Principality of the Rhoyne

The Principality of the Rhoyne is a country located in north-western Essos. It is the homeland for many ethnic Rhoynar, the principality itself considered a reestablishment of the Rhoynar culture in western Essos. The Principality is also the center of The Faith in the East. Its borders have changed due to war and territorial agreements.

History
The Principality of the Rhoyne has its origins in the Principality of Norvos, which controlled most of the territory that would comprise it. As the House of Lemonwood sought the return of Rhoynar culture and traditions, several ethnic Rhoynar moved from Dorne to establish settlements in the Principality. Most of these settlements were build along the Rhoyne. It is estimated that up to 10,000 Dornish would travel to the region before the Principality of Norvos was invaded and partially occupied by the Dothraki. Of those, about half were of pure Rhoynish heritage, being those who had lived along the Greenblood River in Dorne.

The territory remaining to House Lemonwood was eventually organized as the Principality of the Rhoyne, in 307. This territory included most of the Velvet Hills, and the western Hills of Norvos. The seat of power for the monarchy became Arya's Castle, named after the founder, Princess Arya of Lemonwood. The castle was located just to the north of Ny Sar, which further emphasized an intended continuation of Rhoynar culture. The country generally prospered in the following decade, despite conflicts to its east, and tensions with New Valyria to the south. Rhoynar culture flourished, along with The Faith, which became the majority religion of the country.

Aside from Arya's Castle, around which a town was built, there was a town near Aria's sept, Sherwood town near the border with Braavos, and a town next to the Fortress of the North. These last two were controlled by landed knights.

By 320, it was clear that the principality was going to be in conflict with the Imperium, which saw them as foreigners in Essos. In 321, the Imperium invasion of the Principality began. Initially, the armies of the principality were able to hold against the numerically superior forces of the Imperium. The war then came mostly to an end the next year when the Fortress of the North fell, and later Arya's Castle. The battle for the castle resulted after a siege, both Princess Arya and Prince Ragnar would perish in the fighting. By 324, the occupation of the Principality by the Imperium was largely completed, with only a small amount of territory around the Sept of Aria still under the control of those loyal to House Lemonwood. However, with there no longer being any fighting, the war was considered over, and the Imperium would not move against the remnants of the principality.

The Principality was subdivided and incorporated into the Imperium. Princess Gyda of Lemonwood established a government in exile in Lannisport, where several other followers gathered. During this period, Braavos conquered Lorath, and gave the smaller islands to the Rhoynar, who would later incorporate them into the principality. An attempted rebellion along the border with Braavos was attempted, being lead by Ser Robyn Hood, but not enough support was gathered amongst the people, and it was quickly defeated.

The war between Braavos and the Imperium would lead to a liberation of most of the territories of the principality. The resulting treaty between the Principality and the Imperium, in 332, ended all hostilities between the two, and gave the principality most of the Velvet Hills. Princess Gyda, along with prominent members of her government, landed on the mainland of the principality in 333, marking a return of Rhoynar control of the region.

List of Rulers
Rulers of the Principality were styled, Prince or Princess of the Rhoyne.

Arya I - Reigned 284 (as Princess of Norvos) to 322. The founder and first ruler of the Principality.

Gyda - Reigned 322 to 378. Spent part of her reign in Lannisport, restored most of the principality's territory.