House Harlaw

House Harlaw of Harlaw is one of the most powerful houses from the Iron Islands, sworn to House Greyjoy of Pyke. From the castle of Ten Towers, the Harlaws rule over the entire island of Harlaw, the richest and most populous of the isles. Their blazon is a silver scythe on black.
All the other houses on Harlaw pledge fealty to House Harlaw, including Houses Kenning, Myre, Stonetree, and Volmark. Cadet branches of the Harlaws are located at Grey Garden, Harlaw Hall, Harridan Hill, and the Tower of Glimmering.
== History ==
=== Age of Heroes ===
The Harlaws of antiquity were rock and salt kings on the island of Harlaw. Myres and the Kennings had been their bitter foes in the past, but eventually they submitted to the Harlaws.
Several Harlaws were elected as the High King of the Iron Islands through the kingsmoot. The young Erich V Harlaw recovered Fair Isle for the ironborn, but he eventually lost the island once he grew old. His son, Harron Harlaw, slew Gareth II Gardener, King of the Reach, beneath the walls of Oldtown. However, the institution of the kingsmoot was put to an end by King Urron Greyiron and the Harlaws were reduced to lords.
=== Iron Throne ===
During the reign of Aegon I Targaryen, Queen Rhaenys Targaryen arranged a betrothal between a Harlaw and one of the triplet daughters born to the Evenstar of Tarth.
After the death of Lord Dalton Greyjoy in 134 AC, the Harlaws and Blacktydes joined Dalton's cousins in raising up Rodrik Greyjoy, the younger salt son of Dalton, as the new Lord of the Iron Islands. Amidst the violent conflict over succession, Lady Johanna Lannister launched an invasion of the Iron Islands, landing Lannister swords and spears on Harlaw. Lord Harlaw of Harlaw was among the lords put to the sword by the invading westermen.
The Harlaws' seat was Harlaw Hall until the reign of Lord Theomore Harlaw. Theomore had lost three newborn sons due to the dampness and unhealthiness of Harlaw Hall, and decided to build a better sited and more comfortable seat. Since Theomore was a changeable man, he built ten different keeps that eventually were connected by wallwalks and covered bridges, creating the castle that would be known as the Ten Towers.
=== Recent History ===
After the death of their father, Rodrik Harlaw became the Lord of Harlaw instead of his sister, Gwynesse, who is seven years his elder. Rodrik's sister Alannys wed Lord Balon Greyjoy. Ser Harras Harlaw, the wielder of Nightfall, was a friend of Rodrik Greyjoy.
When Balon Greyjoy decided to rise against King Robert I Baratheon, Lord Rodrik had unsuccessfully attempted to dissuade him. In the resulting Greyjoy's Rebellion, Rodrik's two sons died in the sea battle off Fair Isle, as did Gwynesse's husband. The Iron Throne proceeded to land ships on the islands and Harlaw was among the islands that saw battle.
== House Harlaw at the end of the fourth century ==
* Lord Aggar Harlaw
** Lady Name Harlaw
*** Lady Sigrid Harlaw
*** Wex Harlaw
Category:House Harlaw
Category:Iron Islands
Category:Vassal Houses
Category:Royal houses