Shield Islands
The Shield Islands are a small archipelago in the Sunset Sea, guarding the mouth of the Mander west of Highgarden. [1] Once known as the Misty Islands and used as footholds by Ironborn raiders, they were reclaimed by King Garth VII “Goldenhand” of the Reach, who drove the Ironmen from the isles, renamed them the Shield Islands, and resettled them with his fiercest warriors and best seamen to defend the Mander’s mouth.[2]
Thereafter, the islanders were granted special dispensations and privileges to maintain a perpetual bulwark against any returning Ironborn. For centuries, the men of the Four Shields prided themselves on defending both the mouth of the Mander and the heart of the Reach from seaborne foes.[3]
However, the Ironborn under King Urron Greyiron launched a second conquest of the isles. Led by Lodos Drumm, the Iron Fleet shattered the defenders in a brutal year-long campaign. Lord Lyman Hewett surrendered and was executed, while Houses Chester, Grimm, and Serry attempted to carry on the fight through guerrilla warfare. Despite initial success, the rebellion was ultimately crushed, and all four noble houses were extinguished or exiled. The Shield Islands have remained under Ironborn control ever since.