House Greyjoy

This page is about the Great House. For the short, see: House Greyjoy (short)

House Greyjoy
Information
Coat of arms	A golden kraken on black
Words	"We Do Not Sow"
Titles	Lord of the Iron Islands King of Salt and Rock Son of the Sea Wind Lord Reaper of Pyke King of the Iron Islands (formerly)
Seat	Pyke
Region	Iron Islands
Head	Lady Yara Greyjoy
Overlords	King of the Andals and the First Men {House Baratheon of King's Landing} (281-299 AC) House Targaryen (1-281 AC) {House Hoare} (pre-Aegon's Conquest)
Vassals	House Blacktyde House Botley House Drumm House Goodbrother House Harlaw House Merlyn House Sparr
Religion	Drowned God

"We are Ironborn. We're not subjects, we're not slaves. We do not plow the field or toil in the mine. We take what is ours."

―Balon Greyjoy

House Greyjoy of Pyke is one of the Great Houses of Westeros. It rules over the Iron Islands, a harsh and bleak collection of islands off the west coast of Westeros, from the castle at Pyke. The head of the house is the Lord Reaper of Pyke.

House Greyjoy's sigil is traditionally a golden kraken on a black field. Their house words are "We Do Not Sow," although the phrase "What Is Dead May Never Die" is also closely associated with House Greyjoy and their bannermen, as they are associated with the faith of the Drowned God.

Following the extinction of House Hoare, the Ironborn elected House Greyjoy as Lord of the Iron Islands, an administrative region of the Seven Kingdoms, as vassals to House Targaryen. During Robert's Rebellion, House Greyjoy declared for House Baratheon. During the Greyjoy Rebellion, Balon Greyjoy declared sovereignty and seceded from the Seven Kingdoms, but the rebellion was put down. House Greyjoy bent the knee to Robert Baratheon.

During the War of the Five Kings, Balon Greyjoy declared himself King of the Iron Islands and the Iron Islands independent once more, seceding from the Seven Kingdoms. Following his assassination and the election of his brother and murderer, Euron, as the new King of the Iron Islands, House Greyjoy was divided between Euron and his followers, and Balon's surviving children, Yara and Theon, and their followers. During the Last War, Euron allied with Cersei of House Lannister, while Yara and her followers allied with Daenerys Targaryen, who Euron originally intended to ally with. After being set free by Theon, Yara retook the Iron Islands in Daenerys's name. Theon died at the Battle of Winterfell while Euron died at the Battle of King's Landing, leaving Yara firmly as the head and last living member of House Greyjoy.

History

Background

House Greyjoy is one of the Great Houses of Westeros. Their lands are the Iron Islands off the west coast of the continent. They rule from their castle Pyke from the island of the same name. The Iron Islands are harsh and bleak and the Greyjoys have traditionally survived by raiding their neighbors. They have always had plans to conquer the mainland, as their ancient tradition of reaving and plundering made them dominant in the waters. The head of the house is the Lord Reaper of Pyke.

House Greyjoy boasts descent from the Grey King, a legendary King of the Iron Islands said to have ruled for a thousand years and taken a mermaid as his wife. Like the vast majority of Ironborn, they worship the Drowned God. The Ironborn would never follow a hereditary ruler; instead they would choose their own monarchs from the Kingsmoot.

Lord Balon Greyjoy led a rebellion against King Robert Baratheon years after the downfall of the Targaryens in Robert's Rebellion. The Iron Fleet, under Euron Greyjoy, sailed for Lannisport and burned the Lannister fleet, which made them unopposed in the Sunset Sea. Balon's sons Rodrik and Maron were killed in the unsuccessful rebellion, the former at Lord Jason Mallister's hand at Seagard and the latter during the Baratheon siege of Pyke. The Iron Fleet would later be defeated by the royal fleet under Stannis Baratheon at Fair Isle. Balon's only surviving son Theon was made a ward of Lord Eddard Stark to ensure Balon's submission to King Robert. Only his daughter, Yara Greyjoy, and two of his brothers remained on the Iron Islands after his defeat.

At some point, Balon exiled his younger brother, Euron Greyjoy, who became a feared pirate that terrorized the seas as far as from Oldtown in Westeros to Qarth in Essos.

Game of Thrones: Season 2

Robb Stark sends Theon Greyjoy to the Iron Islands to secure help from Balon. However, Balon has other ideas and plans to use the power struggle on the mainland to carve up a kingdom in the North, once more declaring himself King of the Iron Islands.

Balon's daughter, Yara Greyjoy, leads a large force that attacks Deepwood Motte, the seat of House Glover. Theon and his men seize Winterfell, but are besieged by a large Bolton army. Theon is delivered to Ramsay Snow, a major blow to House Greyjoy since it deprives Balon of his last remaining son and heir.

Game of Thrones: Season 3

Theon is tortured and emasculated by Ramsay,.adopts the persona Reek and becomes totally subjugated to Ramsay. Ramsay later issues an ultimatum to Balon, demanding that he withdraw his forces from the North. Balon rejects Ramsay's demands and denounces Theon.

Game of Thrones: Season 4

Roose Bolton reprimands Ramsay for torturing Theon; as Balon's son and heir, he would have been a valuable hostage for him to trade with Balon in return for securing the withdrawal of Ironborn forces from the North. Yara unsuccessfully attempts to save Theon. Ramsay uses Reek to retake Moat Cailin.

Game of Thrones: Season 6

Deepwood Motte, the last stronghold that the Ironborn still control, is restored to the [[House Glover|Glovers. With the War of the Five Kings over, the northern lords are returning to the North and pushing back the Ironborn gains. Balon is murdered by Euron, who has returned to claim the Salt Throne, and subsequently is crowned King of the Iron Islands. Yara, Theon, and their supporters flee on the best ships in the Iron Fleet. In response, Euron orders his followers to build a new fleet and vow to kill his niece and nephew. Yara and Theon meet with Daenerys Targaryen and form an alliance with her..

Game of Thrones: Season 7

Euron and Cersei Lannister form an aliance. En route to King's Landing, Yara's fleet is ambushed and destroyed by Euron's fleet, taking Yara captive.Later he leads the Iron Fleet in attacking the Unsullied forces that have attacked Casterly Rock.

At the Dragonpit Summit, Euron seemingly abandons Cersei after witnessing the captured wight, but it is a ruse, and Euron is really headed for Essos to ferry the Golden Company so they can help Cersei secure her hold on the Iron Throne.

Game of Thrones: Season 8

Euron ferries the Golden Company to King's Landing. Theon rescues Yara, who sails back to the Iron Islands to take them back in Daenerys's name. Theon is killed in the Battle of Winterfell.

Euron's forces kill Rhaegal and capture Missandei during the Battle at Dragonstone, but his fleet is totally destroyed during the Battle of King's Landing, and Euron is killed by Jaime Lannister. Yara's rule of the Iron Islands thus becomes uncontested.

Military strength

Although House Greyjoy did not maintain a standing army, they were the commanders of the Iron Fleet. During the Last War, Euron and Yara controlled different factions of the Iron Fleet. Yara had under her command 100 of the best ships from the original Iron Fleet, while Euron expanded the portion of the fleet that was under his control, eventually having 1,000 ships in his faction. During the Last War, Yara's fleet was destroyed during the assault on the Targaryen fleet, eventually only having three ships under her command. Euron's fleet, including the Silence, was annihilated during the Battle of King's Landing, with little to no surviving ships.

Relationships

Members

• Lord {Balon Greyjoy}, Lord of the Iron Islands, Lord Reaper of Pyke, Son of the Sea Wind and King of Salt and Rock. The former head of the family. Styled himself as King of the Iron Islands in defiance of the Iron Throne. Killed when he was pushed off a bridge by his brother, Euron Greyjoy.
  • Lady {Alannys}, his wife of House Harlaw.
    • {Rodrik Greyjoy}, their eldest son and former heir. Killed by Lord Jason Mallister during an assault on Seagard.
    • {Maron Greyjoy}, their second son. Killed during the Siege of Pyke.
    • Yara Greyjoy, their only daughter. Lady of the Iron Islands, Lady Reaper of Pyke, Daughter of the Sea Wind and Queen of Salt and Rock. Ruling in Pyke since her Retaking of the Iron Islands.
    • {Theon Greyjoy}, their youngest son. Former ward of House Stark. Formerly styled himself as Prince of Winterfell. Former captive and servant of Ramsay Bolton dubbed "Reek." Killed by the Night King during the Battle of Winterfell.
• {Euron Greyjoy}, Balon's younger brother. A pirate and a reaver. The former King of the Iron Islands, Lord Reaper of Pyke, Son of the Sea Wind and King of Salt and Rock. Arranged to marry Queen Cersei I Lannister of the Seven Kingdoms after the prospective defeat of Daenerys Targaryen. Killed by Ser Jaime Lannister during the Battle of King's Landing.
• {Aeron "Damphair" Greyjoy}, Balon's youngest brother. A priest of the Drowned God. Died during the Great War.

Historical members

• The {Grey King}, ancestor of House Greyjoy and legendary King of the Iron Islands.
• Lord {Vickon Greyjoy}, first Lord of the Iron Islands, King of Salt and Rock, and Son of the Sea Wind. Chosen by the Ironborn to rule the Iron Islands after the death of King Harren Hoare.
• Lord Dalton Greyjoy, Lord of the Iron Islands during the Dance of the Dragons.
• Lord {Quellon Greyjoy}, father of Balon, Euron and Aeron. Killed in a battle at the Mander.

Sworn to House Greyjoy

• House Blacktyde of Blacktyde
• House Botley of Lordsport
• House Goodbrother of Hammerhorn
• House Harlaw of Harlaw
  • House Kenning, sworn to House Harlaw.
• House Merlyn
• House Sparr

Household and allies

• {Dagmer}, called "Dagmer Cleftjaw", first mate of the Sea Bitch. Flayed by Ramsay Snow.
• {Black Lorren}, an Ironborn raider and crewman of the Sea Bitch. Flayed by Ramsay Snow.
• {Drennan}, an Ironborn raider and crewman of the Sea Bitch. Killed by Osha.
• {Gelmarr}, an Ironborn raider and crewman of the Sea Bitch. Flayed by Ramsay Snow.
• {Wex Pyke}, an Ironborn raider and crewman of the Sea Bitch. Flayed by Ramsay Snow.
• {Stygg}, an Ironborn raider and crewman of the Sea Bitch. Flayed by Ramsay Snow.
• {Aggar}, an Ironborn raider and crewman of the Sea Bitch. Flayed by Ramsay Snow.
• Harrag, an Ironborn captain under Yara and Theon's command.

Family tree

Balon Greyjoy Deceased

Alannys Greyjoy née Harlaw Deceased

Euron Greyjoy Deceased

Aeron Greyjoy Deceased

Rodrik Greyjoy Deceased

Maron Greyjoy Deceased

Yara Greyjoy

Theon Greyjoy Deceased

In the books

In the A Song of Ice and Fire novels, the Greyjoys have been a powerful family in the Islands for possibly thousands of years, long ruling the formidable castle of Pyke. When King Harren the Black was slain by King Aegon the Conqueror during the Targaryen invasion, the ironborn elected Lord Vickon Greyjoy of Pyke to succeed him as ruler of the isles, now oath-sworn to the Iron Throne. The Greyjoys have ruled ever since. The Greyjoys keep themselves distant from the other Great Houses, rarely taking part in events on the mainland (which they call the green lands) and, at various times, even returning to their ancient practices of raiding the nearby coastlines.

Members

• {Harlon Greyjoy}, elder son of Lord Quellon. Contracted the greyscale and died allegedly as a result of the disease, but was actually murdered by Euron.
• {Quenton Greyjoy}, second son of Lord Quellon. Died as an infant.
• {Donel Greyjoy}, third son of Lord Quellon. Died as an infant.
• King {Balon IX Greyjoy}, fourth son of Lord Quellon. Self-proclaimed King of the Iron Islands, Lord Reaper of Pyke, King of Salt and Rock, Son of the Sea Wind. Murdered by Euron.
• Queen Alannys Harlaw, his wife.
  • {Rodrik Greyjoy}, his eldest son. Slain by Lord Jason Mallister at Seagard during the Greyjoy Rebellion.
  • {Maron Greyjoy}, his second son. Killed at Pyke during the Greyjoy Rebellion.
  • Asha Greyjoy, his only daughter. Currently held captive by Stannis.
  • Theon Greyjoy, his third son. Currently held captive by Stannis.
• King Euron III Greyjoy, known as "Crow's Eye", fifth son of Lord Quellon and self-proclaimed King of the Iron Islands.
• Victarion Greyjoy, sixth son of Lord Quellon. Lord Captain of the Iron Fleet. Currently is sailing to Meereen.
• {Urrigon Greyjoy}, also known as "Urri", seventh son of Lord Quellon. Injured at a finger dance, and died as a result of poor medical treatment at the age of fourteen.
• Aeron Greyjoy, known as "Damphair", eighth son of Lord Quellon. A priest of the Drowned God. Disappeared after the kingsmoot on Old Wyk. Currently is held captive by Euron for unknown purpose.
• {Robin Greyjoy}, ninth son of Lord Quellon. A lackwit. Murdered by Euron.

After holding themselves aloof during Robert's Rebellion, Lord Balon Greyjoy rebelled against the Iron Throne, declaring himself King of the Isles. Balon's belief was that Robert, who had only been on the throne for five years, did not command the total support of the nobles due to his status as a usurper and would not be able to rally the support needed to crush the rebellion. He was proven wrong and was defeated, with his fleet burned and two eldest sons slain during the war.

Additional Houses sworn to House Greyjoy, yet to appear in the series, include:

• House Drumm of Old Wyk.
• House Orkwood of Orkmont.
• House Saltcliffe of Saltcliffe.
• House Volmark of Volmark

Gallery

Greyjoy men holding the House Greyjoy banner in "The Night Lands".

House Greyjoy's sigil in black and white from the HBO viewer's guide.

A shield emblazoned with the sigil of House Greyjoy from the HBO viewer's guide.

The icon of House Greyjoy from the HBO viewer's guide.

A map-marker used to represent House Greyjoy forces.

Roose Bolton receives the House Greyjoy banner from Ramsay Bolton after he takes Moat Cailin.

Theon Greyjoy

Euron Greyjoy's personal sigil

Another version of Euron Greyjoy's personal sigil

HBO poster

External links

• House Greyjoy on A Wiki of Ice and Fire (potential spoilers for House of the Dragon)