Six years after he was crowned, Balon Greyjoy unlawfully rose against his king — not for any harm done to him or to his people but merely out of wanton ambition. Lord Stannis Baratheon, Robert's middle brother, led the royal fleet against Lord Greyjoy, while King Robert himself rode at the head of a mighty host. Great feats of arms were performed by King Robert when Pyke was eventually taken and subdued. The king then made Balon Greyjoy—the pretender to the crown of the Iron Isles — bend the knee to the Iron Throne. And as assurance of his fealty, his only surviving son was taken hostage.