Lore

Everything we know about the Battle of the Kingsroad

The Final clash of the Dance of Dragons.

Published

3 weeks ago

October 28, 2024

Ved Prabhudesai

Credits: HBO

House of the Dragon will cover the Targaryen Civil War extensively. As George R.R. Martin’s Fire and Blood shows, the Dance of Dragons changed Westeros through numerous battles. The Blacks and Greens fought across the realm, and the Battle of the Kingsroad marked one of the war’s final clashes.

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Contents

3 Minutes Read

What happened at the Battle of the Kingsroad?

Credits: HBO

After Rhaenyra’s death at Dragonstone, Lord Borros Baratheon controlled King’s Landing. The Blacks continued fighting for Aegon the Younger. Lord Borros led Green forces against the Riverlords supporting the Blacks. The battle ended when Kermit Tully killed Lord Borros with his morningstar.

Quick facts

Show facts

• The battle has not appeared in House of the Dragon yet
• It will likely feature in future seasons
• Lord Borros appears in Season 1
• The show introduces Oscar Tully in Season 2
• Benjicot Blackwood was teased in Season 2

Book facts

• Took place two days from King’s Landing
• Occurred on muddy ground after rain
• The Blacks used archers on high ground
• Many Green allies switched sides
• Three young lords earned the name “The Lads”

In Fire and Blood

Credits: Martina Pilcerova

The battle’s setup

King Aegon II captured and executed Rhaenyra at Dragonstone. Lord Borros controlled King’s Landing during the Moon of Three Kings. The city faced chaos under three pretender kings. Borros restored order for the Greens. The Blacks continued fighting for Aegon the Younger. The Riverlords gathered their forces under Kermit Tully. Houses Frey, Blackwood, Bracken, Vance, Mallister, and Darry joined the cause.

Lord Borros led Green forces to meet them. He recruited two thousand men from Flea Bottom. Several former Black houses joined his army. The armies met on the Kingsroad between forest and hill.

The battle itself

Lord Borros charged at dusk despite muddy ground. Alysanne Blackwood’s archers broke their charge. The Rivermen formed a shield wall against the Greens. Benjicot Blackwood’s forces emerged from the forest. Half of Borros’s army refused to fight. The Flea Bottom recruits fled the field. Duskendale forces switched sides mid-battle. Lord Borros fought bravely, killing Lords Darry and Mallister. Kermit Tully offered him surrender. Borros refused and fell to Tully’s morningstar.

Key figures

Show figures

• Lord Borros Baratheon
• Oscar Tully (combined character)
• Benjicot Blackwood
• The armies of the Riverlands

Book figures

• Lord Borros Baratheon
• Kermit Tully
• Oscar Tully
• Benjicot “Bloody Ben” Blackwood
• Roland Darry
• Jorah Mallister

Aftermath

Show aftermath

• Not yet depicted
• Will likely lead to the end of the Dance
• May show the fall of King’s Landing

Book aftermath

• The Lads earned their nickname
• The Blacks marched on King’s Landing
• Cregan Stark’s forces joined them
• The Greens lost their last major army
• Led to Aegon II’s death by poison

Quotes

“The Citadel names the clash that followed the Battle of the Kingsroad. The men who fought it named it the Muddy Mess.” – Fire and Blood

Quick answers

When did the Battle of the Kingsroad happen?

In the books, it occurred after Rhaenyra’s death, near the end of the Dance of Dragons.

Who won the Battle of the Kingsroad?

The Blacks won decisively when Kermit Tully killed Lord Borros Baratheon.

Why was this battle important?

It marked the last major resistance of the Greens and led directly to the end of the Dance of Dragons.

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Related Topics:Bloody Ben Borros Baratheon Oscar Tully

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Ved Prabhudesai

Ved Prabhudesai is an avid enthusiast of all things pop culture. He has a special interest in the field of animation and art, with a background in Fine Arts and Digital Media Arts. He has begun his first into the field of Entertainment Journalism with Wiki of Thrones, and has been writing for them since 2023. He also has experience working as a screenplay writer, animator and comic book artist. His hobbies include holding discussions and organising events focused around pop culture, dissecting the importance of media in today's world. He began reading A Song Of Ice And Fire shortly before Game of Thrones debuted on HBO. He has followed the series religiously and has spent hours reading Wikis learning about Targaryen history and possible plot points we will see in the Winds of Winter.