House Greyjoy

House Greyjoy is a very powerful Gothic family that rules over the massive island chain in the center of Westros of which has formed the mighty Kingdom of the Iron Islands.

House Greyjoy grew very powerful after they begin financing and then controlling a fleet of ships they begin to call the Iron Fleet. From this fleet they were able to dominate the Iron Islands from their original owners in House Codd who after falling to House Greyjoy became their most honored and loyal banner house. With control of the islands they have founded and grown the large Iron Islands Kingdom into perhaps the most powerful Kingdom in Westros.

House Greyjoy's sigil is traditionally a golden kraken on a black field. Their house motto is "We Do Not Sow." This is spoken of below but it is basically a reminder to all those around them that they survive by their traditional methods and this won't change.

Iron Islands
Main Article : Iron Islands

Pyke
Pyke is one of the newer cities in Westros, and it was built as the Iron Islands have grown in power, and as the nobility of the islands wished for a more civilized center from which they could entertain the leaders of Westros. While this was the original purpose the city has become a military center from which the elite military units of Pyke are trained for their eventual campaigns throughout Westros.

Invasion of Harrenhall
Main Article : Invasion of Harrenhall

Culture


The Words of House Grejoy aren't in fact missing a noun. The Greyjoys, and all of the Iron Islands, are seafarers who've traditionally survived by plundering all along the shores of Westeros. They take joy and pride in their strength and ruthlessness, which is why they only wear jewelry they've won in battle (they don't buy such things).

The words, "We do not sow" are at once a very literal reminder to all who hear them that the Greyjoys are not farmers (like the rest of Westeros. Keep in mind most of Westeros' population are agriculturalists or traders) whom they disdain and they show contempt for those farmers.

Obviously the phrase could be changed to "we do not sow crops" without really changing the meaning too much, although it would change the tone. The word "sow" itself when used alone generally implies sowing some sort of crop so it's not really necessarily.

Probably the only thing that the Greyjoys have ever sown is discord, and as I said, I'm pretty sure that wasn't the kind of sowing they were talking about.