The Seastone Chair is a famous[1] throne of the Iron Islands, now used as the high seat of House Greyjoy, the Lords of the Iron Islands since Aegon's Conquest.[2][3] The Iron Fleet is sworn to the holder of the Seastone Chair.[4]
Appearance
[edit]The Seastone Chair is made of an immense block of oily black stone carved into the shape of a great kraken.[2][3]
History
[edit]Legend says the Seastone Chair was found on the shores of Old Wyk by First Men when they came to the Iron Islands.[2] Archmaester Haereg pondered that the chair was created by a people who inhabited the isles before the First Men, though he eventually dismissed the idea.[3] Maester Kirth speculated in Songs the Drowned Men Sing that the chair was left by a people from across the Sunset Sea.[1] Noting similarities between the Seastone Chair and the fused black stone at the base of the Hightower, Maester Theron suggested in Strange Stone that they were the work of so-called Deep Ones.[5]
House Greyjoy of Pyke has ruled the Iron Islands since Aegon's Conquest.[6] It is unknown if extinct iron king dynasties, such as the Greyirons or Hoares, used the Seastone Chair as their throne.
After Lord Dalton Greyjoy was killed by Tess at Faircastle without an heir, the Seastone Chair passed by law to his oldest salt son, Toron Greyjoy.[7]
The Seastone Chair is now located on a dais in the Great Hall of the Great Keep of Pyke, the seat of Lord Balon Greyjoy. His younger brother Aeron Damphair, a priest of the Drowned God, claims that only a pious ironman can sit the throne, not an ungodly man or a woman.[8]
Recent Events
[edit]A Clash of Kings
[edit]
Lord Balon Greyjoy declares himself King of the Isles and the North during the War of the Five Kings.[9]
A Storm of Swords
[edit]The day after Balon falls to his death while crossing Pyke, his brother Euron returns to the Iron Islands and claims the Seastone Chair. When Lord Sawane Botley objects, Euron Crow's Eye has him drowned.[10]
A Feast for Crows
[edit]Opposed to his hated brother Euron succeeding Balon, Aeron Greyjoy insists that a kingsmoot be held to determine the new king,[8] but the gathering on Old Wyk confirms Euron as king.[11]
Euron offers to give the Seastone Chair to his brother Victarion, Lord Captain of the Iron Fleet, once Euron claims the Iron Throne.[12]
Quotes
[edit]—"Esgred" to Theon Greyjoy
The god took me deep beneath the waves and drowned the worthless thing I was. When he cast me forth again he gave me eyes to see, ears to hear, and a voice to spread his word, that I might be his prophet and teach his truth to those who have forgotten. I was not made to sit upon the Seastone Chair ... no more than Euron Crow's Eye. For I have heard the god, who says, No godless man may sit my Seastone Chair![8]
—Aeron Greyjoy to his drowned men
Asha: Nuncle, hear me. I will place the driftwood crown upon your brow myself ... if you will agree to share the rule.
Victarion: Share the rule? How could that be? The Seastone Chair seats but one.[13]
Balon has fallen, Balon my brother, who honored the Old Way and paid the iron price. Balon the Brave, Balon the Blessed, Balon Twice-Crowned, who won us back our freedoms and our god. Balon is dead ... but an iron king shall rise again, to sit upon the Seastone Chair and rule the isles.[11]
—Aeron Greyjoy to his drowned men
References
[edit]- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The World of Ice & Fire, Ancient History: The Dawn Age.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 24, Theon II.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 The World of Ice & Fire, The Iron Islands.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 56, The Iron Suitor.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Reach: Oldtown.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Iron Islands: The Old Way and the New.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, Under the Regents - The Voyage of Alyn Oakenfist.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 1, The Prophet.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 49, Tyrion XI.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 45, Catelyn V.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 19, The Drowned Man.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 29, The Reaver.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 18, The Iron Captain.