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{{Hatnote|This article is about the castle in the crownlands. For the island, see [[Dragonstone (island)]]. For the hill in the Dothraki sea, see [[Dragonstone (hill)]]. For the building material, see [[Dragonstone (material)]]}}
 
{{Infobox Settlement
 
{{Infobox Settlement
 
| name = Dragonstone
 
| name = Dragonstone
| image =[[File:Dragonstone.jpg|350px]]
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| image =[[File:A clash of kings by grr martin by marcsimonetti-d84tkck.jpg|350px]]
| image_caption =Dragonstone, as depicted by Philip Straub in ''[[The World of Ice and Fire]]''
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| image_caption =Dragonstone © Marc Simonetti
  
| location = [[Westeros]], [[Crownlands]], [[Blackwater Bay]].
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| location = island of [[Dragonstone (island)|Dragonstone]], [[crownlands]]
| settlement_type= Island and Castle
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| settlement_type= Castle
 
| seat = [[House Baratheon of Dragonstone]]
 
| seat = [[House Baratheon of Dragonstone]]
| seat_type = [[Feudalism|Feudal Lord]]
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| seat_type = [[Feudalism|Feudal lord]]
 
   
 
   
 
| religion = [[Faith of the Seven]] (former), [[R'hllor]]
 
| religion = [[Faith of the Seven]] (former), [[R'hllor]]
 
| population =
 
| population =
 
| size =
 
| size =
| founded = 500 years ago, by the Targaryans.
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| founded = ~ [[326 BC]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}
 
| destroyed =
 
| destroyed =
 
| named_for =
 
| named_for =
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| organizations =
 
| organizations =
 
}}
 
}}
:''For the hill in the Dothraki sea, see [[Dragonstone (hill)]].''
 
 
{{Location map| Crownlands
 
{{Location map| Crownlands
 
| label    = '''Dragonstone'''
 
| label    = '''Dragonstone'''
 
| label_size = 120
 
| label_size = 120
| lat      = 25
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| lat      = 20
 
| long    = 110
 
| long    = 110
 
| position = left
 
| position = left
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| width    = 350
 
| width    = 350
 
| float    = right
 
| float    = right
| caption  =
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| caption  = The [[crownlands]] and the location of Dragonstone
 
| alt      = The crownlands and the location of Dragonstone
 
| alt      = The crownlands and the location of Dragonstone
 
}}
 
}}
'''Dragonstone''' is the name of the island located at the entrance to [[Blackwater Bay]] and the castle thereon, which was shaped from stone to look like [[dragon]]s. Dragonstone was the original seat of [[House Targaryen]] in [[Westeros]], which they had colonized and fortified as the westernmost outpost of the [[Valyrian Freehold]].
 
  
After the Targaryen [[War of Conquest|conquest]] of the [[Seven Kingdoms]], the island in the new [[crownlands]] served as the seat of their heir apparent, known as the [[Prince of Dragonstone]]. After [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]] [[Robert's Rebellion|overthrew]] the Targaryens, he gave the island to his brother [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]], creating [[House Baratheon of Dragonstone]]. The castle has a dark reputation.{{ref|aGoT|47}} The [[maesters]] on Dragonstone are [[Cressen]] and [[Pylos]].{{ref|aCoK|Appendix}}
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'''Dragonstone''' is a castle located on [[Dragonstone (island)|the island of the same name]] at the entrance to [[Blackwater Bay]]. Located below the [[Dragonmont]] and shaped from stone to look like [[dragon]]s, Dragonstone was the original seat of [[House Targaryen]] in [[Westeros]], and had been colonized and fortified as the westernmost outpost of the [[Valyrian Freehold]]. The castle has a dark reputation.{{ref|aGoT|47}}
  
==Island of Dragonstone==
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After [[Aegon's Conquest]] of the [[Seven Kingdoms]], Dragonstone in the newly-created [[crownlands]] served as the seat of their heir apparent, known as the [[Prince of Dragonstone]]. After [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]] overthrew the Targaryens in [[Robert's Rebellion]], he gave the castle to his brother [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]], creating [[House Baratheon of Dragonstone]].
Dragonstone is a volcanic island at the mouth of [[Blackwater Bay]], created by the active volcano, [[Dragonmont]]. The island is damp and dreary.{{ref|ADWD|Epilogue}} The castle of Dragonstone is a small fortress located on the face of the volcano. Outside its walls sits a small fishing village on the stormy coast.  Beneath Dragonmont are rich deposits of [[dragonglass]]. There is much obsidian seen in the old tunnels beneath the mountain, found in chunks and boulders.  The greater part of it is black, but there is some green obsidian as well, some red, even purple.{{ref|ASOS|78}}
 
  
Through the dalliances of many Targaryen lords and princes over the years, many of the [[smallfolk]] of the island are descendants of that dynasty, and are known as [[dragonseed]]s.  
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Dragonstone, though old and strong, commands the allegiance of only a few lesser lords whose islands are too thinly populated to provide any great numbers of troops, although they have some naval strength. A short distance west of Dragonstone is the island of [[Driftmark]], which is the seat of [[House Velaryon]], a Valyrian house and historically a naval power. Other houses sworn to Dragonstone include [[House Celtigar|Celtigar]] of [[Claw Isle]], who are also of Valyrian descent, [[House Seaworth|Seaworth]] of [[Cape Wrath]], [[House Bar Emmon|Bar Emmon]] of [[Sharp Point]], and [[House Sunglass|Sunglass]] of [[Sweetport Sound]].{{ref|AGOT|Appendix}}
  
Dragonstone, though old and strong, commands the allegiance of only a few lesser lords whose islands are too thinly populated to provide any great numbers of troops, although they have some naval strength. A short distance west of Dragonstone is the island of [[Driftmark]], which is the seat of [[House Velaryon]], a Valyrian house and historically a naval power. Other houses sworn to Dragonstone include [[House Celtigar|Celtigar]] of [[Claw Isle]], who are also of Valyrian descent, [[House Seaworth|Seaworth]] of [[Cape Wrath]], [[House Bar Emmon|Bar Emmon]] of [[Sharp Point]], and [[House Sunglass|Sunglass]] of [[Sweetport Sound]].{{ref|AGOT|Appendix}} At least two members of [[House Blackberry]] serve at Dragonstone.{{ref|ASOS|10}}{{ref|ASOS|63}}
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==Household==
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The [[maesters]] at Dragonstone are [[Cressen]] and [[Pylos]],{{ref|aCoK|Appendix}} and the castle's sept is maintained by Septon [[Barre]].{{ref|ACOK|10}} At least two members of [[House Blackberry]] serve at Dragonstone.{{ref|ASOS|10}}{{ref|ASOS|63}}
  
==Castle of Dragonstone==
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At the start of King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]]'s reign, Dragonstone had a garrison of twenty archers and as many guardsmen.{{ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}} When the [[Dance of the Dragons]] began, the castle had a garrison of thirty [[knight]]s, a hundred crossbowmen, and three hundred men-at-arms.{{ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens}}
:''See also: [[:Category:Images of Dragonstone|Images of Dragonstone]]''
 
[[File:Rafal Hrynkiewicz Maester Cressen.png|thumb|350px|right|Maester [[Cressen]] on his balcony. © Fantasy Flight Games]]
 
[[File:Dragonstone Watchtower.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Dragonstone watchtower<br>© Fantasy Flight Games]]
 
The ancient fortress of Dragonstone was built using advanced [[Valyria]]n techniques of masonry that were lost in the [[Doom of Valyria|Doom]], causing it to look unique among all the castles in Westeros. The citadel of Dragonstone is wrought all of black stone (the "stones of hell", if the old tales are true{{Ref|aSoS|10}}), its towers carved into the shapes of [[dragon]]s, and 1,000 gargoyles carved into various shapes serve as brooding [[W:crenellation|crenellations]] along the three curtain walls.{{Ref|aCoK|Prologue}}{{Ref|aSoS|10}} When Maester [[Cressen]] first came to Dragonstone the army of grotesques had made him uneasy, but as the years passed he grew used to them, and in his old age he came to think of the 12-foot-tall hellhound and [[wyvern]] on his windswept balcony as old friends.
 
  
The design of the castle is very dragon-oriented. Small dragons frame gates and dragon claws hold torches. A pair of great wings cover the armory and smithy, and tails form archways and staircases.{{Ref|aSoS|54}}
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==Layout==
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{{See also|:Category:Images of Dragonstone|l1=Images of Dragonstone}}
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[[File:Dragonstone Watchtower.jpg|thumb|350px|Dragonstone Watchtower by Cristi Balanescu © Fantasy Flight Games]]
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[[File:Franz Miklis aegonsgarden.jpg|thumb|350px|Aegon's Garden by Franz Miklis © Fantasy Flight Games]]
  
* The '''Stone Drum''' is the central keep of Dragonstone, named as such because of the booming sound made by the powerful winds during storms. Cells in the dungeons beneath the citadel are warmer than they ought to be, but as dank as one might expect for an isle such as Dragonstone. It is said that there are shafts and secret stairs leading further below into the heart of the Dragonmont. The Stone Drum is connected to the dungeon tower by a high stone bridge that arches over emptiness.{{Ref|aCoK|Prologue}}
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A grim place,{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} Dragonstone was built by [[Valyria]]ns with arcane arts,{{Ref|twoiaf|Ancient History: The Doom of Valyria}} fire,{{ref|ASOS|54}} and sorcery.{{Ref|adwd|72}} Capable of liquefying and reshaping stone with [[dragonflame]], the [[dragonlords]] used their [[magic]] to shape Dragonstone to look like multiple [[dragon]]s.{{Ref|twoiaf|The Reach: Oldtown}}<ref name=dragonstone>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/5683 Worldcon Report: Dragonstone's Appearance (August 19, 2011)]</ref>{{Ref|asos|54}}
  
* The '''Chamber of the Painted Table''', located on the top floor of the Stone Drum, is a round room, with four tall windows, overlooking the north, south, east and west. It holds a large table, carved and painted in the form of a detailed map of [[Westeros]]. Here, [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon the Conqueror]] planned for the [[War of Conquest|invasion of Westeros]].{{Ref|aSoS|36}} The [[Painted Table]] is more than fifty feet long: roughly twenty-five feet wide at its widest point and four feet at its thinnest. At the precise location of Dragonstone is a raised seat that allows the occupant to view the entire map.{{Ref|aCoK|Prologue}}
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Dragon architecture can be found throughout the castle, such as small dragons framing gates and dragon claws holding torches.{{ref|asos|54}} A pair of great wings cover the armory and smithy, and dragon tails form archways and staircases.{{Ref|aSoS|54}} The citadel of Dragonstone is wrought all of [[dragonstone (material)|black stone]]{{Ref|acok|Prologue}} Doors can be set in the mouths of stone dragons.{{ref|ACOK|Prologue}} Instead of merlons, grotesques and gargoyles serve as brooding [[W:crenellation|crenellations]] along the three curtain walls.{{Ref|aCoK|Prologue}}{{Ref|aSoS|10}} Designs include [[basilisk]]s, [[cockatrice]]s, demons, [[griffin]]s, [[hellhound]]s, [[manticore]]s, minotaurs, [[wyvern]]s, and other creatures.{{ref|ASOS|54}} Statues in the shape of dragons can be found all over the castle.{{ref|acok|10}} Dragonstone has a castle yard{{ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}} and a library.{{ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}} There is a fishing village with a port beneath the curtain walls.{{ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}}{{ref|ACOK|10}} King [[Aegon I Targaryen]] was fond of the salty air of Dragonstone, which smells of smoke and brimstone.{{ref|FAB|Three Heads Had the Dragon - Governance Under King Aegon I}}
  
* The '''Great Hall''' is carved in the shape of a huge dragon lying on its belly; its doors are set in the mouth and those entering pass through its mouth. The kitchens resemble a curled up dragon where the smoke and heat vented through its nostrils.{{Ref|aSoS|54}}
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Notable locations at Dragonstone include:
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* The Stone Drum is a massive tower{{Ref|asos|36}} which serves as the central keep of Dragonstone. It is named for the booming and rumbling sounds that can be heard during storms.{{Ref|acok|prologue}} To reach the Stone Drum from the Sea Dragon Tower, one must cross the gallery and pass through the middle and inner walls.{{Ref|acok|prologue}} A high stone roofed bridge arching over emptiness leads from the Stone Drum to the entrance towards the dungeons.{{Ref|asos|36}}
  
* '''Aegon's Garden''' is a garden near the arch of the Dragon's Tail. Within its confines grow tall trees on every side, as well as wild roses. Cranberries grow in a boggy spot.{{Ref|aSoS|10}} Aegon's Garden has a pleasant pine scent.
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* The Great Hall of the Stone Drum{{ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown}} is carved in the shape of a huge dragon lying on its belly; its doors are set in the mouth and those entering pass through its mouth.{{Ref|asos|54}}{{Ref|acok|prologue}} The kitchens resemble a curled up dragon where the smoke and heat vented through its nostrils.{{Ref|aSoS|54}}
  
* '''Windwyrm''' is one of the towers of Dragonstone. It is shaped like a dragon and arches into the sky, screaming defiantly.{{Ref|aSoS|54}}
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* The Chamber of the Painted Table is a round room on the top floor of the Stone Drum. It has four tall directional windows and bare black walls. It holds a large table, the [[Painted Table]], carved and painted in the form of a detailed map of [[Westeros]]. Here, [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon the Conqueror]] planned for his [[Aegon's Conquest|invasion of Westeros]]. The Painted Table is more than fifty feet long: roughly twenty-five feet wide at its widest point and four feet at its thinnest. At the precise location of Dragonstone is a raised seat that allows the occupant to view the entire map.{{Ref|aCoK|Prologue}}
  
* '''Sea Dragon Tower''' is shaped like a dragon at peace, facing the sea. The maester's chambers lie in this tower, below the rookery. The stairs of the tower are narrow and twisting.{{Ref|aSoS|54}} Going down the stairs of the Sea Dragon Tower, one must then cross the gallery, pass through both the middle and inner walls with their gargoyles and black iron gates, and climb even more steps to reach the Chamber of the Painted Table.
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* The Windwyrm is a tower shaped like a dragon which seems to scream defiance.{{Ref|aSoS|54}}
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* Sea Dragon Tower is shaped like a dragon gazing serenely out across the sea.{{Ref|asos|54}} The [[maester]]'s chambers are located in this tower, below the rookery.{{Ref|asos|54}} The turnpike stairs of the tower are narrow and twisting.{{Ref|acok|prologue}}{{Ref|aSoS|54}}
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* Aegon's Garden can be reached when going down after the arch of the Dragon's Tail.{{Ref|asos|10}} Within grow tall dark trees, wild roses, towering thorny hedges, and cranberries. The garden has a pleasant piney scent.{{Ref|asos|10}}
 
   
 
   
* The '''sept''' contains carved statues of the seven aspects of the [[Faith of the Seven]]'s god. [[Crone (the Seven)|The Crone]] has pearl eyes, [[Father (the Seven)|the Father]] a gilded beard, and [[Stranger (the Seven)|the Stranger]] looks more animal than human. They had been carved from the masts of the ships that carried the first Targaryens to Dragonstone, and many layers of paint and varnish had been applied to them over the centuries. The sept has several altars and stained glass as well.{{Ref|aCoK|10}} It is said that Aegon the Conqueror knelt to pray in Dragonstone's sept the night before he sailed to conquer the [[Seven Kingdoms]]. This may be apocryphal, as Aegon only publicly converted when he reached [[Oldtown]] during his invasion - the sept could have been constructed after that fact.
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* The [[sept]] of Dragonstone, dedicated to the [[Faith of the Seven]], contains statues representing the seven aspects of the [[Faith of the Seven|Seven gods]], carved from the masts of the ships that had carried the first Targaryens from Valyria, but have frequently been repainted since then.{{Ref|acok|10}} The statue of [[Crone (the Seven)|the Crone]] has pearl eyes, [[Father (the Seven)|the Father]] a gilded beard, and [[Stranger (the Seven)|the Stranger]] looks more animal than human. {{Ref|aCoK|10}}
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
===House Targaryen colonization===
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===Foundation===
[[File:Franz Miklis aegonsgarden.jpg|thumb|right|thumb|350px|Aegon's Garden<br>© Fantasy Flight Games]]
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[[File:Dragonstone (day).jpg|thumb|right|350px|Dragonstone castle in ''[[Game of Thrones]]''<br>]]
A century or so before the [[Doom of Valyria]], [[House Targaryen]], a noble [[Valyria]]n house, took possession of the island and built a castle upon it, which became the westernmost outpost of the [[Valyrian Freehold]]. The castle towers were shaped by [[magic|Valyrian magic]] to look like dragons, giving it the name Dragonstone.
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Two centuries before the [[Doom of Valyria|Doom]], [[Valyria]]ns took possession of [[Dragonstone (island)|the island]] and built a castle upon it, which became the westernmost outpost of the [[Valyrian Freehold]].{{ref|TWOIAF|The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} The castle towers were shaped by [[magic|Valyrian magic]] to look like [[dragon]]s to make the castle look fearsome, and they placed a thousand gargoyles upon the walls.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}}
  
Twelve years prior to the Doom, the head of House Targaryen at the time, [[Aenar Targaryen]], relocated his family and five [[dragons]] (including [[Balerion]]) to Dragonstone, because of the visions of his maiden daughter [[Daenys Targaryen|Daenys]]. In Valyria their rivals saw their flight to Dragonstone as an act of surrender, as cowardice.<ref>WORLD OF ICE AND FIRE SAMPLE: [http://www.georgerrmartin.com/world-of-ice-and-fire-sample/ AEGON’S CONQUEST]</ref>
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===Targaryen Lords===
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Twelve years prior to the [[Doom of Valyria]], [[Aenar Targaryen]], the head of [[House Targaryen]], relocated his family, their five dragons, and all their wealth to Dragonstone, after his maiden daughter [[Daenys Targaryen|Daenys]] predicted the destruction of the [[Valyrian Freehold]]. In Valyria their rivals saw this as an act of cowardly surrender.{{ref|TWOIAF|The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} Four of the dragons brought from Valyria eventually died on Dragonstone, leaving only [[Balerion]]. However, two [[dragon egg|‎eggs]] hatched and [[Vhagar]] and [[Meraxes]] were born.{{ref|FAB|Aegon's Conquest}}
  
Four of the dragons brought from Valyria eventually died on Dragonstone, leaving only [[Balerion]]. However, two [[dragon egg|‎eggs]] hatched and [[Vhagar]] and [[Meraxes]] were born.
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Aenar ruled as the first [[Lord of Dragonstone]], and was succeeded by his son, [[Gaemon Targaryen (son of Aenar)|‎Gaemon the Glorious]]. Gaemon's children, [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Gaemon)|‎Aegon]] and [[Elaena Targaryen (daughter of Gaemon)|Elaena]], ruled together as kin and a couple, and were succeeded by their own son, [[Maegon Targaryen|Maegon]], and later Maegon's younger brother, [[Aerys Targaryen (son of Aegon)|Aerys]]. Aerys's three sons, [[Aelyx Targaryen|Aelyx]], [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Aerys)|Baelon]], and [[Daemion Targaryen|Daemion]] ruled Dragonstone in turn.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} Daemon kept a [[maester]] at Dragonstone, as did his descendants.{{ref|FAB|Three Heads Had the Dragon - Governance Under King Aegon I}} Daemion's son [[Aerion Targaryen (son of Daemion)|Aerion]] inherited the seat. His only son by Lady [[Valaena Velaryon]], [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon Targaryen]], was the last Lord of Dragonstone before [[Aegon's Conquest]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}
  
The Targaryen Lords of Dragonstone were:{{Ref|TWOIAF}}
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===Aegon and His Sons===
*'''[[Aenar Targaryen|‎Aenar "the Exile"]]''', who led the Targaryen exodus to Dragonstone.
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[[File:Dragonstone Chamber of the Painted Table by Kim Pope.jpg|thumb|right|thumb|400px|Chamber of the [[Painted Table]] by Kim Pope]]
*'''[[Gaemon Targaryen (son of Aenar)|‎Gaemon "the Glorious"]]''', son of Aenar, brother-husband to [[Daenys Targaryen|Daenys "the Dreamer"]].
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Lord [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon Targaryen]] planned his invasion of [[Westeros]] from the Chamber of the [[Painted Table]].{{ref|ASOS|36}} At the start of [[Aegon's Conquest|the Conquest]], Aegon called bannermen and allies to Dragonstone, including the [[House Velaryon|Velaryons]] of [[Driftmark]], the [[House Celtigar|Celtigars]] of [[Claw Isle]], the [[House Bar Emmon|Bar Emmons]] of [[Sharp Point]], and the [[House Massey|Masseys]] of [[Stonedance]].{{ref|FAB|Aegon's Conquest}} Aegon and his sisters, [[Visenya Targaryen|Visenya]] and [[Rhaenys Targaryen|Rhaenys]], conquered six of the [[Seven Kingdoms]], with only [[Dorne]] remaining independent. Ser [[Quenton Qoherys]], the master-at-arms of Dragonstone, was named [[Lord of Harrenhal]] by Aegon.{{ref|FAB|Reign of the Dragon - The Wars of King Aegon I}}
*'''[[Aegon Targaryen (son of Gaemon)|‎Aegon Targaryen]]''' and '''[[Elaena Targaryen (daughter of Gaemon)|Elaena Targaryen]]''', the children of Gaemon and Daenys, who ruled together as kin and a couple.
 
*'''[[Maegon Targaryen]]''', the son of Aegon and Elaena.
 
*'''[[Aerys Targaryen (son of Aegon)|Aerys Targaryen]]''', Maegon's brother, another son of Aegon and Elaena.
 
*'''[[Aelyx Targaryen]]''', '''[[Baelon Targaryen (son of Aerys)|Baelon Targaryen]]''' and '''[[Daemion Targaryen]]''', the sons of [[Aerys Targaryen (son of Aegon)|Aerys Targaryen]].
 
*'''[[Aerion Targaryen (son of Daemion)|Aerion Targaryen]]''', the son of Daemion; married to Lady [[Valaena Velaryon]]
 
*'''[[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon Targaryen]]''', the son of Aerion and Valaena, who would later become known as ''King Aegon I Targaryen'', ''Aegon the Dragon'', and ''Aegon the Conquerer''. Aegon was the last Lord of Dragonstone, and the first King of the [[Seven Kingdoms]]. Married to both of his sisters, [[Visenya Targaryen|Visenya]] and [[Rhaenys Targaryen|Rhaenys]].
 
  
===War of Conquest===
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Aegon established his new seat, the [[Aegonfort]], where he first made landfall at the mouth of the [[Blackwater Rush]]. The city of [[King's Landing]], the new capital, eventually formed around it.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I}} Aegon divided his reign between King's Landing, Dragonstone, and royal progresses throughout the realm.{{ref|FAB|Three Heads Had the Dragon - Governance Under King Aegon I}} The king raised his eldest son and heir, Prince [[Aenys I Targaryen|Aenys]] at King's Landing, while Queen Visenya raised Aegon's younger son, [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor]] at Dragonstone. In time, Maegor became known as the "[[Prince of Dragonstone]]".{{ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}} In {{Date|35}}, the Aegonfort was torn down in preparation for the construction of the [[Red Keep]], so Aegon the Conqueror returned to his beloved Dragonstone. Two years later Aegon died from a stroke while in the Chamber of the Painted Table.{{ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I}} [[Vhagar]] burned the king's body in the castle yard.{{ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}}
{{main|War of Conquest}}
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In [[Years before Aegon's Conquest|2 BC]], [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon Targaryen]] launched his invasion of the continent [[Westeros]], conquering six of the [[Seven Kingdoms]] (Dorne alone was able to defeat the Targaryen armies). He established his seat, the [[Aegonfort]], where he first made landfall at the mouth of the [[Blackwater Rush]]. The city of [[King's Landing]] eventually formed around it. In time, the Aegonfort was torn down and replaced by the [[Red Keep]]. King's Landing itself became the capital of the [[Seven Kingdoms]] and Dragonstone became the seat of the [[w:heir apparent|heir apparent]] to the [[Iron Throne]], who was styled as the "[[Prince of Dragonstone]]" (or, in the cases of a female heir, the "Princess of Dragonstone").
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Maegor remained the Prince of Dragonstone during the early years of Aenys I's reign, but after Maegor was exiled in {{Date|41}} for taking [[Alys Harroway]] as a second wife at Dragonstone, Aenys established "Prince of Dragonstone" as a formal title by appointing it to his own heir, Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Aegon]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}
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At the start of the [[Faith Militant uprising]], King Aenys I fled to the safety of Dragonstone, where he collapsed and died after hearing that his children, Prince Aegon and Princess [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena]], were besieged at [[Crakehall]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}} Aenys's body was burned at Dragonstone by [[Quicksilver]], [[Vermithor]], and [[Silverwing]].{{ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}}
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Maegor returned from his exile in [[Pentos]], took Aegon's crown at Dragonstone, and claimed the [[Iron Throne]]. Dowager Queen [[Alyssa Velaryon]], Aenys's widow, and her two younger children, Prince [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|Jaehaerys]] and Princess [[Alysanne Targaryen|Alysanne]], fled from Dragonstone to [[Driftmark]],{{ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}} but they were later kept at Dragonstone by Dowager Queen Visenya.{{ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}} Prince Aegon was killed by Maegor in the [[Battle Beneath the Gods Eye]].{{ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}}
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Following Visenya's death in {{Date|44}}, Alyssa stole [[Dark Sister]] and escaped with her youngest children on Vermithor and Silverwing.{{ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}} After being found dead on the Iron Throne in {{Date|48}}, Maegor's body was burned in King's Landing and his ashes were interred on Dragonstone.{{ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}}
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===Jaehaerys the Conciliator===
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[[File:Marc Simonetti dragonstonethrone.jpg|thumb|Dragonstone Throne by Marc Simonetti ©]]
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King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]] continued the use of the title [[Prince of Dragonstone]] for the [[w:heir apparent|heir apparent]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}} When his advisors decided that Princess [[Alysanne Targaryen]] should wed [[Orryn Baratheon]] in {{date|48}}, Jaehaerys fled with his sister to Dragonstone, where the pair were wed by Septon [[Oswyck]]. Lord [[Rogar Baratheon]] traveled to Dragonstone and attempted to break up the marriage, but he acquiesced when faced with the [[Kingsguard]] and Ser [[Merrell Bullock]]'s garrison. Jaehaerys and Alysanne remained at Dragonstone for the rest of his minority. The young king received visitors in the Chamber of the [[Painted Table]]{{ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}} and trained with the Kingsguard, Merrell and his sons [[Alyn Bullock|Alyn]] and [[Howard Bullock|Howard]], and Ser [[Elyas Scales]]. The [[Wise Women]] were sent by Dowager Queen [[Alyssa Velaryon]] to aid Alysanne.{{ref|FAB|A Surfeit of Rulers}}
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Jaehaerys departed Dragonstone for [[King's Landing]] in the ninth month of {{date|50}}.{{ref|FAB|A Surfeit of Rulers}} The king allowed his sister, [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena Targaryen]], to hold Dragonstone in his name. Called the Queen in the West while at [[Faircastle]], Rhaena became known as the Queen in the East.{{ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}} Rhaena's daughter, Princess [[Aerea Targaryen]], disliked living at Dragonstone, which she considered dull in comparison to the [[Red Keep]]. [[Elissa Farman]], Rhaena's close friend, eventually departed Dragonstone with three stolen [[dragon eggs]].{{ref|FAB|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}} Rhaena's husband, [[Androw Farman]], jumped to his death after admitting to having [[poison]]ed Maester [[Culiper]], [[Cassella Staunton]], Septa [[Maryam]], [[Alayne Royce]], [[Samantha Stokeworth]], and [[Lianna Velaryon]]. Rhaena abandoned Dragonstone after the disappearance of Aerea on [[Balerion]].{{ref|FAB|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}} After Aerea's death, Rhaena spent her remaining years at [[Harrenhal]].{{ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}}
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In {{date|62}} Jaehaerys granted the title of [[Prince of Dragonstone]] to [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aemon Targaryen]],{{ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Policy, Progeny, and Pain}} and the title passed to [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon Targaryen]] after Aemon's death in {{date|92}}.{{ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} Princess [[Daella Targaryen (daughter of Jaehaerys I)|Daella Targaryen]] wed Lord [[Rodrik Arryn]] in Dragonstone's sept in {{date|80}}. The ashes of Daella and her sister, Princess [[Daenerys Targaryen (daughter of Jaehaerys I)|Daenerys]], were interred at Dragonstone after their deaths. During the [[First Quarrel]], Queen Alysanne lived at Dragonstone in a self-imposed exile. She eventually died there in {{date|100}}.{{ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}
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After Baelon's death and the [[Great Council]] of {{date|101}}, Jaehaerys named his grandson [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys]] as Prince of Dragonstone.{{ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} The ashes of Jaehaerys were interred beside those of Alysanne when the Old King died in {{date|103}}.{{ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
  
 
===Dance of the Dragons===
 
===Dance of the Dragons===
{{Main|Dance of the Dragons}}
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Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]] became the first [[Princess of Dragonstone]] in {{Date|105}}, when she was officially declared to be the heir of her father, King [[Viserys I Targaryen]].{{Ref|twoiaf|The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I}} Angry at the decision, Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]] fled to Dragonstone with his paramour, [[Mysaria]], and lived there for half a year. Rhaenyra took Dragonstone as her seat in {{date|113}}.{{ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} Rhaenyra secretly wed Daemon at Dragonstone in {{date|120}}.{{ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
  
In {{Date|129}}, at the death of King [[Viserys I Targaryen]], his proclaimed heir, Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]], was eight months pregnant and confined on Dragonstone, awaiting the birth of her sixth child. Rhaenyra's half-brother, Prince Aegon, claimed the throne for himself, and with the help of the so-called "[[greens]]", was crowned King [[Aegon II Targaryen]], with his sister-wife [[Helaena Targaryen]] as his queen. Princess Rhaenyra, upon learning of her father's death and her half-brother's coronation, went into a black fury, which caused a premature labor. Rhaenyra, after three days of labor, delivered a stillborn daughter, [[Visenya Targaryen (daughter of Rhaenyra)|Visenya]].{{Ref|tpatq}}
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Rhaenyra was on Dragonstone when her half brother, [[Aegon II Targaryen]], claimed the [[Iron Throne]] in {{Date|129}} after the death of Viserys. Rhaenyra was crowned at Dragonstone, and from her own seat, she led the [[blacks]] against Aegon II's [[greens]] during the ensuing [[Dance of the Dragons]].{{ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens}} Ser [[Arryk Cargyll]], a supporter of Aegon, infiltrated Dragonstone, but he and his twin, Rhaenrya's [[Erryk Cargyll|Erryk]], died fighting each other.{{ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}} [[Dragonseed]]s attempted to tame [[dragon]]s on Dragonstone. The [[Triarchy]] ignored Dragonstone during the [[Battle of the Gullet]].{{ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}}
  
Rhaenyra, once recovered, was crowned queen by her husband and uncle, Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]]. She declared war on her brother, beginning the [[Dance of the Dragons]], the first civil war of the Targaryen dynasty. The war lasted about two and a half years, and saw the deaths of many members of [[House Targaryen]], including the deaths of both claimants, Rhaenyra and Aegon II, as well as most of the dragons who had lived during the Targaryen dynasty. The war saw many major battles, and saw [[King's Landing]] change hands on several occasions, as well as multiple claimants arising, some for a fortnight, some for a moon's turn.{{Ref|tpatq}}
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[[Joffrey Velaryon]] was formally installed as Prince of Dragonstone after the [[fall of King's Landing]] to Rhaenyra's forces.{{ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}} Ser [[Robert Quince]], castellan of Dragonstone, protected Lady [[Baela Targaryen]] during the war.{{ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}} Joffrey died attempting to stop the [[Storming of the Dragonpit]]. After fleeing the capital, Rhaenyra insisted on returning to Dragonstone in late {{date|130}}. Ser [[Alfred Broome]] had orchestrated the [[fall of Dragonstone]] to Aegon the Elder, however, and the king fed his half sister to [[Sunfyre]] in the yard. Baela and Rhaenyra's son, Prince [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon the Younger]], were imprisoned in the dungeon. Sunfyre died of his wounds in the outer yard of the castle.{{ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown}}{{ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Short, Sad Reign of Aegon II}}
  
The Dance ended in {{Date|131}}, after the death of King Aegon II, with the marriage of Rhaenyra's eldest surviving son, a prince also named Aegon, to Aegon II's only surviving child, Princess [[Jaehaera Targaryen]]. Rhaenyra's Aegon was crowned as King [[Aegon III Targaryen]].
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At the end of 130 AC, Aegon II returned to King's Landing from Dragonstone on [[House Velaryon|Velaryon]] ships.{{ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Short, Sad Reign of Aegon II}} After Aegon the Elder died of [[poison]] in {{date|131}}, Dragonstone's garrison refused to submit to Aegon the Younger, King [[Aegon III Targaryen]]. The servants of the castle rebelled, however, and yielded Dragonstone to [[Alyn Velaryon]].{{ref|FAB|Aftermath - The Hour of the Wolf}}
  
===War of the Usurper===
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After the death of Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]] in {{date|132}}, his body was buried aboard ''[[Sea Snake]]'' in the waters east of Dragonstone.{{ref|FAB|Under the Regents - The Hooded Hand}} Alyn and Baela wed in Dragonstone's sept in {{date|132}}.{{ref|FAB|Under the Regents - The Hooded Hand}} Lady [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Daemon)|Rhaena Targaryen]], Baela's twin, resided at Dragonstone after learning to ride [[Morning]]. After the death of Rhaena's husband, Ser [[Corwyn Corbray]], Baela traveled from [[Driftmark]] to Dragonstone to comfort her sister.{{ref|FAB|The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency}}
[[File:Dragonstone (day).jpg|thumb|right|350px|Dragonstone castle in ''[[Game of Thrones]]''<br>]]
 
{{Main|Robert's Rebellion}}
 
  
When Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] disappeared with Lady [[Lyanna Stark]], Lyanna's brother [[Brandon Stark|Brandon]] went to [[King's Landing]] and was arrested for high treason by King [[Aerys II Targaryen]]. For a trial, Brandon's father, Lord [[Rickard Stark]], was summoned to King's Landing, but instead of the trial by combat that Rickard had requested, Rickard and Brandon were both executed. Afterwards, the paranoid king demanded the heads of [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]], the Lord of [[Storm's End]] betrothed to Lyanna, and [[Eddard Stark]], Lyanna's second brother, and now the new Lord of [[Winterfell]]. As both men were at the [[Eyrie]], the demand was send to Lord [[Jon Arryn]]. He refused, however, and raised his banners in revolt.
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===Later History===
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King [[Maekar I Targaryen]]'s eldest son, Prince [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Daeron]], became [[Prince of Dragonstone]] upon his father ascension. However, he found Dragonstone such a gloomy abode that he preferred to be styled [[Prince of Summerhall]] instead.{{Ref|twoiaf|The Targaryen Kings: Maekar I}}
  
The rebellion lasted "close to a year". The most decisive battle was the [[Battle of the Trident]], where the royalist army met with the rebel army. Prince Rhaegar was killed in the battle by [[Robert Baratheon]]. The Targaryen army broke and ran at Rhaegar's death, and Eddard Stark marched his army to King's Landing, planning on besieging the city.
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===Robert's Rebellion===
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King [[Aerys II Targaryen]] attempted to bring forth [[dragon]]s from [[dragon eggs]] found in the depths of Dragonstone.{{Ref|twoiaf|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}} The relationship between Aerys and his heir, Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]], soured, and when Rhaegar married Princess [[Elia Martell]] in {{Date|280}}, the [[Prince of Dragonstone]] moved from [[King's Landing]] to Dragonstone, where his daughter [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Rhaegar)|Rhaenys]] was born later that same year.{{Ref|twoiaf|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}
  
News of Rhaegar's death reached King's Landing before any army could, and King Aerys II decided to send his sister-wife, Queen [[Rhaella Targaryen]], and his only surviving child, Prince [[Viserys Targaryen]], to the ancient Targaryen stronghold, Dragonstone. Aerys kept his daughter-in-law, Princess [[Elia Martell]], and Rhaegar's two children by her, Princess [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Rhaegar)|Rhaenys]] and Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon]], with him in King's Landing.
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When the news of Rhaegar's death at the [[Battle of the Trident]] during [[Robert's Rebellion]] reached King's Landing, King Aerys decided to sent his pregnant sister-wife, Queen [[Rhaella Targaryen|Rhaella]], and his only surviving child, Prince [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]], now the Prince of Dragonstone, to Dragonstone, to keep them safe from the approaching rebel army.{{Ref|twoiaf|The Fall of the Dragons: The End}}
  
After Rhaella and Viserys had fled, the army of [[House Lannister]] attacked the city, leading to the deaths of King [[Aerys II Targaryen]], Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon Targaryen]], Princess [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Rhaegar)|Rhaenys Targaryen]], and Princess [[Elia Martell]] in the [[Sack of King's Landing]]. This caused Rhaella and Viserys to be the only Targaryens remaining.
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Rhaella crowned Viserys after the death of Aerys in the [[Sack of King's Landing]].{{Ref|awoiaf|Rhaella Targaryen}} Nine months after leaving King's Landing, Rhaella gave birth to Princess [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]], who was granted the title "Princess of Dragonstone".{{Ref|agot|3}} However, Rhaella died in labor, and the Targaryen [[royal fleet]], which had been protecting the island, was mostly destroyed during a fierce storm. Huge stone blocks were ripped from Dragonstone's parapets and sent hurtling into the wild waters of the [[narrow sea]], and the princess is thus known as Daenerys Stormborn.{{ref|AGOT|3}}
  
During their time on Dragonstone, Dowager Queen Rhaella came to realise she was pregnant. Nine moons after the flight from King's Landing, Rhaella gave birth to Princess [[Daenerys Targaryen]], while a summer storm was raging. The Targaryen fleet, which had been anchored before Dragonstone, was smashed, and huge stone blocks were ripped from the parapets and sent hurtling into the wild waters of the [[narrow sea]].
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King [[Robert I Baratheon]], who had claimed the [[Iron Throne]], ordered his younger brother, [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]], to built a new royal fleet for [[House Baratheon of King's Landing]]. With the Targaryen fleet destroyed, the garrison at Dragonstone was prepared to sell the Targaryen children to Robert. However, before they could act on this plan, Ser [[Willem Darry]] and several other loyal retainers smuggled Viserys and Daenerys into exile, sailing to the [[Braavosian coast]].{{Ref|aGoT|3}} Stannis led the successful [[assault on Dragonstone]].{{ref|ACOK|Prologue}}{{Ref|AGOT|3}}{{ref|ACOK|25}}
  
The new king, [[Robert I Baratheon]] tasked his brother, [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]], with building a new fleet to take Dragonstone. With the Targaryen fleet destroyed and Queen Rhaella dead, Dragonstone's garrison was prepared to sell Viserys and Daenerys to Robert. Just before Stannis prepared to sail to Dragonstone, Ser [[Willem Darry]] and four loyal men broke into the nursery one night and stole the two children, the last scions of House Targaryen, and fled with a wet nurse, setting sail under cover of darkness for the safety of the [[Braavosian coast]]. Stannis commanded the successful Baratheon [[assault on Dragonstone]].
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===House Baratheon===
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[[File:Rafal Hrynkiewicz Maester Cressen.png|thumb|350px|right|Maester [[Cressen]] by Rafal Hrynkiewicz © Fantasy Flight Games]]
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King [[Robert I Baratheon]] named his younger brother, [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]], as [[Lord of Dragonstone]] instead of the wealthier position of [[Lord of Storm's End]], which was given to their young brother, [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]]. Stannis resented this and believed it to be an intentional slight,{{ref|ACOK|Prologue}} which Queen [[Cersei Lannister]] agrees with.{{ref|ACOK|25}} According to [[George R. R. Martin]], however, Robert had not necessarily meant it as such.<ref name=Baratheonbrothers>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/The_Baratheon_Brothers/ The Baratheon Brothers (September 11, 1999)]</ref> The castle had traditionally been the seat of the heir to the Iron Throne, the [[Prince of Dragonstone]], during most of the Targaryen dynasty, so the then-childless Robert was granting it to his heir at that time, Stannis.<ref name=Baratheonbrothers />
  
===Baratheon Dynasty===
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Stannis became the head of [[House Baratheon of Dragonstone]]. When Stannis left for [[King's Landing]] to serve on the [[small council]] as [[master of ships]], Ser [[Axell Florent]] was named castellan of Dragonstone.{{Ref|acok|10}}
[[File:HBO Stannis broods on Dragonstone.png|thumb|350px|Stannis, brooding on Dragonstone]]
 
After the [[Robert's Rebellion|war]] ended, the castle passed to [[Stannis Baratheon]], who became Lord of Dragonstone. Stannis resented the castle because its lands were far poorer than those of [[Storm's End]], which he felt was his due as heir of House Baratheon, but King Robert I had granted that castle to their younger brother, [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]]. Robert felt a strong leader should be placed in the old Targaryen seat, and its occupant was traditionally the heir to the [[Iron Throne]]. However, Robert was also angered that the Targaryen children had escaped to [[Essos]], and Stannis considered Dragonstone to be an insult.
 
  
Years later Stannis is still brooding and has not forgotten or forgiven Robert for not giving him his due, and says so to old Maester [[Cressen]]:
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==Recent Events==
{{Quote|I never asked for Dragonstone.  I never wanted it.  I took it because Robert’s enemies were here and he commanded me to root them out.  I built his fleet and [[assault on Dragonstone|did his work]], dutifully as a younger brother should be to an elder, as [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]] should be to me.  And what was Robert’s thanks?  He names me Lord of Dragonstone, and gives [[Storm's End]] and its incomes to '''Renly'''. Storm’s End belonged to [[House Baratheon]] for three hundred years; by rights it should have passed to me when Robert took the [[Iron Throne]].{{ref|acok|0}}}}
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===''A Game of Thrones''===
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[[Stannis Baratheon]], [[Lord of Dragonstone]], returns to his seat from [[King's Landing]] shortly after King [[Robert I Baratheon]] travels north to offer the position of [[Hand of the King]] to Lord [[Eddard Stark]].{{ref|AGOT|20}} Stannis closes off the [[Dragonstone (island)|island of Dragonstone]],{{Ref|acok|prologue}} making it difficult for [[Varys]] to know for certain what Stannis has been doing,{{Ref|agot|58}} though he hears rumors that he is gathering swords.{{Ref|agot|22}}  
  
==Recent Events==
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After learning that the children of Queen [[Cersei Lannister]] were not fathered by Robert, Eddard instructs [[Tomard]] to personally deliver a letter to Stannis at Dragonstone.{{ref|AGOT|47}} Tom is killed in the throne room of the [[Red Keep]] before the ''[[Wind Witch]]'' sets sail,{{ref|AGOT|49}} however, and Lord Stark is imprisoned in the [[black cells]].{{ref|AGOT|58}}
  
===''A Game of Thrones''===
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Varys reports to Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] that he has heard rumors that Stannis is building ships, hiring sellswords, and is bringing a [[shadowbinder]] from [[Asshai]].{{ref|AGOT|69}}
[[Stannis Baratheon]], Lord of Dragonstone, returns to his seat from [[King's Landing]] shortly after King [[Robert I Baratheon]] travels north to offer the [[Hand of the King]] to Lord [[Eddard Stark]].{{ref|AGOT|20}} According to [[Varys]], Stannis is being aided by a [[shadowbinder]] from [[Asshai]].{{ref|AGOT|69}}
 
  
 
===''A Clash of Kings''===
 
===''A Clash of Kings''===
During the [[War of the Five Kings]], the poor lands of Dragonstone give King Stannis few supporters for his claim to the [[Iron Throne]]. For the past half-year no craft that has come within sight of Dragonstone has been allowed to leave again. The castle's maester, [[Cressen]], is killed during his attempt to poison [[Melisandre]].{{ref|ACOK|0}} [[Queen's men]] sack the sept and Melisandre burns the statues of the Seven.{{ref|ACOK|10}}
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[[File: Marcsimonetti melisandre red comet.jpg|thumb|[[Melisandre]] watching the [[red comet]] by Marc Simonetti ©]]
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During the [[War of the Five Kings]], the poor lands of Dragonstone give King Stannis too few supporters to engage the [[House Lannister|Lannisters]] in battle.{{ref|ACOK|Prologue}} Maester [[Cressen]] dies after a failed attempt to poison [[Melisandre]], a [[red priest]]ess serving Stannis, with the [[strangler]].{{ref|ACOK|Prologue}} The [[queen's men]] sack the sept of Dragonstone so Melisandre can burn the statues of [[Faith of the Seven|the Seven]] outside of the castle's gates.{{ref|ACOK|10}}
  
After his defeat at the [[Battle of the Blackwater]], Stannis retreats to Dragonstone with less than 1,300 swords and a token fleet in order to plot his next move.
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===''A Storm of Swords''===
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After his defeat at the [[Battle of the Blackwater]], Stannis retreats to Dragonstone with some fifteen hundred men and the ships of [[Salladhor Saan]].{{Ref|asos|36}} Stannis broods in the Stone Drum, refusing to see anyone but Melisandre.{{Ref|ASOS|10}}
  
===''A Storm of Swords''===
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Ser [[Davos Seaworth]] is arrested for his plan to kill Melisandre{{Ref|ASOS|10}} and locked up in the cells of Dragonstone, where he is later joined by Stannis's [[Hand of the King]], Lord [[Alester Florent]].{{Ref|ASOS|25}} When Davos is brought before Stannis in the [[Chamber of the Painted Table]], he is pardoned and named Hand in Alester's stead.{{Ref|ASOS|36}} Melisandre wishes to "wake a dragon from stone", insisting she needs to sacrifice Robert's [[bastard]] son, [[Edric Storm]], to do so.{{Ref|asos|54}} Davos wonders whether the stone dragons which can be found all over the castle could be real dragons turned to stone.{{Ref|asos|54}} He later prays that they will never come to life.{{Ref|asos|63}}
Ser [[Davos Seaworth]] is imprisoned for plotting to kill Melisandre,{{ref|ASOS|10}} but is eventually freed by Stannis.{{ref|ASOS|36}}  
 
  
Davos secretly smuggles [[Edric Storm]] from the castle against the wishes of Stannis.  In his defence Davos tells Stannis that a king has a duty to his people, and reads a recent letter from the [[Night's Watch]] explaining the desperate situation the men of the Night's Watch are in.{{ref|ASOS|63}}  
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After Davos urges Stannis to sail for the [[Wall]], presenting him with Maester [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Aemon's]] letter asking for aid for the [[Night's Watch]],{{ref|ASOS|63}} Stannis sets sail for the [[north]].{{Ref|asos|73}} Ser [[Rolland Storm]], the Bastard of [[Nightsong]], is made castellan for the duration of Stannis's absence.{{Ref|ASOS|78}}
  
Stannis Baratheon and his forces leave Dragonstone to [[Battle of Castle Black|defend Castle Black]] and [[the Wall]].{{ref|ASOS|73}} Ser [[Rolland Storm]], the Bastard of Nightsong, is made castellan of the castle in the absence of Stannis.  
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===''A Feast for Crows''===
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A giddy Queen Regent [[Cersei Lannister]] believes that Stannis has given up and gone into exile.{{ref|AFFC|12}} She judges that two thousand [[House Lannister|Lannister soldiers]] should be enough to battle the small garrison which Stannis had left behind on Dragonstone, and so keeps them in [[King's Landing]] to await the arrival of Lord [[Paxter Redwyne]]'s ships which will carry them from [[Blackwater Bay]] to Dragonstone.{{ref|affc|16}} Only a few fishing boats remain to defy the [[Redwyne fleet]],{{Ref|affc|17}} and Paxter encamps his men before the walls of the castle and begins the [[siege of Dragonstone]], intending to starve the defenders out.{{Ref|AFFC|32}}
  
At the [[Wall]] King Stannis sends word to Ser Rolland on Dragonstone to begin mining [[obsidian]]. Stannis fears he will not hold his seat much longer but hopes that the [[Lord of Light]] shall grant them enough ''frozen fire'' to arm themselves against the Others before the Dragonstone falls.{{Ref|ASOS|78}}
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After the [[taking of the Shields]] by the [[Euron Greyjoy]], Ser [[Loras Tyrell]] begs Cersei to send word to Dragonstone, as Paxter's fleet is the only one large enough to protect the [[Reach]] from the [[ironborn]]. Cersei refuses, insisting that Stannis's hold over Dragonstone is a knife at King [[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen I Baratheon]]'s throat, and that the Redwyne fleet will only be released once Dragonstone has fallen. Loras asks Cersei permission to take Dragonstone by storming the walls of the castle, so the Redwyne fleet is no longer needed at the island and can return to the Reach.{{Ref|AFFC|32}}
  
===''A Feast for Crows''===
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Half a day after his arrival, after Rolland refuses to settle the matter by single combat, Loras orders the assault. The castle gates are broken by a ram, and the defenders fall back to an inner keep after the curtain wall falls. Loras leads the attack there as well. Although the Knight of Flowers is successful in taking Dragonstone, he is severely injured in the battle, and remains on Dragonstone, cared for by maesters.{{Ref|affc|36}} Cersei becomes convinced that [[Aurane Waters]] wants Dragonstone, but she considers that seat to be too much above Aurane's birth and station.{{ref|AFFC|39}}
Forces loyal to King [[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen I Baratheon]] commanded by Lord [[Paxter Redwyne]] [[Siege of Dragonstone|lay siege]] to the island.{{ref|AFFC|32}} In the absence of Stannis, the garrison of Dragonstone is led by Ser [[Rolland Storm]].  Lord [[Aurane Waters]] reports to Queen [[Cersei Lannister]] that Ser [[Loras Tyrell]] of the [[Kingsguard]] took command and stormed the castle, taking it at a heavy cost to himself and his forces. Cersei believes Aurane wants Dragonstone for himself, but she considers [[Rosby]] to be more suitable for Lord Waters.{{ref|ASOS|36}}
 
  
 
===''A Dance with Dragons''===
 
===''A Dance with Dragons''===
Lord [[Mace Tyrell]] tells Ser [[Harys Swyft]] that Loras's men found no wealth on Dragonstone.{{ref|ADWD|Epilogue}}
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Loras remains at Dragonstone, still dying of his wounds.{{Ref|ADWD|54}} His men search every inch of the castle, but according to Lord [[Mace Tyrell]] cannot find any wealth that might have been left behind. Lord Regent [[Kevan Lannister]] questions the thoroughness of the search, but thinks Stannis would have taken any wealth before he left.{{Ref|adwd|Epilogue}}
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In the [[Dothraki sea]], [[Daenerys Targaryen]] names [[Dragonstone (hill)|a hill]] "Dragonstone", after the citadel she had been born in.{{Ref|ADWD|71}}
  
 
==Chapters that take place at Dragonstone==
 
==Chapters that take place at Dragonstone==
Line 155: Line 172:
  
 
==Quotes==
 
==Quotes==
{{Quote|Dragonstone was grim beyond a doubt, a lonely citadel in the wet waste surrounded by storm and salt, with the smoking shadow of the mountain at its back.{{ref|acok|0}}}} - thoughts of [[Cressen]]
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{{quote|[[Dragon]]s thrive best here on Dragonstone.{{ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens}}|[[Rhaenyra Targaryen]] to [[Gerardys]]}}
 
 
 
 
{{Quote|I never asked for Dragonstone. I never wanted it.{{ref|acok|0}}}} - [[Stannis Baratheon]] to [[Cressen]]
 
 
 
 
 
{{Quote|The [[dragon]]s are done. The [[House Targaryen|Targaryens]] tried to bring them back half a dozen times. And made fools of themselves, or corpses. [[Patchface]] is the only [[fool]] we need on this godsforsaken rock.{{Ref|aSoS|36}}}} - [[Stannis Baratheon]] to [[Melisandre]]
 
  
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{{Quote|Dragonstone was grim beyond a doubt, a lonely citadel in the wet waste surrounded by storm and salt, with the smoking shadow of [[Dragonmont|the mountain]] at its back.{{ref|acok|0}}|thoughts of [[Cressen]]}}
  
{{Quote|A place of [[dragons]] and [[dragonlords]], the seat of [[House Targaryen]].{{Ref|ASOS|54}}}} - thoughts of [[Davos Seaworth]]
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{{Quote|I never asked for Dragonstone. I never wanted it.{{ref|acok|0}}|[[Stannis Baratheon]] to [[Cressen]]}}
  
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{{quote|Perhaps the old tales were true, and Dragonstone was built with the stones of hell.{{ref|ASOS|25}}|thoughts of [[Davos Seaworth]]}}
  
{{Quote|The [[Valyria]]ns had raised it, after all, and all their works stank of [[sorcery]].{{Ref|ADWD|Epilogue}}}}
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{{Quote|A place of [[dragons]] and [[dragonlords]], the seat of [[House Targaryen]].{{Ref|ASOS|54}}|thoughts of [[Davos Seaworth]]}}
- thoughts of [[Kevan Lannister]]
 
  
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{{Quote|The [[Valyria]]ns had raised it, after all, and all their works stank of [[sorcery]].{{Ref|ADWD|Epilogue}}|thoughts of [[Kevan Lannister]]}}
  
{{Quote|If you look at how the citadel of Dragonstone was built and how in some of its structures the stone was shaped in some fashion with magic... yes, it's safe to say that there's something of Valyrian magic still present.<ref>[http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Month/2012/07/ So Spake Martin. Asshai.com Interview in Barcelona] July 28, 2012.</ref>}} - [[George R. R. Martin]]
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{{Quote|If you look at how the citadel of Dragonstone was built and how in some of its structures the stone was shaped in some fashion with [[magic]]... yes, it's safe to say that there's something of [[Valyria]]n magic still present.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Asshai.com_Interview_in_Barcelona/ Asshai.com Interview in Barcelona], July 28, 2012.</ref>|[[George R. R. Martin]]}}
  
==References and Notes==
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==References==
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{{references|2}}
  
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{{Region Crownlands}}
  
 
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Revision as of 14:49, 6 September 2019

Dragonstone
Castle
A clash of kings by grr martin by marcsimonetti-d84tkck.jpg
Dragonstone © Marc Simonetti
Location island of Dragonstone, crownlands
Government House Baratheon of Dragonstone, Feudal lord
Religion Faith of the Seven (former), R'hllor
Founded ~ 326 BC[1]
The crownlands and the location of Dragonstone
The crownlands and the location of Dragonstone
Dragonstone
The crownlands and the location of Dragonstone

Dragonstone is a castle located on the island of the same name at the entrance to Blackwater Bay. Located below the Dragonmont and shaped from stone to look like dragons, Dragonstone was the original seat of House Targaryen in Westeros, and had been colonized and fortified as the westernmost outpost of the Valyrian Freehold. The castle has a dark reputation.[2]

After Aegon's Conquest of the Seven Kingdoms, Dragonstone in the newly-created crownlands served as the seat of their heir apparent, known as the Prince of Dragonstone. After Robert Baratheon overthrew the Targaryens in Robert's Rebellion, he gave the castle to his brother Stannis, creating House Baratheon of Dragonstone.

Dragonstone, though old and strong, commands the allegiance of only a few lesser lords whose islands are too thinly populated to provide any great numbers of troops, although they have some naval strength. A short distance west of Dragonstone is the island of Driftmark, which is the seat of House Velaryon, a Valyrian house and historically a naval power. Other houses sworn to Dragonstone include Celtigar of Claw Isle, who are also of Valyrian descent, Seaworth of Cape Wrath, Bar Emmon of Sharp Point, and Sunglass of Sweetport Sound.[3]

Household

The maesters at Dragonstone are Cressen and Pylos,[4] and the castle's sept is maintained by Septon Barre.[5] At least two members of House Blackberry serve at Dragonstone.[6][7]

At the start of King Jaehaerys I Targaryen's reign, Dragonstone had a garrison of twenty archers and as many guardsmen.[8] When the Dance of the Dragons began, the castle had a garrison of thirty knights, a hundred crossbowmen, and three hundred men-at-arms.[9]

Layout

Dragonstone Watchtower by Cristi Balanescu © Fantasy Flight Games
Aegon's Garden by Franz Miklis © Fantasy Flight Games

A grim place,[10] Dragonstone was built by Valyrians with arcane arts,[11] fire,[12] and sorcery.[13] Capable of liquefying and reshaping stone with dragonflame, the dragonlords used their magic to shape Dragonstone to look like multiple dragons.[14][15][12]

Dragon architecture can be found throughout the castle, such as small dragons framing gates and dragon claws holding torches.[12] A pair of great wings cover the armory and smithy, and dragon tails form archways and staircases.[12] The citadel of Dragonstone is wrought all of black stone[10] Doors can be set in the mouths of stone dragons.[10] Instead of merlons, grotesques and gargoyles serve as brooding crenellations along the three curtain walls.[10][6] Designs include basilisks, cockatrices, demons, griffins, hellhounds, manticores, minotaurs, wyverns, and other creatures.[12] Statues in the shape of dragons can be found all over the castle.[5] Dragonstone has a castle yard[16] and a library.[8] There is a fishing village with a port beneath the curtain walls.[8][5] King Aegon I Targaryen was fond of the salty air of Dragonstone, which smells of smoke and brimstone.[17]

Notable locations at Dragonstone include:

  • The Stone Drum is a massive tower[18] which serves as the central keep of Dragonstone. It is named for the booming and rumbling sounds that can be heard during storms.[10] To reach the Stone Drum from the Sea Dragon Tower, one must cross the gallery and pass through the middle and inner walls.[10] A high stone roofed bridge arching over emptiness leads from the Stone Drum to the entrance towards the dungeons.[18]
  • The Great Hall of the Stone Drum[19] is carved in the shape of a huge dragon lying on its belly; its doors are set in the mouth and those entering pass through its mouth.[12][10] The kitchens resemble a curled up dragon where the smoke and heat vented through its nostrils.[12]
  • The Chamber of the Painted Table is a round room on the top floor of the Stone Drum. It has four tall directional windows and bare black walls. It holds a large table, the Painted Table, carved and painted in the form of a detailed map of Westeros. Here, Aegon the Conqueror planned for his invasion of Westeros. The Painted Table is more than fifty feet long: roughly twenty-five feet wide at its widest point and four feet at its thinnest. At the precise location of Dragonstone is a raised seat that allows the occupant to view the entire map.[10]
  • The Windwyrm is a tower shaped like a dragon which seems to scream defiance.[12]
  • Sea Dragon Tower is shaped like a dragon gazing serenely out across the sea.[12] The maester's chambers are located in this tower, below the rookery.[12] The turnpike stairs of the tower are narrow and twisting.[10][12]
  • Aegon's Garden can be reached when going down after the arch of the Dragon's Tail.[6] Within grow tall dark trees, wild roses, towering thorny hedges, and cranberries. The garden has a pleasant piney scent.[6]
  • The sept of Dragonstone, dedicated to the Faith of the Seven, contains statues representing the seven aspects of the Seven gods, carved from the masts of the ships that had carried the first Targaryens from Valyria, but have frequently been repainted since then.[5] The statue of the Crone has pearl eyes, the Father a gilded beard, and the Stranger looks more animal than human. [5]

History

Foundation

Dragonstone castle in Game of Thrones

Two centuries before the Doom, Valyrians took possession of the island and built a castle upon it, which became the westernmost outpost of the Valyrian Freehold.[1] The castle towers were shaped by Valyrian magic to look like dragons to make the castle look fearsome, and they placed a thousand gargoyles upon the walls.[10]

Targaryen Lords

Twelve years prior to the Doom of Valyria, Aenar Targaryen, the head of House Targaryen, relocated his family, their five dragons, and all their wealth to Dragonstone, after his maiden daughter Daenys predicted the destruction of the Valyrian Freehold. In Valyria their rivals saw this as an act of cowardly surrender.[1] Four of the dragons brought from Valyria eventually died on Dragonstone, leaving only Balerion. However, two ‎eggs hatched and Vhagar and Meraxes were born.[20]

Aenar ruled as the first Lord of Dragonstone, and was succeeded by his son, ‎Gaemon the Glorious. Gaemon's children, ‎Aegon and Elaena, ruled together as kin and a couple, and were succeeded by their own son, Maegon, and later Maegon's younger brother, Aerys. Aerys's three sons, Aelyx, Baelon, and Daemion ruled Dragonstone in turn.[1] Daemon kept a maester at Dragonstone, as did his descendants.[17] Daemion's son Aerion inherited the seat. His only son by Lady Valaena Velaryon, Aegon Targaryen, was the last Lord of Dragonstone before Aegon's Conquest.[1]

Aegon and His Sons

Chamber of the Painted Table by Kim Pope

Lord Aegon Targaryen planned his invasion of Westeros from the Chamber of the Painted Table.[18] At the start of the Conquest, Aegon called bannermen and allies to Dragonstone, including the Velaryons of Driftmark, the Celtigars of Claw Isle, the Bar Emmons of Sharp Point, and the Masseys of Stonedance.[20] Aegon and his sisters, Visenya and Rhaenys, conquered six of the Seven Kingdoms, with only Dorne remaining independent. Ser Quenton Qoherys, the master-at-arms of Dragonstone, was named Lord of Harrenhal by Aegon.[21]

Aegon established his new seat, the Aegonfort, where he first made landfall at the mouth of the Blackwater Rush. The city of King's Landing, the new capital, eventually formed around it.[22] Aegon divided his reign between King's Landing, Dragonstone, and royal progresses throughout the realm.[17] The king raised his eldest son and heir, Prince Aenys at King's Landing, while Queen Visenya raised Aegon's younger son, Maegor at Dragonstone. In time, Maegor became known as the "Prince of Dragonstone".[16] In 35 AC, the Aegonfort was torn down in preparation for the construction of the Red Keep, so Aegon the Conqueror returned to his beloved Dragonstone. Two years later Aegon died from a stroke while in the Chamber of the Painted Table.[22] Vhagar burned the king's body in the castle yard.[16]

Maegor remained the Prince of Dragonstone during the early years of Aenys I's reign, but after Maegor was exiled in 41 AC for taking Alys Harroway as a second wife at Dragonstone, Aenys established "Prince of Dragonstone" as a formal title by appointing it to his own heir, Prince Aegon.[23]

At the start of the Faith Militant uprising, King Aenys I fled to the safety of Dragonstone, where he collapsed and died after hearing that his children, Prince Aegon and Princess Rhaena, were besieged at Crakehall.[23] Aenys's body was burned at Dragonstone by Quicksilver, Vermithor, and Silverwing.[16]

Maegor returned from his exile in Pentos, took Aegon's crown at Dragonstone, and claimed the Iron Throne. Dowager Queen Alyssa Velaryon, Aenys's widow, and her two younger children, Prince Jaehaerys and Princess Alysanne, fled from Dragonstone to Driftmark,[16] but they were later kept at Dragonstone by Dowager Queen Visenya.[24] Prince Aegon was killed by Maegor in the Battle Beneath the Gods Eye.[16]

Following Visenya's death in 44 AC, Alyssa stole Dark Sister and escaped with her youngest children on Vermithor and Silverwing.[16] After being found dead on the Iron Throne in 48 AC, Maegor's body was burned in King's Landing and his ashes were interred on Dragonstone.[16]

Jaehaerys the Conciliator

Dragonstone Throne by Marc Simonetti ©

King Jaehaerys I Targaryen continued the use of the title Prince of Dragonstone for the heir apparent.[25] When his advisors decided that Princess Alysanne Targaryen should wed Orryn Baratheon in 48 AC, Jaehaerys fled with his sister to Dragonstone, where the pair were wed by Septon Oswyck. Lord Rogar Baratheon traveled to Dragonstone and attempted to break up the marriage, but he acquiesced when faced with the Kingsguard and Ser Merrell Bullock's garrison. Jaehaerys and Alysanne remained at Dragonstone for the rest of his minority. The young king received visitors in the Chamber of the Painted Table[8] and trained with the Kingsguard, Merrell and his sons Alyn and Howard, and Ser Elyas Scales. The Wise Women were sent by Dowager Queen Alyssa Velaryon to aid Alysanne.[26]

Jaehaerys departed Dragonstone for King's Landing in the ninth month of 50 AC.[26] The king allowed his sister, Rhaena Targaryen, to hold Dragonstone in his name. Called the Queen in the West while at Faircastle, Rhaena became known as the Queen in the East.[27] Rhaena's daughter, Princess Aerea Targaryen, disliked living at Dragonstone, which she considered dull in comparison to the Red Keep. Elissa Farman, Rhaena's close friend, eventually departed Dragonstone with three stolen dragon eggs.[28] Rhaena's husband, Androw Farman, jumped to his death after admitting to having poisoned Maester Culiper, Cassella Staunton, Septa Maryam, Alayne Royce, Samantha Stokeworth, and Lianna Velaryon. Rhaena abandoned Dragonstone after the disappearance of Aerea on Balerion.[28] After Aerea's death, Rhaena spent her remaining years at Harrenhal.[29]

In 62 AC Jaehaerys granted the title of Prince of Dragonstone to Aemon Targaryen,[30] and the title passed to Baelon Targaryen after Aemon's death in 92 AC.[31] Princess Daella Targaryen wed Lord Rodrik Arryn in Dragonstone's sept in 80 AC. The ashes of Daella and her sister, Princess Daenerys, were interred at Dragonstone after their deaths. During the First Quarrel, Queen Alysanne lived at Dragonstone in a self-imposed exile. She eventually died there in 100 AC.[30]

After Baelon's death and the Great Council of 101 AC, Jaehaerys named his grandson Viserys as Prince of Dragonstone.[31] The ashes of Jaehaerys were interred beside those of Alysanne when the Old King died in 103 AC.[31]

Dance of the Dragons

Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen became the first Princess of Dragonstone in 105 AC, when she was officially declared to be the heir of her father, King Viserys I Targaryen.[32] Angry at the decision, Prince Daemon Targaryen fled to Dragonstone with his paramour, Mysaria, and lived there for half a year. Rhaenyra took Dragonstone as her seat in 113 AC.[31] Rhaenyra secretly wed Daemon at Dragonstone in 120 AC.[31]

Rhaenyra was on Dragonstone when her half brother, Aegon II Targaryen, claimed the Iron Throne in 129 AC after the death of Viserys. Rhaenyra was crowned at Dragonstone, and from her own seat, she led the blacks against Aegon II's greens during the ensuing Dance of the Dragons.[9] Ser Arryk Cargyll, a supporter of Aegon, infiltrated Dragonstone, but he and his twin, Rhaenrya's Erryk, died fighting each other.[33] Dragonseeds attempted to tame dragons on Dragonstone. The Triarchy ignored Dragonstone during the Battle of the Gullet.[33]

Joffrey Velaryon was formally installed as Prince of Dragonstone after the fall of King's Landing to Rhaenyra's forces.[34] Ser Robert Quince, castellan of Dragonstone, protected Lady Baela Targaryen during the war.[34] Joffrey died attempting to stop the Storming of the Dragonpit. After fleeing the capital, Rhaenyra insisted on returning to Dragonstone in late 130 AC. Ser Alfred Broome had orchestrated the fall of Dragonstone to Aegon the Elder, however, and the king fed his half sister to Sunfyre in the yard. Baela and Rhaenyra's son, Prince Aegon the Younger, were imprisoned in the dungeon. Sunfyre died of his wounds in the outer yard of the castle.[19][35]

At the end of 130 AC, Aegon II returned to King's Landing from Dragonstone on Velaryon ships.[35] After Aegon the Elder died of poison in 131 AC, Dragonstone's garrison refused to submit to Aegon the Younger, King Aegon III Targaryen. The servants of the castle rebelled, however, and yielded Dragonstone to Alyn Velaryon.[36]

After the death of Lord Corlys Velaryon in 132 AC, his body was buried aboard Sea Snake in the waters east of Dragonstone.[37] Alyn and Baela wed in Dragonstone's sept in 132 AC.[37] Lady Rhaena Targaryen, Baela's twin, resided at Dragonstone after learning to ride Morning. After the death of Rhaena's husband, Ser Corwyn Corbray, Baela traveled from Driftmark to Dragonstone to comfort her sister.[38]

Later History

King Maekar I Targaryen's eldest son, Prince Daeron, became Prince of Dragonstone upon his father ascension. However, he found Dragonstone such a gloomy abode that he preferred to be styled Prince of Summerhall instead.[39]

Robert's Rebellion

King Aerys II Targaryen attempted to bring forth dragons from dragon eggs found in the depths of Dragonstone.[40] The relationship between Aerys and his heir, Prince Rhaegar Targaryen, soured, and when Rhaegar married Princess Elia Martell in 280 AC, the Prince of Dragonstone moved from King's Landing to Dragonstone, where his daughter Rhaenys was born later that same year.[40]

When the news of Rhaegar's death at the Battle of the Trident during Robert's Rebellion reached King's Landing, King Aerys decided to sent his pregnant sister-wife, Queen Rhaella, and his only surviving child, Prince Viserys, now the Prince of Dragonstone, to Dragonstone, to keep them safe from the approaching rebel army.[41]

Rhaella crowned Viserys after the death of Aerys in the Sack of King's Landing.[42] Nine months after leaving King's Landing, Rhaella gave birth to Princess Daenerys, who was granted the title "Princess of Dragonstone".[43] However, Rhaella died in labor, and the Targaryen royal fleet, which had been protecting the island, was mostly destroyed during a fierce storm. Huge stone blocks were ripped from Dragonstone's parapets and sent hurtling into the wild waters of the narrow sea, and the princess is thus known as Daenerys Stormborn.[43]

King Robert I Baratheon, who had claimed the Iron Throne, ordered his younger brother, Stannis, to built a new royal fleet for House Baratheon of King's Landing. With the Targaryen fleet destroyed, the garrison at Dragonstone was prepared to sell the Targaryen children to Robert. However, before they could act on this plan, Ser Willem Darry and several other loyal retainers smuggled Viserys and Daenerys into exile, sailing to the Braavosian coast.[43] Stannis led the successful assault on Dragonstone.[10][43][44]

House Baratheon

Maester Cressen by Rafal Hrynkiewicz © Fantasy Flight Games

King Robert I Baratheon named his younger brother, Stannis, as Lord of Dragonstone instead of the wealthier position of Lord of Storm's End, which was given to their young brother, Renly. Stannis resented this and believed it to be an intentional slight,[10] which Queen Cersei Lannister agrees with.[44] According to George R. R. Martin, however, Robert had not necessarily meant it as such.[45] The castle had traditionally been the seat of the heir to the Iron Throne, the Prince of Dragonstone, during most of the Targaryen dynasty, so the then-childless Robert was granting it to his heir at that time, Stannis.[45]

Stannis became the head of House Baratheon of Dragonstone. When Stannis left for King's Landing to serve on the small council as master of ships, Ser Axell Florent was named castellan of Dragonstone.[5]

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

Stannis Baratheon, Lord of Dragonstone, returns to his seat from King's Landing shortly after King Robert I Baratheon travels north to offer the position of Hand of the King to Lord Eddard Stark.[46] Stannis closes off the island of Dragonstone,[10] making it difficult for Varys to know for certain what Stannis has been doing,[47] though he hears rumors that he is gathering swords.[48]

After learning that the children of Queen Cersei Lannister were not fathered by Robert, Eddard instructs Tomard to personally deliver a letter to Stannis at Dragonstone.[2] Tom is killed in the throne room of the Red Keep before the Wind Witch sets sail,[49] however, and Lord Stark is imprisoned in the black cells.[47]

Varys reports to Lord Tywin Lannister that he has heard rumors that Stannis is building ships, hiring sellswords, and is bringing a shadowbinder from Asshai.[50]

A Clash of Kings

Melisandre watching the red comet by Marc Simonetti ©

During the War of the Five Kings, the poor lands of Dragonstone give King Stannis too few supporters to engage the Lannisters in battle.[10] Maester Cressen dies after a failed attempt to poison Melisandre, a red priestess serving Stannis, with the strangler.[10] The queen's men sack the sept of Dragonstone so Melisandre can burn the statues of the Seven outside of the castle's gates.[5]

A Storm of Swords

After his defeat at the Battle of the Blackwater, Stannis retreats to Dragonstone with some fifteen hundred men and the ships of Salladhor Saan.[18] Stannis broods in the Stone Drum, refusing to see anyone but Melisandre.[6]

Ser Davos Seaworth is arrested for his plan to kill Melisandre[6] and locked up in the cells of Dragonstone, where he is later joined by Stannis's Hand of the King, Lord Alester Florent.[51] When Davos is brought before Stannis in the Chamber of the Painted Table, he is pardoned and named Hand in Alester's stead.[18] Melisandre wishes to "wake a dragon from stone", insisting she needs to sacrifice Robert's bastard son, Edric Storm, to do so.[12] Davos wonders whether the stone dragons which can be found all over the castle could be real dragons turned to stone.[12] He later prays that they will never come to life.[7]

After Davos urges Stannis to sail for the Wall, presenting him with Maester Aemon's letter asking for aid for the Night's Watch,[7] Stannis sets sail for the north.[52] Ser Rolland Storm, the Bastard of Nightsong, is made castellan for the duration of Stannis's absence.[53]

A Feast for Crows

A giddy Queen Regent Cersei Lannister believes that Stannis has given up and gone into exile.[54] She judges that two thousand Lannister soldiers should be enough to battle the small garrison which Stannis had left behind on Dragonstone, and so keeps them in King's Landing to await the arrival of Lord Paxter Redwyne's ships which will carry them from Blackwater Bay to Dragonstone.[55] Only a few fishing boats remain to defy the Redwyne fleet,[56] and Paxter encamps his men before the walls of the castle and begins the siege of Dragonstone, intending to starve the defenders out.[57]

After the taking of the Shields by the Euron Greyjoy, Ser Loras Tyrell begs Cersei to send word to Dragonstone, as Paxter's fleet is the only one large enough to protect the Reach from the ironborn. Cersei refuses, insisting that Stannis's hold over Dragonstone is a knife at King Tommen I Baratheon's throat, and that the Redwyne fleet will only be released once Dragonstone has fallen. Loras asks Cersei permission to take Dragonstone by storming the walls of the castle, so the Redwyne fleet is no longer needed at the island and can return to the Reach.[57]

Half a day after his arrival, after Rolland refuses to settle the matter by single combat, Loras orders the assault. The castle gates are broken by a ram, and the defenders fall back to an inner keep after the curtain wall falls. Loras leads the attack there as well. Although the Knight of Flowers is successful in taking Dragonstone, he is severely injured in the battle, and remains on Dragonstone, cared for by maesters.[58] Cersei becomes convinced that Aurane Waters wants Dragonstone, but she considers that seat to be too much above Aurane's birth and station.[59]

A Dance with Dragons

Loras remains at Dragonstone, still dying of his wounds.[60] His men search every inch of the castle, but according to Lord Mace Tyrell cannot find any wealth that might have been left behind. Lord Regent Kevan Lannister questions the thoroughness of the search, but thinks Stannis would have taken any wealth before he left.[61]

In the Dothraki sea, Daenerys Targaryen names a hill "Dragonstone", after the citadel she had been born in.[62]

Chapters that take place at Dragonstone

Quotes

Dragons thrive best here on Dragonstone.[9]

Dragonstone was grim beyond a doubt, a lonely citadel in the wet waste surrounded by storm and salt, with the smoking shadow of the mountain at its back.[63]

—thoughts of Cressen

I never asked for Dragonstone. I never wanted it.[63]

Perhaps the old tales were true, and Dragonstone was built with the stones of hell.[51]

—thoughts of Davos Seaworth

A place of dragons and dragonlords, the seat of House Targaryen.[12]

—thoughts of Davos Seaworth

The Valyrians had raised it, after all, and all their works stank of sorcery.[61]

—thoughts of Kevan Lannister

If you look at how the citadel of Dragonstone was built and how in some of its structures the stone was shaped in some fashion with magic... yes, it's safe to say that there's something of Valyrian magic still present.[64]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 The World of Ice & Fire, The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest.
  2. 2.0 2.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 47, Eddard XIII.
  3. A Game of Thrones, Appendix.
  4. A Clash of Kings, Appendix.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 10, Davos I.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 10, Davos II.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 63, Davos VI.
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Fire & Blood, The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC.
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens.
  10. 10.00 10.01 10.02 10.03 10.04 10.05 10.06 10.07 10.08 10.09 10.10 10.11 10.12 10.13 10.14 A Clash of Kings, Prologue.
  11. The World of Ice & Fire, Ancient History: The Doom of Valyria.
  12. 12.00 12.01 12.02 12.03 12.04 12.05 12.06 12.07 12.08 12.09 12.10 12.11 12.12 12.13 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 54, Davos V.
  13. A Dance with Dragons, Epilogue.
  14. The World of Ice & Fire, The Reach: Oldtown.
  15. So Spake Martin: Worldcon Report: Dragonstone's Appearance (August 19, 2011)
  16. 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 16.5 16.6 16.7 Fire & Blood, The Sons of the Dragon.
  17. 17.0 17.1 17.2 Fire & Blood, Three Heads Had the Dragon - Governance Under King Aegon I.
  18. 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 18.4 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 36, Davos IV.
  19. 19.0 19.1 Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown.
  20. 20.0 20.1 Fire & Blood, Aegon's Conquest.
  21. Fire & Blood, Reign of the Dragon - The Wars of King Aegon I.
  22. 22.0 22.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I.
  23. 23.0 23.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I.
  24. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I.
  25. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I.
  26. 26.0 26.1 Fire & Blood, A Surfeit of Rulers.
  27. Fire & Blood, A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade.
  28. 28.0 28.1 Fire & Blood, Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I.
  29. Fire & Blood, Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies.
  30. 30.0 30.1 Fire & Blood, The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Policy, Progeny, and Pain.
  31. 31.0 31.1 31.2 31.3 31.4 Fire & Blood, Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession.
  32. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I.
  33. 33.0 33.1 Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold.
  34. 34.0 34.1 Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant.
  35. 35.0 35.1 Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - The Short, Sad Reign of Aegon II.
  36. Fire & Blood, Aftermath - The Hour of the Wolf.
  37. 37.0 37.1 Fire & Blood, Under the Regents - The Hooded Hand.
  38. Fire & Blood, The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency.
  39. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Maekar I.
  40. 40.0 40.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II.
  41. The World of Ice & Fire, The Fall of the Dragons: The End.
  42. George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Rhaella Targaryen.
  43. 43.0 43.1 43.2 43.3 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 3, Daenerys I.
  44. 44.0 44.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 25, Tyrion VI.
  45. 45.0 45.1 So Spake Martin: The Baratheon Brothers (September 11, 1999)
  46. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 20, Eddard IV.
  47. 47.0 47.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 58, Eddard XV.
  48. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 22, Arya II.
  49. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 49, Eddard XIV.
  50. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 69, Tyrion IX.
  51. 51.0 51.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 25, Davos III.
  52. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 73, Jon X.
  53. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 78, Samwell V.
  54. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 12, Cersei III.
  55. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 16, Jaime II.
  56. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 17, Cersei IV.
  57. 57.0 57.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 32, Cersei VII.
  58. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 36, Cersei VIII.
  59. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 39, Cersei IX.
  60. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 54, Cersei I.
  61. 61.0 61.1 A Dance with Dragons, Epilogue.
  62. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 71, Daenerys X.
  63. 63.0 63.1 A Clash of Kings, Prologue.
  64. So Spake Martin: Asshai.com Interview in Barcelona, July 28, 2012.