Legitimate_Bastard

There are def. exceptions. Asha does not conform that is for sure. Would she have been all that if Theon wasn't sent off North you reckon? Are there any other examples of female Ironborn who take on such roles?

Agree on sending Euron to the NW. Shows how foolish Balon was not to see ahead there. Either overly self confident or just dumb. Idk which. Is it even worth looking at his actions through a modern societal lens? Westeros isn’t know for its equality. The Iron Islands even less so, I would argue. The dude allowed Salt Wives - that kills any argument that he was somehow not patriarchal. Unmarried grown daughter... I would not cite that as evidence of Balon being progressive. It is evidence of a badass female - cant give Balon credit for that! Asha as heir was a good choice in one sense, sharp as a tack and strong etc. - but did he really think she would be acclaimed as Queen? Another lack of foresight with Euron.

Elia does seem more likely than Ashara.

Yeah that bugged the shit out of me.