhaena was betrothed to her cousin Prince [[Lucerys Velaryon]].

==Appearance and Character==
Rhaena's appearance is unknown. She was thirteen years old during the [[Dance of the Dragons|civil war]].

==History==
Rhaena was born in [[Pentos]]. At some point she was betrothed to her cousin, Prince [[Lucerys Velaryon]]. Rhaena and her twin sister, Baela, each had a [[dragon egg]]. When Rhaena’s egg hatched the hatchling was unhealthy and died within hours of emerging from the egg. Baela’s [[Moondancer|hatchling dragon]] was healthy, however. Before the civil war an egg from another clutch laid by [[Syrax]] was given to Rhaena, and it was said that she slept with it every night and prayed for a dragon to match her sister’s.

During the civil war known as the [[Dance of the Dragons]], Rhaena was chosen to accompany Prince [[Joffrey Velaryon]] to [[Gulltown]] for their protection, although they were told it was to defend the [[Vale]] against King [[Aegon II Targaryen]]’s dragons. Rhaena brought three dragon eggs with her to the Vale where she prayed nightly for their hatching.

Eventually she bonded with the dragon [[Morning]], but it is unknown when this occurred.

Rhaena and her sister introduced [[Daenaera Velaryon]] to their half-brother [[Aegon III Targaryen]], leading to the couple's marriage.{{ref|twoiaf| Aegon III}} Rhaena herself married [[Corwyn Corbray]], by whom she had no issue, and later Garmund Hightower, by whom she had six daughters.{{ref|twoiaf| Appendix}}

==Family==
{{Targaryen tree Dance}}

==References and Notes==
{{references}}

[[Category:House Targaryen]]
[[Category:House Corbray]]
[[Category:House Hightower]]
[[Category:Characters from the Crownlands|Targaryen, Rhaena (daughter of Daemon)]]
[[Category:Noblewomen|Targaryen, Rhaena (daughter of Daemon)]]

[[es:Rhaena Targaryen, hija de Daemon]]
[[fr:Rhaena Targaryen (fille de Daemon)]]
[[ru:Рейна Таргариен (дочь Деймона)]]

Baela Targaryen

2014-12-19T18:04:59Z

Complexphoenix: added info from twoiaf

{{Infobox character
| Character_name = [[File:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|left]] '''Baela Targaryen''' [[File:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|right]]
| image = 
| image_caption =
| Alias =
| Title = Lady
| Allegiance = [[House Targaryen]] [[The blacks]]
| Race = [[Valyria]]n
| Culture = [[Valyria]]n
| Spouse =
| father = [[Daemon Targaryen]]
| Place_of_Birth = [[Pentos]]
| Date_of_Birth = {{Date|116}}
| Place_of_Death =
| Date_of_Death =
| Books = ''[[The Princess and the Queen]]'' (Appears)
| coat-of-arms =
}}

Lady '''Baela Targaryen''' was a daughter of Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]] and lady [[Laena Velaryon]].{{ref|tpatq}} Her twin sister was [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Daemon)|Rhaena Targaryen]]. She was a [[dragonrider]] whose dragon was [[Moondancer]].{{ref|tpatq}}

==Appearance and Character==
Baela's appearance is unknown. Baela was as fearless as her father.{{ref|tpatq}}

==History==
Baela grew up on [[Dragonstone]].{{ref|tpatq}}

Towards the end of the civil war known as the [[Dance of the Dragons]], as [[Dragonstone]] fell to King [[Aegon II Targaryen]], Baela was able to escape from her bedchambers as the door was being smashed down. She managed to reach Moondancer in the stable where the castle dragons were kept. There she loosed her chains and strapped a saddle onto her. As Aegon II flew [[Sunfyre]] over [[Dragonmont]]'s smoking peak and made his descent, Baela rose up on Moondancer to meet him.{{ref|tpatq}}

The dragons fought in the pre-dawn sky, eventually slamming into the ground still fighting. Aegon jumped from the saddle twenty feet from the ground but Lady Baela stayed with Moondancer all the way down. Burned and battered she still found the strength to undo her saddle chains and crawl away from her dragon as Moondancer coiled into her death throes. Ser [[Alfred Broome]] drew his sword to slay Baela, but Ser [[Marston Waters]] wrenched the blade from his hand. [[Tom Tangletongue]] carried her to the [[maester]].{{ref|tpatq}}

Baela and her sister introduced [[Daenaera Velaryon]] to their half-brother [[Aegon III Targaryen]], leading to the couple's marriage.{{ref|twoiaf| Aegon III}} Baela herself married her cousin [[Alyn Velaryon]] and had issue.{{ref|twoiaf| Appendix}}

==Quotes==
{{Quote|So it came to pass that when King [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon II]] flew [[Sunfyre]] over [[Dragonmont]]'s smoking peak and made his descent, expecting to make a triumphant entrance into [[Dragonstone|a castle]] safely in the hands of his own men, with [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|the queen's]] loyalists slain or captured, up to meet him rose Baela Targaryen, Prince [[Daemon Targaryen|Daemon's]] daughter by the Lady [[Laena Velaryon|Laena]], and fearless as her father.{{ref|tpatq}}}} - Archmaester [[Gyldayn]]

==Family==
{{Targaryen tree Dance}}

==References and Notes==
{{references}}

[[Category:Characters from the Crownlands|Targaryen, Baela]]
[[Category:Dragonriders|Targaryen, Baela]]
[[Category:Noblewomen|Targaryen, Baela]]
[[Category:House Targaryen]]

[[es:Baela Targaryen]]
[[fr:Baela Targaryen]]
[[ru:Бейла Таргариен]]

Vhagar

2014-12-19T16:40:28Z

Complexphoenix: /* Dance of the Dragons */

{{Infobox character
| Character_name= Vhagar
| image = [[File:Visenya riding Vhagar.jpg|350px]]
| image_caption = [[Visenya Targaryen]] riding Vhagar into battle]]
| Alias =
| Title =
| Allegiance = [[Visenya Targaryen]] [[Laena Velaryon]] [[Aemond Targaryen]]
| Race = [[Dragon]]
| Culture =
| Spouse =
| Place_of_Birth= [[Dragonstone]]
| Date_of_Birth = [[Years before Aegon's Conquest#Year 51 Before the Conquest|51BC]]
| Place_of_Death= the [[Gods Eye]]
| Date_of_Death = {{Date|130}}
| Books =''[[The Princess and the Queen]]'' (Appears) ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'' (Mentioned) 
}}
:''For other uses, see [[Vhagar (disambiguation)]].''
'''Vhagar''' was one of the [[Dragon|dragons]] used by [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon the Conqueror]] and his sisters, [[Rhaenys Targaryen|Rhaenys]] and [[Visenya Targaryen|Visenya]], during the [[War of Conquest]]. She was named for one of the gods of Old [[Valyria]].{{Ref|aSoS|57}} Vhagar was ridden by Visenya during the Conquest.{{Ref|aCoK|12}}

==Description==
:''See also: [[:Category:Images of Vhagar|Images of Vhagar]]''
One could ride a horse down Vhagar's gullet.{{Ref|aGoT|13}} Vhagar's breath was so hot that it could melt the armour of a knight and cook him inside.{{Ref|aCoK|12}} The colour of Vhagar's scales, horns, wing bones and spinal crest is unknown, as is the colour of her flame.

By the time of the [[Dance of the Dragons]], Vhagar was the hardened survivor of a hundred battles, had grown almost as large as [[Balerion]] and was the oldest and largest of the dragons in [[Westeros]]. Her roar was so powerful that it could shake the very foundations of [[Storm's End]]. No living dragon could match her for size or ferocity.{{ref|tpatq}}

==History==
Vhagar was named after a god of the [[Valyria|Valyrian Freehold]]. She was born on [[Dragonstone]] from a [[dragon egg|dragon's egg]].

===[[War of Conquest]]===
During the [[War of Conquest|Conquest]], [[Aegon I Targaryen]] sent his fleet, commanded by [[Daemon Velaryon]], to take [[Gulltown]]. Daemon and the fleet were accompanied by [[Visenya Targaryen]], on Vhagar. In the ensuing [[Battle of Gulltown|battle]] the Arryn fleet was able to defeat the Targaryen fleet and Daemon Velaryon was killed. Visenya recovered what she could of the situation, using Vhagar to burn the surviving Arryn ships. The loss of the Arryn fleet caused the Sistermen on the [[Three Sisters]] to revolt against [[House Arryn]]. In addition, with their fleet destroyed, the Vale lacked the ability to attack the Targaryens by sea.

Visenya flew Vhagar to [[Stoney Sept]] to link up again with other Targaryen armies and dragons. They advanced south, where all three dragons took part in the decisive [[Field of Fire]] - the only battle in which all three of the Targaryen dragons during the Conquest took to the sky at the same time. Together, Vhagar, [[Meraxes]] and [[Balerion]] killed four thousand men, burning them alive. King [[Mern Gardener|Mern]] died, and with him [[House Gardener]]. The army was broken and [[House Targaryen]] was victorious.{{Ref|aGoT|13}}

Afterwards, Visenya flew Vhagar back to the Vale. Just as Aegon had flown Balerion directly over the massive walls of [[Harrenhal]], Visenya simply flew Vhagar directly over the impassable mountains to reach the [[Eyrie]]. Upon her arrival, Dowager Queen [[Sharra Arryn]] came outside to find her son, King [[Ronnel Arryn (King)|Ronnel Arryn]] with Visenya. The young King begged his mother for a ride on Vhagar's back. Dowager Queen [[Sharra Arryn|Sharra]] bent her knee and surrendered, and King Ronnel got his ride on Vhagar with Visenya. Sharra's surrender of the Vale made Kign Ronnel the last [[King of Mountain and Vale]].<ref>[http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/topic/72313-reading-from-the-world-of-ice-and-fire/page__st__40#entry3588552 Reading from ''The World of Ice and Fire''.] Notes from George R.R. Martin's reading and Q&A at the Bubonicon 44 in Albuquerque by Trebla.</ref>

It is currently unknown who Vhagar's rider was after Visenya's death. After Balerion died of old age in 94AC, Vhagar became the last of the three Targaryen dragons who had fought in the Conquest.

===Reign of King [[Viserys I Targaryen]]===
During the reign of [[Viserys I]], Vhagar's rider was Lady [[Laena Velaryon]] who rode her as young as twelve. When Laena and her husband Prince [[Daemon Targaryen|Daemon]] wed, they flew across the [[Narrow Sea]] to [[Pentos]], [[Volantis]], [[Qohor]], and [[Norvos]]. In each of the cities crowds came to see Vhagar and Prince Daemon's [[Caraxes]]. After returning to [[Driftmark]], Vhagar, Caraxes, and [[Syrax]] often flew together with their riders, Laena, Daemon, and Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]].{{ref|trp}}

Shortly after the death of Lady Laena in {{Date|120}}, Vhagar was claimed by ten-year old Prince [[Aemond Targaryen]].{{Ref|TRP}}

===[[Dance of the Dragons]]===
By {{Date|129}}, Vhagar had grown nearly as big as Balerion had been during the [[War of Conquest]]. She was the largest living dragon by now.{{Ref|aDwD|8}} Prince Aemond flew on Vhagar to [[Storm's End]], so they could win the support of Lord [[Borros Baratheon]]. There Aemond met with Prince [[Lucerys Velaryon]]. Aemond was forbidden from attacking Lucerys while both were in Borros' castle, Aemond was allowed to follow Lucerys outside. Thus, when Lucerys had risen into the sky on his dragon [[Arrax]], Aemond mounted Vhagar and followed the young Velaryon prince. The two dragons fought during a great storm over [[Shipbreaker Bay]], and Vhagar quickly overcame Arrax, whose severed head would wash ashore days later, along with the corpse of Prince Lucerys.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

Aemond would continue to use Vhagar in battle during the civil war. During the [[Battle of Rook's Rest]], Vhagar and [[Sunfyre]] ambushed the dragon [[Meleys]] and her rider Princess [[Rhaenys Targaryen (The Queen Who Never Was)|Rhaenys Targaryen]]. Meleys was an old and large dragon and may have stood a chance against Vhagar alone, but died from the combined assault. Vhagar was the only dragon who left the battle reasonably unharmed.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

The battle against Meleys had left King [[Aegon II Targaryen]] severely injured, leaving him incapable of rule. Prince Aemond was appointed Regent until such a time when Aegon himself could rule again. Prince Aemond decided that the main threat in the war was [[Daemon Targaryen]], who was massing armies at [[Harrenhal]]. Prince Aemond took Vhagar and most of the green forces from [[King's Landing]] north to attack Harrenhal, leaving [[King's Landing]] with very little defense. When Aemond and Vhagar arrived at Harrenhal, they found the castle undefended and empty, as Daemon had left some time before, to attack King's Landing, after having lured Aemond and Vhagar away from the capitol.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

Here, Prince Aemond and [[Hand of the King]] [[Criston Cole]] no longer agreed on how to proceed during the war. Aemond took Vhagar on a one-man war of revenge. They burned out most of the [[Riverlands]], starting with every wooden structure in Harrenhal. Vhagar caused more destruction than an entire army, and severely harmed Queen [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra's]] supporters in the Riverlands - though Aemond's decision to abandon the army under Criston Cole proved to be yet another strategic blunder. Without Vhagar to protect them, Cole's army in the east was later surrounded and destroyed in the [[Battle at the stony ridge]], leaving the east wide open to Rhaenyra's forces.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

Aemond and Vhagar continued the destruction of the [[Riverlands]] and they became the terror of the Trident. Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]], on his dragon [[Caraxes]], and [[dragonseed]] [[Nettles]], on the dragon [[Sheepstealer]], were send out to hunt Aemond down. They were allowed to use [[Maidenpool]] as their base, as Lord Mooton feared an attack from Vhagar, and found himself most safe this way. Daemon and Nettles searched for Vhagar every day, together, but Vhagar, continuing to terrorize the [[Riverlands]], remained unfound.

After the [[First Battle of Tumbleton]], Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]] said his goodbyes to Lord Mooton and [[Nettles]], and had word send out that he would await Aemond and Vhagar at [[Harrenhal]], alone with [[Caraxes]]. After thirteen days, Vhagar appeared in the sky, carrying Prince Aemond and his lover [[Alys Rivers]] on her back. [[Harrenhal]] would be the location for the [[Dance over Harrenhal]], the battle between Vhagar and [[Caraxes]], which ended with Prince Aemond dead, as Prince Daemon had put [[Dark Sister]] through his eye. Both Caraxes and Vhagar died as well. Vhagar died in the water, and her body was recovered only years after the Dance, with Prince Aemond's armoured bones still chained to the saddle. Vhagar was one hundred and eighty-one years old when she died, on the twenty-second day of the fifth moon of {{Date|130}}.{{ref|tpatq}}

===Legacy===
Along with eighteen other Targaryen [[Dragon skulls (Targaryen)|dragon skulls]], Vhagar's skull used to hang on a wall in the [[Red Keep]]'s throne room.{{Ref|aGoT|3}}{{Ref|aGoT|12}} After [[Robert's Rebellion]], King [[Robert Baratheon]] had Vhagar's skull removed and stored in a dank cellar along with the others.{{Ref|aGoT|13}}

==Known dragonriders of Vhagar==
* Queen [[Visenya Targaryen]]
* Lady [[Laena Velaryon]]
* Prince [[Aemond Targaryen]]

==Quotes about Vhagar==
{{Quote|The peril posed by Queen [[Visenya Targaryen|Visenya's]] mount could not be gainsaid.{{ref|tpatq}}}} – [[Gyldayn]]

{{Quote|That hoary old bitch.{{ref|tpatq}}}} – [[Jacaerys Velaryon]]

{{Quote|[[Aemond Targaryen|Prince Aemond]]'s mighty dragon Vhagar sensed [[Lucerys Velaryon|his]] coming first. Guardsman walking the battlements of the castle's mighty curtain walls clutched their spears in sudden terror when she woke, with a roar that shook the very foundations of [[Durran's Defiance]].{{ref|tpatq}}}}

{{Quote|On the fourteenth day of [[Daemon Targaryen|the prince's]] vigil, a shadow swept over [[Harrenhal|the castle]], blacker than any passing cloud. All the birds of the godswood took to the air in fright, and a hot wind whipped the fallen leaves across the yard. Vhagar had come at last, and on her back rode the one-eyed prince [[Aemond Targaryen]], clad in night-black armor chased with gold.{{ref|tpatq}}}}

==References and Notes==
{{references|}}

{{Dragons}}

[[Category:Dragons]]

[[es:Vhagar]]
[[fa:ویگار]]
[[fr:Vhagar]]
[[zh:瓦格哈尔]]
[[ru:Вхагар]]

Meraxes

2014-12-19T16:34:24Z

Complexphoenix:

{{See homonyms | Meraxes (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox character
| Character_name= Meraxes
| image = [[File:Rhaenys riding Meraxes.jpg|300px]]
| image_caption = [[Rhaenys Targaryen]] riding Meraxes into battle
| Alias =
| Title =
| Allegiance = [[Rhaenys Targaryen]]
| Race = [[Dragon]]
| Culture =
| Spouse =
| Place_of_Birth=[[Dragonstone]]
| Date_of_Birth =
| Place_of_Death= [[Hellholt]]
| Date_of_Death = {{Date|10}}
| Books = ''[[The World of Ice and Fire]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[The Princess and the Queen]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[A Clash of Kings]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'' (Mentioned) 
}}

'''Meraxes''' was one of the great dragons used by [[Aegon I|Aegon the Conqueror]] and his sisters during the [[War of Conquest]]. The she-dragon was named for one of the old gods of [[Valyria]]. She was ridden by [[Rhaenys Targaryen]].{{ref|acok|12}}

==Description==
:''See also: [[:Category:Images of Meraxes|Images of Meraxes]]''

Meraxes's was larger than [[Vhagar]] but smaller than [[Balerion]].{{ref|agot|13}} Meraxes could swallow horses whole.{{ref|acok|12}} Meraxes had golden eyes and silver scales.{{ref|twoiaf| The Conquest}}

==History==
Meraxes was named for a god of the [[Valyria|Valyrian Feehold]]. She was born from a dragon's egg on [[Dragonstone]].

Rhaenys and Meraxes accompanied [[Orys Baratheon]] on his mission to subdue [[Argilac Durrandon]], the last Storm King. At the Battle of the [[Last Storm]], the wind and rain forced them to stay grounded, but even on the ground Meraxes slew many, engulfing Argilac's vanguard and the knights of his personal guard in dragonflame.{{ref|twoiaf| The Conquest}}

During the battle that became known as the [[Field of Fire]], Meraxes, [[Balerion]] and [[Vhagar]] took to the sky at the same time. Between the three they killed four thousand men, burning them alive. King [[Mern Gardener|Mern]] was killed, [[House Gardener]] dying with him. The army was broken and Aegon I was victorious.{{ref|agot|13}}

Meraxes and Rhaenys Targaryen both met their end in the [[First Dornish War]] at [[Hellholt]] after an iron bolt from a [[w:Scorpio (weapon)|scorpion]] went through Meraxes's eye. Her skull was later returned to Aegon by a peace delegation.{{ref|twoiaf| Dorne Against the Dragons}} Along with eighteen other [[Dragon skulls (Targaryen)|Targaryen dragon skulls]] Meraxes's skull used to hang on a wall in the [[Red Keep]]'s throne room. After the [[War of the Usurper]] King Robert had Meraxes's skull removed and stored in a dank cellar along with the others.

==Known dragonriders of Meraxes==
* [[Rhaenys Targaryen]]

==References and Notes==
{{references|2}}

{{Dragons}}

[[Category:Dragons]]

[[fr:Meraxès]]
[[es:Meraxes]]
[[zh:米拉西斯]]
[[ru:Мераксес]]

Aemma Arryn

2014-12-19T16:31:41Z

Complexphoenix:

{{Character
| Character_name= [[file:House_Arryn.PNG|50px|left]] '''Aemma Arryn''' [[File:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|right]]
| image = 
| Title = Queen
| Allegiance = [[House Arryn]] [[House Targaryen]]
| Race =
| Culture =
| Spouse = King [[Viserys I Targaryen]]
| Issue = Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]]
| Father = Lord [[Rodik Arryn]]
| Mother = Princess [[Daella Targaryen]]
| Date_of_Birth = {{Date|82}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| Jaehaerys I}}
| Date_of_Death = {{Date|105}}{{Ref|TRP}}
| Books = ''[[The Rogue Prince]]'' (Appears) ''[[The Princess and the Queen]]'' (Mentioned)
}}
Lady '''Aemma Arryn''' was the queen consort and first wife of King [[Viserys I Targaryen]], and a granddaughter of King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]] and his sister-wife, Queen [[Alysanne Targaryen]].{{ref|trp}}

==History==
Aemma was the daughter of Lord [[Rodrik Arryn]] and his wife, Princess [[Daella Targaryen (daughter of Jaehaerys I)|Daella Targaryen]], herself the daughter of King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]] and his sister-wife [[Alysanne Targaryen]]. Aemma married Prince [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys Targaryen]], her cousin, in {{Date|93}}. Upon her grandfathers death, Aemma became the Queen Consort of Viserys, who had been chosen as heir to the throne during the [[Great Council]] in {{Date|101}}.{{ref|trp}}

Aemma became pregnant multiple times in the early years of her marriage. She suffered multiple miscarriages, and gave birth to a son who eventually died in the cradle. In {{Date|97}}, Aemma gave birth to a healthy daughter, Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]]. Aemma and Viserys both adored their only living child.{{ref|trp}}

In early {{Date|105}}, Aemma became pregnant once more. Late in the year, Aemma gave birth to a son, Prince [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Viserys I)|Baelon Targaryen]]. Aemma died during the birth, and her son died a day later.{{ref|trp}}

==Legacy==
Aemma's daughter [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]] was chosen as heir to King [[Viserys I Targaryen]] in late {{Date|105}}, after the deaths of both Aemma and her son Baelon, and after a fall-out between King Viserys and his brother, Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]]. Despite the fact that the lords of the realm swore their fealthy to Princess Rhaenyra in {{Date|105}}, Aemma's daughter, upon Viserys' death in {{Date|129}}, found herself in a struggle for the throne. Viserys had remarried after Aemma's death, and fathered four children with his new wife. The eldest of those four, Prince [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon]], had been crowned King by Lord Commander [[Criston Cole]], and Queen Regent [[Alicent Hightower]], in an attempt to overthrow Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]], who, at that point, was still unaware of her fathers death.{{ref|tpatq}}

This power struggle lead to a war known as the [[Dance of the Dragons]], which caused the deaths of both Rhaenyra and her half-brother Aegon, as well as most of Rhaenyra's children, and Aegon's siblings and children.

Aemma's daughter Rhaenyra had six children, one of them stillborn. The youngest two of Rhaenyra's living children, Princes [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon]] and [[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys]], would later become kings, King [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon III]] and [[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys II]] respectively. It would be the line of Viserys II that continued the line of dragonkings. In addition, Aegon's daughter [[Daena Targaryen|Daena]] and Viserys' son [[Aegon IV Targaryen|Aegon]] had a bastard son together, [[Daemon Blackfyre|Daemon]], who would create [[House Blackfyre]].

==Family==
{{Targaryen_tree_Viserys}}

==References and notes==
{{references}}

[[Category:House Arryn]]
[[Category:House Targaryen]]
[[Category:Characters from the Vale|Arryn, Aemma]]
[[Category:Noblewomen|Arryn, Aemma]]

[[es:Aemma Arryn]]
[[fr:Aemma Arryn]]
[[ru:Эйма Аррен]]

Viserys I Targaryen

2014-12-19T16:25:12Z

Complexphoenix: /* Family */

{{Monarch
| name = [[File:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|left]] '''Viserys I''' [[File:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|right]]
| image = [[Image:VISERYS I.jpg|300px]]
| image_caption = Viserys I by [http://en.amokanet.ru/gallery/martin/ Amok©]
| reign = {{Date|103}} – {{Date|129}}
| coronation =
| othertitles = King of Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men Lord of the Seven Kingdoms Protector of the Realm
| alias =The Young King
| fullname = Viserys Targaryen First of His Name
| predecessor = [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]]
| successor = [[Aegon II Targaryen]]
| suc-type =
| heir= [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]]
| queen= 1st: [[Aemma Arryn]] 2nd: [[Alicent Hightower]]
| consort=
| spouse1=
| issue= [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]] Unknown son [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Viserys I)|Baelon Targaryen]] [[Aegon II Targaryen]] [[Helaena Targaryen]] [[Aemond Targaryen]] [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Viserys I)|Daeron Targaryen]]
| royalhouse= [[House Targaryen]]
| dynasty=
| royalanthem=
| father= [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon Targaryen]]
| mother= [[Alyssa Targaryen]]
| dateofbirth = {{Date|77}}<ref>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Ages (Continued3)#Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys I Targaryen]] calculation.''</ref>
| placeofbirth = [[King's Landing]]
| dateofdeath = {{Date|129}}
| placeofdeath = [[King's Landing]]
| dateofburial =
| placeofburial=
| Books= ''[[The Rogue Prince]]'' (Appears) ''[[The Princess and the Queen]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'' (Mentioned)
}}

{{See homonyms | Viserys Targaryen (disambiguation)}}

'''Viserys I''' was the fifth [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]] king of the [[Seven Kingdoms]].{{ref|agot|appendix}} He ruled from {{Date|103}} to {{Date|129}}. He succeeded his grandfather, [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|Jaehaerys I]]. His reign was considered peaceful and prosperous.{{ref|trp}} He rode the dragon [[Balerion]], until the dragon died of old age during the reign of [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|Old King Jaehaerys]]. Viserys never bonded with another [[dragon]] after Balerions death.<ref>http://grrm.livejournal.com/360936.html?thread=18786792#t18786792</ref>

==Appearance==
Viserys was plump and pleasant. He was described as amiable, open handed and eager to please. He was well loved by many Lords and smallfolk. In his midlife his stoutness caused him numerous health problems: he suffered from gout, aching joints, back pain, and respiratory issues. Towards the end of his life his girth nearly kept him from ascending the steps to the [[Iron Throne]].{{ref|trp}}

He sported a bushy, silver-gold mustache and wore the crown of his grandfather, Jaehaerys I.<ref>Targaryen Kings. (November 1, 2005) [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Category/C91/ So Spake Martin]</ref>

==History==
===Youth===
Prince [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon Targaryen]], chosen by King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|Jaehaerys I]] as his heir in {{date|92}},{{ref|tpatq}} died before the Old King, leading to questions about the succession. Baelon's eldest son, Viserys, was eventually chosen by the [[Great Council of 101|Great Council]] convened in {{Date|101}}. [[Tourney for King Viserys I's accession|A tourney]] to celebrate his accession was held in [[Maidenpool]] in {{date|103}}. He was twenty-six years old and had been married for a decade to Lady [[Aemma Arryn]].{{ref|TRP}}

===Reign===
King Viserys the first of his name inherited a secure throne, a full treasury and a legacy of goodwill from his [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|grandfather]]. [[House Targaryen]] was at it's most powerful during Viserys time. More princes and princesses of the blood of the dragon had not existed since the time of the [[Doom of Valyria|Doom]] and [[Westeros]] had never had so many [[dragons]] in the land at any other time.{{ref|twoiaf| Viserys I}}
Viserys ruled well, and continued the prosperous peace and legacy of his grandsire, however the seeds for a terrifying [[Dance of the Dragons|civil war]] that would much later engulf the the realm were inadvertently sown in his reign.

In his court he had the dwarf jester [[Mushroom]]. He had three children by his first wife Aemma. A daughter, Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]], who lived until adulthood and two sons who died in infancy<ref name="GQAR">Good Queen Alysanne and Rhaenyra. (June 18, 2006) [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/1604/ So Spake Martin]</ref>. Aemma died in {{date|105}} after giving birth to the second son who Viserys named [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Viserys I)|Baelon]] after his father. Baelon died a day later following his mother to the grave. {{ref|TRP}} Lacking a son to succeed him, Viserys began to groom Princess Rhaenyra to be the ruling queen. His [[Hand of the King|Hand]], Ser [[Otto Hightower]], encouraged this plan to avoid the reign of Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]], the king's younger brother. Viserys taught Rhaenyra how to rule and made her part of his [[small council]]. In {{Date|105}}, hundreds of lords and landed knights had done obeisance to the princess and sworn solemn oaths to defend her rights.{{ref|tpatq}}

Viserys remarried in {{Date|106}} to Ser Otto Hightower's daughter [[Alicent Hightower]], a marriage that produced several sons and a daughter, [[Helaena Targaryen]], with her.<ref name="GQAR"/> Otto attempted to convince the king to change the succession, but in the end, Viserys removed Otto as Hand, bestowing the honor on Lord [[Lyonel Strong]].{{ref|trp}} Rhaenyra remained his heir, however, a decision he left in his will.

Viserys hated conflict and made repeated attempts to cease the hostilities between [[the greens]] and [[the blacks]]. His attempts met with much resistance, with many fights and false apologies on both sides issued. He loved his wife and daughter equally, but they only loved each other when he commanded.{{ref|trp}}

Viserys was aware of the rumors that Rhaenyra's sons were fathered by [[Harwin Strong]] and not her husband [[Laenor Velaryon]], but commanded that anyone heard spreading the rumor would lose their tongue. Several members of [[House Velaryon]] did when Rhaenyra argued her second oldest son should inherit [[Driftmark]]. After issuing the order to remove their tongues, Viserys slipped and cut his hand to the bone on the [[Iron Throne]]. He suffered a fever from an infection and only recovered after two of his fingers were removed by [[Gerardys|Grandmaestar Gerardys]]. He never sat on the throne again.{{ref|trp}}

Viserys died on the third day of third moon of {{date|129}} during a nap in the [[Red Keep]] of [[King's Landing]].{{ref|tpatq}} After Viserys' death, the eldest son of his second wife, Aegon, was crowned [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon II]] by the [[Lord Commander of the Kingsguard|Lord Commander of the]] [[Kingsguard]], [[Criston Cole]], and his widow, Queen Alicent. This led to a war between Rhaenyra and Aegon II, better known as the [[Dance of the Dragons]].

==Small Council under Viserys I==
During the reign of King Viserys his [[small council]] had the following known members:{{ref|trp}}{{ref|Tpatq}}

{| class=wikitable width=70%i
!Office
!Duration
!Name
|-
| rowspan="3"| '''[[Hand of the King]]'''
| {{Date|103}} - {{Date|109}}
| Ser [[Otto Hightower]]
|-
| {{Date|109}} - {{Date|120}}
| Lord [[Lyonel Strong]]
|-
| {{Date|120}} - {{Date|129}}
| Ser [[Otto Hightower]]
|-
| rowspan="4"| '''[[Maester|Grandmaester]]'''
| {{Date|103}} - {{Date|112}}
| [[Runciter]]
|-
| {{Date|112}} - {{Date|127}} or {{Date|128}}
| [[Mellos]]
|-
| {{Date|127}} or {{Date|128}} - {{Date|129}}
| [[Gerardys]]
|-
| {{Date|129}} - {{Date|129}}
| [[Orwyle]]
|-
| rowspan="2"| '''[[Master of Coin]]'''
| {{Date|103}} - {{Date|104}}
| Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]]
|-
| Unknown - {{Date|129}}
| Lord [[Lyman Beesbury]]
|-
| rowspan="3"| '''[[Master of Laws]]'''
| {{Date|104}} - {{Date|104}}
| Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]]
|-
| {{Date|105}} - {{Date|109}}
| Lord [[Lyonel Strong]]
|-
| Unknown - {{Date|129}}
| Lord [[Jasper Wylde]]
|-
| '''[[Master of Ships]]'''
| Unknown - {{Date|129}}
| Ser [[Tyland Lannister]]
|-
| '''[[Master of Whisperers]]'''
| Unknown - {{Date|129}}
| Lord [[Larys Strong]]
|-
| rowspan="3"| '''[[Lord Commander of the Kingsguard]]'''
| {{Date|103}} - {{Date|105}}
| Ser [[Ryam Redwyne]]
|-
| {{Date|105}} - {{Date|112}}
| Ser [[Harrold Westerling]]
|-
| {{Date|112}} - {{Date|129}}
| Ser [[Criston Cole]]
|}

==Family==
{{Targaryen tree Dance}}

==References and Notes==
{{references|2}}

{{Template:Kings of Westeros}}

[[Category:House Targaryen]]
[[Category:Characters from the Crownlands|Targaryen, Viserys I]]
[[Category:Monarchs|Targaryen, Viserys I]]
[[Category:Nobles|Targaryen, Viserys I]]

[[es:Viserys I Targaryen]]
[[fa:ویسریس تارگرین اول]]
[[fr:Viserys I Targaryen]]
[[ru:Визерис_I_Таргариен]]
[[zh:韦赛里斯·坦格利安一世]]

Balerion

2014-12-19T16:04:03Z

Complexphoenix:

{{See homonyms | Balerion (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox character
| Character_name= Balerion
| image = [[File:Balerion the black.jpg|400px]]
| image_caption = Balerion lets loose his flame. © Fantasy Flight Games
| Alias = the Black Dread
| Title =
| Allegiance = [[Aegon the Conqueror]] [[Maegor I Targaryen]] [[Viserys I Targaryen]]
| Race = [[Dragon]]
| Culture =
| Spouse =
| Place_of_Birth= [[Valyria]]
| Date_of_Birth = or before [[Years before Aegon's Conquest|114BC]]
| Place_of_Death=
| Date_of_Death = {{Date|94}}
| Books = ''[[The World of Ice and Fire]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[The Rogue Prince]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[The Princess and the Queen]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[A Clash of Kings]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[A Feast for Crows]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'' (Mentioned)
}}
[[File:Lindsey Burcar Balerion headshot.png|thumb|400px|Teeth long as swords, jaws big enough to swallow a [[mammoth]] whole. © Lindsey Burcar]]
[[File:Balerion.jpg|thumb|400px|Balerion in the [[War of Conquest]]]]
'''Balerion''', called the '''Black Dread''', was one of the three great [[dragons]] of [[Aegon the Conqueror]] and his sisters, that were used to conquer much of [[Westeros]] during the [[War of Conquest]]. Balerion died of old age<ref>[http://grrm.livejournal.com/360936.html?thread=18791400#t18791400]</ref> in {{Date|94}}{{ref|trp}} during the reign of King [[Jaehaerys I]], around two hundred years old.{{Ref|aSoS|8}}

== Appearance ==
:''See also: [[:Category:Images of Balerion|Images of Balerion]]''

Balerion was the largest of all the Targaryen dragons, his teeth were as long as swords and his jaws big enough to swallow a mammoth whole.{{Ref|aGoT|13}} His fire was as black as his scales, his wingspan so vast that entire towns would fall under his shadow when he passed overhead.{{Ref|aCoK|12}}

==History==
Balerion was named after the ancient god of the [[Valyria|Valyrian Freehold]].{{Ref|aCoK|12}} He was born in Valyria. Balerion was one of the five dragons [[Aenar Targaryen]] brought with him when he fled to [[Dragonstone]] to survive the [[Doom of Valyria]].<ref>[http://thewertzone.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-full-story-of-targaryen-conquest-in.html?spref=tw&m=1]</ref>

He gained recognition as the 'Black Dread' during the [[War of Conquest]], when Aegon rode him to victory and conquered [[Westeros]]. He became notorious when Aegon used him against King [[Harren Hoare]]. Balerion's flames burned so hot that the towers of [[Harrenhal]] went up like candles, melting and twisting into the shapes they retain to this day.{{ref|twoiaf| The Conquest}} King Harren and his sons all perished. Balerion was also deployed in the battle that became known as the [[Field of Fire]], the only time in history that all three of the fabled Targaryen dragons took to the sky at the same time. Between [[Vhagar]], [[Meraxes]] and Balerion, four thousand men were burned to death. King [[Mern Gardener|Mern]] died, and with him [[House Gardener]]. The army was broken and Aegon I was victorious.{{Ref|aGoT|13}}

According to song, at the end of the war Balerion helped to forge the [[Iron Throne]] by melting the swords of Aegon's enemies.{{Ref|aGoT|43}} [[Aegon the Conqueror]] only rode Balerion to battle or for travel.

After Aegon's death, Balerion was claimed by his son [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor]], who had long coveted his father's mount and had not claimed another dragon because he considered all others unworthy. When he was exiled, Maegor brought Balerion with him to [[Pentos]]. After his brother [[Aenys I Targaryen|Aenys]] died, Maegor flew back to [[Westeros]] on Balerion's back to claim the Iron Throne. In his reign as king, Maegor used Balerion to destroy the [[Sept of Remembrance]] and in many other battles against the [[Faith Militant]].{{ref|twoiaf| Maegor I}}

Balerion was later ridden by [[Viserys I Targaryen]], then still a prince. He was Balerion's rider at the time of his death in {{date|94}}. Viserys never claimed another dragon.

Along with other Targaryen [[Dragon skulls (Targaryen)|dragon skulls]] Balerion's huge skull used to hang on a wall in the [[Red Keep]]'s throne room. After the [[War of the Usurper]] King Robert had Balerion's skull removed and stored in a dank cellar along with the others.

There is a rather nice picture of Balerion the Black Dread done in coloured inks in the book ''[[Dragonkin, Being a History of House Targaryen from Exile to Apotheosis, with a Consideration of the Life and Death of Dragons]]'' written by Maester [[Thomax]].{{Ref|aFfC|5}}

==Known dragonriders of Balerion==
* [[Aegon the Conqueror]]
* [[Maegor I Targaryen]]
* [[Viserys I Targaryen]]{{Ref|TRP}}

==Quotes==
{{Quote|His fire was as black as his scales, his wings so vast that whole towns were swallowed up in their shadow when he passed overhead. {{Ref|ACOK|12}}}} - [[Daenerys]]

{{Quote|Balerion the Black Dread was two hundred years old when he died during the reign of Jaehaerys the Conciliator. He was so large he could swallow an [[aurochs]] whole. A dragon never stops growing, Your Grace, so long as he has food and freedom. {{Ref|ASOS|8}}}} - [[Barristan Selmy|Arstan Whitebeard]]

==References and Notes==
{{references|2}}

{{Dragons}}

[[Category:Dragons]]

[[fa:بالریون]]
[[fr:Balerion]]
[[zh:贝勒里恩]]
[[ru:Балерион]]

Doom of Valyria

2014-12-19T03:53:05Z

Complexphoenix: /* Description */

[[File:Doom of Valyria.jpg|thumb|350px|Cataclysm of an unspecified nature]]

The '''Doom of Valyria''' is the name for the cataclysm of an unspecified nature that caused the collapse of the [[Valyrian Freehold]] which had, prior to the Doom, been prospering for 5,000 years. It occurred approximately a century before the [[War of Conquest|Targaryen Conquest]] of [[Westeros]], in [[Years before Aegon's Conquest#Year 102 Before the Conquest|102BC]]. A [[Bleeding Years|century of blood and chaos]] followed the Doom of Valyria. Valyrian spells, knowledge and recorded history were lost in the Doom.

==Foreshadowing of the Doom==
Twelve years before the Doom, Lord [[Aenar Targaryen]]'s maiden daughter, [[Daenys the Dreamer]], had a powerful prophetic dream along with visions that Valyria would be destroyed. <ref> [http://thewertzone.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-full-story-of-targaryen-conquest-in.html?spref=tw&m=1| The full story of the Targaryen Conquest in A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE]</ref> Foreseeing the Doom she convinced her father to leave [[Valyria]] before the cataclysm. Heeding the warning Aenar set sail, moving his entire family and their five dragons to the island [[Dragonstone]]. <ref>Chicon 7 Reading (September 02, 2012) [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Category/C92/ So Spake Martin]</ref> Closely allied families, including the [[House Velaryon|Velaryons]] and [[House Celtigar|Celtigars]], went with them, settling on other islands in the [[narrow sea]].

==Description==
The cataclysm hit the Valyrian capital city [[Valyria]], fragmenting the land surrounding the city into numerous smaller islands, creating the [[Smoking Sea]] between them. The Freehold was annihilated in a single night of fire and storm, with great earthquakes and volcanic eruptions laying waste to the empire. The area is now described as "demon-haunted." Most people are afraid to go there, saying,
{{Quote|The Doom still rules in Valyria. {{Ref|AFFC|29}}}}

It is said that no one ever returns from a journey to the ruins of [[Valyria]]. Even the most hardened sailors shudder at the thought of sailing to post-Doom Valyria. The very sea there is said to smoke and boil, and the land is said to be overrun with demons. It is said that any sailor who so much as glimpses the [[Fourteen Flames|fiery mountains]] of Valyria rising above the waves will soon die a dreadful death. {{Ref|AFFC|29}}

Many of [[Valyria]]'s secrets, such as the method for creating [[Valyrian steel]], were lost in the Doom.

This disaster was dramatic enough that it is represented in art across the world. The entry hall of [[Khal Drogo]]’s nine-towered mansion in [[Pentos]] has a mosaic of colored glass depicting the Doom of Valyria. His prospective bride [[Daenerys Targaryen]] notices it when she enters. Songs are sung of the Doom; a haunting ballad of two lovers dying amidst the Doom of Valyria is sung in [[High Valyrian]] at King [[Joffrey Baratheon]]’s wedding.

==The Day of Doom==
[[File:HBO the doom of V.png|thumb|350px|The Doom]]
While [[Tyrion Lannister]] is aboard the [[Selaesori Qhoran]], the ship’s captain is commanded to sail the shortest course to [[Slaver's Bay]] by [[Moqorro]], which brings her close to the accursed coast of Valyria.

Tyrion recalls that it was written that on the day of Doom every hill for 500 miles had split asunder to fill the air with ash and smoke and fire, blazes so hot and hungry that even [[dragons]] in the sky were engulfed and consumed. Great rents had opened in the earth, swallowing palaces, temples, entire towns. Lakes boiled or turned to acid, mountains burst, fiery fountains spewed molten rock a thousand feet into the air, red clouds rained down [[dragonglass]] and the black blood of demons, and to the north the ground splintered and collapsed and fell in on itself and an angry sea came rushing in. {{Ref|aDwD|33}}
{{Quote| The [[Valyria|proudest city]] in all the world was gone in an instant, its fabled empire vanished in a day, the [[Lands of the Long Summer]] scorched and drowned and blighted. {{Ref|aDwD|33}}}}
Tyrion thinks to himself,
{{Quote| An empire built on blood and fire. The Valyrians reaped the seed they had sown. {{Ref|aDwD|33}}}}

While aboard the [[Iron Victory]], near the [[Isle of Cedars]], [[Victarion Greyjoy]] recalls what he knows of the day the Doom came to Valyria. It is said a wall of water 300 feet high had descended on [[Velos]] drowning hundreds of thousands of man, women, and children, leaving none to tell the tale but some fisherfolk who had been at sea and a handful of [[Velos]]i spearmen posted in a stout stone tower on the island’s highest hill, who had seen the hills and valleys beneath them turn into a raging sea. {{Ref|aDwD|56}}

Fair [[Velos]] with its places of cedar and pink marble had vanished in a heartbeat. On the north end of the island, the ancient brick walls and steeped pyramids of the [[slave]]r port of [[Ghozai]] had suffered the same fate. {{Ref|aDwD|56}}

The Doom's devastation of the Valyrian people was total with the exception of [[Dragonstone]] in the [[narrow sea]], where the last of old Valyria, the [[Targaryen]]s, dwelled.

==References in the Books==
===''A Game of Thrones''===
As she walks into the entry hall of [[Khal Drogo]]’s nine-towered mansion in [[Pentos]], [[Daenerys Targaryen]] notices a mosaic of colored glass depicting the Doom of Valyria. {{Ref|AGOT|3}}

===''A Storm of Swords''===
A haunting ballad of two lovers dying amidst the Doom of Valyria is sung in [[High Valyrian]] at King [[Joffrey Baratheon]]’s wedding by [[Collio Quaynis]], although according to [[Tyrion]] it is more properly a song for two singers, male and female.

===''A Feast for Crows''===
[[Euron Greyjoy]] claims to have reaved all over the world during his exile, including a trip to the feared ruins of [[Valyria]]. During the kingsmoot he claims to have found the [[dragonbinder|dragon horn]] amongst the smoking ruins that were [[Valyria]], where no man has dared to walk but him. {{Ref|AFFC|19}}

===''A Dance with Dragons''===
While in [[Meereen]] the merchant prince [[Xaro Xhoan Daxos]] gifts [[Daenerys Targaryen]] a [[tapestry]] that has been in his family vaults since before the Doom that took Valyria.{{ref|aDwD|16}}

The tapestry is old, dusty, faded... and huge. It is beautiful and covers half the floor. The seas are a blue silk sea; the lands are green, the mountains black and brown. Cites are shown as stars in gold or silver thread. There is no [[Smoking Sea]]; [[Valyria]] is not yet an island. [[Astapor]], [[Yunkai]] and [[Meereen]] are three silver stars beside the blue of Slaver’s Bay. [[Westeros]] is distant, toward the far end of the map.

One night the [[Selaesori Qhoran]] is sailing closer to [[Valyria]] than the crew would like. Tyrion goes above decks for a breath of night air. Above only the brightest stars are visible, all to the west. A dull red glow lights the sky to the northeast, the color of a blood bruise. Tyrion has never seen a bigger [[moon]]. Monstrous and swollen, it looks as if it has swallowed the sun and woken with a fever. According to [[Moqorro]] the sky is always red above [[Valyria]]. Tyrion speculates that it is perhaps the fires of the [[Fourteen_Fires|Fourteen Flames]] reflected in the clouds. {{Ref|aDwD|33}}

[[Ralf (Limper)|Ralf]]’s [[Iron Fleet]] squadron of ships are hit by three big storms, and foul winds between. Red winds out of Valyria that smelled of ash and brimstone, and black winds drove them toward that blighted shore.

==Behind the Scenes==
It is possible that [[George R. R. Martin]]'s inspiration for the Doom was an interpretation of the fall of [[:w:Atlantis|Atlantis]].

==See Also==
* [[Timeline of major events]]

==References and Notes==
{{References|2}}

[[Category:Events]]
[[Category:Valyria]]

[[fr:Fléau de Valyria]]
[[es:Maldición de Valyria]]
[[zh:瓦雷利亚的末日浩劫]]
[[ru:Рок Валирии]]

Balerion

2014-12-19T03:45:11Z

Complexphoenix:

{{See homonyms | Balerion (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox character
| Character_name= Balerion
| image = [[File:Balerion the black.jpg|400px]]
| image_caption = Balerion lets loose his flame. © Fantasy Flight Games
| Alias = the Black Dread
| Title =
| Allegiance = [[Aegon the Conqueror]] [[Maegor I Targaryen]] [[Viserys I Targaryen]]
| Race = [[Dragon]]
| Culture =
| Spouse =
| Place_of_Birth=[[Valyria]]
| Date_of_Birth = or before [[Years before Aegon's Conquest|114BC]]
| Place_of_Death=
| Date_of_Death ={{Date|94}}
| Books = ''[[The Rogue Prince]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[The Princess and the Queen]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[A Clash of Kings]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[A Feast for Crows]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'' (Mentioned)
}}
[[File:Lindsey Burcar Balerion headshot.png|thumb|400px|Teeth long as swords, jaws big enough to swallow a [[mammoth]] whole. © Lindsey Burcar]]
[[File:Balerion.jpg|thumb|400px|Balerion in the [[War of Conquest]]]]
'''Balerion''', called the '''Black Dread''', was one of the three great [[dragons]] of [[Aegon the Conqueror]] and his sisters, that were used to conquer much of [[Westeros]] during the [[War of Conquest]]. Balerion died of old age<ref>[http://grrm.livejournal.com/360936.html?thread=18791400#t18791400]</ref> in {{Date|94}}{{ref|trp}} during the reign of King [[Jaehaerys I]], around two hundred years old.{{Ref|aSoS|8}}

== Appearance ==
:''See also: [[:Category:Images of Balerion|Images of Balerion]]''

Balerion was the largest of all the Targaryen dragons, his teeth were as long as swords and his jaws big enough to swallow a mammoth whole.{{Ref|aGoT|13}} His fire was as black as his scales, his wingspan so vast that entire towns would fall under his shadow when he passed overhead.{{Ref|aCoK|12}}

==History==
Balerion was named after the ancient god of the [[Valyria|Valyrian Freehold]].{{Ref|aCoK|12}} He was born in Valyria. Balerion was one of the five dragons [[Aenar Targaryen]] brought with him when he fled to [[Dragonstone]] to survive the [[Doom of Valyria]].<ref>[http://thewertzone.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-full-story-of-targaryen-conquest-in.html?spref=tw&m=1]</ref>

He gained recognition as the 'Black Dread' during the [[War of Conquest]], when Aegon rode him to victory and conquered [[Westeros]]. He became notorious in the battle that became known as the [[Field of Fire]], the only time in history that all three of the fabled Targaryen dragons took to the sky at the same time. Between [[Vhagar]], [[Meraxes]] and Balerion, four thousand men were burned to death. King [[Mern Gardener|Mern]] died, and with him [[House Gardener]]. The army was broken and Aegon I was victorious.{{Ref|aGoT|13}}

According to song, at the end of the war Balerion helped to forge the [[Iron Throne]] by melting the swords of Aegon's enemies.{{Ref|aGoT|43}} [[Aegon the Conqueror]] only rode Balerion to battle or for travel.

After Aegon's death, Balerion was claimed by his son [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor]], who had long coveted his father's mount and had not claimed another dragon because he considered all others unworthy. When he was exiled, Maegor brought Balerion with him to [[Pentos]]. After his brother [[Aenys I Targaryen|Aenys]] died, Maegor flew back to [[Westeros]] on Balerion's back to claim the Iron Throne. In his reign as king, Maegor used Balerion to destroy the [[Sept of Remembrance]] and in many other battles against the [[Faith Militant]].{{ref|twoiaf| Maegor I}}

Balerion was later ridden by [[Viserys I Targaryen]], then still a prince. He was Balerion's rider at the time of his death in {{date|94}}. Viserys never claimed another dragon.

Along with other Targaryen [[Dragon skulls (Targaryen)|dragon skulls]] Balerion's huge skull used to hang on a wall in the [[Red Keep]]'s throne room. After the [[War of the Usurper]] King Robert had Balerion's skull removed and stored in a dank cellar along with the others.

There is a rather nice picture of Balerion the Black Dread done in coloured inks in the book ''[[Dragonkin, Being a History of House Targaryen from Exile to Apotheosis, with a Consideration of the Life and Death of Dragons]]'' written by Maester [[Thomax]].{{Ref|aFfC|5}}

==Known dragonriders of Balerion==
* [[Aegon the Conqueror]]
* [[Maegor I Targaryen]]
* [[Viserys I Targaryen]]{{Ref|TRP}}

==Quotes==
{{Quote|His fire was as black as his scales, his wings so vast that whole towns were swallowed up in their shadow when he passed overhead. {{Ref|ACOK|12}}}} - [[Daenerys]]

{{Quote|Balerion the Black Dread was two hundred years old when he died during the reign of Jaehaerys the Conciliator. He was so large he could swallow an [[aurochs]] whole. A dragon never stops growing, Your Grace, so long as he has food and freedom. {{Ref|ASOS|8}}}} - [[Barristan Selmy|Arstan Whitebeard]]

==References and Notes==
{{references|2}}

{{Dragons}}

[[Category:Dragons]]

[[fa:بالریون]]
[[fr:Balerion]]
[[zh:贝勒里恩]]
[[ru:Балерион]]

Balerion

2014-12-19T01:31:59Z

Complexphoenix:

{{See homonyms | Balerion (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox character
| Character_name= Balerion
| image = [[File:Balerion the black.jpg|400px]]
| image_caption = Balerion lets loose his flame. © Fantasy Flight Games
| Alias = the Black Dread
| Title =
| Allegiance = [[Aegon the Conqueror]] [[Maegor I Targaryen]] [[Viserys I Targaryen]]
| Race = [[Dragon]]
| Culture =
| Spouse =
| Place_of_Birth=[[Valyria]]
| Date_of_Birth = or before [[Years before Aegon's Conquest|114BC]]
| Place_of_Death=
| Date_of_Death ={{Date|94}}
| Books = ''[[The Rogue Prince]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[The Princess and the Queen]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[A Clash of Kings]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[A Feast for Crows]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'' (Mentioned)
}}
[[File:Lindsey Burcar Balerion headshot.png|thumb|400px|Teeth long as swords, jaws big enough to swallow a [[mammoth]] whole. © Lindsey Burcar]]
[[File:Balerion.jpg|thumb|400px|Balerion in the [[War of Conquest]]]]
'''Balerion''', called the '''Black Dread''', was one of the three great [[dragons]] of [[Aegon the Conqueror]] and his sisters, that were used to conquer much of [[Westeros]] during the [[War of Conquest]]. Balerion died of old age<ref>[http://grrm.livejournal.com/360936.html?thread=18791400#t18791400]</ref> in {{Date|94}}{{ref|trp}} during the reign of King [[Jaehaerys I]], around two hundred years old.{{Ref|aSoS|8}}

== Appearance ==
:''See also: [[:Category:Images of Balerion|Images of Balerion]]''

Balerion was the largest of all the Targaryen dragons, his teeth were as long as swords and his jaws big enough to swallow a mammoth whole.{{Ref|aGoT|13}} His fire was as black as his scales, his wingspan so vast that entire towns would fall under his shadow when he passed overhead.{{Ref|aCoK|12}}

==History==
Balerion was named after the ancient god of the [[Valyria|Valyrian Freehold]].{{Ref|aCoK|12}} He was born in Valyria. Balerion was one of the five dragons [[Aenar Targaryen]] brought with him when he fled to [[Dragonstone]] to survive until the [[War of Conquest]].<ref>[http://thewertzone.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-full-story-of-targaryen-conquest-in.html?spref=tw&m=1]</ref>

He gained recognition as the 'Black Dread' during the [[War of Conquest]], when Aegon rode him to victory and conquered [[Westeros]]. He became notorious in the battle that became known as the [[Field of Fire]], the only time in history that all three of the fabled Targaryen dragons took to the sky at the same time. Between [[Vhagar]], [[Meraxes]] and Balerion, four thousand men were burned to death. King [[Mern Gardener|Mern]] died, and with him [[House Gardener]]. The army was broken and Aegon I was victorious.{{Ref|aGoT|13}}

According to song, at the end of the war Balerion helped to forge the [[Iron Throne]] by melting the swords of Aegon's enemies.{{Ref|aGoT|43}} [[Aegon the Conqueror]] only rode Balerion to battle or for travel.

After Aegon's death, Balerion was claimed by his son [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor]], who had long coveted his father's mount and had not claimed another dragon because he considered all others unworthy. When he was exiled, Maegor brought Balerion with him to [[Pentos]]. After his brother [[Aenys I Targaryen|Aenys]] died, Maegor flew back to [[Westeros]] on Balerion's back to claim the Iron Throne. In his reign as king, Maegor used Balerion to destroy the [[Sept of Remembrance]] and in many other battles against the [[Faith Militant]].{{ref|twoiaf| Maegor I}}

Balerion was later ridden by [[Viserys I Targaryen]], then still a prince. He was Balerion's rider at the time of his death in {{date|94}}. Viserys never claimed another dragon.

Along with other Targaryen [[Dragon skulls (Targaryen)|dragon skulls]] Balerion's huge skull used to hang on a wall in the [[Red Keep]]'s throne room. After the [[War of the Usurper]] King Robert had Balerion's skull removed and stored in a dank cellar along with the others.

There is a rather nice picture of Balerion the Black Dread done in coloured inks in the book ''[[Dragonkin, Being a History of House Targaryen from Exile to Apotheosis, with a Consideration of the Life and Death of Dragons]]'' written by Maester [[Thomax]].{{Ref|aFfC|5}}

==Known dragonriders of Balerion==
* [[Aegon the Conqueror]]
* [[Maegor I Targaryen]]
* [[Viserys I Targaryen]]{{Ref|TRP}}

==Quotes==
{{Quote|His fire was as black as his scales, his wings so vast that whole towns were swallowed up in their shadow when he passed overhead. {{Ref|ACOK|12}}}} - [[Daenerys]]

{{Quote|Balerion the Black Dread was two hundred years old when he died during the reign of Jaehaerys the Conciliator. He was so large he could swallow an [[aurochs]] whole. A dragon never stops growing, Your Grace, so long as he has food and freedom. {{Ref|ASOS|8}}}} - [[Barristan Selmy|Arstan Whitebeard]]

==References and Notes==
{{references|2}}

{{Dragons}}

[[Category:Dragons]]

[[fa:بالریون]]
[[fr:Balerion]]
[[zh:贝勒里恩]]
[[ru:Балерион]]

Balerion

2014-12-19T01:28:00Z

Complexphoenix: added more history from twoiaf

{{See homonyms | Balerion (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox character
| Character_name= Balerion
| image = [[File:Balerion the black.jpg|400px]]
| image_caption = Balerion lets loose his flame. © Fantasy Flight Games
| Alias = the Black Dread
| Title =
| Allegiance = [[Aegon the Conqueror]] [[Maegor I Targaryen]] [[Viserys I Targaryen]]
| Race = [[Dragon]]
| Culture =
| Spouse =
| Place_of_Birth=[[Valyria]]
| Date_of_Birth = or before [[Years before Aegon's Conquest|114BC]]
| Place_of_Death=
| Date_of_Death ={{Date|94}}
| Books = ''[[The Rogue Prince]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[The Princess and the Queen]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[A Clash of Kings]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[A Feast for Crows]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'' (Mentioned)
}}
[[File:Lindsey Burcar Balerion headshot.png|thumb|400px|Teeth long as swords, jaws big enough to swallow a [[mammoth]] whole. © Lindsey Burcar]]
[[File:Balerion.jpg|thumb|400px|Balerion in the [[War of Conquest]]]]
'''Balerion''', called the '''Black Dread''', was one of the three great [[dragons]] of [[Aegon the Conqueror]] and his sisters, that were used to conquer much of [[Westeros]] during the [[War of Conquest]]. Balerion died of old age<ref>[http://grrm.livejournal.com/360936.html?thread=18791400#t18791400]</ref> in {{Date|94}}{{ref|trp}} during the reign of King [[Jaehaerys I]], around two hundred years old.{{Ref|aSoS|8}}

== Appearance ==
:''See also: [[:Category:Images of Balerion|Images of Balerion]]''

Balerion was the largest of all the Targaryen dragons, his teeth were as long as swords and his jaws big enough to swallow a mammoth whole.{{Ref|aGoT|13}} His fire was as black as his scales, his wingspan so vast that entire towns would fall under his shadow when he passed overhead.{{Ref|aCoK|12}}

==History==
Balerion was named after the ancient god of the [[Valyria|Valyrian Freehold]].{{Ref|aCoK|12}} He was born in Valyria. Balerion was one of the five dragons [[Aenar Targaryen]] brought with him when he fled to [[Dragonstone]] to survive until the [[War of Conquest]].<ref>[http://thewertzone.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-full-story-of-targaryen-conquest-in.html?spref=tw&m=1]</ref>

He gained recognition as the 'Black Dread' during the [[War of Conquest]], when Aegon rode him to victory and conquered [[Westeros]]. He became notorious in the battle that became known as the [[Field of Fire]], the only time in history that all three of the fabled Targaryen dragons took to the sky at the same time. Between [[Vhaghar]], [[Meraxes]] and Balerion, four thousand men were burned to death. King [[Mern Gardener|Mern]] died, and with him [[House Gardener]]. The army was broken and Aegon I was victorious.{{Ref|aGoT|13}}

According to song, at the end of the war Balerion helped to forge the [[Iron Throne]] by melting the swords of Aegon's enemies.{{Ref|aGoT|43}} [[Aegon the Conqueror]] only rode Balerion to battle or for travel.

After Aegon's death, Balerion was claimed by his son Maegor, who had long coveted his father's mount and had not claimed another dragon because he considered all others unworthy. When he was exiled, maegor brought Balerion with him to Pentos. After his brother Aenys died, Maegor flew back to Westeros on Balerion's back to claim the Iron Throne. In his reign as king, Maegor used Balerion to destroy the [[Sept of Remembrance]] and in many other battles against the [[Faith Militant]].{{ref|twoiaf| Maegor I}}

Balerion was later ridden by [[Viserys I Targaryen]], then still a prince. He was Balerion's rider at the time of his death in {{date|94}}. Viserys never claimed another dragon.

Along with other Targaryen [[Dragon skulls (Targaryen)|dragon skulls]] Balerion's huge skull used to hang on a wall in the [[Red Keep]]'s throne room. After the [[War of the Usurper]] King Robert had Balerion's skull removed and stored in a dank cellar along with the others.

There is a rather nice picture of Balerion the Black Dread done in coloured inks in the book ''[[Dragonkin, Being a History of House Targaryen from Exile to Apotheosis, with a Consideration of the Life and Death of Dragons]]'' written by Maester [[Thomax]].{{Ref|aFfC|5}}

==Known dragonriders of Balerion==
* [[Aegon the Conqueror]]
* [[Maegor I Targaryen]]
* [[Viserys I Targaryen]]{{Ref|TRP}}

==Quotes==
{{Quote|His fire was as black as his scales, his wings so vast that whole towns were swallowed up in their shadow when he passed overhead. {{Ref|ACOK|12}}}} - [[Daenerys]]

{{Quote|Balerion the Black Dread was two hundred years old when he died during the reign of Jaehaerys the Conciliator. He was so large he could swallow an [[aurochs]] whole. A dragon never stops growing, Your Grace, so long as he has food and freedom. {{Ref|ASOS|8}}}} - [[Barristan Selmy|Arstan Whitebeard]]

==References and Notes==
{{references|2}}

{{Dragons}}

[[Category:Dragons]]

[[fa:بالریون]]
[[fr:Balerion]]
[[zh:贝勒里恩]]
[[ru:Балерион]]

Rhaenys Targaryen

2014-12-18T22:17:52Z

Complexphoenix: /* Later Life */

{{Character
| Character_name= [[File:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|left]]'''Rhaenys Targaryen'''[[File:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|right]]
| image = [[Image:Rhaenys.jpg|300px]]
| image_caption = Rhaenys by [http://en.amokanet.ru/gallery/martin/ Amok©]
| Alias =
| Title = Queen
| Allegiance = [[House Targaryen]]
| Race =
| Culture = [[Valyrian]]
| Spouse = [[Aegon I Targaryen]]
| father = [[Aerion Targaryen (son of Daemion)|Aerion Targaryen]]
| mother = [[Valaena Velaryon]]
| Place_of_Birth= [[Dragonstone]]
| Date_of_Birth = [[Years before Aegon's Conquest#Year 25 After the Conquest|25BC]] or [[Years before Aegon's Conquest#Year 26 After the Conquest|26BC]]<ref>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Ages (Continued3)#Rhaenys Targaryen (sister of Aegon I)|Rhaenys Targaryen (sister of Aegon I)]] calculation.''</ref>
| Place_of_Death= [[Hellholt]]
| Date_of_Death = {{Date|10}}
| Books = ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'' (Mentioned)
}}
{{Template:See homonyms|Rhaenys Targaryen (disambiguation)}}

Queen '''Rhaenys Targaryen''' was the younger of [[Aegon I Targaryen]]'s sister-queens. Rhaenys was Aegon's favourite sister-wife, though she may have dabbled with other bed-mates.

==Appearance and Character==
:''See also: [[:Category:Images of Rhaenys Targaryen|Images of Rhaenys Targaryen]]''
Rhaenys was a year or two younger than Aegon. She had the silver-gold Targaryen hair which she kept long and wore loose. Physically she was more slender and graceful than her sister. She was known as less stern and more playful and curious than her older sister, [[Visenya Targaryen|Visenya]].<ref>[http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/More_Targaryen_Descriptions/ Archived compilation of emails on Westeros] of George R.R. Martin with description of Visenya, Aegon I and Rhaenys</ref> She was also interested in music and poetry.<ref>[http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/topic/72313-reading-from-the-world-of-ice-and-fire/page__st__40]</ref>
She loved to ride her dragon [[Meraxes]] and spent twice as much time riding than her siblings. She surrounded herself with comely young men and there were whispers that she entertained men while Aegon was with Visenya - yet Aegon spent ten nights with Rhaenys for every one with Visenya. <ref>Chicon 7 Reading (September 02, 2012) [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Category/C92/ So Spake Martin]</ref>

==History==
===The Conquest===
: {{See also|War of Conquest}}
[[File:Aegon And His Sisters by Amok..png|350px|thumb|left|Rhaenys with her siblings Aegon (middle) and Visenya (left), by Amok]]
Rhaenys participated in the [[War of Conquest]] by riding her dragon, [[Meraxes]], in battle. [[Rosby]] peacefully yielded to her.

Rhaenys and Meraxes accompanied the army of [[Orys Baratheon]] when they marched on the [[Stormlands]] and defeated [[Argilac|Argilac the Arrogant]] in the [[Last Storm|Battle of the Last Storm]].

She along with [[Visenya Targaryen|Visenya]] and [[Aegon I|Aegon]] secured the victory on the [[Field of Fire]] when all three [[dragons]] were unleashed together for the first and only time in the war.

[[File:Rhaenys targaryen by feliche.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Rhaenys Targaryen by [http://feliche.deviantart.com/ Feliche]©]]
After the [[Field of Fire]], [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon]] went north to deal with the [[House Stark|Starks]]. Rhaenys led the invasion of [[Dorne]].

Rhaenys led her army into [[Dorne]]. However, the Dornish refused to give battle, instead melting away into the mountains and deserts, returning only to launch guerrilla raids on the army. Rhaenys captured holdfasts to no avail, as their people (learning of what happened to [[Harrenhal]]) had already fled, leaving only the elderly and infirm. Frustrated, Rhaenys flew directly to Sunspear to demand [[Mariya Martell|Princess Mariya's]] surrender. Mariya instead informed her that, "This is Dorne. You are not wanted here, return at your peril." Rhaenys replied that she would return with ''"Fire and blood"'', but Mariya simply replied, ''"Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken"''. The Targaryen army withdrew from Dorne, leaving the country untaken.

===Later Life===
Rhaenys was the mother of [[Aenys I Targaryen]]. It was her line that comprised the bulk of the [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]] dynasty. [[Daenerys Targaryen]] is the last of her descendants who still bears the Targaryen name, although her progeny can still be found amongst [[House Baratheon|Baratheons]] and [[House Martell|Martells]]. Her son, [[Aenys I Targaryen|Aenys]], became the second King to sit on the Iron Throne. Aenys, who was married to [[Alyssa Velaryon]] for political reasons, was born in {{Date|7}}{{Ref|awoiaf}}<ref name=twoiaf>[[The World of Ice and Fire]]</ref>

In {{Date|4}}, [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon I]] decided to start another campaign on Dorne. Rhaenys participated in this war, which eventually led to her death. Meraxes, her dragon, was killed as well, hit by a scorpion at Hellholt in {{Date|10}}.{{ref|twoiaf| Dorne Against the Dragons}}

==Family==
{{Template:Targaryen tree Aegon}}

==References and Notes==
{{References|2}}
{{EnWP|House Targaryen|small=yes}}

{{Template:Royal consorts of Westeros}}

[[Category:House Targaryen]]
[[Category:Characters from the Crownlands|Targaryen, Rhaenys]]
[[Category:Dragonriders|Targaryen, Rhaenys]]
[[Category:Noblewomen|Targaryen, Rhaenys]]
[[Category:Warrior Women|Targaryen, Rhaenys]]

[[es:Rhaenys Targaryen]]
[[fa:راینیس تارگرین]]
[[fr:Rhaenys Targaryen]]
[[ru:Рэйнис Таргариен]]
[[zh:雷妮丝·坦格利安]]

Template:Royal consorts of Westeros

2014-12-18T22:09:36Z

Complexphoenix: Added Rhaenys' date of death

{{Navbox generic
| name = Royal consorts of Westeros
| state = {{{state|}}}
| title = Consorts to the Kings of the [[Seven Kingdoms]] of [[Westeros]]
| style = text-align:left;
| group-style = width:100px; background-color:#ddd; white-space:nowrap; text-align: right;

| group1 = [[House Targaryen|Targaryens]]
| list1 =
{{Navbox subgroup
|group-style = background-color:#ddd; white-space:nowrap; text-align: right;
|evenodd = swap

Yy|group1 = Consorts of the [[Iron Throne]]
|list1 = [[Visenya Targaryen ]] (1-37)1 · [[Rhaenys Targaryen]] (1-10) · [[Alyssa Velaryon]] (37-42)1 · [[Ceryse Hightower]] (42-45) · [[Alys Harroway]] (42-44) · [[Tyanna|Tyanna of Pentos]] (42-48) · [[Elinor Costayne]] (47-48)1 · [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena Targaryen]] (47-48)1 · [[Jeyne Westerling (wife of Maegor I)|Jeyne Westerling]] (47-48) · [[Alysanne Targaryen]] (48-100) · [[Aemma Arryn]] (103-106) · [[Alicent Hightower]] (106-129)1 · [[Helaena Targaryen]] (129-130) · [[Jaehaera Targaryen]] (131-133) · [[Daenaera Velaryon]] (?-157) · [[Daena Targaryen]] (161-171) · [[Naerys Targaryen]] (172-c.180) · [[Mariah Martell]] (184-209) · [[Aelinor Penrose]] (209-221) · [[Betha Blackwood]] (233-259) · [[Shaera Targaryen]] (259-262) · [[Rhaella Targaryen]] (262-284)1
|group2 = Consorts to claimants
|list2 = [[Daemon Targaryen]] (129-130) · [[Drogo]] (298) · [[Hizdahr zo Loraq]] (300-present)
}}

| group2 = [[House Baratheon|Baratheons]]
| list2 =
{{Navbox subgroup
|group-style = background-color:#ddd; white-space:nowrap; text-align: right;
|evenodd = swap
|group1 = Consorts of the [[Iron Throne]]
|list1 = [[Cersei Lannister]] (283-298)1 · [[Margaery Tyrell]] (300-present)
|group2= Consorts to rival kings
|list2= [[Selyse Florent]] (298-present) · [[Margaery Tyrell]] (298-299)
}}
| group3 =Independence movements
| list3 =
{{Navbox subgroup
|group-style = background-color:#ddd; white-space:nowrap; text-align: right;
|evenodd = swap
|group1 =[[House Greyjoy|Greyjoys]], [[King of the Iron Islands|Kings of the Iron Islands]]
|list1 = [[Alannys Harlaw]] (289, 298-299)1
|group2= [[House Stark|Starks]], [[King In The North|Kings in the North]]
|list2= [[Jeyne Westerling]] (II) (299)1·
}}
|below= 1Survived as Queen Dowager.
}}
<noinclude>[[Category:Navigational templates]]</noinclude>

Meraxes

2014-12-18T22:04:32Z

Complexphoenix:

{{See homonyms | Meraxes (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox character
| Character_name= Meraxes
| image = [[File:Rhaenys riding Meraxes.jpg|300px]]
| image_caption = [[Rhaenys Targaryen]] riding Meraxes into battle
| Alias =
| Title =
| Allegiance = [[Rhaenys Targaryen]]
| Race = [[Dragon]]
| Culture =
| Spouse =
| Place_of_Birth=[[Dragonstone]]
| Date_of_Birth =
| Place_of_Death= [[Hellholt]]
| Date_of_Death = {{Date|10}}
| Books = [[The Princess and the Queen]] (Mentioned) [[A Game of Thrones]] (Mentioned) [[A Clash of Kings]] (Mentioned) [[A Dance with Dragons]] (Mentioned) 
}}

'''Meraxes''' was one of the great dragons used by [[Aegon I|Aegon the Conqueror]] and his sisters during the [[War of Conquest]]. The she-dragon was named for one of the old gods of [[Valyria]]. She was ridden by [[Rhaenys Targaryen]].{{ref|acok|12}}

==Description==
:''See also: [[:Category:Images of Meraxes|Images of Meraxes]]''

Meraxes's was larger than [[Vhagar]] but smaller than [[Balerion]].{{ref|agot|13}} Meraxes could swallow horses whole.{{ref|acok|12}} Meraxes had golden eyes and silver scales.{{ref|twoiaf| The Conquest}}

==History==
Meraxes was named for a god of the [[Valyria|Valyrian Feehold]]. She was born from a dragon's egg on [[Dragonstone]].

Rhaenys and Meraxes accompanied [[Orys Baratheon]] on his mission to subdue [[Argilac Durrandon]], the last Storm King. At the Battle of the [[Last Storm]], the wind and rain forced them to stay grounded, but even on the ground Meraxes slew many, engulfing Argilac's vanguard and the knights of his personal guard in dragonflame.{{ref|twoiaf| The Conquest}}

During the battle that became known as the [[Field of Fire]], Meraxes, Balerion and Vhagar took to the sky at the same time. Between the three they killed four thousand men, burning them alive. King [[Mern Gardener|Mern]] was killed, [[House Gardener]] dying with him. The army was broken and Aegon I was victorious.{{ref|agot|13}}

Meraxes and Rhaenys Targaryen both met their end in the [[First Dornish War]] at [[Hellholt]] after an iron bolt from a [[w:Scorpio (weapon)|scorpion]] went through Meraxes's eye. Her skull was later returned to Aegon by a peace delegation.{{ref|twoiaf| Dorne Against the Dragons}} Along with eighteen other [[Dragon skulls (Targaryen)|Targaryen dragon skulls]] Meraxes's skull used to hang on a wall in the [[Red Keep]]'s throne room. After the [[War of the Usurper]] King Robert had Meraxes's skull removed and stored in a dank cellar along with the others.

==Known dragonriders of Meraxes==
* [[Rhaenys Targaryen]]

==References and Notes==
{{references|2}}

{{Dragons}}
[[Category:Dragons]]

[[fr:Meraxès]]
[[es:Meraxes]]
[[zh:米拉西斯]]
[[ru:Мераксес]]

Rhaenys Targaryen

2014-12-18T22:04:02Z

Complexphoenix:

{{Character
| Character_name= [[File:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|left]]'''Rhaenys Targaryen'''[[File:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|right]]
| image = [[Image:Rhaenys.jpg|300px]]
| image_caption = Rhaenys by [http://en.amokanet.ru/gallery/martin/ Amok©]
| Alias =
| Title = Queen
| Allegiance = [[House Targaryen]]
| Race =
| Culture = [[Valyrian]]
| Spouse = [[Aegon I Targaryen]]
| father = [[Aerion Targaryen (son of Daemion)|Aerion Targaryen]]
| mother = [[Valaena Velaryon]]
| Place_of_Birth= [[Dragonstone]]
| Date_of_Birth = [[Years before Aegon's Conquest#Year 25 After the Conquest|25BC]] or [[Years before Aegon's Conquest#Year 26 After the Conquest|26BC]]<ref>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Ages (Continued3)#Rhaenys Targaryen (sister of Aegon I)|Rhaenys Targaryen (sister of Aegon I)]] calculation.''</ref>
| Place_of_Death= [[Hellholt]]
| Date_of_Death = {{Date|10}}
| Books = ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'' (Mentioned)
}}
{{Template:See homonyms|Rhaenys Targaryen (disambiguation)}}

Queen '''Rhaenys Targaryen''' was the younger of [[Aegon I Targaryen]]'s sister-queens. Rhaenys was Aegon's favourite sister-wife, though she may have dabbled with other bed-mates.

==Appearance and Character==
:''See also: [[:Category:Images of Rhaenys Targaryen|Images of Rhaenys Targaryen]]''
Rhaenys was a year or two younger than Aegon. She had the silver-gold Targaryen hair which she kept long and wore loose. Physically she was more slender and graceful than her sister. She was known as less stern and more playful and curious than her older sister, [[Visenya Targaryen|Visenya]].<ref>[http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/More_Targaryen_Descriptions/ Archived compilation of emails on Westeros] of George R.R. Martin with description of Visenya, Aegon I and Rhaenys</ref> She was also interested in music and poetry.<ref>[http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/topic/72313-reading-from-the-world-of-ice-and-fire/page__st__40]</ref>
She loved to ride her dragon [[Meraxes]] and spent twice as much time riding than her siblings. She surrounded herself with comely young men and there were whispers that she entertained men while Aegon was with Visenya - yet Aegon spent ten nights with Rhaenys for every one with Visenya. <ref>Chicon 7 Reading (September 02, 2012) [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Category/C92/ So Spake Martin]</ref>

==History==
===The Conquest===
: {{See also|War of Conquest}}
[[File:Aegon And His Sisters by Amok..png|350px|thumb|left|Rhaenys with her siblings Aegon (middle) and Visenya (left), by Amok]]
Rhaenys participated in the [[War of Conquest]] by riding her dragon, [[Meraxes]], in battle. [[Rosby]] peacefully yielded to her.

Rhaenys and Meraxes accompanied the army of [[Orys Baratheon]] when they marched on the [[Stormlands]] and defeated [[Argilac|Argilac the Arrogant]] in the [[Last Storm|Battle of the Last Storm]].

She along with [[Visenya Targaryen|Visenya]] and [[Aegon I|Aegon]] secured the victory on the [[Field of Fire]] when all three [[dragons]] were unleashed together for the first and only time in the war.

[[File:Rhaenys targaryen by feliche.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Rhaenys Targaryen by [http://feliche.deviantart.com/ Feliche]©]]
After the [[Field of Fire]], [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon]] went north to deal with the [[House Stark|Starks]]. Rhaenys led the invasion of [[Dorne]].

Rhaenys led her army into [[Dorne]]. However, the Dornish refused to give battle, instead melting away into the mountains and deserts, returning only to launch guerrilla raids on the army. Rhaenys captured holdfasts to no avail, as their people (learning of what happened to [[Harrenhal]]) had already fled, leaving only the elderly and infirm. Frustrated, Rhaenys flew directly to Sunspear to demand [[Mariya Martell|Princess Mariya's]] surrender. Mariya instead informed her that, "This is Dorne. You are not wanted here, return at your peril." Rhaenys replied that she would return with ''"Fire and blood"'', but Mariya simply replied, ''"Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken"''. The Targaryen army withdrew from Dorne, leaving the country untaken.

===Later Life===
Rhaenys was the mother of [[Aenys I Targaryen]]. It was her line that comprised the bulk of the [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]] dynasty. [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys Stormborn]] is the last of her descendants who still bears the Targaryen name, although her progeny can still be found amongst [[House Baratheon|Baratheons]] and [[House Martell|Martells]]. Her son. [[Aenys I Targaryen|Aenys]], became the second King to sit on the Iron Throne. Aenys, who was married to [[Alyssa Velaryon]] for political reasons, was born in {{Date|7}}{{Ref|awoiaf}}<ref name=twoiaf>[[The World of Ice and Fire]]</ref> It is currently unknown if Rhaenys had any other children.

In {{Date|4}}, [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon I]] decided to start another campaign on Dorne. Rhaenys participated in this war, which eventually lead to her death. Meraxes, her dragon, was killed as well, hit by a scorpion.{{ref|awoiaf}}<ref name=twoiaf></ref>

==Family==
{{Template:Targaryen tree Aegon}}

==References and Notes==
{{References|2}}
{{EnWP|House Targaryen|small=yes}}

{{Template:Royal consorts of Westeros}}

[[Category:House Targaryen]]
[[Category:Characters from the Crownlands|Targaryen, Rhaenys]]
[[Category:Dragonriders|Targaryen, Rhaenys]]
[[Category:Noblewomen|Targaryen, Rhaenys]]
[[Category:Warrior Women|Targaryen, Rhaenys]]

[[es:Rhaenys Targaryen]]
[[fa:راینیس تارگرین]]
[[fr:Rhaenys Targaryen]]
[[ru:Рэйнис Таргариен]]
[[zh:雷妮丝·坦格利安]]

Meraxes

2014-12-18T22:02:07Z

Complexphoenix:

{{See homonyms | Meraxes (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox character
| Character_name= Meraxes
| image = [[File:Rhaenys riding Meraxes.jpg|300px]]
| image_caption = [[Rhaenys Targaryen]] riding Meraxes into battle
| Alias =
| Title =
| Allegiance = [[Rhaenys Targaryen]]
| Race = [[Dragon]]
| Culture =
| Spouse =
| Place_of_Birth=[[Dragonstone]]
| Date_of_Birth =
| Place_of_Death= [[Hellholt]]
| Date_of_Death = [[Date|10AC]]
| Books = [[The Princess and the Queen]] (Mentioned) [[A Game of Thrones]] (Mentioned) [[A Clash of Kings]] (Mentioned) [[A Dance with Dragons]] (Mentioned) 
}}

'''Meraxes''' was one of the great dragons used by [[Aegon I|Aegon the Conqueror]] and his sisters during the [[War of Conquest]]. The she-dragon was named for one of the old gods of [[Valyria]]. She was ridden by [[Rhaenys Targaryen]].{{ref|acok|12}}

==Description==
:''See also: [[:Category:Images of Meraxes|Images of Meraxes]]''

Meraxes's was larger than [[Vhagar]] but smaller than [[Balerion]].{{ref|agot|13}} Meraxes could swallow horses whole.{{ref|acok|12}} Meraxes had golden eyes and silver scales.{{ref|twoiaf| The Conquest}}

==History==
Meraxes was named for a god of the [[Valyria|Valyrian Feehold]]. She was born from a dragon's egg on [[Dragonstone]].

Rhaenys and Meraxes accompanied [[Orys Baratheon]] on his mission to subdue [[Argilac Durrandon]], the last Storm King. At the Battle of the [[Last Storm]], the wind and rain forced them to stay grounded, but even on the ground Meraxes slew many, engulfing Argilac's vanguard and the knights of his personal guard in dragonflame.{{ref|twoiaf| The Conquest}}

During the battle that became known as the [[Field of Fire]], Meraxes, Balerion and Vhagar took to the sky at the same time. Between the three they killed four thousand men, burning them alive. King [[Mern Gardener|Mern]] was killed, [[House Gardener]] dying with him. The army was broken and Aegon I was victorious.{{ref|agot|13}}

Meraxes and Rhaenys Targaryen both met their end in the [[First Dornish War]] at [[Hellholt]] after an iron bolt from a [[w:Scorpio (weapon)|scorpion]] went through Meraxes's eye. Her skull was later returned to Aegon by a peace delegation.{{ref|twoiaf| Dorne Against the Dragons}} Along with eighteen other [[Dragon skulls (Targaryen)|Targaryen dragon skulls]] Meraxes's skull used to hang on a wall in the [[Red Keep]]'s throne room. After the [[War of the Usurper]] King Robert had Meraxes's skull removed and stored in a dank cellar along with the others.

==Known dragonriders of Meraxes==
* [[Rhaenys Targaryen]]

==References and Notes==
{{references|2}}

{{Dragons}}
[[Category:Dragons]]

[[fr:Meraxès]]
[[es:Meraxes]]
[[zh:米拉西斯]]
[[ru:Мераксес]]

Meraxes

2014-12-18T22:01:09Z

Complexphoenix: /* History */

{{See homonyms | Meraxes (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox character
| Character_name= Meraxes
| image = [[File:Rhaenys riding Meraxes.jpg|300px]]
| image_caption = [[Rhaenys Targaryen]] riding Meraxes into battle
| Alias =
| Title =
| Allegiance = [[Rhaenys Targaryen]]
| Race = [[Dragon]]
| Culture =
| Spouse =
| Place_of_Birth=[[Dragonstone]]
| Date_of_Birth =
| Place_of_Death= [[Hellholt]]
| Date_of_Death = [[Date|10]]
| Books = [[The Princess and the Queen]] (Mentioned) [[A Game of Thrones]] (Mentioned) [[A Clash of Kings]] (Mentioned) [[A Dance with Dragons]] (Mentioned) 
}}

'''Meraxes''' was one of the great dragons used by [[Aegon I|Aegon the Conqueror]] and his sisters during the [[War of Conquest]]. The she-dragon was named for one of the old gods of [[Valyria]]. She was ridden by [[Rhaenys Targaryen]].{{ref|acok|12}}

==Description==
:''See also: [[:Category:Images of Meraxes|Images of Meraxes]]''

Meraxes's was larger than [[Vhagar]] but smaller than [[Balerion]].{{ref|agot|13}} Meraxes could swallow horses whole.{{ref|acok|12}} Meraxes had golden eyes and silver scales.{{ref|twoiaf| The Conquest}}

==History==
Meraxes was named for a god of the [[Valyria|Valyrian Feehold]]. She was born from a dragon's egg on [[Dragonstone]].

Rhaenys and Meraxes accompanied [[Orys Baratheon]] on his mission to subdue [[Argilac Durrandon]], the last Storm King. At the Battle of the [[Last Storm]], the wind and rain forced them to stay grounded, but even on the ground Meraxes slew many, engulfing Argilac's vanguard and the knights of his personal guard in dragonflame.{{ref|twoiaf| The Conquest}}

During the battle that became known as the [[Field of Fire]], Meraxes, Balerion and Vhagar took to the sky at the same time. Between the three they killed four thousand men, burning them alive. King [[Mern Gardener|Mern]] was killed, [[House Gardener]] dying with him. The army was broken and Aegon I was victorious.{{ref|agot|13}}

Meraxes and Rhaenys Targaryen both met their end in the [[First Dornish War]] at [[Hellholt]] after an iron bolt from a [[w:Scorpio (weapon)|scorpion]] went through Meraxes's eye. Her skull was later returned to Aegon by a peace delegation.{{ref|twoiaf| Dorne Against the Dragons}} Along with eighteen other [[Dragon skulls (Targaryen)|Targaryen dragon skulls]] Meraxes's skull used to hang on a wall in the [[Red Keep]]'s throne room. After the [[War of the Usurper]] King Robert had Meraxes's skull removed and stored in a dank cellar along with the others.

==Known dragonriders of Meraxes==
* [[Rhaenys Targaryen]]

==References and Notes==
{{references|2}}

{{Dragons}}
[[Category:Dragons]]

[[fr:Meraxès]]
[[es:Meraxes]]
[[zh:米拉西斯]]
[[ru:Мераксес]]

Meraxes

2014-12-18T21:58:52Z

Complexphoenix:

{{See homonyms | Meraxes (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox character
| Character_name= Meraxes
| image = [[File:Rhaenys riding Meraxes.jpg|300px]]
| image_caption = [[Rhaenys Targaryen]] riding Meraxes into battle
| Alias =
| Title =
| Allegiance = [[Rhaenys Targaryen]]
| Race = [[Dragon]]
| Culture =
| Spouse =
| Place_of_Birth=[[Dragonstone]]
| Date_of_Birth =
| Place_of_Death= [[Hellholt]]
| Date_of_Death = [[Date|10]]
| Books = [[The Princess and the Queen]] (Mentioned) [[A Game of Thrones]] (Mentioned) [[A Clash of Kings]] (Mentioned) [[A Dance with Dragons]] (Mentioned) 
}}

'''Meraxes''' was one of the great dragons used by [[Aegon I|Aegon the Conqueror]] and his sisters during the [[War of Conquest]]. The she-dragon was named for one of the old gods of [[Valyria]]. She was ridden by [[Rhaenys Targaryen]].{{ref|acok|12}}

==Description==
:''See also: [[:Category:Images of Meraxes|Images of Meraxes]]''

Meraxes's was larger than [[Vhagar]] but smaller than [[Balerion]].{{ref|agot|13}} Meraxes could swallow horses whole.{{ref|acok|12}} Meraxes had golden eyes and silver scales.{{ref|twoiaf| The Conquest}}

==History==
Meraxes was named for a god of the [[Valyria|Valyrian Feehold]]. She was born from a dragon's egg on [[Dragonstone]].

Rhaenys and Meraxes accompanied [[Orys Baratheon]] on his mission to subdue [[Argilac Durrandon]], the last Storm King. At the Battle of the [[Last Storm]], the wind and rain forced them to stay grounded, but even on the ground Meraxes slew many, engulfing Argilac's vanguard and the knights of his personal guard in dragonflame.{{ref|twoiaf| The Conquest}}

During the battle that became known as the [[Field of Fire]], Meraxes, Balerion and Vhaghar took to the sky at the same time. Between the three they killed four thousand men, burning them alive. King [[Mern Gardener|Mern]] was killed, [[House Gardener]] dying with him. The army was broken and Aegon I was victorious.{{ref|agot|13}}

Meraxes and Rhaenys Targaryen both met their end in the [[First Dornish War]] at [[Hellholt]] after an iron bolt from a [[w:Scorpio (weapon)|scorpion]] went through Meraxes's eye. Her skull was later returned to Aegon by a peace delegation.{{ref|twoiaf| Dorne Against the Dragons}} Along with eighteen other [[Dragon skulls (Targaryen)|Targaryen dragon skulls]] Meraxes's skull used to hang on a wall in the [[Red Keep]]'s throne room. After the [[War of the Usurper]] King Robert had Meraxes's skull removed and stored in a dank cellar along with the others.

==Known dragonriders of Meraxes==
* [[Rhaenys Targaryen]]

==References and Notes==
{{references|2}}

{{Dragons}}
[[Category:Dragons]]

[[fr:Meraxès]]
[[es:Meraxes]]
[[zh:米拉西斯]]
[[ru:Мераксес]]

Dance of the Dragons

2014-12-18T21:05:37Z

Complexphoenix: added family tree

:''For the book, see [[A Dance with Dragons]]. For the song, see [[The Dance of the Dragons (song)]].''
{{Infobox Military Conflict
| style = width:300px;
| conflict_name = Dance of the Dragons War of succession
| part_of =
| image = [[File:Woodrow J. Hinton III The Dragon's FireII.png|350px]]
| image2 =
| caption = The Dragon's Fire. © Fantasy Flight Games.
| date = {{Date|129-131}}
| battles =
| location = [[Westeros]]
| result = Deaths of both claimants, [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon II]] and [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]] [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon III]]'s ascension to the throne Marriage of [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon III]] to [[Jaehaera Targaryen]]

| combatant1 = [[House Targaryen]] ([[the blacks]])
: [[House Velaryon]]
: [[House Arryn]]
: [[House Stark]]
: [[House Manderly]]
: [[House Celtigar]]
: [[House Dustin]]
: [[House Darklyn]]
: [[House Blackwood]]
: [[House Frey]]
: [[House Rowan]]
: [[House Tarly]]
: [[House Greyjoy]] (nominally)
| commander1 = Queen [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra I]]
: Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]], Protector of the Realm
: Prince [[Jacaerys Velaryon]]
: Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]], Hand of the Queen
: Lord [[Cregan Stark]]
: Lord [[Roderick Dustin]]
: Lord [[Dalton Greyjoy]]
: Lord [[Kermit Tully]]
| strength1 =
| losses1 =

| combatant2 = [[House Targaryen]] ([[the greens]])
: [[House Hightower]]
: [[House Lannister]]
: [[House Baratheon]]
: [[House Reyne]]
: [[House Strong]]
: [[House Redwyne]]
: [[House Lefford]]
: [[House Crakehall]]
: [[House Swyft]]
: [[House Fossoway of Cider Hall]]
: [[House Peake]]
| commander2 = King [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon II]]
: Queen Dowager [[Alicent Hightower]]
: Ser [[Otto Hightower]], Hand of the King
: Lord Commander [[Criston Cole]], Hand of the King
: Prince Regent [[Aemond Targaryen]], Protector of the Realm
: Lord [[Ormund Hightower]]
: Admiral [[Sharako Lohar]] of [[Lys]]
: Ser [[Tyland Lannister]]
: Lord [[Borros Baratheon]]
| strength2 =
| losses2 =
}}

The '''Dance of the Dragons''' was a civil war during [[House Targaryen|Targaryen rule]]. A war of succession between [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon II]] and his half-sister [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]] over their father [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys I's]] throne, the war was fought from {{Date|129}} to {{Date|131}}. It saw the deaths of both rival monarchs, and the crowning of Rhaenyra's son, [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon III]].

In early 2013 it was announced that the anthology ''Dangerous Women'', previously expected to include the fourth ''[[Dunk and Egg]]'' story, would instead include a novella by [[George R. R. Martin]] named ''[[The Princess and the Queen]]'' which he described as "(...) the true (mostly) story of the origins of the Dance of the Dragons."{{ref|tpatq}} The abridged version in ''The Princess and the Queen'' consists of 30,000 words, while the complete 80,000 word history of the civil war is planned for ''[[Fire and Blood]]''.<ref>Not A Blog: [http://grrm.livejournal.com/331218.html The Princess and the Queen]</ref>

==Background==
King Viserys I had three children by his first queen [[Aemma Arryn]], but only one, Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]], survived to adulthood. Lacking a son to succeed him, Viserys began to train Princess Rhaenyra to be his heir. Young Rhaenyra was included in discussions of the affairs of state, and was allowed to participate in meetings of the [[small council]]. Many of the nobles took note, and Rhaenyra soon acquired a clique of adherents and supporters. However, after his queen died, the king remarried in {{date|106}}, this time to [[Alicent Hightower]] and had four more children, including three sons, the eldest son named [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon]]. Nonetheless, Viserys I strengthened Rhaenyra's place in the succession; he married her to Ser [[Laenor Velaryon]] - who himself had Targaryen blood through his mother, Princess [[Rhaenys Targaryen (The Queen Who Never Was)|Rhaenys]]. Rhaenyra gave birth to three sons during her marriage, although there were rumours that the father of these boys was not Ser Laenor, but Ser [[Harwin Strong]].{{Ref|TRP}}

When [[Laenor Velaryon]] passed away Rhaenyra married anew, this time her own uncle, Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]], younger brother to [[Viserys I Targaryen]]. Her sons by him are the future [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon III]] (called Aegon the Younger in his youth, to distinguish him from his uncle, [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon II]], who on occasion was called Aegon the Elder) and [[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys II]]. Her father's intention that she should follow him on the [[Iron Throne]] was confirmed by proclamation and the will of [[Viserys I Targaryen]]. In {{date|105}}, hundreds of [[Lord]]s and landed [[knight]]s had done obeisance to the Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]].{{Ref|TRP}}

In {{date|111}}, a great tourney was held at [[King’s Landing]] on the fifth anniversary of the king’s marriage to Queen Alicent. At the opening feast, the queen wore a green gown, whilst the [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Princess Rhaenyra]] dressed dramatically in Targaryen red and black. Note was taken, and thereafter it became the custom to refer to “[[The greens|greens]]” and “[[The blacks|blacks]]” when talking of the queen’s party and the party of the princess, respectively. In the tourney itself, the blacks had much the better of it when Ser [[Criston Cole]], wearing Princess Rhaenyra’s favor, unhorsed all of the Queen’s champions, including two of her cousins and her youngest brother, Ser [[Gwayne Hightower]].{{Ref|TPATQ}}{{Ref|TRP}}

Rhaenyra and Alicents relationship had gone bad early in Alicent's marriage to Viserys, since both ladies had been trying to be the realm's first lady, and there could only be one. As a consequence of their bad relation, Alicent's sons did not take to Rhaenyra's sons. Ser Otto Hightower had also disliked Prince Daemon since the beginning of Viserys' reign, though the exact reasons are unknown.{{Ref|TRP}}

==The Dance of the Dragons==
[[File:Dance of the Dragons map.png|500px|thumb|right|1. Aegon's coronation; [[Fall of King's Landing]] 2. [[Dragonstone]] 3. [[Driftmark]], including [[Hull]] and [[High Tide]] 4. [[Storm's End]] 5. Dance over Shipbreaker Bay 6. Battle at the [[Stone Hedge]] 7. [[Duskendale]] 8. [[Battle of Rook's Rest]] 9. the Eyrie 10. [[Battle in the Gullet]] 11. [[Battle on the Honeywine]] 12. [[Battle by the Lakeshore]] 13. [[Battle at the stony ridge]] 14. [[First Battle of Tumbleton]]/[[Second Battle of Tumbleton]] 15. [[Maidenpool]] 16. [[Dance over Harrenhal]]]]

===The Small Council meeting===
Upon the death of King [[Viserys I Targaryen]], on the third day of the third month of {{Date|129}}, Queen [[Alicent Hightower|Alicent]] and Ser [[Criston Cole]] send out the [[Kingsguard]] to summon the [[Small Council]] members. During the gathering, the conversation quickly stirred towards [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra’s]] coronation, but Ser [[Otto Hightower]], the [[Hand of the King]], told those who had gathered that it would be a new King who would be crowned, whilst Lord [[Lyman Beesbury]], the [[Master of Coin]], insisted Rhaenyra should be crowned a queen.

Lord Beesbury argued in favour of Rhaenyra, but several other council members countered him. Ser [[Tyland Lannister]] argued that the oaths made to Rhaenyra in {{Date|105}} had not been made by them, since it had been twenty-four years. [[Jasper Wylde|Ironrod]] mentioned that the [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|Old King]] twice chose a male heir over [[Rhaenys Targaryen (The Queen Who Never Was)|the female heir]], and Ser [[Otto Hightower|Otto]] reminded them all that Rhaenyra was married to [[Daemon Targaryen|Daemon]], who would become the true ruler, should Rhaenyra gain the crown. Both Hightowers argued that not only they, but also Alicent’s children would lose their lives should Rhaenyra become their Queen. It would later be said that Prince [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon]] only reluctantly accepted the crown because his mother, brothers, sister and children would otherwise be killed by [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]].

Grand Maester [[Orwyle]] predicted a war, believing that [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenya]] would never be willing to give up her birth right, since she had dragons at her disposal. Lord [[Lyman Beesbury|Beesbury]] declared Rhaenyra had friends as well, and that he was not willing to sit there and listen to people plotting to steal Rhaenyra’s crown. He rose to leave, but Ser [[Criston Cole]] forced him back into his seat and opened his throat. This made Lord Beesbury the first casualty of the Dance of the Dragons.

After Beesbury’s death, the green council made their plans, vowing their loyalty to their new King, and arresting all those in King's Landing who could be loyal to Rhaenyra. To all those who might be loyal to Aegon, ravens were sent. Meanwhile, Rhaenyra remained on [[Dragonstone]], unaware of what had happened.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

===Coronation of Aegon II===
Prince [[Aemond Targaryen|Aemond]] was sent out to [[Storm's End]], to betroth himself to one of Lord [[Borros Baratheon|Borros’]] daughters, so he might fight for [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon]]. By the time he left, the smell coming from [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys’]] room was all over [[Maegor's Holdfast]], so seven days after Viserys had died, his death was announced to the [[King's Landing|city]] and the [[Silent Sisters]] were sent for.

Aegon’s coronation was prepared in short time. Ser [[Criston Cole]] placed the crown of [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon the Conquerer]] on Aegon’s head, while [[Alicent Hightower]] placed a crown upon the head of Aegon’s Queen, his sister [[Helaena Targaryen|Helaena]].

The night before Aegon’s coronation, however, the first defection had taken place. Ser [[Steffon Darklyn]] had left the city, with, amongst other things, the crown Kings [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys I]] and [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|Jaehaerys I]] had worn.

On [[Dragonstone]], [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]] had learned about the death of her father and the betrayal of her siblings. Anger had made her go into labour, which lasted for three days and brought forth a still born, deformed girl, whom Rhaenyra named [[Visenya Targaryen (daughter of Rhaenyra)|Visenya]]. Rhaenyra, in answer to Aegon’s betrayal, swore revenge against the Greens.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

===The Black Council===
Rhaenyra made her own council, called the Black Council. Participants were, amongst others, Rhaenyra’s husband [[Daemon Targaryen|Daemon]], her three eldest sons [[Jacaerys Velaryon|Jacaerys]], [[Lucerys Velaryon|Lucerys]] and [[Joffrey Velaryon|Joffrey]], Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]], and his wife Princess [[Rhaenys Targaryen (The Queen Who Never Was)|Rhaenys]].

Despite having more dragons, the Blacks knew that wouldn’t be an advantage, since the Greens possessed [[Vhagar]], and from the nine dragons belonging to the Backs, only five were big enough for battle.

Believing to have allies in the [[Riverlands]] who were only waiting for a place to gather, Prince [[Daemon Targaryen|Daemon]] decided to conquer [[Harrenhal]] as a base, using his dragon [[Caraxes]], while [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]] would remain on [[Dragonstone]] to recover her strength. [[House Velaryon]] closed off the [[Gullet]], and Princess [[Rhaenys Targaryen (The Queen Who Never Was)|Rhaenys]] expressed hope of goading [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon the Elder]] into a rash attack, believing him to be a green boy.

Princess Rhaenys was convinced that Storm's End would declare for Rhaenyra, since Lord [[Boremund Baratheon|Boremund]], the deceased father of Lord [[Borros Baratheon|Borros]], had always been a supporter of Rhaenys herself. Though they believed the [[North]] to be too remote to play an important part in the war, the Blacks decided to send messages to those lords as well. [[Jacaerys Velaryon|Jacaerys]], Rhaenyra’s heir, would bring messages to the [[Jeyne Arryn|Maiden of the Vale]], the [[House Stark|Starks]] of [[Winterfell]] and the [[House Manderly|Manderly’s]] of [[White Harbor]]. [[Lucerys Velaryon|Lucerys]], Rhaenyra’s second son, would go to [[Storm's End]], a safer, shorter journey, according to the Blacks.

After these decisions, Rhaenyra was crowned a Queen, using the crown her father and great-grandfather had worn, thanks to Ser [[Steffon Darklyn]], who had arrived from [[King's Landing]]. Prince Daemon, Rhaenyra’s husband, was named Protector of the Realm, and Jacaerys was officially named Prince of Dragonstone, and heir to the [[Iron Throne]]. Declaring [[Otto Hightower]] and Queen [[Alicent Hightower|Alicent]] traitors, Rhaenyra allowed for her half-siblings to be forgiven if they would bend the knee. Upon hearing about these developments, King [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon II]] declared [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]] and [[Daemon Targaryen|Daemon]] traitors as well.

Hoping for a peaceful end to the war, Grand Maester [[Orwyle]] was allowed to visit [[Dragonstone]] and speak with Rhaenyra. The terms he brought with him, allowed Rhaenyra and all their supporters generous terms. Rhaenyra refused. Soon after, Lord [[Corlys Velaryon|Corlys’]] ships took sail to close off the [[Gullet]], and [[Jacaerys Velaryon|Jace]] and [[Lucerys Velaryon|Luke]] left on their dragons with their messages, and [[Daemon Targaryen|Daemon]] left on [[Caraxes]] to the [[Trident]].

[[Harrenhal]] fell quickly to Daemon. Ser [[Simon Strong]], the elderly castellan, was captured. Daemon had a dozen valuable hostages (including Ser Simon and his grandsons). In the mean time, [[Jacaerys Velaryon|Jace]] allied Lady [[Jeyne Arryn|Arryn]], and the Lords [[House Manderly|Manderly]], [[House Borrell|Borrell]] and [[House Sunderland|Sunderland]], and [[Cregan Stark]] to Rhaenyra’s cause.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

===The Dance over Shipbreaker Bay===
[[File:Arrax_storms_end.png‎|Arrax washes up beneath Storm's End by [http://ashleyhunterrice.tumblr.com/ Ashley Hunter Rice] |thumb|500px|right]]
[[Lucerys Velaryon|Lucerys]] had meanwhile flown to [[Storm's End]], arriving before a gathering storm. When he arrived, however, he found Prince [[Aemond Targaryen|Aemond]] and his dragon [[Vhagar]] already present. Aemond tried to goad Lucerys into a fight, insulting him, calling him a [[House Strong|Strong]] bastard, but Lucerys, having sworn to his mother not to fight, refused him, and instead delivered his message to Lord [[Borros Baratheon|Borros]]. Lord Borros responded by asking which one of his daughters Luke would marry, should he do what [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]] wanted him to do. Luke, already betrothed, told Lord Borros he could not marry any of the girls, upon which Lord Borros told Luke to leave.

[[Aemond Targaryen|Aemond]] drew his sword before [[Lucerys Velaryon|Lucerys]] could go outside, and Lord [[Borros Baratheon|Borros’]] men had to hold him back.

{{Quote|He came an envoy. I want no blood shed beneath my roof.}}

…is what Lord Borros said, growing uneasy. At that, Lucerys went outside, mounted [[Arrax|his dragon]], and left. Lord Borros then told Aemond that he could not tell Aemond what not to do when Aemond was no longer beneath his roof, upon which Borros’ men moved aside and let Aemond out.

Outside the storm was raging. Though younger and faster, the storm was slowing [[Arrax]] down, leading to [[Vhagar]] catching up. The fight between the two dragons did not last long. [[Vhagar]], being five times bigger, had the advantage, and [[Arrax]] fell broken. His head and neck would wash ashore three days later, along with the corpse of Prince [[Lucerys Velaryon]].{{Ref|TPATQ}}

{{Quote|And with his death, the war of ravens and envoys and marriage pacts came to an end, and the war of fire and blood began in earnest.}}

===[[Blood (the butcher)|Blood]] and [[Cheese (the rat-catcher)|Cheese]]===
[[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]] collapsed when learning of [[Lucerys Velaryon|Lucerys’]] death. Prince [[Daemon Targaryen|Daemon]], at [[Harrenhal]], send a raven to his wife.

{{Quote|An eye for an eye, a son for a son. Lucerys shall be avenged.}}

[[Daemon Targaryen]] had friends in the low places of [[King's Landing]] and at court, and followers amongst the gold cloaks. One of his friends enlisted the help of a former serjeant in the [[City Watch of King's Landing|City Watch]], known to history as [[Blood (the butcher)|Blood]], and a rat-catcher from the [[Red Keep]], known to history only as [[Cheese (the rat-catcher)|Cheese]].

[[Cheese (the rat-catcher)|Cheese]] sneaked [[Blood (the butcher)|Blood]] into the [[Red Keep]], using secret tunnels and hidden doors, bringing them into the [[Tower of the Hand]]. Blood killed Queen Alicents bedmaid, whilst Cheese bound and gagged [[Alicent Hightower|Alicent]] herself. Then they waited for Queen [[Helaena Targaryen|Helaena]], who would visit her mother every evening with her three children. As Helaena and the children entered, Blood barred the door and killed the guardsmen accompanying Helaena. Cheese picked up [[Maelor Targaryen|Maelor]].{{Ref|TPATQ}}

{{Quote|”Which one you want t’ lose, Your Grace?”}}

Calling themselves debt collectors, they gave [[Helaena Targaryen|Helaena]] the choice of chosing which of her two sons would die. Haelena offered herself instead, but they refused and stated if she didn't choose Blood would rape her daughter. In the end, Helaena reluctantly chose [[Maelor Targaryen|Maelor]], but [[Blood (the butcher)|Blood]] did the opposite and killed Prince [[Jaehaerys Targaryen (son of Aegon II)|Jaehaerys]], six year of age. True to their word, they did not hurt anyone else, but fled with Prince Jaehaerys’ head. After this event, Queen Helaena slowly went mad, staying in her chambers, no longer being able to look at her son Maelor, knowing she had named him to die. Dowager Queen [[Alicent Hightower|Alicent]] took over the care of the remaining two children.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

===The [[Battle of Rook's Rest]]===
:{{Main|Sack of Duskendale|Battle of Rook's Rest}}
After the fall of Harrenhal, King [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon II]] suffered defeats at the [[Burning Mill]] and [[Stone Hedge]], making the young king realizing his situation was severe. Ravens returned from the [[Reach]], and while [[House Hightower]] of [[Oldtown]] and the [[Arbor]] stood firmly behind Aegon, [[Owen Costayne|Lord Costayne]] of [[Three Towers]], [[House Mullendore|Lord Mullendore]] of [[Uplands]], Lord [[Alan Tarly]] of [[Horn Hill]], [[House Rowan|Lord Rowan]] of [[Goldengrove]] and [[House Grimm|Lord Grimm]] of [[Greyshield]] all declared for [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]], as did the [[Vale]], [[White Harbor]], [[Winterfell]], the [[House Blackwood|Blackwoods]] and other riverlords, who were assembling at [[Harrenhal]].

This, and the closing of the [[Gullet]] that kept going, made [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon]] angry at his [[Otto Hightower|Hand]]. Ser Otto believed that [[Daemon Targaryen|Daemon]], Rhaenyra’s greatest pillar of support, was her greatest weakness. He reached out to one such foe, the [[Kingdom of the Three Daughters]] across the [[Narrow Sea]], hoping to use them against the [[Corlys Velaryon|Sea Snake]].

Aegon II was running out of patience, however, and fired Otto as Hand. Ser [[Criston Cole|Criston]] was named in his stead, and decided actions were necessary.

{{Quote| It is not for you to plead for support from your lords, like a beggar pleading for alms. You are the lawful king of Westeros, and those who deny it are traitors. It is past time they learned the price of treason.}}

[[Larys Strong]] had a list of all those who had gathered on [[Dragonstone]] to attend Rhaenyra’s coronation. Those lords living on islands could not be touched, but those on the main land could. [[Sack of Duskendale|Duskendale fell easily]], and Lord Darklyn was beheaded. Ser Criston then turned his attention to [[Rook's Rest]].

[[Lord Staunton]] closed his gates and defied his attackers, but could not protect his small folk. His provisions running low, he send a raven to [[Dragonstone]], asking for help. The help that arrived was Princess [[Rhaenys Targaryen (The Queen Who Never Was)|Rhaenys]] on dragon [[Meleys]]. Unbeknownst to [[the blacks]], however, Ser Criston had been expecting a dragon to appear. His men attacked the dragon with scorpions, longbows and crossbows, it only served to anger Meleys.

Next, [[Sunfyre]] and [[Vhagar]] appeared. [[Meleys]] had no chance against [[Vhagar]] and [[Sunfyre]] combined. The dragons fought a thousand feet above the ground. Meleys’ jaws closed around Sunfyre’s neck, and Vahgar fell upon them, causing all three dragons to crash into the ground. From the ashes, only [[Vhagar]] rose again. [[Sunfyre]] had one wing half torn from his body, whilst his rider, King [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon II]], suffered from several broken bones and severe burns. Princess [[Rhaenys Targaryen (The Queen Who Never Was)|Rhaenys]] was found completely burned next to the dead body of [[Meleys]]. After the battle, Prince [[Aemond Targaryen|Aemond]] and Ser Criston took [[Rook's Rest]] and put the garrison to death. The head of [[Meleys]] was brought back to [[King's Landing]], inspiring fear amongst the small folk, causing thousands to flee the capitol until the gates were barred by Dowager Queen [[Alicent Hightower|Alicent]].

King [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon II]] was brought back to [[King's Landing]], where maesters attended to his wounds. He was severely wounded, sleeping nine hours out of every ten, under the influence of milk of the poppy. [[Sunfyre]] was too large to be moved, and due to his injuries unable to fly. The dragon thus remained at [[Rook's Rest]], where guards were posted to keep him safe and feed him. With Aegon unable to rule, Prince [[Aemond Targaryen|Aemond]] assumed the style of Protector of the Realm.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

{{Quote|You must rule the realm now, until your brother is strong enough to take the crown again.}}

===The Dragonseeds===
[[File:Netty.png‎|Netty and Sheepstealer by [http://ashleyhunterrice.tumblr.com/ Ashley Rice] |thumb|300px|right]]

{{Quote|It should have been you.}}

Lord [[Corlys Velaryon|Corlys]], upon learning of the death of his [[Rhaenys Targaryen (The Queen Who Never Was)|wife]], threatened to leave Rhaenyra’s side, until Prince [[Jacaerys Velaryon|Jacaerys]] named him [[Hand of the Queen]]. Together, grandfather and grandson planned an assault on [[King's Landing]], sent Prince [[Joffrey Velaryon|Joffrey]] to the [[Vale]] with Lady [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Daemon)|Rhaena]] and three dragons eggs and Joffrey’s dragon [[Tyraxes]]. Prince [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon the Younger]] and Prince [[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys]] were sent to [[Pentos]] by [[Gay Abandon|ship]], to be fostered with the Prince of Pentos, a friend of Prince Daemons, until Rhaenyra had secured the throne.

With only [[Vhagar]] left to defend the city ([[Dreamfyre]] was at [[King's Landing]] as well, but could not fight due to her rider being unable), [[Jacaerys Velaryon|Jacaerys]] wanted to attack the capitol with as many dragons as possible. With six riderless dragons present on [[Dragonstone]], Jacaerys called out to the dragonseeds, vowing that any man who could master one of the dragons would be raised to knightship and gain wealth. Many men tried, and some women as well. Sixteen men died, amongst them Lord Commander [[Steffon Darklyn]], and forty-eight were burned or maimed. Four people eventually succeeded: [[Vermithor]] was claimed by [[Hugh Hammer]], [[Silverwing]] by [[Ulf the White]], [[Seasmoke]] by [[Addam Velaryon|Addam of Hull]], and [[Sheepstealer]] by a girl named [[Nettles]]. Lord [[Corlys Velaryon|Corlys]] asked Rhaenyra to remove the taint of bastardy from Addam and his brother [[Alyn Velaryon|Alyn]], making them true Velaryons, and named Addam heir to [[Driftmark]].{{Ref|TPATQ}}

===[[Battle in the Gullet]]===
:{{Main|Battle in the Gullet}}
Meanwhile, ninety warships were sailing from the [[Stepstones]] chanced upon the [[Gay Abandon]], carrying Prince [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon the Younger]] and Prince [[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys]]. The escorting ships were sunk or taken, and Prince Aegon managed to escape by clinging to the neck of his dragon, [[Stormcloud]]. During the flight, [[Stormcloud]] was injured terribly. Prince Viserys, having only a dragon egg, had no such option, and was made a captive of admiral [[Sharako Lohar]] of [[Lys]].

Prince [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon’s]] arrival on [[Dragonstone]], with [[Stormcloud]], spread the tale, and so Prince [[Jacaerys Velaryon|Jacaerys]] mounted [[Vermax]] and flew to the Lysene galleys, quickly followed by the four dragonseeds. The warships tried to flee, and all seemed lost for the Lyseni, until [[Vermax]] flew too low and crashed into the sea. [[Jacaerys Velaryon|Jacaerys]] leapt free, and managed to hold on to a piece of wreckage, until he was pierced by quarrels. The prince was swallowed by the sea.

The lysine ships, who had set sail originally with ninety, sailed back with only twenty-eight ships. They passed [[Dragonstone]], but believed the island too strong to take. Instead, they sacked [[Spicetown]] and butchered men, women and children. [[High Tide]], containing all the [[Corlys Velaryon|Sea Snakes]] treasures, was consumed by fire, one third of his fleet brought down.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

===The [[Battle on the Honeywine]]===
:{{Main|Battle on the Honeywine}}
A fortnight later, Lord [[Ormund Hightower]] found himself stuck between two armies: Lord [[Thaddeus Rowan]] and [[Tom Flowers]], from [[Goldengrove]] and [[Bitterbridge]], came down on him from the northeast, while Ser [[Alan Beesbury]], Lord [[Alan Tarly]] and Lord [[Owen Costayne]] were cutting off the retreat route back to [[Oldtown]]. They closed around him, when Prince [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Viserys I)|Daeron]] on his dragon joined the battle. [[Tom Flowers]] died, Lord [[Thaddeus Rowan|Rowan]] fled, the Alans were captured, and Lord [[Owen Costayne|Costayne]] was dying. The victory lead to Lord Hightower knighting Prince Daeron, naming him Daeron the Daring.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

===[[Fall of King's Landing]]===
:{{Main|Fall of King's Landing}}
Tide turned for [[the blacks]]. Jace’s death seemd to give [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]] strength. Filled with anger and hatred, she resolved to use her dragons.

Meanwhile Lord [[Walys Mooton|Mooton]] retook [[Rook's Rest]], and attempted to kill [[Sunfyre]], who still remained there, wounded. The dragon fought back, and burned three score men before the others fled. Lord Mooton himself died as well. When the survivors dared to return to the field again, the dead were still there, but Sunfyre had disappeared. There were no tracks, suggesting Sunfyre had taken wing again despite his wounds.

With the [[North]] assembling forces, Ser [[Criston Cole|Criston]] saw danger, should these troops join up with [[Daemon Targaryen|Daemon]] at [[Harrenhal]].{{Ref|TPATQ}}

{{Quote|The whore on Dragonstone is not the threat. No more than Rowan and these traitors in the Reach. The danger is my uncle. Once Daemon is dead, all these fools flying our sister’s banners will run back to their castles and trouble us no more.}}

The host Prince [[Daemon Targaryen|Daemon]] had gathered at [[Harrenhal]] was still growing, and Prince [[Aemond Targaryen|Aemond]] believed him to be the real danger, not Rhaenyra. Aemond and Ser [[Criston Cole|Criston]] rode forth from [[King's Landing]] with a host of four thousand and the dragon [[Vhagar]]. Daemon knew of their plans even before Aemond had left the capitol. He hastened south on [[Caraxes]], staying well away from Criston’s line of march.

{{Quote|When told that Aemond and Ser Criston Cole had left King's Landing, it is said that Prince Daemon laughed and said, “Past time,” for he had long anticipated this moment. A murder of ravens took flight from the twisted towers of Harrenhal.}}

Expecting to find Daemon, instead Aemond and Criston would find [[Harrenhal]] abandoned after a nineteen day march, and would believe themselves victorious. The truth was very different. With [[Vhagar]] away from [[King’s Landing]], only [[Dreamfyre]] remained, and [[Helaena Targaryen|Helaena]] was in no condition to fly. [[Daemon Targaryen|Daemon]] and [[Caraxes]] had not fled, but joined up with [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]] and [[Syrax]] above [[King's Landing]], leaving the small folk below in terror. [[Corlys Velaryon|The Sea Snake]]s ships sailed into [[Blackwater Bay]], and the only one left to defend the city was Dowager Queen [[Alicent Hightower|Alicent]]. Grand Maester [[Orwyle]], trying to dispatch ravens asking for help, was arrested before a single letter could be send. The riders bearing messages were arrested at the city gates, and the seven captains commanding the gates we killed or arrested, all by those gold cloaks still loyal to Prince [[Daemon Targaryen|Daemon]]. The city gates were opened for the men arriving with the Velaryon fleet.

[[King's Landing]] fell in less than a day.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

{{Quote|Then she bid her stepmother choose: yield, or burn.}}

All those from the green council who had been in [[King's Landing]] when the attacks began were arrested, safe for Lord [[Larys Strong]], who had disappeared, taking with him King [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon II]], Princess [[Jaehaera Targaryen|Jaehaera]], Prince [[Maelor Targaryen|Maelor]], and Ser [[Willis Fell]] and [[Rickard Thorne]] of the [[Kingsguard]]. The other green council members yielded, and [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]] took her place on the [[Iron Throne]].

Dowager Queen Alicent would be spared, but her father, Ser [[Otto Hightower|Otto]] was beheaded, as was [[Jasper Wylde|Ironrod]]. Ser [[Tyland Lannister]] would be given to the torturers, in the hopes of regaining some of the gold he had hidden.

While Rhaenyra’s return to [[King's Landing]] was cheered and celebrated at first, the amount of heads on spikes and increasing taxes made the small folk dub her '''“King Maegor with teats”'''. Despite this, Princes [[Joffrey Velaryon|Joffrey]] and [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon the Younger]] were called to King’s Landing.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

{{Quote|And for a hundred years thereafter “Maegor’s Teats” was a common curse amongst kingslanders.}}

===[[Battle by the Lakeshore]]/The Fishfeed===
:{{Main|Battle by the Lakeshore}}

{{Quote| Best make an end to these lions before the dragons come.}}

While the news of the [[fall of King's Landing]] reached Prince [[Aemond Targaryen|Aemond]], fighting in the Riverlands continued. A [[House Lannister|Lannister]] host was on the move, lead by the old [[House Lefford|Lord Lefford]]. At the western shores of the [[Gods Eye]], they came across [[Roderick Dustin|Roddy the Ruin]] with his [[Winter Wolves]], who had combined his forces with Lord [[Forrest Frey]] and [[Robb Rivers|Red Robb Rivers]]. From the south, [[Longleaf|Longleaf the Lionslayer]], Lords [[House Bigglestone|Bigglestone]], [[House Chambers|Chambers]] and [[House Perryn|Perryn]] locked him in. Lords [[Garibald Grey]], [[Jon Charlton]] and [[Benjicot Blackwood]] joined up with the army from the [[North|north]] and [[Riverlands|riverlands]] the following day, whilst Lord Leffords ravens were all shot down. The day after, they began their battle, which would be called the bloodiest land battle of the Dance. Hundreds died that day.

Prince [[Aemond Targaryen|Aemond]] and Ser [[Criston Cole]] at [[Harrenhal]] could no longer agree on a plan of action. They were running short of food. Criston wished to withdraw to the south, to join strength with Lord [[Ormund Hightower|Hightower]] and Prince [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Viserys I)|Daeron]], while [[Aemond Targaryen|Aemond]], enraged by losing [[King's Landing]] and the outcome of the [[Battle by the Lakeshore]], wished to attack the capitol. And so they parted ways, with Criston taking the army south, whilst Prince Aemond remained to ravage the Riverlands, waiting until such a time when [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]] would send out “a dragon or two” to stop him, so [[Vhagar]] could destroy them.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

===The Red Kraken===
After Lord Beesbury had been killed in the beginning of the war, Ser [[Tyland Lannister]] had been made Master of Coin, to take Beesbury's place. This had left the office of Master of Ships vacant. The green council had assumed that [[Dalton Greyjoy]] could be persauded to their allegiance by offering him the vacant council seat. Ironically, at the beginning of the war Aegon II had also thought his reign unassailable, given that he controlled the three largest and wealthiest cities in the realm (King's Landing, Oldtown, and Lannisport) and the previous royal treasury from Viserys I's reign.

Rhaenyra's black council offered Lord Dalton something more to his liking, however, and so House Greyjoy declared for Rhaenyra. Little was to be gained by sailing around Westeros to attack Rhaenyra's supporters in the Vale and the North, but the wealth of Oldtown and Lannisport (which Aegon II had prided himself on) was nearby, and a much more tempting target. With the Lannister armies destroyed at the Fishfeed and the green armies of the Reach marching east to Tumbleton, the coasts only had skeleton defenses. For two years, Dalton and his Ironborn raided and pillaged the coasts of the Westerlands and the Reach. Greyjoy captured Kayce and Fair Isle, and though the ironborn could not force entry into Casterly Rock, they sacked Lannisport.

===The Feasting Corpses/The [[Butcher's Ball]]===
:{{Main|Butcher's Ball}}
Aemond burned [[Darry]], [[Lord Harroway's Town]], [[Lord's Mill]], [[Blackbuckle]], [[Buckle]], [[Claypool]], [[Swynford]] and [[Spiderwood]]. Ser [[Criston Cole|Criston]], going south, found everything in front of him dead: forests, villages, horses, men. His scouts found scenes where armored corpses sat beneath the trees, rotting away, a mockery of the fallen throwing a feast. Four days out of [[Harrenhal]], attacks made Criston lose a few men every single time. Seeing multiple “corpse feasts” Criston and his men grew accustomed to the sight. At [[Crossed Elms]], however, the corpses were no true corpses at all, and attacked Criston and his men when they were riding past. In his flight, Criston fell upon the Lords of the Trident, with [[Roderick Dustin]] leading. Cole challenged the leaders of the black host to single combat, but was refused. The battle was the most decisive in the Dance, and after Criston died, his remaining men broke and ran, and were killed by the hundreds in the rout. The massacre became known as the Butcher's Ball, and it marked the high point of Rhaenyra's fortunes.

Living in fear of [[Vhagar]], Lord [[Manfryd Mooton|Mooton]] had meanwhile invited [[Daemon Targaryen|Daemon]] and [[Nettles]] to take [[Maidenpool]] as their base. [[Aemond Targaryen|Aemond]] still terrorized the [[Riverlands]], stricking at [[Stonyhead]], the [[Mountains of the Moon]], [[Sweetwillow]] and [[Sallydance]], and many more. Each day [[Caraxes]] and [[Sheepstealer]] would take wing from Maidenpool, and each day they would return, with Vhagar unfound.

Piteous news soon reached Rhaenyra in King's Landing, which proved just as controversial as the death of Aegon's elder son Jaehaerys. While his daughter Jaehaera had safely arrived at Storm's End, his last son Maelor was discovered and stopped by a mob of pro-Rhaenyra supporters at Bitterbridge. The mob of men and women clamored over the three-year old boy, each trying to claim the reward, until little Maelor was torn to pieces. When the Hightower army worked its way up the Roseroad to Bitterbridge some time later, it razed the castle to the ground in revenge.

===The [[First Battle of Tumbleton]]===
:{{Main|First Battle of Tumbleton}}
[[Aemond Targaryen|Aemond]] still remained a threat in the [[Riverlands]], stricking unexpectedly. Yet the real threat was Prince [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Viserys I)|Daeron]] and the great army of Lord [[Ormund Hightower]]. Slowly advancing on [[King's Landing]], they were defeating the [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Queens]] loyalists wherever they went, as Rhaenyra’s armies fled before [[Tessarion]]. To defeat Aemond and [[Vhagar]], Prince Daemon and [[Caraxes]] had left for the [[Riverlands]] with the girl [[Nettles]] and her dragon [[Sheepstealer]]. To defeat Daeron and Tessarion, [[Ulf the White]] and [[Hugh Hammer]] flew to [[Tumbleton]].

Rhaenyra´s forces at Tumbleton greatly outnumbered the Hightower army. People fleeing into the city for safety from Lord Hightowers army, were secretly part of the army, and infiltrated the ranks of defenders. In addition, Ser Ulf the White and Ser Hugh Hammer, since then known as the [[Two Betrayers]], changed their allegiance. Though Lord Ormund and his cousin Ser [[Bryndon Hightower|Bryndon]] died in the battle, killed by [[Roderick Dustin|Roddy the Ruin]] as he himself was mortally injured, the Hightower army kept the advantage, as [[Vermithor]] and [[Silverwing]] joined [[Tessarion]] in the air, and loosened their flames upon [[Tumbleton]] unexpectedly. A savage sack followed.

Upon learning of the betrayels, Queen [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]] ordered the [[King's Landing|city]] gates closed and barred. The Betrayels at Tumbleton made the Black Council question the loyalty of the other dragonseeds, [[Addam Velaryon]] and [[Nettles]]. Most of the Black Council urged Rhaenyra to arrest both, and only Lord [[Corlys Velaryon|Corlys]] spoke in their defense, declaring Addam and his brother [[Alyn Velaryon|Alyn]] true Velaryons. His protests, though passionate, were in vain. Rhaenyra, already suspicious, ordered the arrest of Nettles, at [[Maidenpool]] with Prince [[Daemon Targaryen|Daemon]], and Addam, currently guarding the dragons in the [[Dragonpit]]. Ser [[Luthor Largent]] went to arrest Addam, but upon his arrival at [[Rhaenys's Hill]], saw [[Seasmoke]] take wing, with Ser Addam on his back. Ser Luthor arrested Lord Corlys instead, since the old man did not deny helping his heir escape. Slowly, chaos started to arise again in King's Landing.

In [[Tumbleton]], meanwhile, chaos reigned. Lord Hightowers army remained there. Ormunds sons remained in [[Oldtown]] and were still green boys. Though Prince [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Viserys I)|Daeron]] had been knighted, he was still a boy, used to following commands. Ser [[Hobert Hightower|Hobert]], another Hightower cousin, presumed to take command. Prince Daeron commanded Ser Hobert to stop the savage sacking, but Hightower proved to be very ineffective. Ser [[Ulf the White|Ulf]] and [[Hugh Hammer|Hugh]] were worse. Ser Ulf drank heavy and fed women to his dragon, and became angry when he was named Lord of [[Bitterbridge]], dreaming of [[Highgarden]] instead. Ser Hugh was worse, dreaming of a crown of his own.

In the Hightower army, no decision of a course of action could be made, and the army became smaller every day due to desertions.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

===Dancing dragons at [[Dragonstone]]===
Around the time of the [[First Battle of Tumbleton]], the merchant cog ''[[Nessaria]]'' made a stop at [[Dragonstone]] for repairs and provisions, having been driven off course by a storm. They had passed the [[Dragonmont]] before arriving at [[Dragonstone]]´s port, and there they had spotted two fighting dragons.

Inspired by the story from those of [[Volantis]], local fisherman took their boats out for a look the next morning, and they reported having seen the burned and broken remains of a dead dragon. From the color of its scales and wings, they concluded the dead dragon was [[Grey Ghost]], completely torn apart. Ser [[Robert Quince]], Dragonstones castellan, named the [[Cannibal]] as the killer. Only later in the war would the truth surface.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

===[[Fall of Dragonstone]]===
:{{Main|Fall of Dragonstone}}
Having smuggled [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon]], [[Jaehaera Targaryen|Jaehaera]] and [[Maelor Targaryen|Maelor]] out of [[King's Landing]], Lord [[Larys Strong|Larys]] dispatched Jaehaera and a Kingsguard to Lord [[Ormund Hightower|Hightower]], and Maelor and another Kingsguard to [[Storm's End]], while he disguised King Aegon and smuggled him to [[Dragonstone]], [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra’s]] seat, the last place anyone would look for him. Aegon was kept hidden in disguise, and would have remained such, as [[Sunfyre]] had not found them. Unbeknownst to those in the castle, it had been Sunfyre who had fought and killed [[Grey Ghost]], and not the [[Cannibal]].

Rider and dragon went out flying again, regaining strength, while Aegons loyal men had found people enough who were willing to betray Rhaenyra, due to mislike for her. Dragonstone had not been well defended, and it had fallen easily. There had only been one problem. Lady [[Baela Targaryen|Baela]], Prince [[Daemon Targaryen|Daemon’s]] daughter, had managed to escape her attackers and mount her [[Moondancer|dragon]]. She met [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon II]] and [[Sunfyre]] in the sky, unexpectedly, where the two dragons fought. Sunfyre blinded Moondancer with fire, but the younger dragon fought on. The dragons eventually fell on the earth. On the ground, Sunfyre won the battle. King Aegon had jumped off Sunfyre’s back before the dragon hit the ground, but had broken both his legs. Baela had stayed strapped on Moondancer, and was burned and battered. She was taken captive, and King Aegon the Elder now held [[Dragonstone]].{{Ref|TPATQ}}

===The [[Dance over Harrenhal]]===
[[File:Sir-Heartsalot Daemon Targaryen v Aemond One-Eye.JPG|Daemon and Aemond, fighting on top of Caraxes and Vhagar, with Dark Sister in Daemons hand.|thumb|350px|right]]
:{{Main|Dance over Harrenhal}}
Lord [[Manfryd Mooton]] found himself in a difficult situation, when the message from [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]] arrived from [[King's Landing]], telling Mooton to send her the head of [[Nettles]]. Nettles, during her time with Prince [[Daemon Targaryen|Daemon]], was said to have become his lover, according to Rhaenyra, and was thus guilty of high treason. Prince Daemon was to not be harmed. The decision Lord Mooton had to make was a difficult one, for Nettles was a guest beneath his roof, and killing her would mean breaking the [[guest right]], and facing Prince Daemons wroth. Refusing Rhaenyra, however, would mean being attainted a traitor. The [[Norren|maester]] suggested that they had never read the letter, and later that night, went to inform Daemon of Rhaenyra´s command.

{{Quote|[[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|The Old King]] would never have asked this, of any man of honor.}}

The next day, Nettles mounted her dragon [[Sheepstealer]], with tears on her cheeks. Daemon and Nettles spoke no word of farewell, but when Sheepstealer climbed the sky, [[Caraxes]] gave a scream. Nettles and her dragon disappeared that day, and were never seen again.

Prince Daemon told Lord Mooton to spread the word that he would fly for [[Harrenhal]], so [[Aemond Targaryen|Aemond]] could come face him, alone. Once Daemon was gone, Lord Mooton took down Rhaenyra’s banners, and raised the golden dragons of King [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon II]].{{Ref|TPATQ}}

{{Quote|”You were a fool to come alone.” “Were I not alone, you would not have come.”}}

Prince Daemon took Harrenhal from the few who still remained there, and waited for thirteen days. On the fourteenth day, [[Vhagar]] appeared in the sky, and on her back rode Prince [[Aemond Targaryen|Aemond]] and his bedmaid, the pregnant seer [[Alys Rivers]]. Dropping Alys on the ground, Daemon and Aemond had one last conversation before both Targaryens mounted their dragons and climbed into the sky. Caraxes fell down upon Vhagar, starting the fight. Their fight ended as the two dragons, locked together, tumbled down towards the lake. According to the tales, this was when Prince Daemon leapt from one dragon to the other, [[Dark Sister]] in his hand. Aemond looked up in terror, but was chained to his saddle, and could not do anything when Daemon ripped off Aemonds helm and drove the sword through Aemonds blind eye. The dragons struck the lake half a heartbeat later.

[[Caraxes]] lived long enough to crawl back onto the land, beneath the walls of [[Harrenhal]], where he died. [[Vhagar]] died in the water, and was found some years later, when the Dance was over, with Aemond’s armored bones still chained to the saddle, and with [[Dark Sister]] still in his eye-socket.

There’s no doubt that Prince [[Daemon Targaryen|Daemon]] died that day, as he could not possibly have survived the impact. His remains, however, were never found, causing singers to tell that he survived to spend his last days with [[Nettles]]. It was the twenty-second day of the fifth moon of the year {{Date|130}}.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

===The [[Riot of King's Landing (the Dance of the Dragons)|Riots at King's Landing]]===
:{{Main|Riot of King's Landing (the Dance of the Dragons)|Storming of the Dragonpit}}
In [[King's Landing]], the [[House Velaryon|Velaryon]] fleet, counting more than half the army that had sailed from [[Dragonstone]], had abandoned [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]] when they learned Lord [[Corlys Velaryon|Corlys]] was in the Black Cells. Those who remained could no longer be trusted.

That same day, Queen [[Helaena Targaryen|Helaena]] threw herself from her window in [[Maegor's Holdfast]] and died impaled upon the iron spikes that lined the dry moat below. The stories told of Helaena’s death on the streets and in inns, by nightfall, were much darker. The people believed she had been murdered, as her sons before her. The rumours were believed very quickly. Tales tell that at the moment of Helaena’s death, her dragon [[Dreamfyre]] rose with a roar, snapping two of her chains.

That night a [[Riot of King's Landing (the Dance of the Dragons)|riot]] rose in [[King's Landing]]. The chaos was big, and neither noble nor lowborn was spared. Sailors unable to return to their ships attacked the [[River Gate]]. Ser [[Luthor Largent|Luthor]] and his [[Gold Cloaks]] went to [[Cobbler's Square]], to disperse the rioters, but after the first had fled, there were ten thousand more, and they believed Luthor to have killed Helaena: the mere sight of him angered them even more. The rioters were ten thousands where the gold cloaks were only five hundred, and so the Gold Cloaks were slaughtered, Ser Luthor amongst them.

A hedge knight, Ser [[Perkin the Flea]], crowned his squire [[Trystane (squire)|Trystane]], declaring him to be King [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys’]] bastard. Ser Perkin then began dubbing all those who would support Trystane knights, and so many fled to their cause.

The next day, some order was restored to parts of [[King's Landing]] again, but in the rest of the city, chaos remained.

That night [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]] learned about [[Maidenpool]]s betrayel, and [[Nettles]] escape. Rhaenyra send ravens to [[Winterfell]] and the [[Eyrie]], pleading for more aid, and named a new Lord Commander to her [[Queensguard]], Ser [[Glendon Goode]]. Prince [[Joffrey Velaryon|Joffrey]] donned his armor and begged to fight, but he was forbidden.

The night came once more, and Ser Perkin and “King” Trystane were gaining strength. The [[King's Gate]] and the [[Lion Gate]] were opened by rioters, the [[Gold Cloaks]] at the [[King's Gate]] having fled, and those guarding the [[Lion Gate]] having joined the rioters. With Ser Perkin holding the [[River Gate]], three out of seven gates were now open to enemies.

{{Quote|Bring him back, bring him back, he does not know. My son, my sweet, my son …}}

The people of [[King's Landing]] no longer believed [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]] could protect them and a mob twice as big as the one of the night before formed in the city. A crazed prophet made the mob turn their attention to the [[Dragon Pit]] and the entire mob moved towards [[Rhaenys's Hill]] to kill the dragons. By the time they reached the hill, their numbers had doubled. Rhaenyra was watching all this unfold from [[Maegor's Holdfast]]. Prince Joffrey pleaded, fearing [[Tyraxes]], his own dragon, would be killed, but Rhaenyra would not listen, insisting the mob would burn. Joffrey, dissatisfied, went outside and mounted [[Syrax]], Rhaenyra’s she-dragon, the dragon that was not his own, to fly to the Pit. All attempts to get him back failed, as Syrax threw Joffrey off her back as arrows and spears flew up from below. Joffrey, not having used a saddle, fell from Syrax’ back and crashed into the ground.

{{Quote|Seldom have so many men rushed so eagerly onto their funeral pyres, but a madness was upon them.}}

The battle in the Dragonpit began. Four dragons there were: [[Shrykos]], who died first, slain by a [[Hobb the Hewer|woodsman]] who slamed his axe into her skull. [[Morghul]] was killed by the [[Burning Knight]]. [[Tyraxes]] went into his lair and roasted many before finally dying. And last [[Dreamfyre]], who broke free of her remaining bonds, plunging into the mob with fire, tooth and claw. Dreamfyre slew more than the other three dragons combined, until a crossbow blinded one of her eyes. Dreamfyre then tried to leap free, and the weakened dome cracked under her force, only to crash down on both dragon and dragonslayers.

[[Syrax]] was still alive and free in the air, and descended on the survivors. Rhaenyra, watching from atop [[Maegor's Holdfast]], would not dare let go of her last remaining son, [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon the Younger]]… until she saw Syrax fall.

Rhaenyra’s councilers agreed that the city was lost. Rhaenyra was persuaded to leave the next day, slipping through the [[Dragon Gate]], starting the journey to [[Duskendale]].{{Ref|TPATQ}}

===The [[Second Battle of Tumbleton]]===
:{{Main|Second Battle of Tumbleton}}
News of unrest in [[King's Landing]] reached [[Tumbleton]], making the Hightower army believe they should advance upon the city, but Ser [[Hobert Hightower|Hobert]] doubted, and the [[Two Betrayers]] refused to join unless their demands were met.

With [[Aemond Targaryen|Aemond]] slain and [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon]] still missing, [[the Greens]] found themselves without a leader and a king. Prince [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Viserys I)|Daeron]] was now next in line for the throne and there were some who wanted to name him Prince of Dragonstone, or even King, but the [[Two Betrayers]] did not agree. Lord [[Hugh Hammer]] wanted to be crowned king, by the rights of conquest. He had the [[Vermithor|oldest and largest dragon alive]], trice as big as [[Tessarion]], Daeron’s dragon.

Offended by the arrogance of the Betrayers, the lords and knights of the [[Reach]], and Prince [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Viserys I)|Daeron]], grew wroth. The [[Two Betrayers]] plotted together Hammers coronation, and indeed [[Hugh Hammer|Hard Hugh]] later wore a crown of black iron. When insulted, Hard Hugh’s men came to blows with loyalists, and Lord [[Unwin Peake|Peake]] and Ser [[Hobert Hightower|Hobert]] summoned eleven other lords and landed knights, who together became known as the [[Caltrops]], as to discuss what to do about the dragonseeds. They agreed that disposing of [[Ulf the White]] would be easy, but that Hammer was dangerous, surrounded by men and women day and night. They decided Hammer had to die first.

With Prince Daerons consent, the [[Caltrops]] carried out their plans. But the day the Caltrops planned to strike, the people at [[Tumbleton]] woke at night to find themselves under attack. The dragon attacking was [[Seasmoke]], with [[Addam Velaryon]] on his back, and with an army of four thousand loyal to [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]] behind them. The great host encamped at [[Tumbleton]] outnumbered their attackers, but due to their long stay, they had grown lax.

Ulf was asleep inside [[Tumbleton]], his dragon outside the town. They tried to wake him, but he slept through [[Second Battle of Tumbleton|the entire battle]]. [[Hugh Hammer|Hard Hugh]] did respond, and rushed to the yard, screaming for a horse so he could go and mount his dragon, when Lord [[Jon Roxton]], one of the [[Caltrops]], met up with him. He offered Hammer his condolences, and when asked why, he told the new made King he had died in battle, before killing Hammer. He was shortly after killed himself by Hammers men in revenge. Prince Daeron died in the battle as well, though no one knows exactly how. Three different accounts exist on his death.

{{Quote|Lord Hammer, my condolences. For what? You died in the battle.}}

The three dragons encamped at [[Tumbleton]] were unchained, however, and all had been roused by the battle. [[Addam Velaryon|Addam]] turned [[Seasmoke]] to meet [[Tessarion]], and the two dragons danced around each other in the sky. [[Vermithor]] eventually rose into the sky as well, attacking everything he came across. And thus Addam turned Seasmoke towards him, to protect those men who were helping them, although he must have known Seasmoke could not beat Vermithor. The dragons were so locked together, neither could get free. Tessarion joined the fight, which ended with Vermithor ripping off the head of Seasmoke. Vermithor, due to his wounds, died next. Tessarion, after trice trying to fly, remained in pain, until Lord Blackwood ordered her killed to end her suffering.

Though having won the battle, the [[Rivermen]] had not been able to take the town. Tumbletons walls were closed, and without a dragon or equipment, they could not start a siege, so the rivermen took all that they found useful and left. Only one dragon now remained at the city: [[Silverwing]].

Eight of the thirteen Caltrops had died in the battle, and one would die the next day. Ser [[Hobert Hightower|Hobert]] and Lord [[Unwin Peake|Peake]] remained, and both found [[Ulf the White]], the last dragonrider, proclaiming himself their last hope. White now proposed to take the throne for him, since Prince Daeron was dead. And so Ser Hobert visited him the next day with two casks of wine, one red for himself, one golden arbor for White. Ulf, however, became suspicious of Ser Hobert, and insisted they drank the arbor gold together.

And so Ser Hobert drank deep, and asked for more. Having seen this, Ulf drank three cups, and died shortly after due to the poison mixed in the wine. Ser Hobert tried to retch, but for him it was too late as well, and he died within the hour.

Without a leader, and without a rider for [[Silverwing]], the army started to fall apart. And so [[Unwin Peake|Lord Peake]] called defeat, and retreated. [[King's Landing]] had been saved.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

===[[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra’s]] retreat to [[Dragonstone]]===
Yet [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]] did not know about this. She had been refused entry at [[Rosby]] and was allowed to stay only one night at [[Stokeworth]], half her [[Gold Cloaks]] deserted on the road, and attackers killed several of her knights. At [[Duskendale]] they were admitted, but not allowed to stay long. Refusing to part from [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon]], and without ships, Rhaenyra sold her crown to buy passage on a Braavosi ship. And so she returned to [[Dragonstone]], where she knew were more dragon eggs, for she needed a new dragon.

At Dragonstone, Rhaenyra found her [[Robert Quince|castellan]] slain. As Ser [[Alfred Broome|Alfred]], angered when he had not been named castellan, showed Ser Roberts burned body, his men killed all of Rhaenyra’s men, and imprisoned [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]], her ladies, and [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon the Younger]]. Once inside the gates of the castle, Rhaenyra stood face to face with [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon II]] and [[Sunfyre]].

Not long after Dragonstone had secretly fallen to Aegon II, ravens had arrived telling him about Rhaenyra’s return to Dragonstone. This had given Aegon the opportunity to prepare for the arrival of his half-sister.

{{Quote|Mother, flee!}}

And so it was the [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Queen]] found her brother in her own seat. [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon]] wasted no time, and had Rhaenyra fed to his [[Sunfyre|dragon]], whilst [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon the Younger]] looked on. With the chance that Rhaenyra’s loyalists would continue the fight in her sons name, Aegon the Younger became a hostage. It was the twenty-second day of the tenth month of {{Date|130}}.

On the ninth day of the twelfth month, Sunfyre the Golden died on Dragonstone. After this, Aegon started planning his return to [[King's Landing]]. Though [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]] had died, her cause lived on. [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon]] would sit the throne again, but it would only lest another half of a year.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

{{Quote|The time for hiding is done,” King Aegon II declared. “Let the ravens fly that the realm may know the pretender is dead, and their true king is coming home to reclaim his father’s throne.}}

===The Moon of the Three Kings===
After Rhaenyra's forces abandoned King's Landing, chaos took control of the city for several weeks. The Shepherd had survived the destruction of the Dragonpit, and his mob ruled much of the city.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Aegon II}}

Two pretender kings came to be in the city. The first was Trystane Truefyre, the squire of the hedge knight Ser [[Perkin the Flea]], who claimed the boy was a bastard son of the late King Viserys I. Ser Perkin had previously already been gathering support for Trystane, and after Rhaenyra's flight, installed Trystane in the [[Red Keep]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| Aegon II}}

The second pretender king was a four year old boy named [[Gaemon Palehair]], the son of a whore, who claimed the boy had been fathered by King [[Aegon II Targaryen]]. Given King Aegon's philandering ways, this was not seen as improbable, though the boy's mother would later admit that Gaemon had been the son of an oarsman from [[Lys]] when she was hanged. Gaemon ruled from atop of Visenya's Hill, from the House of Kisses, and gathered thousands of followers. He issued a series of edicts,{{Ref|TWOIAF| Aegon II}} amongst them one declaring that females should be equal to males in matters of inheritance. According to Archmaester [[Gyldayn]], [[Mushroom]] claims that these edicts were almost certainly the work of the paramour of Gaemon's mother [[Essie]], a dornish whore named [[Sylvenna Sand]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| Queer Customs of the South}}

In the end, it was Lord [[Borros Baratheon]] and his stormlanders who seized King's Landing back. Trystane Truefyre was executed, though not before he received the boon of knighthood. Gaemon Palehair was arrested, and would survive the war. King [[Aegon II Targaryen]] arrived back at King's Landing, and installed himself in the [[Red Keep]] once more. Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]], who had been arrested by Rhaenyra and left in the dungeons when she fled the city, was freed and named to Aegon's small council.

As King Aegon II's only remaining heir was his daughter [[Jaehaera Targaryen|Jaehaera]], the widowed King agreed to marry a daughter of Lord Borros.

===The Battle of the Kingsroad/The Muddy Mess===
:{{Main|Battle of the Kingsroad}}
With King's Landing secured for King Aegon II, Lord Borros led his armies against the riverlanders who were approaching the city. The riverlanders were being led by Lord [[Kermit Tully]], Lord [[Benjicot Blackwood]] (together known as "the Lads").{{Ref|TWOIAF| Aegon II}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| House Baratheon and Benjicot's aunt, [[Alysanne Blackwood]]}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| House Baratheon}}<ref>Clarification [http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/topic/119534-twoiaf-spoilers-inconsistency-or-intentional/?p=6435302]</ref>

Lord Borros, upon learning this, grew more confident in his victory, but it was Benjicot Blackwood, thereafter known as Bloody Ben Blackwood, who broke his flank, and "Black Aly" who led the archers that brought down Borros' knights. Lord Borros fought on, and killed the Lords Darry and Mallister, before he himself was killed by Kermit Tully.{{Ref|TWOIAF| House Baratheon}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| House Tully}}

This left King's Landing with only meager defenses, with the Lads only a short distance away, while Lord [[Cregan Stark]] and his forces were marching south as well to reinforce them.

===The end of the Dance===
The black army of "the Lads" was now a day's march outside of King's Landing, and there were no significant green forces to stop them. Lord Cregan Stark was coming south, and other armies were coming from the Vale as well. Yet King Aegon II refused to surrender, even when Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]], now Master of Ships on Aegon II's small council, advised him that the only remaining option was to surrender and join the [[Night's Watch]]. Instead, King Aegon II gave orders to have [[Aegon III Targaryen|his nephew's]] ear cut off and sent to the Lads as a warning - if his bloodline died, so would Rhaenyra's. Aegon climbed back into his litter, to be carried to his chamber, and was given a cup of wine along the way to ease his pain. When his escort arrived at his private chamber and lifted the litter's curtains, Aegon II was dead, with blood on his lips.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Aegon II}} Who exactly poisoned the king remains unknown to history, though twenty-two men would later be arrested for this crime (Lord Corlys Velaryon and Larys Strong amongst them).{{Ref|TWOIAF| Aegon III}}

==Aftermath==
===The False Dawn===
With King Aegon II dead, Aegon the Younger was crowned as King Aegon III Targaryen. Despite the hopes that the troubles were done - Aegon II's host had been defeated, the Velaryon fleet once more served the Iron Throne - the period that followed the war immediately was named "the False Dawn".{{Ref|TWOIAF| Aegon III}}

The realm faced numerous problems. The cruel winter that had begun the year before on Maiden's Day of {{Date|130}} would last until {{Date|135}}. Much of the realm had been burned out by dragonfire - in particular, Aemond Targaryen's one-man war riding Vhagar, which had burned out most of the Riverlands. Broken men and outlaws roamed the countryside in the hundreds and thousands, and public order had collapsed in many places. The ironborn, under the command of the Red Kraken - who had only nominally sided with the blacks as a pretext to attack wealthy green kingdoms - now refused to acknowledge the boy-king's commands to stop raiding.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Aegon III}}

Lord Cregan Stark and his army of childless and homeless men, unwed men, and younger sons, had marched to King's Landing with the hopes of war, adventure and plunder, and for a glorious death. The sudden death of King Aegon II had robbed them of that chance, leaving Lord Cregan furious. He had wanted to punish Storm's End, Casterly Rock and Oldtown for having supported Aegon over Rhaenyra, but upon his arrival, Lord Corlys Velaryon had already send out ravens, suing for peace.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Aegon III}}

===Hour of the Wolf===
Lord Cregan could not be dissuaded in punishing the betrayers and poisoners of King Aegon II. He found the poisoning fould murder, and had twenty-two men arrested in the name of Aegon III (Lord [[Larys Strong]] and Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]] amongst them). He then made the young King Aegon III to name him [[Hand of the King]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| Aegon III}}

Lord Cregan reigned as Hand of the King for only a day, a day filled with trials and executions. Most of those accused chose to take the black - chief amongst them was Ser Perkin the Flea - yet two chose death (Ser Gyles Belgrave of the Kingsguard and Larys Strong). The day after the executions, Lord Cregan resigned as Hand, and returned to the north, leaving many of his northmen behind in the south.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Aegon III}}

===The Regency===
With the war over, a council of seven regents was established for the young Aegon III. They would continue to reign until {{Date|136}}, the day when King Aegon III came of age. This regency period was still filled with many troubles as the realm struggled to rebuild from the war. Out of the seven original regents, only Grand Maester [[Munkun]] would serve the full term.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Aegon III}}

During the regency, King Aegon III was married to the only remaining child of the late King Aegon II: Princess [[Jaehaera Targaryen]]. Jaehaera would die two years later however, and the King would remarry, this time to a cousin of Lord [[Alyn Velaryon]]: Lady [[Daenaera Velaryon]]. This second marriage would give the King five children.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Aegon III}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| Appendix: Targaryen Lineage}}

The Red Kraken, meanwhile, continued to raid the western coasts. With peace restored, the devastated Westerlands and Reach gradually built up enough strength to contest the ironborn. This private war between the Greyjoys and the lords of the western coasts dragged on for another three years during the heart of winter. Eventually, Dalton Greyjoy died on Fair Isle, when after he finished raping a girl in Lord Farman's own bedchamber, she opened his throat as he slept. Dalton had never taken a rock wife, and only had young sons by several salt wives, which led to a fight over the succession. A Lannister force, with the aid of Ser [[Leo Costayne]], attacked the isles in {{Date|134}}, exacting revenge. Entire villages were put to the sword, man, woman, and child. Most of the attacking host was lost, but those who returned home returned with plunder - and with one of Dalton's salt sons. Lady [[Johanna Lannister]] had the boy gelded and mutilated, and forced him to be her son's fool.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Red Kraken}}

==Consequences of the Dance==
Since the Dance, House Targaryen has practiced a highly modified version of agnatic primogeniture<ref>Comic Con San Diago [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Comic_Con_San_Diego_CA_July_20_232/]</ref>, placing female claimants in the line of succession behind all possible male ones, even collateral relations.

The war is the subject of the song "[[The Dance of the Dragons (song)|The Dance of the Dragons]]", as well as [[The Dance of the Dragons, A True Telling|a somewhat inaccurate history]] by [[Grand Maester]] [[Munkun]]. [[Archmaester]] [[Gyldayn]] wrote a history of it called ''The Princess and the Queen or the Blacks and the Greens''.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

==Books and Scrolls about the Dance of the Dragons==
* ''[[The Dance of the Dragons, A True Telling]]'' - by [[Grand Maester]] [[Munkun]]
* ''[[The Princess and The Queen, or, The Blacks and The Greens (by Archmaester Gyldayn)|The Princess and The Queen, or, The Blacks and The Greens]]'' - by Archmaester [[Gyldayn]]

==Family Tree of House Targaryen during the Dance==
{{Targaryen tree Dance}}

==References and Notes ==
{{References|2}}

{{Dance of the Dragons}}
{{Wars in Westeros}}

[[Category:Dance of the Dragons| ]]
[[Category:House Targaryen]]
[[Category:Wars]]
[[category:Westeros]]

[[es:Danza de los Dragones]]
[[fa:رقص اژدهایان]]
[[fr:Danse des Dragons]]
[[ru:Танец Драконов]]
[[zh:血龙狂舞]]

Daemon Targaryen

2014-12-18T21:03:59Z

Complexphoenix: /* Family */

{{Character
| Character_name = [[File:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|left]] Daemon Targaryen [[File:City watch.png|50px|right]]
| image =[[File:Marc Simonetti Damon Prince-VillainII.jpg|300px]]
| image_caption =Prince Daemon in his younger days as Commander of the [[Gold Cloaks]]. © Marc Simonetti
| Alias = Prince of the City Lord Flea Bottom The Rogue Prince
| Title = Prince Protector of the Realm Commander of the [[City Watch of King's Landing]] [[Master of coin]] [[Master of laws]] [[King of the Stepstones and the Narrow Sea]]
| Allegiance = [[House Targaryen]] [[The blacks]]
| Race = [[Valyria]]n
| Culture = [[Valyria]]n
| Spouse = 1st: [[Rhea Royce]] 2nd: [[Laena Velaryon]] 3rd: [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]]
| Place_of_Birth =
| Date_of_Birth = {{Date|81}}<ref>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Ages#Daemon Targaryen|Daemon Targaryen]] calculation.''</ref>
| Place_of_Death = the [[Dance over Harrenhal|Gods Eye]]
| Date_of_Death = {{Date|130}}
| Books = ''[[The Rogue Prince]]'' (Appears) ''[[The Princess and the Queen]]'' (Appears)
}}
Prince '''Daemon Targaryen''' was a member of [[House Targaryen]] and the uncle and husband of Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]], whose claim he supported in the [[Dance of the Dragons]].{{ref|tpatq}} He was Rhaenyra's second husband, following [[Laenor Velaryon]]. He was a younger son of [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon Targaryen]], and brother to [[Viserys I Targaryen]].

Prince Daemon was the most experienced warrior of his time and wielded the [[Valyrian steel]] blade [[Dark Sister]]. A dragonrider whose [[dragon]] was [[Caraxes]], Daemon declared himself the [[King of the Stepstones and the Narrow Sea]]. He was father to two kings on the [[Iron Throne]], [[Aegon III Targaryen]] and [[Viserys II Targaryen]].

==History==
===Early Life===
Daemon's life was written about by Archmaester [[Gyldayn]] in ''[[The Rogue Prince|The Rogue Prince, or, the King’s Brother]]''.<ref>[http://grrm.livejournal.com/360936.html The Rogues Are Coming...]</ref> Since his youth, Prince Daemon's face was familiar to every cut-purse, whore, and gambler in [[Flea Bottom]]. He was [[knight]]ed at 16, and King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]] gave him [[Dark Sister]].{{ref|trp}} His first marriage was to Lady [[Rhea Royce]], but he disliked both her and the Vale. He served as [[master of coin]] from {{Date|103}} until {{Date|104}} and [[master of laws]] for six months after that. Then he served as Commander of the [[City Watch of King's Landing]], where he inspired loyalty with many of the rank-and-file gold cloaks.{{Ref|TRP}}

His brother Viserys's first wife, [[Aemma Arryn]], died birthing [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Viserys I)|Baelon Targaryen]], Viserys' second son (the first son had died in the cradle). The boy died a day after his birth. Daemon was observed in a brothel in the Street of Silk making drunken japes with his cronies about the "Heir for a day". This enraged King Viserys who had Rhaenyra declared the heir in response to his ungrateful brothers apathy, Daemon left the capital in a fury.{{Ref|TRP}}

On [[Dragonstone]], Daemon impregnated his lover [[Mysaria]]. He wanted to present Mysaria with a dragon egg, which enraged King Viserys, who demanded that Daemon returned the egg and that he returned to his wife in the Vale. Daemon send Mysaria to [[Lys]], but Mysaria's ship sailed through a storm in the [[Narrow Sea]], and Mysaria lost the child. This hardened Daemon against his brother.{{Ref|TRP}}

===The [[War for the Stepstones]]===
In {{Date|106}}, Daemon led an army to [[War for the Stepstones|invade]] the [[Stepstones]] in the southern [[narrow sea]], with the support of Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]] and his fleet, and with the use of Daemons dragon, [[Caraxes]]. He made many enemies in the [[Kingdom of the Three Daughters]] ([[Myr]], [[Tyrosh]] and [[Lys]]) during the course of his adventures there.{{ref|trp}} He also made enemies in the [[Seven Kingdoms]], including Ser [[Otto Hightower]]{{ref|tpatq}} and members of [[House Royce]] for his disregard for his first wife, Rhea Royce.{{ref|trp}}

After conquering all but two of the islands, Daemon declared himself [[King of the Stepstones and the Narrow Sea]] in {{date|109}}. Daemon returned to the capital in {{Date|111}} during the tournament that gave [[the greens]] and [[the blacks]] their names. He reconciled with his brother and returned to the small council.{{ref|trp}}

After six months since his return, it was rumored that Prince Daemon took Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra's]] virginity prior to her sixteenth [[nameday]]. [[Lyonel Strong]] counsel to the enraged King [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys]] was that Daemon should be executed for treason. Septon [[Eustace (Dance of the Dragons)|Eustace]] however reminded the council about the taint of [[kinslaying]], thus Daemon was exiled instead.{{Ref|TRP}}

===Second and third marriage===
Daemon returned to [[Bloodstone]] in the Stepstones. In {{date|115}} he abandoned the Stepstones, after the death of his wife, Rhea Royce, but failed to claim [[Runestone]], which had been Rhea's seat. No longer welcome in the Vale, Daemon turned to [[Driftmark]], where he married [[Laena Velaryon]], the daughter of his friend Corlys. Because the marriage had been without consent of the King, he and Laena left [[Westeros]] and toured the [[Free Cities]]. They remained in [[Pentos]] for some time when they learned that Laena was pregnant, causing their daughters [[Baela Targaryen|Baela]] and [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Daemon)|Rhaena]] to be born in Pentos, in {{Date|116}}. Laena died from childbirth in {{date|120}}, trying to birth Daemon a son (the boy died as well). Later in the same year Daemon married again, this time to his niece, Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]]. This marriage was performed suddenly without King Viserys knowledge or consent. It caused a huge scandal when word reached [[King's Landing]], as either Laena, nor [[Laenor Velaryon]], Rhaenyra's previous husband, had been dead for six months.{{ref|TRP}}

Prince Daemon and Princess Rhaenyra, had two sons together: Prince [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon]], born in {{Date|120}}, and Prince [[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys]], born in {{Date|122}}.{{Ref|TRP}} They also had a stillborn daughter, Princess [[Visenya Targaryen (daughter of Rhaenyra)|Visenya]], whose birth took place in the third month of {{Date|129}}.{{ref|tpatq}}

===The Dance of Dragons===
By the time of the civil war called the [[Dance of the Dragons]], Prince Daemon had more experience in warfare than all their foes combined. During Rhaenyra's coronation on [[Dragonstone]], Prince Daemon placed the crown of King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]] on the head of his wife, proclaiming her queen and claiming himself ''Protector of the Realm''.{{ref|tpatq}}

Daemon captured [[Harrenhal]] from its castellan, Ser [[Simon Strong]], without conflict by landing [[Caraxes]] on top of [[Kingspyre Tower]]. After hearing of the death of his step-son, Prince [[Lucerys Velaryon]], at the hands of his nephew Prince [[Aemond Targaryen]], Daemon, through a [[Prince Daemon's go-between|go-between,]] hired [[Blood (the butcher)|Blood]] and [[Cheese (the rat-catcher)|Cheese]] to murder [[Jaehaerys Targaryen (son of Aegon II)|a son]] of King [[Aegon II Targaryen]].{{ref|tpatq}}

The prince's enemies made during his adventures came back to haunt the blacks when Ser [[Otto Hightower]], now the [[Hand]] of [[Aegon II]], was able to recruit the [[Kingdom of the Three Daughters]] to send a fleet against them, [[Battle in the Gullet|breaking]] the [[House Velaryon|Velaryon]] blockade and killing his stepson [[Jacaerys Velaryon|Jace]].{{ref|tpatq}}

Daemon abandoned the great castle of Harrenhal when Aemond and Ser [[Criston Cole]] began marching on Harrenhal. Instead, Daemon flew Caraxes back to King's Landing and assisted Rhaenyra with [[Fall of King's Landing|capturing King's Landing]].{{ref|tpatq}}

While searching for Aemond and [[Vhagar]], who were burning the [[Riverlands]], Daemon took [[Nettles]] for a bedmate and made their base in [[Maidenpool]]. Maester [[Norren (House Mooton)|Norren]] informed them that Queen Rhaenyra wanted Nettles dead. Daemon and Nettles separated the next morning.{{ref|tpatq}}

Daemon challenged Aemond, waiting for 13 days at [[Harrenhal]] until Aemond stopped burning the Riverlands to come face him. The [[Dance over Harrenhal]] ended in the deaths of both riders and both dragons over the [[Gods Eye]]. Daemon was 49 when he died. Unlike Aemond's body, however, Daemon's was never found. Singers say that Daemon lived to spend the rest of his days in secret with Nettles, but most historians disagree.{{ref|tpatq}}

==Quotes about Daemon==
{{quote|Over the centuries, [[House Targaryen]] has produced both great men and monsters. Prince Daemon was both.{{ref|trp}}}} - [[Gyldayn|Archmaestar Gyldayn]]

{{quote|Prince Daemon, a rogue if there ever was one.<ref>[http://www.windsofwinterrelease.com/yet-another-grrm-short-story-from-asoiaf-coming-in-june/ The Winds of Winter Release].</ref> }} - [[George R. R. Martin]]

{{quote|Let Daemon play at war. It keeps him out of trouble.{{ref|trp}}}} - [[Viserys I Targaryen]]

{{quote|The whore on Dragonstone is not the threat. No more than Rowan and these traitors in the Reach. The danger is my uncle. Once Daemon is dead, all these fools flying our sister's banners will run back to their castles and trouble us no more.{{ref|tpatq}}}} - [[Aemond Targaryen]]

{{quote|Make no mistake, should [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]] ever sit the [[Iron Throne]], it will be Daemon who rules us, a king consort as cruel and unforgiving as [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor]] ever was.{{ref|tpatq}}}} - Ser [[Otto Hightower]] to the [[small council]] of King [[Viserys I Targaryen]]

{{quote|'''Daemon''': Were I not alone, you would not have come. 
'''Aemond''': Yet you are, and here I am. You have lived too long, nuncle. 
'''Daemon''': On that much we agree.{{ref|tpatq}}}} - Daemon and Prince [[Aemond Targaryen]] at Harrenhal

==Family==
{{Targaryen tree Dance}}

==References and Notes==
{{references}}
{{Template:Royal consorts of Westeros}}
{{Small council}}

[[Category:House Targaryen]]
[[Category:Characters from the Crownlands|Targaryen, Daemon]]
[[Category:Dragonriders|Targaryen, Daemon]]
[[Category:Knights|Targaryen, Daemon]]
[[Category:Masters of coin|Targaryen, Daemon]]
[[Category:Masters of laws|Targaryen, Daemon]]
[[Category:Monarchs|Targaryen, Daemon]]
[[Category:Nobles|Targaryen, Daemon]]

[[es:Daemon Targaryen]]
[[fa:دیمون تارگرین]]
[[fr:Daemon Targaryen]]
[[ru:Деймон Таргариен (брат Визериса I)]]

Dance of the Dragons

2014-12-18T20:58:07Z

Complexphoenix: /* The Dance over Harrenhal */

:''For the book, see [[A Dance with Dragons]]. For the song, see [[The Dance of the Dragons (song)]].''
{{Infobox Military Conflict
| style = width:300px;
| conflict_name = Dance of the Dragons War of succession
| part_of =
| image = [[File:Woodrow J. Hinton III The Dragon's FireII.png|350px]]
| image2 =
| caption = The Dragon's Fire. © Fantasy Flight Games.
| date = {{Date|129-131}}
| battles =
| location = [[Westeros]]
| result = Deaths of both claimants, [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon II]] and [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]] [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon III]]'s ascension to the throne Marriage of [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon III]] to [[Jaehaera Targaryen]]

| combatant1 = [[House Targaryen]] ([[the blacks]])
: [[House Velaryon]]
: [[House Arryn]]
: [[House Stark]]
: [[House Manderly]]
: [[House Celtigar]]
: [[House Dustin]]
: [[House Darklyn]]
: [[House Blackwood]]
: [[House Frey]]
: [[House Rowan]]
: [[House Tarly]]
: [[House Greyjoy]] (nominally)
| commander1 = Queen [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra I]]
: Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]], Protector of the Realm
: Prince [[Jacaerys Velaryon]]
: Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]], Hand of the Queen
: Lord [[Cregan Stark]]
: Lord [[Roderick Dustin]]
: Lord [[Dalton Greyjoy]]
: Lord [[Kermit Tully]]
| strength1 =
| losses1 =

| combatant2 = [[House Targaryen]] ([[the greens]])
: [[House Hightower]]
: [[House Lannister]]
: [[House Baratheon]]
: [[House Reyne]]
: [[House Strong]]
: [[House Redwyne]]
: [[House Lefford]]
: [[House Crakehall]]
: [[House Swyft]]
: [[House Fossoway of Cider Hall]]
: [[House Peake]]
| commander2 = King [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon II]]
: Queen Dowager [[Alicent Hightower]]
: Ser [[Otto Hightower]], Hand of the King
: Lord Commander [[Criston Cole]], Hand of the King
: Prince Regent [[Aemond Targaryen]], Protector of the Realm
: Lord [[Ormund Hightower]]
: Admiral [[Sharako Lohar]] of [[Lys]]
: Ser [[Tyland Lannister]]
: Lord [[Borros Baratheon]]
| strength2 =
| losses2 =
}}

The '''Dance of the Dragons''' was a civil war during [[House Targaryen|Targaryen rule]]. A war of succession between [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon II]] and his half-sister [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]] over their father [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys I's]] throne, the war was fought from {{Date|129}} to {{Date|131}}. It saw the deaths of both rival monarchs, and the crowning of Rhaenyra's son, [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon III]].

In early 2013 it was announced that the anthology ''Dangerous Women'', previously expected to include the fourth ''[[Dunk and Egg]]'' story, would instead include a novella by [[George R. R. Martin]] named ''[[The Princess and the Queen]]'' which he described as "(...) the true (mostly) story of the origins of the Dance of the Dragons."{{ref|tpatq}} The abridged version in ''The Princess and the Queen'' consists of 30,000 words, while the complete 80,000 word history of the civil war is planned for ''[[Fire and Blood]]''.<ref>Not A Blog: [http://grrm.livejournal.com/331218.html The Princess and the Queen]</ref>

==Background==
King Viserys I had three children by his first queen [[Aemma Arryn]], but only one, Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]], survived to adulthood. Lacking a son to succeed him, Viserys began to train Princess Rhaenyra to be his heir. Young Rhaenyra was included in discussions of the affairs of state, and was allowed to participate in meetings of the [[small council]]. Many of the nobles took note, and Rhaenyra soon acquired a clique of adherents and supporters. However, after his queen died, the king remarried in {{date|106}}, this time to [[Alicent Hightower]] and had four more children, including three sons, the eldest son named [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon]]. Nonetheless, Viserys I strengthened Rhaenyra's place in the succession; he married her to Ser [[Laenor Velaryon]] - who himself had Targaryen blood through his mother, Princess [[Rhaenys Targaryen (The Queen Who Never Was)|Rhaenys]]. Rhaenyra gave birth to three sons during her marriage, although there were rumours that the father of these boys was not Ser Laenor, but Ser [[Harwin Strong]].{{Ref|TRP}}

When [[Laenor Velaryon]] passed away Rhaenyra married anew, this time her own uncle, Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]], younger brother to [[Viserys I Targaryen]]. Her sons by him are the future [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon III]] (called Aegon the Younger in his youth, to distinguish him from his uncle, [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon II]], who on occasion was called Aegon the Elder) and [[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys II]]. Her father's intention that she should follow him on the [[Iron Throne]] was confirmed by proclamation and the will of [[Viserys I Targaryen]]. In {{date|105}}, hundreds of [[Lord]]s and landed [[knight]]s had done obeisance to the Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]].{{Ref|TRP}}

In {{date|111}}, a great tourney was held at [[King’s Landing]] on the fifth anniversary of the king’s marriage to Queen Alicent. At the opening feast, the queen wore a green gown, whilst the [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Princess Rhaenyra]] dressed dramatically in Targaryen red and black. Note was taken, and thereafter it became the custom to refer to “[[The greens|greens]]” and “[[The blacks|blacks]]” when talking of the queen’s party and the party of the princess, respectively. In the tourney itself, the blacks had much the better of it when Ser [[Criston Cole]], wearing Princess Rhaenyra’s favor, unhorsed all of the Queen’s champions, including two of her cousins and her youngest brother, Ser [[Gwayne Hightower]].{{Ref|TPATQ}}{{Ref|TRP}}

Rhaenyra and Alicents relationship had gone bad early in Alicent's marriage to Viserys, since both ladies had been trying to be the realm's first lady, and there could only be one. As a consequence of their bad relation, Alicent's sons did not take to Rhaenyra's sons. Ser Otto Hightower had also disliked Prince Daemon since the beginning of Viserys' reign, though the exact reasons are unknown.{{Ref|TRP}}

==The Dance of the Dragons==
[[File:Dance of the Dragons map.png|500px|thumb|right|1. Aegon's coronation; [[Fall of King's Landing]] 2. [[Dragonstone]] 3. [[Driftmark]], including [[Hull]] and [[High Tide]] 4. [[Storm's End]] 5. Dance over Shipbreaker Bay 6. Battle at the [[Stone Hedge]] 7. [[Duskendale]] 8. [[Battle of Rook's Rest]] 9. the Eyrie 10. [[Battle in the Gullet]] 11. [[Battle on the Honeywine]] 12. [[Battle by the Lakeshore]] 13. [[Battle at the stony ridge]] 14. [[First Battle of Tumbleton]]/[[Second Battle of Tumbleton]] 15. [[Maidenpool]] 16. [[Dance over Harrenhal]]]]

===The Small Council meeting===
Upon the death of King [[Viserys I Targaryen]], on the third day of the third month of {{Date|129}}, Queen [[Alicent Hightower|Alicent]] and Ser [[Criston Cole]] send out the [[Kingsguard]] to summon the [[Small Council]] members. During the gathering, the conversation quickly stirred towards [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra’s]] coronation, but Ser [[Otto Hightower]], the [[Hand of the King]], told those who had gathered that it would be a new King who would be crowned, whilst Lord [[Lyman Beesbury]], the [[Master of Coin]], insisted Rhaenyra should be crowned a queen.

Lord Beesbury argued in favour of Rhaenyra, but several other council members countered him. Ser [[Tyland Lannister]] argued that the oaths made to Rhaenyra in {{Date|105}} had not been made by them, since it had been twenty-four years. [[Jasper Wylde|Ironrod]] mentioned that the [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|Old King]] twice chose a male heir over [[Rhaenys Targaryen (The Queen Who Never Was)|the female heir]], and Ser [[Otto Hightower|Otto]] reminded them all that Rhaenyra was married to [[Daemon Targaryen|Daemon]], who would become the true ruler, should Rhaenyra gain the crown. Both Hightowers argued that not only they, but also Alicent’s children would lose their lives should Rhaenyra become their Queen. It would later be said that Prince [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon]] only reluctantly accepted the crown because his mother, brothers, sister and children would otherwise be killed by [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]].

Grand Maester [[Orwyle]] predicted a war, believing that [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenya]] would never be willing to give up her birth right, since she had dragons at her disposal. Lord [[Lyman Beesbury|Beesbury]] declared Rhaenyra had friends as well, and that he was not willing to sit there and listen to people plotting to steal Rhaenyra’s crown. He rose to leave, but Ser [[Criston Cole]] forced him back into his seat and opened his throat. This made Lord Beesbury the first casualty of the Dance of the Dragons.

After Beesbury’s death, the green council made their plans, vowing their loyalty to their new King, and arresting all those in King's Landing who could be loyal to Rhaenyra. To all those who might be loyal to Aegon, ravens were sent. Meanwhile, Rhaenyra remained on [[Dragonstone]], unaware of what had happened.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

===Coronation of Aegon II===
Prince [[Aemond Targaryen|Aemond]] was sent out to [[Storm's End]], to betroth himself to one of Lord [[Borros Baratheon|Borros’]] daughters, so he might fight for [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon]]. By the time he left, the smell coming from [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys’]] room was all over [[Maegor's Holdfast]], so seven days after Viserys had died, his death was announced to the [[King's Landing|city]] and the [[Silent Sisters]] were sent for.

Aegon’s coronation was prepared in short time. Ser [[Criston Cole]] placed the crown of [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon the Conquerer]] on Aegon’s head, while [[Alicent Hightower]] placed a crown upon the head of Aegon’s Queen, his sister [[Helaena Targaryen|Helaena]].

The night before Aegon’s coronation, however, the first defection had taken place. Ser [[Steffon Darklyn]] had left the city, with, amongst other things, the crown Kings [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys I]] and [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|Jaehaerys I]] had worn.

On [[Dragonstone]], [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]] had learned about the death of her father and the betrayal of her siblings. Anger had made her go into labour, which lasted for three days and brought forth a still born, deformed girl, whom Rhaenyra named [[Visenya Targaryen (daughter of Rhaenyra)|Visenya]]. Rhaenyra, in answer to Aegon’s betrayal, swore revenge against the Greens.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

===The Black Council===
Rhaenyra made her own council, called the Black Council. Participants were, amongst others, Rhaenyra’s husband [[Daemon Targaryen|Daemon]], her three eldest sons [[Jacaerys Velaryon|Jacaerys]], [[Lucerys Velaryon|Lucerys]] and [[Joffrey Velaryon|Joffrey]], Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]], and his wife Princess [[Rhaenys Targaryen (The Queen Who Never Was)|Rhaenys]].

Despite having more dragons, the Blacks knew that wouldn’t be an advantage, since the Greens possessed [[Vhagar]], and from the nine dragons belonging to the Backs, only five were big enough for battle.

Believing to have allies in the [[Riverlands]] who were only waiting for a place to gather, Prince [[Daemon Targaryen|Daemon]] decided to conquer [[Harrenhal]] as a base, using his dragon [[Caraxes]], while [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]] would remain on [[Dragonstone]] to recover her strength. [[House Velaryon]] closed off the [[Gullet]], and Princess [[Rhaenys Targaryen (The Queen Who Never Was)|Rhaenys]] expressed hope of goading [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon the Elder]] into a rash attack, believing him to be a green boy.

Princess Rhaenys was convinced that Storm's End would declare for Rhaenyra, since Lord [[Boremund Baratheon|Boremund]], the deceased father of Lord [[Borros Baratheon|Borros]], had always been a supporter of Rhaenys herself. Though they believed the [[North]] to be too remote to play an important part in the war, the Blacks decided to send messages to those lords as well. [[Jacaerys Velaryon|Jacaerys]], Rhaenyra’s heir, would bring messages to the [[Jeyne Arryn|Maiden of the Vale]], the [[House Stark|Starks]] of [[Winterfell]] and the [[House Manderly|Manderly’s]] of [[White Harbor]]. [[Lucerys Velaryon|Lucerys]], Rhaenyra’s second son, would go to [[Storm's End]], a safer, shorter journey, according to the Blacks.

After these decisions, Rhaenyra was crowned a Queen, using the crown her father and great-grandfather had worn, thanks to Ser [[Steffon Darklyn]], who had arrived from [[King's Landing]]. Prince Daemon, Rhaenyra’s husband, was named Protector of the Realm, and Jacaerys was officially named Prince of Dragonstone, and heir to the [[Iron Throne]]. Declaring [[Otto Hightower]] and Queen [[Alicent Hightower|Alicent]] traitors, Rhaenyra allowed for her half-siblings to be forgiven if they would bend the knee. Upon hearing about these developments, King [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon II]] declared [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]] and [[Daemon Targaryen|Daemon]] traitors as well.

Hoping for a peaceful end to the war, Grand Maester [[Orwyle]] was allowed to visit [[Dragonstone]] and speak with Rhaenyra. The terms he brought with him, allowed Rhaenyra and all their supporters generous terms. Rhaenyra refused. Soon after, Lord [[Corlys Velaryon|Corlys’]] ships took sail to close off the [[Gullet]], and [[Jacaerys Velaryon|Jace]] and [[Lucerys Velaryon|Luke]] left on their dragons with their messages, and [[Daemon Targaryen|Daemon]] left on [[Caraxes]] to the [[Trident]].

[[Harrenhal]] fell quickly to Daemon. Ser [[Simon Strong]], the elderly castellan, was captured. Daemon had a dozen valuable hostages (including Ser Simon and his grandsons). In the mean time, [[Jacaerys Velaryon|Jace]] allied Lady [[Jeyne Arryn|Arryn]], and the Lords [[House Manderly|Manderly]], [[House Borrell|Borrell]] and [[House Sunderland|Sunderland]], and [[Cregan Stark]] to Rhaenyra’s cause.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

===The Dance over Shipbreaker Bay===
[[File:Arrax_storms_end.png‎|Arrax washes up beneath Storm's End by [http://ashleyhunterrice.tumblr.com/ Ashley Hunter Rice] |thumb|500px|right]]
[[Lucerys Velaryon|Lucerys]] had meanwhile flown to [[Storm's End]], arriving before a gathering storm. When he arrived, however, he found Prince [[Aemond Targaryen|Aemond]] and his dragon [[Vhagar]] already present. Aemond tried to goad Lucerys into a fight, insulting him, calling him a [[House Strong|Strong]] bastard, but Lucerys, having sworn to his mother not to fight, refused him, and instead delivered his message to Lord [[Borros Baratheon|Borros]]. Lord Borros responded by asking which one of his daughters Luke would marry, should he do what [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]] wanted him to do. Luke, already betrothed, told Lord Borros he could not marry any of the girls, upon which Lord Borros told Luke to leave.

[[Aemond Targaryen|Aemond]] drew his sword before [[Lucerys Velaryon|Lucerys]] could go outside, and Lord [[Borros Baratheon|Borros’]] men had to hold him back.

{{Quote|He came an envoy. I want no blood shed beneath my roof.}}

…is what Lord Borros said, growing uneasy. At that, Lucerys went outside, mounted [[Arrax|his dragon]], and left. Lord Borros then told Aemond that he could not tell Aemond what not to do when Aemond was no longer beneath his roof, upon which Borros’ men moved aside and let Aemond out.

Outside the storm was raging. Though younger and faster, the storm was slowing [[Arrax]] down, leading to [[Vhagar]] catching up. The fight between the two dragons did not last long. [[Vhagar]], being five times bigger, had the advantage, and [[Arrax]] fell broken. His head and neck would wash ashore three days later, along with the corpse of Prince [[Lucerys Velaryon]].{{Ref|TPATQ}}

{{Quote|And with his death, the war of ravens and envoys and marriage pacts came to an end, and the war of fire and blood began in earnest.}}

===[[Blood (the butcher)|Blood]] and [[Cheese (the rat-catcher)|Cheese]]===
[[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]] collapsed when learning of [[Lucerys Velaryon|Lucerys’]] death. Prince [[Daemon Targaryen|Daemon]], at [[Harrenhal]], send a raven to his wife.

{{Quote|An eye for an eye, a son for a son. Lucerys shall be avenged.}}

[[Daemon Targaryen]] had friends in the low places of [[King's Landing]] and at court, and followers amongst the gold cloaks. One of his friends enlisted the help of a former serjeant in the [[City Watch of King's Landing|City Watch]], known to history as [[Blood (the butcher)|Blood]], and a rat-catcher from the [[Red Keep]], known to history only as [[Cheese (the rat-catcher)|Cheese]].

[[Cheese (the rat-catcher)|Cheese]] sneaked [[Blood (the butcher)|Blood]] into the [[Red Keep]], using secret tunnels and hidden doors, bringing them into the [[Tower of the Hand]]. Blood killed Queen Alicents bedmaid, whilst Cheese bound and gagged [[Alicent Hightower|Alicent]] herself. Then they waited for Queen [[Helaena Targaryen|Helaena]], who would visit her mother every evening with her three children. As Helaena and the children entered, Blood barred the door and killed the guardsmen accompanying Helaena. Cheese picked up [[Maelor Targaryen|Maelor]].{{Ref|TPATQ}}

{{Quote|”Which one you want t’ lose, Your Grace?”}}

Calling themselves debt collectors, they gave [[Helaena Targaryen|Helaena]] the choice of chosing which of her two sons would die. Haelena offered herself instead, but they refused and stated if she didn't choose Blood would rape her daughter. In the end, Helaena reluctantly chose [[Maelor Targaryen|Maelor]], but [[Blood (the butcher)|Blood]] did the opposite and killed Prince [[Jaehaerys Targaryen (son of Aegon II)|Jaehaerys]], six year of age. True to their word, they did not hurt anyone else, but fled with Prince Jaehaerys’ head. After this event, Queen Helaena slowly went mad, staying in her chambers, no longer being able to look at her son Maelor, knowing she had named him to die. Dowager Queen [[Alicent Hightower|Alicent]] took over the care of the remaining two children.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

===The [[Battle of Rook's Rest]]===
:{{Main|Sack of Duskendale|Battle of Rook's Rest}}
After the fall of Harrenhal, King [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon II]] suffered defeats at the [[Burning Mill]] and [[Stone Hedge]], making the young king realizing his situation was severe. Ravens returned from the [[Reach]], and while [[House Hightower]] of [[Oldtown]] and the [[Arbor]] stood firmly behind Aegon, [[Owen Costayne|Lord Costayne]] of [[Three Towers]], [[House Mullendore|Lord Mullendore]] of [[Uplands]], Lord [[Alan Tarly]] of [[Horn Hill]], [[House Rowan|Lord Rowan]] of [[Goldengrove]] and [[House Grimm|Lord Grimm]] of [[Greyshield]] all declared for [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]], as did the [[Vale]], [[White Harbor]], [[Winterfell]], the [[House Blackwood|Blackwoods]] and other riverlords, who were assembling at [[Harrenhal]].

This, and the closing of the [[Gullet]] that kept going, made [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon]] angry at his [[Otto Hightower|Hand]]. Ser Otto believed that [[Daemon Targaryen|Daemon]], Rhaenyra’s greatest pillar of support, was her greatest weakness. He reached out to one such foe, the [[Kingdom of the Three Daughters]] across the [[Narrow Sea]], hoping to use them against the [[Corlys Velaryon|Sea Snake]].

Aegon II was running out of patience, however, and fired Otto as Hand. Ser [[Criston Cole|Criston]] was named in his stead, and decided actions were necessary.

{{Quote| It is not for you to plead for support from your lords, like a beggar pleading for alms. You are the lawful king of Westeros, and those who deny it are traitors. It is past time they learned the price of treason.}}

[[Larys Strong]] had a list of all those who had gathered on [[Dragonstone]] to attend Rhaenyra’s coronation. Those lords living on islands could not be touched, but those on the main land could. [[Sack of Duskendale|Duskendale fell easily]], and Lord Darklyn was beheaded. Ser Criston then turned his attention to [[Rook's Rest]].

[[Lord Staunton]] closed his gates and defied his attackers, but could not protect his small folk. His provisions running low, he send a raven to [[Dragonstone]], asking for help. The help that arrived was Princess [[Rhaenys Targaryen (The Queen Who Never Was)|Rhaenys]] on dragon [[Meleys]]. Unbeknownst to [[the blacks]], however, Ser Criston had been expecting a dragon to appear. His men attacked the dragon with scorpions, longbows and crossbows, it only served to anger Meleys.

Next, [[Sunfyre]] and [[Vhagar]] appeared. [[Meleys]] had no chance against [[Vhagar]] and [[Sunfyre]] combined. The dragons fought a thousand feet above the ground. Meleys’ jaws closed around Sunfyre’s neck, and Vahgar fell upon them, causing all three dragons to crash into the ground. From the ashes, only [[Vhagar]] rose again. [[Sunfyre]] had one wing half torn from his body, whilst his rider, King [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon II]], suffered from several broken bones and severe burns. Princess [[Rhaenys Targaryen (The Queen Who Never Was)|Rhaenys]] was found completely burned next to the dead body of [[Meleys]]. After the battle, Prince [[Aemond Targaryen|Aemond]] and Ser Criston took [[Rook's Rest]] and put the garrison to death. The head of [[Meleys]] was brought back to [[King's Landing]], inspiring fear amongst the small folk, causing thousands to flee the capitol until the gates were barred by Dowager Queen [[Alicent Hightower|Alicent]].

King [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon II]] was brought back to [[King's Landing]], where maesters attended to his wounds. He was severely wounded, sleeping nine hours out of every ten, under the influence of milk of the poppy. [[Sunfyre]] was too large to be moved, and due to his injuries unable to fly. The dragon thus remained at [[Rook's Rest]], where guards were posted to keep him safe and feed him. With Aegon unable to rule, Prince [[Aemond Targaryen|Aemond]] assumed the style of Protector of the Realm.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

{{Quote|You must rule the realm now, until your brother is strong enough to take the crown again.}}

===The Dragonseeds===
[[File:Netty.png‎|Netty and Sheepstealer by [http://ashleyhunterrice.tumblr.com/ Ashley Rice] |thumb|300px|right]]

{{Quote|It should have been you.}}

Lord [[Corlys Velaryon|Corlys]], upon learning of the death of his [[Rhaenys Targaryen (The Queen Who Never Was)|wife]], threatened to leave Rhaenyra’s side, until Prince [[Jacaerys Velaryon|Jacaerys]] named him [[Hand of the Queen]]. Together, grandfather and grandson planned an assault on [[King's Landing]], sent Prince [[Joffrey Velaryon|Joffrey]] to the [[Vale]] with Lady [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Daemon)|Rhaena]] and three dragons eggs and Joffrey’s dragon [[Tyraxes]]. Prince [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon the Younger]] and Prince [[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys]] were sent to [[Pentos]] by [[Gay Abandon|ship]], to be fostered with the Prince of Pentos, a friend of Prince Daemons, until Rhaenyra had secured the throne.

With only [[Vhagar]] left to defend the city ([[Dreamfyre]] was at [[King's Landing]] as well, but could not fight due to her rider being unable), [[Jacaerys Velaryon|Jacaerys]] wanted to attack the capitol with as many dragons as possible. With six riderless dragons present on [[Dragonstone]], Jacaerys called out to the dragonseeds, vowing that any man who could master one of the dragons would be raised to knightship and gain wealth. Many men tried, and some women as well. Sixteen men died, amongst them Lord Commander [[Steffon Darklyn]], and forty-eight were burned or maimed. Four people eventually succeeded: [[Vermithor]] was claimed by [[Hugh Hammer]], [[Silverwing]] by [[Ulf the White]], [[Seasmoke]] by [[Addam Velaryon|Addam of Hull]], and [[Sheepstealer]] by a girl named [[Nettles]]. Lord [[Corlys Velaryon|Corlys]] asked Rhaenyra to remove the taint of bastardy from Addam and his brother [[Alyn Velaryon|Alyn]], making them true Velaryons, and named Addam heir to [[Driftmark]].{{Ref|TPATQ}}

===[[Battle in the Gullet]]===
:{{Main|Battle in the Gullet}}
Meanwhile, ninety warships were sailing from the [[Stepstones]] chanced upon the [[Gay Abandon]], carrying Prince [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon the Younger]] and Prince [[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys]]. The escorting ships were sunk or taken, and Prince Aegon managed to escape by clinging to the neck of his dragon, [[Stormcloud]]. During the flight, [[Stormcloud]] was injured terribly. Prince Viserys, having only a dragon egg, had no such option, and was made a captive of admiral [[Sharako Lohar]] of [[Lys]].

Prince [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon’s]] arrival on [[Dragonstone]], with [[Stormcloud]], spread the tale, and so Prince [[Jacaerys Velaryon|Jacaerys]] mounted [[Vermax]] and flew to the Lysene galleys, quickly followed by the four dragonseeds. The warships tried to flee, and all seemed lost for the Lyseni, until [[Vermax]] flew too low and crashed into the sea. [[Jacaerys Velaryon|Jacaerys]] leapt free, and managed to hold on to a piece of wreckage, until he was pierced by quarrels. The prince was swallowed by the sea.

The lysine ships, who had set sail originally with ninety, sailed back with only twenty-eight ships. They passed [[Dragonstone]], but believed the island too strong to take. Instead, they sacked [[Spicetown]] and butchered men, women and children. [[High Tide]], containing all the [[Corlys Velaryon|Sea Snakes]] treasures, was consumed by fire, one third of his fleet brought down.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

===The [[Battle on the Honeywine]]===
:{{Main|Battle on the Honeywine}}
A fortnight later, Lord [[Ormund Hightower]] found himself stuck between two armies: Lord [[Thaddeus Rowan]] and [[Tom Flowers]], from [[Goldengrove]] and [[Bitterbridge]], came down on him from the northeast, while Ser [[Alan Beesbury]], Lord [[Alan Tarly]] and Lord [[Owen Costayne]] were cutting off the retreat route back to [[Oldtown]]. They closed around him, when Prince [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Viserys I)|Daeron]] on his dragon joined the battle. [[Tom Flowers]] died, Lord [[Thaddeus Rowan|Rowan]] fled, the Alans were captured, and Lord [[Owen Costayne|Costayne]] was dying. The victory lead to Lord Hightower knighting Prince Daeron, naming him Daeron the Daring.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

===[[Fall of King's Landing]]===
:{{Main|Fall of King's Landing}}
Tide turned for [[the blacks]]. Jace’s death seemd to give [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]] strength. Filled with anger and hatred, she resolved to use her dragons.

Meanwhile Lord [[Walys Mooton|Mooton]] retook [[Rook's Rest]], and attempted to kill [[Sunfyre]], who still remained there, wounded. The dragon fought back, and burned three score men before the others fled. Lord Mooton himself died as well. When the survivors dared to return to the field again, the dead were still there, but Sunfyre had disappeared. There were no tracks, suggesting Sunfyre had taken wing again despite his wounds.

With the [[North]] assembling forces, Ser [[Criston Cole|Criston]] saw danger, should these troops join up with [[Daemon Targaryen|Daemon]] at [[Harrenhal]].{{Ref|TPATQ}}

{{Quote|The whore on Dragonstone is not the threat. No more than Rowan and these traitors in the Reach. The danger is my uncle. Once Daemon is dead, all these fools flying our sister’s banners will run back to their castles and trouble us no more.}}

The host Prince [[Daemon Targaryen|Daemon]] had gathered at [[Harrenhal]] was still growing, and Prince [[Aemond Targaryen|Aemond]] believed him to be the real danger, not Rhaenyra. Aemond and Ser [[Criston Cole|Criston]] rode forth from [[King's Landing]] with a host of four thousand and the dragon [[Vhagar]]. Daemon knew of their plans even before Aemond had left the capitol. He hastened south on [[Caraxes]], staying well away from Criston’s line of march.

{{Quote|When told that Aemond and Ser Criston Cole had left King's Landing, it is said that Prince Daemon laughed and said, “Past time,” for he had long anticipated this moment. A murder of ravens took flight from the twisted towers of Harrenhal.}}

Expecting to find Daemon, instead Aemond and Criston would find [[Harrenhal]] abandoned after a nineteen day march, and would believe themselves victorious. The truth was very different. With [[Vhagar]] away from [[King’s Landing]], only [[Dreamfyre]] remained, and [[Helaena Targaryen|Helaena]] was in no condition to fly. [[Daemon Targaryen|Daemon]] and [[Caraxes]] had not fled, but joined up with [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]] and [[Syrax]] above [[King's Landing]], leaving the small folk below in terror. [[Corlys Velaryon|The Sea Snake]]s ships sailed into [[Blackwater Bay]], and the only one left to defend the city was Dowager Queen [[Alicent Hightower|Alicent]]. Grand Maester [[Orwyle]], trying to dispatch ravens asking for help, was arrested before a single letter could be send. The riders bearing messages were arrested at the city gates, and the seven captains commanding the gates we killed or arrested, all by those gold cloaks still loyal to Prince [[Daemon Targaryen|Daemon]]. The city gates were opened for the men arriving with the Velaryon fleet.

[[King's Landing]] fell in less than a day.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

{{Quote|Then she bid her stepmother choose: yield, or burn.}}

All those from the green council who had been in [[King's Landing]] when the attacks began were arrested, safe for Lord [[Larys Strong]], who had disappeared, taking with him King [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon II]], Princess [[Jaehaera Targaryen|Jaehaera]], Prince [[Maelor Targaryen|Maelor]], and Ser [[Willis Fell]] and [[Rickard Thorne]] of the [[Kingsguard]]. The other green council members yielded, and [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]] took her place on the [[Iron Throne]].

Dowager Queen Alicent would be spared, but her father, Ser [[Otto Hightower|Otto]] was beheaded, as was [[Jasper Wylde|Ironrod]]. Ser [[Tyland Lannister]] would be given to the torturers, in the hopes of regaining some of the gold he had hidden.

While Rhaenyra’s return to [[King's Landing]] was cheered and celebrated at first, the amount of heads on spikes and increasing taxes made the small folk dub her '''“King Maegor with teats”'''. Despite this, Princes [[Joffrey Velaryon|Joffrey]] and [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon the Younger]] were called to King’s Landing.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

{{Quote|And for a hundred years thereafter “Maegor’s Teats” was a common curse amongst kingslanders.}}

===[[Battle by the Lakeshore]]/The Fishfeed===
:{{Main|Battle by the Lakeshore}}

{{Quote| Best make an end to these lions before the dragons come.}}

While the news of the [[fall of King's Landing]] reached Prince [[Aemond Targaryen|Aemond]], fighting in the Riverlands continued. A [[House Lannister|Lannister]] host was on the move, lead by the old [[House Lefford|Lord Lefford]]. At the western shores of the [[Gods Eye]], they came across [[Roderick Dustin|Roddy the Ruin]] with his [[Winter Wolves]], who had combined his forces with Lord [[Forrest Frey]] and [[Robb Rivers|Red Robb Rivers]]. From the south, [[Longleaf|Longleaf the Lionslayer]], Lords [[House Bigglestone|Bigglestone]], [[House Chambers|Chambers]] and [[House Perryn|Perryn]] locked him in. Lords [[Garibald Grey]], [[Jon Charlton]] and [[Benjicot Blackwood]] joined up with the army from the [[North|north]] and [[Riverlands|riverlands]] the following day, whilst Lord Leffords ravens were all shot down. The day after, they began their battle, which would be called the bloodiest land battle of the Dance. Hundreds died that day.

Prince [[Aemond Targaryen|Aemond]] and Ser [[Criston Cole]] at [[Harrenhal]] could no longer agree on a plan of action. They were running short of food. Criston wished to withdraw to the south, to join strength with Lord [[Ormund Hightower|Hightower]] and Prince [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Viserys I)|Daeron]], while [[Aemond Targaryen|Aemond]], enraged by losing [[King's Landing]] and the outcome of the [[Battle by the Lakeshore]], wished to attack the capitol. And so they parted ways, with Criston taking the army south, whilst Prince Aemond remained to ravage the Riverlands, waiting until such a time when [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]] would send out “a dragon or two” to stop him, so [[Vhagar]] could destroy them.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

===The Red Kraken===
After Lord Beesbury had been killed in the beginning of the war, Ser [[Tyland Lannister]] had been made Master of Coin, to take Beesbury's place. This had left the office of Master of Ships vacant. The green council had assumed that [[Dalton Greyjoy]] could be persauded to their allegiance by offering him the vacant council seat. Ironically, at the beginning of the war Aegon II had also thought his reign unassailable, given that he controlled the three largest and wealthiest cities in the realm (King's Landing, Oldtown, and Lannisport) and the previous royal treasury from Viserys I's reign.

Rhaenyra's black council offered Lord Dalton something more to his liking, however, and so House Greyjoy declared for Rhaenyra. Little was to be gained by sailing around Westeros to attack Rhaenyra's supporters in the Vale and the North, but the wealth of Oldtown and Lannisport (which Aegon II had prided himself on) was nearby, and a much more tempting target. With the Lannister armies destroyed at the Fishfeed and the green armies of the Reach marching east to Tumbleton, the coasts only had skeleton defenses. For two years, Dalton and his Ironborn raided and pillaged the coasts of the Westerlands and the Reach. Greyjoy captured Kayce and Fair Isle, and though the ironborn could not force entry into Casterly Rock, they sacked Lannisport.

===The Feasting Corpses/The [[Butcher's Ball]]===
:{{Main|Butcher's Ball}}
Aemond burned [[Darry]], [[Lord Harroway's Town]], [[Lord's Mill]], [[Blackbuckle]], [[Buckle]], [[Claypool]], [[Swynford]] and [[Spiderwood]]. Ser [[Criston Cole|Criston]], going south, found everything in front of him dead: forests, villages, horses, men. His scouts found scenes where armored corpses sat beneath the trees, rotting away, a mockery of the fallen throwing a feast. Four days out of [[Harrenhal]], attacks made Criston lose a few men every single time. Seeing multiple “corpse feasts” Criston and his men grew accustomed to the sight. At [[Crossed Elms]], however, the corpses were no true corpses at all, and attacked Criston and his men when they were riding past. In his flight, Criston fell upon the Lords of the Trident, with [[Roderick Dustin]] leading. Cole challenged the leaders of the black host to single combat, but was refused. The battle was the most decisive in the Dance, and after Criston died, his remaining men broke and ran, and were killed by the hundreds in the rout. The massacre became known as the Butcher's Ball, and it marked the high point of Rhaenyra's fortunes.

Living in fear of [[Vhagar]], Lord [[Manfryd Mooton|Mooton]] had meanwhile invited [[Daemon Targaryen|Daemon]] and [[Nettles]] to take [[Maidenpool]] as their base. [[Aemond Targaryen|Aemond]] still terrorized the [[Riverlands]], stricking at [[Stonyhead]], the [[Mountains of the Moon]], [[Sweetwillow]] and [[Sallydance]], and many more. Each day [[Caraxes]] and [[Sheepstealer]] would take wing from Maidenpool, and each day they would return, with Vhagar unfound.

Piteous news soon reached Rhaenyra in King's Landing, which proved just as controversial as the death of Aegon's elder son Jaehaerys. While his daughter Jaehaera had safely arrived at Storm's End, his last son Maelor was discovered and stopped by a mob of pro-Rhaenyra supporters at Bitterbridge. The mob of men and women clamored over the three-year old boy, each trying to claim the reward, until little Maelor was torn to pieces. When the Hightower army worked its way up the Roseroad to Bitterbridge some time later, it razed the castle to the ground in revenge.

===The [[First Battle of Tumbleton]]===
:{{Main|First Battle of Tumbleton}}
[[Aemond Targaryen|Aemond]] still remained a threat in the [[Riverlands]], stricking unexpectedly. Yet the real threat was Prince [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Viserys I)|Daeron]] and the great army of Lord [[Ormund Hightower]]. Slowly advancing on [[King's Landing]], they were defeating the [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Queens]] loyalists wherever they went, as Rhaenyra’s armies fled before [[Tessarion]]. To defeat Aemond and [[Vhagar]], Prince Daemon and [[Caraxes]] had left for the [[Riverlands]] with the girl [[Nettles]] and her dragon [[Sheepstealer]]. To defeat Daeron and Tessarion, [[Ulf the White]] and [[Hugh Hammer]] flew to [[Tumbleton]].

Rhaenyra´s forces at Tumbleton greatly outnumbered the Hightower army. People fleeing into the city for safety from Lord Hightowers army, were secretly part of the army, and infiltrated the ranks of defenders. In addition, Ser Ulf the White and Ser Hugh Hammer, since then known as the [[Two Betrayers]], changed their allegiance. Though Lord Ormund and his cousin Ser [[Bryndon Hightower|Bryndon]] died in the battle, killed by [[Roderick Dustin|Roddy the Ruin]] as he himself was mortally injured, the Hightower army kept the advantage, as [[Vermithor]] and [[Silverwing]] joined [[Tessarion]] in the air, and loosened their flames upon [[Tumbleton]] unexpectedly. A savage sack followed.

Upon learning of the betrayels, Queen [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]] ordered the [[King's Landing|city]] gates closed and barred. The Betrayels at Tumbleton made the Black Council question the loyalty of the other dragonseeds, [[Addam Velaryon]] and [[Nettles]]. Most of the Black Council urged Rhaenyra to arrest both, and only Lord [[Corlys Velaryon|Corlys]] spoke in their defense, declaring Addam and his brother [[Alyn Velaryon|Alyn]] true Velaryons. His protests, though passionate, were in vain. Rhaenyra, already suspicious, ordered the arrest of Nettles, at [[Maidenpool]] with Prince [[Daemon Targaryen|Daemon]], and Addam, currently guarding the dragons in the [[Dragonpit]]. Ser [[Luthor Largent]] went to arrest Addam, but upon his arrival at [[Rhaenys's Hill]], saw [[Seasmoke]] take wing, with Ser Addam on his back. Ser Luthor arrested Lord Corlys instead, since the old man did not deny helping his heir escape. Slowly, chaos started to arise again in King's Landing.

In [[Tumbleton]], meanwhile, chaos reigned. Lord Hightowers army remained there. Ormunds sons remained in [[Oldtown]] and were still green boys. Though Prince [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Viserys I)|Daeron]] had been knighted, he was still a boy, used to following commands. Ser [[Hobert Hightower|Hobert]], another Hightower cousin, presumed to take command. Prince Daeron commanded Ser Hobert to stop the savage sacking, but Hightower proved to be very ineffective. Ser [[Ulf the White|Ulf]] and [[Hugh Hammer|Hugh]] were worse. Ser Ulf drank heavy and fed women to his dragon, and became angry when he was named Lord of [[Bitterbridge]], dreaming of [[Highgarden]] instead. Ser Hugh was worse, dreaming of a crown of his own.

In the Hightower army, no decision of a course of action could be made, and the army became smaller every day due to desertions.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

===Dancing dragons at [[Dragonstone]]===
Around the time of the [[First Battle of Tumbleton]], the merchant cog ''[[Nessaria]]'' made a stop at [[Dragonstone]] for repairs and provisions, having been driven off course by a storm. They had passed the [[Dragonmont]] before arriving at [[Dragonstone]]´s port, and there they had spotted two fighting dragons.

Inspired by the story from those of [[Volantis]], local fisherman took their boats out for a look the next morning, and they reported having seen the burned and broken remains of a dead dragon. From the color of its scales and wings, they concluded the dead dragon was [[Grey Ghost]], completely torn apart. Ser [[Robert Quince]], Dragonstones castellan, named the [[Cannibal]] as the killer. Only later in the war would the truth surface.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

===[[Fall of Dragonstone]]===
:{{Main|Fall of Dragonstone}}
Having smuggled [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon]], [[Jaehaera Targaryen|Jaehaera]] and [[Maelor Targaryen|Maelor]] out of [[King's Landing]], Lord [[Larys Strong|Larys]] dispatched Jaehaera and a Kingsguard to Lord [[Ormund Hightower|Hightower]], and Maelor and another Kingsguard to [[Storm's End]], while he disguised King Aegon and smuggled him to [[Dragonstone]], [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra’s]] seat, the last place anyone would look for him. Aegon was kept hidden in disguise, and would have remained such, as [[Sunfyre]] had not found them. Unbeknownst to those in the castle, it had been Sunfyre who had fought and killed [[Grey Ghost]], and not the [[Cannibal]].

Rider and dragon went out flying again, regaining strength, while Aegons loyal men had found people enough who were willing to betray Rhaenyra, due to mislike for her. Dragonstone had not been well defended, and it had fallen easily. There had only been one problem. Lady [[Baela Targaryen|Baela]], Prince [[Daemon Targaryen|Daemon’s]] daughter, had managed to escape her attackers and mount her [[Moondancer|dragon]]. She met [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon II]] and [[Sunfyre]] in the sky, unexpectedly, where the two dragons fought. Sunfyre blinded Moondancer with fire, but the younger dragon fought on. The dragons eventually fell on the earth. On the ground, Sunfyre won the battle. King Aegon had jumped off Sunfyre’s back before the dragon hit the ground, but had broken both his legs. Baela had stayed strapped on Moondancer, and was burned and battered. She was taken captive, and King Aegon the Elder now held [[Dragonstone]].{{Ref|TPATQ}}

===The [[Dance over Harrenhal]]===
[[File:Sir-Heartsalot Daemon Targaryen v Aemond One-Eye.JPG|Daemon and Aemond, fighting on top of Caraxes and Vhagar, with Dark Sister in Daemons hand.|thumb|350px|right]]
:{{Main|Dance over Harrenhal}}
Lord [[Manfryd Mooton]] found himself in a difficult situation, when the message from [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]] arrived from [[King's Landing]], telling Mooton to send her the head of [[Nettles]]. Nettles, during her time with Prince [[Daemon Targaryen|Daemon]], was said to have become his lover, according to Rhaenyra, and was thus guilty of high treason. Prince Daemon was to not be harmed. The decision Lord Mooton had to make was a difficult one, for Nettles was a guest beneath his roof, and killing her would mean breaking the [[guest right]], and facing Prince Daemons wroth. Refusing Rhaenyra, however, would mean being attainted a traitor. The [[Norren|maester]] suggested that they had never read the letter, and later that night, went to inform Daemon of Rhaenyra´s command.

{{Quote|[[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|The Old King]] would never have asked this, of any man of honor.}}

The next day, Nettles mounted her dragon [[Sheepstealer]], with tears on her cheeks. Daemon and Nettles spoke no word of farewell, but when Sheepstealer climbed the sky, [[Caraxes]] gave a scream. Nettles and her dragon disappeared that day, and were never seen again.

Prince Daemon told Lord Mooton to spread the word that he would fly for [[Harrenhal]], so [[Aemond Targaryen|Aemond]] could come face him, alone. Once Daemon was gone, Lord Mooton took down Rhaenyra’s banners, and raised the golden dragons of King [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon II]].{{Ref|TPATQ}}

{{Quote|”You were a fool to come alone.” “Were I not alone, you would not have come.”}}

Prince Daemon took Harrenhal from the few who still remained there, and waited for thirteen days. On the fourteenth day, [[Vhagar]] appeared in the sky, and on her back rode Prince [[Aemond Targaryen|Aemond]] and his bedmaid, the pregnant seer [[Alys Rivers]]. Dropping Alys on the ground, Daemon and Aemond had one last conversation before both Targaryens mounted their dragons and climbed into the sky. Caraxes fell down upon Vhagar, starting the fight. Their fight ended as the two dragons, locked together, tumbled down towards the lake. According to the tales, this was when Prince Daemon leapt from one dragon to the other, [[Dark Sister]] in his hand. Aemond looked up in terror, but was chained to his saddle, and could not do anything when Daemon ripped off Aemonds helm and drove the sword through Aemonds blind eye. The dragons struck the lake half a heartbeat later.

[[Caraxes]] lived long enough to crawl back onto the land, beneath the walls of [[Harrenhal]], where he died. [[Vhagar]] died in the water, and was found some years later, when the Dance was over, with Aemond’s armored bones still chained to the saddle, and with [[Dark Sister]] still in his eye-socket.

There’s no doubt that Prince [[Daemon Targaryen|Daemon]] died that day, as he could not possibly have survived the impact. His remains, however, were never found, causing singers to tell that he survived to spend his last days with [[Nettles]]. It was the twenty-second day of the fifth moon of the year {{Date|130}}.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

===The [[Riot of King's Landing (the Dance of the Dragons)|Riots at King's Landing]]===
:{{Main|Riot of King's Landing (the Dance of the Dragons)|Storming of the Dragonpit}}
In [[King's Landing]], the [[House Velaryon|Velaryon]] fleet, counting more than half the army that had sailed from [[Dragonstone]], had abandoned [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]] when they learned Lord [[Corlys Velaryon|Corlys]] was in the Black Cells. Those who remained could no longer be trusted.

That same day, Queen [[Helaena Targaryen|Helaena]] threw herself from her window in [[Maegor's Holdfast]] and died impaled upon the iron spikes that lined the dry moat below. The stories told of Helaena’s death on the streets and in inns, by nightfall, were much darker. The people believed she had been murdered, as her sons before her. The rumours were believed very quickly. Tales tell that at the moment of Helaena’s death, her dragon [[Dreamfyre]] rose with a roar, snapping two of her chains.

That night a [[Riot of King's Landing (the Dance of the Dragons)|riot]] rose in [[King's Landing]]. The chaos was big, and neither noble nor lowborn was spared. Sailors unable to return to their ships attacked the [[River Gate]]. Ser [[Luthor Largent|Luthor]] and his [[Gold Cloaks]] went to [[Cobbler's Square]], to disperse the rioters, but after the first had fled, there were ten thousand more, and they believed Luthor to have killed Helaena: the mere sight of him angered them even more. The rioters were ten thousands where the gold cloaks were only five hundred, and so the Gold Cloaks were slaughtered, Ser Luthor amongst them.

A hedge knight, Ser [[Perkin the Flea]], crowned his squire [[Trystane (squire)|Trystane]], declaring him to be King [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys’]] bastard. Ser Perkin then began dubbing all those who would support Trystane knights, and so many fled to their cause.

The next day, some order was restored to parts of [[King's Landing]] again, but in the rest of the city, chaos remained.

That night [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]] learned about [[Maidenpool]]s betrayel, and [[Nettles]] escape. Rhaenyra send ravens to [[Winterfell]] and the [[Eyrie]], pleading for more aid, and named a new Lord Commander to her [[Queensguard]], Ser [[Glendon Goode]]. Prince [[Joffrey Velaryon|Joffrey]] donned his armor and begged to fight, but he was forbidden.

The night came once more, and Ser Perkin and “King” Trystane were gaining strength. The [[King's Gate]] and the [[Lion Gate]] were opened by rioters, the [[Gold Cloaks]] at the [[King's Gate]] having fled, and those guarding the [[Lion Gate]] having joined the rioters. With Ser Perkin holding the [[River Gate]], three out of seven gates were now open to enemies.

{{Quote|Bring him back, bring him back, he does not know. My son, my sweet, my son …}}

The people of [[King's Landing]] no longer believed [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]] could protect them and a mob twice as big as the one of the night before formed in the city. A crazed prophet made the mob turn their attention to the [[Dragon Pit]] and the entire mob moved towards [[Rhaenys's Hill]] to kill the dragons. By the time they reached the hill, their numbers had doubled. Rhaenyra was watching all this unfold from [[Maegor's Holdfast]]. Prince Joffrey pleaded, fearing [[Tyraxes]], his own dragon, would be killed, but Rhaenyra would not listen, insisting the mob would burn. Joffrey, dissatisfied, went outside and mounted [[Syrax]], Rhaenyra’s she-dragon, the dragon that was not his own, to fly to the Pit. All attempts to get him back failed, as Syrax threw Joffrey off her back as arrows and spears flew up from below. Joffrey, not having used a saddle, fell from Syrax’ back and crashed into the ground.

{{Quote|Seldom have so many men rushed so eagerly onto their funeral pyres, but a madness was upon them.}}

The battle in the Dragonpit began. Four dragons there were: [[Shrykos]], who died first, slain by a [[Hobb the Hewer|woodsman]] who slamed his axe into her skull. [[Morghul]] was killed by the [[Burning Knight]]. [[Tyraxes]] went into his lair and roasted many before finally dying. And last [[Dreamfyre]], who broke free of her remaining bonds, plunging into the mob with fire, tooth and claw. Dreamfyre slew more than the other three dragons combined, until a crossbow blinded one of her eyes. Dreamfyre then tried to leap free, and the weakened dome cracked under her force, only to crash down on both dragon and dragonslayers.

[[Syrax]] was still alive and free in the air, and descended on the survivors. Rhaenyra, watching from atop [[Maegor's Holdfast]], would not dare let go of her last remaining son, [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon the Younger]]… until she saw Syrax fall.

Rhaenyra’s councilers agreed that the city was lost. Rhaenyra was persuaded to leave the next day, slipping through the [[Dragon Gate]], starting the journey to [[Duskendale]].{{Ref|TPATQ}}

===The [[Second Battle of Tumbleton]]===
:{{Main|Second Battle of Tumbleton}}
News of unrest in [[King's Landing]] reached [[Tumbleton]], making the Hightower army believe they should advance upon the city, but Ser [[Hobert Hightower|Hobert]] doubted, and the [[Two Betrayers]] refused to join unless their demands were met.

With [[Aemond Targaryen|Aemond]] slain and [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon]] still missing, [[the Greens]] found themselves without a leader and a king. Prince [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Viserys I)|Daeron]] was now next in line for the throne and there were some who wanted to name him Prince of Dragonstone, or even King, but the [[Two Betrayers]] did not agree. Lord [[Hugh Hammer]] wanted to be crowned king, by the rights of conquest. He had the [[Vermithor|oldest and largest dragon alive]], trice as big as [[Tessarion]], Daeron’s dragon.

Offended by the arrogance of the Betrayers, the lords and knights of the [[Reach]], and Prince [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Viserys I)|Daeron]], grew wroth. The [[Two Betrayers]] plotted together Hammers coronation, and indeed [[Hugh Hammer|Hard Hugh]] later wore a crown of black iron. When insulted, Hard Hugh’s men came to blows with loyalists, and Lord [[Unwin Peake|Peake]] and Ser [[Hobert Hightower|Hobert]] summoned eleven other lords and landed knights, who together became known as the [[Caltrops]], as to discuss what to do about the dragonseeds. They agreed that disposing of [[Ulf the White]] would be easy, but that Hammer was dangerous, surrounded by men and women day and night. They decided Hammer had to die first.

With Prince Daerons consent, the [[Caltrops]] carried out their plans. But the day the Caltrops planned to strike, the people at [[Tumbleton]] woke at night to find themselves under attack. The dragon attacking was [[Seasmoke]], with [[Addam Velaryon]] on his back, and with an army of four thousand loyal to [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]] behind them. The great host encamped at [[Tumbleton]] outnumbered their attackers, but due to their long stay, they had grown lax.

Ulf was asleep inside [[Tumbleton]], his dragon outside the town. They tried to wake him, but he slept through [[Second Battle of Tumbleton|the entire battle]]. [[Hugh Hammer|Hard Hugh]] did respond, and rushed to the yard, screaming for a horse so he could go and mount his dragon, when Lord [[Jon Roxton]], one of the [[Caltrops]], met up with him. He offered Hammer his condolences, and when asked why, he told the new made King he had died in battle, before killing Hammer. He was shortly after killed himself by Hammers men in revenge. Prince Daeron died in the battle as well, though no one knows exactly how. Three different accounts exist on his death.

{{Quote|Lord Hammer, my condolences. For what? You died in the battle.}}

The three dragons encamped at [[Tumbleton]] were unchained, however, and all had been roused by the battle. [[Addam Velaryon|Addam]] turned [[Seasmoke]] to meet [[Tessarion]], and the two dragons danced around each other in the sky. [[Vermithor]] eventually rose into the sky as well, attacking everything he came across. And thus Addam turned Seasmoke towards him, to protect those men who were helping them, although he must have known Seasmoke could not beat Vermithor. The dragons were so locked together, neither could get free. Tessarion joined the fight, which ended with Vermithor ripping off the head of Seasmoke. Vermithor, due to his wounds, died next. Tessarion, after trice trying to fly, remained in pain, until Lord Blackwood ordered her killed to end her suffering.

Though having won the battle, the [[Rivermen]] had not been able to take the town. Tumbletons walls were closed, and without a dragon or equipment, they could not start a siege, so the rivermen took all that they found useful and left. Only one dragon now remained at the city: [[Silverwing]].

Eight of the thirteen Caltrops had died in the battle, and one would die the next day. Ser [[Hobert Hightower|Hobert]] and Lord [[Unwin Peake|Peake]] remained, and both found [[Ulf the White]], the last dragonrider, proclaiming himself their last hope. White now proposed to take the throne for him, since Prince Daeron was dead. And so Ser Hobert visited him the next day with two casks of wine, one red for himself, one golden arbor for White. Ulf, however, became suspicious of Ser Hobert, and insisted they drank the arbor gold together.

And so Ser Hobert drank deep, and asked for more. Having seen this, Ulf drank three cups, and died shortly after due to the poison mixed in the wine. Ser Hobert tried to retch, but for him it was too late as well, and he died within the hour.

Without a leader, and without a rider for [[Silverwing]], the army started to fall apart. And so [[Unwin Peake|Lord Peake]] called defeat, and retreated. [[King's Landing]] had been saved.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

===[[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra’s]] retreat to [[Dragonstone]]===
Yet [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]] did not know about this. She had been refused entry at [[Rosby]] and was allowed to stay only one night at [[Stokeworth]], half her [[Gold Cloaks]] deserted on the road, and attackers killed several of her knights. At [[Duskendale]] they were admitted, but not allowed to stay long. Refusing to part from [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon]], and without ships, Rhaenyra sold her crown to buy passage on a Braavosi ship. And so she returned to [[Dragonstone]], where she knew were more dragon eggs, for she needed a new dragon.

At Dragonstone, Rhaenyra found her [[Robert Quince|castellan]] slain. As Ser [[Alfred Broome|Alfred]], angered when he had not been named castellan, showed Ser Roberts burned body, his men killed all of Rhaenyra’s men, and imprisoned [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]], her ladies, and [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon the Younger]]. Once inside the gates of the castle, Rhaenyra stood face to face with [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon II]] and [[Sunfyre]].

Not long after Dragonstone had secretly fallen to Aegon II, ravens had arrived telling him about Rhaenyra’s return to Dragonstone. This had given Aegon the opportunity to prepare for the arrival of his half-sister.

{{Quote|Mother, flee!}}

And so it was the [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Queen]] found her brother in her own seat. [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon]] wasted no time, and had Rhaenyra fed to his [[Sunfyre|dragon]], whilst [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon the Younger]] looked on. With the chance that Rhaenyra’s loyalists would continue the fight in her sons name, Aegon the Younger became a hostage. It was the twenty-second day of the tenth month of {{Date|130}}.

On the ninth day of the twelfth month, Sunfyre the Golden died on Dragonstone. After this, Aegon started planning his return to [[King's Landing]]. Though [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]] had died, her cause lived on. [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon]] would sit the throne again, but it would only lest another half of a year.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

{{Quote|The time for hiding is done,” King Aegon II declared. “Let the ravens fly that the realm may know the pretender is dead, and their true king is coming home to reclaim his father’s throne.}}

===The Moon of the Three Kings===
After Rhaenyra's forces abandoned King's Landing, chaos took control of the city for several weeks. The Shepherd had survived the destruction of the Dragonpit, and his mob ruled much of the city.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Aegon II}}

Two pretender kings came to be in the city. The first was Trystane Truefyre, the squire of the hedge knight Ser [[Perkin the Flea]], who claimed the boy was a bastard son of the late King Viserys I. Ser Perkin had previously already been gathering support for Trystane, and after Rhaenyra's flight, installed Trystane in the [[Red Keep]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| Aegon II}}

The second pretender king was a four year old boy named [[Gaemon Palehair]], the son of a whore, who claimed the boy had been fathered by King [[Aegon II Targaryen]]. Given King Aegon's philandering ways, this was not seen as improbable, though the boy's mother would later admit that Gaemon had been the son of an oarsman from [[Lys]] when she was hanged. Gaemon ruled from atop of Visenya's Hill, from the House of Kisses, and gathered thousands of followers. He issued a series of edicts,{{Ref|TWOIAF| Aegon II}} amongst them one declaring that females should be equal to males in matters of inheritance. According to Archmaester [[Gyldayn]], [[Mushroom]] claims that these edicts were almost certainly the work of the paramour of Gaemon's mother [[Essie]], a dornish whore named [[Sylvenna Sand]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| Queer Customs of the South}}

In the end, it was Lord [[Borros Baratheon]] and his stormlanders who seized King's Landing back. Trystane Truefyre was executed, though not before he received the boon of knighthood. Gaemon Palehair was arrested, and would survive the war. King [[Aegon II Targaryen]] arrived back at King's Landing, and installed himself in the [[Red Keep]] once more. Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]], who had been arrested by Rhaenyra and left in the dungeons when she fled the city, was freed and named to Aegon's small council.

As King Aegon II's only remaining heir was his daughter [[Jaehaera Targaryen|Jaehaera]], the widowed King agreed to marry a daughter of Lord Borros.

===The Battle of the Kingsroad/The Muddy Mess===
:{{Main|Battle of the Kingsroad}}
With King's Landing secured for King Aegon II, Lord Borros led his armies against the riverlanders who were approaching the city. The riverlanders were being led by Lord [[Kermit Tully]], Lord [[Benjicot Blackwood]] (together known as "the Lads").{{Ref|TWOIAF| Aegon II}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| House Baratheon and Benjicot's aunt, [[Alysanne Blackwood]]}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| House Baratheon}}<ref>Clarification [http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/topic/119534-twoiaf-spoilers-inconsistency-or-intentional/?p=6435302]</ref>

Lord Borros, upon learning this, grew more confident in his victory, but it was Benjicot Blackwood, thereafter known as Bloody Ben Blackwood, who broke his flank, and "Black Aly" who led the archers that brought down Borros' knights. Lord Borros fought on, and killed the Lords Darry and Mallister, before he himself was killed by Kermit Tully.{{Ref|TWOIAF| House Baratheon}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| House Tully}}

This left King's Landing with only meager defenses, with the Lads only a short distance away, while Lord [[Cregan Stark]] and his forces were marching south as well to reinforce them.

===The end of the Dance===
The black army of "the Lads" was now a day's march outside of King's Landing, and there were no significant green forces to stop them. Lord Cregan Stark was coming south, and other armies were coming from the Vale as well. Yet King Aegon II refused to surrender, even when Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]], now Master of Ships on Aegon II's small council, advised him that the only remaining option was to surrender and join the [[Night's Watch]]. Instead, King Aegon II gave orders to have [[Aegon III Targaryen|his nephew's]] ear cut off and sent to the Lads as a warning - if his bloodline died, so would Rhaenyra's. Aegon climbed back into his litter, to be carried to his chamber, and was given a cup of wine along the way to ease his pain. When his escort arrived at his private chamber and lifted the litter's curtains, Aegon II was dead, with blood on his lips.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Aegon II}} Who exactly poisoned the king remains unknown to history, though twenty-two men would later be arrested for this crime (Lord Corlys Velaryon and Larys Strong amongst them).{{Ref|TWOIAF| Aegon III}}

==Aftermath==
===The False Dawn===
With King Aegon II dead, Aegon the Younger was crowned as King Aegon III Targaryen. Despite the hopes that the troubles were done - Aegon II's host had been defeated, the Velaryon fleet once more served the Iron Throne - the period that followed the war immediately was named "the False Dawn".{{Ref|TWOIAF| Aegon III}}

The realm faced numerous problems. The cruel winter that had begun the year before on Maiden's Day of {{Date|130}} would last until {{Date|135}}. Much of the realm had been burned out by dragonfire - in particular, Aemond Targaryen's one-man war riding Vhagar, which had burned out most of the Riverlands. Broken men and outlaws roamed the countryside in the hundreds and thousands, and public order had collapsed in many places. The ironborn, under the command of the Red Kraken - who had only nominally sided with the blacks as a pretext to attack wealthy green kingdoms - now refused to acknowledge the boy-king's commands to stop raiding.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Aegon III}}

Lord Cregan Stark and his army of childless and homeless men, unwed men, and younger sons, had marched to King's Landing with the hopes of war, adventure and plunder, and for a glorious death. The sudden death of King Aegon II had robbed them of that chance, leaving Lord Cregan furious. He had wanted to punish Storm's End, Casterly Rock and Oldtown for having supported Aegon over Rhaenyra, but upon his arrival, Lord Corlys Velaryon had already send out ravens, suing for peace.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Aegon III}}

===Hour of the Wolf===
Lord Cregan could not be dissuaded in punishing the betrayers and poisoners of King Aegon II. He found the poisoning fould murder, and had twenty-two men arrested in the name of Aegon III (Lord [[Larys Strong]] and Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]] amongst them). He then made the young King Aegon III to name him [[Hand of the King]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| Aegon III}}

Lord Cregan reigned as Hand of the King for only a day, a day filled with trials and executions. Most of those accused chose to take the black - chief amongst them was Ser Perkin the Flea - yet two chose death (Ser Gyles Belgrave of the Kingsguard and Larys Strong). The day after the executions, Lord Cregan resigned as Hand, and returned to the north, leaving many of his northmen behind in the south.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Aegon III}}

===The Regency===
With the war over, a council of seven regents was established for the young Aegon III. They would continue to reign until {{Date|136}}, the day when King Aegon III came of age. This regency period was still filled with many troubles as the realm struggled to rebuild from the war. Out of the seven original regents, only Grand Maester [[Munkun]] would serve the full term.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Aegon III}}

During the regency, King Aegon III was married to the only remaining child of the late King Aegon II: Princess [[Jaehaera Targaryen]]. Jaehaera would die two years later however, and the King would remarry, this time to a cousin of Lord [[Alyn Velaryon]]: Lady [[Daenaera Velaryon]]. This second marriage would give the King five children.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Aegon III}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| Appendix: Targaryen Lineage}}

The Red Kraken, meanwhile, continued to raid the western coasts. With peace restored, the devastated Westerlands and Reach gradually built up enough strength to contest the ironborn. This private war between the Greyjoys and the lords of the western coasts dragged on for another three years during the heart of winter. Eventually, Dalton Greyjoy died on Fair Isle, when after he finished raping a girl in Lord Farman's own bedchamber, she opened his throat as he slept. Dalton had never taken a rock wife, and only had young sons by several salt wives, which led to a fight over the succession. A Lannister force, with the aid of Ser [[Leo Costayne]], attacked the isles in {{Date|134}}, exacting revenge. Entire villages were put to the sword, man, woman, and child. Most of the attacking host was lost, but those who returned home returned with plunder - and with one of Dalton's salt sons. Lady [[Johanna Lannister]] had the boy gelded and mutilated, and forced him to be her son's fool.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Red Kraken}}

==Consequences of the Dance==
Since the Dance, House Targaryen has practiced a highly modified version of agnatic primogeniture<ref>Comic Con San Diago [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Comic_Con_San_Diego_CA_July_20_232/]</ref>, placing female claimants in the line of succession behind all possible male ones, even collateral relations.

The war is the subject of the song "[[The Dance of the Dragons (song)|The Dance of the Dragons]]", as well as [[The Dance of the Dragons, A True Telling|a somewhat inaccurate history]] by [[Grand Maester]] [[Munkun]]. [[Archmaester]] [[Gyldayn]] wrote a history of it called ''The Princess and the Queen or the Blacks and the Greens''.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

==Books and Scrolls about the Dance of the Dragons==
* ''[[The Dance of the Dragons, A True Telling]]'' - by [[Grand Maester]] [[Munkun]]
* ''[[The Princess and The Queen, or, The Blacks and The Greens (by Archmaester Gyldayn)|The Princess and The Queen, or, The Blacks and The Greens]]'' - by Archmaester [[Gyldayn]]

==References and Notes ==
{{References|2}}

{{Dance of the Dragons}}
{{Wars in Westeros}}

[[Category:Dance of the Dragons| ]]
[[Category:House Targaryen]]
[[Category:Wars]]
[[category:Westeros]]

[[es:Danza de los Dragones]]
[[fa:رقص اژدهایان]]
[[fr:Danse des Dragons]]
[[ru:Танец Драконов]]
[[zh:血龙狂舞]]

Orys Baratheon

2014-12-18T19:19:40Z

Complexphoenix: /* Quotes about Orys */

{{Character
| Character_name = [[file:House_Baratheon.PNG|50px|left]] Orys Baratheon [[file:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|right]]
| image = [[File:Orys Baratheon by feliche.jpg|250px]]
| image_caption = Orys Baratheon by [http://feliche.deviantart.com/ Feliche]©
| Alias = Orys One-Hand
| Title = Lord of [[Storm's End]] Lord of the [[Stormlands]]<ref>Bubonicon Report, August 25, 2012 [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Bubonicon_Report/ So Spake Martin]</ref> [[Hand of the King]]
| Allegiance = [[House Baratheon]] [[House Targaryen]]
| Race =
| Culture =
| Spouse = [[Argella Durrandon]]
| Father = [[Aerion Targaryen (father of Aegon I)]] (possibly)
| Place_of_Birth = [[Dragonstone]] (possibly)
| Date_of_Birth =
| Place_of_Death =
| Date_of_Death = {{Date|38}}
| Books = ''[[The World of Ice and Fire]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'' (Mentioned)
| coat-of-arms =
}}

Lord '''Orys Baratheon''', known as '''Orys One-Hand''', was the founder of [[House Baratheon]] and was the first Lord of [[Storm's End]].{{ref|AGOT|Appendix}} He slew the last [[Storm King]], [[Argilac Durrandon|Argilac]] the Arrogant, married [[Argella Durrandon|his daughter]] and took the [[Stormlands]].

==History==
Orys was the rumored [[bastard]] half-brother of [[Aegon I Targaryen]] by their father [[Aerion Targaryen (father of Aegon I)|Aerion]]. He was one of Aegon's fiercest commanders and was regarded as Aegon's only true friend. He rose through the ranks and became the first [[Hand of the King]] after Aegon's landing on mainland [[Westeros]] and his coronation.<ref>Bubonicon Report, August 25, 2012 [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Bubonicon_Report/ So Spake Martin]</ref>

During the [[War of Conquest]] Orys and [[Rhaenys Targaryen]], with her dragon [[Meraxes]], were tasked with taking [[Storm's End]]. The [[Storm King]], [[Argilac Durrandon]], hearing of the fate of [[Harrenhal]], knew his formidable walls would not protect him from dragonfire. Argilac rode out to give [[Last Storm|open battle]]. Orys slew Argilac the Arrogant, the last Storm King. After the battle, [[Argella Durrandon]], the daughter of Argilac, declared herself the Storm Queen and continued to hold Storm's End until her household turned against her to avoid the same fate of Harrenhal. They delivered her to Orys, naked and chained. Orys, however, covered her with his cloak and treated her chivalrously.

Aegon rewarded Orys with Storm's End. Orys took Argella as his wife and adopted the stag banner, honors and words of the [[House Durrandon|Durrandons]], ''Ours is the Fury'', forming [[House Baratheon]].<ref>Bubonicon Report, August 25, 2012 [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Bubonicon_Report/ So Spake Martin]</ref>{{Ref|aGoT|Appendix}}

Orys later joined Aegon in the [[First Dornish War]], leading an assault on the [[Boneway]] that proved a disaster. The cunning Dornishmen launched a night raid, raining rocks, arrows and spears from above. The bodies of the invading army blocked the Boneway from both ends, and Orys, along with many of his bannermen and knights, was captured by a Lord known as [[Wyl of Wyl]].

The Targaryens later would receive a ransom offer for Orys, along with all his knights and bannermen.

Aegon eventually agreed to the demands, and Orys and his men were later ransomed in {{date|7}} for each man's weight in gold, but once the ransom was paid the men were freed only after having their sword hands chopped off so they would not be able to use them again against [[Dorne]]. Orys became known as Orys One-Hand there after. {{ref|twoiaf| Dorne against the Dragons}}

He was said to have become crabbed and bitter after that, so he resigned his office as [[Hand of the King]] and returned to the [[Stormlands]], where it was said he became obsessed with vengeance against the Dornish, especially [[House Wyl]], whose Lord known as the Widow-Lover was the one who removed his hand.{{ref|twoiaf| Andals in the Stormlands}}

He got his opportunity during the reign of Aegon's son [[Aenys I Targaryen|King Aenys]] when a Dornish outlaw king known as the [[Vulture King (I)|Vulture King]] sent a huge army to reave the lands north of the Dornish mountains. Orys, eager for revenge against the Dornish, led his forces against him in what became known as the [[Vulture Hunt]].{{ref|twoiaf| Aenys I}}

During the battle at [[Stonehelm]], Orys forces crushed a part of the Vulture King's host and Lord [[Walter Wyl]], the Widow-lover's son, fell into his hands. Orys chopped off Walter's sword hand, then his other hand, followed by both feet, which he called his usury. On his return trip home to the [[Storm's End]], Orys died of the wounds he had taken in the battle, though according to his son [[Davos Baratheon]] he had died content, smiling at the rotten hands and feet dangling in his tent. {{ref|twoiaf| Andals in the Stormlands}}

==Family==
{{Orys Baratheon tree}}

==Quotes about Orys==
{{Quote|My shield, my stalwart, my strong right hand <ref>Chicon 7 Reading (September 02, 2012) [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Category/C92/ So Spake Martin]</ref>}} – [[Aegon the Conqueror]]

==References and Notes==
{{references}}

{{Template:Hands of the King}}
{{Small council}}

[[Category:House Baratheon]]
[[Category:Nobles|Baratheon, Orys]]
[[Category:Bastards|Baratheon, Orys]]
[[Category:Characters from the Stormlands|Baratheon, Orys]]
[[Category:Hands of the King|Baratheon, Orys]]

[[es:Orys Baratheon]]
[[fa:اوریس براتیون]]
[[fr:Orys Baratheon]]
[[ru:Орис Баратеон]]
[[zh:奥里斯·拜拉席恩]]

Orys Baratheon

2014-12-18T19:19:16Z

Complexphoenix: /* History */

{{Character
| Character_name = [[file:House_Baratheon.PNG|50px|left]] Orys Baratheon [[file:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|right]]
| image = [[File:Orys Baratheon by feliche.jpg|250px]]
| image_caption = Orys Baratheon by [http://feliche.deviantart.com/ Feliche]©
| Alias = Orys One-Hand
| Title = Lord of [[Storm's End]] Lord of the [[Stormlands]]<ref>Bubonicon Report, August 25, 2012 [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Bubonicon_Report/ So Spake Martin]</ref> [[Hand of the King]]
| Allegiance = [[House Baratheon]] [[House Targaryen]]
| Race =
| Culture =
| Spouse = [[Argella Durrandon]]
| Father = [[Aerion Targaryen (father of Aegon I)]] (possibly)
| Place_of_Birth = [[Dragonstone]] (possibly)
| Date_of_Birth =
| Place_of_Death =
| Date_of_Death = {{Date|38}}
| Books = ''[[The World of Ice and Fire]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'' (Mentioned)
| coat-of-arms =
}}

Lord '''Orys Baratheon''', known as '''Orys One-Hand''', was the founder of [[House Baratheon]] and was the first Lord of [[Storm's End]].{{ref|AGOT|Appendix}} He slew the last [[Storm King]], [[Argilac Durrandon|Argilac]] the Arrogant, married [[Argella Durrandon|his daughter]] and took the [[Stormlands]].

==History==
Orys was the rumored [[bastard]] half-brother of [[Aegon I Targaryen]] by their father [[Aerion Targaryen (father of Aegon I)|Aerion]]. He was one of Aegon's fiercest commanders and was regarded as Aegon's only true friend. He rose through the ranks and became the first [[Hand of the King]] after Aegon's landing on mainland [[Westeros]] and his coronation.<ref>Bubonicon Report, August 25, 2012 [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Bubonicon_Report/ So Spake Martin]</ref>

During the [[War of Conquest]] Orys and [[Rhaenys Targaryen]], with her dragon [[Meraxes]], were tasked with taking [[Storm's End]]. The [[Storm King]], [[Argilac Durrandon]], hearing of the fate of [[Harrenhal]], knew his formidable walls would not protect him from dragonfire. Argilac rode out to give [[Last Storm|open battle]]. Orys slew Argilac the Arrogant, the last Storm King. After the battle, [[Argella Durrandon]], the daughter of Argilac, declared herself the Storm Queen and continued to hold Storm's End until her household turned against her to avoid the same fate of Harrenhal. They delivered her to Orys, naked and chained. Orys, however, covered her with his cloak and treated her chivalrously.

Aegon rewarded Orys with Storm's End. Orys took Argella as his wife and adopted the stag banner, honors and words of the [[House Durrandon|Durrandons]], ''Ours is the Fury'', forming [[House Baratheon]].<ref>Bubonicon Report, August 25, 2012 [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Bubonicon_Report/ So Spake Martin]</ref>{{Ref|aGoT|Appendix}}

Orys later joined Aegon in the [[First Dornish War]], leading an assault on the [[Boneway]] that proved a disaster. The cunning Dornishmen launched a night raid, raining rocks, arrows and spears from above. The bodies of the invading army blocked the Boneway from both ends, and Orys, along with many of his bannermen and knights, was captured by a Lord known as [[Wyl of Wyl]].

The Targaryens later would receive a ransom offer for Orys, along with all his knights and bannermen.

Aegon eventually agreed to the demands, and Orys and his men were later ransomed in {{date|7}} for each man's weight in gold, but once the ransom was paid the men were freed only after having their sword hands chopped off so they would not be able to use them again against [[Dorne]]. Orys became known as Orys One-Hand there after. {{ref|twoiaf| Dorne against the Dragons}}

He was said to have become crabbed and bitter after that, so he resigned his office as [[Hand of the King]] and returned to the [[Stormlands]], where it was said he became obsessed with vengeance against the Dornish, especially [[House Wyl]], whose Lord known as the Widow-Lover was the one who removed his hand.{{ref|twoiaf| Andals in the Stormlands}}

He got his opportunity during the reign of Aegon's son [[Aenys I Targaryen|King Aenys]] when a Dornish outlaw king known as the [[Vulture King (I)|Vulture King]] sent a huge army to reave the lands north of the Dornish mountains. Orys, eager for revenge against the Dornish, led his forces against him in what became known as the [[Vulture Hunt]].{{ref|twoiaf| Aenys I}}

During the battle at [[Stonehelm]], Orys forces crushed a part of the Vulture King's host and Lord [[Walter Wyl]], the Widow-lover's son, fell into his hands. Orys chopped off Walter's sword hand, then his other hand, followed by both feet, which he called his usury. On his return trip home to the [[Storm's End]], Orys died of the wounds he had taken in the battle, though according to his son [[Davos Baratheon]] he had died content, smiling at the rotten hands and feet dangling in his tent. {{ref|twoiaf| Andals in the Stormlands}}

==Family==
{{Orys Baratheon tree}}

==Quotes about Orys==
{{Quote|My shield, my stalwart, my strong right hand<ref>Chicon 7 Reading (September 02, 2012) [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Category/C92/ So Spake Martin]</ref>}} – [[Aegon the Conqueror]]

==References and Notes==
{{references}}

{{Template:Hands of the King}}
{{Small council}}

[[Category:House Baratheon]]
[[Category:Nobles|Baratheon, Orys]]
[[Category:Bastards|Baratheon, Orys]]
[[Category:Characters from the Stormlands|Baratheon, Orys]]
[[Category:Hands of the King|Baratheon, Orys]]

[[es:Orys Baratheon]]
[[fa:اوریس براتیون]]
[[fr:Orys Baratheon]]
[[ru:Орис Баратеон]]
[[zh:奥里斯·拜拉席恩]]

Orys Baratheon

2014-12-18T19:18:35Z

Complexphoenix: /* History */ Fixed grammar

{{Character
| Character_name = [[file:House_Baratheon.PNG|50px|left]] Orys Baratheon [[file:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|right]]
| image = [[File:Orys Baratheon by feliche.jpg|250px]]
| image_caption = Orys Baratheon by [http://feliche.deviantart.com/ Feliche]©
| Alias = Orys One-Hand
| Title = Lord of [[Storm's End]] Lord of the [[Stormlands]]<ref>Bubonicon Report, August 25, 2012 [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Bubonicon_Report/ So Spake Martin]</ref> [[Hand of the King]]
| Allegiance = [[House Baratheon]] [[House Targaryen]]
| Race =
| Culture =
| Spouse = [[Argella Durrandon]]
| Father = [[Aerion Targaryen (father of Aegon I)]] (possibly)
| Place_of_Birth = [[Dragonstone]] (possibly)
| Date_of_Birth =
| Place_of_Death =
| Date_of_Death = {{Date|38}}
| Books = ''[[The World of Ice and Fire]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'' (Mentioned)
| coat-of-arms =
}}

Lord '''Orys Baratheon''', known as '''Orys One-Hand''', was the founder of [[House Baratheon]] and was the first Lord of [[Storm's End]].{{ref|AGOT|Appendix}} He slew the last [[Storm King]], [[Argilac Durrandon|Argilac]] the Arrogant, married [[Argella Durrandon|his daughter]] and took the [[Stormlands]].

==History==
Orys was the rumored [[bastard]] half-brother of [[Aegon I Targaryen]] by their father [[Aerion Targaryen (father of Aegon I)|Aerion]]. He was one of Aegon's fiercest commanders and was regarded as Aegon's only true friend. He rose through the ranks and became the first [[Hand of the King]] after Aegon's landing on mainland [[Westeros]] and his coronation.<ref>Bubonicon Report, August 25, 2012 [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Bubonicon_Report/ So Spake Martin]</ref>

During the [[War of Conquest]] Orys and [[Rhaenys Targaryen]], with her dragon [[Meraxes]], were tasked with taking [[Storm's End]]. The [[Storm King]], [[Argilac Durrandon]], hearing of the fate of [[Harrenhal]], knew his formidable walls would not protect him from dragonfire. Argilac rode out to give [[Last Storm|open battle]]. Orys slew Argilac the Arrogant, the last Storm King. After the battle, [[Argella Durrandon]], the daughter of Argilac, declared herself the Storm Queen and continued to hold Storm's End until her household turned against her to avoid the same fate of Harrenhal. They delivered her to Orys, naked and chained. Orys, however, covered her with his cloak and treated her chivalrously.

Aegon rewarded Orys with Storm's End. Orys took Argella as his wife and adopted the stag banner, honors and words of the [[House Durrandon|Durrandons]], ''Ours is the Fury'', forming [[House Baratheon]].<ref>Bubonicon Report, August 25, 2012 [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Bubonicon_Report/ So Spake Martin]</ref>{{Ref|aGoT|Appendix}}

Orys later joined Aegon in the [[First Dornish War]], leading an assault on the [[Boneway]] that proved a disaster. The cunning Dornishmen launched a night raid, raining rocks, arrows and spears from above. The bodies of the invading army blocked the Boneway from both ends, and Orys, along with many of his bannermen and knights, was captured by a Lord known as [[Wyl of Wyl]].

The Targaryens later would receive a ransom offer for Orys, along with all his knights and bannermen.

Aegon eventually agreed to the demands, and Orys and his men were later ransomed in {{date|7}} for each man's weight in gold, but once the ransom was paid the men were freed only after having their sword hands chopped off so they would not be able to use them again against [[Dorne]]. Orys became known as Orys One-Hand there after. {{ref|twoiaf| Dorne against the Dragons}}

He was said to have become crabbed and bitter after that, so he resigned his office as [[Hand of the King]] and returned to the [[Stormlands]], where it was said he became obsessed with vengeance against the Dornish, especially [[House Wyl]], whose Lord known as the Widow-Lover was the one who removed his hand.{{ref|twoiaf| Andals in the Stormlands}}

He got his opportunity during the reign of Aegon's son [[Aenys I Targaryen|King Aenys]] when a Dornish outlaw king known as the [[Vulture King (I)|Vulture King]] sent a huge army to reave the lands north of the Dornish mountains. Orys, eager for revenge against the Dornish, led his forces against him in what became known as the [[Vulture Hunt]].{{ref|twoiaf| Aenys I}}

During the battle at [[Stonehelm]], Orys forces crushed a part of the Vulture King's host and Lord [[Walter Wyl]], the Widow-lover's son, fell into his hands. Orys chopped off Walters sword hand, then his other hand, followed by both feet, which he called his usury. On his return trip home to the [[Storm's End]], Orys died of the wounds he had taken in the battle, though according to his son [[Davos Baratheon]] he had died content, smiling at the rotten hands and feet dangling in his tent. {{ref|twoiaf| Andals in the Stormlands}}

==Family==
{{Orys Baratheon tree}}

==Quotes about Orys==
{{Quote|My shield, my stalwart, my strong right hand<ref>Chicon 7 Reading (September 02, 2012) [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Category/C92/ So Spake Martin]</ref>}} – [[Aegon the Conqueror]]

==References and Notes==
{{references}}

{{Template:Hands of the King}}
{{Small council}}

[[Category:House Baratheon]]
[[Category:Nobles|Baratheon, Orys]]
[[Category:Bastards|Baratheon, Orys]]
[[Category:Characters from the Stormlands|Baratheon, Orys]]
[[Category:Hands of the King|Baratheon, Orys]]

[[es:Orys Baratheon]]
[[fa:اوریس براتیون]]
[[fr:Orys Baratheon]]
[[ru:Орис Баратеон]]
[[zh:奥里斯·拜拉席恩]]

Daeron I Targaryen

2014-12-15T01:31:35Z

Complexphoenix: /* Family */

{{see homonyms|Daeron Targaryen}}
{{Infobox monarch
| name = [[File:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|left]] '''Daeron I''' [[File:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|right]]
| image = [[Image:DAERON I.jpg|300px|]]
| image_caption = Daeron I by [http://en.amokanet.ru/gallery/martin/ Amok©]
| reign = {{Date|157}} - {{Date|161}}
| coronation =
| othertitles = King of the [[Seven Kingdoms]]
| alias = The Young Dragon The Boy King
| fullname = Daeron Targaryen First of His Name
| predecessor = [[Aegon III Targaryen]]
| successor = [[Baelor I Targaryen]]
| heir = [[Baelor I Targaryen]]
| queen =
| consort =
| spouse =
| issue = None
| royalhouse = [[House Targaryen]]
| father = [[Aegon III Targaryen]]
| mother = [[Daenaera Velaryon]]{{ref|awoiaf| Daeron I Targaryen}}
| dateofbirth = {{Date|143}}<ref>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Ages#Daeron I Targaryen|Daeron I Targaryen]] calculation.''</ref>
| placeofbirth = [[King's Landing]]{{ref|awoiaf| Daeron I Targaryen}}
| dateofdeath = {{Date|161}}
| placeofdeath = [[Dorne]]{{ref|awoiaf| Daeron I Targaryen}}
| dateofburial =
| placeofburial = [[King's Landing]]
| culture =
| Books = ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[A Storm of Swords]]'' (Mentioned)
}}

King '''Daeron I''', known as the '''Young Dragon''', was the eldest son of [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon III]] and the eighth [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]] king to sit the [[Iron Throne]] from {{date|157-161}}. He ascended to the throne at the age of fourteen and is famous for [[Conquest of Dorne|conquering Dorne]], which he wrote about in his [[Conquest of Dorne (book)|Conquest of Dorne]].

==Character and Appearance==
Daeron was a warrior and conquerer, self-confident and very charismatic. He was young and very handsome, being clean-shaven with long hair. He wore the [[Crowns (object)|crown]] of [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon the Conqueror]]. He was noted to be very brave on the battlefield, where he wore an elaborate suit of gold and black plate.<ref>Targaryen Kings. November 1, 2005 [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/1253/ So Spake Martin]</ref>

==Biography==
Daeron was the firstborn son and heir of Aegon III and [[Daenaera Velaryon|Daenaera]] of [[House Velaryon]], and was born in {{Date|143}}. He had a younger brother, [[Baelor I Targaryen|Baelor]], and three younger sisters, [[Daena Targaryen|Daena]], [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aegon III)|Rhaena]] and [[Elaena Targaryen|Elaena]]. His father passed away when Daeron was only fourteen and he was crowned King Daeron I, though at times he would be called the "Boy King". Daeron kept his uncle [[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys]] as his [[Hand of the King]], as his uncle had held the position for Aegon III as well.

Daeron had long felt that the continued independence of [[Dorne]] represented unfinished business for the [[House Targaryen|Targaryen's]], and upon his ascension he vowed to rectify his ancestors' mistake. His uncle and [[Hand of the King]] [[Viserys II Targaryen|Prince Viserys]] and councillors objected to his plans. His councillors reminded him that [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon the Conquerer]] and his sisters failed twice in trying to conquer Dorne and they had [[Dragons]] and that the [[Iron Throne]] had none, to which Daeron famously replied...

{{Quote|You have a dragon. He Stands before you.{{ref|twoiaf| Daeron I}}}}

In the end Daeron could not be gainsaid, with the help and advice of [[Alyn Velaryon]] he set about planning the invasion. The campaign showed great promise as Daeron went over and revised the mistakes that were made in the [[First Dornish War]]. Daeron split his army into three for the invasion and personally led the army down the [[Boneway]]. He learned from the mistakes [[Orys Baratheon]] made in the first war. Daeron used the goat paths located in the pass to avoid the traps and ambushes the Dornish usually implemented to repel invaders. His other army led by [[House Tyrell]] attacked at the same time down [[Prince's Pass]]. The third army, was a naval assault along the Dornish coast was commanded by [[Alyn Velaryon]] who won sweeping victories in [[Planky Town]].

By {{date|158}}, a year after the invasion began, the Prince of Dorne and two score Dornish lords had bent the knee. The [[Conquest of Dorne]] as it became known looked like it succeeded and Daeron becoming the first Targaryen king to conquer Dorne and unite all [[Seven Kingdoms]] for the first time. Despite the loss of ten thousand men in taking [[Dorne]]. An assassination attempt on Daeron was prevented by the actions of [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Viserys II)|Prince Aemon the Dragonknight]] who threw himself in the path of the poisoned arrow meant for his king, Aemon survived the poison though and was sent back to [[King's Landing]] to fully recover.{{ref|twoiaf| Daeron I}}

Following his conquest after the [[Submission of Sunspear]] he wrote the book ''[[Conquest of Dorne (Book)|Conquest of Dorne]]'' about his achievement.{{Ref|aSoS|54}} The book was known for its style and simplicity but in it Daeron exaggerated the numbers of his foes to make his conquest seem greater.{{ref|twoiaf| Daeron I}}

Unfortunately for him, Daeron's conquest did not last. It was undone in a fortnight when a clever trap killed the steward that Daeron had left to rule Dorne, Lord [[Lyonel Tyrell (Lord)|Lyonel Tyrell]]. His death sparked a great uprising that overthrew most of the conquest.{{Ref|aSoS|66}} Daeron lost fifty thousand men trying to hold Dorne, culminating in his own death during the uprising. At that time he was only eighteen.{{Ref|aGoT|5}} Daeron was murdered while meeting the Dornish under a peace banner, with three knights of the [[Kingsguard]] slain, one yielding, and Prince [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Viserys II)|Aemon the Dragonknight]] captured, though Prince Aemon managed to slay two of the betrayers before being taken into custody.{{ref|TWOIAF| Daeron I}} Daeron may have died in the [[Prince's Pass]], as Lord [[Alester Oakheart|Alester]] and Ser [[Olyvar Oakheart]] were killed there at the side of the Young Dragon.{{ref|AFFC|13}}

Daeron was succeeded by his brother, [[Baelor I Targaryen|Baelor the Blessed]], who brought about a rapprochement with the Dornish. The [[Weeping Town]] received its name from the townspeople's reaction when Daeron's corpse arrived from Dorne.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Stormlands}} In the city of [[Oldtown]], there is a statue of King Daeron I astride a tall stone horse, his sword lifted toward Dorne.{{Ref|affc|45}}

==Quotes==

{{Quote| '''Jon:''' Daeron Targaryen was only fourteen when he conquered [[Dorne]]. 
'''Benjen:''' A conquest that lasted a summer. Your Boy King lost ten thousand men taking the place, and another fifty trying to hold it. Someone should have told him that war isn't a game.{{Ref|aGoT|5}}}} - [[Jon Snow]] and [[Benjen Stark]]

==Family==
{{Template:Targaryen tree Aegon III}}

==References and Notes==
{{references|2}}

{{Template:Kings of Westeros}}

[[Category:Characters from the Crownlands|Targaryen, Daeron I]]
[[Category:Monarchs|Targaryen, Daeron I]]
[[Category:Nobles|Targaryen, Daeron I]]
[[Category:Scribes|Targaryen, Daeron I]]
[[Category:Statues|Targaryen, Daeron I]]
[[Category:House Targaryen]]

[[fr:Daeron I Targaryen]]
[[ru:Дейрон I Таргариен]]
[[zh:戴伦·坦格利安一世]]

Viserys II Targaryen

2014-12-15T01:28:56Z

Complexphoenix: /* Family */

{{Monarch
| name = [[File:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|left]] '''Viserys II''' [[File:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|right]]
| image = [[Image:VISERYS II.jpg|300px|]]
| image_caption = Viserys II by [http://en.amokanet.ru/gallery/martin/ Amok©]
| reign = {{Date|171}} - {{Date|172}}
| coronation =
| othertitles = [[Hand of the King]] King of the [[Seven Kingdoms]]
| fullname = Viserys II Targaryen Second of His Name
| predecessor = [[Baelor I Targaryen]]
| successor = [[Aegon IV Targaryen]]
| suc-type=
| heir= [[Aegon IV Targaryen]]
| queen=
| consort=
| spouse1= [[Larra Rogare]]
| issue= [[Aegon IV Targaryen]] [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Viserys II)|Aemon Targaryen]] [[Naerys Targaryen]]
| royalhouse= [[House Targaryen]]
| dynasty=
| royalanthem=
| father= [[Daemon Targaryen|Daemon Targaryen]]
| mother= [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]]
| dateofbirth = {{Date|122}}{{Ref|TRP}}
| placeofbirth = [[Dragonstone]]{{Ref|awoiaf}}
| dateofdeath = {{Date|172}}{{Ref|aGoT|Appendix}}
| placeofdeath = [[King's Landing]]{{Ref|awoiaf}}
| dateofburial =
| placeofburial=
| Books = ''[[The Rogue Prince]]'' (Appears) ''[[The Princess and the Queen]]'' (Appears) ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[A Storm of Swords]]'' (Mentioned)
}}

{{See homonyms | Viserys Targaryen (disambiguation)}}

'''Viserys II''' was the tenth member of [[House Targaryen]] to be the King on the [[Iron Throne]]. He was the brother of [[Aegon III Targaryen]] and was the son of [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]] and [[Daemon Targaryen]], and the father of King [[Aegon IV Targaryen]], Queen [[Naerys Targaryen]], and Prince [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Viserys II)|Aemon "the Dragonknight"]].

==Appearance==
According to a semi-canon source, Viserys II was clean-shaven with long hair. He had a prominent nose, bushy eyebrows and a shrewd, calculating look to him. He wore the simple crown of Aegon III.<ref>Targaryen Kings. (November 1, 2005) [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Category/C91/P15 So Spake Martin]</ref>

Viserys was frailer than his brother Aegon, but was more mature than him and his other Velaryon half brothers.{{ref|trp}}

==History==
===Youth===
Born in {{Date|122}}, Viserys was the second born son of his father, Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]], and the fifth born son of his mother, Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]]. As per Targaryen tradition, a dragons egg was placed in his cradle.{{Ref|tpatq}} Viserys was named after his grandfather, King [[Viserys I Targaryen]].

Viserys had four older brothers. Three half-siblings, [[Jacaerys Velaryon]], [[Lucerys Velaryon]] and [[Joffrey Velaryon]], and one full-blood brother, [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon Targaryen]].{{Ref|tpatq}}.

Viserys lived with his mother, father and brothers on [[Dragonstone]], his mothers seat as the [[Prince of Dragonstone|Princess of Dragonstone]]. When his grandfather died in early {{Date|129}}, Viserys and his family were thus away from the capitol, since Rhaenyra was pregnant for the sixth time. This pregnancy led to the birth of Viserys' only sister, named [[Visenya Targaryen (daughter of Rhaenyra)|Visenya]]. The girl was still born, however.

The death of his grandfather sparked a war of succession between Viserys' mother, Rhaenyra, and his half-uncle, Prince Aegon, who was crowned King [[Aegon II Targaryen]], despite Rhaenyra having been the heir to the throne.

===The [[Dance of the Dragons]]===
In late {{date|129}}, at the behest of their half-brother [[Jacaerys Velaryon]], Viserys and his older brother [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon]] were sent to [[Essos]] aboard the ''[[Gay Abandon]]'' to be fostered by a prince of [[Pentos]] until their mother, Rhaenyra, secured the Iron Throne. However, the fleet of the [[Kingdom of the Three Daughters]], who were allied with [[the greens]] and [[Aegon II Targaryen]], captured the ''Gay Abandon'' during the voyage. Aegon flew away atop his dragon, [[Stormcloud]], but Viserys had only a dragon egg. Remaining behind, the clever Viserys hid his egg and disguised himself as a common ship's boy, but his identity was revealed by one of the crew. A [[Tyrosh]]i captain brought Viserys to [[Sharako Lohar]], the Triarchy's admiral. Viserys's fate through the remainder of the [[Dance of the Dragons]] is as yet unknown,{{ref|tpatq}} though it is known he survived the war.

===Later Life===
Viserys later served as [[Hand of the King]] to his brother Aegon and his two nephews, [[Daeron I Targaryen|Daeron]] and [[Baelor I Targaryen|Baelor]]. He was instrumental in keeping the realm intact while King [[Daeron I Targaryen|Daeron I]] warred and King [[Baelor I Targaryen|Baelor I]] prayed. It was rumored that to spare the realm embarrassment, Viserys used his position as Hand to order the poisoning of [[High Septon (stonemason)|a stonemason]] whom Baelor had appointed as [[High Septon]].{{ref|AFFC|43}}

Viserys had three children: [[Aegon IV Targaryen|Aegon]], [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Viserys II)|Aemon]] and [[Naerys Targaryen|Naerys]]. Whilst Aegon and Naerys were wed to one another, Aemon became a knight of the [[Kingsguard]], serving under King [[Daeron I Targaryen]], then under King [[Baelor I Targaryen]], and later still when Viserys himself became king.

==Reign==
Viserys II ascended to throne later in life after the death of his nephew, [[Baelor I Targaryen]], also known as Baelor the Blessed, in {{Date|171}}. Viserys is not remembered fondly in Westeros, as some accuse him of poisoning Baelor to gain the throne and doing nothing once he gained it. Viserys reigned for only a year, but in his previous role as [[Hand of the King]] he had ruled and preserved the land for much longer. The reigns and follies of Daeron and Baelor would have been much worse if not for his tenure as [[Hand of the King]]. {{ref|ASOS|59}} {{ref|twoiaf| Viserys II}}

In his short reign as King he wished to establish a new royal mint, increase trade across the narrow sea and make positive revisions to the already progressive laws of [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|The Old King]]. Viserys had it in him to be another [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|Jaehaerys the Wise]], as he was just as wise and shrewd. Unfortunately a sudden illness took him away,

Viserys was succeeded by his eldest son, [[Aegon IV Targaryen]], who had been married to [[Naerys Targaryen]], Viserys' only daughter.

Some historians suspect that Viserys death was not natural and that his successor and very own son [[Aegon IV Targaryen|Aegon]] poisoned him. {{ref|twoiaf| Viserys II}}

==Family==

===Ancestors===
{{Targaryen tree Dance}}
===Descendants===
{{Template:Targaryen tree Aegon III}}

==References and Notes==
{{references}}

{{Template:Kings of Westeros}}
{{Template:Hands of the King}}

[[Category:House Targaryen]]
[[Category:Characters from the Crownlands|Targaryen, Viserys II]]
[[Category:Kinslayers|Targaryen, Viserys II]]
[[Category:Hands of the King|Targaryen, Viserys II]]
[[Category:Monarchs|Targaryen, Viserys II]]
[[Category:Nobles|Targaryen, Viserys II]]

[[es:Viserys II Targaryen]]
[[fr:Viserys II Targaryen]]
[[ru:Визерис II Таргариен]]

Aegon IV Targaryen

2014-12-15T01:27:03Z

Complexphoenix: added family template

{{Monarch
| name = [[File:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|left]] '''Aegon IV''' [[File:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|right]]
| image = [[Image:AEGON IV.jpg|300px|]]
| image_caption = Aegon IV by [http://en.amokanet.ru/gallery/martin/ Amok©]
| reign = {{Date|172}} - {{Date|184}}
| coronation =
| othertitles = King of the [[Seven Kingdoms]]
| fullname = Aegon Targaryen Fourth of His Name
| alias = Aegon the Unworthy
| predecessor = [[Viserys II Targaryen]]
| successor = [[Daeron II Targaryen]]
| suc-type =
| heir = [[Daeron II Targaryen]]
| queen = [[Naerys Targaryen]]
| consort =
| spouse1 =
| issue = [[Daeron II Targaryen]] [[Daenerys Targaryen (daughter of Aegon IV)|Daenerys Targaryen]] [[Daemon I Blackfyre]] [[Alysanne]] [[Lily]] [[Willow (daughter of Aegon IV)|Willow]] [[Rosey (daughter of Aegon IV)|Rosey]] [[Bellanora Otherys]] [[Narha Otherys]] [[Balerion Otherys]] [[Aegor Rivers]] [[Mya Rivers]] [[Gwenys Rivers]] [[Brynden Rivers]] [[Shiera Seastar]]
| royalhouse = [[House Targaryen]]
| dynasty =
| royalanthem =
| father =
| mother =
| dateofbirth = {{Date|135}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| Viserys II}}
| placeofbirth = [[King's Landing]]
| dateofdeath = {{Date|184}}
| placeofdeath = [[King's Landing]]
| dateofburial =
| placeofburial =
| Books = ''[[The World of Ice and Fire]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[The Hedge Knight]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[The Mystery Knight]]'' (Mentioned) ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'' (Mentioned)
}}

{{See homonyms | Aegon Targaryen (disambiguation)}}

'''Aegon IV''', known as '''Aegon the Unworthy''', was the eleventh [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]] to sit the [[Iron Throne]] and is considered to be one of the worst Targaryen kings. He sired numerous [[bastard]]s, legitimizing them on his deathbed, an act that started the [[Blackfyre Rebellion]] and almost ripped the [[Seven Kingdoms]] apart, four other Blackfyre rebellions followed.

==Character and appearance==
Aegon began his reign when he was young, vigorous, robust and handsome but ended it old and corrupt. By the end of it he was bloated and fat. His eyes were almost lost in the fat of his face, his legs too weak to support his belly. He had a small mouth and a large beard used in an attempt to cover the fat of his neck and face. He had a new [[Crowns (object)|crown]] made, huge and heavy, red gold, each of its points a dragon head with gemstone eyes.<ref>So Spake Martin: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/1253/ Targaryen Kings] (November 1, 2005)</ref> On his [[Currency|coinage]], he was depicted with a beard.{{Ref|TMK}}

Aegon coveted the [[Iron Throne|throne]] as a boy. As a prince he was handsome, skilled with lance and sword. He loved to hunt, hawk and dance. At court he was the brightest Prince who dazzled lords with his wit. He had one major flaw though, he could not rule himself. His lusts, gluttony and desires ruled him. {{ref|twoiaf| Aegon IV}}

==Biography==
===Early life===
Aegon was the eldest son of the [[Hand of the King|King's Hand]], Prince [[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys Targaryen]], and his wife, [[Larra Rogare]]. He grew up during the rule of his uncle, King [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon III]]. In {{Date|153}}, Aegon married his sister, Princess [[Naerys Targaryen|Naerys]], as their father wanted.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Viserys II}} Their marriage was an unhappy one. Naerys had a better relationship with her second brother, Prince [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Viserys II)|Aemon]], the best of her two brothers, for he knew how to make her laugh and had something of the piety she had, while Aegon did not. When Aegon and Naerys were wed in the early months of {{Date|153}}, Aemon quarrelled with Aegon at the wedding feast, and Naerys wept during the bedding. Aegon's first child with Naerys, Prince [[Daeron II Targaryen|Daeron]], was born on the last day of {{Date|153}}.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Daeron II}}

As a young prince, Aegon accompanied his cousin and King [[Daeron I Targaryen|Daeron I, the Young Dragon]], in his [[Conquest of Dorne]], as did Aegon's younger brother, Prince [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Viserys II)|Aemon "the Dragonknight"]], who had joined the [[kingsguard]]. After the [[Submission of Sunspear]] Aegon was tasked by King Daeron I to escort the highborn Dornish hostages to [[King's Landing]].{{ref|twoiaf| The Nine Mistresses of Aegon IV, the Unworthy}} [[Casella Vaith|One of these hostages]] became Aegon's mistress for a few years.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Nine Mistresses of Aegon IV}}

When [[Baelor I Targaryen|Baelor the Blessed]] became king, Baelor dissolved his marriage to his sister-wife [[Daena Targaryen|Daena]] and imprisoned her and his other sisters in comfortable confinement of the [[Maidenvault]] so the sight of her would not tempt him or the men of his court to carnal thoughts. Aegon was not under any such prohibition and developed a fondness for his cousin Daena. On one occasion he helped Daena escape from the Maidenvault and they conceived a child. Daena refused to say who the father was, and was dubbed 'Daena the Defiant' for her wilfulness. In time she gave birth to a son, [[Daemon Blackfyre|Daemon]], and Aegon noted with approval that he was growing up to be a strong warrior.

During the years Naerys had several difficult pregnancies. During the reign of Baelor the Blessed Naerys gave birth to two twins who died after the birth, the news caused king Baelor to fast for a moon's turn. {{ref|twoiaf| Baelor I}} After Naerys fell pregnant and almost died in {{date|161}}, King Baelor sent Aegon to [[Braavos]] on a diplomatic mission. Accounts at the time suggest it was excuse to make certain Aegon left Naerys alone as she recovered from a failed child birth.{{ref|twoiaf| The nine mistresses of Aegon IV, the Unworthy}} In {{date|172}} Naerys after another troubled labour gave birth to a daughter named [[Daenerys Targaryen (daughter of Aegon IV)|Daenerys]].{{ref|twoiaf| Daeron II}}

Eventually Baelor starved himself to death during one of his pious fasts and Viserys only ruled for a single year before passing away himself, so the throne passed to Aegon, ''Fourth of His Name''. Some historians suspect that sudden death of Aegon's father, King Viserys, was not [[Kinslaying|natural]] and that his successor and very own son Aegon [[poison|poisoned]] him in order to hasten his inheritance to the [[Iron Throne]]. {{ref|twoiaf| Viserys II}}

===Reign===
Aegon IV is generally considered to be one of the worst kings in the history of Westeros, and is dubbed 'Aegon the Unworthy' in the face of his excess and misrule. Aegon's behavior caused great strife at court, especially with his son [[Daeron II Targaryen|Daeron]] and Aegons own brother [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Viserys II)|Aemon]], who was then the Lord Commander of the [[Kingsguard]].

He was a decadent, corrupt ruler who indulged his passions and whims at every opportunity. Being attractive, he was popular with women both highborn and lowborn. He had as many as nine [[#Mistresses|mistresses]] and many bastards. Supposedly, he had any woman he wanted whether they were married or not. People often joked that the Targaryen words might be ''"Fire and Blood"'' but Aegon IV's motto was ''"Wash her and bring her to my bed."''

His misrule started with small acts of pleasure, but in time his appetites knew no bounds and his corruption and oppression led to acts that would haunt the realm for generations to come. He filled his court not with men who were noble, wise or honest but with those who could flatter and amuse him. The women at court were largely those who could do the same, letting him slake his lusts upon their bodies. On his whims he gave to one House while taking from another. He deprived men of their rightful inheritance, when he desired their wealth, as rumours claim he did following the death of [[Ossifer Plumm]] during his wedding day.

Aegon gave away priceless treasures to Lords who managed to please him and for the sake of his desires: an example, on one of his many trips he gifted a [[Dragon|dragon's egg]] to Lord [[House Butterwell|Butterwell]], after guesting at his castle and allegedly impregnating his host's three maiden daughters in one night.{{Ref|TMK}} Aegon used promotions of the [[City Watch of King's Landing]] as a way to shower largesse on those he most favored, and they in turn made sure that the brothels - and even the decent women of the city were made available for Aegon's lusts whenever their King desired.{{ref|twoiaf| Daeron II}}

He once even renamed two hills that were disputed territories between [[House Bracken]] and [[House Blackwood]], the hills knowns as the [[Teats]] were dubbed by Aegon as ''Barba's Teats'' in honor of his Bracken mistress, [[Barba Bracken]], the mother of [[Aegor Rivers|Bittersteel]]. A few years later, he casually appropriated the hills from the Brackens and gifted them to the Blackwoods while renaming the hills for his new Blackwood mistress, [[Melissa Blackwood]], the mother of [[Brynden Rivers|Bloodraven]]. The Blackwoods still call them ''Missy's Teats'', while the Brackens call them ''Barba's Teats''.{{ref|ADWD|48}}

To the [[smallfolk]], his reign might have been a source of gossip and amusement. To the Lords of the realm who did not stay at his court, and who did not wish Aegon to take liberties with their daughters, he might have seemed strong and decisive, frivolous, but largely harmless. Those who were actually at court (among them Aegons own brother [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Viserys II)|Aemon]]) saw him for what he truly was. Aegon the Fourth of his name was too mercurial, too greedy and too cruel too be anything other then dangerous. {{ref|twoiaf| Aegon IV}}

From a young age, Aegon indulged himself with women and continued to do so after his marriage, even during his own reign. He quite openly flaunted his mistresses at court, to the distress of his wife. Naerys was the only woman Aegon took no pleasure in bedding, he did not love her as she was pious, gentle and frail, everything Aegon loathed. Aegon could have easily absolved the marriage by allowing her to join the [[Faith of the Seven]], which is what his wife wanted and then married any other woman of his choosing. Why he never did this is cause of much speculation among the [[Maesters]]. The answer most likely was simple cruelty. According to Grandmaester [[Alford]] after the birth of [[Daeron II Targaryen|Prince Daeron]], he warned Aegon that a second pregnancy could kill Naerys. Naerys after giving him an heir begged him to allow her to join the [[Faith of the Seven]] as a Septa and absolve the marriage. Aegon refused though and insisted she still perform her ''"wifely duties"''. {{ref|awoiaf| Aegon IV}}

Aegons treatment of Naerys inflamed matters between Aegon and his brother Aemon. As children Aemon and Naerys had been inseparable growing up. Aegons resentment of his younger noble, famed, celebrated brother was plain for all to see. Most likely because Aemon was everything Aegon was not.

When Queen Naerys was accused of adultery and treason by the knight Ser [[Morgil Hastwyck]], Prince Aemon defended his sisters honor in trial by combat and slew Ser Morgil. This event became famous and inspired many songs, stories and fables by bards, furthering Prince Aemons renown much to King Aegons annoyance. According to the writings of [[Kaeth|Maester Kaeth]] in the ''[[Lives of Four Kings]]'', it was in fact Aegon who secretly started the rumors of Naerys adultery and used the knight, Ser Morgil to instigate this tale, though at the time Aegon denied this. These accusations coincidentally started when Aegon and his heir [[Daeron II Targaryen|Prince Daeron]] were quarreling. Daeron opposed Aegons plan for an unprovoked war on [[Dorne]]. The King ignored Daerons protests, he built a massive fleet and in {{date|174}} sent it to launch an invasion by landing in the Dornish coast, fortunately for the realm, the fleet en route was scattered and destroyed by a vicious storm.

[[File:Marc Simonetti knightingson.jpg|350px|thumb|King Aegon IV publicly knighting and then bestowing the Targaryen sword of kings, [[Blackfyre]], on his bastard [[Daemon Blackfyre|Daemon]]]]
In {{date|178}} Aegon caught one of his [[Kingsguard]] knights, Ser [[Terrence Toyne]], sleeping with one of his mistresses, the lady [[Bethany Bracken]]. Even though they proclaimed love, Aegon had them both executed. {{Ref|aSoS|16}} Toyne was dismembered piece by piece, while Bethany was forced to watch, before meeting her own death, Aegon also had Lady Bethanys [[Lord Bracken|father]] who had once served as his [[Hand of the King]] also executed just for spite .{{Ref|aFfC|17}}{{ref|twoiaf| The nine mistresses of Aegon IV, the Unworthy}} This action led to an assassination attempt against King Aegon by Ser Terrences brothers who desired revenge. [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Viserys II)|Prince Aemon the Dragonknight]], who despite their conflicts and Aegon's hatred and disrespect towards him, sacrificed his own life to protect Aegon and saved him from Ser Terrence's brothers' assassination attempt.{{Ref|TMK}} Aegons wife Naerys died in childbirth a year later in {{date|179}} along with the child. Aegon though did little to honor either his brothers or his wife's memory. In fact after the death of both his siblings, Aegon began to make barely veiled references to his son's alleged illegitimacy - something he now only dared now because both his wife and the Dragonknight were dead. {{ref|twoiaf| Aegon IV}}

[[Blackfyre]], the [[Valyrian steel]] sword of [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon the Conqueror]], was traditionally carried by the Targaryen kings who succeeded him. Aegon IV, however, gave Blackfyre not to his heir, [[Daeron II Targaryen|Daeron]], but to one of his bastards, [[Daemon Blackfyre|Daemon]], when he knighted Daemon at the age of 12. Talk of Daemon becoming Aegon's heir instead of Daeron began after this point.

In the last few years of Aegons corrupt reign his heir [[Daeron II Targaryen|Daeron]] became one of the biggest obstacles to Aegons misrule. While some lords saw opportunity in the gluttonous, corpulent king who could easily be convinced to part with honors, offices and treasures for a chance at pleasure, many others who condemned the kings behavior flocked to Daeron. Aegon despite all the threats, japes and disparities he heaped upon his son, never formally disowned Daeron. Account differ as to why, the most likely explanation is that Aegon knew that his hold on his throne would not be secure if he disowned his son, it would mean civil war as many lords who were sickened by Aegons depravity would defend Daerons rights, chief amongst them were [[House Martell]] due to the fact Daeron was married to Princess [[Mariah Martell]] of [[Sunspear]]. Aegon tried to use the [[Stormlands]] and [[The Reach|the Reach's]] hatred of [[Dorne]] to his advantage. Aegon decided to go ahead with another plan to invade Dorne. Which led to an even greater folly then his first attempted invasion.

Like many other Targaryen kings, Aegon was obsessed with regaining dragons for his house. Instead of trying to resurrect the dead dragons of his ancestors, Aegon instead turned to the [[Guildhall of the Alchemists|Pyromancers]] and commanded them ''"build me dragons"''. What followed were seven wood and iron monstrosities, fitted with pumps that shot jets of [[wildfire]], upon their completion Aegon ordered these devices dragged to the [[Boneway]] to initiate the invasion of Dorne, this plan lacked any tactical sense, as the Boneway was too steep for the lumbering constructs. The Iron Dragons though did not even reach that far, due to unstability of wildfire and the difficulty of moving the massive siege engines all seven of these "dragons" were consumed by fire in the [[Kingswood]], hundreds of men who operated them all burned alive inside them and a quarter of the kingswood went up in flames. Aegon never spoke of Dorne again. {{Ref|aSoS|54}}{{Ref|aDwD|68}}{{ref|twoiaf| Aegon IV}}

The reign of the unworthy monarch finally ended in {{date|184}}, at only forty-nine years of age, he had become so morbidly obese he could not walk anymore, making many wonder how his last mistress withstood his embrace, Aegon died a horrible death, his bloated body so swollen that he could not even lift himself from his couch that became covered in his feces , Aegons limbs were rotting and crawling in hosts of flesh worms, the [[Maester]]s said they had never seen the like of this before. The [[Septons]] however pronounced it a judgement of the Gods. He was given the [[Milk of the poppy|milk of the poppy]] to try to dull the pain but nothing else could be done.

His last decree before his death was bitter poison that would lay the seeds to generations of war, bloodshed, death and woe to the realm. Aegon legitimized all his bastard children, causing five generations of strife as they and their descendants tried to claim the [[Iron Throne]] of [[Westeros]].{{Ref|aSoS|6}}{{ref|twoiaf| Aegon IV}}

==Mistresses and Bastards==
Throughout his life, Aegon Targaryen had many mistresses. From the highest born princess to the meanest whore, Aegon made no difference between them, By the end of his life, he claimed to have slept with at least nine hundred women (the exact number he could not remember). However, out of all those women, Aegon claims to have only ever truly loved nine. His wife, [[Naerys Targaryen]], is not counted among them.

* Lady [[Falena Stokeworth]] was Aegon's first mistress. In {{Date|149}}, she took the virginity of the fourteen year old prince. Their affair continued, until a [[Kingsguard]] knight found them together in bed. Prince [[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys]] then decided to mary Falena off to his master-at-arms, Lord [[Lucas Lothston]], and convinced King [[Baelor I Targaryen|Baelor I]] to name Lothston as the new Lord of [[Harrenhal]], thereby removing Falena from court. Prince Aegon, however, continued to frequently visit Harrenhal for two more years, and it has been suggested that even after that, his visits to Falena continued.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Nine Mistresses of Aegon IV, the Unworthy}}
** While Aegon did not acknowledge any of Falena's offspring as his own, it is rumored that at least one of Falena's children, daughter [[Jeyne Lothston]] (Aegon's eight mistress), was Aegon's daughter.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Nine Mistresses of Aegon IV, the Unworthy}}

* [[Megette]], also known as ''Merry Meg'', was found by Prince Aegon in {{Date|155}}, when he was in need of a smith. Megette was married to the smith, and seven gold dragons and a threat of Ser [[Joffrey Staunton]] of the [[Kingsguard]] "persuaded" the man to let Aegon "buy" his wife. Megette was placed in a mansion in King's Landing, and "wed" Aegon in a secret ceremony by a [[mummer]] playing a septon. Prince Viserys returned Megette to her husband after four years in {{Date|158}}, who beat her to death within a year.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Nine Mistresses of Aegon IV, the Unworthy}}
** Megette birthed Aegon four daughters in four years time: [[Alysanne]], [[Lily]], [[Willow (daughter of Aegon IV)|Willow]] and [[Rosey (daughter of Aegon IV)|Rosey]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Nine Mistresses of Aegon IV, the Unworthy}}

* Lady [[Cassella Vaith]] was one of the hostages King [[Daeron I Targaryen]] had accepted at the [[Submission of Sunspear]]. It was Prince Aegon who escorted the hostages back, Casella amongst them. Eventually, the Dornishmen revolted, and killed King Daeron, leading to Prince Viserys demanding her returned to the other hostages, as he planned to execute them. Prince Aegon, who by then had grown bored of her, did not resist. Casella was returned to [[Dorne]] by the new King, King [[Baelor I Targaryen]], and would live a long life, consumed by the belief that she had been Aegon's one and true love, and that he would soon send for her.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Nine Mistresses of Aegon IV, the Unworthy}}

* [[Bellegere Otherys]], ''the Black Pearl of Braavos'', was the captain of the ''[[Widow Wind]]'', who Aegon met after having been send as an envoy to [[Braavos]] in {{Date|161}}. Their affair would continue for ten years.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Nine Mistresses of Aegon IV, the Unworthy}}
** Bellegere birthed Aegon three children, two girls and a boy of questionable paternity: [[Bellanora]], [[Narha]], [[Balerion (son of Aegon IV)|Balerion]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Nine Mistresses of Aegon IV, the Unworthy}}

* Lady [[Barba Bracken]] was the daughter of Lord Bracken, who had been a companion to the Princesses [[Daena Targaryen|Daena]], [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aegon III)|Rhaena]] and [[Elaena Targaryen|Elaena]] in the [[Maidenvault]]. She caught Aegon's attention in {{Date|171}}, when all were free to leave the Maidenvault again following King Baelor's death. When Aegon became King himself in {{Date|172}}, Barba openly became his mistress, She gave birth to a son that same year, two weeks before Queen Naerys gave birth to a daughter - a childbirth that nearly killed her. Hoping that Queen Naerys would die and he could make his own daughter a Queen, Lord Bracken spoke openly of wedding Barba to Aegon. When Naerys eventually recovered, Prince [[Daeron II Targaryen|Daeron]] and Prince [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Viserys II)|Aemon]] forced Aegon to send the Brackens away from court.{{ref|twoiaf| The nine mistresses of Aegon IV, the Unworthy}}
** Barba birthed Aegon one son in {{Date|172}}: [[Aegor Rivers]], later in life known as ''Bittersteel''.

* Lady [[Melissa Blackwood]], also known as ''Missy'', was a kind girl, who befriended both Queen Naerys and Princes Daeron and Aemon. She "reigned" for five years as Aegon's mistress, before being set aside.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Nine Mistresses of Aegon IV, the Unworthy}}
** During her five years as Aegon's mistress, Melissa gave birth to three children: [[Mya Rivers]], [[Gwenys Rivers]], and [[Brynden Rivers]] (b. {{Date|175}}), who would later be known as ''Bloodraven''.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Nine Mistresses of Aegon IV, the Unworthy}}

* Lady [[Bethany Bracken]], the younger sister of Lady Barba, had been trained by her sister and father to seduce Aegon and replace Melissa Blackwood. She indeed caughter Aegon's eye in {{Date|177}}, when he came to visit his bastard son by Barba, and was taken back to [[King's Landing]]. Aegon had grown fat by then, and Bethany did not feel comfortable with this relationship. So she sought comfort, and found it in the arms of Ser [[Terrence Toyne]]. The King discovered them in {{Date|178}} himself, and had Bethany and her father execyted (Ser Terrence was tortured to death).{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Nine Mistresses of Aegon IV, the Unworthy}}

* Lady [[Jeyne Lothston]], the daughter of Lady [[Falena Stokeworth]], Aegon's first mistress, and Lord [[Lucas Lothston]] (though some would claim Aegon himself was the father), was only fourteen years old when she was brought to court in {{Date|178}}. She became Aegon's mistress, but not for long. Jeyne caught pox from Aegon, which he had caught from a whore he had been seeing since Lady Bethany's death. Jeyne and her family were send away from court quickly after this.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Nine Mistresses of Aegon IV, the Unworthy}}

* [[Serenei of Lys]] was brought to court by Aegon's newest Hand, Lord [[Jon Hightower]]. Serenei was said to be a sorceress, and would die giving birth to the last of the King's acknowledged bastards.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Nine Mistresses of Aegon IV, the Unworthy}}
** Serenei had one daughter by Aegon: [[Shiera Seastar|Shiera]].

Beside these nine "official" mistresses, Aegon had had an affair with his cousin, Princess [[Daena Targaryen|Daena]], during her time in the Maidenvault, which led to the birth of [[Daemon Waters]] in {{Date|170}}. Aegon wouldn't acknowledge the boy until {{Date|182}}.{{ref|twoiaf| The Sisters of Baelor I}}{{ref|twoiaf| Aegon IV}} Aegon took many other women to his bed, including, according to stories, the three daughters of Lord Butterwell.{{Ref|TMK}} It is also rumored that Aegon also had an affair with his other cousin [[Elaena Targaryen]] and that he is the actual father of her son [[Viserys Plumm]] instead of her late husband [[Ossifer Plumm]].{{ref|twoiaf| The Sisters of Baelor I}}

While on his deathbed, Aegon legitimized his bastard sons and placed them in his line of succession after his firstborn, [[Daeron II Targaryen|Daeron II]]. Twelve years after Aegon's death, [[Daemon Blackfyre]] rose against his half-brother and attempted to take the throne in the [[First Blackfyre Rebellion]]. He was defeated, but the Blackfyres continued to trouble the Targaryens for sixty-four more years.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Aegon IV}}

{| class=wikitable style="float: right;width: 326px;"
|[[File:Male Great Bastards.jpg|x155px]][[Image:Sheria Seastar.jpg|x155px]]
|-
|Great Bastards: [[Aegor Rivers|Bittersteel]], [[Daemon Blackfyre|Daemon]], [[Brynden Rivers|Bloodraven]] and [[Shiera Seastar|Shiera]]
|}
===Great Bastards===
A select group of bastard children of Aegon are known to history as the "Great Bastards". They were:
* [[Daemon I Blackfyre|Daemon Waters]], later in life known as Daemon I Blackfyre
* [[Aegor Rivers]], later in life known as Bittersteel
* [[Brynden Rivers|Brynden "Bloodraven" Rivers]]
* [[Shiera Seastar]]

==Quotes ==
{{Quote|[[Aenys I Targaryen|Aenys]] was weak and [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor]] was Cruel and [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon II]] was grasping, but no king before or after that would practice so much willful misrule. {{ref|twoiaf| Aegon IV}}}} - [[Kaeth|Grandmaester Kaeth]] written in the ''[[Lives of Four Kings]]''

{{Quote|Aegon was not called the Unworthy without cause.{{Ref|affc|13}}}} – [[Arys Oakheart]]

{{Quote|Aegon the Fourth legitimized all his bastards on his deathbed. And how much pain, grief, war, and murder grew from that?...The [[House Blackfyre|Blackfyre]] pretenders troubled the [[House Targaryen|Targaryens]] for five generations, until [[Barristan Selmy|Barristan the Bold]] slew the [[Maelys I Blackfyre|last of them]] on the [[Stepstones]].{{Ref|ASoS|45}}}} - [[Catelyn Tully]]

{{Quote|'''Fire and Blood''' were the words of House Targaryen, but [[Dunk]] once heard Ser [[Arlan of Pennytree|Arlan]] say that Aegon's should have been, '''Wash Her and Bring Her to My Bed'''.{{Ref|TSS}}}}

==Family==
{{Template:Targaryen tree Aegon III}}

==References and Notes==
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{{Template:Kings of Westeros}}

[[Category:Nobles|Targaryen, Aegon IV]]
[[Category:Monarchs|Targaryen, Aegon IV]]
[[Category:House Targaryen]]


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