While many readers and viewers primarily associate the major cities of Westeros with King’s Landing, the bustling capital built by the Targaryens, the continent holds metropolises of far greater age and depth. Among these ancient centers of power and influence, none stands taller – both literally and figuratively – than Oldtown. Nestled at the mouth of the Honeywine, Oldtown boasts a history that stretches back thousands of years, long predating the arrival of the dragons. This article delves into the fascinating history and character of **Oldtown before Aegon**’s Conquest, exploring its unique position as a foundational pillar of Westeros – a city of knowledge, faith, and commerce that thrived independently for millennia.
The Deep Roots: Founding and Early History
The origins of Oldtown are shrouded in the mists of deep history, predating the arrival of the Andals and even the First Men in some legends. What is known is that the site has been inhabited for a very long time, drawn by the strategic location at the mouth of a navigable river, providing access to the fertile lands of the Reach and the vast opportunities of the Sunset Sea.
Legends speak of the foundation of the base of the Hightower, a colossal structure built from the same oily black stone found in mysterious ancient sites like Asshai and the Seastone Chair of the Iron Islands. Who built this base remains one of Westeros’s great enigmas – some say the First Men, others hint at even older, perhaps non-human, hands. Upon this enigmatic foundation, the ancestors of the Hightower family gradually built their tower higher and higher over centuries, eventually creating the sky-piercing beacon we know.
The Hightower family itself is one of the oldest noble lines in Westeros, claiming descent from the First Men kings. They were petty kings in their own right before bending the knee to the Gardeners, the Kings of the Reach at Highgarden. Even as vassals, their control over Oldtown and its burgeoning port granted them immense wealth and a unique degree of autonomy and influence within the Reach, setting the stage for the city’s prominence long before the dragons ever soared over Blackwater Bay. Oldtown, in this ancient era, was not merely a large town; it was a burgeoning city-state of significant power.
Pillars of Power: The Institutions That Defined the City
What truly set Oldtown apart and solidified its status as a cornerstone of Westeros **before Aegon** were its three great institutions. Each represented a different facet of power – wealth and political might, knowledge and learning, and spiritual authority – and their presence together made Oldtown a unique entity.
The Seat of the Hightowers
Towering over the city, the Hightower was more than just a landmark; it was the physical embodiment of the ruling family’s power. Lord Hightower was the city’s secular ruler, his family’s fortune built on controlling the vital trade that flowed through the Honeywine and into the city’s bustling port. They levied taxes, managed defenses (including the formidable Blackwall), and held sway over the surrounding lands. The Hightowers were famously pragmatic, often preferring trade and diplomacy over warfare, a trait that served them well throughout history. Their wealth rivaled, and sometimes exceeded, that of the Gardener kings they nominally served. Their influence extended far beyond Oldtown itself, making them key players in the politics of the Reach and beyond. The Hightower domain was a beacon of stability and prosperity within the realm.
The Esteemed Citadel
Perhaps the most iconic institution located in Oldtown before Aegon was the Citadel. Founded by the Archmaesters, the Citadel is the heart of scholarly learning and knowledge preservation in all of Westeros. Here, men from across the continent came to train, forging the links of their maester’s chains, each representing mastery in a different field of study. Maesters served every castle, counseling lords, sending ravens, and keeping records. The Citadel in Oldtown before Aegon was the central repository of this vast network of knowledge. Its library was legendary, housing countless scrolls, books, and forbidden texts.
The Citadel’s power was subtle but pervasive. By controlling communication (the raven network) and serving as trusted advisors to the nobility, the maesters held immense, quiet influence. Crucially, the Citadel maintained a degree of independence, theoretically serving the realm as a whole rather than any single lord or king. This neutrality, centered in Oldtown, made the city the de facto intellectual capital of Westeros, a place where history, science, and philosophy were studied and preserved, even amidst the chaos of wars and changing dynasties.
The Starry Sept: Heart of the Faith
For centuries, Oldtown also served as the spiritual capital of the dominant religion of Westeros, the Faith of the Seven. The Starry Sept in Oldtown before Aegon was the seat of the High Septon, the supreme leader of the Faith. From this magnificent structure, the Faith exerted its moral and spiritual authority over the common people and much of the nobility across the continent (excluding the North, which largely adhered to the Old Gods).
The High Septon and his Most Devout held significant sway, issuing pronouncements on matters of doctrine, judging moral transgressions, and influencing the lives of millions. While not always in perfect harmony, the presence of the Faith, the Citadel, and the Hightowers created a unique dynamic in Oldtown. They were three pillars of power, sometimes competing, often cooperating, but together reinforcing the city’s central importance long before King’s Landing existed. The Starry Sept added a layer of sanctity and pilgrimage to the city’s profile.
A Bustling Metropolis: Trade, Culture, and Daily Life
Beyond its institutions, Oldtown before Aegon was a vibrant, sprawling city. As the primary port of the Reach and a major hub for trade with the Westerlands, the Dornish Marches, and even potentially Essos, its docks were constantly filled with ships unloading goods – grain, wine, wool, timber, and exotic luxuries from across the seas. This economic engine fueled the city’s growth and supported its large, diverse population.
The city itself was a maze of streets, markets, guilds, temples, and residential areas, all protected by the formidable Blackwall. The Blackwall, another structure whose origins are debated, encircled the main part of the city, a layer of defense against potential threats. Life in Oldtown before Aegon would have been rich and varied, a blend of the academic pursuits of the Citadel, the religious devotion centered at the Starry Sept, and the hard-nosed pragmatism of the merchant class and seafarers drawn by the port. It was a city where scholars debated theology alongside merchants haggling over prices, all under the watchful gaze of the Hightower. Its unique culture was a testament to this confluence of influences.
Oldtown’s Place Within the Kingdom of the Reach
While the Gardeners of Highgarden held the title of Kings of the Reach, Oldtown before Aegon was a power center unto itself. The Hightowers were arguably the wealthiest and most influential bannermen of the Gardeners. Their relationship was complex; allies against common enemies, often tied by marriage, but with an underlying tension due to Oldtown’s immense resources and unique institutions.
The Hightowers commanded large forces and controlled critical infrastructure. The Citadel and the Faith, while not strictly vassals of the Gardeners, were headquartered in Oldtown, adding layers of authority that Highgarden could not directly control. Thus, Oldtown before Aegon was a semi-autonomous entity within the larger kingdom, a vital economic and cultural heart whose cooperation the Gardeners needed, but whose independence they had to respect.
Facing the Dragons: Facing Aegon’s Conquest
The era of Oldtown before Aegon’s direct rule came to a dramatic, yet ultimately peaceful, end with the coming of the Targaryens. While the rest of the Reach mustered its forces under King Mern IX Gardener to face Aegon on the Field of Fire – a battle that resulted in the fiery annihilation of the Gardener army and the end of their dynasty – Oldtown faced a different decision.
As Aegon and his dragons marched south after their victory, the fate of Oldtown hung in the balance. Within the city walls, Lord Hightower, the High Septon, and the Archmaesters of the Citadel convened. They had heard the terrifying tales of dragonfire, seen the ashes of their king and his army. Their deliberations were momentous. Should they resist the dragons and risk the destruction of their ancient city, its priceless libraries, its holy sept, and its people? Or should they yield?
In a move that solidified their reputation for pragmatism and ultimately saved Oldtown, they chose surrender. Lord Hightower sent his son to Aegon’s camp to offer fealty. When Aegon arrived at the gates, the High Septon himself emerged from the Starry Sept to crown Aegon, acknowledging him as King of All Westeros. This pivotal decision meant that Oldtown was spared the fate of Harrenhal or the army at the Field of Fire. It transitioned from being Oldtown before Aegon’s rule to Oldtown under Targaryen dominion, but its physical structures and key institutions remained intact. The Starry Sept remained the seat of the Faith for a time, and the Citadel continued its work, ensuring Oldtown’s continued importance in the new era.
Conclusion: An Enduring Legacy
Exploring the history of **Oldtown before Aegon** reveals a city of profound importance, a true ancient heart of Westeros. Long before the foundations of King’s Landing were laid, Oldtown was a thriving metropolis built on the deep roots of history, the immense wealth of trade, and the concentrated power of key institutions. The Hightowers provided political and economic leadership, the Citadel served as the unparalleled center of knowledge, and the Starry Sept was the spiritual beacon for millions.
Oldtown was not merely a city but a civilization in itself, a crucial player in the history of the Reach and the continent, independent of the dragonlords. Its decision to surrender to Aegon I was a pragmatic choice that ensured its survival, allowing it to continue to play a vital role in the history of Westeros for centuries to come, even as its identity shifted from Oldtown before Aegon to Oldtown under the King on the Iron Throne. Its ancient stones, the towering Hightower, the sprawling Citadel, and the remnants of the Starry Sept all stand as testaments to its enduring legacy as a city that shaped Westeros long before the dragons came.
