Warden of the East
Warden of the East is the title given to the person responsible for the defense of the eastern coasts of the Seven Kingdoms. Since Aegon's Conquest, the title has been traditionally conferred upon the ruler of House Arryn, Lords of the Eyrie and Defenders of the Vale.[1][2][3][4]
Contents
History
King Ronnel Arryn was the last King of Mountain and Vale, reigning until the invasion of Westeros by King Aegon I Targaryen. Since Ronnel was only a boy, rule of the Vale of Arryn fell to his mother, Queen Regent Sharra Arryn. As other regions of Westeros fell to Aegon, Sharra amassed the Vale army at the Bloody Gate. However, Aegon sent his sister-wife, Queen Visenya Targaryen, to the Eyrie directly, riding her dragon, Vhagar. When Sharra returned to the Eyrie, she found her son sitting on Visenya's lap, asking if he could ride the dragon with Visenya. Sharra quickly bent the knee, submitting to Targaryen rule. The Arryns were declared Wardens of the East and Defenders of the Vale, and Lord Ronnel received his ride on Vhagar.[5][3][6]
It is unknown which wars of Westeros required the Warden to mobilize the armies of the east.
Known Wardens of the East
- Lord Ronnel Arryn
- Lord Hubert Arryn
- Lord Darnold Arryn
- Lord Rodrik Arryn
- Lord Arryn
- Lady Jeyne Arryn
- Lord Joffrey Arryn
- Lord Donnel Arryn
- Lord Jasper Arryn
- Lord Jon Arryn
- Ser Jaime Lannister
- Lord Robert Arryn
Recent Events
A Game of Thrones
After the death of Lord Jon Arryn, King Robert I Baratheon names Ser Jaime Lannister to the office of Warden of the East. Overtly this is because Jon's son Robert Arryn is still a child, and King Robert is concerned about the threat of Viserys Targaryen's alliance with Khal Drogo of the Dothraki, but it is also a sign of House Lannister's influence on the king.[7] The appointment of Jaime Lannister angers the widowed Lady Lysa Arryn and the lords of the Vale, who begin calling Robert Arryn the "True Warden of the East".[2]
A Clash of Kings
Lady Lysa and the Vale of Arryn have remained neutral in the War of the Five Kings. Tyrion Lannister, acting Hand of the King for King Joffrey I Baratheon, considers restoring the title of Warden of the East to Robert Arryn to make peace with Lady Lysa, and to obtain the allegiance of the Vale lords.[8]
A Storm of Swords
Petyr Baelish's new status as the Lord of Harrenhal gives him the necessary standing to be considered by Tywin Lannister, Hand of the King, for a marriage to Lysa Arryn, with the intent of delivering the Vale of Arryn to the crown without violence. Petyr is sent to the Eyrie to woo Lysa, with the promise that if she takes him as a husband and returns to the king's peace, Tywin will restore the title of Warden of the East to Robert Arryn.[9]
The title is restored to Robert Arryn.[10]
References
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 4, Eddard I.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 34, Catelyn VI.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Vale.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Vale: House Arryn.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, Aegon's Conquest.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 12, Eddard II.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 17, Tyrion IV.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 19, Tyrion III.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Appendix.
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