(Catelyn): In the snow-capped Mountains of the Moon,
standing high above the rich lands of the Vale,
stands the Eyrie -
a storied and impregnable fortress
said to have been built by the legendary mountain kings
in the Age of Heroes.
It is the stronghold of House Arryn,
one of the oldest noble families in Westeros -
their sigil, a soaring falcon over a crescent moon,
their words, "As high as honor".
The Arryns are direct descendants of Andal invaders,
who sailed across the Narrow Sea and came ashore at the Fingers.
According to legend, Ser Artys Arryn - known as the Winged Knight-
soared through the sky atop a giant falcon,
landing on the peak of the highest mountain,
where he defeated the Griffin King in battle.
It was the Andals' first great victory over the First Men,
and Ser Artys was duly rewarded.
He was declared King of the Mountain and the Vale,
and the region was renamed the Vale of Arryn.
Thousands of years later
Aegon the Conqueror arrived in Westeros.
House Arryn bent the knee to Aegon and his dragons
and were allowed to maintain their control of the region
as Lords Paramount of the Vale and Wardens of the East.
Over the centuries, House Arryn remained loyal to the Targaryen dynasty,
until Lord Jon Arryn joined with Houses Baratheon and Stark
in rebellion against Mad King Aerys.
Upon winning the Iron Throne,
Robert named Lord Jon Hand of the King -
a position he held until his mysterious death.