House Greyjoy

We Do Not Sow: the kraken lords of the Iron Islands.

House Greyjoy is the principal house of the Iron Islands, home of the ironborn, and rules from its seat on Pyke. Its arms show a golden kraken on a black field and its words are We Do Not Sow; bastards of the islands take the surname Pyke.

Quick Facts

Seat: Pyke
Region: Iron Islands
Words: We Do Not Sow
Sigil: Golden kraken on black

Lore & Background

The Greyjoys became Lords Paramount of the Iron Islands after the Targaryen conquest, when the ironborn were allowed to choose who would rule them. The ironborn worship the Drowned God, who they say made them to reave and carve out kingdoms.

Reader's Guide

After Robert's death Balon rejects Robb Stark's offer of alliance, declares himself King of the Iron Islands and the North, seizes the Neck and ravages the Northern coast. He dies in A Storm of Swords after falling from a bridge in a storm, leaving two surviving children, Asha and Theon.

Balon Greyjoy, Lord of the Iron Islands and Lord Reaper of Pyke, is a harsh, fierce man. Ten years before the series he rebelled against King Robert; the rising failed and his youngest son Theon was taken as a hostage and raised at Winterfell by Eddard Stark.