Duskendale

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Duskendale
large port town
DuskendaleMichael Komarck.jpg
Duskendale. Art by Michael Komarck.
Location Westeros, Crownlands, Blackwater Bay
Government House Rykker, Feudal Lord
Religion Faith of the Seven
Notable places Dun Fort, Seven Swords
The crownlands and the location of Duskendale
The crownlands and the location of Duskendale
Duskendale
The crownlands and the location of Duskendale

Duskendale is a large port town off the coast of Blackwater Bay. It is located northeast of King's Landing and Rosby in the crownlands. Formerly ruled by the Darklyns, it is now the seat of House Rykker.

Description

The town spreads out around the harbor and has cobbled streets. The gatehouse opens to a market square. The castle of House Rykker that overlooks the port is the Dun Fort, a squat square stone castle with big drum towers. The largest inn in Duskendale is the Seven Swords, across from which lives a skilled painter, the sister of the captain of the gatehouse.[1]

South of the town is a rocky headland that shelters the harbor from the storms of the narrow sea and north of it rise chalk cliffs. A road runs beside the shore between the grey-green sea and low limestone hills. Fishing villages dot the road for miles.[1]

History

Hundred Kingdoms

During the Hundred Kingdoms[2] the ancient Dun Fort of Duskendale was the seat of kings of the First Men from House Darklyn.[1] They sometimes claimed the mouth of the Blackwater Rush[3] and Crackclaw Point,[4] but were unable to consolidate control. During the Andal invasion, the Darklyn king at Duskendale forced Togarion Bar Emmon to abandon the northern Blackwater for Massey's Hook.[5]

At times the town has been ruled by the Storm Kings of House Durrandon;[6] for instance, Monfryd I Durrandon seized Duskendale and Maidenpool after defeating petty Darklyn and Mooton kings.[7] Benedict II Justman, King of the Trident, added Duskendale to the realm of House Justman during his reign.[8]

A few generations before the Conquest, Halleck Hoare, King of the Isles and the Rivers, extended the domain of House Hoare east to Duskendale and Rosby.[3]

Crownlands

At the start of Aegon the Conqueror's War of Conquest, Lords Darklyn and Mooton were slain battling Aegon, who was atop Balerion, and Orys Baratheon. When Lord Darklyn's son surrendered Duskendale, Visenya Targaryen took much of the town's wealth but left it undamaged.[3] Duskendale became part of the new crownlands sworn to the Iron Throne, and King's Landing began to surpass the older town during the reign of Aegon I.[9]

In 129 AC, King Aegon II Targaryen's forces easily sacked Duskendale, burned the harbor, and beheaded the Darklyn who was lord at the time. This marked the start of the greens' offensive in the Dance of the Dragons. Later in the civil war, Lady Meredyth Darklyn was convinced by Ser Harrold Darke to briefly let Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen stay within Duskendale.[10]

During the Defiance of Duskendale in 277 AC, King Aerys II was held captive within Duskendale by Lord Denys Darklyn, who hoped to win more autonomy for the town.[2] After Ser Barristan Selmy managed to rescue the king, House Darklyn was destroyed by King Aerys and Tywin Lannister, and Duskendale and its lands and incomes were give to House Rykker.[1] Even with the Darklyns gone, many of their kin remain in Duskendale, with names such as Darke, Darkwood, or Dargood. There was a tourney in Duskendale around 294 AC. Ser Balman Byrch supposedly rode well in the tourney.[11]

Addam of Duskendale was a merchant from the town who traveled in eastern Essos.

Recent Events

A Storm of Swords

During the battle at Duskendale, the town is marched upon by 3,000[citation needed] northern infantry under the command of Robett Glover and Ser Helman Tallhart. They are met and defeated by Lord Randyll Tarly and Ser Gregor Clegane. Robett is eventually exchanged for Martyn Lannister and sails north from Duskendale.[12][13]

A Feast for Crows

Brienne of Tarth visits the town in her search for Sansa Stark. She stays at the Seven Swords, visits the Dun Fort, and has her shield repainted from the arms of House Lothston to those she had once seen at Tarth. Brienne encounters a boy in the streets and a pious dwarf in the Seven Swords. North of the town she sees remnants from the recent battle.[1]

Chapters that take place at Duskendale

References and Notes