Aegon's High Hill[1][2] or Aegon's high hill,[3] also called Aegon's Hill,[4][5] is the tallest of the three hills within the city of King's Landing, the others being the Hill of Rhaenys and Visenya's Hill.
Geography
[edit]Aegon's High Hill, the largest of King's Landing, is found in the southeast of the city.[6] Atop the hill lies the Red Keep, the great fortress that dominates the capital.[3] The hill and its castle overlook Blackwater Bay, and they command approaches to the city and the Blackwater Rush.[7]
The bluffs of Aegon's High Hill are steep and rocky, spotted with lichen and gnarled thorny trees.[7] Discrete niches cut into one of the bluffs allow a dangerous descent to the river below.[8]
One of the four straight streets which starts at the unnamed great square in the center of the city, presumably the King's Way, leads to the Red Keep. This road is joined by the Hook, which curves down Aegon's High Hill to the Muddy Way.[9] The River Row extends east from Fishmonger's Square to the hill.[10]
Shadowblack Lane is a twisty route from the Red Keep to the foot of Aegon's High Hill.[11] The Lands of Ice and Fire places Eel Alley along the lower slopes of Aegon's High Hill,[9] but A Game of Thrones states the old inn on Eel Alley is halfway up Visenya's Hill.[3]
History
[edit]When Lord Aegon Targaryen sailed from Dragonstone at the start of the Conquest, he chose the mouth of the Blackwater Rush as the site of his first base of operations. The Aegonfort, a crude wood-and-earth fortifications, was built on the tall hill that would later be given his name.[12]
The city of King's Landing developed haphazardly around the Aegonfort,[3] which itself came to spread halfway down Aegon's High Hill. In 35 AC, the king had the Aegonfort torn down to begin the construction of the Red Keep as a more durable and fitting seat for House Targaryen.[13][14]
Maegor I Targaryen ordered secret passages and tunnels throughout the depths of the hill to connect with the Red Keep.[13][15]
Princess Viserra Targaryen died from a horseracing accident in an alley at the foot of Aegon's High Hill.[16]
At the end of the Dance of the Dragons, thousands climbed Aegon's High Hill to hear Prince Aegon the Younger proclaim an end to the fighting.[17]
Recent Events
[edit]A Game of Thrones
[edit]
Catelyn Stark sees Aegon's high hill when she arrives at the harbor of King's Landing.[3]
A Clash of Kings
[edit]Tyrion Lannister sees the red comet in the skies above the Red Keep atop Aegon's High Hill.[18]
A Dance with Dragons
[edit]Cersei Lannister keeps her focus on Aegon's High Hill during her walk of atonement through the streets of King's Landing. The smallfolk of Flea Bottom crowd the lower slopes of the hill during her journey.[19]
Quotes
[edit]And above it all, frowning down from Aegon's high hill, was the Red Keep; seven huge drum-towers crowned with iron ramparts, an immense grim barbican, vaulted halls and covered bridges, barracks and dungeons and granaries, massive curtain walls studded with archers' nests, all fashioned of pale red stone.[3]
—thoughts of Catelyn Stark
She was miles from the castle, but from anywhere in King's Landing you needed only to look up to see the Red Keep high on Aegon's Hill, so there was no danger of losing her way.[4]
—thoughts of Arya Stark
References
[edit]- ↑ Fire & Blood, Aegon's Conquest.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 28, Cersei VI.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 18, Catelyn IV.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 32, Arya III.
- ↑ The Hedge Knight.
- ↑ George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Aegon's High Hill.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 58, Davos III.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 20, Eddard IV.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 The Lands of Ice and Fire, King's Landing.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Map of King's Landing
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 15, Tyrion III.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Fire & Blood, The Sons of the Dragon.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, Aftermath: The Hour of the Wolf.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 20, Tyrion V.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 65, Cersei II.