Difference between revisions of "Eyrie"

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{{Infobox Settlement
 
{{Infobox Settlement
 
| name = The Eyrie
 
| name = The Eyrie
| image =  
+
| image = [[File:The Eyrie-TN.jpg|250px|]]
{{Location map| File:The Vale
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| image_caption = The Eyrie by [http://www.tednasmith.com/ Ted Nasmith] ©
| label = '''The Eyrie'''
+
| location = [[Vale of Arryn]], [[Westeros]]
| label_size = 100
+
| settlement_type= castle, regional capital
| lat = -12
 
| long = -4
 
| position = right
 
| marksize = 15
 
| width = 400
 
| float = right
 
| caption =
 
| alt = The Vale and the location of the Eyrie
 
}}
 
| image_caption =
 
 
 
| location = [[Vale of Arryn]], [[Westeros]].
 
| settlement_type= Small castle, regional capital of the [[Vale]]
 
 
| seat = Seat of [[House Arryn]]
 
| seat = Seat of [[House Arryn]]
| seat_type = [[Feudalism|Feudal society]]
+
| seat_type = [[Feudalism|feudal society]]
 
 
| religion = [[Faith of the Seven]]
 
| religion = [[Faith of the Seven]]
 
| population =
 
| population =
Line 26: Line 12:
 
| founded =
 
| founded =
 
| named_for =
 
| named_for =
 
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| places = High Hall, Crescent Chamber, Maiden's Tower, [[Moon Door]], [[sky cell]]s
| places = The High Hall of Arryn, Sky Cells, The Crescent Chamber, The Maiden's Tower
 
 
| organizations =
 
| organizations =
 
}}
 
}}
  
The '''Eyrie''' is the ancient seat of [[House Arryn]], one of the oldest lines of [[Andal]] nobility. It is situated in the [[Mountains of the Moon]] astride the peak known as the [[Giant's Lance]], several thousand feet above the valley floor below. It's considered impregnable to attack. During winter years, the Arryns seek refuge against the cold at the base of the mountain in the [[Gates of the Moon]].
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The '''Eyrie''' is an ancient castle and seat of [[House Arryn]], one of the oldest lines of [[Andal]] nobility, within the [[Vale of Arryn]]. It is situated in the [[Mountains of the Moon]] astride the peak known as the [[Giant's Lance]], several thousand feet above [[Vale of Arryn (valley)|the valley below]]. Although small compared to the seats of other [[Great Houses]] in Westeros, the Eyrie is considered impregnable to attack. During winter years, the Arryns seek refuge against the cold at the base of the mountain in the [[Gates of the Moon]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The Vale: The Eyrie}}
 +
 
 +
==Layout==
 +
{{See also|:Category:Images of the Eyrie|l1=Images of the Eyrie}}
 +
[[File:Thomas Denmark eyrie.jpg|thumb|The Eyrie by Thomas Denmark © Fantasy Flight Games]]
 +
The Eyrie is the smallest of the great castles, consisting only of a cluster of seven slim, white towers bunched tightly together. They can hold up to five hundred men.{{Ref|aGoT|34}} The castle is made of fine white stone.{{ref|AFFC|41}} The towers encircle a garden, which had been meant as a [[godswood]], but no [[weirwood]] [[heart tree]] would take root in the stony soil.{{Ref|aSoS|80}} The garden, which is overlooked by Lady [[Lysa Arryn]]'s apartments, instead contains grass, shrubbery, and statuary.{{ref|AGOT|40}}
 +
 
 +
The barracks and stables are carved directly into the mountain. The granary is as large as those found in much larger castles, like [[Winterfell]].{{Ref|aGoT|34}} The Eyrie also contains a sept.{{ref|AFFC|41}} The waterfall known as [[Alyssa's Tears]] can be heard from the Eyrie.{{ref|AFFC|23}} The castle's [[House Arryn guards|household guard]] wear sky-blue cloaks.{{ref|AFFC|10}}
 +
 
 +
* The High Hall is a long and austere hall, with walls made of blue-veined white marble. At the end of it sits the throne of the Arryns, a seat carved of weirwood.{{Ref|aGoT|38}} It has narrow, arched windows, between which are torches mounted on high iron{{Ref|aSoS|80}} or silver{{Ref|aFfC|10}} sconces.
 +
* The [[Moon Door]] is a narrow weirwood door that stands between two slender pillars in the High Hall. A crescent moon is carved into the door, which opens inward, and is barred by heavy bronze. The door opens into the sky. Most executions at the Eyrie use this door, which opens onto a six hundred foot drop to the stones of the valley below.{{Ref|aGoT|38}}
 +
* The Crescent Chamber is the Eyrie's reception hall. Here, guests are given refreshments and warmed by the fire after making the climb up the [[Giant's Lance]].{{Ref|aFfC|23}}
 +
* The Morning Hall is located above the kitchens and is where people can break their fast.{{ref|AFFC|23}}
 +
* The [[Maiden's Tower]] is the easternmost of the seven towers of the Eyrie. From a balcony on the tower, one can see the [[Vale of Arryn (valley)|Vale]] and the Giant's Lance.{{Ref|aFfC|23}}
 +
* The Moon Tower contains the bedchambers of Lord Arryn.{{ref|AFFC|23}}
 +
* [[Sky cells]] are the Eyrie's infamous dungeons. They are shelves on the side of the mountain's sheer cliffs, left open to the cold sky, with slightly sloping floors to unnerve the prisoners. Many prisoners, driven mad by the cold and howling wind, commit suicide rather than remain imprisoned.{{ref|AGOT|38}}
  
==The Castle==
+
==Defenses==
[[Image:The Eyrie.jpg|400px|thumb|The Eyie as depicted in the Tv adaptation Game of thrones]]
+
[[File:LinoDrieghe EyrieII.jpg|thumb|left|The Eyrie by Lino Drieghe © Fantasy Flight Games]]
 +
To reach the Eyrie, an invading army would have to overcome the [[Bloody Gate]] guarding the [[high road]], then overcome the [[Gates of the Moon]] located at the bottom of the [[Giant's Lance]] and climb a narrow goat trail. Under normal circumstances this would take half a day, all the while being exposed to attack from the defenders in the Eyrie and its three waycastles along the path.{{Ref|aGoT|34}}
  
The Eyrie is the smallest of the great castles, consisting only of a cluster of seven slim, white towers bunched tightly together. They can hold up to five hundred men.{{Ref|aGoT|34}} The castle is made of fine white stone.<ref>[[A Feast for Crows]], [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 41|Chapter 41]], Alayne</ref> The towers encircle a garden, which had been meant as a [[godswood]], but no [[weirwood]] tree would take root in the stony soil.{{Ref|aSoS|80}} The barracks and stables are carved directly into the mountain. Though it is a small castle, the granary is as large as those found in much larger castles, like [[Winterfell]].{{Ref|aGoT|34}}
+
* [[Stone (waycastle)|Stone]], the first waycastle. The path to it is surrounded by forest. It has a massive ironbound gate. The stone walls are crowned with iron spikes and its two fat round towers raise above the keep.{{Ref|aGoT|34}}
 +
* [[Snow (waycastle)|Snow]], the second waycastle. The trail to it is steeper than that of Stone. It consists of a single fortified tower, a timber keep, and a stable placed behind a low wall of unmortared rock. It is nestled into the Giant's Lance so as to command the entire pathway from Stone to Snow.{{Ref|aGoT|34}}
 +
* [[Sky]], the third waycastle. The path to it is treacherous. It is open to the wind and the steps are cracked and broken from the constant freezing. Sky is a high, crescent-shaped wall of unmortared stone raised against the side of the mountain. Inside the walls are a series of ramps and a great tumble of boulders and stones of all sizes, ready to throw down or even cause a minor avalanche. There is a cavern containing a long natural hall, stables, and supplies. Handholds carved into the rock lead to the Eyrie, while earthen ramps give access to the walls.{{Ref|aGoT|34}} The Eyrie is located six hundred feet above this point.{{Ref|affc|23|page 615}}
  
* '''The High Hall of the Arryns'''  is where the household takes meals. It is a long and austere hall, with walls made of blue-veined white marble. At the end of it sits the throne of the Arryns, a seat carved of weirwood.{{Ref|aGoT|38}} It has narrow, arched windows, between which are torches mounted on high iron sconces.{{Ref|aSoS|80}}
+
==History==
* '''Moon Door''': In the High Hall there is a narrow weirwood door that stands between two slender pillars. A crescent moon is carved into the [[Moon Door|door]]. The door opens inward, and is barred by heavy bronze. The door opens into the sky. Most executions at the Eyrie use this door, which opens onto a six hundred foot drop to the stones of the valley below.{{Ref|aGoT|38}}
+
===Kings of Mountain and Vale===
* '''The Crescent Chamber''': The Eyrie's reception hall. Here, guests are given refreshments and warmed by the fire after making the climb up the Giant's Lance.{{Ref|aFfC|23}}
+
[[Image:The Eyrie.jpg|300px|thumb|The Eyrie as depicted in ''[[Game of Thrones]]'']]
* '''The Maiden's Tower''': Easternmost of the seven towers of the Eyrie. From a balcony on the tower, one can see the Vale and the Giant's Lance.{{Ref|aFfC|23}}
+
Legends claim that the [[Winged Knight]] drove the [[First Men]] from the Vale and flew to the top of the [[Giant's Lance]] on a huge falcon to slay the [[Griffin King]].{{ref|affc|10|page 150}}{{ref|affc|41|page 606}} Records indicate that the [[Andals|Andal]] king [[Artys I Arryn]] constructed the [[Gates of the Moon]] at the foot of the Giant's Lance, where he had defeated [[Robar II Royce]]'s army of First Men in the [[Battle of the Seven Stars]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The Vale}}
* '''Sky Cells''': The Eyrie's dungeons are particularly infamous; they are merely shelves on the side of the mountain's sheer cliffs, left open to the cold sky. Many prisoners, driven mad by the cold and howling wind, commit suicide rather than remain imprisoned.
 
  
==Mountain Defenses==
+
Artys's grandson, [[Roland I Arryn]], believed that the Gates of the Moon was both inferior to [[Casterly Rock]] and the [[Hightower]] and strategically vulnerable to raids from the [[Vale mountain clans]]. Allegedly inspired by [[Teora Hunter]], Roland decided to build a new royal palace high in the mountain above the Gates of the Moon.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Vale: The Eyrie}}
To reach the Eyrie, an invading army would have to overcome the [[Bloody Gate]] guarding the [[High Road]], then overcome the [[Gates of the Moon]] located at the bottom of the mountain and climb up the narrow goat trail. Under normal circumstances this would take half a day, all the while being exposed to attack from the defenders in the Eyrie and its three waycastles along the path{{Ref|aGoT|34}}:
 
  
* '''Stone''', the first waycastle. The path to it is surrounded by forest. It has a massive ironbound gate. The stone walls are crowned with iron spikes and its two fat round towers raise above the keep.{{Ref|aGoT|34}}
+
Construction of the Eyrie took place intermittently over generations, and marble was imported from [[Tarth]] in the [[narrow sea]], as Roland disliked the appearance of stone available in the Vale. The first [[maester]] to serve at the Eyrie was [[Quince]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The Vale: The Eyrie}} The Eyrie was inhabited as a pleasure palace{{ref|AWOIAF| The Eyrie}} for the [[Kings of Mountain and Vale]] during spring, summer, and autumn. The Arryns descend to the larger Gates of the Moon for winter{{ref|TWOIAF| The Vale: The Eyrie}} and host a feast when they return to the Eyrie in the spring.{{ref|AFFC|41}}
* '''Snow''', the second waycastle. The trail to it is steeper than that of Stone. It consists of a single fortified tower, a timber keep, and a stable placed behind a low wall of unmortared rock. It is nestled into the Giant's Lance so as to command the entire pathway from Stone to Snow.{{Ref|aGoT|34}}
 
* '''Sky''', the third Waycastle. The path to it is treacherous. It's open to the wind and the steps are cracked and broken from the constant freezing. Sky is a high, crescent-shaped wall of unmortared stone raised against the side of the mountain. Inside the walls are a series of ramps and a great tumble of boulders and stones of all sizes, ready to throw down or even cause a minor avalanche. There is a cavern containing a long natural hall, stables, and supplies. Handholds carved into the rock lead to the Eyrie, while earthen ramps give access to the walls.{{Ref|aGoT|34}} The Eyrie is located six hundred feet above this point.{{Ref|affc|23|page 615}}
 
  
== History ==
+
===Targaryen Era===
[[File:MKomarck TyrionSkyCells.jpg‎|[[Tyrion]] in the Sky Cells - by Michael Komarck © |thumb|400px|right]]
+
During [[Aegon's Conquest]], Queen Regent [[Sharra Arryn]] fortified the [[Bloody Gate]] and the boy king [[Ronnel Arryn (king)|Ronnel Arryn]] used the Eyrie as a refuge. [[Visenya Targaryen]], however, flew upon [[Vhagar]] to the Eyrie's inner courtyard. Realizing that the Eyrie's location could not protect them against [[dragon]]s, the Arryns submitted to [[House Targaryen]] and the new [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]], [[Aegon I Targaryen]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}
It's said a dozen armies had dashed themselves against the Bloody Gate in the [[Age of Heroes]]{{ref|agot|34|psge 303}}  
 
  
Legends claim that the Winged Knight, Ser [[Artys Arryn]], drove the [[First Men]] from the Vale and flew to the top of the Giant’s Lance on a huge falcon to slay the [[Griffin King]]. There are hundreds of stories about his adventures {{ref|affc|10|page 150}}{{ref|affc|41|page 606}}
+
[[Jonos Arryn]] usurped his brother, Lord Ronnel, and took control of the Eyrie during the reign of King [[Aenys I Targaryen]]. Once Lord [[House Royce|Royce]] began hunting the rebels, Jonos threw Ronnel through the [[Moon Door]]. Prince [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor Targaryen]] rode the dragon [[Balerion]] to the Eyrie, where he hanged Jonos.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}
  
[[Eddard Stark]] and Lord [[Robert Baratheon]] were fostered here by Lord [[Jon Arryn]]. When [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys II]] called for the boys to be sent to [[King's Landing]], Lord Arryn refused and raised his banners in revolt, thus beginning what would become [[Robert's Rebellion]]. After winning the war, Arryn was named King Robert's [[Hand of the King|Hand]]. In his absence, the Eyrie was ruled by [[Nestor Royce]], acting as High Steward of the Vale.  
+
===Baratheon Era===
 +
[[Eddard Stark]] and Lord [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]] were fostered at the Eyrie by Lord [[Jon Arryn]]. When King [[Aerys II Targaryen]] called for the boys to be sent to [[King's Landing]], Lord Arryn refused and raised his banners in revolt, thus beginning what would become [[Robert's Rebellion]]. After winning the war, Jon was named [[Hand of the King]] to the new monarch, Robert I. In Jon's absence, the Eyrie was ruled by [[Nestor Royce]], acting as High Steward of the Vale.{{Ref|aGoT|34}}
  
===A Game of Thrones===
+
The singer [[Tom of Sevenstreams]] was once sent from the Eyrie by Jon's wife, Lady [[Lysa Arryn]], and forced to take the [[high road]].{{ref|ASOS|43}}
After Lord Arryn's death in [[King's Landing]], his widow [[Lysa Tully]] returns here with [[Robert Arryn|their son]].  Lysa's sister, [[Catelyn Tully|Catelyn]], captures [[Tyrion Lannister]] and brings him to The Eyrie, where Lysa imprisons him in the Sky Cells, although he escapes after demanding trial. The captain of the guard, Ser [[Vardis Egen]], is killed in trial by combat against the [[mercenary|sellsword]] [[Bronn]].
 
===A Storm of Swords===
 
The widowed Lady Arryn marries her childhood friend and lover [[Petyr Baelish]], who later throws her from the Moon Door.
 
===A Feast for Crows===
 
Lord Baelish is left as Lord Protector of the Vale, ruling in the name of the child Lord Robert Arryn. Here he meets with the [[Lords Declarant]] before leaving for the Arryn winter castle at the [[Gates of the Moon]].
 
  
 +
==Recent Events==
 +
===''A Game of Thrones''===
 +
[[File:MKomarck SansaEyrie.jpg|thumb|[[Sansa Stark]] sculpts a snow castle at the Eyrie, slowly forming it into a replica of her childhood home, [[Winterfell]] by Michael Komarck ©]]
 +
After Lord [[Jon Arryn]]'s death in [[King's Landing]], his widow [[Lysa Arryn|Lysa]] travels to the Eyrie with their son, Lord [[Robert Arryn]].{{ref|AGOT|2}} Lysa's sister, [[Catelyn Stark|Catelyn]], captures [[Tyrion Lannister]] and brings him to the Eyrie, where Lysa imprisons him in the [[sky cells]], although he escapes after demanding trial. The captain of the [[House Arryn guards|guards]], Ser [[Vardis Egen]], is killed in [[trial by combat]] against the [[mercenary|sellsword]] [[Bronn]].{{ref|AGOT|34}}{{ref|AGOT|38}}{{ref|AGOT|40}}
  
{{Template:Region Vale of Arryn}}
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===''A Clash of Kings''===
 +
[[Stannis Baratheon]] rejects Maester [[Cressen]]'s suggestion to have [[Shireen Baratheon]] fostered at the Eyrie.{{ref|ACOK|Prologue}} [[Robb Stark]], the [[King in the North]], sends [[raven]]s to the Eyrie seeking assistance from his aunt, Lysa, but there is no response.{{ref|ACOK|22}}
 +
 
 +
===''A Storm of Swords''===
 +
The widowed Lady Lysa marries her childhood friend and lover, [[Petyr Baelish]], at the [[Fingers]].{{ref|ASOS|68}} Petyr takes [[Sansa Stark]] in the guise of "Alayne Stone" with them to the Eyrie. Sansa finds the castle an empty and lonely place, and Lady Arryn keeps the High Hall closed most of the time. Petyr later throws Lysa from the [[Moon Door]] and places blame on [[Marillion]].{{ref|ASOS|80}}
 +
 
 +
===''A Feast for Crows''===
 +
Lord Baelish is left as Lord Protector of the Vale, ruling in the name of the child Lord [[Robert Arryn]]. When [[Nestor Royce]] visits the Eyrie, Petyr informs him he is now the Lord of the [[Gates of the Moon]].{{ref|AFFC|10}}
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 +
The [[Lords Declarant]] encamp with six thousand men before the Gates of the Moon. Petyr meets with the six lords in his solar, rather than the High Hall, and they agree to grant Petyr a year to bring order to the Vale.{{ref|AFFC|23}}
 +
 
 +
With the arrival of winter, the court leaves the Eyrie for the Gates of the Moon.{{ref|AFFC|41}}
 +
 
 +
==Quotes==
 +
[[File:Tyrion lannister by teiiku.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Tyrion Lannister]] in a [[sky cell]] by Tim Teiiku ©]]
 +
{{quote|The most splendid work ever built by the hands of men, a palace worthy of [[Faith of the Seven|the gods]] themselves. Surely even the [[Father (the Seven)|Father Above]] does not have such a seat.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Vale: The Eyrie}}|[[Quince]]}}
 +
 
 +
{{Quote|The Eyrie is impregnable. You saw for yourself. No enemy could ever reach us up here.{{Ref|aGoT|34}}|[[Lysa Arryn]] to [[Catelyn Stark]]}}
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 +
{{Quote|'''Petyr''': Have [[Maddy]] lay a fire in the solar. I shall receive our [[Lords Declarant]] there.<br>
 +
'''Sansa''': Not the High Hall?<br>
 +
'''Petyr''': No. [[Faith of the Seven|Gods]] forbid they glimpse me near the high seat of the [[House Arryn|Arryns]], they might think that I mean to sit in it. Cheeks born [[House Baelish|so low as mine]] must never aspire to such loft cushions.{{ref|AFFC|23}}|[[Petyr Baelish]] and [[Sansa Stark]]}}
 +
 
 +
{{Quote|In winter this will be a cold white prison.{{Ref|aFfC|41}}|thoughts of [[Sansa Stark]]}}
 +
 
 +
==Chapters that take place at the Eyrie==
 +
*[[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 34|''A Game of Thrones'': 34. Catelyn VI]]
 +
*[[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 38|''A Game of Thrones'': 38. Tyrion V]]
 +
*[[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 40|''A Game of Thrones'': 40. Catelyn VII]]
 +
*[[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 80|''A Storm of Swords'': 80. Sansa VII]]
 +
*[[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 10|''A Feast for Crows'': 10. Sansa I]]
 +
*[[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 23|''A Feast for Crows'': 23. Alayne II]]
 +
*[[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 41|''A Feast for Crows'': 41. Alayne III]]
 +
 
 +
==Behind the Scenes==
 +
According to [[George R. R. Martin]], [[w:Neuschwanstein Castle|Neuschwanstein]] is an inspiration for the Eyrie.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/1256 Frankfurt Bookfair (October 17-23)], October 17,2000</ref>
 +
 
 +
==References==
 +
{{references}}
  
==References and Notes==
 
{{References|3}}
 
 
{{EnWP|Strongholds of A Song of Ice and Fire|small=yes}}
 
{{EnWP|Strongholds of A Song of Ice and Fire|small=yes}}
  
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{{Region Vale of Arryn}}
 +
 +
[[Category:Eyrie| ]]
 
[[Category:Castles]]
 
[[Category:Castles]]
[[Category:Strongholds]]
+
[[Category:House Arryn]]
 +
[[Category:Palaces]]
 
[[Category:Places in the Vale]]
 
[[Category:Places in the Vale]]
[[Category:House Arryn|*]]
+
 
 
[[es:Nido de Águilas]]
 
[[es:Nido de Águilas]]
 +
[[fa:ایری]]
 
[[fr:Les Eyrié]]
 
[[fr:Les Eyrié]]
 +
[[pt:Ninho da Águia]]
 
[[ru:Орлиное Гнездо]]
 
[[ru:Орлиное Гнездо]]
 
[[zh:鹰巢城]]
 
[[zh:鹰巢城]]

Revision as of 04:52, 6 February 2019

The Eyrie
castle, regional capital
The Eyrie-TN.jpg
The Eyrie by Ted Nasmith ©
Location Vale of Arryn, Westeros
Government Seat of House Arryn, feudal society
Religion Faith of the Seven
Notable places High Hall, Crescent Chamber, Maiden's Tower, Moon Door, sky cells

The Eyrie is an ancient castle and seat of House Arryn, one of the oldest lines of Andal nobility, within the Vale of Arryn. It is situated in the Mountains of the Moon astride the peak known as the Giant's Lance, several thousand feet above the valley below. Although small compared to the seats of other Great Houses in Westeros, the Eyrie is considered impregnable to attack. During winter years, the Arryns seek refuge against the cold at the base of the mountain in the Gates of the Moon.[1]

Layout

The Eyrie by Thomas Denmark © Fantasy Flight Games

The Eyrie is the smallest of the great castles, consisting only of a cluster of seven slim, white towers bunched tightly together. They can hold up to five hundred men.[2] The castle is made of fine white stone.[3] The towers encircle a garden, which had been meant as a godswood, but no weirwood heart tree would take root in the stony soil.[4] The garden, which is overlooked by Lady Lysa Arryn's apartments, instead contains grass, shrubbery, and statuary.[5]

The barracks and stables are carved directly into the mountain. The granary is as large as those found in much larger castles, like Winterfell.[2] The Eyrie also contains a sept.[3] The waterfall known as Alyssa's Tears can be heard from the Eyrie.[6] The castle's household guard wear sky-blue cloaks.[7]

  • The High Hall is a long and austere hall, with walls made of blue-veined white marble. At the end of it sits the throne of the Arryns, a seat carved of weirwood.[8] It has narrow, arched windows, between which are torches mounted on high iron[4] or silver[7] sconces.
  • The Moon Door is a narrow weirwood door that stands between two slender pillars in the High Hall. A crescent moon is carved into the door, which opens inward, and is barred by heavy bronze. The door opens into the sky. Most executions at the Eyrie use this door, which opens onto a six hundred foot drop to the stones of the valley below.[8]
  • The Crescent Chamber is the Eyrie's reception hall. Here, guests are given refreshments and warmed by the fire after making the climb up the Giant's Lance.[6]
  • The Morning Hall is located above the kitchens and is where people can break their fast.[6]
  • The Maiden's Tower is the easternmost of the seven towers of the Eyrie. From a balcony on the tower, one can see the Vale and the Giant's Lance.[6]
  • The Moon Tower contains the bedchambers of Lord Arryn.[6]
  • Sky cells are the Eyrie's infamous dungeons. They are shelves on the side of the mountain's sheer cliffs, left open to the cold sky, with slightly sloping floors to unnerve the prisoners. Many prisoners, driven mad by the cold and howling wind, commit suicide rather than remain imprisoned.[8]

Defenses

The Eyrie by Lino Drieghe © Fantasy Flight Games

To reach the Eyrie, an invading army would have to overcome the Bloody Gate guarding the high road, then overcome the Gates of the Moon located at the bottom of the Giant's Lance and climb a narrow goat trail. Under normal circumstances this would take half a day, all the while being exposed to attack from the defenders in the Eyrie and its three waycastles along the path.[2]

  • Stone, the first waycastle. The path to it is surrounded by forest. It has a massive ironbound gate. The stone walls are crowned with iron spikes and its two fat round towers raise above the keep.[2]
  • Snow, the second waycastle. The trail to it is steeper than that of Stone. It consists of a single fortified tower, a timber keep, and a stable placed behind a low wall of unmortared rock. It is nestled into the Giant's Lance so as to command the entire pathway from Stone to Snow.[2]
  • Sky, the third waycastle. The path to it is treacherous. It is open to the wind and the steps are cracked and broken from the constant freezing. Sky is a high, crescent-shaped wall of unmortared stone raised against the side of the mountain. Inside the walls are a series of ramps and a great tumble of boulders and stones of all sizes, ready to throw down or even cause a minor avalanche. There is a cavern containing a long natural hall, stables, and supplies. Handholds carved into the rock lead to the Eyrie, while earthen ramps give access to the walls.[2] The Eyrie is located six hundred feet above this point.[9]

History

Kings of Mountain and Vale

The Eyrie as depicted in Game of Thrones

Legends claim that the Winged Knight drove the First Men from the Vale and flew to the top of the Giant's Lance on a huge falcon to slay the Griffin King.[10][11] Records indicate that the Andal king Artys I Arryn constructed the Gates of the Moon at the foot of the Giant's Lance, where he had defeated Robar II Royce's army of First Men in the Battle of the Seven Stars.[12]

Artys's grandson, Roland I Arryn, believed that the Gates of the Moon was both inferior to Casterly Rock and the Hightower and strategically vulnerable to raids from the Vale mountain clans. Allegedly inspired by Teora Hunter, Roland decided to build a new royal palace high in the mountain above the Gates of the Moon.[1]

Construction of the Eyrie took place intermittently over generations, and marble was imported from Tarth in the narrow sea, as Roland disliked the appearance of stone available in the Vale. The first maester to serve at the Eyrie was Quince.[1] The Eyrie was inhabited as a pleasure palace[13] for the Kings of Mountain and Vale during spring, summer, and autumn. The Arryns descend to the larger Gates of the Moon for winter[1] and host a feast when they return to the Eyrie in the spring.[3]

Targaryen Era

During Aegon's Conquest, Queen Regent Sharra Arryn fortified the Bloody Gate and the boy king Ronnel Arryn used the Eyrie as a refuge. Visenya Targaryen, however, flew upon Vhagar to the Eyrie's inner courtyard. Realizing that the Eyrie's location could not protect them against dragons, the Arryns submitted to House Targaryen and the new Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, Aegon I Targaryen.[14]

Jonos Arryn usurped his brother, Lord Ronnel, and took control of the Eyrie during the reign of King Aenys I Targaryen. Once Lord Royce began hunting the rebels, Jonos threw Ronnel through the Moon Door. Prince Maegor Targaryen rode the dragon Balerion to the Eyrie, where he hanged Jonos.[15]

Baratheon Era

Eddard Stark and Lord Robert Baratheon were fostered at the Eyrie by Lord Jon Arryn. When King Aerys II Targaryen called for the boys to be sent to King's Landing, Lord Arryn refused and raised his banners in revolt, thus beginning what would become Robert's Rebellion. After winning the war, Jon was named Hand of the King to the new monarch, Robert I. In Jon's absence, the Eyrie was ruled by Nestor Royce, acting as High Steward of the Vale.[2]

The singer Tom of Sevenstreams was once sent from the Eyrie by Jon's wife, Lady Lysa Arryn, and forced to take the high road.[16]

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

Sansa Stark sculpts a snow castle at the Eyrie, slowly forming it into a replica of her childhood home, Winterfell by Michael Komarck ©

After Lord Jon Arryn's death in King's Landing, his widow Lysa travels to the Eyrie with their son, Lord Robert Arryn.[17] Lysa's sister, Catelyn, captures Tyrion Lannister and brings him to the Eyrie, where Lysa imprisons him in the sky cells, although he escapes after demanding trial. The captain of the guards, Ser Vardis Egen, is killed in trial by combat against the sellsword Bronn.[2][8][5]

A Clash of Kings

Stannis Baratheon rejects Maester Cressen's suggestion to have Shireen Baratheon fostered at the Eyrie.[18] Robb Stark, the King in the North, sends ravens to the Eyrie seeking assistance from his aunt, Lysa, but there is no response.[19]

A Storm of Swords

The widowed Lady Lysa marries her childhood friend and lover, Petyr Baelish, at the Fingers.[20] Petyr takes Sansa Stark in the guise of "Alayne Stone" with them to the Eyrie. Sansa finds the castle an empty and lonely place, and Lady Arryn keeps the High Hall closed most of the time. Petyr later throws Lysa from the Moon Door and places blame on Marillion.[4]

A Feast for Crows

Lord Baelish is left as Lord Protector of the Vale, ruling in the name of the child Lord Robert Arryn. When Nestor Royce visits the Eyrie, Petyr informs him he is now the Lord of the Gates of the Moon.[7]

The Lords Declarant encamp with six thousand men before the Gates of the Moon. Petyr meets with the six lords in his solar, rather than the High Hall, and they agree to grant Petyr a year to bring order to the Vale.[6]

With the arrival of winter, the court leaves the Eyrie for the Gates of the Moon.[3]

Quotes

Tyrion Lannister in a sky cell by Tim Teiiku ©

The most splendid work ever built by the hands of men, a palace worthy of the gods themselves. Surely even the Father Above does not have such a seat.[1]

The Eyrie is impregnable. You saw for yourself. No enemy could ever reach us up here.[2]

Petyr: Have Maddy lay a fire in the solar. I shall receive our Lords Declarant there.

Sansa: Not the High Hall?

Petyr: No. Gods forbid they glimpse me near the high seat of the Arryns, they might think that I mean to sit in it. Cheeks born so low as mine must never aspire to such loft cushions.[6]

In winter this will be a cold white prison.[3]

—thoughts of Sansa Stark

Chapters that take place at the Eyrie

Behind the Scenes

According to George R. R. Martin, Neuschwanstein is an inspiration for the Eyrie.[21]

References

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