Hour of the Wolf

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The Hour of the Wolf refers to the six days in 131 AC when Cregan Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North, governed in King's Landing, at the end of the Dance of the Dragons.[1] It is named after the hour of the wolf, which is believed to be the blackest part of nighttime.[2]

History

As the Lads' rivermen and Cregan's northmen approached King's Landing, King Aegon II Targaryen, who had been urged by councillors to surrender and take the black, was found poisoned. Lord Corlys Velaryon sent envoys to bring peace to the realm as Aegon's nephew, Aegon III Targaryen, took the Iron Throne.

Although Lord Cregan had been one of the blacks in opposition to Aegon II and the greens, the vengeful lord sought justice for the poisoned king. Twenty-two men were arrested, including Corlys the Sea Snake and Lord Larys Strong, and the eleven-year-old Aegon III named Cregan his Hand of the King.

Aegon III was convinced by his half-sisters, Baela and Rhaena Targaryen, to restore Corlys to his office. To ensure the edict would stand, Alysanne Blackwood agreed to marry Cregan and Lord Velaryon thus avoided trial.

Nineteen of the remaining accused agreed to take the black, while only Larys Clubfoot and Ser Gyles Belgrave accepted execution. Cregan resigned the day after the executions, having been Hand for only a day. He returned to the North, although not all of his army did. Many were surplus men whose return might cause their families to starve during winter. Widow Fairs in the riverlands helped hundreds of northerners meet women who had lost husbands during the Dance.[1][3][4]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 The World of Ice & Fire, Aegon III.
  2. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 67, The Kingbreaker.
  3. Fire & Blood, Aftermath - The Hour of the Wolf.
  4. Fire & Blood, Under the Regents - The Hooded Hand.