| Note: The title of this article is conjecture and may be subject to change. |
| Submission of Oldtown | |||||||||||||||||
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| Conflict | Faith Militant uprising | ||||||||||||||||
| Date | 43 AC | ||||||||||||||||
| Place | Oldtown, the Reach | ||||||||||||||||
| Result |
Iron Throne victory
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In the year 43 AC, during the Faith Militant uprising, Oldtown opened its gates to King Maegor I Targaryen.
Prelude
[edit]As a result of the defiance of many "pious lords", Dowager Queen Viseyna and King Maegor I burned down their seats in the riverlands and westerlands with Vhagar and Balerion, respectively. Then they turned south and flew to Oldtown, as the High Septon had continued his denunciation against the King and had even issued a proclamation commanding the monarch to present himself before the Starry Sept and beg the forgiveness of the gods.[1]
Events
[edit]As news of the impending arrival of two dragons reached the city, thousands fled through the city gates or taking ship. Thousands others took the streets and gave themselves over to drink and revelry, certain of their doom, or gathered at septs, temples and ancient woods to beg to the gods for their lives to be spared.[1]
Within the Starry Sept, the High Septon prayed thunderously, calling upon the wrath of the Seven to fall down on House Targaryen. Under the command of the Ser Morgan Hightower two hundred Warrior's Sons emerged from the city's chapterhouse and surrounded the seat of the Faith to defend His High Holiness.[1]
Meanwhile the Conclave of archmaesters met within the Citadel, and the men of the City Watch prepared to fight the fires, filling pails of water and sacks of sand. Along the city walls, defenses such as scorpions, spitfires were set up upon the battlements as well as crossbowmen and spearmen. Atop the Hightower, the beacon fire turned green to summon Lord Martyn Hightower's bannermen.[1]
As the sun was rising, Vhagar arrived, with Balerion joining at midday. However, the king found the city gates open, the battlements unmmaned, and the banners of Houses Targaryen, Tyrell and Hightower flying atop the city walls. During the night, the High Septon, a robust man of three-and-fifty years and capable of preaching for a day and night without food or rest, had died under unknown circumstances.[1]
After the news of the High Septon's death were known, Lord Martyn had sent his knights to disarm and take the Warrior's Sons captive. Hightower men were also sent to rouse the Most Devout and march them to the Starry Sept at spearpoint to elect a new High Septon
Suspects
[edit]The causes for the death of the High Septon would be debated thereafter, and different causes would be argued:
- The High Septon took his own life, either out of fear of Maegor's wroth or as a noble sacrifice to spare the people of Oldtown from dragonfire[1]
- The Seven themselves struck him for his sins of pride, heresy, treason and arrogance.[1]
- Ser Morgan Hightower murdered him at the command of his lord brother. The knight had been seen entering and leaving the High Septons chambers during the night prior to the dragons' arrival.[1]
- Lady Patrice Hightower, the maiden aunt of Lord Martyn and a reputed witch, is also a suspect, having sought an audience with His High Holiness at dusk, though he was seen alive when she departed.[1]
- The Conclave, either through the dark arts, an assassin or a poisoned scroll, as messages where exchanged between the Starry Sept and the Citadel during the night.[1]
- Queen Visenya Targaryen, on account of being a reputed sorceress.[1]
Aftermath
[edit]Pater, an amiable septon of ninety years, blind, stooped and feeble was chosen as the new head of the Faith of the Seven. The aged man, despite forgetting the words, eagerly blessed and annointed Maegor with holy oils.
The King would remain Oldtown for almost half the year, holding court and presiding trials. The captive Warrior's Sons were given the choice of taking the black or being executed. Three quarters of the knights chose the Night's Watch. Of those who chose death, seven were beheaded by the king himself wielding Blackfyre, on account of their status as sons of lords or renowned knights; the rest were condemned to be decapitated by their own former brothers. Ser Morgan Hightower, meanwhile, was pardoned by Maegor.[1]
After the executions, the High Septon announced the dissolution of both Warrior's Sons and Poor Fellows, as the Iron Throne would protect the Faith thereafter. King Maegor granted the Faith Militant until the end of the year to surrender their arms return to the king's peace. Afterwards, the remaining rebels would be subject of a bounty: a gold dragon for the head of a Warrior's Son and a silver stag for the scalp of a Poor Fellow.[1]
The king also reconciled with his first wife, Ceryse Hightower, who agreed to accept the king's other wives, to honor and respect them, whilst she was restored to all her rights, incomes and privileges as wife and queen. A great feast, a bedding and a "second consummation" were held at the Hightower to celebrate the reconciliation.[1]