Driftmark is an island and a castle located in Blackwater Bay, in the Crownlands. It is the seat of House Velaryon, one of the few houses of Westeros that originated in the Valyrian Freehold.
History[]
Valyrian Freehold[]
Sometime during the imperialistic reign of the Valyrian Freehold, the Valyrians reached Westeros by colonizing around three islands in Blackwater Bay: Driftmark, Dragonstone, and Claw Isle. The Dragonlords granted House Velaryon a fief on Driftmark after the colonization. Driftmark was a valuable island to the Velaryons, as with it, they could control the middle of the Narrow Sea with their ships.
After Aegon's Conquest[]
Alyssa Velaryon, former Queen Consort, now Queen Mother of the Seven Kingdoms, brought her children to Driftmark after the death of her husband, King Aenys I Targaryen. When there, the queen proclaimed that her son, Prince Aegon was the rightful King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, in opposition to Maegor Targaryen usurping the Iron Throne.
The Dance of the Dragons[]
During the Targaryen civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons, Lord Corlys Velaryon sent a Black fleet from Driftmark to block access to Blackwater Bay.