House Yronwood

The Bloodroyal

House Yronwood of Yronwood is the most powerful house in Dorne after the ruling Martells. Their seat, Yronwood, is the last fortress defending the Boneway; this is reflected in their title Warden of the Stone Way. House Yronwood claimed the title High King of Dorne before the arrival of the Rhoynar, and the head of the house continues to be called the Bloodroyal.

Their motto is *We Guard the Way*. Their blazon is a black portcullis grill over sand. The Yronwoods often have blond hair and blue eyes.

## History

### First Men

An ancient family of First Men origin, the Yronwoods built Yronwood in the foothills of the Red Mountains and controlled the Stone Way, one of the two great passes into Dorne. The valuable land allowed the Yronwoods to rule much of northern Dorne. Their domain eventually reached from Wyl to the headwaters of the Greenblood, and, at times, even the Sandship of House Martell. Although rich and powerful, the Yronwoods were unable to conquer the Kings of Stone and Skyfrom House Fowler, the Kings of the Torrentine from House Dayne. The Yronwood claim to be High King of Dorne was also opposed by rival families who lived near Lemonwood.

The ancient Yronwood kings oft fought with the Storm Kings, as seen when Yoren Yronwood was turned back by King Durran the Young at the Battle by the Bloody Pool. King Olyvar Yronwood also invaded King Erich VII Durrandon's domain.

### Nymeria's War

When the Rhoynar came to southern Westeros with Nymeria aboard her ten thousand ships, the Yronwoods controlled half of Dorne. Nymeria wed Mors Martell, Lord of the Sandship, however, increasing the size of House Martell's host tenfold. Nymeria named her husband the Prince of Dorne, asserting dominion over all of Dorne.

King Yorick V Yronwood was supported in Nymeria's War by his bannermen, Houses Blackmont, Jordayne, Qorgyle, and Wyl, among many others. In the ninth year of warfare Mors died at Yorick's sword in the Third Battle of the Boneway. Nymeria took control of the Martell armies, however, and it took another two years of fighting before Yorick bent the knee and was sent to the Wall.[10] The Yronwoods became the most powerful bannermen of House Nymeros Martell of Sunspear, rulers of a newly-united principality. The Yronwoods also have a rivalry with House Fowler, who supported the Martells in Nymeria's War.

### Iron Throne

The Yronwoods fought against House Targaryen during the First Dornish War.

Ser Gyles Yronwood was an exiled knight who served Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen during the Dance of the Dragons. Gyles was one of the Seven Who Rode to find Joffrey Velaryonduring the Storming of the Dragonpit, but he was slain in the failed attempt to rescue the prince.

The Yronwoods joined the Seven Kingdoms in 187 AC when Maron Martell, Prince of Dorne, submitted to King Daeron II Targaryen and the Iron Throne. However, the Yronwoods joined Ser Aegor Rivers against the Targaryens and Martells during the First Blackfyre Rebellion.

The Yornwoods are proud of their historical domains and power, and the lord of the family is still referred to as the Bloodroyal.

## House Yronwood at the end of the second century

After their support of Daemon Blackfyre during the First Blackfyre Rebellion, House Yronwood's armies were left decimated. Their most elite units survived the rebellion, however, and the Yronwood soldiers have a reputation for being some of the most battle-hardened and dangerous warriors in the Seven Kingdoms. Their remaining forces at the end of the second century include an order of knights known as the *Brotherhood of the Bloodroyal*, a highly-trained guerilla army that call themselves the *Sand Wyrms*, and the garrison infantry that carries the title *Guardians of the Boneway*.

While House Yronwood's greatest ally for centuries has been House Greenmont in the Reach, after the rebellion, the two houses have communicated less and less. In fact, during the past two years, very little word has come out of Yronwood at all, and many who have tried to travel to Castle Yronwood have not been seen again.

The known Yronwoods during the timespan of the events depicted in *After the Fyre* are:

* Lord Otto Yronwood, Lord of Yronwood, the Bloodroyal, and Warden of the Stone Way. Son of Lord Yerys. Otto is 80 years old and shows signs of quickly advancing dementia.
* Lady Helena Yronwood, wife of Otto. Helena has a reputation for being shrewdly intelligent, but kind. As Otto's mental condition has worsened, she has taken on more responsibility for running the house, but her own health is beginning to fail as she grows old.
	+ Ser Olyver Yronwood, their oldest son. One of the greatest knights of the Seven Kingdoms during his age, Olyver made a name for himself after being exiled from Dorne by Lord Otto in an attempt to keep the peace between House Yronwood and the ruling House Martell after Olyver killed Prince Micah Martell in a duel to avenge the death of his younger brother, Cristofer. Olyver recently became betrothed to Lady Marzia Greenmont, the current head of House Greenmont. However, he has not been seen since leading a band of soldiers into the Red Mountains in search of his Godsdaughter, Lady Myria Greenmont.
	+ Lord Cristofer Yronwood, their second son. Cristofer was a musician with little interest in the affairs of the House, but was well loved by the people of the Red Mountains. He was killed in a duel with Prince Micah Martell, a duel which Cristofer had publicly protested before being coerced to accept. The result of the young lord's death nearly brought civil war to Dorne.
	+ Lord Horatio Yronwood, their third son. The youngest of the current Yronwoods, at age 40 Horatio represents the house's best chance for survival. With Olyver having been in exile for over 30 years, Horatio is considered the current Heir to Stone Way. However, Horatio's temperment is not that of a ruler, and his reputation is for being cruel. His whereabouts after being defeated at the Oakheart Tourney by his older brother, Olyver, are unknown.
	+ Lady Arinna Dayne, their only daughter. Arinna married Lord Vorian Dayne, the Sword of the Morning. She lives in Starfall, where she helps to manage household affairs, and looks after her many children and grandchildren. Even at the age of 45, Arinna is considered one of the most beautiful women in the Seven Kingdoms, and her wisdom and kindness rivals that of her mother, Lady Helena.

## Historical Yronwoods

* Yoren Yronwood, who was defeated in the Battle by the Bloody Pool by King Durran the Young.
* King Olyvar Yronwood, the Bloodroyal, Lord of Yronwood, Lord of the Stone Way, Master of the Green Hills, and High King of Dorne.
* King Yorick V Yronwood, the Bloodroyal, Fifth of His Name, Lord of Yronwood, Warden of the Stone Way, Knight of the Wells, King of Redmarch, King of the Greenbelt, King of the Dornish. The last of the Yronwood kings.
* Ser Gyles Yronwood, an exile loyal to the blacks during the Dance of the Dragons.