House Arryn

## House Arryn of the Eyrie

### Coat of Arms

A sky-blue falcon soaring against a white moon, on a sky-blue field(*Bleu celeste, upon a plate a falcon rousant of the field*)

### Seat

The Eyrie *(summer)*Gates of the Moon *(winter)*

### Lady

Lady {Jeyne Royce} *(deceased)*
Lady {Rowena Arryn} *(deceased)*

Lady Lysa Tully

### Heir

Ser {Ronnel Arryn} *(deceased)*
Ser {Elbert Arryn} *(deceased)*

{Sarra Arryn} *(deceased)*

{Allarik Arryn} *(deceased)*

Robert Arryn

### Title

King of Mountain and Vale *(formerly)*
Lord of the Eyrie

Defender of the Vale

Warden of the East

### Cadet Branch

House Arryn of Gulltown
Other cadet branches in the Vale

### Founder

Ser Artys Arryn

**House Arryn of the Eyrie** is one of the Great Houses of Westeros, and is the principal noble house in the Vale of Arryn. Their main seat is the Eyrie, which is considered impregnable. House Arryn has at least one other holding, their winter castle at the Gates of the Moon, which was once their main seat. Both of these fortifications sit astride the Giant's Lance, the tallest mountain in the Vale, the Gates of the Moon at its foot, the Eyrie at its top.

The Arryn sigil is a sky-blue falcon soaring upwards, outlined against a white moon on a sky-blue field, and their words are "*As High as Honor*".

The Arryns of the Eyrie have a collection of distant relatives located throughout the Vale. Although they are much poorer than the ruling Arryns, aside from the Arryns of Gulltown, these lesser branches are described by Petyr Baelish as proud due to their name and heritage

## History

### Kings of Mountain and Vale

The Arryns are considered to come from the oldest and purest line of Andal nobility, which they say reaches back to Andalos and possibly Hugor of the Hill.

When King Robar II Royce began to unite the First Men and defeat some of the petty Andal kings during the Andal invasion, the Andals of the Vale united behind Ser Artys Arryn, the Falcon Knight, a native Valeman esteemed amongst his peers as the finest warrior of his day. Robar was slain in the Battle of the Seven Stars, possibly by Artys, and the First Men houses who remained bent the knee and swore fealty to Artys Arryn, the First of His Name, new-crowned King of Mountain and Vale. From that day, the Vale became known as the Vale of Arryn. Songs of the Vale conflate Artys with the legendary Winged Knight, who is said to have slain the Griffin King atop the Giant's Lance. The First Men who did not accept Artys as their king were forced into the Mountains of the Moon, becoming the Vale Mountain Clans.

The Arryns initially lived at the Gates of the Moon, but over generations they constructed the Eyrie. They often used the Eyrie as a summer pleasure palace, descending to the Gates of the Moon before winter made the Eyrie inaccessible.

The Arryn kings added Pebble, the Paps, and the Witch Isle to their realm. They battled with the Stark Kings of Winter over the Three Sisters in the War Across the Water, which featured King Osgood Arryn and his son and successor, Oswin the Talon, who burned the Wolf's Den. There were bloody battles wherein the Arryn fleet turned back slavers from Volantis, Ironborn reavers, and pirates from the Stepstones and the Basilisk Isles. The legendary Lady Alyssa Arryn gave her name to Alyssa's Tears, a waterfall on the Giant's Lance, when she did not shed a tear for her murdered husband, brothers and children.

### Aegon's Conquest

During Aegon's Conquest the Arryn and Targaryen fleets fought in a battle in the waters off Gulltown, which resulted in the destruction of the Targaryen fleet and the death of its commanding officer, Daemon Velaryon. Visenya Targaryen, on her dragon Vhagar, burned the Arryn fleet in response. Since both fleets were destroyed, the battle was considered a tactical draw, but a strategic defeat for the Targaryens as they were unable to take Gulltown. For House Arryn the trouble did not end there, since the Sistermen on the Three Sisters revolted after the destruction of the Arryn fleet.

Later in Aegon's Conquest, Visenya was charged with subduing the Vale. Sharra Arryn, Queen Regent of the Vale, ruling in the name of her son, the boy-king Ronnel Arryn, amassed the Vale's army at the Bloody Gate. Visenya, however, flew on Vhagar to the courtyard of the Eyrie to obtain the surrender of the Vale of Arryn. When Sharra returned to the Eyrie she found her son sitting on Visenya's lap asking if he could ride the dragon with her. Once Sharra yielded and bent the knee, Ronnel twice flew with Visenya and Vhagar. The Arryns have since remained Defenders of the Vale and Wardens of the East for the Iron Throne

### Targaryen Dynasty

Queen Rhaenys Targaryen arranged the marriage Lord Ronnel Arryn to the daughter of Lord Torrhen Stark of Winterfell, in an attempt to knit the new realm together. There are letters at the Citadel which suggest that Torrhen only agreed to this match after much protest, and that his sons had refused to attend the wedding. In 37 AC Ronnel was deposed by his brother Jonos. When House Royce gathered forces against Jonos and besieged him in the Eyrie, Jonos threw Ronnel and his family through the Moon Door. Prince Maegor Targaryen flew to the Eyrie on Balerion, and hanged Jonos and his supporters. House Arryn continued through a cousin, Hubert Arryn.

In 80 AC, during the reign of King Jaehaerys I Targaryen, Lord Rodrik Arryn married Princess Daella Targaryen, the king's daughter. Daella died in childbirth, giving birth to their only child, Lady Aemma Arryn. Aemma was married to Prince Viserys Targaryen in 93 AC. By the time Jaehaerys called a Great Council in 101 AC, Rodrik was deceased as well, and Lady Jeyne Arryn ruled the Eyrie. However, as she was in her minority in 101 AC, House Arryn played a small role in this council.

Upon the death of Jaehaerys in 103 AC, Prince Viserys was crowned king and Aemma Arryn his queen. During the early years of their marriage, Aemma gave birth to a stillborn son and suffered multiple miscarriages, though she also gave birth to a daughter, Rhaenyra Targaryen, in 97 AC. Aemma died giving birth to her second son, Baelon, who followed her to the grave a few days later.

Following the death of Viserys I in 129 AC, House Arryn became involved in the Dance of the Dragons, where Aemma's daughter, Viserys's elder child and proclaimed heir, Princess Rhaenyra, and Rhaenyra's younger brother, Prince Aegon, Viserys's eldest surviving son, fought over their claims to the Iron Throne. Jeyne Arryn, supported the blacks and her kinswoman Rhaenyra. At the start of the Targaryen civil war, Prince Jacaerys Velaryon, Rhaenyra's eldest son, travelled to the Eyrie to secure aid for his mother's cause. Jeyne kept true to her promise and sent men by sea by way of Gulltown to join Rhaenyra's hosts.

Following the conclusion of the civil war, and the coronation of King Aegon III Targaryen, Rhaenyra's eldest surviving son, at the age of eleven, Jeyne became one of seven regents of the young king. She died in Gulltown of illness in 134 AC.

This led to a succession struggle. Jeyne's will named her fourth cousin Joffrey Arryn as heir. However Jeyne's first cousin Arnold Arryn had been imprisoned for trying to depose her but his son Eldric Arryn pushed their claim. A more distant cousin, Isembard Arryn, head of House Arryn of Gulltown, also pushed their claim. Even though Eldric was eventually killed Arnold continued to oppose Joffrey. Finally Arnold and Isembard were forced to submit to Joffrey.

In 196 AC, during the First Blackfyre Rebellion, the Arryns remained loyal to King Daeron II Targaryen. At the climactic Battle of the Redgrass Field, Lord Donnel Arryn led the van, which was smashed by Daemon I Blackfyre. Donnel's life was eventually saved by Ser Gwayne Corbray of the Kingsguard. Donnel survived the war, and eventually fought in the tourney at Maidenpool in 208 AC, where he was defeated in the lists by Ser Humfrey Hardyng. During the Great Spring Sickness, which began in 209 AC, Donnel closed off the Vale from traffic, both from the high road and the narrow sea. Because of this, the Vale was spared from the plague.

Lady Alys Arryn was married to Prince Rhaegel Targaryen, the thirdborn son of King Daeron II Targaryen. Together, they had three children: the twins Aelor and Aelora, and a second daughter, Daenora. Daenora was eventually married to her cousin, Prince Aerion Targaryen, with whom they had a son, Maegor, in 232 AC. Maegor's father died that same year. Following the death of Aerion's father, King Maekar I Targaryen, in 233 AC, Maegor's claim for the throne was considered during the Great Council of 233 AC. However, on account of Maegor's age, as well as Aerion's cruelty and madness, his claim was passed over.

### Jon Arryn

Following the rule of Lord Jasper Arryn, his eldest son Jon inherited the Eyrie. Having been the Keeper of the Gates of the Moon as a young man before his father's death, Jon fought for King Jaehaerys II Targaryen in 260 AC during the War of the Ninepenny Kings. As a result of alliances made during this war, Jon eventually fostered Eddard Stark from Winterfell and Robert Baratheon from Storm's End.

While Lord Jasper, upon his death, left three children, his descendants experienced a variety of calamities that left the house with fewer heirs. Jasper's successor and eldest son, Lord Jon, married several times. His first wife, Lady Jeyne Royce, died in childbirth, their daughter, Sarra stillborn. His second wife, Lady Rowena Arryn, a cousin, died childless of a winter chill. Jon's younger brother Ronnel married Amaya from House Belmore. She became pregnant, but around the same time as she gave birth to their son, Elbert, Ronnel died of a bad belly. As Jon did not have any sons, his nephew Elbert became his heir. Jon and Ronnel's sister, Alys, was married to Ser Elys Waynwood, with whom she had two daughters and one son. Alys died soon after her last childbirth, however, and her son, Jasper, died at a young age. Their eldest daughter, Aemma was married to Ser Denys Arryn, a distant cousin, and their children became the Arryn heirs following Elbert. And the youngest daughter, Rowena married Harrmond from House Hardyng, with whom she had a son, Harrold. Despite not having sons of his own, Jon Arryn thus had several heirs through whom his house could continue.

### Robert's Rebellion

Robert's Rebellion began when Lord Jon Arryn refused to surrender his wards, Lord Robert Baratheon and Eddard Stark, to King Aerys II Targaryen, who had demanded their heads following the executions of Lord Rickard Stark and his eldest son, Brandon. The taking of Gulltown saw Jon defeat his royalist bannermen and Robert slay Marq Grafton.

During the war, Jon was one of the principal leaders and his marriage to his third wife, Lysa Tully, helped secure Lord Hoster Tully as an ally. Unfortunately, casualties mounted among the few remaining Arryns. Jon's nephew and heir, Elbert Arryn, had been part of Brandon Stark's group of companions who accompanied him to King's Landing. In addition to Brandon's execution, most of his companions were killed as well, Elbert among them. Jon's distant cousin, Ser Denys Arryn, the "darling of the Vale", was killed by Lord Jon Connington, Aerys's Hand of the King, during the Battle of the Bells. Denys's newborn son died shortly after. This left Harrold Hardyng, Jon's cousin through his sister's youngest daughter, as his only heir for several years.

Jon's own marriage, to Lysa Tully, remained an unhappy one. Jon had been aware of the fact that Lysa had been pregnant with a child which had been aborted by Lord Hoster Tully before their marriage. Catelyn Tully, Lysa's elder sister, believes that it would have been hard for Jon to love Lysa, knowing she had come to him soiled and unwilling. Additionally, Jon's marriage to Lysa resulted in two stillbirths and four miscarriages. In 292 AC, Lysa gave Jon a son, Robert. However, due to her history, Lysa has always been protective of Robert, and she has spoiled him despite Jon's efforts.

## House Arryn at the end of the third century

The known Arryns are:

* Lord Jon Arryn, Lord of the Eyrie, Defender of the Vale, Warden of the East, and Hand of the King.
	+ Lady {Jeyne Royce}, Jon's first wife. She died in childbed.
		- {Sarra Arryn}, their daughter, stillborn.
	+ Lady {Rowena Arryn}, Jon's second wife and his cousin. She died of a winter chill, childless.
	+ Lady Lysa Tully, Jon's third wife.
		- Heir Robert Arryn, Jon's only child and heir, also called Sweetrobin. A sickly boy.
* Ser {Ronnel Arryn}, Jon's brother. Keeper of the Gates of the Moon. He died of a bad belly.
	+ Lady Heiress {Amaya Belmore}, Ronnel's wife and Elbert's mother..
		- Ser {Elbert Arryn}, Ronnel and Amaya's son. He was killed on the orders of King Aerys II Targaryen. Heir to the Vale at the time of his death.
* {Alys Arryn}, Jon's sister. Married Ser {Elys Waynwood}. Together they had two daughters and one son.
	+ Ser {Elys Waynwood}, the husband of Alys and the father of Aemma, Rowena and Japser.
		- Lady {Aemma Waynwood}, the fisrtborn child of Alys and Elys.
			* Ser {Denys Arryn}, Hugo and Elissa's son, known as the Darling of the Vale, married a distant cousin, Aemma, who descended from the main Arryn branch. As such his future children were considered to be heirs to the Vale after Elbert Arryn.
				+ {Allarik Arryn}, the son of Aemma and Denys. Died young.
		- {Jasper Waynwood}, the second born child of Alys and Elys. Died young.
		- {Rowena Waynwood}, the third born child of Alys and Elys.
			* {Harrmond Hardyng}, her husband.
				+ Harrold Hardyng, Rowena and Harrmon's son.

With unspecified familiar relationship to the main branch there are also:

* Ser {Hugo Arryn}, a distant cousin of the main line, father of Denys.
	+ Lady Heiress {Elissa Algood}, the wife of Hugo, mother of Denys.

### Household

* Lord Petyr Baelish, called Littlefinger, Lord of Harrenhal.
	+ Ser Lothor Brune, called Lothor Apple-Eater, a sellsword in Lord Petyr's service.
	+ Oswell, a grizzled man-at-arms in Lord Petyr's service, sometimes called Kettleblack.
* Maester Colemon, counselor, healer, and tutor.
* Ser Vardis Egen, captain of the guard.
* Hugh of the Vale, a squire to Lord Jon Arryn.
* Marillion, a handsome young singer and favourite of Lady Lysa.
* Gretchel, Maddy, called Fat Maddy, and Mela, serving women.
* Ossy and Carrot, mule handlers.
* Mord, a brutal gaoler.
* Benjicot, a fool and jester at the Gates of the Moon.

## Historical Members

### Before the Conquest

* King Artys I Arryn, known as the Falcon Knight, the first King of Mountain and Vale and founder of House Arryn.
	+ King Roland I Arryn, the grandson of Ser Artys and fourth Arryn king, who began the process of building the Eyrie.
		- Queen Teora, King Roland's wife.
			* King Roland II Arryn, the great-grandson of Roland I, whose passions were wenching and war.
			* King Robin Arryn, brother to Roland II. He restarted the work on the Eyrie that his brother stopped.
* King Osric V Arryn, who constructed the Bloody Gate fortress anew.
* King Hugh Arryn, the Fat, extended the Arryn rule to Pebble.
	+ King Hugo I Arryn, the Hopeful, grandson of King Hugh, who took the Paps.
* King Alester II Arryn, married Arwen Upcliff and brought the Witch Isle, seat of House Upcliff into the realm.
	+ Queen Arwen, King Alester's wife.
* King Mathos II Arryn, provided help to the sistermen, to help them fight off the northmen.
* Alyssa Arryn, a half-legendary figure of House Arryn, whose name was given to Alyssa's Tears in the Vale.
* King Osgood Arryn, the Old Falcon, saw war with Winterfell during his lifetime.
	+ King Oswin Arryn, the Talon, the son of King Osgood, who burned the Wolf's Den during his father's war with Winterfell.
* King Oswell I Arryn, one of the candidates for the Andal king in the tale of the Rat Cook.

### After the Conquest

* Queen Sharra Arryn, the Flower of the Mountain, Queen Regent to her son. Submitted to Queen Visenya Targaryen.
	+ King Ronnel Arryn, called the King Who Flew, last King of Mountain and Vale. Known as Lord Arryn, after the Conquest.
	+ Jonos Arryn, known as the Kinslayer, younger brother of Lord Ronnel, whom he murdered violently.
* Lord Hubert Arryn, a cousin of Ronnel and Jonos, who continued House Arryn after Ronnel and Jonos' deaths. He was married to a member of House Royce, and had six children by her.
* Lord Darnold Arryn, Lord of the Eyrie during the reign of King Jaehaerys I Targaryen. Killed by wildlings.
	+ Ser Rymond Arryn, Lord Darnold's brother. Killed by wildlings.
		- Lord Rodrik Arryn, son of Ser Rymond. Lord of the Eyrie during the reign of King Jaehaerys I Targaryen and married Princess Daella Targaryen, one of the king's daughters.
			* Elys Arryn, daughter of Lord Rodrik by his first wife.
			* Amanda Arryn, daughter of Lord Rodrik by his first wife.
			* Two sons of Lord Rodrik by his first wife.
			* Queen Aemma Arryn, daughter of Lord Rodrik by Princess Daella, the first wife of King Viserys I Targaryen. Aemma and Viserys had three children: an unknown son and Prince Baelon Targaryen, both who died in infancy, and Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen.
		- A daughter, sister to Lord Rodrik Arryn. She served as a companion to Alysanne Targaryen at Dragonstone when the queen was pregnant with Prince Aemon Targaryen in 55 AC.
* Lord Arryn, killed with his sons by Stone Crows in 97 AC.
	+ His sons.
	+ Lady Jeyne Arryn, called the Maiden of the Vale, his daughter. Lady of the Eyrie during the reign of King Viserys I Targaryen and during the Dance of the Dragons.
		- Lord Joffrey Arryn, her fourth cousin and chosen successor. Served as Knight of the Gate prior to becoming lord, and faced a war of succession from two rival claimants.
		- Ser Arnold Arryn, her first cousin, called the Mad Heir. Twice tried to depose Lady Jeyne and was imprisoned. He again attempted to claim the Eyrie after Lady Jeyne's death.
			* Ser Eldric Arryn, his son. Attempted to claim the Eyrie for his father after Lady Jeyne's death and was executed by Ser Corwyn Corbray.
* Lord Donnel Arryn, Lord of the Eyrie in the reign of King Daeron II Targaryen.
* Princess Consort Alys Arryn, the wife of Prince Rhaegel Targaryen.
* Lord Jasper Arryn, Lord of the Eyrie and father of Lord Jon Arryn, Ronnel and Alys Arryn.

## Sworn Houses

* House Arryn of Gulltown
* House Baelish of the Fingers
* House Belmore of Strongsong
* House Corbray of Heart's Home
* House Donniger
* House Egen
* House Elesham of the Paps
* House Grafton of Gulltown
* House Hersy of Newkeep
* House Hunter of Longbow Hall
* House Lynderly of Snakewood
* House Melcolm of Old Anchor
* House Moore
* House Pryor of Pebble
* House Redfort of Redfort
* File:House Royce.png House Royce of Runestone
* House Ruthermont
* House Sunderland of Sisterton
* House Templeton of Ninestars
* House Upcliff
* House Waynwood of Ironoaks
* House Wydman
* House Waxley of Wickenden

The following are not directly sworn to House Arryn: Borrell, Longthorpe, Torrent, Shett, Coldwater, Tollett, Hardyng.