The Dance of the Dragons began with a coup that defined the early stages of the conflict. The Greens, led by Queen Alicent Hightower and her allies, seized control of King’s Landing after the death of King Viserys I. Their success was built on secrecy, calculated planning, and swift consolidation of power within the capital.
Background
For years King Viserys I had declared his daughter Rhaenyra as heir. However, his second wife Alicent and her faction, later known as the Greens, worked to advance the claim of her son Aegon. When Viserys died in 129 AC, the Greens acted quickly to crown Aegon before Rhaenyra could respond from Dragonstone.
Secrecy and First Moves
Viserys’s death was kept hidden for several days within the Red Keep. During this time, the Greens:
- Secured the treasury and key offices.
- Brought the City Watch (Gold Cloaks) under their command.
- Confined or executed supporters of Rhaenyra in the capital.
- Arranged Aegon’s coronation in the Dragonpit.
By controlling information, they denied Rhaenyra any chance to rally her allies before Aegon’s claim was presented as fait accompli.
Forces in the Capital
| Force / Group | Estimated Numbers | Allegiance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| City Watch (Gold Cloaks) | 2,000–3,000 | Greens | Loyal to Criston Cole and Otto Hightower. |
| Kingsguard | 4 (of 7) | Greens | Criston Cole, Arryk Cargyll among them. |
| Household Guard | c. 500 | Greens | Sworn to Red Keep and royal family. |
| Black Sympathisers | Minimal in city | Blacks | Many arrested or fled before the coronation. |
Leaders and Factions
| Name | Role / Title | Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Queen Alicent Hightower | Widow of Viserys I | The political heart of the Greens. |
| Ser Criston Cole | Lord Commander of the Kingsguard | Gave martial strength and legitimacy. |
| Otto Hightower | Hand of the King | Directed the coup and secured allies. |
| Lord Larys Strong | Master of Whisperers (unofficial) | Used spies and informants to neutralise opposition. |
| Aegon II Targaryen | Crowned King | The figurehead whose coronation made the coup irreversible. |
Arms and Armour
The seizure of King’s Landing relied on intimidation rather than open battle. Yet the visible presence of armed men reinforced control.
- Gold Cloaks: Spears, short swords, shields with the crown sigil.
- Kingsguard: Full plate, longswords, white cloaks symbolising royal legitimacy.
- Ser Criston Cole: Armed with a warhammer and longsword.
- Household Guard: Arming swords, crossbows, and defensive armour for palace security.
The Coronation of Aegon II
The Greens bypassed tradition by crowning Aegon in the Dragonpit rather than the Great Sept.
- Crown Used: The Conqueror’s crown of Aegon I.
- Symbolism: Placed on his head by Ser Criston Cole.
- Effect: A large crowd witnessed the act, giving it a veneer of legitimacy in the eyes of the city.
Regional Allegiances at the Takeover
At the moment of King Viserys’s death and Aegon II’s coronation, the realm was divided. The Greens held the capital and Crownlands, but Rhaenyra retained strength in Dragonstone and beyond.
| Region / House | Allegiance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Crownlands (King’s Landing) | Greens | Controlled the Iron Throne, treasury, and City Watch. |
| House Hightower (Oldtown) | Greens | Alicent’s family, powerful in the Reach. |
| House Lannister (Casterly Rock) | Greens | Ser Tyland Lannister managed the royal treasury. |
| House Baratheon (Storm’s End) | Greens | Lord Borros Baratheon declared for Aegon. |
| House Velaryon (Driftmark) | Blacks | Allied to Rhaenyra through her marriage. |
| House Stark (Winterfell) | Blacks | Sworn to Rhaenyra’s cause, though distant from the capital. |
| House Arryn (Vale of Arryn) | Blacks | Long-standing allies of Rhaenyra’s line. |
| House Tully (Riverrun) | Blacks | Supported Rhaenyra through political ties. |
| House Hightower allies in the Reach | Mixed | Some sworn houses leaned Green due to Oldtown’s influence. |
This division meant that although the Greens controlled King’s Landing, they faced the prospect of war with many of the realm’s great houses.
Battle Timeline: The Seizure of King’s Landing
- 129 AC, early: Death of King Viserys I.
- Next 3 days: Death concealed, plans drawn by Otto Hightower.
- Day 4: Gold Cloaks sworn to the Greens, Rhaenyra’s supporters silenced.
- Day 6: Aegon II crowned in the Dragonpit with the Conqueror’s crown.
- Day 7: News spreads across the realm, Rhaenyra informed on Dragonstone.
Contemporary Quotes
- “The bells tolled for the boy, not the king’s daughter. So it was that the city bent knee before Aegon.”
- “The Queen’s House moved in silence, yet in that silence, every loyal voice was stifled.”
Legacy
The Greens’ seizure of King’s Landing is remembered as a bold and ruthless coup. By acting swiftly, they claimed the Iron Throne and the capital’s resources. Yet in bypassing Rhaenyra’s claim, they sparked a conflict that would see dragons turned against each other and the realm plunged into ruin.
The coup gave the Greens their initial advantage, but it also ensured that the Dance of the Dragons would be a war without compromise.
