The Warden of the East

The Warden of the East is one of the four great wardenships of the Seven Kingdoms, a military office whose holder is charged with commanding the royal armies in the east and defending the realm from threats originating beyond the eastern marches. The title is traditionally held by the Lord of the Eyrie, the paramount lord of the Vale of Arryn. In the political landscape of A Dance with Dragons, the office exists largely in abeyance, its power untapped by any of the contending kings.

The Office and Its Holder

The Warden of the East is nominally Robert Arryn, the sickly eight-year-old Lord of the Eyrie and Defender of the Vale. Robert inherited the title from his father, Jon Arryn, who had served as Warden of the East under King Robert I Baratheon. However, the boy is incapable of exercising any real authority. His mother, Lysa Arryn, ruled as regent until her death, and after her murder, the effective governance of the Vale passed to Petyr Baelish, Lord Protector of the Vale. Baelish thus controls the military might of the Warden of the East, a force that has taken no part in the War of the Five Kings.

The Vale's Neutrality

Throughout the conflict, the Vale has remained neutral, its armies uncommitted. This strategic withdrawal is a deliberate choice by Baelish, who keeps the Vale's strength intact as a reserve to be deployed at the most opportune moment for his own schemes. The lords of the Vale chafe under this inaction; Bronze Yohn Royce, a powerful bannerman, has sworn to bring Baelish down, but for the duration of the novel, the Warden's forces remain garrisoned in their mountain fortresses. The only military action from the Vale is the deployment of a few ships from Gulltown, which are used to enforce the blockade of the coast, but no significant army marches south.

Narrative Significance

The dormant power of the Warden of the East represents a wild card in the game of thrones. While Stannis Baratheon, the Lannisters, and the Boltons bleed each other in the north and south, the Vale's fresh armies could tip the balance of power. Baelish's control of this office gives him immense latent influence, making him a kingmaker should he choose to commit his forces. The title itself, however, is a hollow honor for its nominal holder, a child who is a pawn in the schemes of his guardians. The Warden of the East is thus a symbol of potential power held in reserve, a sword waiting to be drawn.