The Iron Islands
Location Details
Address: The Iron Islands
Coordinates: Off the West Coast of Westeros
Owner: House Greyjoy
Type: Kingdom Region
Wealth: Destitute - Rich

The Iron Islands is one of the constituent regions of the Seven Kingdoms. Until Aegon's Conquest, it was ruled by the Kings of the Iron Islands and then briefly the Kings of the Isles and the Rivers.

The Iron Islands are home to a fierce seafaring people who call themselves the Ironborn. While some say the archipelago is named after the abundant iron ore on the islands, the ironmen claim it is instead named after their own unyielding nature. It is often said that every captain is a king aboard his own ship, so the islands are also called "the land of ten thousand kings".

The isles are ruled by House Greyjoy from their castle of Pyke. Notable houses have included Blacktyde, Botley, Drumm, Goodbrother, Greyiron, Harlaw, Hoare, Merlyn, Stonehouse, Sunderly, Tawney, and Wynch. Bastards of noble origin from the Iron Islands receive the surname Pyke.

Locations of Importance

  • Pyke: Pyke is the name of both the seat of House Greyjoy and the island it sits upon. The land on which the castle was built once jutted out from the rest of the island like a sword raised in challenge, but time and the unceasing surf have long since sent much of the rock to the bottom of Ironman’s Bay, taking the majority of the keep with it.
  • Pyke Castle: Pyke is an old and proud structure that refuses to give in to the effects of time, despite the almost constant battering of the elements that surround it. The keep was built from the same grey-black stone composing the rest of the island, and in the thousands of years the keep has stood, it has become as much a part of the landscape as the jagged cliffs surrounding it.
  • Old Wyk: Of all the Iron Islands, Old Wyk is considered the holiest, for it was there the Grey King slew the sea dragon Nagga during the Age of Heroes. The legends say the Drowned God himself turned the beast’s bones into stone, and the Grey King used it as a great hall. Now, thousands of years later, the only remnants of the structure are the forty-four stone ribs the size of trees jutting from the top of a hill. The Grey King’s hall is also known as the place of the Iron Islands’ kingsmoots. Hills make up much of the land on Old Wyk, and cruel, black mountains reside on much of what remains. Yet, at least three houses call the island home: the Stonehouses, the Goodbrothers of Shatterstone, and the Drumms.
  • Great Wyk: Great Wyk is the largest of the Iron Islands, vast enough that the lands of some of the lords who call it home do not actually reach the sea.
  • Harlaw: Second in size only to Great Wyk, Harlaw is distinguished from the other islands for being both the wealthiest and most densely populated. It is also the seat of House Harlaw, one of the only families that rival the Greyjoys in strength and influence.

People of the Iron Islands

Great Ruling House of the Iron Islands

Greyjoy

Major Houses of the Iron Islands

HarlawMerlyn

Minor Houses of the Iron Islands

BlacktydeBotleyFarwyndSparrSunderly

Landed Houses of the Iron Islands

IronmakerSharp

Extinct Houses

CoddDrummGoodbrotherHumbleKenningMyreOrkwoodSaltcliffeStonehouseStonetreeTawneyVolmarkWynch

The inhabitants of these harsh isles are known as ironmen, especially by the rest of Westeros, but they also call themselves the ironborn. The ironborn are a seafaring people, and some do not like to be far from the sea. The Drowned Priests of the ironborn likewise seldom stray far from the sea. The ironborn are considered independent, fierce and sometimes cruel. The ironborn live in a harsh land and hold no love for the peoples of the mainland Westeros, whom they consider green and weak.

The Faith of the Seven of the Andals and the old gods find small favor with the ironborn, as their allegiance is given to their native Drowned God. Because of the scarcity of the Faith, there are few knights in the islands. Most ironmen believe in returning to the Old Way of reaving and paying the iron price.

Some Heads of House in the Iron Islands do not use the title "lord", but are referred to only by their house name, such as "the Greyjoy", "the Sparr" and "the Stonehouse". Those who hold less to the Old Ways tend to style themselves "Lord" in the manner of the green lands of mainland Westeros.

House Greyjoy

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We Do Not Sow
Standing
Great
Wealth
Wealthy
Lands
The Iron Islands
Seat
Pyke

The Greyjoys have served as lords of the Iron Islands since Vickon Greyjoy was elected from among his fellow Ironborn in the time of Aegon the Conqueror. Their sigil is a golden kraken on black. The most recent King's Moot after the murder of Baelon Greyjoy at the hands of his brother, Euron Greyjoy divided the Houses quite harshly. Euron was elected King and Baelon's heir, Yara Greyjoy fled for Dragon's Bay with her little brother Theon Greyjoy and their supporters to make an alliance with Queen Daenerys Targaryen.

Yara now wields the Greyjoy's valyrian steel sword, Nightfall. Her ship is named Black Wind. It is a warship like no other in Westeros and its black sails with a golden kraken, that has a crimson Y marking on the kraken's crown. The formidable ship strikes fear wherever it may be seen on the seas of the Known World. The original Black Wind was destroyed when Yara was transporting Dorne ambassadors back to their home so they could pick up Dornish forces and sail them to King's Landing for a strike. The Black Wind was destroyed and Yara captured. The new Black Wind is based on Euron's top of the line warship, Silence. Which itself was destroyed by Drogon's dragon fire when Queen Daenerys attacked King's Landing. Euron's dead, but his shipwright skills live on as Yara now uses them to re-build the Iron Fleet once again.

Household

Theon Greyjoy Yara Greyjoy

Relations

Theon Pyke
  • Yara Greyjoy, only daughter. Claimant Queen of the Iron Islands, Lady Reaper of Pyke, Daughter of the Sea Wind and Queen of Salt and Rock.

House Blacktyde

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Standing
Minor
Wealth
Wealthy
Lands
Blacktyde
Seat
Blacktyde Castle

The Head of House's ship is known as Nightflyer. Their sigil is a vairy, green and black.

Lord Blacktyde supported Yara at the Kingsmoot and was killed by Euron for it.
When Yara returned to claim her position Blacktyde kept its holdings due to the fact they supported Yara at the Kingsmoot and their head of house refused to acknowledge Euron.

Household

Relations

  • Blind Beron Blacktyde, a priest of the Drowned God

House Botley

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Standing
Minor
Wealth
Wealthy
Lands
Orkmont
Seat
Orkwood

During the most recent King's Moot, the members of House Botley were torn, some backing Euron, others backing Yara. Those that backed Euron died in Blackwater Bay, burned by the dragon fire of Drogon. Those that followed Yara did take some losses, but those who survived were rewarded with Orkmont Island as their new lands and holdings. Their sigil is a school of silverfish on pale green.

Sawane Botley, the Head of House at the time spoke up for Theon at the King's Moot, but was easily convinced by Theon to back Yara instead. He was killed after the moot by Euron Greyjoy. As his eldest son was killed at Moat Cailin during the Ironborn Occupation, the position of head of house went to Sawane's second son, Tristifer "Tris" Botley. Tris took over captaining his father's ship Swiftfin.

Household

Relations

  • Tristifer Botley, Second son, and HoH
  • Symond Botley, Third Son
  • Harlon Botley, Fourth Son
  • Vickon Botley, Fifth Son
  • Bennarion Botley, Sixth SOn
  • Lord Germund Botley, the old Lord's Brother. Renowned Captain and made Lord of Lordsport by Euron. Captain of the Silverfin
  • Balon Botley, Germund's Eldest
  • Quellon Botley, Germund's Second son

House Farwynd

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Standing
Minor
Wealth
Wealthy
Lands
Lonely Light Island
Seat
Farwynd Keep

Their sigil is a per fess - below a black sea with a crested line, a black longship, outlined against a red setting sun on orange. They are rumored to be skinchangers that take the form of seals. Lonely Light is extremely isolated, it is the northwest most of the Iron Islands and is about 80 miles outside of the cluster of islands.

Household

Relations

Jaramy Harlaw
  • Lord Triston Farwynd, Head of House

House Harlaw

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Standing
Major
Wealth
Wealthy
Lands
Harlaw Island
Seat
Ten Towers

The head of the house is captain of the longship, Sea Song. The valyrian blade, Nightfall, is also in the possession of a Harlaw. After Greyjoy, the Harlaws are perhaps one of the most influential houses in the Iron Islands. Their sigil is a silver scythe on black.

When Yara returned to lay claim House Harlaw were allowed to keep their ancestral lands.

Household

Relations

Jaramy Harlaw Theon Greyjoy Yara Greyjoy
  • Lord Rodrik Harlaw, Lord of Harlaw, Lord of Ten Towers
  • Gwynesse Harlaw - Eldests sister
  • Alannys Harlaw - Elder sister and widow of Balon Greyjoy

House Ironmaker

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Standing
Landed
Wealth
Wealthy

The Ironmaker line is known to be very boy heavy, it has been generations since a girl was born to the line. Their sigil is an anvil on red.

Erik puts forth himself at the Kingsmoot but loses support. He sides with Euron.

House Ironmaker was given a small place on the islands.

Household

Relations

  • Erik Ironmaker, the head of House.
  • Urek Ironmaker, his grandson
  • Thormor Ironmaker, his grandson
  • Dagon Ironmaker, his grandson

House Merlyn

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Standing
Major
Wealth
Wealthy
Lands
Great Wyk Island
Seat
Pebbleton Tower

House Merlyn makes rules its demesne from a towerhouse that sits above the village of Pebbleton. Their sigil is a green, intertwined waterspouts on a field of white. Because of Merlyn's support of Yara Greyjoy during the kingsmoot and everything they did to support Yara's plans to reclaim her throne, House Merlyn was given governance over all of Great Wyk. Also raising them in status to be considered a Major House of the Iron Islands.

Holding tight to the Old Ways the head of house Merlyn is not called Lord Meldred Merlyn, instead, he is just called (The) Merlyn. Manfryd Merlyn captains the ship, Kite.

Household

Relations

  • Lord Meldred Merlyn, known as Merlyn
  • Manfryd Merlyn is the captain of the ship Kite in the Iron Fleet.

House Sharp

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Standing
Landed
Wealth
Comfortable

Their sigil is an iron knife on blue.

Alvyn Sharp supports Victarion and Harmund Sharp supports Yara at the Kingsmoot.

House Sharp was given some lands on one of the islands.

Household

Relations

  • Harmund Sharp, who has many sons
  • Harrag Sharp, his son.
  • Alvyn SHarp, an ironborn Captain

House Sparr

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Standing
Minor
Wealth
Wealthy
Lands
Great Wyk

The head of the house of this family is called The Sparr. Family genetics illustrate that beauty is not often found in the harsh environment of the Iron Islands. As they are known to have watery eyes, tremulous voices and what is considered harshly but fairly put; hatchet faces. Their sigil is an oak saltire on blue.

When Yara took the Seastone chair once more she gave Old Wyk to House Sparr.

Household

Relations

  • Lord Sparr, a hatchet-faced old man with water eyes. Called the Sparr.
  • Steffarion Sparr, his son.
  • Rodrik Sparr, captain of the Grief

House Sunderly

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Standing
Minor
Wealth
Wealthy
Lands
Saltcliffe

House Sunderly lays claim to the small island of Saltcliffe. Their sigil is a pale pink drowned man, hair streaming upwards and fish nibbling at his limbs, floating upright on a blue-green field.

House Sunderly kept their ancestral lands when Yara claimed her birthright.

Household

Relations

  • Lord Sunderly

Extinct Houses of the Iron Islands

House Codd

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Though All Men Do Despise Us
Standing
Minor
Wealth
Wealthy

The Codds are a proud family who have taken a low opinion their fellow Ironborn hold of them and incorporated it into their motto. Its warriors are known for fighting with nets. Their sigil is a silver codfish on black.

Many of House Codd died at Moat Cailin when Ramsay Bolton arrived.

House Codd was made extinct when Yara returned to make her claim on the chair.

Household

Relations

  • Lucas Codd, called "Left-Hand Lucas", is a longship captain once loyal to Euron
  • Eldred Codd, a warrior
  • Tom Codd, called "Bloodless Tom", Captain fo the Lamentatio

House Drumm

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Standing
Minor
Wealth
Wealthy
Lands
Old Wyk

A valyrian steel sword called Red Rain is passed from head of house to the heir of House Drumm. Their sigil is a white, skeletal hand on a field of red.

Sided with Euron and survived.

House Drumm was made extinct when Yara returned to make her claim on the chair.

Household

Relations

  • Dunstan Drumm, Lord of Old Wyk. The Drumm. The Bone Hand. Captain of the Thunderer and wielder of Red Rain.
  • Denys Drumm, eldest son and heir.
  • Donnel Drumm, second son.

House Goodbrother

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Standing
Minor
Wealth
Wealthy
Lands
Great Wyk, Old Wyk, and Orkmont
Seat
Hammerhorn, Shatterstone, Downdelving, Crow Spike Keep, and Corpse Lake

A large family with a number of lesser branches, House Goodbrother has a presence on most of the Islands. The main branch is the Goodbrothers of Hammerhorn, found on Great Wyk, about six leagues from the shore. The castle is a hulking structure, dark and brooding, and is fashioned from great stone blocks quarried from the cliffs behind it. Beneath its walls, one can find mines and caves, each yawning like toothless mouths. Their sigil is a black warhorn with a band of gold on a field of red.

Gorold supported Euron at the Kingsmoot.

House Goodbrother was made extinct when Yara returned to make her claim on the chair.

Household

Relations

  • Lord Gorold Goodbrother, Lord of Hammerhorn
  • Gysella Goodbrother, eldest daughter
  • Gwin Goodbrother, second daughter
  • Ten more daughters
  • Greydon Goodbrother, first son and heir. First of Triplets
  • Gormond Goodbrother, second son and second of triplets
  • Gran Goodbrother, third son and final triplet.

House Humble

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Standing
Landed
Wealth
Wealthy

Their sigil is a pile of salt on a blue background.

Quellon sided with Euron at the Kingsmoot.

House Humbles was made extinct when Yara returned to make her claim on the chair.

Household

Relations

  • Quellon Humble, an ironborn raider
  • Will Humble, an ironborn raider
  • Burton Humble, an ironborn raider aboard the Iron Victory

House Kenning

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Standing
Minor
Wealth
Wealthy
Lands
Harlaw

Once a bitter rival of House Harlaw, they now serve their conquerors as vassals. Their sigil is the cloudy hand of the Storm God, rendered in pale grey with yellow lightning flashing from his fingertips, presented on a field of black.

Ralf supported Victarion Greyjoy to stake claim on the Seastone Chair.

House Kenning was made extinct when Yara returned to make her claim on the chair.

Household

Relations

  • Ralf Kenning, an ironborn Captain - killed.
  • Qarl Kenning, known as Queer Qarl Kenning

House Myre

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Standing
Minor
Wealth
Wealthy
Lands
Harlaw

House Myre is a minor house with lands on the isle of Harlaw. The members of House Meyre were once responsible for seeing ten men hanged in one day, a feat they saw fit to memorialize on thier family device. They once thought to challenge the Harlaws for supremacy of Harlaw Island, but the attempt was quashed, and the Myres were reduced to the status of vassals as a result. Their sigil is ten black nooses, 4-3-2-1, on a field of white with a blood-red border.

Jon Myre brings Euron to the Kingsmoot and supports him.

House Myre was made extinct when Yara returned to make her claim on the chair.

Household

Relations

  • Lord Myre (unnamed)
  • Jon Myre, known as 'Pinchface'

House Orkwood

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Standing
Minor
Wealth
Wealthy
Lands
Orkmont

Their sigil is a dark green pine trees bunched together on a field of yellow.

Lord Alyn supports Euron at the Kingsmoot.

House Orkwood was made extinct when Yara returned to make her claim on the chair.

Household

Relations

  • Lord Alyn Orkwood, Lord of Orkmount

House Saltcliffe

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Standing
Minor
Wealth
Wealthy
Lands
Saltcliffe

House Saltcliffe controls the entirity of the smaller of the Iron Islands not surprisingly called, Saltcliffe. Their sigil is a nine-headed serpent, black on silver.

House Saltcliffe supported Euron at the Kingsmoot.

House Saltcliffe was made extinct when Yara returned to make her claim on the chair.

Household

Relations

  • Lord Donnor Saltcliffe, Lord of Saltcliffe.

House Stonehouse

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Standing
Minor
Wealth
Wealthy
Lands
Old Wyk

Whomever is head of house is simply known as The Stonehouse. Their sigil is a black brazier on a grey masonry field.

Champions for Victarion at the Kingsmoot.

House Stonehouse was made extinct when Yara returned to make her claim on the chair.

Household

Relations

  • Lord Stonehouse, called The Stonehouse
  • Ralf Stonehouse, known as Red Ralf

House Stonetree

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Standing
Minor
Wealth
Wealthy
Lands
Harlaw

House Stonetree are sworn to House Harlaw.They have considerable holdings, many ships, and fierce warriors, but they kneel before the scythe. Their sigil is a grey stone tree, devoid of leaves, on a black field.

The Stonetrees give their well wishes to Victarion at the Kingsmoot.

House Stonetree was made extinct when Yara returned to make her claim on the chair.

Household

Relations

  • Lord Stonetree
  • Sigfry Stonetree

House Tawney

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Scourge of the Seas
Standing
Minor
Wealth
Wealthy
Lands
Orkmont

Their sigil is a scourge of red and black nettles on a white field.

House Tawney shows support for Victarion during the Kingsmoot.

House Tawney was made extinct when Yara returned to make her claim on the chair.

Household

Relations

  • Lord Balon Tawney, Head of House
  • Lord Tenwood Tawney, ship Captain

House Volmark

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Standing
Minor
Wealth
Wealthy
Lands
Harlaw

The Volmarks are another house on Harlaw who control large parcels of land. They have large holdings, numerous ships, and fierce warriors. All sworn to House Harlaw. Their sigil is a black leviathan on a sea of grey.

Lord Maron Volmark supported Victarion at the Kingsmoot.

House Volmark was made extinct when Yara returned to make her claim on the chair.

Household

Relations

  • Lord Maron Volmark, Lord of Volmark and Greenshield

House Wynch

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Standing
Minor
Wealth
Wealthy
Seat
Iron Holt

On the island of Pyke House Wynch has their seat in the town of Iron Holt. Their sigil is a bloody moon on a field of purple.

Lord Waldon Wynch was the first to recognize Euron when he became King. Some Wynches gathered around Victarion at the Kingsmoot.

House Wynch was made extinct when Yara returned to make her claim on the chair.

Household

Relations

  • Lord Waldon Wynch, Lord of Iron Holt

Smallfolk of the Iron Islands

Maps & Images

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