Difference between revisions of "Greyjoy's Rebellion"

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| caption =© Fantasy Flight Games
 
| caption =© Fantasy Flight Games
 
| date = {{Date|289}}
 
| date = {{Date|289}}
| battles = [[Raid on Lannisport]] <br> [[Battle of Seagard]] <br> [[Battle of Fair Isle]] <br> [[Siege of Great Wyk]] <br> [[Siege of Old Wyk]] <br> [[Siege of Pyke]]
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| battles = [[burning of the Lannister fleet]] <br> [[storming of Seagard]] <br> [[sea battle off Fair Isle]] <br> [[siege of Great Wyk]] <br> [[siege of Old Wyk]] <br> [[siege of Pyke]]
| location = [[Westerlands]], [[Riverlands]] and the [[Iron Islands]].
+
| location = [[Iron Islands]], [[riverlands]], [[westerlands]]
 
| result = Decisive victory of [[House Baratheon of King's Landing|Baratheon of King's Landing]]<br>Deaths of [[Rodrik Greyjoy|Rodrik]] and [[Maron Greyjoy]]<br>[[Theon Greyjoy]] made a ward of [[House Stark]]
 
| result = Decisive victory of [[House Baratheon of King's Landing|Baratheon of King's Landing]]<br>Deaths of [[Rodrik Greyjoy|Rodrik]] and [[Maron Greyjoy]]<br>[[Theon Greyjoy]] made a ward of [[House Stark]]
 
<!-- combatant 1 -->  
 
<!-- combatant 1 -->  
| combatant1 = [[House Greyjoy]]
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| combatant1 = [[File:House Greyjoy.svg|30px]]'''[[King of the Iron Islands|Kingdom of the Iron Islands]]'''/[[House Greyjoy]]
 +
:[[House Blacktyde]]
 +
:[[House Botley]]
 +
:[[House Harlaw]]
 
| commander1 = King [[Balon Greyjoy]]
 
| commander1 = King [[Balon Greyjoy]]
 
: Lord Captain [[Victarion Greyjoy]]
 
: Lord Captain [[Victarion Greyjoy]]
 
: [[Euron Greyjoy]]
 
: [[Euron Greyjoy]]
: [[Maron Greyjoy]] +
+
: [[Maron Greyjoy]]
: [[Rodrik Greyjoy]] +
+
: [[Rodrik Greyjoy]]
| strength1 = [[Iron Fleet]]
+
| strength1 = Houses sworn to [[Pyke]]<br>[[Iron Fleet]]
 
| losses1 =
 
| losses1 =
 
<!-- combatant 2 -->  
 
<!-- combatant 2 -->  
| combatant2 = [[Iron Throne]]
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| combatant2 = [[File:House Baratheon.svg|30px]]'''[[Iron Throne]]'''/[[House Baratheon of King's Landing]]
| commander2 = King [[Robert Baratheon]]
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:[[House Baratheon of Dragonstone]]
 +
:[[House Stark]]
 +
::[[House Mormont]]
 +
::[[House Bolton]]
 +
:[[House Lannister]]
 +
::[[House Lannister]]
 +
::[[House Clegane]]
 +
::[[House Payne]]
 +
:[[House Redwyne]]
 +
:[[House Mallister]]
 +
:[[House Bywater]]
 +
| commander2 = King [[Robert I Baratheon]]
 
: Lord [[Stannis Baratheon]]
 
: Lord [[Stannis Baratheon]]
 
: Lord [[Eddard Stark]]
 
: Lord [[Eddard Stark]]
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: Ser [[Barristan Selmy]]
 
: Ser [[Barristan Selmy]]
 
: Lord [[Tywin Lannister]]
 
: Lord [[Tywin Lannister]]
| strength2 = [[Stormlands]] <br> [[North]] <br> [[Westerlands]] <br> [[Riverlands]] <br> [[Vale]] <br> [[Reach]]
+
| strength2 = [[north]]<br>[[westerlands]]<br>[[royal fleet]]<br>[[Redwyne fleet]]<br>[[Oldtown]] warships<br>[[House Mallister]]
 
| losses2 =
 
| losses2 =
 
}}
 
}}
 
[[File:Greyjoy Rebellion.png|300px|thumb|right]]
 
[[File:Greyjoy Rebellion.png|300px|thumb|right]]
'''Greyjoy's Rebellion'''{{ref|AGOT|Appendix}}{{ref|ASOS|Appendix}}{{ref|AFFC|24}} or the '''Greyjoy Rebellion'''{{ref|AFFC|14}} was an uprising led by [[Balon Greyjoy]] against the [[Iron Throne]]. It took place in {{Date|289}}, nine years before the beginning of ''[[A Game of Thrones]]''. Balon tried to break away from the [[Seven Kingdoms]] to secure independence for the [[Iron Islands]] and restore their [[Old Way|traditions of old]], lost almost three hundred years before, during the [[War of Conquest]]. The rebellion was crushed and Balon was forced to surrender, cementing the hold of King [[Robert Baratheon]] on the Iron Throne.
+
'''Greyjoy's Rebellion'''{{ref|AGOT|Appendix}}{{ref|ASOS|Appendix}}{{Ref|AFFC|24}} or the '''Greyjoy Rebellion'''{{Ref|AFFC|14}} was an attempt at secession by [[Balon Greyjoy]] against the [[Iron Throne]] in {{Date|289}}, nine years before the beginning of ''[[A Game of Thrones]]''. Balon tried to break away from the [[Seven Kingdoms]] to secure independence for the [[Iron Islands]] and restore the [[Old Way]], lost almost three hundred years before, during [[Aegon's Conquest]]. The rebellion was crushed and Balon was forced to surrender, cementing the hold of King [[Robert I Baratheon]] on the Iron Throne.
 
   
 
   
 
==Beginnings==
 
==Beginnings==
Lord [[Quellon Greyjoy]] of [[Pyke]] desired to strengthen the ties of the [[Iron Islands]] with the rest of the [[Seven Kingdoms]], but he died in combat at the [[Shield Islands]] near the end of [[Robert's Rebellion]]. His successor and eldest son, Lord [[Balon Greyjoy]], rejected his father's reforms and desired independence for the [[ironborn]]. Over five years he constructed a great fleet known as the [[Iron Fleet]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The Old Way and the New}} Since the Greyjoys had remained neutral for most of Robert's Rebellion they did not suffer heavy losses like the other Great Houses.
+
[[Quellon Greyjoy]], [[Lord Reaper of Pyke]], desired to strengthen the ties of the [[Iron Islands]] with the rest of the [[Seven Kingdoms]]. His [[ironborn]] remained neutral for most of [[Robert's Rebellion]], but Quellon decided to rise in support of [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]], [[Lord of Storm's End]], after the [[Battle of the Trident]]. Lord Quellon died in [[battle at the Mander]], however, while attacking the [[Reach]] near the end of the war. {{Ref|TWOIAF|The Iron Islands: The Old Way and the New}}
  
In {{Date|289}}, six years after Robert Baratheon had overthrown the [[House Targaryen|Targaryens]], Balon proclaimed himself [[King of the Iron Islands]] and led a rebellion against the Iron Throne. He was crowned beneath [[Nagga's hill|Nagga's ribs]], by the [[Drowned Men|priest]] [[Tarle|Tarle the Thrice-Drowned]] with a driftwood crown.{{ref|AFFC|18}} Balon believed that King Robert's rule was still insecure, that he lacked support amongst the nobility and would not be able to muster a host against him.<ref>So Spake Martin: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/1270/ Tidbits from the Con (Worldcon, Philadelphia, PA)], September 01, 2001</ref><ref name=asshai>So Spake Martin: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/2997/ Asshai.com Forum Chat], July 27, 2008</ref>
+
Quellon’s successor and eldest son, [[Balon Greyjoy]], rejected the reforms and desired independence for the ironborn. Since [[House Greyjoy]] had only joined the rebellion near its end, they did not suffer heavy losses like the other [[Great Houses]]. Over five years Lord Balon constructed a new fleet of one hundred war galleys, the [[Iron Fleet]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Iron Islands: The Old Way and the New}}
According to [[George R. R. Martin]],
 
{{Quote|He (Balon) believed that Robert, as a [[usurper]], might not have the strong support of the other lords the way that a [[Targaryen]] king would have. He also thought he could defeat Robert at sea.<ref name=asshai/>}}
 
  
==The Ironborn Attack==
+
Balon believed that Robert I's rule was insecure, that the new king lacked support amongst the nobility and would not be able to muster a host against the ironborn.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/1270/ Tidbits from the Con (Worldcon, Philadelphia, PA) (September 01, 2001)]</ref><ref name=asshai>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/2997/ Asshai.com Forum Chat (July 27, 2008)]</ref> [[Rodrik Harlaw]], [[Lord of Harlaw]], unsuccessfully advised Balon against rebelling.{{Ref|AFFC|11}}
As the houses of the west mustered at Robert's order (including the [[House Stark|Starks]], [[House Lannister|Lannisters]] and [[House Tully|Tullys]] and their bannermen), Balon initiated several early strikes, including the burning of the Lannister fleet at anchor, in a surprise attack on [[Lannisport]] planned by his brother [[Euron Greyjoy|Euron]] and led by another brother, [[Victarion Greyjoy|Victarion]], Lord Captain of the [[Iron Fleet]].{{Ref|aCoK|24}} Victarion tossed the first torch onto the flagship of Lord [[Tywin Lannister]].{{ref|AFFC|18}}
 
  
The victory at Lannisport gave King Balon freedom to launch an [[Battle of Seagard|assault on Seagard]] by his son [[Rodrik Greyjoy|Rodrik]] as well as many smaller raids along the surrounding coasts of the [[Sunset Sea]]. Rodrik was slain by Lord [[Jason Mallister]] beneath the walls of [[Seagard]], however, and his reavers were thrown back into the sea in defeat.{{Ref|aCoK|11}}  
+
In {{Date|289}}, six years after Robert overthrew [[House Targaryen]], Balon proclaimed himself [[King of the Iron Islands]] and led a rebellion against the [[Iron Throne]]. Beneath [[Nagga's hill|Nagga's ribs]] on the holy isle of [[Old Wyk]], the priest [[Tarle the Thrice-Drowned]] crowned Balon with a driftwood crown.{{Ref|AFFC|18}}
 +
 
 +
==Lannisport and Seagard==
 +
Hoping to control the [[Sunset Sea]], Balon began his rebellion with the [[burning of the Lannister fleet]] at anchor, a surprise attack on [[Lannisport]] in the [[westerlands]] planned by his brother [[Euron Greyjoy|Euron]] and led by another brother, [[Victarion Greyjoy|Victarion]], [[Lord Captain of the Iron Fleet]].{{Ref|ACOK|24}} Victarion tossed the first torch onto the flagship of [[Tywin Lannister]], [[Lord of Casterly Rock]].{{Ref|AFFC|18}}
 +
 
 +
The victory at Lannisport gave King Balon freedom to launch an attack against [[Seagard]] in the [[riverlands]] by [[Rodrik Greyjoy|Rodrik]], his eldest son. Rodrik was slain by [[Jason Mallister]], [[Lord of Seagard]], during the [[storming of Seagard]], however, and his reavers were thrown back into [[Ironman's Bay]] in defeat.{{Ref|ACOK|11}}
 +
 
 +
[[Germund Botley]] claimed a gilded breastplate from a Lannister captain,{{Ref|AFFC|18}} and the father of [[Podrick Payne]] was killed at some point during the war.{{Ref|AFFC|14}}
  
 
==Counterattack by the Iron Throne==
 
==Counterattack by the Iron Throne==
 
[[File:Balon_kneels.png|thumb|[[Balon Greyjoy]] kneels before King [[Robert I Baratheon]] and [[Eddard Stark|Ned Stark]].|300px]]
 
[[File:Balon_kneels.png|thumb|[[Balon Greyjoy]] kneels before King [[Robert I Baratheon]] and [[Eddard Stark|Ned Stark]].|300px]]
Robert had superior numbers and resources and used them to crush the rebellion. Lord [[Stannis Baratheon]], his brother and the [[master of ships]], along with Lord [[Paxter Redwyne]] and other lords of [[the Reach]], was able to catch and smash the Iron Fleet, captained by Victarion Greyjoy, in a [[Battle of Fair Isle|significant battle]] off the coast of [[Fair Isle]]. This allowed Robert's forces to cross to the Iron Islands.{{ref|AFFC|1}} [[Aeron Greyjoy]] was lost at sea during the battle, then captured and spent the rest of the war beneath [[Casterly Rock]].{{ref|AFFC|1}}
+
Robert used superior numbers and resources to crush the rebellion. His brother [[Stannis Baratheon]], [[Lord of Dragonstone]] and the [[master of ships]], joined the [[royal fleet]] with the [[Redwyne fleet]] from the [[Arbor]] and ships from [[Oldtown]]. They caught and smashed Victarion's Iron Fleet in the [[Straits of Fair Isle]]. The husband of [[Gwynesse Harlaw]] was killed in this [[sea battle off Fair Isle]],{{Ref|AFFC|11}} while [[Aeron Greyjoy]] was captured and spent the rest of the war beneath [[Casterly Rock]].{{Ref|AFFC|1}} Stannis's victory over Victarion near [[Fair Isle]] allowed Robert's forces to cross from the [[green lands]] to the Iron Islands.{{Ref|AFFC|1}}  
  
Stannis also subdued [[Great Wyk]] in his brother's name,{{ref|ADWD|26}} while Ser [[Barristan Selmy]] led the attack on [[Old Wyk]].{{ref|ASOS|67}} Tywin Lannister also led an invasion of one of the Isles, though it is unknown which island he attacked.
+
Robert was supported by [[Eddard Stark]], the [[Lord of Winterfell]] and [[Warden of the North]], and Tywin Lannister, the [[Warden of the West]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Iron Islands: The Old Way and the New}} Ser [[Gregor Clegane]] was part of Tywin's forces.{{Ref|AGOT|30}} Stannis subdued [[Great Wyk]] in his brother's name,{{Ref|ADWD|26}} while Ser [[Barristan Selmy]], [[Lord Commander of the Kingsguard]], led the attack on [[Old Wyk]].{{Ref|ASOS|67}} The islands of [[Harlaw]] and [[Orkmont]] were also invaded.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Iron Islands: The Old Way and the New}}
  
 
==Siege of Pyke==
 
==Siege of Pyke==
 
:''See also [[Siege of Pyke]]''
 
:''See also [[Siege of Pyke]]''
  
The main battle was on the [[Pyke (island)|island of Pyke]], led by Robert himself and his friend, Lord [[Eddard Stark]]. The nearby [[House Botley|Botley]] castle was destroyed, as was the town of [[Lordsport]] beneath it, before the main attack on the [[Pyke|castle of Pyke]] itself was launched. Robert's forces assaulted the southern wall with siege engines, finally shattering the main watchtower there and bringing parts of the surrounding wall down.{{Ref|aCoK|11}} [[Maron Greyjoy]], the second of Balon's three sons, was killed in the breach. [[Thoros of Myr]] was first through the breach wielding a sword coated in [[wildfire]].{{Ref|aGoT|27}} [[Jorah Mormont]] was not far behind him, and he earned a knighthood for his bravery that day. The fighting in the castle was fierce, but eventually the castle was taken. Balon Greyjoy was brought before Robert in chains where he stated....
+
The final battle was on the [[Pyke (island)|island of Pyke]], led by Robert and his childhood friend, Eddard. The nearby [[House Botley|Botley]] castle was destroyed, as was the town of [[Lordsport]] beneath it, before the main attack on the [[Pyke|castle of Pyke]] was launched. Robert's forces assaulted the southern wall with siege engines, shattering the main watchtower and bringing parts of the surrounding wall down.{{Ref|ACOK|11}} [[Maron Greyjoy]], the second of Balon's three sons, was killed in the breach. [[Thoros of Myr]] was first through the breach wielding a sword coated in [[wildfire]].{{Ref|AGOT|27}} The fighting in the castle was fierce, but eventually the castle was taken. [[Jorah Mormont]], [[Lord of Bear Island]], who was shortly behind Thoros,{{Ref|ACOK|12}} and [[Jacelyn Bywater]], who lost a hand during the fighting,{{Ref|ACOK|8}} earned [[knight]]hoods from Robert for their bravery. [[Old Nan]]'s grandson was killed during the siege.{{Ref|AGOT|24}}
  
 
+
Balon, brought before Robert in chains, bent the knee and was forced to swear fealty once more to the [[Iron Throne]]. His surviving son, the nine-year-old [[Theon Greyjoy|Theon]], was given into the care of Lord Stark as a hostage to ensure Balon's good behavior.{{Ref|AGOT|4}}
{{Quote|'''Balon Greyjoy''':  You may take my head, but you cannot name me traitor. No [[House Greyjoy|Greyjoy]] ever swore fealty to a [[House Baratheon|Baratheon]].<br>'''Robert Baratheon''': Swear one now or lose that stubborn head of yours.{{ref|twoiaf| The old way and the new}}}} 
 
 
 
 
 
Thus Balon bent the knee and was forced to swear fealty once more to the [[Iron Throne]], and his surviving son, the nine-year-old [[Theon Greyjoy|Theon]], was given into the care of Lord Stark as a hostage to ensure Balon's good behavior.
 
 
[[File:After Greyjoys Rebellion.jpg|300px|thumb|right|King [[Robert I Baratheon]] and Lord [[Eddard Stark]] congratulate Ser [[Jorah Mormont]] (as [[Thoros of Myr]] looks on) following Greyjoy's Rebellion. © DubuGomdori]]
 
[[File:After Greyjoys Rebellion.jpg|300px|thumb|right|King [[Robert I Baratheon]] and Lord [[Eddard Stark]] congratulate Ser [[Jorah Mormont]] (as [[Thoros of Myr]] looks on) following Greyjoy's Rebellion. © DubuGomdori]]
  
 
==Aftermath==
 
==Aftermath==
Lord Greyjoy surrendered, his two eldest sons were killed, and his last surviving son, Theon, was made a ward of [[House Stark]] as hostage. Robert's victory cemented his hold on the Iron Throne, having overthrown the Targaryens six years before. He threw a great [[tourney at Lannisport]] to celebrate his victory.{{Ref|aCoK|11}}
+
[[Balon Greyjoy]] surrendered, his two eldest sons [[Rodrik Greyjoy|Rodrik]] and [[Maron Greyjoy|Maron]] were killed, and his last surviving son, [[Theon Greyjoy|Theon]], was made a ward of [[House Stark]] as hostage. [[Robert I Baratheon]]'s victory cemented his hold on the [[Iron Throne]], having overthrown the [[House Targaryen|Targaryens]] six years before. He threw a great [[tourney at Lannisport]] to celebrate his victory.{{Ref|ACOK|11}}
  
The aftermath of the rebellion resulted in the castle of Pyke being severely damaged and partially rebuilt. For [[Faith of the Seven|the Faith]], it suffered abuse at the hands of fanatics who worship the [[Drowned God]]. [[Baelor Blacktyde]], Lord of [[Blacktyde]], was a child when his father died in the war. As a result he was taken away to [[Oldtown]] as a hostage following the end of the rebellion. He returned eight years later as a follower of the Seven.
+
The rebellion resulted in the [[Pyke|castle of Pyke]] being severely damaged and partially rebuilt. The [[Faith of the Seven]] suffered abuse in the [[Iron Islands]] at the hands of fanatics who worship the [[Drowned God]]. [[Baelor Blacktyde]], [[Lord of Blacktyde]], was a child when [[Lord Blacktyde|his father]] died in the war. As a result he was taken away to [[Oldtown]] as a hostage following the end of the rebellion. He returned eight years later as a follower of the Seven.{{Ref|AFFC|18}}
  
 
==Quotes==
 
==Quotes==
 +
{{Quote|He ([[Balon Greyjoy|Balon]]) believed that [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert]], as a [[usurper]], might not have the strong support of the other lords the way that a [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]] king would have. He also thought he could defeat Robert at sea.<ref name=asshai/>|[[George R. R. Martin]]}}
 +
 +
{{Quote|'''Balon''': You may take my head, but you cannot name me traitor. No [[House Greyjoy|Greyjoy]] ever swore fealty to a [[House Baratheon of King's Landing|Baratheon]].<br>
 +
'''Robert''': Swear one now or lose that stubborn head of yours.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Iron Islands: The Old Way and the New}}|[[Balon Greyjoy]] and [[Robert I Baratheon]]}}
  
{{Quote|[[Robert Baratheon|Robert]] should have scoured [[Iron Islands|the isles]] after [[Balon Greyjoy]] rose against him ... He smashed their fleet, burned their towns and broke their castles, but when he had them on their knees, he let them up again. He should have made another island of their skulls.{{Ref|aFfC|32}}}} - thoughts of [[Cersei Lannister]]  
+
{{Quote|[[Robert I Baratheon|Robert]] should have scoured [[Iron Islands|the isles]] after [[Balon Greyjoy]] rose against him ... He smashed their fleet, burned their towns and broke their castles, but when he had them on their knees, he let them up again. He should have made another island of their skulls.{{Ref|AFFC|32}}|thoughts of [[Cersei Lannister]]}}
  
==References and Notes==
+
==References==
{{references|3}}
+
{{References|2}}
  
 
{{Wars in Westeros}}
 
{{Wars in Westeros}}
 
{{EnWP|Wars in A Song of Ice and Fire|small=yes}}
 
{{EnWP|Wars in A Song of Ice and Fire|small=yes}}
  
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[[Category:Greyjoy's Rebellion| ]]
 
[[Category:Wars|Greyjoys Rebellion]]
 
[[Category:Wars|Greyjoys Rebellion]]
 
[[Category:Iron Islands|Greyjoys Rebellion]]
 
[[Category:Iron Islands|Greyjoys Rebellion]]
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[[Category:House Baratheon wars|Greyjoys Rebellion]]
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[[Category:House Blacktyde wars|Greyjoys Rebellion]]
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[[Category:House Bolton wars|Greyjoys Rebellion]]
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[[Category:House Botley wars|Greyjoys Rebellion]]
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[[Category:House Bywater wars|Greyjoys Rebellion]]
 +
[[Category:House Clegane wars|Greyjoys Rebellion]]
 
[[Category:House Greyjoy wars|Greyjoys Rebellion]]
 
[[Category:House Greyjoy wars|Greyjoys Rebellion]]
[[category:House Baratheon wars|Greyjoys Rebellion]]
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[[Category:House Harlaw wars|Greyjoys Rebellion]]
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[[Category:House Lannister wars|Greyjoys Rebellion]]
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[[Category:House Mallister wars|Greyjoys Rebellion]]
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[[Category:House Mormont wars|Greyjoys Rebellion]]
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[[Category:House Payne wars|Greyjoys Rebellion]]
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[[Category:House Redwyne wars|Greyjoys Rebellion]]
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[[Category:House Selmy wars|Greyjoys Rebellion]]
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[[Category:House Stark wars|Greyjoys Rebellion]]
  
 
[[es:Rebelión Greyjoy]]
 
[[es:Rebelión Greyjoy]]

Revision as of 21:08, 8 January 2022

Greyjoy's Rebellion
Greyjoy Rebellion.jpg
© Fantasy Flight Games

Date 289 AC
Location Iron Islands, riverlands, westerlands
Battles burning of the Lannister fleet
storming of Seagard
sea battle off Fair Isle
siege of Great Wyk
siege of Old Wyk
siege of Pyke
Result Decisive victory of Baratheon of King's Landing
Deaths of Rodrik and Maron Greyjoy
Theon Greyjoy made a ward of House Stark
Belligerents
House Greyjoy.svgKingdom of the Iron Islands/House Greyjoy
House Blacktyde
House Botley
House Harlaw
House Baratheon.svgIron Throne/House Baratheon of King's Landing
House Baratheon of Dragonstone
House Stark
House Mormont
House Bolton
House Lannister
House Lannister
House Clegane
House Payne
House Redwyne
House Mallister
House Bywater
Notable commanders
King Balon Greyjoy
Lord Captain Victarion Greyjoy
Euron Greyjoy
Maron Greyjoy
Rodrik Greyjoy
King Robert I Baratheon
Lord Stannis Baratheon
Lord Eddard Stark
Lord Paxter Redwyne
Ser Barristan Selmy
Lord Tywin Lannister
Strength
Houses sworn to Pyke
Iron Fleet
north
westerlands
royal fleet
Redwyne fleet
Oldtown warships
House Mallister
Greyjoy Rebellion.png

Greyjoy's Rebellion[1][2][3] or the Greyjoy Rebellion[4] was an attempt at secession by Balon Greyjoy against the Iron Throne in 289 AC, nine years before the beginning of A Game of Thrones. Balon tried to break away from the Seven Kingdoms to secure independence for the Iron Islands and restore the Old Way, lost almost three hundred years before, during Aegon's Conquest. The rebellion was crushed and Balon was forced to surrender, cementing the hold of King Robert I Baratheon on the Iron Throne.

Beginnings

Quellon Greyjoy, Lord Reaper of Pyke, desired to strengthen the ties of the Iron Islands with the rest of the Seven Kingdoms. His ironborn remained neutral for most of Robert's Rebellion, but Quellon decided to rise in support of Robert Baratheon, Lord of Storm's End, after the Battle of the Trident. Lord Quellon died in battle at the Mander, however, while attacking the Reach near the end of the war. [5]

Quellon’s successor and eldest son, Balon Greyjoy, rejected the reforms and desired independence for the ironborn. Since House Greyjoy had only joined the rebellion near its end, they did not suffer heavy losses like the other Great Houses. Over five years Lord Balon constructed a new fleet of one hundred war galleys, the Iron Fleet.[5]

Balon believed that Robert I's rule was insecure, that the new king lacked support amongst the nobility and would not be able to muster a host against the ironborn.[6][7] Rodrik Harlaw, Lord of Harlaw, unsuccessfully advised Balon against rebelling.[8]

In 289 AC, six years after Robert overthrew House Targaryen, Balon proclaimed himself King of the Iron Islands and led a rebellion against the Iron Throne. Beneath Nagga's ribs on the holy isle of Old Wyk, the priest Tarle the Thrice-Drowned crowned Balon with a driftwood crown.[9]

Lannisport and Seagard

Hoping to control the Sunset Sea, Balon began his rebellion with the burning of the Lannister fleet at anchor, a surprise attack on Lannisport in the westerlands planned by his brother Euron and led by another brother, Victarion, Lord Captain of the Iron Fleet.[10] Victarion tossed the first torch onto the flagship of Tywin Lannister, Lord of Casterly Rock.[9]

The victory at Lannisport gave King Balon freedom to launch an attack against Seagard in the riverlands by Rodrik, his eldest son. Rodrik was slain by Jason Mallister, Lord of Seagard, during the storming of Seagard, however, and his reavers were thrown back into Ironman's Bay in defeat.[11]

Germund Botley claimed a gilded breastplate from a Lannister captain,[9] and the father of Podrick Payne was killed at some point during the war.[4]

Counterattack by the Iron Throne

Robert used superior numbers and resources to crush the rebellion. His brother Stannis Baratheon, Lord of Dragonstone and the master of ships, joined the royal fleet with the Redwyne fleet from the Arbor and ships from Oldtown. They caught and smashed Victarion's Iron Fleet in the Straits of Fair Isle. The husband of Gwynesse Harlaw was killed in this sea battle off Fair Isle,[8] while Aeron Greyjoy was captured and spent the rest of the war beneath Casterly Rock.[12] Stannis's victory over Victarion near Fair Isle allowed Robert's forces to cross from the green lands to the Iron Islands.[12]

Robert was supported by Eddard Stark, the Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North, and Tywin Lannister, the Warden of the West.[5] Ser Gregor Clegane was part of Tywin's forces.[13] Stannis subdued Great Wyk in his brother's name,[14] while Ser Barristan Selmy, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, led the attack on Old Wyk.[15] The islands of Harlaw and Orkmont were also invaded.[5]

Siege of Pyke

See also Siege of Pyke

The final battle was on the island of Pyke, led by Robert and his childhood friend, Eddard. The nearby Botley castle was destroyed, as was the town of Lordsport beneath it, before the main attack on the castle of Pyke was launched. Robert's forces assaulted the southern wall with siege engines, shattering the main watchtower and bringing parts of the surrounding wall down.[11] Maron Greyjoy, the second of Balon's three sons, was killed in the breach. Thoros of Myr was first through the breach wielding a sword coated in wildfire.[16] The fighting in the castle was fierce, but eventually the castle was taken. Jorah Mormont, Lord of Bear Island, who was shortly behind Thoros,[17] and Jacelyn Bywater, who lost a hand during the fighting,[18] earned knighthoods from Robert for their bravery. Old Nan's grandson was killed during the siege.[19]

Balon, brought before Robert in chains, bent the knee and was forced to swear fealty once more to the Iron Throne. His surviving son, the nine-year-old Theon, was given into the care of Lord Stark as a hostage to ensure Balon's good behavior.[20]

King Robert I Baratheon and Lord Eddard Stark congratulate Ser Jorah Mormont (as Thoros of Myr looks on) following Greyjoy's Rebellion. © DubuGomdori

Aftermath

Balon Greyjoy surrendered, his two eldest sons Rodrik and Maron were killed, and his last surviving son, Theon, was made a ward of House Stark as hostage. Robert I Baratheon's victory cemented his hold on the Iron Throne, having overthrown the Targaryens six years before. He threw a great tourney at Lannisport to celebrate his victory.[11]

The rebellion resulted in the castle of Pyke being severely damaged and partially rebuilt. The Faith of the Seven suffered abuse in the Iron Islands at the hands of fanatics who worship the Drowned God. Baelor Blacktyde, Lord of Blacktyde, was a child when his father died in the war. As a result he was taken away to Oldtown as a hostage following the end of the rebellion. He returned eight years later as a follower of the Seven.[9]

Quotes

He (Balon) believed that Robert, as a usurper, might not have the strong support of the other lords the way that a Targaryen king would have. He also thought he could defeat Robert at sea.[7]

Balon: You may take my head, but you cannot name me traitor. No Greyjoy ever swore fealty to a Baratheon.
Robert: Swear one now or lose that stubborn head of yours.[5]

Robert should have scoured the isles after Balon Greyjoy rose against him ... He smashed their fleet, burned their towns and broke their castles, but when he had them on their knees, he let them up again. He should have made another island of their skulls.[21]

—thoughts of Cersei Lannister

References

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