Seven Kingdoms

The **Seven Kingdoms** is a realm located on the continent of Westeros, ruled by the Lord of the Seven Kingdoms (currently Jaehaerys Targaryen), the king who sits on the Iron Throne in the capital city, King's Landing. The name derives from the situation three centuries ago when Aegon the Conqueror set to unite the lands of Westeros, which then contained seven independent realms. The new realm created from Aegon's Conquest contains *eight* distinct regions or provinces.

## History

### The Conquest and Since

After Aegon the Dragon conquered six of the seven independent realms of Westeros, he was proclaimed sole king of all the Seven Kingdoms. The Great Lords who survived his conquest paid him fealty, while the regions who had lost their lieges bent to him through newly appointed overlords. For a time there was peace, albeit an uneasy one, as the realm sought to come to grips with the new found state of affairs.

After Aegon's death his son Aenys took the throne; a weak man, born of incest. Several rebellions broke out across the realm, the greatest of these being the Faith Militant Uprising, which revolted against Aenys Targaryen and his eventual successor, Maegor the Cruel. Maegor usurped the throne from his young nephew and crushed the Faith rebellion with steel and dragonfire. The slaughter would last until Maegor met his end - seated upon the Iron Throne - and, some say, slain by it.

Maegor died with no known sons, and thus Jaehaerys I Targaryen, Aenys' last male child, inherited. The young king ended the Faith Uprising peacefully, and ruled for a period of over fifty years, bringing justice and prosperity to the kingdom of Westeros. He was succeeded by his son, Viserys I, who continued his father's legacy of wealth and good fortune.

When Viserys died, however, the peace and stability the realm had so long known was marred by uncertainty and betrayal. The terrible civil war, known as the Dance of Dragons, began in 129AC.

Eventually Aegon II emerged victorious, executing the other claimant to the throne - the Princess Rhaenyra. His own rule would be brief and troubled; half a year later he too would perish, though his death would come by poison.

With Aegon II dead, Aegon III - Rhaenyra's eldest living son - inherited the throne, taking Jaehaera Targaryen - Aegon II's only daughter - as his wife. Aegon's rule worked to heal the rifts that formed during the Dance of Dragons, but many saw him as a broken king, ever brooding and withdrawn. During his reign the last of the Targaryen dragons would perish, earning him the moniker *Dragonbane* - though seventy years later a new egg would hatch, a dragon named Terrax emerging.

Dorne had long been a source of frustration to the Targaryens. Upon taking the throne at the age of fourteen in 157 AC, Aegon's son King Daeron I almost immediately launched an invasion of Dorne. This was an attempt to finish Aegon the Conqueror's work and unify all the seven original kingdoms and the rule of the Iron Throne. His campaign was a success, but the rebellious Dornishmen made holding Dorne a costly adventure. It is said the conquest of Dorne lasted but a summer, and that the Young Dragon spent ten thousand men taking Dorne and lost fifty thousand trying to hold it. Daeron's brother and heir, Baelor, would eventually perish in the culmination of Daeron's attempts to quell the revolts.

### Recent Years

Daeron's rule lasted for just over forty years, extending from his ascension in 157AC to his death at the turn of the century. With his eldest son and long time heir, Aenys, dead these past four years, the Iron Throne passes to Daeron's grandson, the young Prince Jaehaerys Targaryen.

## Positions in the Seven Kingdoms

*Main Article: The Small Council*

Beside the nobility of Westeros, who hold titles that are hereditary and pass from father to son, the Small Council holds much of the power in the Kingdom, aiding the King in his rule. These (traditionally) seven councilmen are aided by a host of supporters, the greatest of which are listed below:

* Hand of the King
	+ Captain of the Hand's Guard
	+ Steward
* Lord Commander of the Kingsguard
* Master of coin - head of the treasury and finances of the kingdom.
	+ Harbourmaster of King's Landing
	+ Keeper of the Books
	+ Keepers of the Keys
	+ King's Counter
	+ King's Scales
* Master of laws - oversees law and justice for the kingdom.
	+ High Reeve
	+ High Bailiff
	+ King's Justice
	+ Justicair
* Master of whisperers - the spymaster, and the head of intelligence.
	+ Informants and spies
* Master of ships - oversees the navy.
	+ Commander of the Sea Watch
	+ Royal Shipwright
	+ Royal Captains
* Grand Maester - head adviser on matters of lore and wisdom.

## Great Lords

Beneath the king are the Great Lords of the realm, who serve as his vassals. Each of these have vassals of their own, great and small, who swear ancient oaths of fealty to their liege lords. The current Great Houses of the Seven Kingdoms are as follows: