Moon of the Three Kings
After Rhaenyra‘s forces left King’s Landing, the city fell into chaos during a period known as the Moon of the Three Kings.
A squire named Trystane Truefyre, claiming to be King Viserys I‘s bastard, was set up in the Red Keep by Perkin the Flea. Simultaneously, another pretender king emerged, a four-year-old boy named Gaemon Palehair, believed to be the son of King Aegon II Targaryen. Gaemon was placed at the House of Kisses on Visenya’s Hill.
Lord Borros Baratheon took control of King’s Landing on behalf of Aegon II. Gaemon was arrested, and Trystane was executed after being knighted as a favor. Lord Corlys Velaryon, previously imprisoned in the dungeons, was released and appointed to Aegon’s small council. Since Aegon II’s only heir was his daughter Jaehaera, he agreed to marry Borros’s eldest daughter to secure his line.
During the Moon of the Three Kings, which occurred in 130 AC near the end of the Dance of the Dragons, King’s Landing experienced a period of chaos. Several individuals claimed to be the rightful king, including a preacher known as the Shepherd, and two pretender kings, Trystane Truefyre, a hedge knight’s squire, and Gaemon Palehair, the son of a prostitute. Despite its name, this period of confusion and multiple claimants to the throne lasted longer than a month.
History of the Moon of the Three Kings
Three Kings
After Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen took control of King’s Landing, she ruled for just half a year before the city fell into chaos. The Shepherd, who led the mob during the Storming of the Dragonpit, tried to guide his followers toward a simpler life. However, his influence diminished over time.
Ser Perkin the Flea, a hedge knight and leader of the rioters, declared his squire, Trystane Truefyre, as a bastard son of the late King Viserys I Targaryen. Perkin took over the Red Keep and placed Trystane on the Iron Throne. He executed some knights, including Garth the Harelip and Ser Harmon of the Reeds.
Mysaria, a former mistress of Viserys, was publicly whipped to death. Perkin spared some individuals, like Septon Eustace, and released prisoners from the dungeons, including Grand Maester Orwyle, Lord Corlys Velaryon, and Ser Tyland Lannister. Queen Dowager Alicent Hightower was also freed. Lord Larys Strong supported Perkin in his endeavors.
Another pretender king, Gaemon Palehair, a four-year-old boy, was claimed to be Aegon II’s son by a woman named Essie. Gaemon ruled from the House of Kisses on Visenya’s Hill, gathering followers and issuing edicts, including one promoting gender equality in inheritance matters. According to Mushroom’s account, some believed that Gaemon’s edicts were crafted by Sylvenna Sand, a Dornish woman and Essie’s companion.
Return of Aegon II
After Rhaenyra Targaryen left Dragonstone, Aegon II Targaryen, recovering from his injuries, managed to reclaim the castle. In 130 AC, Rhaenyra returned to Dragonstone and was killed by Aegon’s dragon, Sunfyre. However, Sunfyre also succumbed to his wounds later that year.
Mourning his dragon’s loss, Aegon II planned to regain the Iron Throne in the chaotic King’s Landing. Lord Borros Baratheon led stormlanders to restore order to the city. Ser Perkin was imprisoned, and Trystane Truefyre was executed after receiving a knighthood.
Essie confessed that Gaemon was not Aegon’s son but the child of an oarsman from Lys and was hanged. Gaemon Palehair was arrested but later accepted into Aegon’s household. The Shepherd, responsible for the Dragonpit incident, had his tongue cut out and was burned alive along with his loyal followers under Aegon’s orders.