Grey King
"The Grey King was king over all the Iron Islands, but he left a hundred sons behind him, and upon his death they began to quarrel over who would succeed him" - The World of Ice and Fire[1]
The Grey King is a legendary figure to the Ironborn from the Age of Heroes. It is said that he ruled over the isles for hundreds of years, and many of the great Ironborn houses claim to be descended or related to him. His face is depicted on the sigil of House Greyiron.
History
The Grey King was supposedly the first King to rule over all of the Iron Islands, and it is said that he ruled for 1,000 years. The stories say he was married to a mermaid.[1]
Deeds
The Grey King has many tales told about him. He gave the gift of fire to men after taunting the Storm King and coaxing him to throw a thunderbolt down, starting a fire in a tree. He taught men how to craft nets, sails, and longships. He also slew Nagga, a sea dragon of immense size who could eat an island whole.
He built a longhall out of Nagga's bones on the isle of Old Wyk, and in the hall he constructed a great throne built from the sea dragon's fangs.[1]
Offspring
The Grey King fathered many hundreds of sons. Most of the great Ironborn houses claim descent from him, his offspring, or in the case of House Goodbrother, descent from his brother. The Ironborn houses claiming these relations are listed below.
- House Greyiron
- House Hoare - descended from Torgon the Terrible
- House Greyjoy - descended from Hrothgar of Pyke
- House Drumm
- House Blacktyde - descended from Balon Blackskin
- House Volmark - descended from Jorl the Whale
- House Stonehouse - descended from Ragged Ralf
- House Harlaw
- House Orkwood
- House Stonetree
- House Kenning
- House Myre
- House Botley
- House Wynch
- House Merlyn
- House Saltcliffe
Legacy
When the Grey King finally died, his sons began warring amongst themselves over who would inherit their father's title. In the end, the Iron Islands remained disunited under myriad Salt and Rock Kings until Galon Whitestaff finally convinced the Ironborn to unite under a single elected High King. These elections would take place in the Grey King's Hall on Old Wyk. As the centuries went on, the Hall fell into disrepair until eventually only the great rafters, crafted from Nagga's bones, remained.[1]
The Grey King is held in high esteem by drowned men. His likeness is depicted on House Greyiron's sigil, and it is possible that House Kenning's sigil depicts the moment when the Grey King coaxed the Storm King to send a lightning bolt to the earth.