Blockade of the Gullet

Blockade of the Gullet
Part of the Dance of the Dragons
← Previous	Fight above Shipbreaker Bay
Concurrent	Assassination of Jaehaerys Targaryen through the burning of Sharp Point
Event information
Date	132 AC
Place	The Gullet, the Narrow Sea
Outcome	Ongoing
Factions
Blacks House Velaryon
Greens
Leaders
Lord Corlys Velaryon Princess Rhaenys Targaryen Ser Erryk Cargyll
King Aegon II Targaryen Prince Aemond Targaryen
Participants
Velaryon fleet Meleys
Unknown

"That treasonous blockade won't last long."

―Aegon II Targaryen

The blockade of the Gullet is an ongoing naval blockade in the early days of the Dance of the Dragons. The effort is being perpetrated by the Black-aligned Velaryon fleet in the Gullet, a critical seaway separating Blackwater Bay and the Narrow Sea.

History

Prelude

During a session of the Black Council in 132 AC, Lord Corlys Velaryon announced his intentions to blockade the Gullet with his fleet, shortly after pledging himself and House Velaryon’s allegiance to the Blacks. Princess Rhaenys Targaryen stated that she would assist the blockade by patrolling the sea on her dragon Meleys.

The Black Council resolved to adopt this strategy as the blockade would effectively shutdown all seaborne trade to and from King's Landing. This would place the capital’s economy under increasing strain and pave the way for a future siege itself.

The blockade

With war brewing, the blockade begins to move into place, with Rhaenys making daily patrols to keep the Greens from attacking the ships with their own dragons or ships.

When Corlys inspects the repairs being done on his flagship Sea Snake, he insists that he must have the ship back at sea to lead the effort.

While holding court in the Red Keep, King Aegon II Targaryen announces that he plans to send Vhagar to burn the blockade in order to forcibly reopen trade with Essos and the rest of the realm. The Small Council also discussed dealing with the blockade: Ser Tyland Lannister insisted the fleets of Houses Lannister and Hightower would have to be reinforced to attempt an attack to break the blockade, while Grand Maester Orwyle proposed offering the vacant position of Master of Ships to Lord Dalton Greyjoy, in hopes the Ironborn could be used to attack the blockade.

At a session of the Black Council, Rhaenys informs Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen that all seaborne travel and trade to King's Landing will soon be cut off.

Rhaenys and Meleys are killed in the Battle at Rook's Rest, weakening the blockade.

The blockades' continued enforcement has led to food shortages within King's Landing, resulting in rising food prices, hoarding, and increasing levels of theft amongst the smallfolk. The growing crisis in the city has resulted in rising panic and discontent amongst King's Landing's populace as reported by Grand Maester Orwyle during a session of the Green Council, with significant numbers of the capital's populace fleeing elsewhere. In response, Prince Regent Aemond Targaryen orders King's Landing's gates to be closed and all inbound and outbound travel of the smallfolk to cease, barring those with the council's consent and merchants.

Aemond enlists Ser Tyland Lannister to forge an alliance with the Triarchy, in the hope that their fleet will break the blockade. Dowager Queen Alicent suggests utilising the ironborn instead, but when questioned about House Greyjoy's loyalties, Orwyle admits Dalton Greyjoy had thus far ignored all ravens sent to him.

Tyland successfully forms an alliance with the Triarchy.

The repairs on the Sea Snake, now called the Queen Who Never Was, are finished, and Corlys sails his ship to the Gullet. At the same time, the Triarchy fleet led by Admiral Sharako Lohar is headed in the same direction with the intention of breaking the blockade.

In the books

In Fire & Blood, there is no mention of Aegon planning to send Vhagar against the blockade.