The Intriguing Story of House Arryn: Unveiling Secrets in Game of Thrones

Highlights

Lord Jon Arryn's sudden death triggers a feud between the Starks and Lannisters, fueled by a letter from Jon's widow, Lysa Arryn, suggesting Lannister involvement.

Cersei's enigmatic comments to Jaime regarding Jon Arryn's understanding and their forbidden bond insinuate a more profound enigma surrounding Jon's demise.

The cunning Lord Petyr Baelish orchestrates the demise of Jon Arryn as a component of an elaborate plan, manipulating Lysa Arryn as a mere pawn and ultimately assuming the role of Lord Protector of the Vale.

King Robert I Baratheon's right-hand man, Lord Jon Arryn, unexpectedly passes away, leading to a bitter feud between the Starks and the Lannisters. This animosity arises from a letter sent by Jon's widow, Lysa Arryn, to her sister, Catelyn Stark, accusing the Lannisters of involvement in Jon's demise. Concurrently, Queen Cersei Lannister and her brother, Jaime, drop cryptic hints in the first episode of Game of Thrones, titled "Winter Is Coming," suggesting that there is more to Jon's death than meets the eye.

In the throne room, Cersei observes Jon's body being attended to, with Jaime passing by. Cersei wonders aloud, "What if Jon Arryn revealed something?" Jaime retorts, "Whatever Jon Arryn knew or didn't know, it died with him." Jaime's nonchalant response alludes to his and Cersei's forbidden relationship, wherein he is the father of her three children. Later, Game of Thrones unveils that it was Jon's unstable wife, Lysa Arryn, who orchestrated his murder as part of an intricate plan in collaboration with her lover, Lord Petyr Baelish, who is also the Master of Coin for King Robert.

The Honorable Jon Arryn Of The Vale

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Lysa's sister, Catelyn announces Jon Arryn's death to her husband, saying:

There was a raven from King's Landing. Jon Arryn is dead. A fever took him.

She also informs her husband that he is likely to become Jon Arryn's successor as Hand, as they are anticipating a visit from the king. Catelyn notes that Jon Arryn played a paternal role in Ned (and Robert's) life, as he had fostered them at his ancestral seat, the Eyrie, situated high in the mountains. While Jon agreed to foster Ned and Robert, as part of forging alliances with Lord Rickard Stark and Steffon Baratheon after the War of the Ninepenny Kings, he declined to foster two of the dishonorable Lord Walder Frey's grandsons. Jon was an honorable man, and Ned shared many of his traits, including decency and loyalty. As Lord of the Eyrie and head of House Arryn, one of the Great Houses of Westeros, Jon was the eldest of Lord Jasper Arryn's three children, with a sister named Alys and a younger brother named Ronnel. Upon Lord Jasper's passing, Jon bestowed the position of Keeper of the Gates of the Moon onto his brother, Ronnel.

Jon's third wife, Lysa Arryn, known for her erratic and paranoid behavior, succeeded his previous wives, Jeyne Royce and Lady Rowena Arryn, who died in childbirth and due to illness, respectively. Since Jon had no children of his own, his nephew Elbert Arryn, son of Ronnel, was his heir until he was executed by Aerys II Targaryen, also known as the Mad King, in King's Landing. Elbert joined Brandon Stark in the Red Keep to demand the return of Lyanna Stark but was arrested and ultimately killed.

Jon Arryn's Death Stirred The Pot In Game Of Thrones

After Jon's death, Robert I expressed that Jon seemed perfectly fine one minute, but then something burned right through him. Later in Game of Thrones, Lysa confessed to poisoning Jon with the tears of Lys, which were provided by Lord Baelish. Lysa never had genuine feelings for Jon; she only married him to strengthen the alliance between House Tully and House Arryn. Lysa had always been in love with Petyr Baelish, who, in turn, was in love with her elder sister, Catelyn. In season 4, episode 5 of Game of Thrones titled "First of His Name," Lysa admits to killing Jon and lying to her sister for Baelish. Two episodes later, in "Mockingbird," Baelish pushes Lysa down the Moon Door and assumes the position of Lord Protector of the Vale through their brief marriage. He also becomes the guardian of her and Jon's only child, the young Robin Arryn.

Baelish manipulated Lysa to cause chaos and take control of the Vale. Due to Lysa and Baelish's actions, Catelyn believed that the Lannisters were responsible for Jon's murder. In response, Ned recognized the danger to the King's life and rode to King's Landing to support him in keeping the throne. This decision led to Ned becoming Robert's Hand and sparked the conflict known as the War of the Five Kings. However, Baelish's power play had a positive outcome. He summoned the Vale army, known as the Knights of the Vale, to ride to Winterfell and aided Jon Snow and his allies in winning the Battle of the Bastards.

Robin Arryn - The Young Lord Of The Eyrie

Petyr orchestrated the murder of Jon Arryn, plunging the Seven Kingdoms into turmoil. As he climbed the political ladder, his misdeeds finally caught up to him, leading to his execution at the hands of Sansa in season 7 of Game of Thrones. Meanwhile, the honorable Arryns of the Vale initially remained neutral in the War of the Five Kings, but eventually joined the conflict during the Battle of the Bastards. Robin Arryn, the last known sighting of whom was at the Great Council convened in King's Landing after the assassination of Daenerys Targaryen, played a significant role. This council, consisting of the most influential figures in the Seven Kingdoms, gathered to decide the fates of Jon Snow and Tyrion Lannister. Among them sat a grown Robin, positioned next to Yohn Royce, the Lord of Runestone and his mentor. By the conclusion of Game of Thrones, Robin had reached maturity, rendering the position of lord protector in the Vale unnecessary. He assumed leadership of House Arryn, held the title of Warden of the East, and became Defender of the Vale.