Difference between revisions of "War of the Ninepenny Kings"

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| style = width:300px;  
 
| style = width:300px;  
 
| conflict_name = War of the Ninepenny Kings
 
| conflict_name = War of the Ninepenny Kings
| part_of = [[Blackfyre Pretenders]]
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| part_of = the [[Blackfyre Pretenders|Blackfyre Rebellions]]
 
| image = [[File:Ninepenny.png|350px]]
 
| image = [[File:Ninepenny.png|350px]]
| image2 = [[Barristan Selmy]] fights [[Maelys Blackfyre]] during the War of the Ninepenny Kings, as depicted by Jose Daniel Cabrera Pena in ''[[The World of Ice and Fire]]''.
+
| image2 =  
| caption =
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| caption = Ser [[Barristan Selmy]] and [[Maelys I Blackfyre|Maelys the Monstrous]] locked in combat, as depicted by José Daniel Cabrera Peña<br>in ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]''
 
| date = {{Date|260}}
 
| date = {{Date|260}}
 
| battles =  
 
| battles =  
 
| location = [[Stepstones]], [[Free Cities]]
 
| location = [[Stepstones]], [[Free Cities]]
| result = [[Band of Nine]] fall from power <br> End of [[House Blackfyre|Blackfyre]] line.
+
| result = [[Band of Nine]] fall from power<br>End of the [[House Blackfyre|Blackfyre]] male line
 
<!-- combatant 1 -->  
 
<!-- combatant 1 -->  
| combatant1 = [[Seven Kingdoms]]
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| combatant1 = [[File:House Targaryen.svg|30px]] '''[[Iron Throne]]/<br>[[House Targaryen]]'''
*[[Westerlands]]
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*[[File:House Targaryen.svg|20px]] [[Crownlands]]
*[[Riverlands]]
+
*[[File:House Martell.svg|20px]] [[Dorne]]
*[[Stormlands]]
+
*[[File:House Greyjoy.svg|20px]] [[Iron Islands]]
*[[Crownlands]]
+
*[[File:House Stark.svg|20px]] [[North]]
*[[Iron Islands]]
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*[[File:House Tully.svg|20px]] [[Riverlands]]
| commander1 = King [[Jaehaerys II Targaryen]]<br>Lord [[Ormund Baratheon]]†<br>Ser [[Gerold Hightower]]<br>Lord [[Quellon Greyjoy]]<br>Ser [[Jason Lannister (son of Gerold)|Jason Lannister]]†<br>Lord [[Roger Reyne]]
+
*[[File:House Baratheon.svg|20px]] [[Stormlands]]
| strength1 =
+
*[[File:House Arryn.svg|20px]] [[Vale of Arryn]]
| losses1 =Ser [[Jason Lannister (son of Gerold)|Jason Lannister]]<br>[[Ormund Baratheon]]
+
*[[File:House Lannister.svg|20px]] [[Westerlands]]
 +
| commander1 = [[File:House Baratheon.svg|20px]] Lord [[Ormund Baratheon]]†<br>[[File:Kingsguard.svg|20px]] Ser [[Gerold Hightower]]<br>[[File:House Greyjoy.svg|20px]] Lord [[Quellon Greyjoy]]<br>[[File:House Lannister.svg|20px]] Ser [[Jason Lannister (son of Gerold)|Jason Lannister]]†<br>[[File:House Reyne.svg|20px]] Lord [[Roger Reyne]]
 +
| strength1 = [[Iron Islands]]:
 +
*** 100 longships{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Iron Islands: The Old Way and the New}}
 +
[[Westerlands]]:
 +
* 1,000 knights{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons}}
 +
* 10,000 men-at-arms{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons}}
 +
| losses1 = Lord [[Ormund Baratheon]]<br>Ser [[Jason Lannister (son of Gerold)|Jason Lannister]]
 
<!-- combatant 2 -->  
 
<!-- combatant 2 -->  
| combatant2 = [[Band of Nine]]
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| combatant2 = '''[[Band of Nine]]'''
*[[Tyrosh]]
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**[[File:House Blackfyre.svg|20px]] [[House Blackfyre]] /<br>[[File:Golden Company.svg|20px]] [[Golden Company]]
*[[Disputed Lands]]
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**[[File:Coin of Tyrosh.png|20px]] [[Tyrosh]] <small>(under Adarys)</small>
*[[Stepstones]]
+
**[[Jolly Fellows]]
*[[Golden Company]]
+
**[[Spotted Tom]]'s sellswords
*[[Jolly Fellows]]
+
**[[Liomond Lashare]]'s sellswords
*[[Spotted Tom]]'s sellswords
+
**[[Xhobar Qhoqua]]'s sellswords
*[[Liomond Lashare]]'s sellswords
+
**[[Old Mother]]'s pirate fleet
*[[Old Mother]]'s pirate fleet
+
**[[Samarro Saan]]'s pirate fleet
*[[Samarro Saan]]'s pirate fleet
+
| commander2 = [[File:House Blackfyre.svg|20px]] King [[Maelys I Blackfyre]]†<br>Ser [[Derrick Fossoway]]<br>Prince [[Alequo Adarys]]<br>[[Nine Eyes]]<br>[[Spotted Tom]]<br>[[Liomond Lashare]]<br>[[Xhobar Qhoqua]]<br>[[Samarro Saan]]<br>[[The Old Mother]]
| commander2 = [[Maelys I Blackfyre]]†<br> [[Samarro Saan]]<br>[[The Old Mother]]<br>[[Xhobar Qhoqua]]<br>[[Liomond Lashare]]<br>[[Spotted Tom]] the Butcher<br>Ser [[Derrick Fossoway]]<br>[[Nine Eyes]]<br>[[Alequo Adarys]]
 
 
| strength2 =
 
| strength2 =
| losses2 =[[Maelys I Blackfyre]]
+
| losses2 = King [[Maelys I Blackfyre]]
 
}}
 
}}
  
The '''War of the Ninepenny Kings''' (also known as the '''Fifth Blackfyre Rebellion''') was a conflict involving several of the [[Free Cities]], started by a group of ambitious men known as the [[Band of Nine]]. After the Band set their sights on Westeros, [[Jaehaerys II Targaryen|Jaehaerys II]] dispatched an army to defeat them.{{Ref|AWOIAF| Jaehaerys II Targaryen}}
+
The '''War of the Ninepenny Kings''', also known as the '''Fifth Blackfyre Rebellion''', was a conflict between the [[Band of Nine]], a group of merchants, mercenaries and pirates from the [[Free Cities]], and the [[Seven Kingdoms]] of [[Westeros]]. After the Band of Nine had successfully conquered the [[Stepstones]], King [[Jaehaerys II Targaryen]], aware of the fact that the Band of Nine were set on conquering the Seven Kingdoms for the last remaining [[Blackfyre Pretenders|Blackfyre Pretender]], [[Maelys I Blackfyre]], dispatched an army to the Stepstones to defeat the enemies of the [[Iron Throne]].{{Ref|AWOIAF|Jaehaerys II Targaryen}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys II}}
  
 
==Background==
 
==Background==
Late during the reign of King [[Aegon V]], the [[House Blackfyre|Blackfyres]] re-emerged to trouble the Seven Kingdoms. In {{Date|258}} news reached King's Landing that the so-called [[Band of Nine]], a group of ambitious power-seekers in Essos, had come together under the [[Tree of Crowns]], where they vowed to aid one another in achieving their goals. Prominent among them was [[Maelys Blackfyre]], who was said to have consumed his twin in the womb, resulting in a second head growing out of his neck.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Aegon V}} A few years before, Maelys had won the command of the [[Golden Company]] by killing his cousin [[Daemon Blackfyre (cousin of Maelys I)|Daemon]] and was determined to reclaim his rightful throne as last of the Blackfyre line.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Aegon V}} When told of these events, Prince [[Duncan Targaryen]] famously quipped that...
+
Late during the reign of King [[Aegon V Targaryen]], in {{Date|258}}, news reached [[King's Landing]] that the so-called [[Band of Nine]], a group of ambitious power-seekers in Essos, had come together under the [[Tree of Crowns]] where they had vowed to aid one another in carving out kingdoms for each individual member. Among them was [[Maelys I Blackfyre]], better known as Maelys the Monstrous, the last of the [[Blackfyre Pretenders]], who had won the command of the [[Golden Company]] by killing his cousin [[Daemon Blackfyre (cousin of Maelys I)|Daemon]] a few years before. His desired kingdom, as [[Daemon I Blackfyre]]'s last descendant, was the [[Seven Kingdoms]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}}
  
 +
When told of these events, Prince [[Duncan Targaryen]] famously quipped that "crowns were being sold nine a penny", and afterwards the Band of Nine became known in the Seven Kingdoms as the Ninepenny Kings.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}} Most men, including King [[Aegon V Targaryen|Aegon V]] and later King [[Jaehaerys II Targaryen]], thought that the threat posed by these pretenders would be countered by the might of the Free Cities, or otherwise founder in Essos.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys II}} Nonetheless, preparations were made to make sure the Blackfyres could not land on Westerosi soil.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}}
  
{{Quote|"''crowns were being sold nine a penny''".{{ref|twoiaf| Aegon V}}}}
+
The Band of Nine their goals met with initial success, conquering the [[Disputed Lands]] and [[Sack of Tyrosh|securing]] the Free City of [[Tyrosh]], setting up [[Alequo Adarys]], the Silvertongue, as its ruler. Second, they conquered the [[Stepstones]]. From there, they stood ready to threaten the Seven Kingdoms.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys II}}
  
 +
==War==
 +
King [[Jaehaerys II Targaryen]], who had succeeded his father upon the [[Iron Throne]] in {{Date|259}}, recognized the threat the Band of Nine posed and sent a large force to the Stepstones, bringing the war to the Band of Nine. The king wished to personally take command of his forces but was persuaded otherwise by his [[Hand of the King|Hand]], Lord [[Ormund Baratheon]]. Lord Ormund took command of the Targaryen army instead.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys II}} The task force included a fleet of one hundred longships led by [[Quellon Greyjoy]], [[Lord of the Iron Islands]],{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Iron Islands: The Old Way and the New}} and a force of a thousand knights and ten thousand men-at-arms sent by Lord [[Tytos Lannister]] from the westerlands,{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons}} under the leadership of his younger brother, Ser [[Jason Lannister (son of Gerold)|Jason Lannister]].<ref>''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'', [https://georgerrmartin.com/world-of-ice-and-fire-sample/ The Westerlands (unabridged)]</ref> [[House Martell]] sent spears from [[Dorne]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|Dorne: Dorne Against the Dragons}}
  
Afterwards the Band of Nine became known in Westeros as the Ninepenny Kings.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Aegon V}} However most men thought that the threat posed by these pretenders would be countered by the might of the Free Cities. Nonetheless preparations were made to make sure the Blackfyres could not land in Westeros.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Aegon V}}
+
When the Targaryen host landed upon the Stepstones in {{Date|260}}, the fighting began in earnest on land and sea and lasted for most of the year.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys II}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Iron Islands: The Old Way and the New}} Lord Ormund was one of the first casualties of the war, dying in the arms of his young son, Ser [[Steffon Baratheon|Steffon]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys II}} Command then passed to [[Gerold Hightower]], [[Lord Commander of the Kingsguard]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys II}} After Ser [[Jason Lannister (son of Gerold)|Jason Lannister]] was killed on [[Bloodstone]], Lord [[Roger Reyne]] led the remaining westermen to several victories.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons}}
  
==War==
+
Many young knights and lords distinguished themselves in battle, including Steffon Baratheon, [[Brynden Tully]], [[Tywin Lannister]] and his brother [[Kevan Lannister|Kevan]], and [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys Targaryen]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}} The great-uncle of Lord [[Willam Dustin]] participated in the war,{{Ref|ADWD|41}} as did [[Meribald]] and his brothers.{{Ref|AFFC|25}} [[Goodwin]]'s friend, a promising young champion, was slain in the war.{{Ref|AFFC|20}} In the end it was the young [[Barristan Selmy]] who cut a bloody path though the [[Golden Company]]'s ranks to slay Maelys the Monstrous in single combat, thereby ending the threat to the Seven Kingdoms.{{Ref|ADWD|55}}{{Ref|ADWD|5}}
When [[Jaehaerys II Targaryen]] came onto his throne after the death of his father, King Aegon V, in the [[Tragedy of Summerhall]] in {{Date|259}}, he was immediately plunged into war. The Band of Nine had met their goals with initial success, conquering the [[Disputed Lands]] and securing the Free City of [[Tyrosh]], setting up [[Alequo Adarys]], the Silvertongue as its ruler. Second, they secured the [[Stepstones]] as a base for operations against [[Westeros]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys II}}
 
  
Jaehaerys II recognized the threat and sent a large force to the [[Stepstones]] to remove the danger before it grew any larger. Although he was willing to command his forces himself, the king was dissuaded from this by his Hand [[Ormund Baratheon]], who took the command upon himself.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys II}} The task force included a fleet of one hundred longships sent by Lord [[Quellon Greyjoy]] of the Iron Islands, and a force of eleven thousand knights and men-at-arms sent by Lord [[Tytos Lannister]] of the Westerlands.<ref>Unabridged "The Westerlands" chapter from ''The World of Ice and Fire''[http://www.georgerrmartin.com/world-of-ice-and-fire-sample]</ref> When the Targaryen host landed upon the Stepstones in {{Date|260}}, the fighting began in earnest.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys II}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Iron Islands: The Old Way and the New}}
+
==Aftermath==
 +
It took another six years before the [[Band of Nine]]'s holdings in [[Essos]] were lost. [[Alequo Adarys]] was eventually poisoned by his queen and the [[Archon]] returned to power in [[Tyrosh]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys II}}
  
Lord Ormund was one of the first casualties of the war, dying in the arms of his young son, Ser Steffon.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys II}} Command then passed to [[Gerold Hightower]] of the [[Kingsguard]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys II}} This was the last time prior to the [[War of the Five Kings]] that the regional [[warden]] titles were activated. Several young Knights and lords distinguished themselves in the battle, including [[Brynden Tully]], [[Steffon Baratheon]], [[Tywin Lannister]] and [[Aerys II Targaryen]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}} But in the end it was the young [[Barristan Selmy]], who cut a bloody path though the [[Golden Company]]'s ranks to slay Maelys the Monstrous, the last of the [[Blackfyre Pretenders]]in single combat, and ended the threat to the Seven Kingdoms.{{Ref|ADWD|55}}{{Ref|ADWD|5}}<ref>[[A Game of Thrones (game)|A Game of Thrones RPG and Resource Book]], Guardians of Order</ref>
+
With [[Ormund Baratheon|Ormund]] slain, [[Steffon Baratheon]] became the new [[Lord of Storm's End]]. He remained close friends with both Prince [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys Targaryen]] and Ser [[Tywin Lannister]]. Tywin, himself a new-made knight, received the honor of giving Prince Aerys his spurs, after fighting gallantly in the war.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}} Tywin became bitter and hardened, particularly against his ineffectual father [[Tytos Lannister|Tytos]], who had not taken part in the war, rather remaining at home with his mistress. These tensions soon erupted in the [[Reyne-Tarbeck revolt]] in {{Date|261}}.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons}}
  
==Aftermath==
+
Lord [[Hoster Tully]] became acquainted with Lord [[House Baelish|Baelish]] during the war, where they fought side by side. Lord Baelish did a service for Hoster, which was later repayed when Hoster accepted to take Baelish's son, [[Petyr Baelish|Petyr]], as a ward in [[Riverrun]].{{Ref|AWOIAF|Petyr Baelish}}<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [https://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/US_Signing_Tour_Half_Moon_Bay_CA/ US Signing Tour (Half Moon Bay, CA) (November 18, 2005)]</ref> [[Jon Arryn]] also became acquainted with Lord [[Rickard Stark]] of [[Winterfell]] and Lord [[Steffon Baratheon]] of [[Storm's End]], which resulted several years later in Jon taking their sons, [[Eddard Stark]] and [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]], as his wards at the [[Eyrie]].{{Ref|AWOIAF|Jon Arryn}}
It took another six years before the Band of Nine's holdings in Essos were lost. Alequo Adarys was eventually poisoned by his queen and the Archon returned to power.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Jaehaerys II}}
 
  
[[Steffon Baratheon]] became Lord of Storm's End, after his father died in the war. He remained close friends with both the young Aerys Targaryen and Tywin Lannister. It was Tywin who, as a new-made knight himself, was given the honor to give Prince Aerys his spurs, after fighting gallantly in the war.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Aerys II}} Tywin himself became bitter and hardened, particularly against his ineffectual father [[Tytos Lannister]], who had not taken part in the war, rather remaining at home with his mistress. These tensions would soon erupt in the [[Reyne-Tarbeck Rebellion|Reyne-Tarbeck Revolt]] of {{Date|261}}.{{Ref|TWOIAF| House Lannister Under the Dragons}}
+
The Blackfyres were extinguished in the male line thanks to Ser [[Barristan Selmy]]. When the next opening presented itself, Barristan was named to the [[Kingsguard]],{{Ref|ASOS|67}} an opening he accepted despite being heir to [[Harvest Hall]] and being betrothed.{{Ref|AGOT|57}}
  
[[Hoster Tully]] became acquainted with Lord Baelish during this event which subsequently led to Lord Tully taking his son, [[Petyr Baelish]], on as a ward.<ref>US Signing Tour (Half Moon Bay, CA) [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/US_Signing_Tour_Half_Moon_Bay_CA/]</ref>
+
The war is described in ''[[Account of the War of the Ninepenny Kings]]'' by [[Eon]] and ''[[Observations Upon the Recent Blood-Letting on the Stepstones]]'' by [[Pycelle]]. According to Septon [[Meribald]], who participated in the war, many of the [[smallfolk]] who fought in the war became [[broken men]].{{Ref|AFFC|25}}
  
The Blackfyres were extinguished in the male line thanks to [[Barristan Selmy]]. When the next opening presented itself, Selmy was named to the [[Kingsguard]],{{Ref|ASOS|67}}, an opening he accepted, despite being heir to [[Harvest Hall]] and being betrothed.{{Ref|AGOT|57}}
+
==Quotes==
 +
{{Quote|'''Hyle''': The War of the Ninepenny Kings?<br>
 +
'''Meribald''': So they called it, though I never saw a king, nor earned a penny. It was a war, though. That it was.{{Ref|AFFC|25}}|[[Hyle Hunt]] and [[Meribald]]}}
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
{{references|2}}
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{{References}}
  
 
{{Wars in Westeros}}
 
{{Wars in Westeros}}
{{EnWP|Wars in A Song of Ice and Fire|small=yes}}
 
  
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Ninepenny Kings}}
 
[[Category:War of the Ninepenny Kings| ]]
 
[[Category:War of the Ninepenny Kings| ]]
[[Category:Wars|Ninepenny Kings]]
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[[Category:Blackfyre Rebellions]]
[[Category:Essos]]
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[[Category:Essos|War of the Ninepenny Kings]]
[[Category:Free Cities]]
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[[Category:Free Cities|War of the Ninepenny Kings]]
[[Category:House Blackfyre wars|Ninepenny Kings]]
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[[Category:House Baelish wars]]
[[Category:Blackfyre Rebellions|Ninepenny Kings]]
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[[Category:House Baratheon wars]]
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[[Category:House Blackfyre wars]]
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[[Category:House Dustin wars]]
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[[Category:House Greyjoy wars]]
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[[Category:House Hightower wars]]
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[[Category:House Lannister wars]]
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[[Category:House Martell wars]]
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[[Category:House Reyne wars]]
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[[Category:House Selmy wars]]
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[[Category:House Targaryen wars]]
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[[Category:House Tully wars]]
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[[Category:Wars]]
  
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[[es:Guerra de los Reyes Nuevepeniques]]
 
[[fr:Guerre des Rois à Neuf Sous]]
 
[[fr:Guerre des Rois à Neuf Sous]]
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[[nl:Oorlog van de Negenpenningskoningen]]
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[[pt:Guerra dos Reis de Nove Moedas]]
 
[[ru:Война Девятигрошевых королей]]
 
[[ru:Война Девятигрошевых королей]]
[[zh:&#20061;&#38108;&#26495;&#29579;&#20043;&#25112;]]
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[[zh:九铜板王之战]]

Revision as of 19:28, 25 April 2023

War of the Ninepenny Kings
Part of the Blackfyre Rebellions
Ninepenny.png
Ser Barristan Selmy and Maelys the Monstrous locked in combat, as depicted by José Daniel Cabrera Peña
in The World of Ice & Fire

Date 260 AC
Location Stepstones, Free Cities
Result Band of Nine fall from power
End of the Blackfyre male line
Belligerents
House Targaryen.svg Iron Throne/
House Targaryen
Band of Nine
Notable commanders
House Baratheon.svg Lord Ormund Baratheon
Kingsguard.svg Ser Gerold Hightower
House Greyjoy.svg Lord Quellon Greyjoy
House Lannister.svg Ser Jason Lannister
House Reyne.svg Lord Roger Reyne
House Blackfyre 2.svg King Maelys I Blackfyre
Ser Derrick Fossoway
Prince Alequo Adarys
Nine Eyes
Spotted Tom
Liomond Lashare
Xhobar Qhoqua
Samarro Saan
The Old Mother
Strength
Iron Islands:
  • 100 longships[1]

Westerlands:

  • 1,000 knights[2]
  • 10,000 men-at-arms[2]
Losses
Lord Ormund Baratheon
Ser Jason Lannister
King Maelys I Blackfyre

The War of the Ninepenny Kings, also known as the Fifth Blackfyre Rebellion, was a conflict between the Band of Nine, a group of merchants, mercenaries and pirates from the Free Cities, and the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. After the Band of Nine had successfully conquered the Stepstones, King Jaehaerys II Targaryen, aware of the fact that the Band of Nine were set on conquering the Seven Kingdoms for the last remaining Blackfyre Pretender, Maelys I Blackfyre, dispatched an army to the Stepstones to defeat the enemies of the Iron Throne.[3][4]

Background

Late during the reign of King Aegon V Targaryen, in 258 AC, news reached King's Landing that the so-called Band of Nine, a group of ambitious power-seekers in Essos, had come together under the Tree of Crowns where they had vowed to aid one another in carving out kingdoms for each individual member. Among them was Maelys I Blackfyre, better known as Maelys the Monstrous, the last of the Blackfyre Pretenders, who had won the command of the Golden Company by killing his cousin Daemon a few years before. His desired kingdom, as Daemon I Blackfyre's last descendant, was the Seven Kingdoms.[5]

When told of these events, Prince Duncan Targaryen famously quipped that "crowns were being sold nine a penny", and afterwards the Band of Nine became known in the Seven Kingdoms as the Ninepenny Kings.[5] Most men, including King Aegon V and later King Jaehaerys II Targaryen, thought that the threat posed by these pretenders would be countered by the might of the Free Cities, or otherwise founder in Essos.[5][4] Nonetheless, preparations were made to make sure the Blackfyres could not land on Westerosi soil.[5]

The Band of Nine their goals met with initial success, conquering the Disputed Lands and securing the Free City of Tyrosh, setting up Alequo Adarys, the Silvertongue, as its ruler. Second, they conquered the Stepstones. From there, they stood ready to threaten the Seven Kingdoms.[4]

War

King Jaehaerys II Targaryen, who had succeeded his father upon the Iron Throne in 259 AC, recognized the threat the Band of Nine posed and sent a large force to the Stepstones, bringing the war to the Band of Nine. The king wished to personally take command of his forces but was persuaded otherwise by his Hand, Lord Ormund Baratheon. Lord Ormund took command of the Targaryen army instead.[4] The task force included a fleet of one hundred longships led by Quellon Greyjoy, Lord of the Iron Islands,[1] and a force of a thousand knights and ten thousand men-at-arms sent by Lord Tytos Lannister from the westerlands,[2] under the leadership of his younger brother, Ser Jason Lannister.[6] House Martell sent spears from Dorne.[7]

When the Targaryen host landed upon the Stepstones in 260 AC, the fighting began in earnest on land and sea and lasted for most of the year.[4][1] Lord Ormund was one of the first casualties of the war, dying in the arms of his young son, Ser Steffon.[4] Command then passed to Gerold Hightower, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard.[4] After Ser Jason Lannister was killed on Bloodstone, Lord Roger Reyne led the remaining westermen to several victories.[2]

Many young knights and lords distinguished themselves in battle, including Steffon Baratheon, Brynden Tully, Tywin Lannister and his brother Kevan, and Aerys Targaryen.[8] The great-uncle of Lord Willam Dustin participated in the war,[9] as did Meribald and his brothers.[10] Goodwin's friend, a promising young champion, was slain in the war.[11] In the end it was the young Barristan Selmy who cut a bloody path though the Golden Company's ranks to slay Maelys the Monstrous in single combat, thereby ending the threat to the Seven Kingdoms.[12][13]

Aftermath

It took another six years before the Band of Nine's holdings in Essos were lost. Alequo Adarys was eventually poisoned by his queen and the Archon returned to power in Tyrosh.[4]

With Ormund slain, Steffon Baratheon became the new Lord of Storm's End. He remained close friends with both Prince Aerys Targaryen and Ser Tywin Lannister. Tywin, himself a new-made knight, received the honor of giving Prince Aerys his spurs, after fighting gallantly in the war.[8] Tywin became bitter and hardened, particularly against his ineffectual father Tytos, who had not taken part in the war, rather remaining at home with his mistress. These tensions soon erupted in the Reyne-Tarbeck revolt in 261 AC.[2]

Lord Hoster Tully became acquainted with Lord Baelish during the war, where they fought side by side. Lord Baelish did a service for Hoster, which was later repayed when Hoster accepted to take Baelish's son, Petyr, as a ward in Riverrun.[14][15] Jon Arryn also became acquainted with Lord Rickard Stark of Winterfell and Lord Steffon Baratheon of Storm's End, which resulted several years later in Jon taking their sons, Eddard Stark and Robert Baratheon, as his wards at the Eyrie.[16]

The Blackfyres were extinguished in the male line thanks to Ser Barristan Selmy. When the next opening presented itself, Barristan was named to the Kingsguard,[17] an opening he accepted despite being heir to Harvest Hall and being betrothed.[18]

The war is described in Account of the War of the Ninepenny Kings by Eon and Observations Upon the Recent Blood-Letting on the Stepstones by Pycelle. According to Septon Meribald, who participated in the war, many of the smallfolk who fought in the war became broken men.[10]

Quotes

Hyle: The War of the Ninepenny Kings?
Meribald: So they called it, though I never saw a king, nor earned a penny. It was a war, though. That it was.[10]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 The World of Ice & Fire, The Iron Islands: The Old Way and the New.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 The World of Ice & Fire, The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons.
  3. George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Jaehaerys II Targaryen.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys II.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V.
  6. The World of Ice & Fire, The Westerlands (unabridged)
  7. The World of Ice & Fire, Dorne: Dorne Against the Dragons.
  8. 8.0 8.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II.
  9. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 41, The Turncloak.
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 25, Brienne V.
  11. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 20, Brienne IV.
  12. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 55, The Queensguard.
  13. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 5, Tyrion II.
  14. George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Petyr Baelish.
  15. So Spake Martin: US Signing Tour (Half Moon Bay, CA) (November 18, 2005)
  16. George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Jon Arryn.
  17. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 67, Jaime VIII.
  18. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 57, Sansa V.