During the Dance of the Dragons, Unwin Peake was the head of House Peake and the Lord of Starpike, Dunstonbury, and Whitegrove. Later, when King Aegon III Targaryen was regent, he held the positions of Lord Regent, Protector of the Realm, and Hand of the King.
Character[]
Unwin was haughty, harsh, arrogant, ambitious, and shrewd. Unwin agreed with his lord father that a woman should be in charge of men. Unwin possessed an exquisite silken pavilion.
History[]
Dance of the Dragons[]
During the Dance of the Dragons civil war, Unwin supported the greens and led a thousand men to join Lord Ormund Hightower's host marching towards King's Landing. Following Ormund's death, Unwin vied for leadership, causing conflict among the other contenders. He stabbed Lord Owain Bourney during a war council, calling him a turncloak. Unwin wanted to wait for reinforcements from Lord Borros Baratheon and march on King's Landing immediately upon hearing of unrest, but was advised caution by Ser Hobert Hightower. With Ser Hobert, Unwin formed the Caltrops and plotted against the Two Betrayers. After surviving the Second Battle of Tumbleton, Unwin abandoned the campaign and retreated from Tumbleton due to desertion in his army.
Regency of Aegon III[]
When the original council of King Aegon III Targaryen's regents was formed in 133 AC, Unwin was not initially included. Unwin later joined after Lord Corlys Velaryon's death, becoming Hand of the King. He replaced previous appointments made by the king without consulting the regents, appointing his own people to key positions. Unwin surrounded himself with family and friends and created a personal guard known as the "Fingers".
Unwin aimed to show his strength as Hand, emptying the dungeons and punishing offenders publicly. He also sent his uncle with the royal fleet to the Stepstones, but his plans were foiled by Alyn Velaryon's actions. Unwin's actions led to tensions with Braavos and the Iron Islands.
After Queen Jaehaera's death, Unwin announced a marriage between King Aegon and his daughter Myrielle, facing criticism from many lords. Due to pressure, he instead organized the Maiden's Day Ball for Aegon to choose his own bride. Unwin's daughter, along with other candidates, were presented at the ball, but Aegon ultimately chose Daenaera Velaryon as his bride, thwarting Unwin's plans.
Unwin's departure from King's Landing in 134 AC led to his resignation as regent. Despite this, his appointees continued in their roles. Unwin's actions as Hand, including his marriage plans for Aegon, sparked controversy and unrest among the nobility.
Overall, Unwin's time as Hand was marked by his consolidation of power, controversial appointments, and failed attempts to control the succession to the Iron Throne. His departure from King's Landing marked a turning point in the turbulent political climate of the time.
Later Life[]
There was a plot in King's Landing against House Rogare during the Lysene Spring of 135 AC. The assertion was made that the Rogare family was preparing an assassination plot against King Aegon III Targaryen so that Prince Viserys Targaryen, the brother of the King and spouse of Lady Larra Rogare, may take the Iron Throne. This ultimately resulted in the Red Keep's covert siege. Many believed Lord Unwin was the mastermind behind the conspiracy after it came to light and the conspirators were apprehended; after all, all of the conspirators were people he had appointed to important positions while serving as the King's hand. Few doubt Unwin was involved, even if it was never proven beyond a reasonable doubt.