Tragedy at Summerhall
The Tragedy at Summerhall was a fire at Summerhall, a pleasure castle of House Targaryen in the Dornish Marches, in 259 AC. The conflagration caused the deaths of, among others, King Aegon V Targaryen, his eldest son, Prince Duncan Targaryen, and Ser Duncan the Tall, the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard.[1]
About
The cause of the fire is as yet unknown, but was connected with King Aegon's desire to restore dragons to the Seven Kingdoms. The last years of his reign were consumed by a search for ancient lore about the dragon breeding of Valyria, and it was said that Aegon commissioned journeys to places as far away as Asshai with the hopes of finding texts and knowledge that had not been preserved in Westeros.
In 259 AC, Aegon summoned many of those closest to him to Summerhall to celebrate the impending birth of his first great-grandchild to Aerys and Rhaella, the children of Aegon's heir Prince Jaehaerys.[1]
According to Ser Barristan Selmy sorcery took place.[2] A page from Archmaester Gyldayn's history of House Targaryen hints at the events of the tragedy, but a mishap led to ink blotting out much of the information:
the blood of the dragon gathered in one …
… seven eggs, to honor the seven gods, though the king's own septon had warned …
… pyromancers …
… wild fire …
… flames grew out of control … towering … burned so hot that …
… died, but for the valor of the Lord Comman …[1]
Known Deaths
- King Aegon V Targaryen
- Prince Duncan Targaryen
- Ser Duncan the Tall, the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard.[1]
Alleged deaths
- A woods witch dear to Jenny of Oldstones[3] - Ser Barristan Selmy believes the woods witch died during the tragedy however his description[3] of her matches the ghost of High Heart's appearance.
Aftermath
The tragedy that transpired at Summerhall left very few witnesses alive, and those who survived would not speak of it.[1]
Prince Rhaegar Targaryen, who was born at Summerhall[4] on the same day,[5] often returned to the ruined castle alone and composed songs for his harp.[6]
Quotes
References and Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 67, The Kingbreaker.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 23, Daenerys IV.
- ↑ George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 35, Samwell IV.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 42, Daenerys IV.