Summary
The book begins with Aegon the Conqueror, the first Targaryen king to rule Westeros. Born on the coastal outpost Dragonstone, Aegon married his sisters Visenya and Rhaenys. He also claimed the massive dragon Balerion. After traveling to different parts of Westeros, he became drawn to the idea of unifying the Seven Kingdoms of the realm into one.
This plan is put into action when the king of the stormlands, Argilac Durrandon, offers his daughter's hand in marriage to Aegon. Aegon refuses, as he says he has no need for a third wife, but he suggests his friend, and likely half-brother, Orys Baratheon in his stead. Enraged by this offer, as he viewed Orys as common-born, Argilac chops off the hands of Aegon's envoy. Following this, Aegon meets with his council for six days and then sends out ravens declaring himself king of the realm, effectively starting a war for the territory.
Aegon first lands in Blackwater Rush, where he establishes his base, Aegonfort, and defeats the houses of Moonton and Darklyn. He is crowned with a circlet of Valyrian steel and named king by his sisters. Aegon then travels to the riverlands, where he defeats the brutal king Harren Hoare in his castle at Harrenhal. Harren refuses to yield, despite a warning from Aegon that he and his whole familial line will be wiped out, as he believes that his castle is impenetrable. Aegon flies high with Balerion and then descends on the castle, completely burning it through and killing everyone inside. Orys and Rhaenys fight Argilac and his men, securing victory after Orys kills Argilac in hand-to-hand combat. Likewise, Visenya defeats the Arryns and secures the Vale for Aegon.
Rhaenys travels to Dorne, but finds all of its castles deserted. She speaks with Meria Martell, who tells her that she will not engage in combat at this time but that Dorne will never cede to Targaryen rule. Aegon captures the region known as the Reach, defeating the Gardener family, and names the Tyrells as the rulers of the region. The Lannister family subsequently surrenders as well. Torrhen Stark, leader of the northern territory of Westeros, bends the knee to Aegon without a fight in an effort to spare the lives of his men. Aegon is crowned again in Oldtown, after receiving the support of the wealthy Hightower family. He established his seat at King's Landing near Blackwater Bay, later improving on the crude construction of Aegonfort. He has the swords of his enemies bent and melted down into a large seat known as the Iron Throne.
Aegon's reign as king is fairly stable. He quells a rebellion in the North with the help of Torrhen Stark and successfully keeps the Iron Islands at bay, defeating them in battle before allowing the Greyjoy to have dominion over the region. Rhaenys returns to Dorne again, as Aegon tries to conquer it once more, and is killed in Hellholt, after her dragon, Meraxes, takes a bolt to the eye. Grief-stricken and enraged, Aegon and Visenya spend ten years engaged in a costly war with Dorne. Aegon eventually reaches a peace agreement with Meria. The remainder of his time on the throne is mostly peaceful.
Aegon's son (with Rhaenys) Aenys ascends to the throne following Aegon's death. Aenys is an ineffectual ruler. More interested in music and fine clothing than war and politics, he struggles to deal with the outbreak of multiple rebellions during his time on the throne. His desire to be liked undermines his authority and he frequently waffles on important matters. He comes into conflict with members of the Faith of the Seven over various matters like his brother's polygamy and his allowing the Ironborn to keep the Drowned God as their deity. Aenys's failures put the realm into turmoil. He dies appearing much older than he actually is, supposedly from the wear of stress on his body.
Aegon's other son (with Visenya), Maegor, claims the throne following Aenys's death, rejecting the claim of Aenys's son Aegon. Maegor crushes his nephew's opposition in a brutal battle in the riverlands. Maegor and Aegon clash on dragonback and Maegor kills him. Thereafter, he is known as a kinslayer. Maegor takes six wives over the course of his rule, the last three known as the Black Brides, as he wed them in a single night, coercing them with threats to the safety of their families. He finishes the construction of King's Landing, naming his addition the Red Keep, and then has the builders put to death as a safety precaution. Eventually Maegor's cruelty causes him to lose support from various houses, leading to his downfall. He dies under strange circumstances, being discovered dead on the Iron Throne shortly before opposing armies arrive in King's Landing.
Analysis
Mercy is an important theme in this section as Aegon shows restraint in dealing with his former enemies. He holds no grudges as long as they bend the knee. He readily accepts the support of Torrhen Stark, who swears fealty to him without a bloody conflict. He also accepts the surrender of Loren Lannister, following his victory at the Field of Fire. The respect that he treats these former opponents with earns him a great deal of respect and allows him to keep order in the kingdom. At the same time, he doesn't hesitate to vanquish his enemies when they do not stand down. Aegon gives Harren Hoare multiple chances to surrender, but he refuses to do so and Aegon scorches him, his family, and his entire stronghold. Aegon's rule is effective because he does not hold onto animosity, but still makes good on his threats of violence.
Another major theme in this early section of the book is revenge. When Rhaenys attempts to take Dorne, she is killed when her dragon is hit in the eye with a bolt. Aegon is crushed by this news and responds with a brutal campaign known as the Dragon's Wroth. Aegon, along with his sister Visenya, used scorched earth tactics in the region, leveling armies and castles. Still, the Martells refuse to surrender, leading to years of conflict with heavy losses on both sides. After a decade, Aegon reaches a peace settlement with Meria Martell that leaves Dorne independent. This conclusion of this lengthy conflagration shows the futility of Aegon's revenge, as his actions do not bring Rhaenys back or lead to the successful conquest of the territory.
Power also appears as a significant theme in this section of the book, as Aenys and Maegor display two different types of bad leadership. Aenys is an ineffective ruler because he struggles to make decisions and is preoccupied with being liked. His fumbled handling of various rebellions only sows further discord in the realm. Similarly, his lack of diplomacy with the leaders of the Faith of the Seven leads to an uprising. Unlike Aegon, Aenys folds in important moments, not knowing when to back down or push back.
In contrast, Maegor's rule is marked by his paranoia and cruelty. He kills his nephew Aegon to end his claim to the throne. He also kidnaps several women while looking for a wife to produce an heir and he murders the builders of the Red Keep. While the fear he inspires initially allows him to hold onto power, it eventually leads to the end of his reign. His brutal tactics eventually backfire on him, as his support in Westeros dwindles. In this way, the book shows how power cannot be built on a foundation of mere terror and intimidation.
This first part of the book deals with the earliest members of the Targaryen dynasty. While Aegon is shown to be a capable warrior and king, both of his sons fail to meet the same standard. Aenys's waffling indecision and Maegor's callous cruelty lead to division and uncertainty in Westeros. These chapters emphasize the qualities that make a capable warrior and regent.
