Difference between revisions of "Eyrie"

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{{Infobox Settlement
 
{{Infobox Settlement
 
| name = The Eyrie
 
| name = The Eyrie
| image =  
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| image = [[File:The Eyrie-TN.jpg|250px|]]
[[File:The Eyrie-TN.jpg|400px|right|thumb|The Eyrie by [http://www.tednasmith.com/ Ted Nasmith] ©.]]
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| image_caption =The Eyrie by [http://www.tednasmith.com/ Ted Nasmith] ©.
| image_caption =
 
 
| location = [[Vale of Arryn]], [[Westeros]]
 
| location = [[Vale of Arryn]], [[Westeros]]
 
| settlement_type= Castle, regional capital
 
| settlement_type= Castle, regional capital
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}}
 
}}
  
The '''Eyrie''' is the ancient 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 Eyrie}}  
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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 Eyrie}}  
  
 
==Layout==
 
==Layout==
[[Image:The Eyrie.jpg|400px|thumb|The Eyrie as depicted in ''[[Game of Thrones]]''.]]
 
[[Image:The Eyrie by Feliche.jpg|400px|right|thumb|The Eyrie by [http://feliche.deviantart.com/ Feliche]©]]
 
 
:''See also: [[:Category:Images of the Eyrie|Images of the Eyrie]]''
 
:''See also: [[:Category:Images of the Eyrie|Images of the Eyrie]]''
 
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 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}}
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==Defenses==
 
==Defenses==
 
:{{Main|Bloody Gate|Gates of the Moon|Stone (waycastle)|Snow (waycastle)|Sky}}
 
:{{Main|Bloody Gate|Gates of the Moon|Stone (waycastle)|Snow (waycastle)|Sky}}
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[[File:Alyn Spiller The Bloody Gate.png|250px|The Bloody Gate - Alyn Spiller@]]
  
 
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}}
 
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}}
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==Recent Events==
 
==Recent Events==
[[File: MKomarck_SansaEyrie.jpg‎ ‎|[[Sansa Stark]] sculpts a snow castle at the Eyrie, slowly forming it into a replica of her childhood home, [[Winterfell]] - by Michael Komarck ©|thumb|400px|right]]
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[[File: MKomarck_SansaEyrie.jpg‎ ‎|[[Sansa Stark]] sculpts a snow castle at the Eyrie, slowly forming it into a replica of her childhood home, [[Winterfell]] - by Michael Komarck ©|thumb|300px|right]]
 
===''A Game of Thrones''===
 
===''A Game of Thrones''===
 
After Lord [[Jon Arryn]]'s death in [[King's Landing]], his widow [[Lysa Arryn|Lysa]] return to the Eyrie with their son, [[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 guard, Ser [[Vardis Egen]], is killed in [[trial by combat]] against the [[mercenary|sellsword]] [[Bronn]].{{ref|AGOT|34}}{{ref|AGOT|38}}{{ref|AGOT|40}}
 
After Lord [[Jon Arryn]]'s death in [[King's Landing]], his widow [[Lysa Arryn|Lysa]] return to the Eyrie with their son, [[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 guard, Ser [[Vardis Egen]], is killed in [[trial by combat]] against the [[mercenary|sellsword]] [[Bronn]].{{ref|AGOT|34}}{{ref|AGOT|38}}{{ref|AGOT|40}}
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==Quotes==
 
==Quotes==
 +
[[Image:The Eyrie.jpg|300px|thumb|The Eyrie as depicted in ''[[Game of Thrones]]''.]]
 +
 
{{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 Eyrie}}}} - [[Quince]]
 
{{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 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]]
 
{{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]]
 
  
 
{{quote|'''Petyr''': Have [[Maddy]] lay a fire in the solar. I shall receive our [[Lords Declarant]] there.<br>
 
{{quote|'''Petyr''': Have [[Maddy]] lay a fire in the solar. I shall receive our [[Lords Declarant]] there.<br>
 
'''Sansa''': Not the High Hall?<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]]
 
'''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]]
 
{{Quote|In winter this will be a cold white prison.{{Ref|aFfC|41}}}} – thoughts of [[Sansa Stark]]

Revision as of 09:54, 24 January 2016

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

See also: Images of the Eyrie

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 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.[7] It has narrow, arched windows, between which are torches mounted on high iron sconces.[4]
  • 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.[7]
  • 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 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]
  • 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.

Defenses

The Bloody Gate - Alyn Spiller@

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.[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.[8]

History

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.[9][10] 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 Seven Stars.[11]

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 Eyrie was inhabited as a pleasure palace[12] 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]

During the War of 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.[13]

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.[14]

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 King Robert's Hand. In his 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.[15]

Recent Events

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

A Game of Thrones

After Lord Jon Arryn's death in King's Landing, his widow Lysa return to the Eyrie with their son, Robert Arryn.[16] 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 guard, Ser Vardis Egen, is killed in trial by combat against the sellsword Bronn.[2][7][5]

A Clash of Kings

Stannis Baratheon rejects Maester Cressen's suggestion to have Shireen Baratheon fostered at the Eyrie.[17] Robb Stark, the King in the North, sends ravens to the Eyrie seeking assistance from his aunt, Lysa, but there is no response.[18]

A Storm of Swords

The widowed Lady Lysa marries her childhood friend and lover, Petyr Baelish, at the Fingers.[19] 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.[20]

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

The Eyrie as depicted in Game of Thrones.

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]

- Quince

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

Lysa Arryn to Catelyn Stark

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]

- Petyr Baelish and Sansa Stark

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

– thoughts of Sansa Stark

Chapters that take place at the Eyrie

References and Notes

This page uses content from the English Wikipedia. The original content was at Strongholds of A Song of Ice and Fire. The list of authors can be seen in the page history of Strongholds of A Song of Ice and Fire. As with A Wiki of Ice and Fire, the content of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.