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'''House Greyjoy''' of Pyke is one of the Great Houses of Westeros and the ruling family of the [[Iron Islands]], a harsh and rocky archipelago in the western sea. Their sigil is a golden kraken on a black field, and their words are '''"We Do Not Sow."''' They rule from [[Pyke]], a crumbling castle built on weathered stacks and a headland above the crashing waves.

The ironborn live by the [[Old Way]], reaving and raiding the coasts of the mainland, taking gold, captives, and salt wives by force of arms. To pay the [[iron price]] -- to win wealth in battle rather than buy it -- is held the only honorable course; goods bought with coin are scorned as the gold price. The Greyjoys claim descent from the [[Grey King]] of legend, who is said to have ruled the sea itself and taken a mermaid to wife.

== History ==
In ancient days the ironborn chose their rulers in a kingsmoot, raising the [[Driftwood Throne]] over conquered coasts. The Greyjoys were named Lords of the Iron Islands by [[Aegon Targaryen|Aegon the Conqueror]] after he allowed the ironborn to choose their own overlord. Generations later, [[Balon Greyjoy]] crowned himself King of the Iron Islands and rose in revolt against [[Robert Baratheon]]. The rebellion was crushed, [[Pyke]] stormed, and Balon's surviving son [[Theon Greyjoy|Theon]] taken to [[Winterfell]] as a hostage and ward of [[Eddard Stark]].

During the [[War of the Five Kings]] Balon declared himself king once more, sending his fleets against the unguarded [[North]].

== Notable Members ==
* [[Balon Greyjoy]], Lord Reaper of Pyke, self-proclaimed king
* [[Theon Greyjoy]], his son, raised among the Starks
* [[Asha Greyjoy]], his daughter, a hardened captain in her own right
* [[Euron Greyjoy]], called Crow's Eye, Balon's dread brother
* [[Victarion Greyjoy]], another brother, lord captain of the Iron Fleet

== Significance ==
The Greyjoys turn the chaos of the war to their advantage, falling upon the North while the Starks campaign in the south. Theon's seizure of [[Winterfell]] -- and his later torment at the hands of [[House Bolton]] -- mark a low point for the House and for the North alike.

[[Category:Game of Thrones]]
[[Category:Houses]]