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Year 44 After the Conquest (44 AC) is a year in the Westerosi calendar, the 44th after Aegon's crowning in Oldtown that maesters and educated people use as a reference to date the years.
44 AC was peaceful compared to the previous one, and with the pregnancy of Queen Alys Harroway, it seemed as if King Maegor would finally get his much desired heir. However, after three months Alys gave birth to a stillborn monstrosity, and Maegor angrily ordered the executions of those in her care, including Grand Maester Desmond. Afterwards, Queen Tyanna of the Tower approached Maegor and accused Alys of having laid with many men to get pregnant. After obtaining confessions under torture, Maegor executed Alys, her father the Hand, their family, and the alleged lovers. Ser Walton Towers was named the new Lord of Harrenhal after winning a melee of Maelor's household knights, though he died of his wounds within two weeks of the event. Walton's son Jordan Towers received Harrenhal, though not all of the lands formerly belonging to House Harroway, as Lord Harroway's Town was granted to Lord Alton Butterwell and the rest of the Harroway holdings to Lord Darnold Darry.[1]
Later in the year, Dowager Queen Visenya Targaryen died, and Dowager Queen Alyssa Velaryon took the opportunity to flee into hiding, with her children Jaehaerys and Alysanne and their dragons, as well as Visenya's Valyrian steel sword Dark Sister. In rage, Maegor had Alyssa's eldest living son, his squire and hostage Prince Viserys Targaryen, tortured for nine days until the prince died. His body was left in the courtyard for a fortnight, in the hopes that his mother would claim it, but Alyssa did not return.[1][2]
Events
- The entire House Harroway is obliterated on King Maegor's orders.[1]
- A melee is held in Lord Harroway's Town to decide the new ruler of Harrenhal. House Towers receives Harrenhal, but House Butterwell receives Lord Harroway's Town and House Darry receives the rest of their lands.[1]
- Lord Edwell Celtigar is named Hand of the King, replacing Lord Lucas Harroway.[2]
- Following the death of Dowager Queen Visenya, Dowager Queen Alyssa Velaryon flees Dragonstone with her youngest two living children, Jaehaerys and Alysanne, and their dragons Vermithor and Silverwing. Alyssa takes the Valyrian sword Dark Sister with her.[2]
Births
- Rodrik Arryn, son of Ser Rymond Arryn.[3]
Deaths
- Septon Pater, the aged man who became High Septon after his predecessor's death the previous year.[1]
- Queen Alys Harroway, put to death by King Maegor I Targaryen.[2][1]
- Lord Lucas Harroway, put to death by King Maegor I Targaryen.[2][1]
- Lady Jeyne Harroway, put to death by King Maegor I Targaryen.[1]
- Lady Hanna Harroway, put to death by King Maegor I Targaryen.[1]
- Horas Harroway, put to death by King Maegor I Targaryen.[1]
- Every living member of House Harroway was ordered to be put to death by King Maegor I Targaryen.[2][1]
- Grand Maester Desmond, put to death by King Maegor I Targaryen.[2][1]
- Dowager Queen Visenya Targaryen, on Dragonstone.[2][1]
- Prince Viserys Targaryen, tortured and murdered on the orders of Maegor the Cruel by Tyanna of the Tower.[2][1]
- Ser Walton Towers died from his wounds received in the melee for the castle of Harrenhal.[2][1]