Difference between revisions of "Military strength"

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During [[Aegon's Conquest]], thirty thousand men from the Reach marched against Aegon I Targaryen, joining their forces with the [[westerlands]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} [[House Hightower]] is known to have been able to field much more than nine thousand men durign the reign of [[Aegon II Targaryen]].{{Ref|TPATQ}}
 
During [[Aegon's Conquest]], thirty thousand men from the Reach marched against Aegon I Targaryen, joining their forces with the [[westerlands]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} [[House Hightower]] is known to have been able to field much more than nine thousand men durign the reign of [[Aegon II Targaryen]].{{Ref|TPATQ}}
  
Supported by [[Highgarden]] and [[Storm's End]], the host of [[Renly Baratheon]] is said to number a hundred thousand.{{ref|ACOK|17}} Renly himself claims to have eighty thousand with him at Bitterbridge, while another ten thousand are with Lord [[Mace Tyrell]] at Highgarden.{{ref|ACOK|22}} During the [[siege of Storm's End (299)|siege of Storm's End]], Renly brings his cavalry of ten thousand,{{ref|acok|33}} and claims they will soon be reinforced with a hundred thousand swords and spears.{{ref|ACOK|31}} After Renly's assassination, Catelyn thinks that Renly's ten thousand horse will go over to Stannis.{{ref|ACOK|33}} Stannis later tells Ser [[Cortnay Penrose]] that he now has twenty thousand men. Renly's foot, near sixty thousand, remains at Bitterbridge, however, and some —especially those of [[House Florent]]— are put to death by Lord [[Randyll Tarly]].{{ref|ACOK|42}}{{ref|ACOK|44}} Exactly how many men from Renly's host were from the Reach, and how many from the stormlands, is unknown.
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Supported by [[Highgarden]] and [[Storm's End]], the host of [[Renly Baratheon]] is said to number a hundred thousand.{{ref|ACOK|17}} Renly himself claims to have eighty thousand with him at Bitterbridge, while another ten thousand are with Lord [[Mace Tyrell]] at Highgarden.{{ref|ACOK|22}} During the [[siege of Storm's End (299)|siege of Storm's End]], Renly brings his cavalry of twenty thousand,{{ref|acok|33}} and claims they will soon be reinforced with a hundred thousand swords and spears.{{ref|ACOK|31}} After Renly's assassination, Catelyn thinks that Renly's horse, of which at least ten thousand are lancers, will go over to Stannis.{{ref|ACOK|33}} Stannis later tells Ser [[Cortnay Penrose]] that he now has twenty thousand men. Renly's foot, near sixty thousand, remains at Bitterbridge, however, and some —especially those of [[House Florent]]— are put to death by Lord [[Randyll Tarly]].{{ref|ACOK|42}}{{ref|ACOK|44}} Exactly how many men from Renly's host were from the Reach, and how many from the stormlands, is unknown.
  
[[Petyr Baelish]] tells [[Joffrey Baratheon]]'s [[small council]] that a marriage with Renly's widow, [[Margaery Tyrell]], would bring her father Mace's fifty thousand swords.{{ref|ACOK|36}} According to Tyrion Lannister, some seventy thousand [[House Tyrell|Tyrell soldiers]] are in the city's vicinity once House Tyrell and House Lannister form an alliance.{{ref|ASOS|38}} Half of the Reach's strength returns home later on, whereas the other half goes to besiege Storm's End.{{ref|affc|12}}{{ref|affc|16}} When the Reach is under attack, Ser [[Loras Tyrell]] claims that Highgarden can raise ten thousand men in a fortnight, and twenty thousand in a month.{{ref|AFFC|32}}
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[[Petyr Baelish]] tells [[Joffrey Baratheon]]'s [[small council]] that a marriage with Renly's widow, [[Margaery Tyrell]], would bring her father Mace's fifty thousand swords.{{ref|ACOK|36}} According to Tyrion Lannister, some fifty to seventy thousand [[House Tyrell|Tyrell soldiers]] are in the city's vicinity once House Tyrell and House Lannister form an alliance.{{ref|ASOS|38}} Half of the Reach's strength returns home later on, whereas the other half goes to besiege Storm's End.{{ref|affc|12}}{{ref|affc|16}} When the Reach is under attack, Ser [[Loras Tyrell]] claims that Highgarden can raise ten thousand men in a fortnight, and twenty thousand in a month.{{ref|AFFC|32}}
  
 
The naval strength of the Reach is made up mostly out of the [[Redwyne fleet]] of the [[Arbor]], which contains two hundred warships.{{ref|AFFC|32}} Further naval strength can be found at the [[Shield Islands]],{{Ref|AFFC|29}} and likely the coastal lords. According to a semi-canon source from 2005, these warships dip a hundred oars or more.{{Ref|rpg|guardiansorder}}
 
The naval strength of the Reach is made up mostly out of the [[Redwyne fleet]] of the [[Arbor]], which contains two hundred warships.{{ref|AFFC|32}} Further naval strength can be found at the [[Shield Islands]],{{Ref|AFFC|29}} and likely the coastal lords. According to a semi-canon source from 2005, these warships dip a hundred oars or more.{{Ref|rpg|guardiansorder}}

Revision as of 19:50, 3 June 2019

Knights from Starfall in battle

Military strength is the aggregate power of fighting forces under the command of a leader, which includes armies and fleets of ships.

During times of war, a liege can "call his banners", thereby raising his army. His bannermen, then, respond by raising their own respective forces, which differ in size, depending on the amount of lands and vassals a lord or knight possesses. In addition to this land force, there are some lords or powers who have their own fleets (e.g. House Redwyne, the Iron Throne, Braavos). Others might include creatures to their forces, like dragons, as used by the dragonlords of the Valyrian Freehold of old and by House Targaryen as recently as the Dance of the Dragons, and elephants, as used by the Golden Company.

Armies can be made up out of several social classes. Nobly-born lords, knights, and smallfolk can be called to arms. Additionally, sellswords and sellsword companies are also, at times, hired.

Multiple factors influence the size of an army. George R.R. Martin has mentioned that the size of the region (influencing the time it takes an army to gather), the harshness of life, the population, wealth and fertility of the region, the amount of leadership, and the terrain are factors.[1]

While for most regions of the known world no exact total numbers have been given, nor can be given, this page reflects the known numbers that are described to have been used in battles, or have been mentioned elsewhere.

Westeros

Beyond the Wall

Mance Rayder's horde of free folk in 299 AC is estimated by Jon Snow to be thirty to forty thousand strong while he's traveling with them,[2] including elderly, women and children. Satin, with a full view of the horde from the top of the Wall, estimates it at a hundred thousand.[3]

The free folk are defeated by Stannis Baratheon and the Night's Watch in the battle beneath the Wall.[2] According to Stannis, the free folk combatants outnumbered his soldiers twenty to one,[4] putting the total number of free folk warriors at around sixteen thousand (as Stannis defeated them solely with cavalry, and his troops possessed eight hundred horses).[5] Free folk military forces include hundreds of giants[6] and over a hundred war mammoths.[3]

Later, Tormund leads three thousand one hundred and nineteen free folk through the gates of the Wall at Castle Black.[7] Many of the free folk follow Mother Mole to Hardhome; Varamyr Sixskins believes the number to have been hundreds,[8] but Bowen Marsh later reports that more than six thousand wildlings are at Hardhome with Mother Mole.[9]

The Thenns have at least 300 soldiers, all equipped with bronze weapons and armor. 96 are killed assaulting Castle Black,[10] an unknown number are killed in the Battle beneath the Wall, and 200 are still sworn to Sigorn in the aftermath.[11]

The Night's Watch

The numbers of the Night's Watch have long been dwindling.[12] During Aegon's Conquest, the Night's Watch numbered ten thousand strong.[13] However, by 298 AC, their strength has dwindled to less than a thousand.[14] Of these thousand, six hundred are stationed at Castle Black, two hundred at the Shadow Tower, and fewer at Eastwatch-by-the-Sea.[14] In 299 AC, Lord Commander Jeor Mormont organizes the Great Ranging, leading two hundred men from Castle Black, to be joined by a hundred men from the Shadow Tower.[15][6] Of these three hundred men, only fourteen survive and return to the Wall.[16] When the new Lord Commander is being chosen, five hundred eighty-eight token are cast, with only one brother not voting,[17] indicating that the strength of the Night's Watch, as a result from the Attack on the Fist of the First Men, and the attacks made by the free folk on numerous locations along the Wall, numbers less than six hundred men.

In late 233 AC, when Ser Brynden Rivers was sent to the Wall, two hundred men went with him. Many of them were archers from Rivers's personal guard, the Raven's Teeth.[18]

The North

A semi-canon source from 2005 states that the north has perhaps forty-five thousand soldiers, though gathering them all takes a lot of time, due to the size of the land and the low density of the population.[19] According to George R.R. Martin, the north's military strength is about equal to that of the Vale, and Dorne.[1] Since Brandon the Burner burned his father's fleet, the north has had no strength at sea,[20] In more recent times, however, House Manderly has begun the construction of a new fleet,[20] which counts about forty-six ships by the first half of 300 AC.[21][22][N 1]

Possibly, the effort of gathering an army in the north is reflected in the size of the armies gathered by the Starks of Winterfell. During Aegon's Conquest (2 BC-1 BC), the north marched to war with an army of thirty thousand.[23] Roughly a century later, during the Dance of the Dragons, Lord Roderick Dustin led a group of northmen called the Winter Wolves, numbering two thousand strong, south to take part in the war.[24] Lord Cregan Stark followed much later, but brought a much larger army.[25]

More recently, during the War of the Five Kings, Robb Stark gathered an army of twelve thousand at Winterfell. These twelve thousand include two thousand three hundred men from Karhold under the command of House Karstark (two thousand foot, three hundred horse).[26] In total, the host of twelve thousand counts three to four hundred knights, and three thousand northern cavalry.[26] When the Stark host marches, others join them along the kingsroad,[26] and by the time the host reaches Moat Cailin, it is about eighteen thousand large.[27] House Manderly adds another fifteen hundred men,[27] bringing the total to nineteen thousand five hundred men.

An unknown number of men have been left at Moat Cailin, and an additional four hundred have been left at the Twins. Joined by four thousand men from House Frey from the riverlands, Robb Stark splits the northern host and takes nine/tenth of his cavalry[N 2] to Riverrun.[28] He is joined on the road there, by forces from House Mallister and others, which swells the host to some six thousand thousand men.[29] With these men, Robb Stark fights in the Battle of the Whispering Wood and later the Battle of the Camps.

Meanwhile, the other tenth of the northern cavalry marches with the northern foot south under the leadership of Lord Roose Bolton,[N 3] where he fights the Battle of the Green Fork against House Lannister.[28][30] Bolton retreats, and later during the war is known to have ten thousand soldiers under his command.[31] A large number of these ten thousand, equaling one-third of Robb's infantry, are lost after the Battle at Duskendale.[32]

In the meantime, after Winterfell has fallen to Theon Greyjoy, Ser Rodrik Cassel raises an army of near two thousand northmen to retake the castle. However, he is betrayed by six hundred Boltons in the battle at Winterfell.[33]

Robb Stark leads thirty-five hundred veterans from the Whispering Wood[N 4] north from Riverrun to the Twins.[34] Roose Bolton marches with some sixty-one hundred men towards the Twins,[N 5] but comes under attack by Gregor Clegane on the southern side when crossing the Trident at the ruby ford, after two-thirds of his men had already made the crossing.[35] Some two thousand men[N 5] are either drowned or slain, taken captive, or flee.[35] Roose leaves another six hundred men behind at the ruby ford under the command of Ser Kyle Condon and Ronnel Stout to defend the crossing, and brings the remaining three thousand foot and five hundred horse, a force consisting mostly of men sworn to House Bolton, with some sworn to House Karstark, with him to the Twins.[35] According to Robb, when he joins his thirty-five hundred with the men Roose Bolton brings (another thirty-five hundred) and the men of House Frey, their numbers should equal more than twelve thousand,[34] a count that presumably includes the crannogmen, the two thousand men Roose lost at the Trident, and the six hundred he left behind. When House Bolton and House Frey betray House Stark during the Red Wedding, however, a large number of men are killed.

From the roughly twenty thousand northmen who marched south with Robb Stark at the start of the War of the Five Kings, only one in five returns north, most of them men from House Bolton.[36] According to Theon Greyjoy, Roose later has six thousand men or more at Winterfell.[37]

In 300 AC, the northern mountain clans march to battle, and Night's Watch Lord Commander Jon Snow believes two or three thousand men might take the field.[38] Following the fight by Deepwood Motte, after the mountain clans, House Mormont, men once sworn to House Hornwood, Cerwyn, and Tallhart who had survived the battle outside the gates of Winterfell, and smallfolk who had fled from the ironborn join Stannis' army as well, his army is five thousand strong.[39] The northmen have an easier time during the march than the fifteen hundred southrons. However, the army dwindles as it becomes snowbound at a crofter's village in the wolfswood during their march on Winterfell.[40][5]

The Iron Islands

Ships of the Iron Fleet

According to a semi-canon source from 2005, the Iron Isles can raise approximately twenty thousand men.[19] George R. R. Martin has indicated that the major lords of the ironborn can each float around one hundred ships.[41] A longship such as Sea Bitch has fifty oars, while Great Kraken and Iron Victory are larger.[42] The Iron Fleet alone consists of one hundred ships which are three times larger than the standard longship.[43] The only fleets comparable to those of the Iron Islands are the royal fleet in the crownlands and the Redwyne fleet from the Reach.[44]

In 300 AC, King Tommen I Baratheon's small council hears reports that the ironborn have attacked the Shield Islands with a thousand ships, though several council members believe the number of five hundred ships to be closer to the truth.[45] This count includes the Iron Fleet. After the taking of the Shields, Victarion Greyjoy leads the ninety-three ships from the Iron Fleet toward Slaver's Bay,[43] the other seven having been lost in the months before (one sank during a storm,[46] the other six were lost in battle[47]). Victarion splits the fleet of ninety-three ships in three squadrons, to reunite at the Isle of Cedars. The fleet, however, suffers three large storms, and only forty-three ships from the Iron Fleet make it to the rendezvous point.[43] The fleet is strengthened with nine ships captured along the way, bringing the total to fifty-four. Of these, fifty-three continue the journey to Slaver's Bay.[43] More ships are captured along the way, bringing the Iron Fleet's total to sixty-one.[48]

The Riverlands

A semi-canon source from 2005 states that the riverlands can field roughly forty-five thousand men.[19]

During Aegon's Conquest, Aegon I Targaryen besieged Harrenhal with a host of eight thousand, which included men from the riverlands. After the burning of Harrenhal, he marched against the Reach with a host of eleven thousand, most riverlanders.[23] During the Dance of the Dragons, the Lords of the Trident raised six thousand six hundred men to battle Ser Criston Cole en route from Harrenhal to the Blackwater.[24] Ser Addam Velaryon later gathered near four thousand men from the riverlands.[24]

House Frey raised four thousand soldiers at the start of the War of the Five Kings,[28] with one thousand of them knights and near three thousand foot.[49] They later supply the northern host commanded by Roose Bolton at Harrenhal with an additional fifteen hundred soldiers, commanded by Ser Aenys Frey.[50] The other riverlords combined can raise at least an additional eleven thousand, including eight thousand foot and three thousand horse.[31] After the Red Wedding, Ryman Frey leads two thousand soldiers of House Frey against Riverrun.[51] When the Bolton host marches back north after the Red Wedding, fifteen hundred Frey's accompany them.[36]

Renly Baratheon believes that a host of twenty thousand riverlanders has joined Robb Stark and his nearly twenty thousand northerners. According to Catelyn Stark, however, the actual number is much less.[52]

While the riverlands are rich, fertile and populous, the region lacks natural borders, and suffers from divided leadership, affecting the number of soldiers House Tully of Riverrun can call to battle.[1]

Vale of Arryn

Not much is known about the numbers of the Vale of Arryn, either about the knights of the Vale or the common men-at-arms. According to a semi-canon sources from 2005, the Vale can raise perhaps as many as forty-five thousand men.[19] George R. R. Martin has previously stated that the Vale is roughly equal in military strength to the north and Dorne.[1] The Vale has not yet participated in the War of the Five Kings, and thus, has not yet suffered any losses due to the war. In the present story, the six Lords Declarant are able to raise a host of twenty thousand.[53] Of these twenty thousand, they bring six thousand to the Gates of the Moon, which is held by Lord Nestor Royce's garrison of less than three hundred.[54] The exact numbers the remainder of the lords of the Vale can field, are currently unknown.

The Vale also has a fleet.[23] The Kings of Mountain and Vale did not neglect their fleets when they still reigned, which might have counted hundreds of ships at Gulltown alone.[55] The Arryn fleet has fought in several more recent battles; however, it’s current size is unknown.

The Vale mountain clans also participate in the War of the Five Kings. Three hundred clansmen join Tyrion Lannister at the start of the war on the side of House Lannister, fighting with him in the battle on the Green Fork, in which half of them die.[56]

The Westerlands

A semi-canon source from 2005 states that the westerlands can field fifty thousand men, though this includes green boys as well, and depleted many castle garrisons.[19]

During Aegon's Conquest, the King of the Rock, Loren I Lannister, marched with a host of twenty-two thousand from the westerlands, which he joined with the host of the Reach.[23]

The Lannister fleet at Lannisport consists of twenty or thirty cogs, carracks, galleys, and dromonds, while lesser lords have two or three ships for patrolling. In total, the westerman float fifty or sixty larger ships, while longships are used for coastal defense.[44]

In 260 AC, a thousand knights and ten thousand men-at-arms from the westerlands marched to battle in the Stepstones, during the War of the Ninepenny Kings.[57] Upon return after the war, five hundred knights formed a company commanded by Ser Kevan Lannister. In late 261 AC, Ser Tywin Lannister rode forth to face the Reyne-Tarbeck revolt with five hundred knights and three thousand men-at-arms, as well as three thousand crossbowmen.[N 6] With this force, Tarbeck Hall was destroyed.[57] According to semi-canon sources, Houses Westerling, Banefort, Plumm, and Stackspear together were able to gather roughly sixty-five hundred more men, doubling the Lannister host in size.[58] Lord Roger Reyne, who had hastily gathered his forces to give aid to House Tarbeck, was only able to gather two thousand men in such a short time.[59] According to semi-canon sources, this was only a quarter of his available strength.[58] A surprise attack from the Reyne's left half of Lord Roger's forces dead.[57]

In 283 AC, Lord Tywin Lannister commanded twelve thousand Lannister men during the Sack of King's Landing.[60] More recently, at the start of the War of the Five Kings, the westerlands gathered two armies: one of twenty thousand strong under the command of Lord Tywin Lannister,[56] and another of fourteen or fifteen thousand strong, commanded by Ser Jaime Lannister.[29] Meanwhile, Stafford Lannister is raising a third Lannister army, with an unknown amount of men.[61][62] The army is later attacked, and thousands are slain.[63] It is currently unknown how many men of this army still remain. Meanwhile, Lord Tywin has retreated with his twenty thousand men to Harrenhal,[64] fights with them in the Battle of the Fords in the riverlands,[31] and next marches them to King's Landing.[65] All but some three thousand later return to the westerlands.[66] Of the soldiers remaining, two thousand sail to Dragonstone for the siege, while less than a thousand accompany Jaime Lannister into the riverlands to aid with the siege of Riverrun.[67]

House Lannister can also field a fleet. The Lannister fleet at Lannisport consists of twenty or thirty cogs, carracks, galleys, and dromonds, while lesser lords have two or three ships for patrolling.[44] A semi-canon sources from 2005 estimates the total naval power of the westerlands to be “probably closer to fifty or sixty large ships”.[19] Though the Lannister fleet has been burned as recently as 289 AC,[42] the ships who have been lost have been rebuild.[44]

The Crownlands

Fury, a triple-decked war galley of three hundred oars, belonging to Stannis Baratheon

According to a semi-canon source from 2005, the mainland lords of the crownlands can raise ten to fifteen thousand men.[19]

During Aegon's Conquest, Houses Darklyn and Mooton combined raised an army of three thousand men.[23] The royal fleet of House Targaryen was then based at King's Landing and Dragonstone. During the Dance of the Dragons (129 AC-131 AC), Prince Aemond Targaryen gathered an army from King's Landing of four thousand men, within a fortnight.[24]

The main defense of King's Landing are the gold cloaks. In 298 AC, they number two thousand.[68] Ser Jacelyn Bywater augments the City Watch to six thousand in early 299 AC.[69] Following the Battle of the Blackwater, due to deaths and desertions, only some forty-four hundred men remain.[70] Later that year, numbers have increased to nearly five thousand.[65]

Mace Tyrell later adds a hundred men from Highgarden to the gold cloaks.[71]

In the crownlands, the Faith Militant played a larger role during the reign of King Maegor I Targaryen, until they were disbanded by his successor, King Jaehaerys I Targaryen. Of old, the Faith's military orders consisted out of the Poor Fellows and the Warrior's Sons. The Poor Fellows were far more numerous.[72] During the battle at the Great Fork of the Blackwater, thirteen thousand Poor Fellows and hundreds of knights from the Warrior's Sons from the chapter at the Stoney Sept were joined by hundred from the riverlands and westerlands in battle against King Maegor I, who was victorious.[73] More recently, in 300 AC, more than two thousand sparrows have gathered in King's Landing.[74]

The crownlands is also home to the royal fleet, which is one of the main three forces at sea in Westeros.[44] The exact number of ships of the royal fleet are unknown; The royal fleet as it had been under House Targaryen was mostly destroyed in 284 AC during a summer storm,[75] though some ships from the fleet might have survived.[N 7] A new fleet has since been build. In 298 AC, Stannis Baratheon, then the master of ships, sails most of the royal fleet to Dragonstone,[76] leaving only some fifty ships behind in King’s Landing.[76] While Stannis later sets sail with some two hundred ships,[77] it is unknown how many of these originally belonged to the royal fleet. The largest war galley of the royal fleet is King Robert's Hammer, which has four hundred oars.[76][77]

Dragonstone

Dragonstone can field the least amount of soldiers.[1] Its garrison is made up out of thirty knights, a hundred crossbowmen, and three hundred men-at-arms.[24] When Aegon I Targaryen in 2 BC first prepared to sail to Westeros to begin his conquest, he summoned his friends, bannermen, and allies. His bannermen included House Velaryon of Driftmark, House Celtigar of Claw Isle, House Bar Emmon or Sharp Point and House Massey of Stonedance (the latter two actually being sworn to Storm's End). Their numbers were small, and it is unknown how many men set sail from Dragonstone with Aegon, as accounts differ, suggesting both a force of three thousand, as well as a force of several hundreds.[23]

In 299 AC, Stannis Baratheon's host includes three thousand men along the shore of Dragonstone.[78] During the Siege of Storm's End, Stannis's forces number five thousand, with less than four hundred horse.[79] Forces from the stormlands join Stannis after Renly Baratheon's death. Ser Guyard Morrigen leads Stannis's vanguard of near five thousand prior to the Battle of the Blackwater.[80] Stannis's host numbers near twenty thousand knights, light horse, and freeriders,[77] though this includes men from the stormlands.

After Stannis has arrived at the Wall, Samwell Tarly observes more than a thousand southron soldiers at Castle Black.[17] According to Davos, Stannis arrived north with "no more than fifteen hundred men".[81]

The Stormlands

According to a semi-canon source from 2005, the stormlands can field perhaps thirty-thousand men.[19]

In 206 AC, House Dondarrion was able to gather nearly four thousand infantry and eight hundred cavalry.[82]

In 299 AC, supported by Highgarden and Storm's End, the host of Renly Baratheon is said to number a hundred thousand.[83] Renly himself claims to have eighty thousand with him at Bitterbridge, while another ten thousand are with Lord Mace Tyrell at Highgarden.[52] During the siege of Storm's End, Renly brings his cavalry of ten thousand, and claims they will soon be reinforced with a hundred thousand swords and spears.[79] After Renly's assassination, Catelyn thinks that Renly's ten thousand cavalry will go over to Stannis.[84] Stannis later tells Ser Cortnay Penrose that he now has twenty thousand men. Renly's foot, near sixty thousand, remains at Bitterbridge, however, and some—especially those of House Florent—are put to death by Lord Randyll Tarly.[85][86] Exactly how many men from Renly's host were from the Reach, and how many from the stormlands, is unknown, but as House Tyrell is later stated to be able to field seventy thousand men,[65] and Renly previously had ninety thousand,[52] it is implied that there were some twenty thousand stormlanders among Renly's forces.

During the Battle of the Blackwater, Stannis's host numbers near twenty thousand knights, light horse, and freeriders.[77] As he previously had five thousand soldiers,[79] fifteen thousand men have joined him since Renly's death. As Renly's force at Storm's End only was ten thousand men strong,[79] made up out of both forces from the stormlands and the reach, and a fifth of his men aprocimately two thousand men are said to have left with Ser Loras Tyrell,[87] the additional seven thousand appear to come solely from the stormlands.

The Reach

Cavalry from Brightwater Keep - by artist Tomasz Jedruszek. © Fantasy Flight Games.

According to a semi-canon source from 2005, the Reach can field eighty to a hundred thousand men, of which a third to a quarter will be cavalry.[19]

During Aegon's Conquest, thirty thousand men from the Reach marched against Aegon I Targaryen, joining their forces with the westerlands.[23] House Hightower is known to have been able to field much more than nine thousand men durign the reign of Aegon II Targaryen.[24]

Supported by Highgarden and Storm's End, the host of Renly Baratheon is said to number a hundred thousand.[83] Renly himself claims to have eighty thousand with him at Bitterbridge, while another ten thousand are with Lord Mace Tyrell at Highgarden.[52] During the siege of Storm's End, Renly brings his cavalry of twenty thousand,[84] and claims they will soon be reinforced with a hundred thousand swords and spears.[79] After Renly's assassination, Catelyn thinks that Renly's horse, of which at least ten thousand are lancers, will go over to Stannis.[84] Stannis later tells Ser Cortnay Penrose that he now has twenty thousand men. Renly's foot, near sixty thousand, remains at Bitterbridge, however, and some —especially those of House Florent— are put to death by Lord Randyll Tarly.[85][86] Exactly how many men from Renly's host were from the Reach, and how many from the stormlands, is unknown.

Petyr Baelish tells Joffrey Baratheon's small council that a marriage with Renly's widow, Margaery Tyrell, would bring her father Mace's fifty thousand swords.[87] According to Tyrion Lannister, some fifty to seventy thousand Tyrell soldiers are in the city's vicinity once House Tyrell and House Lannister form an alliance.[65] Half of the Reach's strength returns home later on, whereas the other half goes to besiege Storm's End.[88][66] When the Reach is under attack, Ser Loras Tyrell claims that Highgarden can raise ten thousand men in a fortnight, and twenty thousand in a month.[45]

The naval strength of the Reach is made up mostly out of the Redwyne fleet of the Arbor, which contains two hundred warships.[45] Further naval strength can be found at the Shield Islands,[47] and likely the coastal lords. According to a semi-canon source from 2005, these warships dip a hundred oars or more.[19]

Dorne

An army of House Qorgyle on the march - by Tomasz Jedruszek. © Fantasy Flight Games

In the time before the Andals, King Ferris Fowler led ten thousand men against King Garth VII Gardener, during the Golden Reign.[89] At the time, House Fowler ruled one of the three most powerful kingdoms in Dorne (the other two being House Dayne of Starfall and House Yronwood of Yronwood.[90]

During Aegon's Conquest, the Dornish did not give battle. However, in 37 AC, at the start of the reign of King Aenys I Targaryen, a rebel known as the Vulture King rose. He was said to have a following of thirty thousand, to resist House Targaryen with.[91]

More recently, House Martell sent ten thousand soldiers to fight under the Targaryen banner at the Battle of the Trident, in 283 AC, led by Prince Lewyn Martell.[92][93]

Currently, the Martells are believed to be able to raise fifty thousand soldiers.[83][94] However, when, following his conquest of Dorne, King Daeron I Targaryen wrote his book called The Conquest of Dorne, he exaggerated the quantity of his opponents to enhance his victory. House Martell has never corrected this claim, in order to make Dorne appear stronger.[95] Dorne's true military numbers have not yet been revealed, though George R. R. Martin has previously stated that Dorne is roughly equal in military strength to the north and Vale.[1]

Dorne has had no strength at sea since the Rhoynish warrior queen Nymeria burned her ten thousand ships a thousand years ago.[96]

Miscellaneous

During Robert's Rebellion, Prince Rhaegar led an army to the Trident of forty thousand soldiers. About a tenth of these forty thousand were knights.[97] Of these forty thousand, ten thousand were Dornishmen.[92][93] The rebels, consisting of the north, Vale, riverlands, and stormlands, had fewer men.[98]

Essos

The Free Cities

  • Braavos: Braavos is, together with Volantis, the most powerful of the Free Cities. Their main power is at sea,[99] as the Braavosi fleet of warships is second to none, in addition to a merchantile fleet.[100] Braavos also has a city watch.[101] In 300 AC, Stannis Baratheon sends Ser Justin Massey to recruit twenty thousand sellswords in Braavos.[102]
The Unsullied in battle
  • Lorath: The least populous of the Free Cities, Lorath has little military power. They build only few warships. Not many Lorathi leave the islands.[103]
  • Lys: The Lyseni prefer to hire sellswords to do their fighting, seldom risking the lives of their own citizens.[104]
  • Myr: The Myrish prefer to hire sellswords to do their fighting, seldom risking the lives of their own citizens.[104]
  • Norvos: The bearded priests of Norvos keep a guard of slave soldiers.[105]
  • Pentos: Due to the agreements with Braavos, Pentos is allowed only twenty warships. They are not allowed to keep an army, nor are they allowed to hire sellswords or free companies. Pentos only has a small city watch.[106]
  • Qohor: During the Battle of Qohor, the city was successfully defended by three thousand Unsullied.[107][108] Ever since, Qohor has relied on the Unsullied slave soldiers for the defense of the city, further keeping only a small city watch.[108] Occasionally, Qohor also hires sellsword companies. Overall, the city is not considered to be martial.[108]
  • Tyrosh: The Tyroshi prefer to hire sellswords to do their fighting, seldom risking the lives of their own citizens.[104]
  • Volantis: Volantis is, together with Braavos, the most powerful of the Free Cities. Though Volantis has a fleet,[109][110][111] the city's main power is on land.[99] In 300 AC, Triarch Malaquo cuts off the Golden Company from the delta road near Volantis with five thousand foot and one thousand horse.[109]

Ghiscari cities

Targaryen host

Through the fall of Astapor, battle of Yunkai, and siege of Meereen, Queen Daenerys Targaryen acquires eight thousand six hundred Unsullied, five thousand uncut boys in training, one thousand sellswords (the Second Sons and Stormcrows), and a vast horde of freedmen.[112][120][113] Upon arrival at Meereen, Daenerys has a host of more than eighty thousand people strong, though less than a quarter are warriors.[121] The Second Sons later abandon Daenerys.[117]

Ser Aegor Rivers and his Golden Company - by Marc Simonetti

The Free Companies

The Free Cities of Essos hire numerous sellsword companies, such as the Company of the Cat, the Second Sons, the Stormcrows, and the Windblown.

Dothraki

Khalasars in the Dothraki sea have been known to reach fifty thousand[107] or even one hundred thousand[120] in size, although not all are warriors. The Field of Crows is said to have had a hundred thousand casualties after the great battle between the Dothraki and the Sarnori.[126]

In more recent times, Khal Drogo's khalasar, which is said to be one hundred thousand strong,[75] includes forty thousand mounted warriors.[127] It splinters into smaller groups after his death, however.[128] Khal Pono claims ten thousand of Drogo's khalasar,[60] while Khal Jhaqo claims twenty thousand riders[129] About a year later, the khalasar of Khal Pono is reported to be thirty thousand strong, located near Selhorys.[130]

Further east

Bayasabhad, Samyriana, and Kayakayanaya are guarded by tens of thousands of female defenders.[131]

The Five Forts can hold fifty thousand men in total, although it is unknown if they are at capacity.[132]

Emperor Lo Bu of Yi Ti allegedly led three hundred thousand against the Jogos Nhai.[133]

Miscellaneous

During the Second Spice War, the Rhoynar are said to have had an army of a quarter million, while the Valyrian Freehold had over one hundred thousand men, one hundred war elephants, and three hundred dragons.[134] Following the Doom of Valyria, the thirty thousand of Aurion disappeared when they marched to the Valyrian peninsula.[135]

Notes

  1. Davos sees twenty-three ships in the harbor (A Dance with Dragons, Davos II), but according to Lord Wyman, there are "as many more" hidden up the White Knife (A Dance with Dragons, Davos IV)
  2. Nearly four thousand men, based on the estimated three thousand three hundred fifty (three thousand armored lances and three to four hundred knights; A Game of Thrones, Bran VI, and the thousand cavalry from House Frey (A Storm of Swords, Catelyn II), which brings the total to four thousand three hundred fifty, making 9/10th three thousand nine hundred and fifteen men
  3. Based on Robb's complete number of forces (19500 men from the north and 4000 men from House Frey), and the number of men he takes with him to Riverrun (~3915), Roose Bolton should have around ~19600 men with him
  4. Roughly aligning with nine/tenth of the northern cavalry, which was three thousand three to four hundred strong, upon leaving Winterfell (A Game of Thrones, Bran VI).
  5. 5.0 5.1 Roose and his men had been crossing the Trident when they came under attack by Gregor Clegane; At the time of the attack, two-thirds of Roose's men had been across of the river. These two-thirds are comprised of the six hundred men he later leaves at the ruby ford and the three thousand five hundred men he brings with him to the Twins (A Storm of Swords, Catelyn VI), meaning that these forty-one hundred men make up two-thirds of Roose's initial force, indicating that Roose initially had some sixty-one hundred (~6150) men in total, and that some two thousand (~2050) men had been lost during the attack.
  6. Tywin Lannister "rode forth himself with five hundred knights and three thousand men-at-arms and crossbowmen behind him", and compared to the two thousand men of Roger Reyne, was said to have "three times his strength", according to most accounts (The World of Ice & Fire, The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons), thereby demonstrating that Tywin had three thousand men-at-arms and three thousand crossbowmen, bringing his total to sixty-five hundred men, roughly three times as many as Lord Roger's two thousand.
  7. For example the ships Prince Aemon, Princess Rhaenys, and Queen Alysanne

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