King of the Iron Islands
King of the Iron Islands is the title claimed by the rulers of the Iron Islands, when they have historically been independent. The monarch of the ironborn has also been known as the High King, the King of the Isles, the iron king, and the driftwood king.[1] When House Hoare ruled the Iron Islands at the same time as the riverlands, they used the title King of the Isles and the Rivers.[1]
Contents
History
In antiquity each of the Iron Islands was ruled by two petty kings, a rock king who ruled the land and a salt king who led the island's ships. The ancient title of High King of the Isles was selected in kingsmoots at Nagga's hill from among the minor salt kings and rock kings from the individual islands.[2] When a high king died, his driftwood crown would be broken into the sea, and his successor would craft his own crown of driftwood. These early rulers were thus also known as driftwood kings.
According to Archmaester Haereg's History of the Ironborn, there were at least 111 high kings.[3] During the reign of King Qhored Hoare, the ironborn held the western shore of Westeros along the Sunset Sea. Over the centuries Qhored's successors lost the Arbor, Bear Island, and much of the western shore, however,[2] as mainland houses such as the Hightowers, Gardeners, and Lannisters gained in strength.[3]
The kingsmoot tradition ended thousands of years ago when King Urron Greyiron murdered the other candidates and made the throne hereditary. House Greyiron ruled the Iron Islands for a thousand years,[4] using the simpler title King of the Iron Islands and wearing an iron crown which passed from king to successor.[5] They were ultimately overthrown by rivals and Andal warlords during the Andal invasion, however.[4] They were then succeeded by House Hoare, who ruled until the War of Conquest.[6]
King Harwyn Hoare extended the ironborn rule over the riverlands by taking the Trident from the Storm King Arrec Durrandon.[2] His grandson, King Harren Hoare, known as Harren the Black, ruled all the lands between the mountains from the Neck to the Blackwater Rush. Harren the Black was the last King of the Isles and the Rivers, dying during the War of Conquest in Harrenhal when Aegon the Conquerer unleashed his dragons upon the castle.[7] Some ironborn lords claimed to be iron king, but they were crushed by Aegon when he invaded the isles in 2 AC. Rule of the islands then passed to Aegon's vassal, Vickon Greyjoy, the new Lord of the Iron Islands.[8]
Centuries later Balon Greyjoy declared himself King of the Iron Islands, in what was later called Greyjoy's Rebellion. However, Balon was defeated by King Robert Baratheon and the ironborn were again subjected to the Seven Kingdoms.
Recent Events
A Clash of Kings
During the War of the Five Kings, Lord Balon Greyjoy recrowns himself King of the Iron Islands and also claims the North.[9][10] Balon styles himself the Ninth of His Name Since the Grey King, King of the Iron Islands and the North, King of Salt and Rock, Son of the Sea Wind, and Lord Reaper of Pyke.[11]
A Storm of Swords
King Balon is reported to have fallen to his death at Pyke during a storm.[12]
A Feast for Crows
Balon's brother, Aeron Greyjoy, calls a kingsmoot to select Balon's successor.[13] This leads to the crowning of another brother, Euron Greyjoy, at Nagga's hill on Old Wyk. Euron intends to conquer all of Westeros with Daenerys Targaryen's dragons.[14]
Known High Kings of the Iron Islands
The exact number of high kings or driftwood kings chosen by the kingsmoot is unknown and their line of succession is rife with contradictions.[3]
- The Grey King, the first of the kings on the Iron Islands.
- Urras Greyiron, known as Urras Ironfoot, the first high king since the Grey King.
- Erich I Greyiron, who was deposed by Galon Whitestaff.
- Regnar Drumm, known as Raven-feeder.
- Sylas Flatnose
- Harrag Hoare
- Loron Greyjoy, known as the Old Kraken.
- Qhored Hoare, known as Qhored the Cruel, expanded the rule of the ironborn over the entire western coast of Westeros
- Theon III Greyjoy
- Balon V Greyjoy
- Erich V Harlaw
- Harron Harlaw
- Joron I Blacktyde
- Urragon III Greyiron
- Urrathon IV Goodbrother, known as Badbrother.
- Torgon Greyiron, known as Torgon the Latecomer.
- Urragon IV Greyiron
- Urron Greyiron, known as Urron Redhand, the last High King of the Iron Islands.
Known Kings of the Iron Islands
Urron Redhand made the kingship hereditary and took the simpler title King of the Iron Islands.
- Urron Greyiron, known as Urron Redhand.
- Rognar II Greyiron, the last Greyiron king.
- Harras Hoare, known as Harras Stump-Hand.
- Wulfgar Hoare, known as Wulfgar the Widowmaker.
- Horgan Hoare, known as Horgan Priestkiller.
- Fergon Hoare, known as Fergon the Fierce.
- Othgar I Hoare, known as Othgar the Soulless.
- Othgar II Hoare, known as Othgar the Demonlover.
- Craghorn Hoare, known as Craghorn of the Red Smile.
- Harmund I Hoare, known as Harmund the Host.
- Harmund II Hoare, known as Harmund the Haggler.
- Harmund III Hoare, known as Harmund the Handsome.
- Hagon the Heartless, Harmund III's brother.
- Qhorwyn Hoare, known as Qhorwyn the Cunning.
- Harwyn Hoare, known as Harwyn Hardhand, conqueror of the riverlands
- Halleck Hoare
- Harren Hoare, known as Harren the Black, builder of Harrenhal and last King of the Isles and the Rivers.
- Balon Greyjoy, known as Balon the Twice Crowned, first iron king after Aegon's Conquest. He lost his first rebellion to Robert Baratheon and bent the knee.
- Euron Greyjoy, known as Euron the Crow's Eye
References and Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The World of Ice & Fire.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 A Game of Thrones, Appendix.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 The World of Ice & Fire, Driftwood Crowns.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 11, The Kraken's Daughter.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Iron Kings.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Black Blood.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Conquest.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Greyjoys of Pyke.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 11, Theon I.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 24, Theon II.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Appendix.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 45, Catelyn V.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 1, The Prophet.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 19, The Drowned Man.