Harlaw

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Harlaw among the Iron Islands

Harlaw is one of the isles that make up the Iron Islands. The easternmost of the archipelago, Harlaw is northeast of Pyke, from which it is a day's sail,[1] and southeast of Orkmont and Blacktyde. Banefort in the westerlands is across Ironman's Bay to the south.[2]

Economy

Second in size only to Great Wyk, Harlaw is distinguished from the other islands by being both the wealthiest and most densely populated.[3] Harlaw is renowned for its shaggy ponies which are used throughout the Iron Islands.[1] Lead, tin, and iron are mined from Harlaw, Great Wyk, and Orkmont.[4]

Houses

Ten Towers on the island of Harlaw, by Trevor Cook © Fantasy Flight Games

Harlaw is the seat of House Harlaw, which reigns supreme on the island as one of the few families to rival the Greyjoys in strength and influence. The Harlaws have five keeps on the isle that gives them their name: Ten Towers, the seat of the senior branch and Lord Rodrik Harlaw; Harridan Hill, ruled by Boremund the Blue; the Tower of Glimmering, the seat of Hotho Humpback; Grey Garden, presided over by Ser Harras Harlaw; and ancient Harlaw Hall, which belongs to Sigfryd Silverhair. Harlaw Hall was the seat of the family before the construction of Ten Towers.[3]

The bannermen of Lord Rodrik on the isle include the Kennings, the Myres, the Stonetrees, and the Volmarks of Volmark.[3]

History

There were once extensive forests on Harlaw, but they were exhausted by the ironborn of old for use in shipbuilding.[4] Ships from Harlaw began to trade at Lannisport, Oldtown, and the Free Cities during the dynasty of House Hoare, Kings of the Iron Islands.[5]

Qhorin Volmark of Harlaw tried to succeed Harren the Black after the burning of Harrenhal, but he was cut down by King Aegon I Targaryen during the invasion of the Iron Islands.[6]

After the death of Lord Dalton Greyjoy, Blacktyde and Harlaw supported Rodrik Greyjoy against Toron Greyjoy.[7] Westermen landed on Harlaw when Ser Leo Costayne invaded the Iron Islands in 134 AC on behalf of Lady Johanna Lannister.[7]

Victarion Greyjoy brought Alannys Harlaw from Harlaw for her wedding to his brother, Balon.[8]

Harlaw was conquered by King Robert I Baratheon's supporters during Greyjoy's Rebellion.[9]

Archmaester Hake came from the island.[4]

Recent Events

A Feast for Crows

Support of Harlaw by Igor Kieryluk © Fantasy Flight Games

The Old Grey Gull informs the island of Aeron Greyjoy's calling for a kingsmoot on Old Wyk.[3]

Asha Greyjoy visits her uncle, Lord Rodrik Harlaw, at Ten Towers prior to the kingsmoot. Rodrik mentions that Lord Baelor Blacktyde briefly visited Harlaw before continuing to Old Wyk.[3]

A Dance with Dragons

After Euron Greyjoy was crowned King of the Isles and the North at the kingsmoot, Asha fled Old Wyk for Deepwood Motte, bidding farewell to her mother Alannys Harlaw at Ten Towers during her flight. While at Ten Towers she received word that Euron had married her by proxy to Erik Ironmaker.[10]

Quotes

On Harlaw, Harlaw had no rival. The Volmarks and Stonetrees had large holdings on the isle and boasted famous captains and fierce warriors of their own, but even the fiercest bent beneath the scythe. The Kennings and the Myres, once bitter foes, had long ago been beaten down to vassals.[3]

—thoughts of Asha Greyjoy

Behind the Scenes

Harlaw may be named after the Battle of Harlaw in northeastern Scotland, in which Alexander Stewart, Earl of Mar, fought Donald of Islay, Lord of the Isles.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 24, Theon II.
  2. The Lands of Ice and Fire, Westeros.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 11, The Kraken's Daughter.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 The World of Ice & Fire, The Iron Islands.
  5. The World of Ice & Fire, The Iron Islands: The Black Blood.
  6. The World of Ice & Fire, The Iron Islands: The Greyjoys of Pyke.
  7. 7.0 7.1 Fire & Blood, The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency.
  8. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 19, The Drowned Man.
  9. The World of Ice & Fire, The Iron Islands: The Old Way and the New.
  10. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 26, The Wayward Bride.