Dalton Greyjoy's raids on the Westerlands

When the Dance of the Dragons broke out, Ser Otto Hightower, Hand of the King to Aegon II, tried to win over Dalton Greyjoy, then a young lord of sixteen, by offering him the seat of Master of Ships in place of Ser Tyland Lannister, who was moved to Master of Coin instead. The plan was to use the Iron Islands' fleet to counter the naval strength of House Velaryon, the chief support of Princess Rhaenyra.

On the other side, in the council of the Blacks, Daemon Targaryen suggested a different approach: rather than asking for loyalty, appeal to the young lord's bloodlust and let him plunder Rhaenyra's enemies freely. Dalton took Daemon's offer and threw in with the Blacks.

When Lord Jason Lannister died, Dalton sent his men against the coast of the Westerlands. Lannisport fell to the raiders, who carried off riches and new salt wives. Casterly Rock escaped the attack because Johanna Westerling, Lord Jason's widow, ordered the harbor sealed and the approach to the castle blocked.

Dalton also took Kayce and sacked Fair Isle. Over the two years the war lasted, the Red Kraken came to rule the Sunset Sea.

Once the war ended, the regents governing in the name of the child king Aegon III ordered him to stop the raids. Dalton ignored them and kept raiding on his own.