House Belmore of Strongsong is reckoned among the more powerful lines sworn to House Arryn of the Eyrie, and one of the chief lords of the western Vale. Their seat lies in the hills below the Giant's Lance, where the bells of Strongsong have answered the falcon's call since the Andal kings rode down out of the high passes. The Belmores blazon their banners with six silver bells upon a field of purple, three above two above one — a peal as orderly as the line itself, and as conservative.
In the years of Robert's reign Lord Benedar Belmore keeps Strongsong for Lord Jon Arryn, and after Lord Jon's death for his widow Lysa and her son Robert. At the opening of A Game of Thrones Lord Benedar is reckoned among the Lords Declarant who will, before long, force the question of who rules the Vale in the boy lord's name — a question that Strongsong's bells will, in the manner of bells, do nothing to answer quietly.