The Iron Islands are one of the key regions of the Seven Kingdoms, a fictional world from George Martin 's Song of Ice and Fire series of novels, as well as a popular film adaptation of The Game of Thrones. These islands are located in the very west of Westeros.
Islanders
From the mainland, the Iron Islands are separated by the Strait of Iron People. From the west they are washed by the sunset sea. Briefly characterize this region, it is extremely poor. Its inhabitants are difficult to feed themselves. All who were born on these islands are called iron born. In all Seven Kingdoms they are famous as cruel and freedom-loving sea robbers. Simply put, pirates.
The inhabitants of the Iron Islands worship the Drowned God, have long been raiding the lands of Westeros in his honor. In a certain period of time, the kings of these lands had significant power. At that time they ruled the lands on the mainland. The Greyjoy home on the islands is the main one. This family nest is located in the castle on Pike.
The location of the islands
On the map of the Seven Kingdoms, the Iron Islands are located west of the Riverlands. It is worth highlighting the seven most important places in this area, which are given key attention in a series of novels. First of all, it's Pike. The southern island on which the Greyjoy family is located. Here is the largest city of the entire archipelago - Lordport.
Ore deposits are concentrated on the western island of Big Vic. These are the few resources that Greyjoy can have and brag about. A sacred island called Old Vic is located in the very center of worship of the Drowned God. In ancient times, the palace of the Gray King stood at this place. Currently, a veche is being held there, at which new rulers are elected.
In the east, not far from the mainland, is the most populated island of the Harlow archipelago. Orkmont Island deserves special mention. It is mountainous and impassable, but it was from there that the kings of Grayyron ruled. This is the ancient history of the Iron Islands in the Game of Thrones, which began even before the arrival of the Andals. The books mention two more islands of little interest - the Salt Cliff and the Black Wave.
Island Resources
The Iron Islands in Game of Thrones have a small set of resources. But still they are. This is tin, iron and lead ore. Thanks to them, the islands got their name. There are plenty of mines and mines here, but there is practically nothing more. Metal and ore are the main goods that the inhabitants of the Iron Islands export to the mainland.
The most common professions in these places are gunsmiths and blacksmiths. That is why the locals have become so belligerent. After all, here, perhaps, the best armor in Westeros is made, swords and axes. At the same time, almost nothing is growing on the islands. The soil is sparse and rocky. Grains can not be sprouted here, you can only graze goats and sheep. Therefore, the inhabitants of the islands survive, only thanks to the gifts of the sea. There are many fish in coastal waters, even lobsters with crabs are found.
The Iron-born go to the Sea of Sunset to get seals and whales. At the same time, there are practically no forests on the islands. They were cut down, as people were in dire need of the wood from which they built ships. Forests are preserved only on Big Wick. According to the stories of the wise archimaster Heireg, it was the shortage of wood that made the iron-born at one time take the path of robberies and raids. When they lived peacefully with the population of the mainland, they simply exchanged wood for ore.
Island History
The history of the islands dates back several thousand years. They were inhabited by the First People. According to the stories of the priests, their ancestors came straight from the seabed. However, most likely, the first settlers sailed from the mainland.
There have never been giants and Children of the Forest, who at that time occupied almost all of Westeros. True, according to legend, the Sea Throne still stood on the banks of the Old Vic. The so-called armchair made of massive black stone, made in the shape of a kraken. However, no one could find out who left him. Perhaps these were unknown aliens who sailed from behind the sunset sea.
Age of Heroes
When the Age of Heroes arrived in the kingdom, the legendary Gray King ruled the islands. The King of the Iron Islands also ruled the sea. He was married to a mermaid. He managed to kill a powerful sea dragon named Naggu and build a hall from his bones. According to legend, the Gray King ruled here for a thousand years.
After his death, the chamber was quickly plundered. The supreme ruler of the islands was always chosen at the veche. Power, according to tradition, was given to the most worthy. This custom, most likely, appeared during the Gaylon White Staff. It was then that laws appeared prohibiting the Ironborn to fight among themselves, as well as stealing wives and rob neighbors.
King hoar
A noticeable mark in the history of the Ironborn was left by a king named Kuored Hoar. He became the founder of a glorious dynasty. He was a powerful monarch who succeeded in paying tribute to the inhabitants of the entire west coast of Westeros. He liked to repeat that he rules everywhere where people smell the salt water and hear the close splashing of waves.
Even in his youth, he began to wage war of conquest. He plundered Old Town, won the wars in the River Lands. A tribute was paid to him by the kingdom of Justmen, of whom he took three princes as hostages. And when the inhabitants of the River Lands overdue another payment, he immediately killed them. True, after the death of Khored, the power of the dynasty began to decline rapidly.
Kings on the mainland became stronger and stronger, eventually dropping the yoke of the Ironborn. The ancient tradition of the election of the king at the veche was interrupted by Urron Grayyron. He came to the meeting with his warriors with axes at the ready. They simply killed all the other candidates for the throne. After this, the Grayiron dynasty ruled for a thousand years, until the Andals arrived in Westeros.
The Andalic invasion of the Iron Islands was ferocious and impetuous. As a result, they conquered all the lands of the Ironborn. Shortly afterwards, the Grayyron family ceased. A new Hoar dynasty came to power. After that, Eigon Targaryen attacked the islands . He burned the castles and subjugated these lands. Having become a ruler, Targaryen allowed the locals to choose their own supreme lord. He was Vicon Greyjoy.
Greyjoy House
Under the new Targaryen laws, islanders were forbidden to rob and attack neighbors. It was possible to restore the law after Dagon Greyjoy came to power. He rebelled against the supreme ruler, setting himself the goal of conquering the Sunset Sea. So became the most famous house in these places Greyjoy.
Initially, they were successful, but soon the army of the islanders was defeated. After that, Robert Baratheon was able to seize power on the mainland , overthrowing the Mad King. Then Beylon Greyjoy raised another rebellion, proclaiming himself king of the Iron Islands. But this time too, it ended unsuccessfully. Starks and the Baratheons jointly took Pike.
Euron Greyjoy
Euron is Beylon's brother. His nickname is Raven Eye. He is a famous pirate who goes to sea on a boat called "Silent". He is a cruel and imperious ruler. Many consider him crazy, but nobody decides to tell him in person. He is interested in magic and witchcraft. Euron Greyjoy is a brave pirate who, together with his people, conquers the endless seas of Westeros.