House Greyjoy

Overview

Off the western coast of Westeros lie the Iron Islands, cold and wind-ravaged lands ruled over by House Greyjoy, one of the seven major nobles houses of the Seven Kingdoms. Balon Greyjoy, Lord of the Iron Islands, attempted a rebellion against Robert Baratheon's alliance in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Targaryens, with the goal of severing the Iron Islands from the rest of Westeros and living interdependently of the Iron Throne , believing that Robert would be unable to resist him so soon after the war. In actual fact, Robert did indeed come against Balon and put down his rebellion, with the help of Eddard Stark's forces, slaying all but two of the Greyjoy children in the process. In order to ensure Balon Greyjoy's continued loyalty, his eldest son, Theon was taken as a ward by Eddard, where he would live as a hostage, preventing his father from raising any more rebellions as long as he lived.