The pilot of House of the Dragon has made it infinitely clear that this spin-off show is bound to reach great heights. Despite the disappointing final seasons of its parent series, House of the Dragon has started off on a strong note and promises to be a truly riveting show that expands on the history of Westeros and the world of A Song of Ice and Fire.
It's only a given that more and more people will be getting back into this iconic fantasy world once again, and some might want more background on the events that shaped Westeros into what it has become in modern times. Here are some of the most defining moments in Westeros' history that fans would want to be aware of.
10 12,000 BC: The First Men Reach Westeros
Before the First Men reached Westeros, the lands were occupied by the mysterious children of the night, along with a bunch of magical creatures as well. History was forever changed in 12,000 BC when humans from Essos landed in Westeros.
Due to their technological superiority, The First Men quickly annex Westeros for themselves. This marks the first event that shaped how Westeros would develop over time.
9 8,000 BC-6,000 BC: The Dawn Of The Long Night
The phrase "Winter is Coming" partly references the eternal winter that came with the Dawn of the Long Night. The Others (known as the White Walkers in the show) mounted their first invasion on the lands of Westeros and almost succeeded in taking the entire continent for themselves.
It's only when both the children of the night and the First Men unite that they're able to drive off this invasion. This is achieved through the use of Dragonglass weapons, which helped the Night's Watch push the invasion back into the North.
8 6,000 BC: The Wall Is Built
The Wall is one of the most iconic parts of Westeros, serving as a means of protection against the oppressive force of the Others. Suffice to say, this Wall was built after the invasion of this otherworldly force was halted once and for all.
Bran the Builder used the help of almost all races to construct this magical Wall that would serve as a major protective force for the years to come. This legendary figure went on to make Winterfell and founded House Stark as well!
7 4,000 BC: The Faith Of The Seven Is Established As A Religion
The Faith of the Seven is one of the most legendary religions in Westeros. The roots of this religion were established in Westeros all the way back in 4,000 BC.
The first king of the Andals, Hugor of the Hill, apparently saw these seven deities in his vision. This led to the religion being formed and served as the fuel for the Andal invasion of Westeros.
6 3,000 BC: The Wildlings Launch An Invasion
The Wildlings live north of the wall and were introduced in Game of Thrones as savage yet trustworthy people. In 3,000 BC, this group sought to invade Westeros after managing to pass through the Wall covertly.
However, their invasion was quickly halted after being thwarted by the armies of House Stark. They were driven back into their homelands, and Westeros was conflict-free once again... albeit not for long.
5 114 BC: The Targaryens Come To Dragonstone From Valyria
The arrival of the Targaryens marked a huge turning point in the history of Westeros. After Daenys Targaryen received a prophetic vision, Lord Aenar decided to move all the way to Dragonstone from Valyria.
This move came in the nick of time since Valyria was pretty much destroyed twelve years later after mysterious forces caused numerous earthquakes and volcanic explosions. Thus, the legacy of the Targaryens would be established after this migration to Westeros.
4 42 BC: The Construction Of Harrenhal Is Commenced
Harrenhal is the largest castle in all of Westeros and one of the most historic structures on the continent. This project was approved all the way back in 42 BC by Harren Hoare, King of the Isles and the Rivers.
Given the massive size of this castle, it's easy to see why a whopping forty years were required to construct this legendary castle. It was supposed to be one of the most powerful strongholds in Westeros, but the aerial threat of dragons at the time, coupled with its massive upkeep costs, have led to the castle being nothing short of a ruin at this point.
3 2 BC–1 AC: Aegon Targaryen Conquers Westeros
Aegon the Conquerer is one of the most important figures in Targaryen history. It was his boundless ambition and immense power that led to the invasion of Westeros being an unequivocal success.
This invasion kickstarted the rise of the Targaryen family, with six of the seven kingdoms in the realm being subdued by him. Their reign at the top is truly eventful, with the many rulers bringing either years of peace and prosperity or a ton of strife in Westeros.
2 153 AC: The Last Dragon Perishes
The dragons were a symbol of power for the Targaryens, which is precisely why this event in history was so monumental. King Aegon III Targaryen attained the nickname Dragonbane after he failed to hatch healthy dragons.
Thus, the last of the dragons died in 153 AC. This would remain the case until Daenerys Targaryen would hatch three dragons that would become the stuff of legends in their own right.
1 282–283 AC: An Uprising Against The Targaryens
After the Mad King alienated pretty much everyone during his reign, it was clear that the Targaryens needed to be usurped from their throne. This led an uprising led by the valiant Robert Baratheon, with Eddard Stark helping him out at every step of the way.
The Mad King was killed with Jaime's help, and Robert Baratheon ascended to the Iron Throne. This led to a brief period of peace before the events of A Song of Ice and Fire would be kickstarted.