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Although this page is based on canonical information, the actual name of this subject is pure conjecture.
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- "Is there no honor left in this world, Cole? Sacking your queen's own castles and putting her people to the sword?"
- ―Gunthor Darklyn
The sack of Duskendale was an engagement of the Dance of the Dragons, part of Ser Criston Cole's campaign in the Crownlands in 132 AC.[a] It ended in the capture of Duskendale, the execution of Lord Gunthor Darklyn, and the submission of the remainder of House Darklyn to the Greens.[1]
History[]
Prelude[]
After Ser Criston Cole is named Hand of the King by King Aegon II, he assembles a Targaryen-Hightower army in King's Landing and marches north on the Rosby Road to force the submission of all the noble houses of the Crownlands to the Greens. During their march to Rosby, Criston's army is harassed by Lady Baela Targaryen and Moondancer. Subsequently, Criston began marching his army solely at night to exploit the treecover and mask his movements from the Blacks.[2]
During the initial part of his campaign, both Houses Rosby and Stokeworth willingly submitted to the Greens' cause, adding their forces to Criston's army. Upon arrival at Duskendale, however, House Darklyn, led by Lord Gunthor Darklyn, remained defiant and refused to submit to the Greens, being loyal banners to the Blacks and Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen. As a result, Criston's army is forced to attack.[1]
Sack[]
On the day of the assault, Criston's army attack Duskendale, defended by Lord Gunthor and the town's Darklyn garrison. Despite their efforts, the Green army overcome the Darklyn defenders and breach the town's walls. Duskendale is sacked by the Green army, and the Dun Fort and Lord Gunthor are captured.[1]
Aftermath[]
After the battle, Criston assembles the remaining Darklyn forces on a beach outside Duskendale. He announces to the Darklyn soldiers that if they swear allegiance to Aegon and join his army to fight the Blacks, they will be spared. Those that refuse, however, will be marked as traitors and executed. At that moment, Lord Gunthor is brought before them in chains and taken to the edge of a breakwater nearby.[1]
As Criston prepares to execute Gunthor, Gunthor rebukes him, asking Criston if he has any honor left for sacking his castle and putting the people of Duskendale to the sword in opposition to Rhaenyra. He mocks his moniker of "Kingmaker" before declaring him unfit as a knight of the Kingsguard. Criston simply responds that Gunthor's execution is a better death than he deserves as a traitor. Gunthor's last words are that Criston's own death will come in time, as Criston publicly beheads Gunthor is front of his forces, who subsequently bend the knee.[1]
With House Darklyn's forces added to his own army, Criston receives a message from Aemond Targaryen for him to move on Rook's Rest. He proceeds to march his army northeast from Duskendale, following the coast.[1]
In the books[]
In Fire & Blood, Duskendale was caught completely by surprise and quickly fell to Criston's forces. The city was sacked and the ships in the harbor were set afire. Most of the Darklyn household bent the knee to Aegon, but some stood beside Lord Darklyn and were executed for it.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 House of the Dragon: Season 2, Episode 4: "The Red Dragon and the Gold" (2024).
- ↑ House of the Dragon: Season 2, Episode 3: "The Burning Mill" (2024).
Notes[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 In "A Son for a Son," Daemon Targaryen and Otto Hightower mention that days have passed since Viserys Targaryen and Lucerys Velaryon's deaths. Unlike the first season, no major time jumps are expected; therefore, House of the Dragon: Season 2 takes place in 132 AC.
External links[]
