Difference between revisions of "Arryn succession conflict (134 AC)"

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{{Infobox Military Conflict
 
{{Infobox Military Conflict
 
| style =
 
| style =
| conflict_name = Arryn succession war (Regency era)
+
| conflict_name = Arryn succession conflict (Regency era)
 
| part_of = [[Regency of Aegon III]]
 
| part_of = [[Regency of Aegon III]]
 
| image =
 
| image =
Line 10: Line 10:
 
| location = [[Vale of Arryn]]
 
| location = [[Vale of Arryn]]
 
| result =
 
| result =
 
 
| combatant1 = [[File:House Arryn.svg|30px]] [[Joffrey Arryn]] <br><small>(supported by the [[Iron Throne]])</small>
 
| combatant1 = [[File:House Arryn.svg|30px]] [[Joffrey Arryn]] <br><small>(supported by the [[Iron Throne]])</small>
| commander1 = [[Alyn Velaryon]], [[Moredo Rogare]], [[Robert Rowan]], [[Benjicot Blackwood]]
+
| commander1 = [[Corwyn Corbray]]†, [[Alyn Velaryon]], [[Moredo Rogare]], [[Robert Rowan]], [[Benjicot Blackwood]]
 
| strength1 = [[File:House Arryn.svg|20px]] [[House Arryn]] (Joffrey Arryn's faction)
 
| strength1 = [[File:House Arryn.svg|20px]] [[House Arryn]] (Joffrey Arryn's faction)
 
*[[File:House Corbray.svg|20px]] [[House Corbray]]
 
*[[File:House Corbray.svg|20px]] [[House Corbray]]
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*[[File:House Hunter.svg|20px]] [[House Hunter]]
 
*[[File:House Hunter.svg|20px]] [[House Hunter]]
 
*[[House Crayne]]
 
*[[House Crayne]]
*[[Iron Throne]] western army - 9,000  
+
*Iron Throne western army - 9,000  
 
**[[File:House Targaryen.svg|20px]] 5,000 from [[King's Landing]]
 
**[[File:House Targaryen.svg|20px]] 5,000 from [[King's Landing]]
 
**[[File:House Blackwood.svg|20px]] 1,000 [[House Blackwood|Blackwoods]]
 
**[[File:House Blackwood.svg|20px]] 1,000 [[House Blackwood|Blackwoods]]
Line 24: Line 23:
 
**2,400 from [[Maidenpool]], [[Darry]], and [[Hayford]]
 
**2,400 from [[Maidenpool]], [[Darry]], and [[Hayford]]
 
*[[File:House Velaryon.svg|20px]] [[Velaryon fleet]]
 
*[[File:House Velaryon.svg|20px]] [[Velaryon fleet]]
| losses1 = heavy (at least 3,000)
+
| losses1 = heavy (at least 3,000 men)
 
+
*[[Corwyn Corbray]]
 +
*[[Robert Rowan]]
 
| combatant2 = [[File:House Arryn.svg|30px]] [[Arnold Arryn]]
 
| combatant2 = [[File:House Arryn.svg|30px]] [[Arnold Arryn]]
| commander2 = [[File:House Royce.svg|20px]] Lord [[Gunthor Royce]]
+
| commander2 = [[File:House Arryn.svg|20px]] [[Eldric Arryn]]†
 +
*[[File:House Royce.svg|20px]] Lord [[Gunthor Royce]]
 
| strength2 = [[File:House Arryn.svg|20px]] [[House Arryn]] (Arnold Arryn's faction)
 
| strength2 = [[File:House Arryn.svg|20px]] [[House Arryn]] (Arnold Arryn's faction)
*[[File:House Royce.svg|20px]] [[House Royce]]
+
**[[File:House Royce.svg|20px]] [[House Royce]]
*[[File:House Coldwater.svg|20px]] [[House Coldwater]]
+
**[[File:House Coldwater.svg|20px]] [[House Coldwater]]
*[[File:House Templeton.svg|20px]] [[House Templeton]]
+
**[[File:House Templeton.svg|20px]] [[House Templeton]]
*[[File:House Tollett.svg|20px]] [[House Tollett]]
+
**[[File:House Tollett.svg|20px]] [[House Tollett]]
*[[File:House Sunderland.svg|20px]] [[Three Sisters]] houses
+
**[[File:House Sunderland.svg|20px]] [[Three Sisters]] houses
*[[House Dutton]]
+
**[[House Dutton]]
| losses2 =
+
| losses2 = [[Eldric Arryn]]
 
 
 
| combatant3 = [[File:House_Arryn_(Isembard).svg|30px]] [[Isembard Arryn]]
 
| combatant3 = [[File:House_Arryn_(Isembard).svg|30px]] [[Isembard Arryn]]
 
| commander3 = [[File:House Grafton.svg|20px]] Lord [[House Grafton|Grafton]]
 
| commander3 = [[File:House Grafton.svg|20px]] Lord [[House Grafton|Grafton]]
 
| strength3 = [[File:House_Arryn_(Isembard).svg|30px]] [[House Arryn of Gulltown]]
 
| strength3 = [[File:House_Arryn_(Isembard).svg|30px]] [[House Arryn of Gulltown]]
*[[File:House Grafton.svg|20px]] [[House Grafton]]
+
***[[File:House Grafton.svg|20px]] [[House Grafton]]
*[[Essos]]i [[sellswords]]
+
***[[Essos]]i [[sellswords]]
| losses3 =
+
| losses3 = Unknown
 
}}
 
}}
  
A succession war broke out in the [[Vale of Arryn]] upon the death of Lady [[Jeyne Arryn]], during the second half of the [[regency of Aegon III]]. Because the realm was still recovering from the [[Dance of the Dragons]], the crown's response was limited.
+
A succession war broke out in the [[Vale of Arryn]] upon the death of Lady [[Jeyne Arryn]], during the second half of the [[regency of Aegon III]]. Because the realm was still recovering from the [[Dance of the Dragons]], the [[Iron Throne|crown]]'s response was initially limited.
  
 
The conflict began in late {{date|134}} and lasted about a year, drawing to a close by the end of {{date|135}}.
 
The conflict began in late {{date|134}} and lasted about a year, drawing to a close by the end of {{date|135}}.
  
 
==Background==
 
==Background==
Jeyne became Lady of the [[Eyrie]] in {{Date|97}} when she was three years old, after her [[Lord Arryn (father of Jeyne)|father]] and older brothers were killed at the hands of the [[Stone Crows]].{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - A Son for a Son}} Lord [[Yorbert Royce]] ruled the Vale as her [[Regent|regent]] until she came of age (presumably in {{date|110}}).
+
Jeyne Arryn became Lady of the [[Eyrie]] in {{Date|97}} when she was three years old, after her [[Lord Arryn (father of Jeyne)|father]] and older brothers were killed at the hands of the [[Stone Crows]].{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - A Son for a Son}} Lord [[Yorbert Royce]] ruled the Vale as her [[Regent|regent]] until she came of age (presumably in {{date|110}}).
  
 
Her inheritance was twice contested, however, by her first cousin Ser [[Arnold Arryn]] - her father's closest male heir. After Arnold's "second failed rebellion" (at some point before the Dance of the Dragons), he was imprisoned in one of the Eyrie's [[sky cell]]s.{{Ref|FAB|The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency}}
 
Her inheritance was twice contested, however, by her first cousin Ser [[Arnold Arryn]] - her father's closest male heir. After Arnold's "second failed rebellion" (at some point before the Dance of the Dragons), he was imprisoned in one of the Eyrie's [[sky cell]]s.{{Ref|FAB|The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency}}
Line 59: Line 59:
  
 
==The Knight of the Bloody Gate, the Mad Heir, and the Gilded Falcon==
 
==The Knight of the Bloody Gate, the Mad Heir, and the Gilded Falcon==
Lady Jeyne survived the Winter Fever - only to then fall gravely ill in {{date|134}} from a chest cold, dying in the arms of her companion Jessaymn Redfort. Having no children, the dying Jeyne did leave behind a last testament officially naming her fourth cousin as her heir: Ser [[Joffrey Arryn]], [[Knight of the Bloody Gate]], who had served her well for ten years fighting against the mountain clansmen. This passed over her more closely related first cousin Arnold, who had twice rebelled against her, and had now gone mad after long years in the Eyrie's sky cells and the dungeons under the Gates of the Moon - and it also passed over Arnold's son, Ser [[Eldric Arryn]].{{Ref|FAB|The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency}}
+
Lady Jeyne survived the Winter Fever - only to then fall gravely ill in {{date|134}} from a chest cold, dying in the arms of her companion Jessamyn Redfort. Having no children, on her deathbed Jeyne managed to dictate a last testament officially naming her fourth cousin as her heir: Ser [[Joffrey Arryn]], [[Knight of the Bloody Gate]], who had served her well for ten years fighting against the mountain clansmen. This passed over her more closely related first cousin Arnold, who had twice rebelled against her, and had now gone mad after long years in the Eyrie's sky cells and the dungeons under the Gates of the Moon - and it also passed over Arnold's son, Ser [[Eldric Arryn]].{{Ref|FAB|The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency}}
  
Ser Eldric was sane, shred, and ambitious, and when he came forward to press his father's claim, many lords of the Vale rallied to his banners, insisting that long-established laws of inheritance could not be put aside by "the whim of a dying woman".{{Ref|FAB|The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency}}  
+
Ser Eldric was sane, shrewd, and ambitious, and when he came forward to press his father's claim, many lords of the Vale rallied to his banners, insisting that long-established [[Law and justice of the Seven Kingdoms|laws of inheritance]] could not be put aside by "the whim of a dying woman".{{Ref|FAB|The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency}}  
  
Surprisingly, a third claimant stepped forward: [[Isembard Arryn]], head of the [[House Arryn of Gulltown|Gulltown Arryns]], an even more distant cadet branch of the family that spit off from the main line during the reign of King Jaehaerys. While Isembard could not be said to have a greater claim than Joffrey or Arnold, he did have much more gold - his family had gone into trade, becoming among the wealthiest merchants in [[Gulltown]]. Isembard was known as the Gilded Falcon for his gold coin and gold falcon sigil, and he used his substantial wealth to bribe lesser lords into supporting his claim, and hiring armies of [[sellswords]] from across the [[narrow sea]].{{Ref|FAB|The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency}}  
+
Surprisingly, a third claimant stepped forward: [[Isembard Arryn]], head of the [[House Arryn of Gulltown|Gulltown Arryns]], an even more distant cadet branch of the family that split off from the main line during the reign of King Jaehaerys. While Isembard could not be said to have a greater claim than Joffrey or Arnold, he did have much more gold - his family had gone into trade, becoming among the wealthiest merchants in [[Gulltown]]. Isembard was known as the Gilded Falcon for his gold coin and gold falcon sigil, and he used his substantial wealth to bribe lesser lords into supporting his claim, and to hire armies of [[sellswords]] from across the [[narrow sea]].{{Ref|FAB|The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency}}  
  
 
Lord [[Thaddeus Rowan]], the [[Hand of the King]], commanded that the rival claimants come to King's Landing for arbitration, but they ignored his decrees. Eventually, Ser [[Corwyn Corbray]] came to the Vale in person, where he ruled that Lady Jeyne's will must prevail, and declared Joffrey Arryn as the rightful Lord of the Eyrie. The other two claimants refused to accept the ruling, however, so he had Isembard imprisoned, and outright executed young Eldric - but somehow, the mad Ser Arnold (who had apparently been released to his son's custody) managed to elude Corwyn and flee to [[Runestone]], seat of [[House Royce]], where he had served as a squire as a boy. When Corwyn arrived, old Lord [[Gunthor Royce]], known as the Bronze Giant, rode out to parley with him. Heated words were exchanged, then curses and threats. This climaxed when Corbray drew his sword [[Lady Forlorn]] - whether to actually strike Royce or merely to threaten him is unknown, because at this sight a crossbowman on the castle's battlements shot him through the chest. Corwyn Corbray had been one of Aegon III's seven regents at the time, and killing him was an act of treason - instead of negotiation the only course of action for the rival claimants now was rebellion, and war spread across the Vale of Arryn.{{Ref|FAB|The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency}}
 
Lord [[Thaddeus Rowan]], the [[Hand of the King]], commanded that the rival claimants come to King's Landing for arbitration, but they ignored his decrees. Eventually, Ser [[Corwyn Corbray]] came to the Vale in person, where he ruled that Lady Jeyne's will must prevail, and declared Joffrey Arryn as the rightful Lord of the Eyrie. The other two claimants refused to accept the ruling, however, so he had Isembard imprisoned, and outright executed young Eldric - but somehow, the mad Ser Arnold (who had apparently been released to his son's custody) managed to elude Corwyn and flee to [[Runestone]], seat of [[House Royce]], where he had served as a squire as a boy. When Corwyn arrived, old Lord [[Gunthor Royce]], known as the Bronze Giant, rode out to parley with him. Heated words were exchanged, then curses and threats. This climaxed when Corbray drew his sword [[Lady Forlorn]] - whether to actually strike Royce or merely to threaten him is unknown, because at this sight a crossbowman on the castle's battlements shot him through the chest. Corwyn Corbray had been one of Aegon III's seven regents at the time, and killing him was an act of treason - instead of negotiation the only course of action for the rival claimants now was rebellion, and war spread across the Vale of Arryn.{{Ref|FAB|The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency}}
 +
{{Arryn tree Aegon III}}
  
 
==Civil war in the Vale==
 
==Civil war in the Vale==
Line 71: Line 72:
 
The main vassals of the Vale split between the three rival claimants:{{Ref|FAB|The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency}}  
 
The main vassals of the Vale split between the three rival claimants:{{Ref|FAB|The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency}}  
  
*Ser Joffrey Arryn, Knight of the Bloody Gate, was supported by [[House Corbray]] of Heart's Home, [[House Redfort]] of Redfort, and [[House Hunter]] Longbow Hall, as well as [[House Crayne]]. Joffrey also had the support of the Iron Throne, though the crown's aid was delayed.
+
*Ser Joffrey Arryn, Knight of the Bloody Gate, was supported by [[House Corbray]] of Heart's Home, [[House Redfort]] of Redfort, and [[House Hunter]] of Longbow Hall, as well as [[House Crayne]]. Joffrey also had the support of the Iron Throne, though the crown's aid was delayed.
 
*Ser Arnold Arryn, the Mad Heir, was supported by [[House Royce]] of Runestone, [[House Coldwater]] of Coldwater Burn, and [[House Templeton]] of Ninestars, along with [[House Tollett]] (vassals of the Royces), [[House Dutton]], and the minor lords of the [[Fingers]] and the [[Three Sisters]].
 
*Ser Arnold Arryn, the Mad Heir, was supported by [[House Royce]] of Runestone, [[House Coldwater]] of Coldwater Burn, and [[House Templeton]] of Ninestars, along with [[House Tollett]] (vassals of the Royces), [[House Dutton]], and the minor lords of the [[Fingers]] and the [[Three Sisters]].
 
*Despite the captivity of Isembard Arryn, his supporters fought on to support his claim, primarily [[Gulltown]] and its rulers [[House Grafton]]. This gave them control of the Vale's only city, and with so much wealth that they were able to bribe several other lesser lords and hire sellsword armies from Essos.{{Ref|FAB|The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency}}  
 
*Despite the captivity of Isembard Arryn, his supporters fought on to support his claim, primarily [[Gulltown]] and its rulers [[House Grafton]]. This gave them control of the Vale's only city, and with so much wealth that they were able to bribe several other lesser lords and hire sellsword armies from Essos.{{Ref|FAB|The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency}}  
Line 88: Line 89:
 
Unfortunately, the high road through the mountains turned out to be far less clear than had been hoped, where winter still held its grip. Robert Rowan's host found itself struggling through deep snows that slowed their advance to a crawl, at which their baggage train came under repeated attack by the [[Vale mountain clans]]. Though poorly armed, the hill tribes were starving after years of long winter, and could not be deterred no matter how many were killed. Robert Rowan was himself crushed by a falling boulder when the clansmen unleashed a landslide that toppled half a mountain down upon the column, after which "Bloody Ben" Blackwood took up command. Cold, snow, hunger, and nightly attacks took a heavy toll, so that by the time the host finally arrived at the [[Bloody Gate]], they had lost a full third of their number. Instead of serving as a relief force for Ser Joffrey, when he saw them he instantly realized that it was he who was saving them from their harrowing journey. Moreover, Joffrey realized that the remaining six thousand men were half-starved and half-frozen and in no condition to fight, so they halted their advance at the Bloody Gate to spend months recuperating - without having actually faced the rebel lords of Ser Arnold himself.{{Ref|FAB|The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency}}  
 
Unfortunately, the high road through the mountains turned out to be far less clear than had been hoped, where winter still held its grip. Robert Rowan's host found itself struggling through deep snows that slowed their advance to a crawl, at which their baggage train came under repeated attack by the [[Vale mountain clans]]. Though poorly armed, the hill tribes were starving after years of long winter, and could not be deterred no matter how many were killed. Robert Rowan was himself crushed by a falling boulder when the clansmen unleashed a landslide that toppled half a mountain down upon the column, after which "Bloody Ben" Blackwood took up command. Cold, snow, hunger, and nightly attacks took a heavy toll, so that by the time the host finally arrived at the [[Bloody Gate]], they had lost a full third of their number. Instead of serving as a relief force for Ser Joffrey, when he saw them he instantly realized that it was he who was saving them from their harrowing journey. Moreover, Joffrey realized that the remaining six thousand men were half-starved and half-frozen and in no condition to fight, so they halted their advance at the Bloody Gate to spend months recuperating - without having actually faced the rebel lords of Ser Arnold himself.{{Ref|FAB|The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency}}  
  
The sea attack fared slightly better, but the chain of command was confused due to political infighting on the regency council - between those who supported and opposed [[House Rogare]] during the [[Lysene Spring]]. Rather than make use of the [[royal fleet]] commanded by Lord [[Unwin Peake]]'s uncle Ser [[Gedmund Peake|Gedmund]], Thaddeus Rowan instead asked the Oakenfist to rely on his own substantial fleet - while their land army would be commanded by [[Larra Rogare]]'s brother, [[Moredo Rogare]]. Though Moredo was a brave and fearsome warrior, he was not fluent in the [[Common Tongue]], and several questioned the wisdom of putting a Lyseni in command of an army of Westerosi knights. Unwin Peake and his followers cited this as proof of what they had been whispering for half a year, that Thaddeus Rowan had sold himself to the Rogares and their supporters.{{Ref|FAB|The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency}}  
+
The sea attack fared slightly better, but the chain of command was confused due to political infighting on the regency council - between those who supported and opposed [[House Rogare]] during the [[Lysene Spring]]. Rather than make use of the [[royal fleet]] commanded by Lord [[Unwin Peake]]'s uncle Ser [[Gedmund Peake|Gedmund]], Thaddeus Rowan instead asked the Oakenfist to rely on his own substantial fleet - while their land army would be commanded by [[Larra Rogare]]'s brother, [[Moredo Rogare]]. Though Moredo was a brave and fearsome warrior, he was not fluent in the [[Common Tongue]], and several people questioned the wisdom of putting a Lyseni in command of an army of Westerosi knights. Unwin Peake and his followers cited this as proof of what they had been whispering for half a year, that Thaddeus Rowan had sold himself to the Rogares and their supporters.{{Ref|FAB|The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency}}  
  
 
While Alyn Oakenfist's fleet easily swept aside the Gilded Falcon's sellsails to capture Gulltown's harbor, the subsequent land assault under Moredo Rogare was a debacle. Hundreds died storming the well-defended port walls in a direct assault, and thrice as many died during brutal house-to-house urban combat that followed. Worse, Moredo's translator was slain in the street battle, resulting in him having great difficulty communicating with his own troops. They didn't understand his orders and he didn't understand their reports, and chaos ensued. While the Iron Throne did manage to capture Gulltown, it was only after a sloppy assault with grievous loss, and any advance beyond the city itself was halted.{{Ref|FAB|The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency}}   
 
While Alyn Oakenfist's fleet easily swept aside the Gilded Falcon's sellsails to capture Gulltown's harbor, the subsequent land assault under Moredo Rogare was a debacle. Hundreds died storming the well-defended port walls in a direct assault, and thrice as many died during brutal house-to-house urban combat that followed. Worse, Moredo's translator was slain in the street battle, resulting in him having great difficulty communicating with his own troops. They didn't understand his orders and he didn't understand their reports, and chaos ensued. While the Iron Throne did manage to capture Gulltown, it was only after a sloppy assault with grievous loss, and any advance beyond the city itself was halted.{{Ref|FAB|The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency}}   
  
Soon after, House Rogare's power collapsed, and Moredo yielded up his command of the army in Gulltown to Alyn Velaryon so he could set sail for [[Braavos]], to raise an army of [[sellsails]] to attack his family's enemies in [[Lys]] itself.{{Ref|FAB|The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency}}  
+
Soon after, House Rogare's power collapsed, and Moredo yielded up his command of the army in Gulltown to Alyn Velaryon so he could set sail for [[Braavos]], to raise an army of sellsails to attack his family's enemies in [[Lys]] itself.{{Ref|FAB|The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency}}  
  
By this point, the Iron Throne's armies had stalled at the Bloody Gate and Gulltown, with Isembard Arryn's forces defeated, but Arnold Arryn's supporters had not even been blooded against a royal army.
+
By this point, the Iron Throne's armies had stalled at the Bloody Gate and Gulltown, Isembard Arryn's forces were defeated, but Arnold Arryn's supporters had not even been blooded against a royal army.
  
 
==Conclusion==
 
==Conclusion==
Line 107: Line 108:
 
[[Category:House Arryn]]
 
[[Category:House Arryn]]
 
[[Category:House Arryn wars]]
 
[[Category:House Arryn wars]]
 +
[[es:Conflicto sucesorio Arryn (134 d.C.)]]

Revision as of 01:55, 5 August 2022

Arryn succession conflict (Regency era)
Part of Regency of Aegon III
Date 134135 AC
Location Vale of Arryn
Belligerents
1. House Arryn.svg Joffrey Arryn
(supported by the Iron Throne)
2. House Arryn.svg Arnold Arryn
3. Isembard Arryn.svg Isembard Arryn

A succession war broke out in the Vale of Arryn upon the death of Lady Jeyne Arryn, during the second half of the regency of Aegon III. Because the realm was still recovering from the Dance of the Dragons, the crown's response was initially limited.

The conflict began in late 134 AC and lasted about a year, drawing to a close by the end of 135 AC.

Background

Jeyne Arryn became Lady of the Eyrie in 97 AC when she was three years old, after her father and older brothers were killed at the hands of the Stone Crows.[1] Lord Yorbert Royce ruled the Vale as her regent until she came of age (presumably in 110 AC).

Her inheritance was twice contested, however, by her first cousin Ser Arnold Arryn - her father's closest male heir. After Arnold's "second failed rebellion" (at some point before the Dance of the Dragons), he was imprisoned in one of the Eyrie's sky cells.[2]

Lady Jeyne herself, however, never married or produced any heirs of her own. Some rumors say she never wed because she had a voracious sexual appetite for different men, though it was also widely rumored that she prefered other women, particularly her longtime "dear companion" Jessamyn Redfort.[1]

While the Vale's armies marched to other parts of Westeros to fight on Rhaenyra Targaryen's side during the Dance of the Dragons from 129 AC to 131 AC, the Vale itself was relatively untouched by the civil war. In the aftermath, a council of seven royal regents was assembled for the young king Aegon III, with members drawn from both sides, among which was Jeyne Arryn.[3] In 132 AC, Jeyne returned to the Vale from King's Landing to deal with increased raids from mountain clansmen, though she remained a regent.[3] Soon after, the Vale was struck by the Winter Fever from 132 AC to 133 AC.[4]

The Knight of the Bloody Gate, the Mad Heir, and the Gilded Falcon

Lady Jeyne survived the Winter Fever - only to then fall gravely ill in 134 AC from a chest cold, dying in the arms of her companion Jessamyn Redfort. Having no children, on her deathbed Jeyne managed to dictate a last testament officially naming her fourth cousin as her heir: Ser Joffrey Arryn, Knight of the Bloody Gate, who had served her well for ten years fighting against the mountain clansmen. This passed over her more closely related first cousin Arnold, who had twice rebelled against her, and had now gone mad after long years in the Eyrie's sky cells and the dungeons under the Gates of the Moon - and it also passed over Arnold's son, Ser Eldric Arryn.[2]

Ser Eldric was sane, shrewd, and ambitious, and when he came forward to press his father's claim, many lords of the Vale rallied to his banners, insisting that long-established laws of inheritance could not be put aside by "the whim of a dying woman".[2]

Surprisingly, a third claimant stepped forward: Isembard Arryn, head of the Gulltown Arryns, an even more distant cadet branch of the family that split off from the main line during the reign of King Jaehaerys. While Isembard could not be said to have a greater claim than Joffrey or Arnold, he did have much more gold - his family had gone into trade, becoming among the wealthiest merchants in Gulltown. Isembard was known as the Gilded Falcon for his gold coin and gold falcon sigil, and he used his substantial wealth to bribe lesser lords into supporting his claim, and to hire armies of sellswords from across the narrow sea.[2]

Lord Thaddeus Rowan, the Hand of the King, commanded that the rival claimants come to King's Landing for arbitration, but they ignored his decrees. Eventually, Ser Corwyn Corbray came to the Vale in person, where he ruled that Lady Jeyne's will must prevail, and declared Joffrey Arryn as the rightful Lord of the Eyrie. The other two claimants refused to accept the ruling, however, so he had Isembard imprisoned, and outright executed young Eldric - but somehow, the mad Ser Arnold (who had apparently been released to his son's custody) managed to elude Corwyn and flee to Runestone, seat of House Royce, where he had served as a squire as a boy. When Corwyn arrived, old Lord Gunthor Royce, known as the Bronze Giant, rode out to parley with him. Heated words were exchanged, then curses and threats. This climaxed when Corbray drew his sword Lady Forlorn - whether to actually strike Royce or merely to threaten him is unknown, because at this sight a crossbowman on the castle's battlements shot him through the chest. Corwyn Corbray had been one of Aegon III's seven regents at the time, and killing him was an act of treason - instead of negotiation the only course of action for the rival claimants now was rebellion, and war spread across the Vale of Arryn.[2]

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lord Arryn
 
Unknown
wife
 
Unknown
Arryn
 
Unknown
wife
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
House Arryn
of Gulltown
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sons
 
Jeyne
 
 
 
Arnold
 
Unknown
wife
 
Joffrey
 
Isembard
 
Unknown
wife
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Eldric
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sons
 


Civil war in the Vale

Map (click to zoom)

The main vassals of the Vale split between the three rival claimants:[2]

  • Ser Joffrey Arryn, Knight of the Bloody Gate, was supported by House Corbray of Heart's Home, House Redfort of Redfort, and House Hunter of Longbow Hall, as well as House Crayne. Joffrey also had the support of the Iron Throne, though the crown's aid was delayed.
  • Ser Arnold Arryn, the Mad Heir, was supported by House Royce of Runestone, House Coldwater of Coldwater Burn, and House Templeton of Ninestars, along with House Tollett (vassals of the Royces), House Dutton, and the minor lords of the Fingers and the Three Sisters.
  • Despite the captivity of Isembard Arryn, his supporters fought on to support his claim, primarily Gulltown and its rulers House Grafton. This gave them control of the Vale's only city, and with so much wealth that they were able to bribe several other lesser lords and hire sellsword armies from Essos.[2]

The allegiance of the Arryns' other major vassals, House Waynwood, House Belmore, and House Waxley, is unknown.

Response by the Iron Throne

The Mountains of the Moon - by Juan Carlos Barquet © Fantasy Flight Games
Hill tribes attack, by Tomasz Jedruszek © Fantasy Flight Games

As the lords supporting the rival claimants continued to ignore royal decrees to lay down their arms, Lord Rowan took counsel with Alyn "Oakenfist" Velaryon to put down the rebellion by force, and they decided on a two-pronged attack by land and sea. With Spring thought to be coming soon to melt the snows in the mountain passes, Lord Thaddeus's eldest son Ser Robert Rowan would lead an army up the high road through the Mountains of the Moon, while Lord Alyn would lead an attack on Gulltown with his Velaryon fleet.[2]

Neither assault was entirely successful, marred by poor weather and political infighting, and their progress stalled.

Robert Rowan led an army of 5,000 out of King's Landing, swelled as they advanced north by levies from Maidenpool, Darry, and Hayford. After they crossed the Trident they were joined by 600 Freys and a thousand Blackwoods under Lord Benjicot himself. Altogether, they numbered 9,000 strong when they entered the mountains.

Unfortunately, the high road through the mountains turned out to be far less clear than had been hoped, where winter still held its grip. Robert Rowan's host found itself struggling through deep snows that slowed their advance to a crawl, at which their baggage train came under repeated attack by the Vale mountain clans. Though poorly armed, the hill tribes were starving after years of long winter, and could not be deterred no matter how many were killed. Robert Rowan was himself crushed by a falling boulder when the clansmen unleashed a landslide that toppled half a mountain down upon the column, after which "Bloody Ben" Blackwood took up command. Cold, snow, hunger, and nightly attacks took a heavy toll, so that by the time the host finally arrived at the Bloody Gate, they had lost a full third of their number. Instead of serving as a relief force for Ser Joffrey, when he saw them he instantly realized that it was he who was saving them from their harrowing journey. Moreover, Joffrey realized that the remaining six thousand men were half-starved and half-frozen and in no condition to fight, so they halted their advance at the Bloody Gate to spend months recuperating - without having actually faced the rebel lords of Ser Arnold himself.[2]

The sea attack fared slightly better, but the chain of command was confused due to political infighting on the regency council - between those who supported and opposed House Rogare during the Lysene Spring. Rather than make use of the royal fleet commanded by Lord Unwin Peake's uncle Ser Gedmund, Thaddeus Rowan instead asked the Oakenfist to rely on his own substantial fleet - while their land army would be commanded by Larra Rogare's brother, Moredo Rogare. Though Moredo was a brave and fearsome warrior, he was not fluent in the Common Tongue, and several people questioned the wisdom of putting a Lyseni in command of an army of Westerosi knights. Unwin Peake and his followers cited this as proof of what they had been whispering for half a year, that Thaddeus Rowan had sold himself to the Rogares and their supporters.[2]

While Alyn Oakenfist's fleet easily swept aside the Gilded Falcon's sellsails to capture Gulltown's harbor, the subsequent land assault under Moredo Rogare was a debacle. Hundreds died storming the well-defended port walls in a direct assault, and thrice as many died during brutal house-to-house urban combat that followed. Worse, Moredo's translator was slain in the street battle, resulting in him having great difficulty communicating with his own troops. They didn't understand his orders and he didn't understand their reports, and chaos ensued. While the Iron Throne did manage to capture Gulltown, it was only after a sloppy assault with grievous loss, and any advance beyond the city itself was halted.[2]

Soon after, House Rogare's power collapsed, and Moredo yielded up his command of the army in Gulltown to Alyn Velaryon so he could set sail for Braavos, to raise an army of sellsails to attack his family's enemies in Lys itself.[2]

By this point, the Iron Throne's armies had stalled at the Bloody Gate and Gulltown, Isembard Arryn's forces were defeated, but Arnold Arryn's supporters had not even been blooded against a royal army.

Conclusion

The exact course of the succession war afterwards is unclear, save that soon after the turn of the new year 136 AC it finally ended (a little over a year after it began). By that point, Alyn Velaryon and Benjicot Blackwood had at last forced Isembard Arryn, Arnold Arryn, Gunthor Royce, and all their supporters to bend the knee and do homage to Joffrey Arryn.

Alyn and Benjicot returned to King's Landing soon after the turn of the new year to take part in a council to name three replacement regents on the seven-man regency council (for the remaining half a year before Aegon III came of age). When they arrived, they were accompanied by Gunthor Royce and Isembard Arryn, along with Lord Joffrey himself. Isembard would soon be pardoned and actually named the new master of coin to help the crown deal with the massive economic crisis caused by the collapse of the Rogare bank. Ser Arnold's fate is unclear.[2]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - A Son for a Son.
  2. 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 Fire & Blood, The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Fire & Blood, Under the Regents - The Hooded Hand.
  4. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III.