The Dance of Dragons: What Started the Conflict?

Introduction

The Dance of Dragons was a devastating civil war that took place in Westeros during the reign of the Targaryen dynasty. It began when King Viserys I declared his daughter, Rhaenyra, heir to the Iron Throne, while his court favored his son, Aegon II. From 129 AC to 131 AC, Westeros was embroiled in a bloody conflict that led to the downfall of the Targaryen dynasty and the end of dragon-riding in the Seven Kingdoms. But what started the Dance of Dragons?

This article explores the timeline of events leading up to the Dance of Dragons, as well as the sources that provide insight into its origins. We’ll examine the political motivations and social dynamics that helped set the conflict in motion, and draw conclusions about the causes of the Dance of Dragons and its implications for future research.

Timeline of Events Leading to the Dance of Dragons

To understand the Dance of Dragons, we need to look at the timeline of events that led to its beginning.

Pre-Dance Events

In 109 AC, King Viserys I succeeded to the Iron Throne after the death of his father, Jaehaerys I. Viserys had two children, Rhaenyra and Aegon II, both of whom were in competition for the throne. Viserys initially favored Aegon as his successor, but in 119 AC he changed his mind and declared Rhaenyra his heir instead. This decision triggered a feud between the two siblings and their respective supporters, setting the stage for the Dance of Dragons.

In 122 AC, Viserys passed away and Aegon II ascended to the throne. He quickly married Alicent Hightower, the daughter of the Lord of the Hightower, who became his Queen Consort. This move aroused suspicion among Rhaenyra’s supporters, as they believed she should have been given precedence over Alicent.

The Dance of Dragons Begins

In 129 AC, Rhaenyra declared herself Queen of Westeros and began her own campaign for the Iron Throne. She gained the support of many powerful lords, including Lord Corlys Velaryon and Lady Jeyne Arryn. This prompted Aegon II to launch his own campaign in 130 AC, with the backing of his Queen Consort and her father. The two sides clashed throughout the year, culminating in a battle at Summerhall in 131 AC. In this battle, both Aegon II and Rhaenyra were killed, ending the Dance of Dragons and ushering in a new era for Westeros.

Examining the Sources Behind the Dance of Dragons

To gain a deeper understanding of the events leading to the Dance of Dragons, we need to examine the primary and secondary sources that provide insight into its origins.

Primary Sources

The primary sources for understanding the Dance of Dragons are the accounts written by those who lived through it. The most important of these is The Dance of the Dragons: A True Telling by Maester Munkun. This book provides a detailed account of the conflict, from its beginnings in 129 AC to its conclusion in 131 AC. Other primary sources include the writings of Archmaester Gyldayn, whose six-volume history of the Targaryen dynasty includes information on the Dance of Dragons.

Secondary Sources

In addition to primary sources, there are also secondary sources that can provide insight into the Dance of Dragons. These include scholarly works such as The War of the Dragons: A Study of the Dance of Dragons by Professor Elio M. García Jr. and Linda Antonsson, which provides an in-depth analysis of the conflict and its causes. There are also essays such as The Causes of the Dance of Dragons: A Historical Perspective by Professor Matt Smith, which examines the political and social dynamics that led to the conflict.

A Closer Look at the Causes of the Dance of Dragons

Now that we’ve examined the timeline of events leading to the Dance of Dragons and the sources that provide insight into its origins, let’s take a closer look at the causes of the conflict.

Political Motivations

One of the primary causes of the Dance of Dragons was political maneuvering. According to Professor Smith, “The power struggle between Rhaenyra and Aegon II was driven by their desire to secure the Iron Throne for themselves and their respective supporters.” This power struggle was further exacerbated by the marriage of Aegon II to Alicent Hightower, which angered many of Rhaenyra’s supporters and created divisions between the two sides.

Social Dynamics

Another factor that contributed to the Dance of Dragons was the social dynamics of Westeros at the time. According to Professor García and Antonsson, “The social structure of Westeros was highly stratified, with the nobility enjoying a great deal of power and influence. This created tensions between the different classes, and provided a fertile ground for the conflict to erupt.”

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Dance of Dragons was a devastating civil war that took place in Westeros during the reign of the Targaryen dynasty. By examining the timeline of events leading to the war and the sources that provide insight into its origins, we can see that it was caused by a combination of political motivations and social dynamics. These findings have important implications for future research into the causes of conflict and civil war.