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In the land of Westeros, power struggles and conquest have always defined its history. One of the most famous houses in this realm is House Targaryen, known for their iconic silver hair and the ability to tame and ride dragons. They are also renowned for their audacious attempt to conquer the entirety of Westeros. This article will delve into the history and motives behind the Targaryen’s conquest.
House Targaryen originated from the ancient Valyrian Freehold, a powerful empire that spanned the eastern continent of Essos. Their lineage boasted a long line of dragonlords, who ruled over Valyria atop their mighty dragons. However, due to cataclysmic events, known as the Doom of Valyria, this once great empire was destroyed. It was during this time that Aegon Targaryen, with his sister-wives Visenya and Rhaenys, set their sights on Westeros.
Equipped with three formidable dragons – Balerion, Vhagar, and Meraxes – House Targaryen launched their invasion. Aegon and his sisters landed on the eastern coast of Westeros with an army and began their ruthless subjugation of the Seven Kingdoms. From their ancestral seat on Dragonstone, the Targaryens began their march towards the Iron Throne, the seat of ultimate power.
The Targaryen conquest was marked by battles and alliances. Many houses in Westeros submitted to Aegon’s rule, recognizing the power of dragons and the devastating firepower they possessed. Some houses, however, put up fierce resistance against the Targaryen invaders. Among them was House Stark, the rulers of the North. The Starks fiercely defended their lands, utilizing guerilla tactics and the harsh Northern climate to their advantage. It was said that Aegon himself faced defeat at the hands of House Stark, leading him to forge an alliance with the northern house.
As the Targaryens advanced, Aegon appointed his loyal supporters as Warden of the North, Warden of the East, Warden of the West, and Warden of the South, solidifying their control and ensuring loyalty from these regions. His wives, Visenya and Rhaenys, were instrumental in securing key alliances and establishing peace in the newly conquered territories. Their dragons, along with Aegon’s, created an aura of fear and dominance that forced smaller houses to bend the knee.
Despite the seeming inevitability of Targaryen rule, pockets of resistance persisted. The Dornish, led by Queen Nymeria and Prince Mors Martell, refused to yield to the invaders. Their desert tactics, fierce independence, and knowledge of the harsh Dornish lands made it difficult for the Targaryens to conquer them. In the end, Aegon decided to leave Dorne as an independent kingdom, effectively recognizing their unwavering spirit.
The Targaryen invasion reached its climax as Aegon set his sights on the capital city of King’s Landing. The last remaining major power in Westeros, House Gardener, and their Reach armies stood in fierce opposition. The Targaryens unleashed their dragons, and during the climactic Field of Fire, Aegon demonstrated the full might of his forces. Thousands perished, and House Gardener was no more. Recognizing the inevitability of defeat, other houses quickly surrendered, solidifying Targaryen rule over all of Westeros.
Once the conquest was complete, Aegon forged a new realm, now known as the Seven Kingdoms, with the Targaryens sitting atop the Iron Throne. The Targaryen dynasty would rule for nearly three centuries, until the events chronicled in the beloved “Game of Thrones” series.
In conclusion, House Targaryen’s attempt to conquer Westeros is a legendary tale. Their dragons and unwavering determination allowed them to conquer and unite the Seven Kingdoms under their rule. While their conquest was not without resistance, the Targaryens proved to be a formidable force. The indelible mark they left on Westeros continues to shape the history and power dynamics of this fabled land.
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