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What Is King’s Landing In House of the Dragon And Game of Thrones?
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Who Has King’s Landing in House of the Dragon?
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How Does King’s Landing Fall In Fire & Blood?
The capital city of King’s Landing sprawls along the northern shore of the Blackwater Rush in the Crownlands. It was named after Aegon the Conqueror’s momentous landing at the mouth of the Blackwater that brought about a major overhaul in the government(s) of the Seven Kingdoms. Aegon and his sister-wives, Visenya and Rhaenys, landed with their small army at the mouth of the river and this strategic placement marked the Targaryens’ presence on the mainland of Westeros.
Aegon had a motte-and-bailey fort constructed atop the tallest of three hills (Aegon’s High Hill) and later, it was torn down to raise the Red Keep, or the royal residence of the Targaryens, which overlooks Blackwater Bay. Everyone who ever wished to rule the Seven Kingdoms must typically rule from the capital which is the most important place in their political geography, and not some island. Rhaenyra Targaryen’s main objective is to wrestle King’s Landing out of the Greens’ clutches in House of the Dragon, and she is successful in Fire & Blood.
What Is King’s Landing In House of the Dragon And Game of Thrones?
King’s Landing is the most populous city in the Seven Kingdoms, and as the capital, the most important decisions are made inside the Red Keep. It is the seat of the Iron Throne, it is burgeoning but, per Olenna Tyrell, smelly and filthy. The Kingsroad overland route, which begins at Storm’s End, connects King’s Landing to the rest of the settlements of the Seven Kingdoms. The area from the capital to the southernmost region of the north (i.e., the Neck) is the main stretch along the Kingsroad, and King’s Landing is the most important destination.
King’s Landing is not the fanciest or cleanest of places, but it is the center of political power and governance, and because of that, people place a great deal of importance on it. It has the royal palace, the Dragonpit (destroyed by the time of Game of Thrones), the Great Sept, the Guildhall of Alchemists, and the boisterous Street of Silk for the rich and the poor. King’s Landing has seven gates as entrances which were built on the orders of Aegon I Targaryen.
Who Has King’s Landing in House of the Dragon?
The false king Aegon II sat the Iron Throne at the beginning of House of the Dragon. He was coronated at dawn in the Dragonpit in the presence of hundreds of Smallfolk. Alicent Hightower made sure that the Princess of Dragonstone, Rhaenyra, was to return under no circumstances. The Greens focussed on securing the capital for themselves, and aimed to relegate Rhaenyra to a pretender’s status.
Aegon held court at the beginning of House of the Dragon season 2, episode 1 “A Son for A Son,” and his lickspittles hailed him as “Aegon the magnanimous.” As he climbed the steps to the Iron Throne, the Smallfolk of King’s Landing aired their grievances, one by one. Aegon held court for a brief period of time until the Battle at Rook’s Rest. His younger brother, Aemond, assumed the title of Prince Regent and Lord Protector of the realm by incapacitating him at Rook’s Rest.
Aegon lies injured and maimed in his bedchambers, while Aemond has the authority since the Battle at Rook’s Rest. Rhaenyra is trapped on the Island of Dragonstone, with the eponymous seat functioning as the center of her government. She raises allies, and sends ravens from Dragonstone, but her status as Queen means naught until King’s Landing falls to her.
How Does King’s Landing Fall In Fire & Blood?
The Blacks are successful in felling the Red Keep once the Greens direct their attention to Harrenhal in the Northwest. The chronology of the events preceding the Fall of King’s Landing goes something like this:
After the Battle of the Gullet, and the Battle of the Honeywine where Prince Daeron atop Tessarion turns the tide in favor of the Greens, Walys Mooton retakes the seaside keep of Rook’s Rest from the Greens. The Greens feel threatened and Aemond and Criston Cole march out to subdue the Riverlands, or in other words, take Harrenhal, which is the key to the region. The Greens are taken aback to find the castle vacant and they declare victory. The Princess of Dragonstone, Rhaenyra along with Daemon, fly above King’s Landing and the city falls to the Blacks.
The Fall of King’s Landing is rather swift, and those who meet their end are Otto Hightower, and Lord Jasper Wylde. Alicent Hightower’s life is spared, while Grand Maester Orwyle is attested in an attempt to dispatch ravens for help. Larys the Clubfoot smuggles Aegon the Elder, and his children Princess Jaehaera and Prince Maelor out of the city. Larys flees with Aegon, while Jaehaera is sent with Ser Willis Fell to Storm’s End, and Maelor to Ser Rickard Thorne to be fostered by Lord Ormund Hightower.
The Sea Snake, Lord Corlys’ ships secure Blackwater Bay, while Daemon opens the city gates to those arriving with the Velaryon fleet. The city fell easily as Daemon was the former Gold Cloaks commander, and most of the force remained loyal to him. Those commanding the seven gates were executed or arrested. Tyland Lannister is tortured into giving up the coin he hid, while Rhaenyra becomes the Queen of the Seven Six Kingdoms. Queen Alicent tries to sue for peace, proposing they divide and rule the territories. Rhaenyra rejects her terms, and plans to subdue Aemond and Daeron next.
The Fall of King’s Landing lies in the future of House of the Dragon, most likely in Season 3.
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