After the "King of Islands, Rivers and Hills" Hall lineage was exterminated, in the second year of the conquest calendar, Aegon I began to conquer Iron Islands.
With the help of the dragon, the "Conqueror" successfully conquered the various forces that were still coveting the throne left by "Black Harren" Heron.
He allowed the surrendered island leaders to elect the rulers of the islands on their own in accordance with the tradition of Ironborn.
Gray Iron, Gubler, and Greyjoy, these three families who have served as "Iron Islands High Kings" many times, are the most competitive candidates for the election.
In the end, Pyke's Viken Greyjoy was elected as the new commander-in-chief of Iron Islands - of course, they could not become king again, and were officially declared as: Duke Pyke.
--After the Heyu Kingdom was divided into two, Iron Islands also managed to get a half-false "Duke" title. However, they like to call themselves "Kings", so it doesn't matter.
Afterwards, House Greyjoy of Pyke swore allegiance to Iron Throne and governed Iron Islands until today.
Iron Islands is located in Ironborn Bay, located in the Sunset Sea to the west of Westeros. It can directly reach Riverlands to the east and the Neck Moat Cailin to the northeast.
The archipelago is mainly composed of thirty-one islands, including seven main islands. The soil here is poor, the nearby sea is not only prone to frequent storms, but also full of reefs, lacking a natural harbor.
The exception is Lordsport from the Greyjoy family.
Their Pyke was once a narrow strip of land extending from Riverlands to the sea in the west. It was like a sharp sword piercing the ocean. With the erosion and changes over the years, it was divided into three islands by the sea water.
It is precisely because of this that Pyke not only has a good harbor, but also has rare soil suitable for farming among the islands--this is really ironic, because the clan language of the Greyjoy family is:
We Do Not Sow.
Some people say that Iron Islands was named after the rich iron ore resources on the island, but Ironborn claim that the islands were named after the strong and unyielding nature of the people on the islands.
As a ferocious and even cruel seafaring group, the islanders here believe that they are the descendants of the sea, and the captain of each ship is the king on his own ship. Therefore, Iron Islands was also called the "Land of Kings".
The harsh natural environment gave birth to cruel people.
Ironborn people seem to be dismissive of the "green land"-that is, the "weak" way of life of human beings on the mainland.
Whether it is Old Gods believed by Children of the Forest and First Men, or Seven believed by Andals, Iron Islands cannot gain widespread belief. In comparison, they believe in Drowned God more.
Drowned God's faith is a niche one, but it's also amazing.
After Andals invaded the Western Continent, the invaders replaced people's original beliefs with Seven religion in the southern part of Westeros. Only in Iron Islands, Andals who came to the island converted to Drowned God.
This religion is the basis of Ironborn spirituality and pirate culture.
What kind of believers there are, there are what kind of gods.
Drowned God is a more severe and cruel god than Ironborn. Legend has it that the reason why Ironborn was created was to rape and plunder them, create a new world with blood, flames and songs, and use it to carve their names.
Ironborn believes that Drowned God once brought light from the depths of the sea, wielded fire and sword, and sailed throughout the world.
The Storm God is the eternal enemy of Drowned God. He lives in the hall among the dark clouds, and crows are his servants.
It is said that these two gods have been fighting each other for thousands of years. Whenever they fight, terrible waves will rise on the sea.
If a Ironborn drowns in the sea, people will say it is because the Drowned God needs a strong paddler.
Believers of Drowned God would rather believe that a person who dies in the water will be invited by the mermaid to attend a banquet at Drowned God's "Watery Halls", where there will be endless liquor and food, and any of his wishes will be fulfilled.
Therefore, Ironborn is often not afraid of death when fighting at sea.
Once the injury is too serious and it feels difficult to save, he will risk his own life, laugh wildly and pounce on his opponent, and fall into the deep sea with the stunned opponent, waiting for the mermaid's invitation----
Aegon's Conquest ago.
The so-called "Old Way" refers to the lifestyle and entertainment of the Iron Islands people. This is the term used by Ironborn to refer to its plundering tradition.
They use war to arbitrarily seize other people's property. They use "bloodshed" instead of "purchase", which is what Ironborn calls "paying iron money".
-Ironborn wields an iron ax and forces the "seller" to bleed rusty blood, thus paying the price for acquiring the other party's property and even his life.
Through this ancient method, Ironborn would often raid the inland from the sea, plunder and transport back large amounts of gold and silver, goods, slave labor and women.
When attacking the castle, Ironborn will not throw stones or starve the people in the fortress to death. Instead, he will use grappling hooks and ladders to break in directly.
Climbing is what Ironborns are good at.
Under the influence of "Old Way", all Ironborn will laugh at farming, and only fishing is a respectable occupation in their eyes.
Under the influence of such ancient customs, its maritime supremacy was indeed unrivaled for a time.
In Westeros, only Royal Fleet of Iron Throne and Redwyne Fleet of Arbor can rival Iron Islands's navy cluster.
However, after Aegon I pacified Iron Islands, Ironborn's "Old Way" tradition was officially declared illegal.
From now on, Ironborn people are prohibited from looting within the kingdom. Those who can't stand it can only flee overseas to rob ships or settlements from Free Cities or more remote areas.
Now, with the help of the mainland war, they once again have the opportunity to follow "Old Way". Of course, the Ironborns are very excited, and they are not even that dissatisfied with King Cologne.
Thick fog is like a white veil, firmly covering this sea, including the black fleet of one hundred long boats Mander River and Ironborn directly in front, slowly advancing towards the mouth of the river.
The golden squid on the rectangular sail was looming under the mist. The Ironborn warriors held the wood pulp tightly, with battle axes tied to their feet. Their eyes were full of desire for plunder, and they did not realize that the shadow of death had already quietly loomed over them.
Seeing that the peace of the Mander River was about to be broken, and Ironborn's battle ax was about to fall on the heads of the Reach people again, a beacon suddenly ignited on Shield Islands, which was being bypassed by the Ironborn fleet.
First, a little red light lit up deep in the thick fog, and then the red lights quickly connected into a series.
First there are Green Shield Island and Southshield, and then Greyshield and Oak islands located further away.
The firelight of the beacon tower directly penetrated the barrier of fog, and the red signal was transmitted layer by layer in the fog, like the call of death.
"No! There's an ambush!"
Ironborn When the lookout found out, it was actually too late.
Mander River In the river, the roar of paddles breaking the water and sailors shouting could also be heard.
The silent stealth was completely broken.
Dozens of armed clippers about the same size as the Ironborn longship broke through the fog. Those clippers were filled with soldiers holding crossbows, and they were the fleet of the Shield Islands lords.
At the same time.
Diagonally behind, in the direction of Shield Islands, another fleet was setting off, speeding towards the direction of Ironborn.
Their sails are painted with red edges and green hands, white wall roses, riveted iron shields and the Oak Shield plate, which is the coat of arms of the family where the four islands are located.
For a moment, there seemed to be a pincer attack from both front and back.
What was stuck in the middle was King Cologne's fleet.
It turns out that the lords of Shield Islands had already seen through Ironborn's intention to raid.
They deliberately made the watchtower "negligent" in order to lure the Ironborn fleet into the position of the mouth of the river. Then, using the cover of thick fog to catch them by surprise, they set up front and rear encirclement circles, waiting to catch these marauders in one fell swoop.
Because of the fog, Ironborn's lookout was unable to detect the ambush ships in front and behind in time.
"Aim at Ironborn's flagship! Sink that old guy's ship first!"
Mabad Chesta Earl of Green Shield Island stood on the warship that rushed out of the Mander River and shouted an order.
The entire fleet immediately adjusted its direction and rushed towards the flagship at the front of the Ironborn fleet. The "King Cologne", which was sailing in the forward position, was the first to bear the brunt and was hit head-on by the fleet in the river.
Arrows were shot at the "King of Cologne" like raindrops, and Ironborn on the deck also picked up their bows and arrows to fight back.
Ironborn's shots were more accurate, but their numbers were not superior in some areas. It didn't take long for them all to fall to the ground after being hit by arrows. The ship's hull was also quickly covered with cracks under the repeated attacks from the opponent's ship-borne trebuchets.
The "Kronen King" was huge in size, but it was difficult to maneuver flexibly at the mouth of the river. Its collision angle severely knocked down several small boats that dared to block its front, and was subsequently bitten by a larger number of speedboats one after another.
When the speed drops, it is the time of its death.
The goal of the Shield Islands fleet is very clear, which is to focus on besieging King Cologne.
If there are too many ants, they can kill an elephant.
After a period of hard resistance, the hull of the "King Cologne" clicked, the planks shattered, and seawater poured into the cabin instantly.
The remaining Ironborns on the ship fell into chaos. They all chose to join forces and leave the ship, counterattacked the enemy ship, and fought fiercely with the Shield Islands soldiers.
After another fierce battle, the hull of the "King Cologne" gradually tilted, and finally sank mostly into the river with a loud noise. Shield Islands's fleet immediately broke out into a warm cheer.
They all thought that they had killed King Cologne, the "chief of predators" who came to invade.
Everyone was shouting, "Colen is dead! We won!"
Shield Islands's soldiers waved their weapons to celebrate this crucial victory.
But they were still too happy too early.
Before the cheers subsided, another larger warship sailed out from behind the white mist, with a bright golden sea monster with snarling teeth and claws painted on the sails.
On the bow of "Iron Victory" stood a familiar figure.
This man was six and a half feet tall, wearing oil-soaked black leather armor, with a gray beard fluttering in the wind. He was the King of Coron who was supposed to have sunk to the bottom of the river with the ship!
He was already on guard.
The "King Cologne" was just a bait he arranged, and the real flagship was always hidden in the center of the fleet and cruising quietly.
Looking ahead at the Shield Islands fleet that had become disorganized due to the desperate siege of the "King of Coron", a coldness flashed in the eyes of the "resurrected" King of Coron, and his hoarse voice came out through the pale mist. "Kill over! Let these guys in the green land pay the price!"
Kelen·Greyjoy is getting older, but his figure is still burly.
He was once praised by his competitors as "strong as an ox and as agile as a cat". He was also the most prudent and wisest Iron Islands leader since Aegon's Conquest.
The lords of Shield Islands have now tasted the counterattack brought about by Coren's prudence and wisdom.
Shield Islands: