Quick Links
Situated right about at the entrance to the Blackwater Bay, the volcanic island of Dragonstone was colonized by the technologically advanced Valyrians centuries before the Targaryens did Westeros. The Valyrians promoted their territorial and maritime interests in the west by gaining a toehold in the Gullet. They build an eponymous solid stone castle on this island using arcane magic. Dragonstone is neighbored by the Island of Driftmark, where House Velaryon of Valyria rules. Sworn to Dragonstone, the Velaryons are the oldest allies of the Targaryens and a maritime hegemon inHouse of the Dragon.
The Valyrians utilized intense fires and sorcery to swirl and twist solid stones in any direction. The towers of Dragonstone were made to look like great stone dragons and their entrances were like the heads of dragons. The dragonlord Aenar Targaryen relocated his family, household, slaves, and five dragons to Dragonstone twelve years beforethe Doom of Valyria. His four dragons died but Balerion survived, and two dragon eggs hatched into Meraxes and Vhagar. These were the mere beginnings of House Targaryen, which grew prosperous as the Dragonlords of Valyrian Freehold were wiped out by cataclysmic doom. Dragonstone currently serves as Rhaenyra’s seat inHouse of the Dragon, but its fall marks her end in lore.
Who Has Dragonstone InHouse of the Dragon?
The Targaryens settled on mainland Westeros after the Conquest, and Dragonstone was reserved as the seat of the heir apparent to the Iron Throne. This explains why Daemon rebels and fortifies Dragonstone afterViserys names Rhaenyra heirinHouse of the Dragon. Later in the story, Rhaenyra establishes herself on Dragonstone and Viserys holds the throne in King’s Landing. She remains the Princess of Dragonstone until Viserys' death. Her eldest, Jacaerys, would have been the Prince of Dragonstone if it wasn’t for the Greens coup.Alicent Hightower sends her emissaries, led by Otto Hightower, with Maester Orwyle in the background, with terms of surrender to Rhaenyra at the gates of Dragonstone. Alicent tries to ensure Rhaenyra stays put at Dragonstone, telling her father, Otto, that she shouldn’t be allowed to enter King’s Landing:
Then she [Rhaenyra] must not return.
Rhaenyra summons her allies to Dragonstone, where she is surrounded by Maestersand the Dragonkeepers. Her dragon Syrax lairs at the Dragonmont, as do the riderless Silverwing and Vermithor of the Red Sowing. Being the claimant to the Iron Throne, Rhaenyra has fortified Dragonstone, while the Velaryon fleet guards its waters. She arranges for her “gifts” i.e., rowboats loaded with food sent to the starving population of King’s Landing. The Velaryon blockade imposed on the Gullet as an instrument of war is a testament to House Velaryons' dominant navy, sworn to Dragonstone.
Dragonstone and its neighboring Driftmark are just the two strategic islands in Blackwater Bay. Inthe Fall of King’s Landinglies the pivotal contest for the former’s control.
Dragonstone Falls To Aegon II
If Rhaenyra is to be Queen, she has to leave Dragonstone for King’s Landing. She is preparing to take her throne, with armies on the march across the realm. InFire & Blood, Rhaenyra becomes the Half-Year Queen after taking advantage of the Greens' march to Harrenhal. She swiftly takes King’s Landing and the Smallfolk are happy with the regime change. Rhaenyra proves to be more of the same and the Smallfolk turn against her. The last nail in the coffin of Rhaenyra’s fall is when the Begging Brother Shepherd incites a mob into violence against the Targaryen dragons after Queen Helaena dies by suicide. During the riots in the city, the Shepherd leads the mob to kill the remaining dragons atthe Dragonpit of King’s Landing. House Targaryen loses Tyraxes, Morghul, Dreamfyre, and Shrykos in the dastardly event and Syrax in the aftermath.
Following this, Rhaenyra’s councilors advise her to flee King’s Landing. She leaves with her son, Aegon the Younger/ Prince Aegon, unbeknownst that her stronghold has fallen to Aegon II/ Aegon the Elder.
The Fall Of Dragonstone InFire & Blood
As the Blacks arrive at King’s Landing, Larys Strong helps Aegon II flee and entrusts him in the care of a knight of his Kingsguard, Ser Marston Waters. Aegon and Ser Marston seek refuge in Dragonstone, where they capitalize on the anti-incumbency sentiment. Aegon II reunites with Sunfyre and is able to take Dragonstone because of the betrayerSer Alfred Broome. Ser Marston’s so-called cousins, the two Toms, Tanglebeard and Tangletongue, assist them in every way possible. Dragonstone’s senior-most knight, Ser Alfred, had hoped to be named the castellan of Dragonstone once Queen Rhaenyra left for King’s Landing, but she appointed Ser Robert Quince instead. Ser Alfred’s men open the secondary gate of Dragonstone to Aegon II’s men. Those who defect to the Greens overthrow Ser Robert, and Marston Waters personally drives a spear into him. Marston Waters also blocks Grand Maester Gerardys' attempts to send ravens out, thereby placing an embargo on the critical news of the coup. Baela Targaryen is able to get to her dragon, Moondancer, and rises to challenge Aegon II and Sunfyre in a duel that takes place above the castle’s yard.
Sunfyre blasts Moondancerin a pre-dawn aerial duel, and they crash to the ground. Sunfyre’s injuries worsen and Aegon loses the ability to walk. Baela, injured and burned, is imprisoned in Dragonstone’s dungeons. Ser Alfred ends up selling Rhaenyra to the Greens for lordship, lands, and wealth, and Aegon II awaits the right moment.
Ser Alfred and his men escort Rhaenyra and her Queenguard to the castle. She learns of Ser Alfred’s treachery through Ser Robert’s burnt remains that hang from the battlements alongside the steward, master-at-arms, captain of the guards, and a bisected torso of Gerardys.Aegon II feeds Rhaenyra to Sunfyrein the presence of her son, Aegon the Younger. Ser Alfred suggests killing the Prince, but Aegon takes him as a hostage and prepares to return to King’s Landing.
House of the Dragon:Changes From The Books
Aegon II and Larys Strong have fled to EssosinHouse of the Dragon, while Rhaenyra is yet to take King’s Landing. Ser Alfred Broome serves on Rhaenyra’s Black Council and whispers to Daemon that he is fitting for the role of a King.House of the Dragonhas taken a different direction with Aegon II and Ser Alfred, which are crucial to the Fall of Dragonstone. Aegon II is expected to return, butSunfyre the Golden is dead.
House of the Dragon
House of the Dragon is HBO’s prequel series to Game of Thrones. Set hundreds of years earlier, the show follows the inner machinations and rivalries of the Targaryen royal family. The show was created by Ryan Condal and George R.R. Martin, and stars Matt Smith, Emma D’Arcy, Rhys Ifans, and Olivia Cooke.
