u/DJjaffacake

Recently I was thinking about how Robb and Renly have some things in common when it occurred to me that Stannis and Balon have a lot of things in common, as well as a few slight differences which are interesting in their own right.

Firstly, both Stannis and Balon rule relatively small island chains on either side of Westeros: the Iron Islands in the west for Balon, the Dragonstone-Driftmark-Claw Isle chain for Stannis (plus the peninsula of Sharp Point).

Second, both have fractious relationships with their brothers: Stannis resents Robert and Renly, Balon exiled Euron. However Balon has a good relationship with Victarion and a decent one with Aeron.

Third, and related to the above, both resent Robert. Stannis because he is jealous and feels that Robert has repeatedly snubbed him, Balon because Robert defeated his rebellion.

Fourth, both lack male heirs and so designate their daughter as their heir instead. Stannis because he only has the one child, Balon because two of his sons were killed and his remaining son was raised by his enemies.

Fifth, both reject pragmatic alliances with stronger mainland factions in favour of attacking those factions. Balon refuses Robb's offer of an alliance and invades the North, Stannis refuses Renly's offer of an alliance and attacks Storm's End (though strictly speaking in that case the offer came after the attack). Also, both of these decisions end up playing to the benefit of the Lannisters.

Sixth, both of them invade the North. Balon of course invades it early on, and then Stannis invades it much later in order to depose the Boltons.

Seventh, of the original five kings of the War of Five Kings, Stannis and Balon are the last two standing after Renly, Robb and Joffrey are all killed. Though Balon follows them into the grave not long afterwards.

Eighth, both make a big deal about adhering strictly to value systems they don't actually adhere strictly to. Balon goes on and on about "the old ways" and "the iron price" but making Asha his heir is not in keeping with the old ways, and as Theon points out he submitted to Robert after being beaten. Meanwhile Stannis goes on about law and duty, but he abandoned the man who was both his king and his brother.

And finally, an interesting not-quite-parallel is that Stannis killed his younger brother through supernatural means, whereas Balon was killed by his younger brother, possibly through supernatural means.

What the significance of all this is, I honestly have no idea. What do you guys think? Have I missed any parallels or interesting contrasts?