The Dance of the Dragons was a brutal Targaryen civil war that split the royal house and reshaped the Seven Kingdoms. It pitted Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, the named heir of King Viserys I, against her younger half-brother Aegon II, who was crowned in her place after the king’s death. This bloody conflict, filled with betrayals, dragonfire, and political intrigue, marked the beginning of the decline of House Targaryen’s power.
Origins of the Conflict
The seeds of the Dance were sown long before Viserys I passed. Though he publicly declared Rhaenyra his heir and kept her in court, his remarriage to Alicent Hightower produced sons, including Aegon. The factions forming around both children slowly evolved into two rival courts.
- The Blacks: Supporters of Rhaenyra, named for her house colours. Key allies included House Velaryon, Princess Rhaenys, and Daemon Targaryen.
- The Greens: Loyal to Aegon II and his mother Alicent. They drew strength from the Hightowers, Ser Criston Cole, and much of the court in King’s Landing.
The Claimants: Rhaenyra vs Aegon II
- Rhaenyra Targaryen: Groomed from childhood to rule, Rhaenyra was intelligent, proud, and politically savvy. Her claim was legal and based on her father’s repeated proclamations.
- Aegon II Targaryen: Crowned by surprise after Viserys died, Aegon was backed by powerful nobles who feared a woman on the throne. He was a capable warrior but lacked the political grace of his sister.
Both had dragons, both had blood rights, and both refused to yield.
Dragons at War
The conflict marked the first and only time in Westeros that dragons fought one another in great numbers. The devastation was catastrophic.
Notable dragons involved:
- Syrax (Rhaenyra)
- Caraxes (Daemon)
- Sunfyre (Aegon II)
- Vhagar (Aemond)
- Meleys (Rhaenys)
- Vermax, Arrax, Moondancer, Seasmoke and others
Cities burned. Castles crumbled. Dragonpit in King’s Landing was stormed and destroyed. By the war’s end, nearly all Targaryen dragons were dead.
Major Events and Battles
The Green Coup
Upon Viserys I’s death, the Greens moved swiftly to crown Aegon II. Rhaenyra, who had been kept uninformed, was still recovering from childbirth on Dragonstone.
Storm’s End and the Death of Lucerys
Rhaenyra’s son Lucerys flew to Storm’s End to seek Baratheon support but found Aemond already there. After a confrontation, Aemond chased Lucerys and Arrax into a storm. Vhagar killed both, escalating the war beyond return.
The Battle at Rook’s Rest
One of the earliest large-scale confrontations. Rhaenys and Meleys fought against Aegon and Aemond. Though Meleys nearly won, she was overwhelmed. Rhaenys died, and Aegon was badly burned.
The Taking of King’s Landing
Rhaenyra eventually captured the capital and was crowned. Her rule, however, was short-lived. Political instability, harsh punishments, and betrayals weakened her grip.
The Fall of Rhaenyra
Driven from the capital by mobs and abandoned allies, she fled to Dragonstone. There, betrayed by her half-brother Aegon’s forces, she was fed to Sunfyre while her son watched.
Aftermath and Legacy
Though Aegon II won the war, he ruled for only a few more years. Wounded, bitter, and increasingly unstable, he was poisoned by his own councillors. The throne passed to Rhaenyra’s son Aegon III, who witnessed much of the horror and developed a deep hatred of dragons.
The long-term consequences were severe:
- The death of nearly every dragon in Westeros.
- A shaken faith in Targaryen rule.
- Fewer magical creatures, and a more fractured nobility.
The Targaryens never fully recovered. The war destroyed their mystique and cost them the loyalty of many great houses.
Historical Reflection
The Dance of the Dragons is often seen as a cautionary tale. It showed the danger of dynastic politics, the fragility of royal succession, and the terrifying consequences of turning weapons of mass destruction against each other.
Even in the world of fire and blood, no family was immune to civil war. The dragons tore themselves apart, and the realm bled for it.
Suggested Viewing and Reading
- House of the Dragon (HBO) – Dramatized retelling based on George R. R. Martin’s writings.
- Fire and Blood by George R. R. Martin – The most complete textual account of the conflict.
- The World of Ice & Fire – Contextual background on the Targaryen dynasty and the era.
