Balon Greyjoy II

Balon Greyjoy II was an incredibly long-lived monarch who led his people into the first two clashed and increased his lands more than tenfold.

Early Life

Balon Greyjoy II was the direct decendent of Asha Greyjoy, who ruled the Iron Islands when Bran the Broken came to power. Bran's policies fostered deep hate and mistrust among the Greyjoys, who were forbidden to reave in the seven kingdoms. Thus, when Bran the Broken died, Balon Greyjoy II smelled nothing but oppertunity.

First Clash
In the First Clash, Balon Greyjoy had ascended to being part of the Great Council. This council, composed of the three greatest powers, settled many territorial disputes in favour of the Greyjoys. Next to this, the Greyjoys claimed reaving rights over many of their new lands, which made Balon II incredibly popular. This popularity was short-lived, however, when Balon decided that Jon Arryn II had a right to kingship. This king allied himself with the Iron Islands and the Crusader Crownlands. This alliance was quick to go to war in the second crusade against the Trident Union, which became a giant quagmire of ambushes, spiked fords, misery and death. After thousands of troops were vanquished, Balon Greyjoy decided to abandon this fledgeling alliance. Not much later, Jon Arryn II fell and the seven kingdoms would be thrown into chaos once again.

Second Clash
After the two and a half year regency of Jon Arryn II, his weak reign came to an end and the Second Clash kicked off. Balon II chose to align himself with the anti-coalition forces, together with the North, the Westerlands, Dorne and the Reach. He ordered many reavings and led his armies into the mainland once more. This time, he was more succesfull with great victories in the Riverlands. It was Balon's armies who chased the Boltons and Knights of the Vale out of the North and it was Balon's fleet that smashed the coalition ships on the shores of Oldtown when the Reach turned on him. In the end, he conceded to Stannis Baratheon II when their combined army was smashed at Harrenhall. This didn't come without profit though, as the war's end was only compromised by an important concession made to Balon: He could stay married to the daughter of Haatack Stark and held dominion over the North as well as the Iron Islands.

Third Clash
An old and withered Balon Greyjoy II saw the end of Stannis II as well, and readied his country for a third clash. However, his life ended abruptly as an unknown assailant killed him mere weeks after the death of Stannis II. He was quickly succeeded by his 14 year old son and heir Urri Greyjoy.