Pyke (island)

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Pyke among the Iron Islands

Pyke is one of the larger islands among the Iron Islands, an archipelago located on Ironman's Bay, on the western side of Westeros. Pyke is located east of Saltcliffe, southeast of Great Wyk, and southwest of Harlaw.[1] Pyke is a day's sail from Harlaw.[2] Smallfolk claim House Greyjoy's castle of Pyke is named after the island.[3]

Geography

Pyke is not as large nor as rich as Great Wyk, Harlaw, and Orkmont.[4] The island is home to a castle, also called Pyke, the seat of House Greyjoy, whose lord is known as the Lord Reaper of Pyke. Near the castle is the port town of Lordsport, the seat of House Botley, which provides safe anchor for those who wish to reach Pyke.[5] Iron Holt on the northern coast of the isle is the seat of House Wynch, who are also a strong house on Pyke.[6] Cold sea winds howl across the island,[7] whose surrounding waters are often stormy.[8]

History

Antiquity

The castle of Pyke viewed from the mainland, art by Marc Simonetti ©

The ancient castle of Pyke was once part of mainland Pyke, but is now located on small islands and stone stacks after segments of land fell into the sea.[9] Hrothgar of Pyke was an ironborn warrior of old.[10]

King Theon Stark defended the north against raiders from Pyke.[11]

The island was once ruled by rock kings and salt kings, but they became lords when Urron Greyiron established a hereditary dynasty of Kings of the Iron Islands.[12]

Iron, lead, and tin from Pyke was traded by ironborn merchants during the dynasty of House Hoare, the successors of House Greyiron.[13]

Iron Throne

Pretenders arose on Great Wyk, Old Wyk, Orkmont, and Pyke after the death of Harren the Black during Aegon's Conquest. House Greyjoy ultimately became the new Lords of the Iron Islands after submitting to King Aegon I Targaryen.[4][14] Aegon visited Pyke during two of his royal progresses.[15]

After the death of the Red Kraken, Lord Dalton Greyjoy, battles were fought on Pyke by rival ironborn claimants and then by vengeful westermen.[16][17]

Lord Quellon Greyjoy led fifty longships from Pyke after the Battle of the Trident, but he died in the battle at the Mander.[18]

During Greyjoy's Rebellion, Pyke was invaded by the forces of King Robert I Baratheon and the castle of Pyke was besieged.

Recent Events

A Clash of Kings

Shores of Pyke, as depicted in Game of Thrones

In preparation for his plan to attack the north, Balon Greyjoy, the Lord of the Iron Islands, gathers confiscated merchant ships, dozens of longships, and countless fishing ships to the harbor of Lordsport.[5]

Theon Greyjoy sails from Seagard to Pyke. His uncle, Aeron Damphair, escorts him from Lordsport to the castle of Pyke.[5]

After viewing Sea Bitch, Theon rides from Lordsport to the castle of Pyke with "Esgred", not knowing she is actually his sister, Asha.[2]

A Storm of Swords

Balon, King of the Isles and the North, falls to his death from the castle of Pyke. The Seastone Chair is claimed by Balon's brother, Euron Crow's Eye, who drowns Sawane Botley after the Lord of Lordsport Sawane objects.[19]

A Feast for Crows

Euron has Maester Wendamyr send ravens demanding the ironborn pay homage to him at Pyke.[20] Euron's supporters on Pyke include Alyn Orkwood, Jon Myre, Lucas Codd, Harren Half-Hoare, the Red Oarsman, Kemmett Pyke, Rodrik Freeborn, and Torwold Browntooth.[6]

Aeron Damphair calls for a kingsmoot on Old Wyk.[20] While Sawane's heir, Tristifer Botley, advocates for Asha Greyjoy, Euron supports Germund Botley and gives some Botley land to Lord Waldon Wynch.[6] The kingsmoot selects Euron at Old Wyk.[21]

After the taking of the Shields, Grand Maester Pycelle expects Euron will retreat back to Pyke to protect his spoils of war.[22]

Quotes

Tell me, O Lord beneath the waves, who has the strength to fight the storm on Pyke?[20]

—prayer of Aeron Greyjoy

Where is it written that our king must be a kraken? What right has Pyke to rule us? Great Wyk is the largest isle, Harlaw the richest, Old Wyk the most holy. When the black line was consumed by dragonfire, the ironborn gave the primacy to Vickon Greyjoy, aye ... but as lord, not king.[21]

References

  1. The Lands of Ice and Fire, Westeros.
  2. 2.0 2.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 24, Theon II.
  3. Bad parameter 1: "TWOIAF The Iron Islands: Pyke" is not a recognized work
  4. 4.0 4.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Iron Islands: The Greyjoys of Pyke.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 11, Theon I.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 11, The Kraken's Daughter.
  7. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 42, The King's Prize.
  8. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 56, The Iron Suitor.
  9. The World of Ice & Fire, The Iron Islands: Pyke.
  10. The World of Ice & Fire, The Iron Islands.
  11. The World of Ice & Fire, The North: Kings of Winter.
  12. The World of Ice & Fire, The Iron Islands: The Iron Kings.
  13. The World of Ice & Fire, The Iron Islands: The Black Blood.
  14. Fire & Blood, Reign of the Dragon - The Wars of King Aegon I.
  15. Fire & Blood, Three Heads Had the Dragon - Governance Under King Aegon I.
  16. The World of Ice & Fire, The Iron Islands: The Red Kraken.
  17. Fire & Blood, The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency.
  18. The World of Ice & Fire, The Iron Islands: The Old Way and the New.
  19. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 45, Catelyn V.
  20. 20.0 20.1 20.2 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 1, The Prophet.
  21. 21.0 21.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 19, The Drowned Man.
  22. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 32, Cersei VII.