The Iron Islands are an archipelago to the west of Westeros and are home to many great Houses. These islands are famous for their rich marine resources. House Greyjoy is the leader of all the islands of the Iron Islands. Ironborn is the term for those born on the land of the Iron Islands. They are known as tough and gloomy figures, as well as the most feared pirates in the seas.
Starting from Robert’s Rebellion, House Greyjoy chose to be neutral in the rebellion so they didn’t lose many troops. Balon Greyjoy saw an opportunity during Robert Baratheon’s reign, because at that time it was still difficult for Robert to get full support major houses in the Seven Kingdoms. Balon feels that with the new movement, maybe the para major houses those who don’t support Robert will support him.
Greyjoy Attacks Lannisport
6 years after Robert’s Rebellion, Balon Greyjoy declared himself king of the Iron Islands. He wears a wooden crown and clearly declares that the Iron Islands are independent from the Seven Kingdoms. He and most of the Ironborn wanted to return to their old traditions that were more of an “Old Way” lifestyle. A traditional lifestyle that justifies the culture of raiding and controlling the land like pirates.
The Ironborn with their Iron Fleet sailed south. The Iron Fleet is one of the largest ships in the Seven Kingdoms, along with the Royal Fleet of the Crownlands and the Redwyne Fleet of the Arbor. The Iron Fleet could contain many troops, and at that time, the Iron Fleet numbered in the hundreds. Led by Victarion Greyjoy and Euron Greyjoy with hundreds of ships filled with troops, they attacked Lannisport – a major port in the Seven Kingdoms, located close to Castely Rock.
They attacked the harbor, burned all the ships there, killed the Lannister troops. Lord Tywin was careless in this attack, he lost many troops. Tywin also trapped and survived at Castely Rock. And with the destruction of Lannisport, the Ironborn people were able to control the Sunset Sea so they could strengthen their defenses in the southern sea area. They settled and made a defense on Fair Isle.
Ned Stark Joins the Fight against the Ironborn
King Robert heard this news, so he sent word to all the Seven Kingdoms to join him in fighting against the Ironborn people. The news reached Ned Stark’s ears at Winterfell. Ned was also asked by King Robert to fight with him like before, such as when overthrowing the Targaryens.
At that time, Ned Stark, who served as Warden of the North, felt uncertain. He wanted to go to help King Robert, but his wife Catelyn Stark didn’t allow him to. Catelyn was unhappy with this war, because the last time he fought for Robert, Ned came home with a baby boy (Jon Snow), who he admitted was an illegitimate child. Catelyn could actually understand that Ned had it bastardhowever, what angered him at that moment was Ned’s silent attitude when asked about the illegitimate child. In addition, Catelyn was also afraid that Ned would bring another son after this war.
In the end, Ned Stark still went to help Robert. He headed south with many troops behind him, including House Tully’s troops. Meanwhile, King Robert sent Stannis Baratheon to help Tywin. Stannis leads the army with King Robert’s flag on his ship.
Stannis goes to the Iron Islands with King Robert and Tywin. Stannis managed to set a trap on Fair Isle – the first island to pass before heading to Pyke. It was on this island that the Iron Fleet settled after burning Lannisport.
As sailors, perhaps the Ironborn were invincible. However, they are not soldiers who have strategy and discipline. They were hit by Stannis, then King Robert and his troops succeeded in destroying the Iron Fleet.
The Ironborn’s strength was centered in the Iron Fleet, so that with the collapse of the Iron Fleet, King Robert’s troops led by Stannis could break through directly to Pyke. Stannis believes victory is already in his hands.
Victarion Greyjon, Balon Greyjoy’s brother was killed. Meanwhile, Euron Greyjoy runs away into exile. It is said that because of this defeat, Euron became a bit crazy, so he was able to become the most feared pirate in Old Town until the Jade Sea. Euron was once tied to a ship’s mast by his crew because when a storm arrived, he wanted to jump into the open sea. Then after the storm was over, Euron cut off the tongues of the ship’s crew who tied him up. Why? Euron says he needs silence.
Attacking the Iron Islands
Returning to the war, Ned Stark leads an army sailing from Seagard towards Pyke. Rodrik Greyjoy, Balon’s eldest son, put up quite a strong resistance to Ned’s troops. Rodrik was eventually killed by Jason Mallister, a Lord of Seagard loyal to House Tully. Ned Stark successfully sails to Pyke.
Ned Stark meets King Robert who is already there. They split the squad into three. Stannis leads an attack on Great Wyk, the largest of the Iron Islands. Meanwhile one of the Kingsguard, Ser Barristan Selmy led troops towards Old Wyk. Stannis in an instant managed to control Great Wyk, as did Ser Barristan. King Robert and Ned Stark led the main army to attack Pyke. They don’t want Stannis and Ser Barristan’s troops to help, because King Robert wants this war to make him get along better with Ned. (Robert Baratheon and Ned Stark were involved in a cold war. Read here.)
All day they fought together, burning down the town of Lordsport and then arriving at Pyke’s castle. Balon Greyjoy and his family were angry about this, they fought back. Thoros of Myr with his flaming sword managed to withstand Greyjoy’s resistance. He was assisted by Jorah Mormont, one of the Houses loyal to House Stark. Because he fought so hard, Jorah Mormont later received the title of knight.
Ned Stark with his ancestral sword named Ice, while King Robert with warhammer which he used to kill Rhaegar Targaryen, they managed to surround the entire city of Pyke. Marlon Greyjoy, one of the sons of Balon Greyjoy died in this siege. They penetrated wall after wall, destroying almost all the Ironborn using axes. At this point, King Robert and Ned Stark headed to the place where Balon and his family were.
Balon Greyjoy Surrender
King Robert arrives at Balon Greyjoy’s room. Balon immediately knelt down admitting his defeat. There, there was also his youngest son, Theon Greyjoy, heir to the Iron Islands. Theon saw his father that day bend the knee before King Robert and Ned Stark.
King Robert forgives Balon’s mistakes. He felt that this war would actually make the major houses believe in him. Balon is still trusted to regain his throne as leader of the Iron Islands, with one condition. His son had to be taken prisoner so that in the future he would not grow up to be like his father and carry out a rebellion. Ned Stark proposes that he will take Theon to Winterfell. King Robert agreed to this.
On the other hand, Stannis is angry with Robert’s decision. He felt that this was unfair. The price the rebel had to pay was to have his neck cut off. But King Robert didn’t care, he stuck to his decision to give Theon to Ned Stark to take him to Winterfell.
Balon was left with his last child, a woman named Yara Greyjo. Balon was sad, he harbored tremendous anger and deep grudges against King Robert and Ned Stark. However, he couldn’t do anything, he could only let Theon be taken away by Ned Stark.
Before leaving, Balon said something to Theon. That no one dies because they bend the knee. Those who bend their knees will one day rise again with sword in hand. Meanwhile, those who do not kneel will definitely die
Then what Catelyn feared happened, Ned Stark returned to Winterfell bringing a son (again). At Winterfell itself, Theon was never treated as a prisoner by Ned. Theon was allowed to play with the Stark children, be fed, and train together. Ned Stark believes that Theon is nothing like his father. Theon can later grow into a good and honorable person, who can later strengthen the alliance between Winterfell and the Iron Islands.
Theon was eventually appointed as Ned’s personal bodyguard. He was also allowed to follow his own religion, the religion of the Ironborn. Theon is also considered his own child even though he is not related by blood. Likewise with the other Stark children, Theon is considered a brother and a guest.
Until then, the kindness of the Stark family was betrayed by Theon himself. When Robb Stark fought in the south, Theon attacked Winterfell and killed many people who had been good to him so far.
(This article is excerpted from various sources on Westeros.org)
*Written by Prabowo Hadi / @oboow_
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