First Dornish War

"You may burn us, my lady, but you will not bend us, break us or make us bow. This is Dorne, you are not wanted here. Return at your peril!"

- Meria Martell

The First Dornish War was the last phase of Aegon I Targaryen's Wars of Conquest.

With the peaceful surrender of House Stark and House Arryn, Dorne was the only part of Westeros that remained unconquered. Queen Rhaenys Targaryen flew her dragon Meraxes to Sunspear to demand Dorne's surrender. Princess Meria of House Martell refused, warning her to "return at her peril".

Confident she could subdue the Dornish with the same tactic they had used in the Field of Fire, the Targaryens returned to Dorne with their dragons. However, the Dornish refused to meet the Targaryens in the field, instead resorting to guerilla tactics. Rather than another swift conquest, it became a prolonged war with immense Targaryen casualties. Both Rhaenerys and her dragon died in the conflict. Aegon I eventually agreed to let Dorne remain independent, ending the Wars of Conquest.

Aftermath
More than a century later, King Daeron I Targaryen tried to finish the work of his ancestors and initiated the Conquest of Dorne. He successfully conquered Dorne, but like his ancestors, he soon found himself facing a prolonged guerilla war. The four-year war cost the lives of 60,000 Iron Throne men, and eventually also Daeron I's life. House Martell would remain the sovereign rulers of Dorne until it peacefully joined the fold through marriage.