These relationships would bear fruit in the form of several marriage arrangements, either innocent or as a result of the вЂњSouthron AmbitionsвЂќ conspiracy. However, it was known that Jon Arryn struck up several important friendships through the course of the war, including several of the Lords Paramount: Rickard Stark, Steffon Baratheon, and Hoster Tully. Jon Arryn was not noted in the text as being a warrior, and he was halfway through his third decade when the war erupted, so it is likely that he was not renowned for his battlefield heroism. As Warden of the East, Lord Arryn played a key role in defending Westeros from the Band of Nine. Chronologically, the first thing that Jon Arryn participated in was the War of the Ninepenny Kings.

вЂњJon Arryn himself was Keeper of the Gates whilst his father lived.вЂќ (A Feast for Crows, Sansa I)Д«ut that is the extent we are aware of Jon ArrynвЂ™s early life. Jon learned stewardship and rule, as he kept the Gates of the Moon in service to his father as was tradition for House Arryn, It was unknown how long Jon Arryn ruled the Vale before the outset of the series, as we know next to nothing about his father other than his name: Jasper Arryn. The Shepherd of Southron Ambitions вЂ“ Putting Out the Fires Far from prying eyes, the falcons of the Eyrie could hatch any sort of scheme in relative safety, especially after the death of the last dragon, rendering the Eyrie immune to aerial assault. For any man, to call this place home was to command power and respect, and most importantly, cultivate safety and an aura of isolation. Protected by stout keeps and sheer cliff faces, the Eyrie was a fortress in the truest sense of the word, nigh-invincible to a besieging army. Gulltown offers a port, but even it requires difficult maneuvering to reach the impressive stronghold of the Eyrie, easily one of the most formidable and unassailable fortresses of Westeros. There are few entries into the Vale, and most passes are treacherous even in the best of times. Geographically, the Vale was bordered on all sides by the Mountains of the Moon, steep mountains with narrow passes, infested with dangerous mountain clansmen. In addition, House Arryn had a family reputation for honorable action and accord, as epitomized by their words: вЂњAs High As Honor.вЂќ Such an impressive combination commanded respect, and the Arryns were widely respected across the length and breadth of Westeros, and Jon Arryn used that legitimacy and respect to win much support to his rebel cause. Their history was a storied and powerful one, with thousands of years to call upon, commanding respect from all those who had ears to hear. House Arryn specifically held an impressive pedigree, as it remained one of the purest bloodlines of Andal nobility in Westeros.

Like House Stark and Lannister, House Arryn was a house of ancient nobility, one that used to rule an entire region of Westeros as King. вЂњIt stretched before them to the misty east, a tranquil land of rich black soil, wide slow-moving rivers, and hundreds of small lakes that shown like mirrors in the sun, protected on all sides by its sheltering peaks.вЂќ (AGOT, Catelyn VI)Д«efore exploring Jon Arryn, there are several important geopolitical features and historical facts that, when taken together, made House Arryn the perfect candidate for fostering rebellion and shepherding the Realm. The Misty East вЂ“ The Geography and History of the Vale Lord Arryn was more honorable and kind-hearted than many of his contemporaries, but this did not stop him from working from a much more pragmatic mindset, as opposed to a more honor-bound politician such as Robb Stark. In truth, while Jon Arryn may not have had either the cunning streak of Petyr Baelish or the ruthlessness of Tywin Lannister, Jon Arryn was a practical politician with a deft hand at conspiracy and a talent for dancing on eggshells. However, this portrayal does not begin to scratch the surface of Jon Arryn, the politician. Common knowledge painted him as a man too honorable for the political intrigue of KingвЂ™s Landing, blindsided by his cuckold, and murdered by his wife. As Hand of the King and Robert BaratheonвЂ™s most beloved and trusted counselor, Jon Arryn was a powerful figure during the reign of Robert Baratheon up until his untimely death, and one that left an uneven legacy.

Jon Arryn, the venerable Lord of the Vale and elder statesman, was as towering a figure in Westerosi politics as much as his stronghold towered over the Vale.

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