King's Landing

King's Landing is the capital of the Seven Kingdoms, located in the Crownlands on the east coast of Westeros. It is situated along the kingsroad at the mouth of the Blackwater Rush and overlooks Blackwater Bay. King's Landing is the site of the Iron Throne and the Red Keep, which is the seat of the king.

## King's Landing

### Government

King of the Andals, the Roynar and the First Man Lord of the Seven Kingdoms Protector of the Realm

### Founded

2BC

The main city is surrounded by a wall, manned by the City Watch of King's Landing, also known as the gold cloaks. King's Landing is the most populous city in Westeros, but unsightly and dirty compared to other cities. Poorer smallfolk build shanty settlements outside the city. The stench of the city's waste can be smelled far beyond its walls.

King's Landing, the principal harbor of the Seven Kingdoms, is rivaled only by Oldtown, which is larger in area but less populous. Nearby towns include Rosby and Duskendale to the northeast and Tumbleton to the southwest, while the kingswood is found south of the capital across the Blackwater. Driftmark and Dragonstone in the Gullet protect the bay from the narrow sea.

The demonym used for its inhabitants is "Kingslander".

## Streets, squares and others

* **Alleys:**
	+ Eel Alley is located on Visenya's Hill. Inns and taverns may be found here.
	+ Pig Alley
	+ Pigrun Alley is enclosed by tall timber-and-stone buildings whose upper stories lean out so far over the streets that they nearly touch those of the buildings across from them.
	+ Weasel Alley

* **Lanes:**
	+ Reeking Lane is a street full of apprentices.
	+ Shadowblack Lane, a twisty lane that begins at the northern gate of the Red Keep and winds its way down to the foot of Aegon's High Hill.

* **Squares:**
	+ Cobbler's Square
	+ Fishmonger's Square is a market square inside the Mud Gate.
	+ Unnamed market square inside the Gate of the Gods.
	+ Unnamed great central square built during King Jaehaerys I Targaryen's reign.
	+ Unnamed square before the Red Keep’s gates.

* **Streets:**
	+ The Hook is a long, curved thoroughfare connecting the River Gate to Aegon's High Hill.
	+ Pisswater Bend is a street probably located in Flea Bottom.
	+ River Row is a street along the southern wall, east of Fishmonger's Square, home to sea captains, fishmongers and others with interest in the harbor.
	+ Sowbelly Row
	+ Street of Flies
	+ The Street of Flour contains numerous bakeries. Below the street lies a maze of twisting alleys and cross streets.
	+ Street of Looms
	+ Street of Seeds
	+ Street of Silver
	+ The Street of Steel is where most smiths have their forges. It begins on the west of Fishmonger's Square inside the River Gate and climbs up Visenya's Hill. The higher up one goes, the more expensive the shops. At its top is the shop of Tobho Mott.
	+ The Street of Silk is a street to the northwest of the Dragonpit lined with brothels of varying expense, including Chataya's.
	+ The Street of the Sisters connects the Great Sept of Baelor to the Dragonpit. One can find the Guildhall of the Alchemists upon it. It runs straight as an arrow between the hills of Rhaenys and Visenya, from which it gets its name.

* **Ways:**
	+ The Gods' Way
	+ The King's Way
	+ The Muddy Way, formerly known as "Blackwater Way". It's a street that begins at Fishmonger's Square.
	+ Shepherd's Way, formerly known as "Hill Street".

* **Wynds:**
	+ Coppersmith's Wynd

## History

### Founding

Before Aegon's Conquest, the area around the future King's Landing was just hills and forests, claimed by both the Storm King, Argilac Durrandon of Storm's End, and the King of the Isles and the Rivers, Harren Hoare of Harrenhal. During the days of the Hundred Kingdoms, the mouth of the Blackwater Rush had been claimed by many petty kings, including the Darklyns of Duskendale, the Masseys of Stonedance, and various river kings including Blackwoods, Brackens, Fishers, Hooks, and Mudds. Towers and forts had crowned the three hills multiple times, but all had been destroyed during various wars. Only broken stones and overgrown ruins remained when Lord Aegon Targaryen led his army from Dragonstone and landed on the north bank of the Blackwater Rush in 2 BC,, where a handful of fisherfolk lived in a small village. Aegon quickly built his first fortress of wood and earth, the Aegonfort, on top of the highest hill.

When Aegon finalized his conquest and was crowned Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, many expected that he would make Dragonstone or Oldtown his capital. He unexpectedly decided to build his capital in the new town growing around the Aegonfort, since it was more centrally located than any other and not part of the former kingdoms, setting the king apart from his new vassals. Aegon foresaw that King's Landing, which became a city in 10 AC, would surpass Oldtown or Lannisport. Trade shifted from Duskendale and Maidenpool, and by 25 AC King's Landing had become the realm's third-largest city, ahead of White Harbor and Gulltown. The following year Grand Maester Gawen and Ser Osmund Strong completed the city walls and seven gates.