Home Velaryon was as soon as a dominant pressure within the Home of the Dragon. As one of many wealthiest households in Westeros, they commanded the most important and most formidable navy. Their chief was the well-known Corlys Velaryon, performed by Steve Toussaint.
Regardless of their energy, the query of who would inherit Corlys’s title posed a substantial problem. Nonetheless, Home Velaryon remained a outstanding Valyrian home in the course of the Dance of Dragons. By the point of Recreation of Thrones, nevertheless, the home had misplaced a lot of its former glory.
The title Velaryon was hardly ever talked about, and its members solely appeared in minor roles within the A Tune of Ice and Hearth books. This as soon as nice home had change into nearly insignificant. What occurred to this noble household, as soon as identified for its braveness and power?
The Dance of the Dragons marks the start of the downfall of Home Velaryon
The autumn of Home Velaryon started with the Dance of the Dragons. For over a century, the Velaryons maintained management of the Slim Sea, regardless of a number of exterior threats, together with the Triarchy. Nevertheless, the civil warfare pressured them to focus closely on sustaining a blockade of the Gullet.
The Battle of the Gullet was significantly devastating, inflicting vital injury to the Velaryon fleet and resulting in widespread pillaging throughout Driftmark. This era marked the start of the decline of Home Velaryon, although it could be a long time earlier than the total impression can be felt.
After Corlys’ demise, Alyn of Hull (Abubakar Salim), now generally known as Alyn Velaryon, inherited Driftmark and have become the pinnacle of Home Velaryon. Alyn was an distinctive naval commander and maintained their dominance at sea. Nevertheless, he was much less adept at political maneuvering.
With the Velaryon fleet based totally round Driftmark and the Gullet, different homes started to construct their very own naval forces. Over time, the Velaryon fleet misplaced its place because the main naval pressure in Westeros.
Different Homes Rise As Nice Naval Powers After The Dance Of The Dragons
As time went on, different naval forces emerged in Westeros. Home Greyjoy, identified for its power but additionally its unpredictability, launched raids and invasions within the Westerlands and the Attain. This prompted Home Lannister to develop its personal naval pressure, primarily based in Lannisport for defense.
After the Battle of the 5 Kings, Home Lannister’s navy turned essentially the most highly effective in Westeros. Additional south, Home Redwyne additionally expanded its naval capabilities. Based mostly on the Isle of Arbor, Home Redwyne had all the time been inclined towards seafaring, and ultimately surpassed the naval power of Home Hightower.
Regardless of these modifications, Home Velaryon retained some affect, with many members of the home holding the place of Grasp of Ships on the Small Council.
For instance, in the course of the reign of King Aerys II (David Rintoul), Lord Lucerys Velaryon (to not be confused with Luke) served on the council and abused his place for private acquire because the Mad King’s energy waned. The steadiness of energy shifted considerably with Robert’s Rebel, and Home Baratheon emerged because the dominant naval energy in Westeros.
Home Velaryon had sworn fealty to the Prince of Dragonstone. When Robert Baratheon (Mark Addy) ascended the throne, he named his brother, Stannis Baratheon (Stephen Dillane), as the brand new prince. Stannis then created a brand new department, Home Baratheon of Dragonstone, to which Home Velaryon remained loyal.
On the time of ‘Recreation of Thrones’, Home Velaryon is a minor participant
Within the Recreation of Thrones books, Home Velaryon remained loyal to Dragonstone and supported Stannis Baratheon’s forces in the course of the Battle of the 5 Kings. Lord Monford Velaryon took half within the Battle of Blackwater Bay, however was killed when his ship was sunk.
His younger son, Monterys, succeeded him as Lord of Driftmark. When Stannis referred to as his troops to the Wall, Home Velaryon despatched troops. Jon Snow (Package Harington) noticed the banners of Velaryon amongst these of Home Baratheon throughout Stannis’ victory over the wildlings of Mace Rayder (Ciarán Hinds) past the Wall.
Throughout the Battle of Blackwater Bay, Lord Monford’s illegitimate half-brother, Aurane Waters, was captured and compelled to give up to King Joffrey (Jack Gleeson). Aurane later turned a captain of ships and tried to increase the Lannister fleet in King’s Touchdown.
He additionally had a quick battle with Lord Mace Tyrell (Roger Ashton-Griffiths). Nevertheless, when Aurane realized of Cersei Lannister’s (Lena Headey) imprisonment by the hands of the Excessive Sparrow (Jonathan Pryce) and the Religion of the Seven, he fled his place. His present whereabouts are unknown.
The rise of Home Velaryon from a dominant naval energy to a minor participant in Westeros displays the altering tides of political and navy affect within the kingdom.
As soon as a logo of wealth and maritime power, the home’s decline started with the devastating conflicts of the Dance of the Dragons and was compounded by the rise of different highly effective naval powers reminiscent of Home Greyjoy, Lannister, and Redwyne.
Regardless of having some affect by means of roles reminiscent of Grasp of Ships, Velaryon’s affect waned over time, culminating of their diminished presence following the occasions of Recreation of Thrones.
The evolution of the home underscores the transience of energy, and the methods by which even essentially the most formidable forces can wane with altering circumstances and rising rivals. The story of Home Velaryon serves as a poignant reminder of the fleeting nature of affect and the fixed ebb and movement of energy in Westeros.
