Greyjoy's Rebellion
Greyjoy Rebellion | |||||||||||||
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Date | 289 AC | ||||||||||||
Location | Westerlands, Riverlands and the Iron Islands. | ||||||||||||
Battles |
Raid on Lannisport Battle of Seagard Battle of Fair Isle Siege of Great Wyk Siege of Old Wyk Siege of Pyke | ||||||||||||
Result |
Decisive victory of Baratheon of King's Landing Deaths of Prince Rodrik and Prince Maron Greyjoy Theon Greyjoy made a ward of House Stark | ||||||||||||
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The Greyjoy Rebellion is the name for an uprising led by Balon Greyjoy against the Iron Throne. It took place in 289 AC, nine years before the beginning of A Game of Thrones. Balon Greyjoy tried to break away from the Seven Kingdoms to secure independence for the Iron Islands and restore their traditions of old, lost almost three hundred years before, during the War of Conquest. The rebellion was crushed and Balon Greyjoy was forced to surrender, cementing the hold of King Robert Baratheon on the Iron Throne.
Contents
Beginnings
In 289 AC, six years after Robert Baratheon had overthrown the Targaryens, Lord Balon Greyjoy of Pyke proclaimed himself King of the Iron Islands and led a rebellion against the Iron Throne. He was crowned beneath Nagga's Ribs, by the priest Tarle the Thrice-Drowned with a driftwood crown.[1] Greyjoy believed that King Robert's rule was still insecure, that he lacked support amongst the nobility and wouldn't be able to muster a host against him.[2] According to GRRM,
The Greyjoys remained neutral during Robert's Rebellion and so they didn't suffer any losses like the other Great Houses. However, Balon did prepare for war should Robert's support prove greater, as indeed it did.
The Ironborn attack
As the houses of the west mustered at Robert's order (including the Starks, Lannisters and 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 and led by his brother Victarion, Lord Captain of the Iron Fleet.[4] This victory gave King Balon freedom to launch an assault on Seagard by his son Rodrik as well as many smaller raids along the surrounding coasts. Rodrik was slain by Lord Jason Mallister beneath the walls of Seagard, and his reavers were thrown back into the sea in defeat.[5]
Counterattack by the Iron Throne
Robert had superior numbers and resources and used them to crush the rebellion. Stannis Baratheon, his brother, and Master of Ships, along with Paxter Redwyne, was able to catch and smash the Iron Fleet, captained by Victarion Greyjoy, in a significant battle off the coast of Fair Isle. This allowed Robert's forces to cross to the Iron Islands[6] Aeron Greyjoy was lost at sea during the battle, then captured and spent the rest of the war beneath Casterly Rock.[7]
Stannis also subdued Great Wyk in his brother's name, [8] while Ser Barristan Selmy led the attack on Old Wyk.[9]
Final battles
See also Siege of Pyke
The main battle was at Pyke, led by Robert himself and his friend Lord Eddard Stark. The nearby Botley castle was destroyed, as was the town of Lordsport beneath it, before the main attack on 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.[5] 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.[10] Jorah Mormont was not far behind him, and earned a knighthood for his bravery that day. The fighting in the castle was very fierce, but eventually the castle was taken. Balon Greyjoy was forced to swear fealty once more to the Iron Throne, and his surviving son Theon, only nine at the time, was given into the care of Lord Stark as a hostage to ensure Balon's good behavior.
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.[5]
The aftermath of the rebellion resulted in Pyke being severely damaged and partially rebuilt. For the 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.
Quotes
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.
References and Notes
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons p.255
- ↑ SSM: September 01, 2001 July 27, 2008
- ↑ The Citadel. "Asshai.com Forum Chat" (July 27, 2008) So Spake Martin
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 24, Theon II.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 11, Theon I.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons p.25
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 1, The Prophet
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, The Wayward Bride
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 67, Jaime
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 27, Eddard VI.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 32, Cersei VII.
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