House Greyjoy
House Greyjoy of Pyke | |
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We Do Not Sow
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Coat of arms | Sable, a kraken Or |
Seat | Pyke |
Head | King Euron Greyjoy |
Region | Iron Islands |
Titles |
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Heir | Theon Greyjoy |
Overlord | None, sovereign (disputed by House Baratheon of King's Landing and House Baratheon of Dragonstone) |
Founded | Age of Heroes |
House Greyjoy of Pyke is one of the Great Houses of Westeros. It rules over the Iron Islands, a harsh and bleak collection of forbidding islands off the west coast of Westeros, from the castle of Pyke on the island of the same name. Their sigil is a golden kraken on a black field, and their house motto is "We Do Not Sow."[1][2] Members of the family tend to be attractive and well-built, with black hair.
Contents
History
The Greyjoys of Pyke claim descent from the Grey King of the Age of Heroes. Legend says the Grey King ruled not only the western isles but the sea itself, and took a mermaid to wife.
For thousands of years, raiders from the Iron Islands—called "ironmen" by those they plundered—were the terrors of the seas, sailing as far as the Port of Ibben and the Summer Isles. They prided themselves on their fierceness in battle and their sacred freedoms. Each island had its own "salt king" and "rock king". The High King of the Isles was chosen from among their number during the kingsmoot. In ancient times The Old Kraken was chosen as the King of the Iron Islands. He was said to be a member of House Greyjoy.
The Iron Kings extended their rule far beyond the isles themselves, carving kingdoms out of the mainland with fire and sword. King Qhored could truthfully boast that his writ ran "wherever men can smell salt water or hear the crash of waves". In later centuries, Qhored's descendents lost the Arbor, Oldtown, Bear Island, and much of the western shore. Still, come the Wars of Conquest, King Harren the Black ruled all the lands between the mountains, from the Neck to the Blackwater Rush. When Harren and his sons perished in the fall of Harrenhal, Aegon Targaryen granted the riverlands to Edmyn Tully of House Tully, and allowed the surviving lords of the Iron Islands to revive their ancient custom and chose who should have the primacy among them. They chose Lord Vickon Greyjoy of Pyke. Thus relegated to their dismal homeland and constrained by the king's peace, the Greyjoys have kept themselves distant from the other Great Houses, rarely taking part in events on the mainland (which they call the "green lands"), even when asked.
For at the beginning of the Dance of the Dragons, the Lord Reaper of Pyke, Dalton Greyjoy , known as the "Red Kraken", was offered the position of Master of Ships to replace Ser Tyland Lannister, who had been made Master of Coin.[3] Due to his absence in The Princess and The Queen it can be assumed that he refused both offers and chose not to take part in the civil war.
At various times the Greyjoys have tried to return to their ancient practices of raiding the western coastlines, such as under Lord Dagon. Dagon and the ironmen raided the coastal areas of Westeros, sacking the town of Little Dosk. Lord Beron Stark was gathering swords and House Lannister was building ships in an effort to drive Lord Dagon and his ironmen back to the Iron Islands.
Six years after holding aloof during Robert's Rebellion, Lord Balon Greyjoy led his own rebellion against the Iron Throne, declaring himself King of the Iron Islands, like many of his ancestors. Despite initiating several strong early strikes, such as burning of the Lannister fleet at anchor, he was defeated. Balon's own fleet under the command of his brother Victarion burned and his two eldest sons Rodrik and Maron were slain during the war. His last son Theon was given as a hostage and ward to Lord Eddard Stark after he swore fealty to House Baratheon of King's Landing.
Since their revolt, the Greyjoys have been as insular as ever. With Theon living in the green lands, Lord Balon raised his daughter Asha as his heir. Balon exiled his brother Euron when he raped the salt wife of their brother Victarion, Lord Captain of the Iron Fleet. Victarion was forced to kill his wife to retain his honor. Since then Euron has sailed the world aboard the Silence, reaving and pillaging, unwelcome in the Isles while Balon still lives. Another brother, Aeron Damphair, had been changed by his experience of washing overboard during the Battle of Fair Isle, and became a priest of the Drowned God.
Recent Events
A Game of Thrones
Theon is still a ward of Winterfell nine years after the Greyjoy Rebellion. He remains there when Lord Eddard Stark rides south to become Hand of the King. He views the Stark boys as younger brothers, and helps Robb save Bran's life when the boy is attacked in the Wolfswood, but is rebuked for endangering Bran himself. When Eddard is arrested, Theon rides to war with Robb, fighting in the battles to capture Ser Jaime Lannister and break his siege of Riverrun.
House Greyjoy is among the noble houses Viserys Targaryen believes will rise for him should he land in Westeros.
A Clash of Kings
After Lord Eddard is executed in King's Landing, Robb is declared King in the North by his bannermen. Theon goes to Pyke with Robb's suggestion that Balon name himself King of the Iron Islands and join the war against House Lannister. Theon finds Asha as heir and is met with scorn from his family, who consider him softened by the green lands. Balon spurns the offer and declares himself King of the Iron Islands and the North. He sends his kin to take the lightly-held North: Victarion captures Moat Cailin in the Neck to prevent Robb's lords from returning to their seats, while Asha takes Deepwood Motte and Theon ravages Stony Shore along with Aeron Damphair and Dagmer Cleftjaw.
Each attack goes as planned. Theon, however, desires to prove himself and goes on to seize Winterfell in a daring raid. There he begins a troublesome rule, at one point murdering two children that he tells the world are Bran and Rickon Stark. Asha tells him that the ironborn will never hold landlocked castles, and leaves only a token force to help his occupation. Stark forces are arrayed to root him out, but they are betrayed by Ramsay Snow, who captures Theon and sacks Winterfell.
A Storm of Swords
Due to the Greyjoy attacks, King Robb is forced to abandon his war in the south to liberate the Northern halls. While grieving for Bran and Rickon, he weds Jeyne Westerling and breaks his marriage contract with House Frey, requiring a replacement match. Thus it is for Greyjoy-produced reasons that he marches north to free his home and to attend his uncle's wedding. Roose Bolton reveals to Robb that Theon is being flayed by Ramsay Snow at the Dreadfort. Robb never makes it home, however, as he is treacherously killed at the Twins.
A Feast for Crows
Meanwhile King Balon has died from a fall at Pyke, just a day before Euron Crow's Eye returns from his long voyage. Aeron calls the first kingsmoot in millennia, hoping that Victarion will succeed Balon to the Seastone Chair. Euron is crowned, however, beating out Asha, Victarion, and several other claimants by promising to conquer all the green lands with the power of his Dragon Horn. Aeron disappears, vowing to rouse the people against the "godless" Euron.
Euron escalates ironborn commitment in the continental war by launching a massive attack on the Reach, conquering the Shield Islands and parts of the Arbor, and threatening Oldtown. Victarion leads the attack on the Shields, but Euron steals away many of his trusted men by granting them lands on the Shield Islands. Euron goes on to ask Victarion to sail the Iron Fleet across the world to find Daenerys Targaryen to court her in his name. Victarion sets out, but secretly hopes to take Daenerys for himself.
A Dance with Dragons
During his arduous voyage Victarion rescues the red priest Moqorro, who converts him to the faith of R'hllor, supplementing his worship of the Drowned God. In the North, Theon is revealed to have been suffered horrific mind-shattering torture in the captivity of Ramsay Snow, now Ramsay Bolton, at the Dreadfort. Theon is released from the Dreadfort to perform a mission for Ramsay, who has warped the man's sense of identity and formed him into a broken creature. He is sent to Moat Cailin to treat with the ironborn garrison there, where he succeeds in getting them to surrender by promising safe passage. Ramsay reneges and flays the men alive.
Theon recognizes Ramsay's wife, "Arya Stark", as Jeyne Poole and develops a tenuous rapport with her during the tense Bolton occupation of Winterfell. He reluctantly teams with Mance Rayder to free her from the castle; they escape but are captured outside by Mors Umber, who is now sworn to Stannis Baratheon. Meanwhile Asha has returned to hold Deepwood Motte, but is defeated and captured in a sudden attack by King Stannis and the Northern mountain clans. She is brought along with Stannis's army as he marches to the Siege of Winterfell. There she finds Theon alive.
The Winds of Winter
Asha tries to ransom Theon from Stannis, but is refused since the northmen want Theon dead. Asha suggests that he behead Theon himself before a heart tree, as Ned Stark would have done.
Known members at the end of the third century
- King {Balon IX Greyjoy}, fourth son of Lord Quellon. King of the Iron Islands. Died from a fall.
- Alannys Harlaw, his wife.
- {Rodrik Greyjoy}, his eldest son. Slain at Seagard in the Greyjoy Rebellion.
- {Maron Greyjoy}, his second son. Slain at Pyke in the Greyjoy Rebellion.
- Asha Greyjoy, his daughter. Sent to raid the North, now with the army of Stannis Baratheon.
- Theon Greyjoy, his third son. Hostage and ward at Winterfell, he invade the North and seized Winterfell. Titled Prince of Winterfell; called Theon Turncloak by northmen. Now held captive in the North.
- Alannys Harlaw, his wife.
- King Euron III Greyjoy, fifth son of Lord Quellon and King of the Iron Islands. Called the "Crow's Eye".
- his mongrel sons, born of salt wives taken from across the world
- Victarion Greyjoy, sixth son of Lord Quellon. Lord Captain of the Iron Fleet.
- Aeron Greyjoy, eight son of Lord Quellon. A priest of the Drowned God. Called the "Damphair".
Other branches
Cousins to the mainline are:
- {Quenton Greyjoy}, a distant cousin to the main branch. Slain at Deepwood Motte.
- {Dagon Greyjoy}, called Dagon the Drunkard, a more distant cousin to the main branch. Slain at Deepwood Motte.
Dagon | Unknown wife | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Son | Unknown wife | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lady Stonetree | Quellon | Lady Piper | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lady Sunderly | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Harlon | Quenton | Donel | Balon | Alannys Harlaw | Euron | Victarion | Unknown three wives | Urrigon | Aeron | Robin | Stillborn daughter | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rodrik | Maron | Asha | Erik Ironmaker | Theon | Bastard sons | Stillborn daughter | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Household
- Dagmer Cleftjaw, captain of the Foamdrinker. Currently occupying Torrhen's Square.
- Bluetooth, a longship captain.
- Maester Wendamyr, healer and counselor.
- Helya, steward of Pyke.
- Erik Ironmaker, husband of Asha Greyjoy and castellan of Pyke.
Historical Greyjoys
- The Old Kraken, an ancient King of the Iron Islands, chosen by a kingsmoot.
- Lord Vickon Greyjoy, elected Lord of the Iron Islands after the death of Harren the Black.
- Lord Dalton Greyjoy, called "The Red Kraken", Lord Reaper of Pyke during the Dance of the Dragons.[3]
- Lord Dagon Greyjoy, Lord of the Iron Islands during the reign of Aerys I Targaryen.[4][5]
- Lord Quellon Greyjoy, Lord of the Iron Islands before his son Balon.
- Harlon Greyjoy, firstborn son of Lord Quellon. He died from greyscale as a child.
- Quenton Greyjoy, second son of Lord Quellon. He died as an infant.
- Donel Greyjoy, third son of Lord Quellon. He died as an infant.
- Urrigon Greyjoy, seventh son of Lord Quellon. He died from an infection at the age of fourteen.
- Robin Greyjoy, ninth and last born son of Lord Quellon. He died as a child.
Sworn Houses
- House Blacktyde of Blacktyde.
- House Botley of Lordsport.
- House Codd. A house of very low standing. Their words are "Though All Men Do Despise Us."
- House Drumm of Old Wyk.
- House Farwynd. The Farwynds are considered strange by their fellow ironborn. Several branches of the house exist, including:
- House Farwynd of Sealskin Point. Located on the western shore of Great Wyk
- House Farwynd of the Lonely Light. Located on one of the westernmost islets of Great Wyk. They are rumored to be skinchangers, taking the shape of various sea mammals.
- House Goodbrother of Great Wyk. There are three branches of this house:
- House Goodbrother of Hammerhorn are the senior branch. Its Lord is titled Lord of Great Wyk.
- House Goodbrother of Shatterstone. They reside on Old Wyk, a cadet branch of the former.
- House Goodbrother. They reside on Orkmont, a cadet branch of the former.
- House Harlaw of Harlaw. Several branches of the house exist, including:
- House Harlaw of Ten Towers. The senior house. Its Lord is titled the Lord of Harlaw. The wife of Lord Balon Greyjoy is a Harlaw.
- House Harlaw of Grey Garden. A cadet branch.
- House Harlaw of Tower of Glimmering. A cadet branch.
- House Harlaw of Harridan Hill. A cadet branch.
- House Humble. A house of low standing, originating from the blood of thralls.
- House Ironmaker.
- House Kenning of Harlaw.
- House Merlyn of Pebbleton.
- House Myre of Harlaw.
- House Netley.
- House Orkwood of Orkmont.
- House Saltcliffe of Saltcliffe.
- House Sharp.
- House Shepherd.
- House Sparr of Great Wyk.
- House Stonehouse of Old Wyk.
- House Stonetree of Harlaw.
- House Sunderly of Saltcliffe.
- House Tawney of Orkmont.
- House Volmark of Harlaw.
- House Weaver.
- House Wynch of Iron Holt.
References and Notes
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 7, Arya I.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 11, Theon I.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 The Princess and the Queen.
- ↑ The Sworn Sword.
- ↑ The Mystery Knight.
This page uses content from the English Wikipedia. The original content was at House Greyjoy. The list of authors can be seen in the page history of House Greyjoy. As with A Wiki of Ice and Fire, the content of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.
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