The Son of Ice and Fire: Westeros After King Maekar II's Territorial Reorganization

Excerpt from ‘Maekar Targaryen: The Man Behind the Myth’ by Maester Theobald Manderly

King Maekar II’s territorial reorganization was the most sweeping change made to the governance of the Seven Kingdoms since Aegon the Conqueror forged it into one realm. The ambitious restructuring—often called 'The Great Change'—served both to consolidate the Iron Throne's power and to alter the geopolitical landscape of Westeros in ways not seen in over three centuries.

One of the most radical changes was the annexation of both the Stormlands and the Riverlands into the newly expanded Crownlands, which Maekar renamed as The Heartlands. This restructuring ended the existence of these ancient kingdoms as distinct political entities, absorbing them directly under the Targaryen royal banner. The Heartlands, which now encompassed the lands of the Riverlands, the rugged coasts of the Stormlands, and parts of the fertile lands of the Reach, became the core of royal power.

In tandem with this annexation, King Maekar made another pivotal move. He seized the lands of several prominent houses whose main lines had either died off during the war or whose loyalties were questionable in its aftermath. The holdings of Houses Tully, Baratheon, Vance, Meadows, Footly, Hayford, and Connington were all transformed into Targaryen Royal Crownlands, directly under the king's rule. This decision was a reinforcement of royal authority without precedent since the time of Aegon I. It represented the most aggressive centralization of power in Targaryen history and greatly expanded the direct domain of the Iron Throne.

Another of the most significant changes occurred in the Reach—a region famously loyal to Prince Aegon the Mad during the conflict. Highgarden, the once-great seat of House Tyrell, was transformed into a Targaryen holding. The Tyrells, now stripped of their vast estates, were left only with meager holdings and a castle on the coast within the newly formed Lord Paramountcy of the Mander. In their place, House Florent rose to prominence, granted dominion over the lands north of the Mander. Their influence grew significantly as they were rewarded with lands seized from both the Peakes and the Tyrells. This newly created Lord Paramountcy of the Mander gave House Florent a power base that dwarfed anything they had possessed before.

South of the Mander, the Lord Paramountcy of Oldtown was established, ruled by House Hightower. This created what was known as the Southern Reach. House Hightower's alliance with Maekar was instrumental in their rise, and their loyalty was rewarded with authority over the southern expanse of the fertile Reach, making Oldtown the power center of the region.

While these sweeping reforms were enacted, the kingdoms allied to King Maekar during the war were left largely unchanged. The Iron Islands, the Vale, the North, and even Dorne remained untouched, at least in terms of borders. However, the Westerlands were granted some lands from their borders with the Reach.

It must be noted that King Maekar's reforms were not without resistance. Many lords—especially those in the Reach, the Stormlands, and the Riverlands—vehemently opposed the changes. Even King Maekar's biggest allies, Lord Jon Arryn and his uncle Lord Brandon Stark, voiced their concerns. The destruction of long-standing traditions and the dissolution of ancient borders caused outrage among many noble houses. However, opposition to Maekar's reforms was soon silenced by the looming presence of Neferion, the king's formidable dragon. The sight of the black-scaled beast circling overhead was often enough to ensure compliance.

King Maekar's territorial restructuring was a bold and unprecedented act, but in the face of what was to come, it was a change that would soon be eclipsed by the challenges of survival and unity against a greater and far older foe.