The Great Houses of Game of Thrones
By rowankaiser
House Arryn
House Words: “As High As Honor”
House Sigil: A falcon
Location: The Eyrie, in the Vale of Arryn.
Status at the start of Season 5: House Arryn has remained steadfastly neutral through the war, but with Petyr Baelish taking control as Robin Arryn’s regent, they are apparently ready to move.
Role in the War of the Five Kings: Jon Arryn discovers that the heirs to the thrones are incest-born Lannister children, which triggers his assassination. This is believed to be at the hands of the Lannisters, but is actually committed by his wife Lysa Tully and Petyr Baelish. Catelyn Tully, Lysa’s sister, captures Tyrion Lannister at the start of the war, and takes him to the Vale for trial. Tyrion outmaneuvers Lysa and gets away after his champion, Bronn, wins a trial by combat.
House Arryn remains neutral in the wars themselves. Lysa eventually marries the ambitious Lord Baelish, who brings Sansa Stark with him to the Eyrie. Lysa attempts to kill Sansa, and is in turn killed by Littlefinger. House Arryn’s vassals attempt to convict Littlefinger, but with Sansa’s help, he gets away. He plans to wed Sansa to Robin Arryn and claims to want to put Robin on the Iron Throne.
Role in Robert’s Rebellion: Lord Jon Arryn is raising his wards, Robert Baratheon and Ned Stark, when Aerys Targaryen demands their surrender. The three raise their banners against the Mad King, forming the core of the rebelling armies. They win battle after battle, and eventually the war. Jon Arryn is named Robert’s Hand, and marries Lysa Tully as part of the agreement to bring House Tully into the war.
History: The Vale was the focus of the initial Andal invasion, until the Andal knight Artis Arryn defeated First Men forces and united the Vale. The Arryns ruled as kings for centuries until the Targaryen invasion, when, after several victores, the Targaryens landed a dragon in the Eyrie and received House Arryn’s fealty.
Profile: The Vale is one of the strongest defensible positions in the entire Seven Kingdoms, but that strength does not project outward significantly.
House Lord: Robin Arryn (Robert Arryn in the novels), with Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish as regent.
Heir: Unclear on the show. In the novels, Harrold Hardyng, a distant relative.
Family Members: Jon Arryn (deceased), Lysa Tully (deceased), Petyr Baelish, “Alayne” (Sansa Stark disguised as Baelish’s niece), Robin Arryn
Retainers: Ser Hugh (deceased), Valdis Egan (deceased), Mord
Notable Vassals: House Baelish, House Royce, House Corbray, House Waynwood