The Hill of Rhaenys[1][2] or hill of Rhaenys,[3][4] also called Rhaenys's Hill,[5][6] is one of the three hills that dominate the city of King's Landing, the others being Visenya's Hill and Aegon's High Hill.
Layout
Atop the hill lies the Dragonpit, a cavernous ruin which once housed the dragons of House Targaryen.[3] Sunk deep into the hillside are long brick-lined tunnels and undervaults fashioned like caves.[7][8]
The Street of the Sisters runs between the Hill of Rhaenys and Visenya's Hill.[3]
Many brothels are found on the Street of Silk, which runs northwest from Rhaenys's Hill.[9] A secret tunnel beneath the hill connects Chataya's brothel with a stable a few blocks away.[5]
History
The Hill of Rhaenys was named after Queen Rhaenys Targaryen, one of the sister-queens of King Aegon I Targaryen; the hill's name prior to Aegon's Conquest has been forgotten.[10] The Sept of Remembrance was raised on the hill as a memorial to Rhaenys,[2] who was lost during the First Dornish War.[11]
In 42 AC during the Faith Militant uprising, King Maegor I Targaryen destroyed the sept with the dragonfire of Balerion,[12] as the building had been fortified by Warrior's Sons during the reign of King Aenys I Targaryen.[13][14] Maegor decreed that a large domed structure, the Dragonpit, would be built on the hill for Targaryens to house its royal dragons.[6]
The Golden Wedding of Lord Rogar Baratheon and Queen Alyssa Velaryon was held in the Dragonpit atop the hill in 49 AC.[15]
The Storming of the Dragonpit let to the structure's ruin during the Dance of the Dragons.[16] The Shepherd attempted to fortify Rhaenys's Hill with his followers, but Lord Borros Baratheon scattered his rabble with knights.[17]
Recent Events
A Clash of Kings
Tyrion Lannister visits Chataya's brothel and takes the secret tunnel so he can discretely visit Shae's manse.[5]
Tyrion learns that Lord Rossart had stored jars of wildfire in a cellar beneath the Dragonpit.[18]
Quotes
Across the city on the hill of Rhaenys stood the blackened walls of the Dragonpit, its huge dome collapsing into ruin, its bronze doors closed now for a century.[3]
—thoughts of Catelyn Stark
References
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 8, Daenerys I.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 18, Catelyn IV.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 20, Tyrion V.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 15, Tyrion III.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant.
- ↑ The Lands of Ice and Fire, King's Landing.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, Three Heads Had the Dragon - Governance Under King Aegon I.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, Dorne: Dorne Against the Dragons.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, The Sons of the Dragon.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - The Short, Sad Reign of Aegon II.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 49, Tyrion XI.