House Darklyn

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House Darklyn of Duskendale
House Darklyn.PNG
Coat of arms Fusily sable and or, 7 escutcheons white upon a tierce dexter
Seat the Dun Fort
Region the Crownlands
Title Lord of Duskendale
Overlord House Targaryen
Cadet branch House Darke
Founded Age of Heroes
Died out around 276 AC

House Darklyn of Duskendale ruled the town of Duskendale and the surrounding lands in the Crownlands for centuries. Their keep was the Dun Fort, at the top of a hill that dominates the town. The lordly Darklyns are now extinct as result of the Defiance of Duskendale, although the related Darkes, Darkwoods, Dargoods still live in the town.[1]

History

Early Darklyns

The Darklyns had been petty kings of the First Men during the Age of Heroes. Their closest allies were their bannermen of House Hollard, who served them loyally and provided brides three times for the Darklyn kings of old. Even after their small realm was swallowed up by larger Andal kingdoms,[1] the Darklyns' power sometimes reached as far as Crackclaw Point.[2]

Lords of Duskendale

During the War of Conquest, Aegon I Targaryen and his half-brother Orys Baratheon defeated the Darklyns of Duskendale and the Mootons of Maidenpool.[3] The Darklyns bent the knee to the Targaryens and served their new kings as the proud Lords of Duskendale.

During the Targaryen rule, the Darklyns were close allies to the dragonlords to the point that seven sons of Darklyn joined the Kingsguard, more than any other house, a fact which is referred to in the Darklyns' coat of arms. Ser Steffon Darklyn was a member of the Kingsguard of King Viserys I Targaryen and became Lord Commander of the Queensguard for Rhaenyra Targaryen when the realm was divided between supporters of Rhaenyra and supporters of her half-brother Aegon II Targaryen. Lord Darklyn attended Rhaenyra's coronation and sat on her black council; in retaliation Aegon's Hand Ser Criston Cole sacked Duskendale and had Lord Darklyn beheaded during the Dance of the Dragons. Lady Meredyth Darklyn briefly sheltered Queen Rhaenyra after she fled King's Landing.[4]

When Lord Bloodraven marched on Whitewalls to quash the Second Blackfyre Rebellion, among the lords who came in support was Lord Darklyn.

The Darklyns' good terms with the Iron Throne ended with the Defiance of Duskendale.[1]

The Defiance

The Defiance of Duskendale took place during the reign of King Aerys II Targaryen when, according to the smallfolk, Lord Denys Darklyn was convinced by his wife, Lady Serala of Myr, to take Aerys captive. According to semi-canon sources, the defiance was in fact caused by Lord Denys's refusal to pay taxes after Aerys denied his demands of certain rights for his citizens and a town charter for Duskendale.[5]

During the imprisonment of the king, the master-at-arms of the Dun Fort, Ser Symon Hollard, slew Ser Gwayne Gaunt of the Kingsguard. The Hand of the King, Lord Tywin Lannister, assembled an army that could easily storm the town, but Lord Denys menaced that he would kill the king as soon as the attack started. Aerys was held prisoner for half a year with Tywin's army waiting outside Duskendale.

The situation remained invariable until Ser Barristan Selmy of the Kingsguard entered the Dun Fort and rescued the king. Having lost his hostage, Lord Denys had no other option then to surrender at once. He bent the knee and begged for mercy, but the king demanded his head and all his family's. Lord Denys, his brothers and his sister, uncles and cousins were beheaded. Lady Serala, called the "Lace Serpent" for the supposed poison of her words, was burned alive after her tongue and her female parts were torn out with which it was said that she had enslaved her lord.

House Hollard, which had served House Darklyn during the defiance and had a close relationship with their lords, had their lands taken, the castle torn down, and its members also executed. Only young Dontos Hollard was spared because Ser Barristan asked for mercy.[1]

The Darklyns were succeeded as Lords of Duskendale by House Rykker.

Recent Events

A Feast for Crows

The story of the Defiance of Duskendale is recounted to Brienne of Tarth when she travels to Duskendale in search of Sansa Stark.[1]

Known members

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unknown
Darklyn
 
Unknown
wife
 
Siblings
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Denys Darklyn
 
Serala of Myr
 
Brothers
 
Sister
 
Jon
Hollard
 
Steffon Hollard
 
Unknown
wife
 
Symon Hollard
 
Robin Hollard
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Son
 
 
 
 
 
Dontos Hollard
 

Descent

The Darklyn line was completely extinguished by Aerys after the Defiance. However, in Duskendale there are many people named Darke, Darkwood or Dargood who probably descend from minor branches of the house. [1]

Sworn Houses

32pxHollard

References and Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 9, Brienne II.
  2. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 20, Brienne IV.
  3. Chicon 7 Reading (September 02, 2012) So Spake Martin
  4. 4.0 4.1 The Princess and the Queen
  5. ConJose (San Jose, CA; August 29-September 2) report So Spake Martin
  6. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 16, Jaime II.