Difference between revisions of "Dragonpit"

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==History==
 
==History==
 +
===Construction===
 
Prior to the Dragonpit, a great sept known as the [[Sept of Remembrance]] was built on the Hill of Rhaenys, which was formerly the main sept in [[King's Landing]]. During the [[Faith Militant uprising]], [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor the Cruel]], mounted on [[Balerion]], [[Burning of the Sept of Remembrance|incinerated]] the sept with [[dragonflame]], and later decreed that a large domed structure would be built on the hill for [[House Targaryen]] to house its royal [[dragons]]. Because Maegor had killed all those who had built the [[Red Keep]] to hide its secrets, many fled rather than work on the Dragonpit. Maegor had to use city prisoners, with supervisors from [[Myr]] and [[Volantis]].{{ref|twoiaf|The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}}
 
Prior to the Dragonpit, a great sept known as the [[Sept of Remembrance]] was built on the Hill of Rhaenys, which was formerly the main sept in [[King's Landing]]. During the [[Faith Militant uprising]], [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor the Cruel]], mounted on [[Balerion]], [[Burning of the Sept of Remembrance|incinerated]] the sept with [[dragonflame]], and later decreed that a large domed structure would be built on the hill for [[House Targaryen]] to house its royal [[dragons]]. Because Maegor had killed all those who had built the [[Red Keep]] to hide its secrets, many fled rather than work on the Dragonpit. Maegor had to use city prisoners, with supervisors from [[Myr]] and [[Volantis]].{{ref|twoiaf|The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}}
  
 
After Maegor's death, his successor [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]] continued the constriction of the Dragonpit. The partially constructed Dragonpit was where the marriage rites of the [[Hand of the King]], Lord [[Rogar Baratheon]] of [[Storm's End]] and the [[Regent|Queen Regent]], [[Alyssa Velaryon]] were performed by the [[High Lickspittle|Hign Septon]] during the [[Golden Wedding]] in {{Date|49}}.{{ref|fab|The Year of the Three Brides- 49 AC}}
 
After Maegor's death, his successor [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]] continued the constriction of the Dragonpit. The partially constructed Dragonpit was where the marriage rites of the [[Hand of the King]], Lord [[Rogar Baratheon]] of [[Storm's End]] and the [[Regent|Queen Regent]], [[Alyssa Velaryon]] were performed by the [[High Lickspittle|Hign Septon]] during the [[Golden Wedding]] in {{Date|49}}.{{ref|fab|The Year of the Three Brides- 49 AC}}
  
Construction on the pit was finally completed in {{Date|55}} and a great tourney and melee were held in celebration. Ser [[Lucamore Strong]] was the victor of the melee. {{ref|fab|Birth, Death and Betrayal under Jaehaerys I}}
+
Construction on the pit was finally completed in {{Date|55}} and a great tourney and melee were held in celebration. Ser [[Lucamore Strong]] was the victor of the melee, and was rewarded with a [[Kingsguard|white cloak]].{{ref|fab|Birth, Death and Betrayal under Jaehaerys I}}
  
 +
===First inhabitants===
 
When Balerion returned to [[Westeros]] in {{Date|56}}, Jaehaerys had the dragon confined to the Dragonpit. He also created a new order of seventy-seven warriors, the [[Dragonkeepers]], to guard the royal dragons.{{ref|fab|Birth, Death and Betrayal under Jaehaerys I}} Three younger dragons were sooned housed in the Dragonpit along with Balerion, though Jaehaerys's mount [[Vermithor]] and Queen Alysanne's [[Silverwing]] continued to stay at the Red Keep itself.{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}} By {{Date|72}}, the dragon [[Caraxes]] was considered the fiercest of the young dragons living at the Dragonpit. In {{Date|75}}, Princess [[Alyssa Targaryen]] claimed [[Meleys]] as her mount in the Dragonpit. In {{Date|84}}, Princess [[Saera Targaryen]] attempted to sneak into the Dragonpit, but was caught by the Dragonkeepers and returned to the Red Keep.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny and Pain}} In {{Date|93}}, Prince [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys Targaryen]] claimed Balerion from the Dragonpit.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny and Pain}}
 
When Balerion returned to [[Westeros]] in {{Date|56}}, Jaehaerys had the dragon confined to the Dragonpit. He also created a new order of seventy-seven warriors, the [[Dragonkeepers]], to guard the royal dragons.{{ref|fab|Birth, Death and Betrayal under Jaehaerys I}} Three younger dragons were sooned housed in the Dragonpit along with Balerion, though Jaehaerys's mount [[Vermithor]] and Queen Alysanne's [[Silverwing]] continued to stay at the Red Keep itself.{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}} By {{Date|72}}, the dragon [[Caraxes]] was considered the fiercest of the young dragons living at the Dragonpit. In {{Date|75}}, Princess [[Alyssa Targaryen]] claimed [[Meleys]] as her mount in the Dragonpit. In {{Date|84}}, Princess [[Saera Targaryen]] attempted to sneak into the Dragonpit, but was caught by the Dragonkeepers and returned to the Red Keep.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny and Pain}} In {{Date|93}}, Prince [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys Targaryen]] claimed Balerion from the Dragonpit.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny and Pain}}
  

Revision as of 21:01, 7 October 2020

The Dragonpit sits atop Rhaenys's hill. © Fantasy Flight Games
The Dragonpit has fallen into disuse. © Fantasy Flight Games

The Dragonpit is a huge, cavernous building that sits atop the Hill of Rhaenys in King's Landing.

About

The Targaryens would keep their dragons within the building. Thirty knights could ride abreast into its entrance. No pit dragon ever reached the size of the dragons who were raised before the construction of the building.[1] When living dragons still nested beneath the dome, light would shine through the windows at night. [2]

The Dragonpit's huge dome has collapsed within, and its bronze[3] or iron[1] doors have been sealed for more than a century.[3] It is a ruin, blackened by fire.[4]

History

Construction

Prior to the Dragonpit, a great sept known as the Sept of Remembrance was built on the Hill of Rhaenys, which was formerly the main sept in King's Landing. During the Faith Militant uprising, Maegor the Cruel, mounted on Balerion, incinerated the sept with dragonflame, and later decreed that a large domed structure would be built on the hill for House Targaryen to house its royal dragons. Because Maegor had killed all those who had built the Red Keep to hide its secrets, many fled rather than work on the Dragonpit. Maegor had to use city prisoners, with supervisors from Myr and Volantis.[5]

After Maegor's death, his successor Jaehaerys I Targaryen continued the constriction of the Dragonpit. The partially constructed Dragonpit was where the marriage rites of the Hand of the King, Lord Rogar Baratheon of Storm's End and the Queen Regent, Alyssa Velaryon were performed by the Hign Septon during the Golden Wedding in 49 AC.[6]

Construction on the pit was finally completed in 55 AC and a great tourney and melee were held in celebration. Ser Lucamore Strong was the victor of the melee, and was rewarded with a white cloak.[7]

First inhabitants

When Balerion returned to Westeros in 56 AC, Jaehaerys had the dragon confined to the Dragonpit. He also created a new order of seventy-seven warriors, the Dragonkeepers, to guard the royal dragons.[7] Three younger dragons were sooned housed in the Dragonpit along with Balerion, though Jaehaerys's mount Vermithor and Queen Alysanne's Silverwing continued to stay at the Red Keep itself.[8] By 72 AC, the dragon Caraxes was considered the fiercest of the young dragons living at the Dragonpit. In 75 AC, Princess Alyssa Targaryen claimed Meleys as her mount in the Dragonpit. In 84 AC, Princess Saera Targaryen attempted to sneak into the Dragonpit, but was caught by the Dragonkeepers and returned to the Red Keep.[9] In 93 AC, Prince Viserys Targaryen claimed Balerion from the Dragonpit.[9]

King Jaehaerys I was cremated in the Dragonpit in 103 AC.[10]

Dance of the Dragons

In 129 AC, King Aegon II Targaryen was coronated in the Dragonpit, 's coronation took place in the Dragonpit. According to Grand Maester Munkun, more than a hundred thousand smallfolk were jammed into the Dragonpit, while the court fool Mushroom claims the stone benches were only half-filled.[11]

During the fall of King's Landing, the dragon Sheepstealer landed atop of the Dragonpit.[12]

While Rhaenyra Targaryen ruled the city during the Dance of the Dragons, the Dragonpit housed nine dragons: Caraxes, Vermithor, Silverwing, and Sheepstealer, who eventually flew off to battle, and Shrykos, Morghul, Tyraxes, and Dreamfyre. The Dragonpit became the site of executions of traitors, rebels and murderers. For the price of three pennies, the people of the city were allowed to watch the criminals be beheaded, and their corpses fed to Rhaenyra's dragons.[13] Near the end of Rhaenyra's hold over the city, the five dragons that remained in the city were killed during the Storming of the Dragonpit, when tens of thousands of crazed and starving smallfolk led by the deranged Shepherd stormed the Dragonpit to kill the dragons. All four dragons remaining inside, as well as Rhaenyra's Syrax, were killed in the struggle, as well as thousands of smallfolk. The Dragonpit was reduced to flaming ruins.[14][15]

During the Moon of the Three Kings, the Shepherd held sway over tens of thousands of people from the ruins of the Dragonpit. The heads of the five slain dragons were displayed on posts, between which the Shepherd preached every night.[15] Two days after Lord Borros Baratheon reclaimed the Red Keep in the name of Aegon II, the Shepherd was arrested amidst the ruins of the Dragonpit.[16] After Aegon II returned to the city, he commanded the Dragonpit be restored and rebuilt.[16]

Ruined Dragonpit

Ser Tyland Lannister, the Hand of the King in the first years of Aegon III Targaryen's reign, continued the restoration of the Dragonpit by setting hundreds of stonemasons, carpenters, and builders to work.[17]

By 133 AC, the dragon Morning had made its lair in the ruined Dragonpit.[18]

During the Great Spring Sickness, so many people from King's Landing died so quickly that there was no time to bury the bodies. Instead they were piled up in the Dragonpit, and when the corpses were ten feet deep, the Hand of the King, Lord Brynden Rivers, ordered the pyromancers to burn them. The light of the fires shone through the windows, and by night citizens could see the dark green glow of wildfire all through King's Landing.[19]

King Aerys II Targaryen had wildfire stored underneath the Dragonpit, as part of his wildfire plot during Robert's Rebellion.[20]

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

Aboard the Storm Dancer as she is about to dock in King's Landing, Catelyn Stark takes in the view of King's Landing. Across it she can see atop Rhaenys's Hill the blackened walls of the Dragonpit, its huge dome collapsed in ruin.[3]

A Clash of Kings

Some whores use the Dragonpit as a place to entertain their customers and one of them, along with their patron, falls through the floor. There they find a hidden stash of wildfire, placed by Lord Rossart during Robert's Rebellion.[20]

A Storm of Swords

Aboard the Balerion Arstan Whitebeard tells Daenerys Targaryen a bit about the Dragonpit, where the royal dragons dwelt in days of yore.[1]

A Dance with Dragons

In Meereen, just before attempting to steal Rhaegal and Viserion, Quentyn Martell recalls readings that suggested that the confines of the Dragonpit had slowed the growth of dragons kept there - none of the dragons bred and raised in the Dragonpit had ever approached the size of Vhagar or Meraxes, much less the Black Dread, King Aegon I Targaryen's monster.

Quotes

In King's Landing, your ancestors raised an immense domed castle for their dragons. The Dragonpit, it is called. It still stands atop the Hill of Rhaenys, though all in ruins now. That is where the royal dragons dwelt in days of yore, and a cavernous dwelling it was, with iron doors so wide that thirty knights could ride through them abreast. Yet even so, it was noted that none of the pit dragons ever reached the size of their ancestors. The maesters say it was because of the walls around them, and the great dome above their heads. [1]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 8, Daenerys I.
  2. The Sworn Sword, Legends II, ISBN 978-0345456441.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 18, Catelyn IV.
  4. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 67, Sansa VI.
  5. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I.
  6. Fire & Blood, The Year of the Three Brides- 49 AC.
  7. 7.0 7.1 Fire & Blood, Birth, Death and Betrayal under Jaehaerys I.
  8. Fire & Blood, Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies.
  9. 9.0 9.1 Fire & Blood, The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny and Pain.
  10. Fire & Blood, Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession.
  11. Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens.
  12. Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold.
  13. Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant.
  14. The Princess and the Queen.
  15. 15.0 15.1 Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown.
  16. 16.0 16.1 Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - The Short, Sad Reign of Aegon II.
  17. Fire & Blood, Under the Regents - The Hooded Hand.
  18. Fire & Blood, Under the Regents - The Voyage of Alyn Oakenfist.
  19. The Sworn Sword.
  20. 20.0 20.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 49, Tyrion XI.