Dance of the Dragons

Lore & Background

The seeds of conflict were sown during the reign of Viserys I, who named his daughter Rhaenyra as heir despite traditional laws favoring male successors. Upon his death, Queen Alicent Hightower declared her son Aegon II the true king, supported by powerful families like the Hightowers and Lannisters. This schism forced lords across Westeros to choose sides based on loyalty, marriage alliances, or fear of dragonfire. The war was characterized by brutal aerial combat between dragonriders.

Major battles occurred at locations like Tumbleton, Rook's Rest and the Gullet. The fighting was often personal as much as political. Rhaenyra was betrayed and executed by Aegon II, who had his dragon Sunfyre burn her alive; the war continued until the Greens' last army was annihilated at the Battle of the Kingsroad and Aegon II was assassinated by his own men, after which Rhaenyra's son was crowned King Aegon III. However, the realm paid a terrible price.

The loss of so many dragons meant House Targaryen could no longer rely on them to enforce their rule, weakening their grip on the Iron Throne for centuries to come.

Reader's Guide

The conflict began when King Viserys I died and his widow's faction crowned her son Aegon instead of his chosen heir, Rhaenyra. His second wife, Queen Alicent Hightower, claimed her son Aegon II was the true ruler by traditional male primogeniture laws. This division split the realm into two camps: the Blacks supporting Rhaenyra and the Greens backing Aegon. Violence escalated quickly as both sides sought to secure allies and dragonriders.

Battles were fought across Westeros, from the Riverlands to Dragonstone. The war was unique in history because it featured dragons fighting against other dragons in aerial combat, a terrifying spectacle that devastated the countryside. The war ended after Aegon II, having executed Rhaenyra, was assassinated by his own men, and Rhaenyra's son Aegon the Younger was crowned King Aegon III. However, the cost was immense.

Dozens of knights, lords, and dragons perished. The population of dragons dwindled significantly, marking the beginning of their eventual extinction as a military force.

Did You Know?

• Many great castles and strongholds were burned or destroyed during the fighting across Westeros.
• The war resulted in the death of several major dragonriders, including key members of House Velaryon.