GameTimeline

In-universe history

Westeros history timeline

Major eras of Westeros and Essos in chronological order—BC and AC dates from the ~12,000-year tradition, what happened, and whether House of the Dragon, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, or Game of Thrones shows it on screen. For season premiere dates, see the HBO watch-order page.

Updated July 2026

Release order

Chronological milestones from the Dawn Age through the Game of Thrones finale. Westerosi tradition spans about 12,000 years (First Men landing) to ~305 AC—not every century gets a row here. Deep BC dates are approximate; maesters in-world doubt oral history.

  • New to the world → First Men → Long Night → Valyria → Conquest → 101 AC Council → Dance → Robert's Rebellion → main saga
  • HotD fans → 101 AC Great Council → 120 AC Red Spring → 129–131 AC Dance
  • Post-Conquest fans → 4–13 AC First Dornish War → 28 AC / 37 AC → 157–161 AC Daeron → 187 AC union
  • Watching HBO only → jump to rows tagged Shown on HBO
  • Season premiere dates and watch order → see our Game of Thrones watch-order page (linked in FAQ below)
  • Dates with ~ are traditional estimates—especially before the Andals brought writing

Westeros timeline

  1.

    Dawn Age (Before Men)

    Westeros Books & history

    Children of the forest, giants, and other old magic—before human history was recorded.

    What happened
    Weirwoods, greenseers, and nameless old gods; no calendars yet—only legend.
    Dating note
    No firm BC year—this row marks the mythic era before the First Men.
    TV coverage
    Not shown on HBO; background for Bran's visions and Old Nan's oldest tales (GoT).
  2.

    Arrival of the First Men

    Westeros Books & historyMentioned on HBO

    Bronze-armed invaders from Essos cross the Arm of Dorne; war with the children of the forest begins.

    What happened
    Start of the 12,000-year tradition cited in maester histories—foundation of northern and Ironborn cultures.
    Dating note
    Traditional date ~12,000 BC (Before Conquest). Citadel archmaesters treat all deep BC numbers as approximate.
    TV coverage
    GoT/HotD cite First Men ancestry; not depicted on screen as a full era.
  3.

    Pact of the Isle of Faces

    Westeros Books & history

    First Men and children of the forest end their wars; men take open lands, children keep the deep woods.

    What happened
    Ends the Dawn Age, opens the Age of Heroes—Brandon the Builder, Lann the Clever, and other legendary founders belong to the centuries after this.
    Dating note
    Traditional ~10,000 BC; four millennia of peace before the Long Night in many accounts.
    TV coverage
    Book/world-book lore only; occasionally referenced as ancient history on HBO.
  4.

    The Long Night

    Age of Heroes Mentioned on HBOBooks & history

    A generation-long winter; the Others (White Walkers) invade from the far north. The Wall is raised afterward.

    What happened
    Battle for the Dawn; Last Hero and Azor Ahai legends; Essos has parallel myths (Yi Ti, Asshai).
    Dating note
    Tradition places this ~8,000 years before 1 AC (sometimes ~6,000 BC). Not the same as the 12,000-year span—that starts at First Men.
    TV coverage
    HBO: Old Nan's tales, Bran's visions, Night King arc (GoT)—no full Long Night series yet.
  5.

    Andal Invasion

    Westeros Books & history

    Andals cross the narrow sea with steel and the Faith of the Seven; southern kingdoms take shape over centuries.

    What happened
    Knighthood, septs, and Andal-written histories—yet even these were copied by septons thousands of years later.
    Dating note
    Maesters dispute the start: ~6,000, ~4,000, or ~2,000 BC depending on the source.
    TV coverage
    Mentioned in world history; no HBO series set in this era.
  6.

    Rise of Valyria

    ValyriaEssos Mentioned on HBOBooks & history

    Dragonlords of the Freehold dominate Essos; House Targaryen later holds Dragonstone before the Doom.

    What happened
    Valyrian steel, dragonlords, and colonies across Essos—the Freehold grows for millennia before the Doom.
    Dating note
    Dragons were first tamed in the Freehold's early centuries; wars with Old Ghis peak around ~4,700 BC (see next row).
    TV coverage
    HotD and GoT cite Valyrian history; a Sea Snake spin-off has been discussed but not produced.
  7.

    Fall of Old Ghis (Fifth Ghiscari War)

    Essos Books & history

    Valyrian dragonlords destroy Old Ghis in the Fifth Ghiscari War—the Freehold becomes Essos's dominant power.

    What happened
    Ghiscari empire shattered; Valyrian colonies and slavery expand across the continent.
    Dating note
    Traditional ~4,700 BC—a fan- and maester-cited anchor for Valyrian supremacy.
    TV coverage
    Mentioned in world-book history; no HBO series set in this era.
  8.

    Age of Hundred Kingdoms

    Westeros Books & history

    Andal petty kings and shifting borders; wildling kings Gendel and Gorne tunnel under the Wall (~3,000 BC in tradition).

    What happened
    Southern Westeros still fragmented—precursor kingdoms that later become the Seven Kingdoms.
    Dating note
    ~3,000 BC is approximate—maesters disagree on wildling chronology.
    TV coverage
    Background lore; wildling invasion cited in Old Nan–style history, not shown on HBO.
  9.

    Nymeria & the Rhoynar

    EssosDorne Planned seriesBooks & history

    Princess Nymeria leads surviving Rhoynar to Dorne; Martell power rises over centuries.

    What happened
    Rhoynish law and Dornish uniqueness—Dorne joins the Seven Kingdoms only centuries later (~187 AC).
    Dating note
    ~700 BC—about a millennium before Aegon's Conquest.
    TV coverage
    HBO announced Ten Thousand Ships (Nymeria)—not premiered as of July 2026. GoT mentions Nymeria's legacy.
  10.

    Targaryens on Dragonstone

    Dragonstone Mentioned on HBOBooks & history

    House Targaryen relocates to Dragonstone—twelve years before Valyria's Doom ends the Freehold.

    What happened
    Daenys the Dreamer's prophecy; the last dragonlord refuge before ~102 BC.
    Dating note
    114 BC is the usual maester date for the migration—not to be confused with the Doom (~102 BC) on the next row.
    TV coverage
    HotD opening credits and Targaryen backstory; GoT cites Dragonstone as ancestral seat.
  11.

    Doom of Valyria

    Valyria Mentioned on HBOBooks & history

    Catastrophe destroys the Valyrian Freehold; most dragons die. Only Dragonstone's Targaryens survive (see previous row).

    What happened
    The Fourteen Flames erupt; Valyria shatters into the Smoking Sea. The Century of Blood follows in Essos.
    Dating note
    ~102 BC—often confused with 114 BC (Targaryen migration); both rows are kept separate here.
    TV coverage
    Explained in dialogue (GoT, HotD) and *Fire & Blood* prologue material.
  12.

    Aegon's Conquest

    Westeros Mentioned on HBOBooks & history

    Aegon I unites six kingdoms with dragons; year 1 AC starts the calendar used in the shows.

    What happened
    Iron Throne forged; Dorne remains independent until ~187 AC.
    TV coverage
    Cited throughout HotD and GoT; no standalone conquest series on HBO yet.
  13.

    First Dornish War

    DorneWesteros Books & historyMentioned on HBO

    Aegon I tries to conquer Dorne; Queen Rhaenys dies (~10 AC). Dorne remains independent when the war ends (~13 AC).

    What happened
    First major failure of dragon conquest—Dorne's guerrilla resistance defines centuries of Targaryen–Martell relations.
    Dating note
    Core fighting ~4–13 AC; fans often discuss later reign years (~28 AC, 37 AC) as the unfinished Conquest era.
    TV coverage
    Cited in HotD/GoT Dornish history; no standalone HBO season for this war.
  14.

    Dorne Still Unbowed

    Dorne Books & history

    Mid–Aegon I reign: Dorne has never joined the realm—decades after the First Dornish War ended.

    What happened
    Shows why "Six Kingdoms united" lasted most of the Conqueror's lifetime—not the full Seven until ~187 AC.
    Dating note
    ~28 AC is a fan-cited checkpoint year in post-Conquest chronologies—not a single battle date.
    TV coverage
    Background for GoT/HotD Dornish pride; not depicted as its own HBO arc.
  15.

    Death of Aegon I

    Westeros Books & historyMentioned on HBO

    The Conqueror dies; his sons Aenys I and later Maegor continue the dynasty—Dorne still outside the realm.

    What happened
    Ends the founding reign; succession and Faith Militant troubles follow in the next generation.
    Dating note
    37 AC—common anchor for "post-Conquest" fan timelines before Jaehaerys the Conciliator.
    TV coverage
    Referenced in Targaryen genealogy on HotD; not a full on-screen episode.
  16.

    Great Council of 101 AC

    Westeros Mentioned on HBOBooks & history

    Lords assemble at Harrenhal; Viserys I is chosen heir over Laenor Velaryon—direct setup for HotD Season 1.

    What happened
    Male-preference succession precedent; Viserys's later naming of Rhaenyra overturns this peace.
    Dating note
    101 AC—exact year in *Fire & Blood*; not the same as the Dance (~129–131 AC).
    TV coverage
    HotD Season 1 prologue and dialogue; one of the most-discussed pre-Dance events among fans.
  17.

    Year of the Red Spring

    King's Landing Mentioned on HBOBooks & history

    HotD Season 1 climax era—deaths and marriages that lock in the Dance: Laena, Laenor, Aemond vs Lucerys, Rhaenyra–Daemon wedding.

    What happened
    The realm's last chance to avoid open civil war collapses in a single year.
    Dating note
    ~120 AC—fan shorthand for the Red Spring cluster before the Dance (~129 AC).
    TV coverage
    House of the Dragon Season 1 on screen; book detail in *Fire & Blood*.
  18.

    Dance of the Dragons

    Westeros Shown on HBO

    Targaryen civil war—Rhaenyra vs Aegon II; most dragons die in the fighting.

    What happened
    Succession crisis after Viserys I; realm bleeds; sets up centuries without dragons.
    TV coverage
    House of the Dragon (Seasons 1–3+, with more planned). Season 1 also covers earlier decades (~112–132 AC).
  19.

    Death of the Last Dragon

    Westeros Books & historyMentioned on HBO

    The last Targaryen dragon dies in Maegor III's reign—the Dragon's Withering before Daeron I's wars.

    What happened
    Dragons gone from the world until Daenerys centuries later—defines the post-Dance Targaryen era.
    Dating note
    ~153 AC—maester-cited date for the last dragon's death (sometimes called the start of the Dragon's Withering).
    TV coverage
    Cited in HotD/GoT dragon lore; not shown on screen as a dedicated scene.
  20.

    Daeron I Conquers Dorne

    Dorne Books & historyMentioned on HBO

    The Young Dragon conquers Dorne by force (~157 AC)—rebellion and his death end the occupation (~161 AC).

    What happened
    Brief Targaryen victory without lasting union—159 AC is often cited as mid-occupation in fan chronologies.
    Dating note
    War ~157–161 AC; formal peaceful union waits until ~187 AC (next row).
    TV coverage
    Referenced in world-book and character dialogue; no HBO season for Daeron I.
  21.

    Dorne Joins the Realm

    Dorne Books & historyMentioned on HBO

    Dorne enters the Seven Kingdoms through marriage pact—Daeron II and Myriah Martell—not by dragon conquest.

    What happened
    Completes the map most characters mean by "Seven Kingdoms" in later eras.
    TV coverage
    Referenced in GoT Dornish plotlines; not a HotD focus.
  22.

    Blackfyre Rebellions

    Westeros Books & historyMentioned on HBO

    Daemon Blackfyre's claim splits the realm; five rebellions follow over decades.

    What happened
    Targaryen bastards and legitimation politics—echo in later Dunk & Egg and GoT succession themes.
    TV coverage
    Book-heavy; occasional references in world material, not a current HBO series.
  23.

    Dunk & Egg

    Seven Kingdoms Shown on HBO

    Ser Duncan the Tall and Prince Aegon (Egg)—hedge knight adventures ~90 years before GoT.

    What happened
    Egg is the future Aegon V; stories show a gentler, travelogue Westeros.
    TV coverage
    A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Season 1 (2026); Season 2 planned (~2027).
  24.

    Reign of Aerys II

    Westeros Mentioned on HBOBooks & history

    The Mad King's paranoia; Jaime joins the Kingsguard; Rhaegar and Lyanna's tragedy begins.

    What happened
    Targaryen dynasty rots from within—direct setup for Robert's Rebellion.
    TV coverage
    GoT flashbacks and dialogue (Tower of Joy, Jaime's oath); HotD echoes madness theme.
  25.

    Robert's Rebellion

    Westeros Mentioned on HBOBooks & history

    Robert Baratheon, Ned Stark, and allies overthrow the Targaryens; Jon and Daenerys born in the war's aftermath.

    What happened
    End of Targaryen rule; Baratheon dynasty begins—GoT starts ~17 years later.
    TV coverage
    GoT: Tower of Joy visions, character backstory—not a full HBO season (previously discussed).
  26.

    War of the Five Kings & Finale

    WesterosEssos Shown on HBO

    Ned Stark's fall through the Iron Throne resolution—main Game of Thrones saga.

    What happened
    War of the Five Kings (from Season 2 onward), White Walker threat, and Daenerys's arc; realm reshaped by ~305 AC.
    TV coverage
    Game of Thrones Seasons 1–8. Season-by-season AC windows on the watch-order page.
  27.

    Age After the Throne (Snow)

    The North Planned series

    Post–Game of Thrones North—Jon Snow sequel series Snow discussed at HBO, not premiered.

    What happened
    Would extend TV continuity after the finale—details unconfirmed.
    TV coverage
    Listed here until a US premiere date is announced—not part of the aired HBO seasons on the watch-order page.

FAQ

BC/AC calendar, 12,000-year tradition vs Long Night, books vs HBO, and planned spin-offs.

Calendar

BC = Before Aegon's Conquest. AC = After Conquest. Year 1 AC is when Aegon I Targaryen united six of the Seven Kingdoms (~300 years before Game of Thrones Season 1). Dorne joined later (~187 AC). Dates marked ~ are approximate—especially deep BC mythic eras.

They measure different anchors in the same in-universe tradition—not two competing canon timelines.

~12,000 BC — when the First Men reached Westeros; maesters often say history "extends back over twelve thousand years" from the present (~300 AC).

~8,000 BC (sometimes ~6,000 BC) — the Long Night and the Others' invasion, roughly two thousand years after the Pact in many accounts.

Both numbers come from oral legend copied by septons long afterward. Citadel archmaesters openly doubt early BC precision—this page uses ~ and date ranges rather than false exactitude.

HBO coverage

This page is in-universe history. For US premiere dates, season posters, and binge order (HotD → KotSK → GoT), use the Game of Thrones HBO watch timeline.

House of the Dragon (Seasons 1–3+) → Dance of the Dragons era (~112–135 AC on screen; the war's core years are ~129–131 AC in lore). A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms → ~209 AC (Dunk & Egg). Game of Thrones → ~298–305 AC (main saga). Everything earlier or later is mentioned on TV, book lore only, or a planned spin-off row here.

Books vs TV

Early BC rows draw on *The World of Ice & Fire* and *Fire & Blood*. The main novels (*A Song of Ice and Fire*) cover the ~298 AC era with more detail than the show. HBO is the finished TV story through Season 8; books are unfinished but richer in history. Rows tagged Books & history may never appear on screen.

Planned series