Aegon's first test

Aegon Targaryen and Balerion by Michael Komarck.
Conflict	Aegon's Conquest
Date	2 BC
Place	near the Blackwater Rush
Result	Decisive Targaryen victory Duskendale and Maidenpool bent the knee to Aegon
Combatants House Targaryen House Darklyn House Mooton Commanders Aegon Targaryen Orys Baratheon Lord Darklyn† Lord Mooton† Strength up to 3,000 warriors Balerion 3,000 warriors[1] Casualties Relatively light Heavy troop casualties Lord Darklyn† Lord Mooton†

Aegon's first test marked the first substantial hostilities during Aegon Targaryen's war of conquest toward the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. It was a one-sided battle, however, due to the presence of Aegon's dragon, Balerion.

Prelude

Aegon Targaryen, Lord of Dragonstone, landed at the mouth of the Blackwater Rush, where he built the Aegonfort on the northern bank of the river. Aegon's manpower varied from hundreds to three thousand depending on the source. Nearby Rosby and Stokeworth both submitted to House Targaryen after minimal resistance.^[1]

Battle

Opposition came from Lord Darklyn of Duskendale and Lord Mooton of Maidenpool, who joined their power and marched south with three thousand men. Aegon sent Orys Baratheon to meet them on the march with the Targaryen soldiers, whilst he descended on them from above with Balerion. Lords Darklyn and Mooton were both killed in the overwhelming Targaryen victory.^[1]

Aftermath

After the deaths of their lords, Mooton's brother, Jon, and Darklyn's son yielded their castles and swore their swords to House Targaryen. Visenya, one of Aegon's sisters, claimed the riches of Duskendale, which at the time was the principal port on the narrow sea, greatly expanding the Targaryens' resources. After the submission of a dozen local castles, Lord Aegon was proclaimed King Aegon I Targaryen at the Aegonfort.^[1]

References