Difference between revisions of "Battle of the Blackwater"
(That chapter says there are less than a dozen galleys left. We know there were fifty to begin with, so...) |
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* 130-140 ships burned or wrecked. | * 130-140 ships burned or wrecked. | ||
* 30-40 war galleys scuttled upriver or harassing the Lannister-Tyrell supply lines, with no ability to link back to Stannis' remaining fleet | * 30-40 war galleys scuttled upriver or harassing the Lannister-Tyrell supply lines, with no ability to link back to Stannis' remaining fleet | ||
− | * 47 Lesser lordlings | + | * 47 Lesser lordlings killed |
− | * 619 | + | * 619 knights killed |
− | * Several thousand men-at-arms | + | * Several thousand men-at-arms killed |
* Half the the army south of the Blackwater (~7,500-8,000) switched sides during the battle{{Ref|aSoS|19}} | * Half the the army south of the Blackwater (~7,500-8,000) switched sides during the battle{{Ref|aSoS|19}} | ||
* Several thousand men-at-arms were left behind for lack of space on Saan's fleet, and surrendered. | * Several thousand men-at-arms were left behind for lack of space on Saan's fleet, and surrendered. |
Revision as of 12:00, 1 March 2015
Battle of the Blackwater | |||||||||||||||||
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by Tomasz Jedruszek. © Fantasy Flight Games | |||||||||||||||||
Conflict | War of the Five Kings | ||||||||||||||||
Date | 299 AC | ||||||||||||||||
Place | King's Landing / mouth of the Blackwater Rush | ||||||||||||||||
Result | House Baratheon of King's Landing victory | ||||||||||||||||
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The Battle of the Blackwater is the largest battle in the War of the Five Kings. The battle is fought between forces loyal to Stannis Baratheon and those loyal to Joffrey Baratheon. Stannis's army is on the verge of winning a decisive victory by defeating the rather large garrison of King's Landing, but is taken by surprise and all but annihilated by the joint forces of Tywin Lannister and the Tyrells.
Prelude
Dragonstone
Stannis is one of the members of King Robert Baratheon's small council to harbor suspicions of the parentage of the king's children, and to discover that they were born of incest between Queen Cersei Lannister and her brother, Ser Jaime Lannister.
Taking his suspicions and what proof he could muster, in the form of Robert's numerous bastard children, to Lord Jon Arryn, Stannis hopes to convince the Hand of the King, one of Robert's oldest and most trusted friends, of the Lannisters' treason. When Jon dies under suspicious circumstances shortly thereafter, Stannis flees to Dragonstone, his seat of power, where Stannis closes the port and its surrounding waters.
After Robert dies, Stannis rallies what strength he could, with but few Houses sworn to Dragonstone, and hiring mercenaries and pirates of the Free Cities to augment his forces. As the lord of an island fiefdom and the former Master of Ships, Stannis's naval power is considerable, but the sparse population of the rocky, volcanic islands surrounding Dragonstone leave him without the strength to risk openly contesting the Lannisters.[3][4]
Having failed to rally the storm lords to his cause in secret, Stannis presents his claims through letters distributed throughout the Seven Kingdoms, proclaiming Joffrey Baratheon and his siblings the fruit of incest, and claiming the crown as Robert's eldest surviving brother and rightful heir. With neither proof, nor the support or love of nobles and commons alike, and a rumor spread by the Lannisters that Stannis's own daughter, Shireen Baratheon, is a bastard, Stannis's proclamation ends as little more than tavern gossip.[4]
Battling Renly
Even before Stannis's ravens have taken wing with his claim, his younger brother Renly Baratheon has ridden from King's Landing to Highgarden, where he weds Margaery Tyrell, the daughter of Lord Mace Tyrell, and claims the crown for himself. For Stannis, this is blatant treason. Moreover, Stannis is infuriated with the knowledge that the the Stormlands have thrown in with Renly, despite the fact that Stannis, as the eldest son of House Baratheon, should have held claim to the loyalty of his House's ancestral seat, Storm's End. On Dragonstone Melisandre tells Stannis of two futures she has seen in her flames, one in which Stannis is defeated in King's Landing by his brother Renly, and one in which he sails to Storm's End, where his brother shall die, and his men will flock to Stannis. This leads Stannis to strike for Storm's End.[5]
Stannis lays siege to the coastal fortress, which is under the command of Ser Cortnay Penrose, but all his might is but a meager thing against all the strength of the Stormlands and the Reach at his brother Renly's command. When Renly abandons his march on King's Landing, bringing all his knights and mounted forces to lift the siege, Stannis is vastly outnumbered. However, before the battle can begin, Renly is slain by a shadow called forth by the shadowbinder Melisandre.[6]
With Renly dead, the greater part of the knights and lords who had been sworn to him submit to Stannis, the last Baratheon, chief among them House Florent, relatives of Stannis's wife, Selyse Florent. About a fifth of the cavalry does not submit, and flee under the command of Ser Loras Tyrell back to Bitterbridge, where almost 80,000 men of Renly's army wait with his widowed Tyrell queen.[7][8] Loras captures the knights Stannis sent to try and recruit the Reach and Stormlands infantry still encamped at Bitterbridge.
Prelude
Unaware of the capture of Ser Parmen Crane and Ser Erren Florent, Stannis's army marches on King's Landing. Reinforced with some of the strength of the Stormlands, King Stannis has almost twenty thousand men at his command, mostly knights and freeriders, against the few thousand gold cloaks of the City Watch of King's Landing. However, the city is guarded to the south by the Blackwater Rush, and requires an amphibious assault to conquer. Stannis moves his host and fleet upon King's Landing.
Under the direction of the acting Hand, Tyrion Lannister, King's Landing strengthens its defenses, doubling its City Watch, burning the buildings outside the city walls and constructing a chain which would allow the defenders to close off the Blackwater Rush, as well as preparing ships loaded with wildfire. Tyrion sends out his remaining 150 mountain clansmen to harass Stannis's flanks in the kingswood. Stannis's vanguard arrives early, and Joffrey's war galleys are dispatched to exchange arrows with his forces. The vanguard is said to have five thousand men, flying the banners of Houses Fossoway, Estermont and Florent, under the command of Ser Guyard Morrigen. [9]
Treacherous waters and inclement weather delay Stannis's fleet on its northward journey from Storm's End. About a dozen ships are lost on the journey to Blackwater Bay and the troops on land suffer days of harassment from Tyrion's clansmen and skirmishers in the kingswood, despite burning swaths of the forest trying to ferret them out.[9] Stannis gives command of the fleet to Ser Imry Florent, who commands from Stannis's galley, the Fury. Stannis himself is on the south side of the Blackwater with his host, making them create arrows and rafts.[10]
The Battle
Battle on the River
Stannis's fleet sails up the Blackwater Rush with almost all their strength. Confident of his superior numbers, and knowing that the fleet of King's Landing cannot hope to contest them, Ser Imry does not send scouts ahead, and attacks immediately, leaving only a contingent of 30 Lyseni mercenary galleys led by Salladhor Saan as rearguard out in Blackwater Bay. The fleet is organized into ten battle lines composed of twenty ships each. The first three lines, made of war galleys belonging to the royal navy and the lords of the narrow sea, were to smash the enemy fleet. Behind them the smaller Myrish contingent was to land troops to attack the city, before joining the first three lines in battle. The smaller and slower sailed ships are to ferry Stannis's host.[10]
When Stannis's fleet engages with Joffrey's, they encounter ships loaded to bursting with wildfire, a deadly accelerant, which burns even on water. Spreading downstream it soon engulfs in flames the closely packed ships of both fleets, which find their retreat cut off by the massive chain that has been raised between two winch towers at the mouth of the river.
The wildfire unleashed a tremendous amount of damage, destroying Joffrey's small fleet and a large portion of Stannis's. However, a few of Stannis's ships escape the conflagration: eight ships manage to land troops to the northern bank, and forty or so galleys remain ready to row Stannis's main force across the river. Many of the Myrish galleys also manage to land thier men on the south bank. The congestion of wrecks caught by a pier unwittingly provides a bridge - albeit a burning, unstable one - for the army to cross.[10]
Attack on King's Landing
The city itself is defended by some 5,700 gold cloaks (300 having been sent to escort Petyr Baelish in his attempt to recruit the Tyrells), leavened with 800 mercenaries and 300 knights, squires, and men-at-arms from the court and the surrounding Crownlands. As acting Hand of the King, command of the defense is taken by Tyrion Lannister.[11]
To avoid being overwhelmed, Tyrion tasks several groups of mounted men-at-arms, along with what few knights the city has, to harry Stannis's forces as they come ashore. Under the command of Sandor Clegane and Ser Balon Swann of the Kingsguard, they manage to help stem the tide, but as the battle drags on, they suffer grievous casualties. Battering rams are brought to bear on at least two of the city's gates, and when the wildfire raging across the river finally robs Clegane of his courage, the refusal of the fearsome Hound to lead any more sorties threatens to break the morale of the defenders.
Realizing that they have to drive off the rams and hold the river at all costs, Tyrion makes to lead the next sortie himself. Shamed into action by the dwarf's display of courage, the Kingslanders rally to clear the riverbank one last time; at this point Cersei, fearing for her son, has Joffrey withdraw to the Red Keep from amongst the men.[12] As soon as the defenders see the king retire, their morale breaks and they begin throwing down their spears and flee by the hundreds, leaving the walls and killing their officers, including Ser Jacelyn Bywater, in the process. Tyrion manages to disperse the attackers at the King's Gate and make for the Mud Gate,[13] where he takes the fight to the riverfront as they observe a large group of Stannis's soldiers crossing over the bridge of ship wreckage in the river. However, in the fighting amidst the wreckage of the collapsing bridge of boats, Tyrion is severely wounded at the hands of Ser Mandon Moore of the Kingsguard, who had been Tyrion's sworn shield throughout the battle. [14] With the bridge breaking up and their Hand lost in battle, the defenders retreat within the city walls. At this point the battle seems to be lost.[15]
Arrival of Tywin Lannister
Though Stannis's army is still split across the Blackwater, victory is now within his grasp. Just as quickly as the tide had turned in his favor, however, it is turned again by the sudden appearance of foes on his flanks. Unknown to either the attackers or the defenders, the Tyrells have accepted Tyrion's alliance offer, which was sent with Petyr Baelish, and Renly's former army has marched from Bitterbridge, uniting with Lord Tywin Lannister's own host in the shadow of the kingswood.[12]
Tyrion's wildlings in the kingswood create a blind spot for Stannis by killing his outriders and scouts, and allow the Tyrell vanguard to take Stannis's smaller and partially crossed host unaware from the side. Lord Tywin leads the right, on the north side of the river, Mace Tyrell the left, and Randyll Tarly the center, but much of the fighting is done by the vanguard, led by Ser Garlan Tyrell.
Garlan is dressed in the ornate and unmistakable armor of the late Renly Baratheon, leading to confusion and disorder amongst Stannis's ranks, and even stories that Renly has risen from the dead and fights as a ghost for Joffrey. "Renly's shade" slays Guyard Morrigen, who leads Stannis's van.
Divided, surprised, and outnumbered, Stannis's host breaks quickly, with most of his lords bannermen switching allegiance mid-battle, proving as fickle to Stannis as they had to the deceased Renly. The Bastard of Nightsong leads a rearguard action that allows some Stannis loyalists, chiefly Florents, to escape, along with Stannis himself on the Lysene galleys which had been left in Blackwater Bay while the rest of the fleet burned.[16] However, thousands of troops are left behind.[17]
Aftermath
Despite Stannis Baratheon's survival, the battle is a major defeat for House Baratheon of Dragonstone, as he is able to retreat with only a fraction of his army and a token fleet to Dragonstone.
Most of the captured storm lords and men of the Reach bend the knee to King Joffrey. With the newly forged Tyrell alliance, the Lannisters now control the whole south and west, commanding overwhelming superiority of numbers in the field. The end of the war seems close.
Honors and Rewards
King Joffrey and the small council grant the following honors and rewards to the participants and survivors of the battle:
- Lord Tywin Lannister, proclaimed "Savior of the City"
- Lord Mace Tyrell, a seat on the small council as Master of Ships.
- Ser Loras Tyrell, a place in the Kingsguard, replacing Ser Mandon Moore.
- Ser Garlan Tyrell, the titles, lands and incomes of House Florent, including lordship of Brightwater Keep. He also asks King Joffrey to marry his sister Margaery Tyrell.
- Lords Mathis Rowan and Paxter Redwyne seats on the small council as advisers
- Ser Boros Blount, re-instated to the Kingsguard to replace Sandor Clegane.
- Ser Philip Foote, the lands, rights and incomes of House Caron, including Lordship of Nightsong as Lord Foote, for slaying Lord Bryce Caron.
- Lothor Brune, raised to knighthood and granted land and keep in the Riverlands for the capture of Ser Jon Fossoway and the slaying of Ser Bryan and Ser Edwyd Fossoway after fighting past half a hundred Fossoway men-at-arms.
- Josmyn Peckledon, a sword and suit of plate and a warhorse of the royal stables as well as a knighthood when coming of age, for killing two knights, wounding a third and capturing two more.
- Goodman Willit, a Swyft man-at-arms who saved his master Harys Swyft from beneath his dying horse and a dozen attackers. Granted a spear with a silver-banded haft, a hauberk of new-forged ringmail and a full helm with visor. His elder son taken as a squire and his younger one as page at Casterly Rock.
- Wisdom Hallyne, raised to lordship, credited for the employment of wildfire in the battle.
- Ser Lancel Lannister, granted the lands, castle and rights of House Darry as Lord of Darry.
- Lord Petyr Baelish, for his "faithful service to crown and realm", granted the castle of Harrenhal with all its attendant lands and incomes, and raised to Lord Paramount of the Trident.
- Bronn, captain of the guard of Tyrion Lannister, raised to knighthood as Ser Bronn of the Blackwater. Credited for the chain.
- Osfryd and Osney Kettleblack, also raised to knighthood.
- Surviving captains from Joffrey's warships River Arrow, Wildwind and Prince Aemon, and under officers from Godsgrace, Ramshead, Lance and Lady of Silk, honored by the crown.[18]
Highborn Hostages
- Lord Ardrian Celtigar
- Lord Alesander Staedmon
- Lord Steffon Varner
- Lord Willum
- Ser Eldon Estermont
- Ser Mark Mullendore
- Ser Tanton Fossoway
- Ser Donnel Swann
- Ser Ronnet Connington
- Ser Jon Fossoway
- Ser Bonifer Hasty
- Ser Dermot of the Rainwood
- Ser Timon the Scrapesword
- Josua Willum
- Elyas Willum
- Aurane Waters
Notable Casualties
Lannister/Tyrell forces
- Ser Mandon Moore
- Ser Jacelyn Bywater
- Ser Ben Bushy
- Ser Richard Farrow
- Ser Will the Stork
Stannis' forces
- Ser Imry Florent
- Ser Guyard Morrigen
- Lord Monford Velaryon
- Lord Bryce Caron
- Lord Chyttering
- Ser Bryan Fossoway
- Ser Edwyd Fossoway
- Ser Herbert Bolling
- Dale Seaworth
- Allard Seaworth
- Maric Seaworth
- Matthos Seaworth
Ships
King Joffrey
King Stannis
- Fury, Ser Imry Florent's flagship
- Lord Steffon
- Stag of the Sea
- Pride of Driftmark
- Red Claw
- Swordfish
- Bold Laughter
- Harridan
- Seahorse
- Piety
- Prayer
- Devotion
- Lady Harra
- Brightfish
- Laughing Lord
- Sea Demon
- Horned Honor
- Ragged Jenna
- Swift Sword
- Trident Three
- Princess Rhaenys
- Queen Alysanne
- Dog's Nose
- Faithful
- Sceptre
- Red Raven
- Cat
- Courageous
- Dragonsbane
- Black Betha
- Lady Marya
- Wraith
- Valyrian
Quotes
It was Lord Renly! Lord Renly in his green armor, with the fire shimmering off his golden antlers! Lord Renly with his tall spear in his hand! They say he killed Ser Guyard Morrigen himself in single combat, and a dozen other great knights as well. It was Renly, it was Renly, it was Renly! Oh! the banners, darling Sansa! Oh! to be a knight![12]
– Dontos Hollard, to Sansa Stark
My hirelings betray me, my friends are scourged and shamed, and I lie here rotting. I thought I won the bloody battle. Is this what triumph tastes like?[15]
– Tyrion Lannister's thoughts
Too many good men died that day.[17]
– Tyrion Lannister, to Kem
See also
References and Notes
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 19, Tyrion III.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 17, Cersei IV.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Prologue.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 10, Davos I.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 42, Davos II.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 33, Catelyn IV.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 36, Tyrion VIII.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 44, Tyrion X.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 52, Sansa IV.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 58, Davos III.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 49, Tyrion XI.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 62, Sansa VII.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 59, Tyrion XIII.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 61, Tyrion XIV.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 4, Tyrion I.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 54, Davos V.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 66, Tyrion XII.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 65, Sansa VIII.
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