Brotherhood of Winged Knights

The Brotherhood of Winged Knights is an order of warriors sworn to protect and aid the Lord of the Eyrie; in battle and in peace, abroad or at home, against friend or foe or kin, they are charged with seeing the will of Lord Arryn fulfilled.

Members of the Brotherhood are sworn in once every three years, traditionally at a grand tourney held at the Eyrie’s expense. The tournament sometimes determines the members of the Brotherhood, in order to replace a fallen or resigned brother, but by and large Lord Arryn chooses the members of his guard, and they simply ride in the tournament held to celebrate the event.

Once every three years, the knights of the Brotherhood hold a vigil, and rededicate themselves to their oaths. Those who do not wish to serve may freely resign at this time, without any mark or blemish against their honour. The Lord of the Eyrie, however, is free to dismiss any member whensoever he should wish; though this is rarely done.

History
The Winged Knights were first proposed by Sansa Stark during the War of the Five Kings, as a means of protection the young Lord Robin Arryn, and encouraging him to bravery and knighthood. The first tournament to decide who would stand among their number saw sixty-four competitors

Recent Events
The most recent tournament for the appointment of the Winged Knights took place two years ago, at the end of the Scarlet Winter, and saw several nobles earn their spurs. It was during this tournament that the first woman ever allowed to join the Brotherhood won her place among their number.

Current Members
The current members of the Brotherhood which serve Lord Alaric are as follows:
 * Ser Alester Hersey, a fair-haired man of House Hersey, he had fostered in the Eyrie for several years before returning to his home isle. Of no great renown or fame, he was nonetheless a marvelous fighter, and one of the youngest men to serve upon the Brotherhood. He was last named to the order, chosen by Roland after the previous member was slain in a skirmish with the Mountain Clans.
 * Ser Peregrine Whettstone, a tall and dark-haired warrior with a penchant for ostentatious display. One of Alaric's closest and longest companions.
 * Ser Robin Arryn, a knight of a lesser branch of House Arryn, he was taken on as a means of teaching the youth proper skill at arms and the tenants of knighthood.
 * Ser Benedar “Bulwark” Redfort, a hulking, powerful-looking man, with broad shoulders and large hands. As fond of his warhammer as he is of using it, in full plate he is an unmovable wall.
 * Thalia “the Warmaiden” Pryor, the first woman of the Order and the only non-knight. Won her place through fierce contest, proving herself the equal of her brothers-in-arms. Mostly serves as a guard to Alys or Anya Arryn; but remains one of the fiercest fighters in the Brotherhood.
 * Ser Triston Waynwood, kin to Osric Arryn's wife. A devoted man of the Brotherhood, who makes up for his less-than-masterful skill with zeal and an endless dedication to duty. Serves in the court of his brother-by-law, in the Gates of the Moon.
 * Ser Rodrick Gullfeather, a skilled archer, capable of downing a sparrow in full flight. Inducted to the order by Roland Arryn, he betrayed his former liege in favour of Alaric during the Crisis of the Crescent.
 * Ser Jorunn Sunderland, a man of the Sisters and a second or third cousin of the main line of Sunderlands. Still boasts the mark, however; but it has yet to marr his fighting ability.

Roland's Members

 * Ser Vardis Ruthermont (Slain by Alester Hersey); The commander of Lord Roland’s Brotherhood, and his friend since boyhood, Vardis was once a contender for the Kingsguard - but rather than serve in some distant court, swore his life and sword to the service of his companion. A masterful warrior, he was famous in tournaments across the Vale in his youth; but upon receiving the falcon’s mark, designating him as a man of the Brotherhood, he never again rode in the lists. His sword was said to have been blessed by a blind septa who lived on an island within a lake, and communed with the Seven every full moon. With it he smote Uther, King in the Mountains, and Sumner Widowmaker, a notorious pirate. It was broken in his duel with Alester Hersey.
 * Ser Alester Hersey (Turncoat), who was the youngest member of the order after being inducted by Roland Arryn. Betrayed him for Alaric Arryn in the Crisis of the Crescent.
 * Ser Marwyn “the Candle” Waxley (Slain by Alaric Arryn); One of the greatest fighters in the Brotherhood, and undoubtedly the most famous. His shock of scarlet hair set him apart on the field of battle, where he whirled and danced like a tongue of flame. He dueled with Alaric Arryn during the final moments of the Crisis, but slipped upon the ground and was slain.
 * Ser Yohn Royce (Slain by Rodrick Gullfeather); Though not nearly the greatest fighter in the Brotherhood, he was also the most noble in birth. House Royce's long history of warcraft and stalwart swordsmanship made him an obvious choice for the band of brothers. Nonetheless, he was betrayed and slain by Rodrick Gullfeather, who stabbed him through the back during the final moments of the Crisis.
 * Ser Osgood Hardyng (Slain in Battle); Too mirthful by half to serve as a good bodguard; and yet, he never once shirked his duty. Slain during the battle on the shore of the lake, during the last moments of the Crisis.
 * Ser Petyr Stone (Slain in Battle); A bastard born in the Snakewood, Petyr was a short, lean, wiry man, with a love for birds that made him swift friends with Jonos Arryn of the Eyrie. Slain during the battle on the shore of the lake, during the last moments of the Crisis.
 * Ser Rodrick Gullfeather (Turncoat); A masterful archer, Rodrick betrayed his liege lord alongside Alester Hersey and turned upon his brothers in arms.
 * Ser Jon Allrock (Slain in Battle); A man of simple beginnings, Jon fought his way upward through the ranks and rosters of the Vale to make it to where he stood. Slain during the battle on the shore of the lake, during the last moments of the Crisis.