The Great Houses

A History of Westeros and the Great Houses

Before the beginning of the story, Westeros was ruled by the Targaryen Dynasty since Aegon's Conquest; a war in which Aegon I Targaryen, later known as Aegon the Conqueror, unified most of Westeros under his rule around three centuries before the events of the story. Aegon and his sister-wives, Visenya and Rhaenys, launched their invasion from Dragonstone with their three dragons; Balerion, Vhagar, and Meraxes. Over roughly two years, they defeated the major kingdoms of Westeros, using both diplomacy and devastation and by the end of the conquest only Dorne remained unconquered, but was later brought into the Seven Kingdoms through a marriage-alliance. Aegon established the Iron Throne in his new capital, King’s Landing, marking the beginning of the Targaryen dynasty, appointing Lord Paramounts to every region of the newly formed Seven Kingdoms.

The Targaryen's ruled until Robert's rebellion, a civil war in Westeros that took place nearly two decades before the events of the story. It began after Prince Rhaegar Targaryen allegedly abducted Lyanna Stark, who was betrothed to Robert Baratheon, the young Lord of Storm's End. Lyanna's brother, Brandon Stark, demanded her return, but King Aerys II Targaryen, known as the “Mad King”, accused Brandon of treason, and had him imprisoned. The Mad King summoned Brandon's father, Lord Rickard Stark, to come to King's Landing to answer for Brandon's treason, where he then executed them both, sparking a massive uprising. The rebellion was led by Robert Baratheon, Jon Arryn, and Rickard's second son, Eddard Stark, with support from House Tully through marriage alliances and, after several major battles, including the Battle of the Trident (where Robert killed Rhaegar), the rebels stormed King’s Landing, which was sacked by Tywin Lannister’s forces. Aerys was killed by his Kingsguard and Tywin's son, Jaime Lannister, ending the Targaryen dynasty, leaving Robert to take the Iron Throne and marking the start of House Baratheon’s rule over the Seven Kingdoms. Aerys' two surviving children, Viserys and Daenerys, were ferried away to Essos, a country east of the Narrow Sea, where Viserys dreams of raising an army and reclaiming his father's kingdom.

During Robert's reign, Balon Greyjoy led the Iron Islands in an uprising against King Robert Baratheon, about six years following Robert's rebellion. Balon declared himself King of the Iron Islands, seeking to restore the Iron Islands' independence, having his forces raid the western coast of Westeros, but the rebellion was quickly crushed by the combined might of the Iron Throne. King Robert’s brother, Stannis Baratheon, led fleets that destroyed much of the Ironborn navy, while Eddard Stark and Robert himself led the land assault on Pyke, the Greyjoy stronghold. During the final assault, Balon’s two older sons were killed, and his last surviving son, Theon Greyjoy, was taken as a hostage and ward by Eddard Stark to ensure Balon’s future loyalty, quelling the Ironborn's defiance to the Iron Throne.