The Targaryens, known for their dragons and iconic silver hair, ruled Westeros for nearly 300 years. Their rule was marked not only by great achievements but also by numerous civil wars. While the Dance of the Dragons is the most famous of these internal conflicts, it was far from the only one. The Targaryens faced several other rebellions and wars that shook the foundations of their dynasty. In this blog, we’ll dive into the lesser-known civil wars and conflicts that shaped the Targaryen legacy beyond the Dance of the Dragons.
The Dance of the Dragons: A Quick Recap
The Dance of the Dragons was a devastating civil war between Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen and her half-brother Aegon II. Both claimed the Iron Throne after the death of their father, King Viserys I. This war, fought primarily between dragon-riders, led to massive destruction and the eventual death of almost all Targaryen dragons.
The war ended with Aegon II taking the throne but left the Targaryen family weakened, setting the stage for future conflicts. The Dance is often seen as the beginning of the decline of the Targaryen dynasty, but it was only one of many internal strife events that would continue to plague the family for generations.
The Blackfyre Rebellions
The Blackfyre Rebellions were a series of five civil wars that had a profound impact on the Targaryen dynasty. These rebellions were sparked by a division in the Targaryen family when King Aegon IV, known as “Aegon the Unworthy,” legitimized all of his bastards on his deathbed. One of these bastards, Daemon Blackfyre, was given the ancestral Targaryen sword Blackfyre, symbolizing his claim to the throne.
The First Blackfyre Rebellion
Daemon Blackfyre declared himself king, challenging the rule of his legitimate half-brother, King Daeron II. Supported by many lords, Daemon launched the first rebellion, leading to a brutal civil war. The rebellion ended with Daemon’s death in the Battle of the Redgrass Field, but it set the stage for further conflicts.
Subsequent Blackfyre Rebellions
Despite the death of Daemon, his descendants continued to challenge the Targaryen crown. There were a total of five Blackfyre Rebellions, each posing a serious threat to the stability of Westeros. While each was ultimately unsuccessful, the constant threat of the Blackfyres weakened the Targaryen dynasty over time.
Legacy of the Blackfyre Rebellions
The Blackfyre Rebellions caused a deep division in Westeros, with many noble houses torn between loyalty to the Targaryens or the Blackfyres. These rebellions also introduced key figures like Bittersteel, who founded the mercenary group Golden Company—a faction that played a significant role in later conflicts, including Daenerys Targaryen’s campaign in the TV series.
The First Dornish War
The Targaryens’ attempt to conquer Dorne was one of the most challenging campaigns in their early history. Dorne was the only kingdom in Westeros that remained independent after Aegon’s Conquest.
Key Events
Aegon I Targaryen and his sisters, Visenya and Rhaenys, attempted to subdue Dorne through military force. The war was marked by guerrilla tactics on the Dornish side and the tragic death of Queen Rhaenys during a dragon attack on Sunspear.
Impact on Targaryen-Dornish Relations
Despite their military might, the Targaryens failed to conquer Dorne and eventually resorted to diplomacy. A marriage alliance between the Targaryens and the ruling Martell family eventually brought Dorne into the Seven Kingdoms. The First Dornish War showed that even dragons had their limits.
The Faith Militant Uprising
One of the earliest and most significant internal conflicts faced by the Targaryens was the Faith Militant Uprising. This rebellion was driven by the Faith of the Seven, the dominant religion in Westeros, which opposed the Targaryens’ practice of incestuous marriages.
Maegor the Cruel’s Role
King Maegor the Cruel played a key role in suppressing the Faith Militant. His brutal methods, including the use of dragons, crushed the rebellion but left a legacy of fear and hatred toward the crown. The Faith Militant uprising showed that the Targaryens, despite their dragons, were not immune to religious and political unrest.
The Defiance of Duskendale
The Defiance of Duskendale was a smaller but significant conflict that occurred during the reign of Aegon V. The Lord of Duskendale, Denys Darklyn, took King Aegon V hostage in a bid for more autonomy from the Iron Throne.
Key Events and Outcome
The king was eventually rescued by Ser Barristan Selmy, but the event shook the monarchy. It exposed the vulnerability of the Targaryens and contributed to the growing dissent among the nobility, setting the stage for future rebellions, including Robert’s Rebellion.
The War of the Ninepenny Kings
The War of the Ninepenny Kings was the last of the Blackfyre Rebellions, fought on the Stepstones. The war was led by Maelys Blackfyre, the last of the Blackfyre pretenders, and a group of pirates, mercenaries, and exiles known as the Ninepenny Kings.
Key Figures
Key figures from the future of Westeros, such as Ser Barristan Selmy and Tywin Lannister, rose to prominence during this war. The Targaryens, under the leadership of King Jaehaerys II, successfully defeated the Ninepenny Kings, ending the Blackfyre threat once and for all.
Legacy of Targaryen Civil Wars
The constant civil wars and rebellions during the Targaryen reign gradually eroded their power and prestige. Each conflict, whether it was the Dance of the Dragons or the Blackfyre Rebellions, weakened the royal family, creating divisions that other noble houses would later exploit.
These conflicts paved the way for Robert’s Rebellion, which ultimately toppled the Targaryen dynasty and marked the end of their rule in Westeros. The civil wars within House Targaryen serve as a reminder of how internal divisions can lead to the downfall of even the mightiest of dynasties.
Conclusion
The Targaryen civil wars, from the Dance of the Dragons to the Blackfyre Rebellions, shaped the political landscape of Westeros and led to the eventual downfall of the dynasty. While the Dance of the Dragons is the most famous, the other civil wars were just as critical in weakening House Targaryen. These conflicts serve as a powerful narrative in both Game of Thrones and A Song of Ice and Fire, illustrating the dangers of ambition, pride, and division within a ruling family
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