Following the success of House of the Dragon, HBO is eager to expand its Westeros universe. With a sprawling history and vast potential, the network continues to explore new ideas for the beloved Game of Thrones franchise. Among the many possibilities, the Targaryens and their dragons have emerged as important elements of the world. In line with this, HBO is now in talks to develop a new prequel series centered around Aegon’s Conquest, a significant event in the Game of Thrones lore.
There isn’t much information available about this plan yet, as it’s still in the early stages. However, there are rumors that this prequel could be the franchise’s first movie. The details of the series are not finalized yet. Also, no creators or actors have been announced, but fans can already start imagining what the story might be. Aegon’s conquest holds great significance in the history of Westeros. Becuse, it led to the creation of the Iron Throne, the rise of the Targaryen family, and the unification of Westeros (excluding Dorne) into a one kingdom. The events of Aegon’s conquest are depicted in George R. R. Martin’s novel Fire & Blood, providing a general storyline that can be adapted by HBO, even if they decide to make some alterations.
How Did Aegon Targaryen Become King of the Seven Kingdoms?
In House of the Dragon season 1, episode 10 “The Black Queen,” Daemon Targaryen makes the ironic statement that dreams didn’t make Targaryen kings but dragons did. However, this quote contradicts their own history, as it was Daenys’ prophetic dream that initially saved House Targaryen. Additionally, it is widely known that Aegon the Conqueror himself had a dream where he believed that a Targaryen must sit on the Iron Throne to save “the world of men.”
Aegon’s conquest happened many years prior to the events in House of the Dragon. But it focuses on the same family, the Targaryens. Before the downfall of Old Valyria, the Targaryens settled in Dragonstone but had little power in Westeros. However, they were dragon riders. Aegon Targaryen married both his sisters, Visenya (for duty) and Rhaenys (for love, as indicated by historical records).
From a young age, Aegon gained experience in battle and played a crucial role in bringing peace to Essos, riding the fearsome dragon Balerion, also known as the Black Dread. However, Aegon was not the sole dragon rider, as his sister-wives each had their own dragons. Visenya commanded Vhagar (yes, you already seen her), while Rhaenys rode Meraxes. With their triumph in Essos, Aegon’s focus shifted to Westeros, a land that had always captivated him. The Seven Kingdoms were fragmented and engaged in constant conflicts, but Aegon and his wives devised a plan to change the course of history.
King Torrhen Stark ruled the North. Queen Regent Sharra Arryn governed the Vale on behalf of her son Ronnel Arryn. King Harren Hoare held dominion over the Iron Islands and the Riverlands. While King Loren Lannister ruled the Westerlands. King Mern Gardener governed the Reach and King Argilac Durrandon commanded the Stormlands, and Princess Meria Martell ruled over Dorne. Aegon, before embarking on his conquest, commissioned the Painted Table, a wooden map depicting the Seven Kingdoms. The table, featured in Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon. It is portraying Westeros as a unified land, reflecting Aegon’s perspective of the continent.
Aegon’s sister-wives, Visenya and Rhaenys, along with his rumored half-brother, Orys Baratheon, supported him closely. In addition, Aegon established alliances with minor houses, including Massey, Velaryon, Bar Emmon, and Celtigar. Aegon himself claimed Balerion, the largest dragon, while Visenya rode Vhagar (Aemond Targaryen’s mount in HOTD) and Rhaenys rode Meraxes. These three dragons were the only ones left after the Doom of Valyria, and Aegon brought them with him to Westeros.
Aegon’s Landing And Ending of Harren Hoare’s Line
Aegon and Harren Hoare, the King of the Islands and the Rivers, had an argument. The dispute was caused by Aegon’s refusal to marry Harren’s daughter. Instead, Aegon offered his friend and rumored half-brother, Orys Baratheon, as a replacement.
Offended by Aegon’s refusal, Harren reacted by cruelly severing the hands of the envoy. This act triggered a series of events that would reshape history. Aegon, in response, dispatched letters to all the rulers in the Seven Kingdoms, boldly proclaiming himself as the sole King. Despite having only a small number of loyal supporters, he demanded they bend the knee. Aegon was presented with an offer from the Princess of Dorne to support his campaign against the Storm King, but she refused to bend the knee. Aegon rejected this compromise. Similarly, the Queen Regent of the Vale proposed an alliance rather than pledging loyalty to Aegon, which was also turned down. As a result of these responses, the stage was set for an unavoidable war.
Aegon, Visenya, and Rhaenys landed on the Westeros mainland at the mouth of the Blackwater Rush, where they constructed a fort that later evolved into the illustrious city of King’s Landing. Despite their limited forces of less than 1,600 men, they secured the support of houses Velaryon, Celtigar, and Massey, both of which were Valyrian houses. However, Dragons played a crucial role in swaying people to join their cause.
The Houses nearby quickly joined Aegon’s side, with only a few threats. The first battle happened when the lords of Duskendale and Maidenpool teamed up against Aegon. Orys Baratheon led the troops, and Aegon came down from the sky on his dragon. After the lords’ deaths, the houses agreed to support Aegon. Aegon was crowned as king, but he still had opponents to deal with.
Field Of Fire And Submission Of The Vale
At the same time, Visenya successfully claimed Crackclaw Point for Aegon. However, the most significant battle, known as the Field of Fire, was still ahead. It was during this battle that all three dragons were unleashed on the battlefield. Despite Aegon’s smaller army, they managed to defeat the combined forces of House Lannister and House Gardener, which totaled fifty-five thousand soldiers. The battle took place in the open plains south of the Blackwater Rush.
Although the Targaryen forces initially faced difficulties, they ultimately emerged victorious thanks to the overwhelming power of Aegon’s three dragons. These mighty creatures unleashed their fiery breath upon the enemy ranks, leaving Aegon’s foes helpless. The Battle of the Field of Fire shares similarities with Daenerys’ ambush on the Goldroad in “Game of Thrones” Season 7, Episode 4. House Gardener suffered heavy losses, while Loren Lannister managed to escape the battlefield. However, he was captured the next day and chose to submit to Aegon’s rule.
As a result of the Field of Fire, the Lannisters lost their kingdom and were stripped of their power. Loren Lannister was appointed as Lord of Casterly Rock and Warden of the West, while House Tyrell was granted control over the Reach. Aegon then redirected his focus towards capturing Oldtown, the Arbor, and Dorne. However, his plans were interrupted when he received news of the approaching King in the North, Torrhen Stark. Rather than engaging in battle, Torrhen chose to surrender and submitted to Aegon’s rule, symbolizing his submission by laying the crown of the Kings of Winter at Aegon’s feet.
The Targaryen descendants continued to hold the position of Wardens and oversee the North, just like Ned Stark in the show “Game of Thrones.” With the majority of the Seven Kingdoms defeated. Sharra Arryn decided to surrender when she witnessed her son, Ronnel, sitting on Visenya’s lap in the inner courtyard of the Eyrie. Ronnel even had the opportunity to ride a dragon, and as a result, the Vale came under Aegon’s control.
Dorne Remains Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken
Dorne, the final of the Seven Kingdoms, managed to resist Aegon’s Conquest. Rhaenys flew to various castles including Vaith and Godsgrace, only to find them empty. At Planky Town, she encountered women and children, and eventually arrived at Sunspear, the stronghold of House Martell. There, she had a conversation with the elderly Princess of Dorne, Meria Martell, within the deserted castle. Despite Rhaenys’ attempt to persuade her, Meria Martell of Dorne refused tofight and kneel to Rhaenys. She firmly reminded Rhaenys of the Martell motto, “Unbent, Unbowed, Unbroken.” Rhaenys departed and warned that she would return with fire and blood. As a result, Dorne remained unyielding and unconquered throughout the duration of Aegon’s Conquest, even though Aegon held the position of king on the Iron Throne.
Aftermath
Aegon earned the title “Aegon the Conqueror” for his deeds and governed Westeros until his death. Using the fiery breath of Balerion, he melded his enemies’ swords into the iconic Iron Throne. Yet, after bringing most of Westeros under his rule, Aegon faced the ongoing challenge of maintaining unity. While the presence of dragons served as a deterrent, he also had to accommodate the Faith of the Seven, the predominant religion in the realm. Aegon engaged in prolonged conflicts with Dorne and ultimately succeeded in subjugating the Iron Islands.
While Aegon was unable to conquer Dorne, he declared himself the King of the Seven Kingdoms and established the Iron Islands as a separate kingdom. Throughout history, Aegon is respected and rumored to possess the visionary qualities associated with the Targaryens. Although there are gaps in the story that could be explored in a show, such as House of the Dragon, if the new project follows the precedent set by its predecessor, it is expected to be highly satisfying.
