Dragonstone (Histories & Lore)

"Dragonstone" ​is part of the Complete Guide to Westeros, a special feature in the Blu-Ray of Season 2 of Game of Thrones. It is narrated by Stephen Dillane as Stannis Baratheon.

​​Summary
Why House Targaryen came to the island of Dragonstone is unknown, since Old Valyria was at the height of it's power and the centre of the civilised world, which ended at the Narrow Sea. Westeros was a filthy backwater with seven kings squabbling over borders and minor glories. Dragonstone's only export is Dragonglass.

The Targaryens built a castle on the island. Some claim that they used sorcery, though in fact they had brought an army with them. Soon after, the Doom of Valyria took place, hence they were prevented from returning to their home. Aegon I Targaryen realised that Westeros was ripe for conquest, perhaps a new Valyria.

Dragonstone proved the perfect starting point for Aegon's invasion of Westeros. The Blackwater Bay granted east access to the continent. The lands there were disputed by three kingdoms: The Reach, the Iron Islands and the Stormlands. But their capitals were far enough away that none of them could mount a force before Aegon could mount a foothold. With the bay to the east, the river to the south and open fields to the north and west, Aegon's army were impossible to take by surprise. Aegon then set his sights on King's Landing. The Doom had taught the Targaryens the value of refuge. After the War of Conquest, Dragonstone became the seat of the crown prince and heir to the Iron Throne.

300 years later, Robert Baratheon rebelled against the Iron Throne and House Lannister slaughtered the Mad King Aerys II Targaryen and his royal family. Robert dispatched his brother Stannis to kill the last surviving Targaryen children, Viserys and Daenerys. But before Stannis arrived, a loyal knight had smuggled them across the Narrow Sea.

Blinded by his hatred for the Targaryens, Robert blamed Stannis and stripped him of Storm's End, giving him Dragonstone in it's stead. Robert would remind Stannis of the island's royal pedigree whenever Stannis demanded his rights restored.

With Robert dead, Stannis is the rightful king of Westeros. The usurpers and traitors will sit on the Iron Throne, and from Dragonstone Stannis will be that dagger in their throat.

Characters

 * King Aegon Targaryen
 * Queen Visenya Targaryen
 * Queen Rhaenys Targaryen
 * King Robert Baratheon
 * King Aerys Targaryen
 * Lord Stannis Baratheon
 * Prince Viserys Targaryen
 * Princess Daenerys Targaryen

Noble Houses

 * House Targaryen
 * House Baratheon

Locations

 * Dragonstone (island)
 * Dragonstone (castle)
 * Old Valyria
 * Blackwater Bay
 * The Reach
 * The Iron Islands
 * The Stormlands
 * King's Landing
 * Storm's End

Events

 * Doom of Valyria
 * War of Conquest
 * Robert's Rebellion
 * Sack of King's Landing