Difference between revisions of "Siege of Moat Cailin"

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While there, Theon discovers that, of the sixty-seven, three are near death, and five can't walk. All of the Ironborn within the [[Children's Tower]] died, save two cannibals eating the corpses, who were then executed. The nominal commander of the garrison, [[Ralf Kenning]], is incapacitated and near death on part of a poison arrow. Theon puts him out of his misery by slitting his throat before offering his terms to the remaining Ironborn, who have no clear commander. Of the 66 Ironborn, 18 are at [[Drunkard's Tower]] while 48 hold the [[Gatehouse Tower]]. Most are men from House Codd.{{Ref|aDwD|20}}
 
While there, Theon discovers that, of the sixty-seven, three are near death, and five can't walk. All of the Ironborn within the [[Children's Tower]] died, save two cannibals eating the corpses, who were then executed. The nominal commander of the garrison, [[Ralf Kenning]], is incapacitated and near death on part of a poison arrow. Theon puts him out of his misery by slitting his throat before offering his terms to the remaining Ironborn, who have no clear commander. Of the 66 Ironborn, 18 are at [[Drunkard's Tower]] while 48 hold the [[Gatehouse Tower]]. Most are men from House Codd.{{Ref|aDwD|20}}
  
[[Dagon Codd]], is opposed to the plan and distrusts the Boltons. However, he is killed with an axe to the head by [[Adrack Humble]], who is then convinced by Theon to accept the terms on behalf of the other soldiers. The 58 able-bodied men carry out the five who can't walk, while leaving the two near-death ones to die, as there is no hope for them. They follow the directions and lay down their weapons before the Bolton forces.
+
[[Dagon Codd]] is opposed to the plan and distrusts the Boltons. However, he is killed with an axe to the head by [[Adrack Humble]], who is then convinced by Theon to accept the terms on behalf of the other soldiers. The 58 able-bodied men carry out the five who can't walk, while leaving the two near-death ones to die, as there is no hope for them. They follow the directions and lay down their weapons before the Bolton forces.
  
 
After escorting them back to the [[Dreadfort]], however, Ramsay reneges on the deal and has all 63 of the remaining Ironborn flayed alive. He then puts their still-bleeding bodies upon pikes along the road.{{Ref|aDwD|15}}
 
After escorting them back to the [[Dreadfort]], however, Ramsay reneges on the deal and has all 63 of the remaining Ironborn flayed alive. He then puts their still-bleeding bodies upon pikes along the road.{{Ref|aDwD|15}}

Revision as of 11:11, 29 August 2014

Siege of Moat Cailin
Conflict War of the Five Kings
Date 299 AC
Place Moat Cailin, the North
Result Bolton victory
Combatants
House Bolton
House Hornwood
House Codd
Commanders
Ramsay Bolton no clear commander
Strength
2,000 59
Casualties
none all

The Siege of Moat Cailin refers to the retaking of Moat Cailin by Northern forces under the command of Ramsay Snow from the skeleton garrison left by the Ironborn after the departure of Victarion Greyjoy and the Iron Fleet.

Prelude

The Ironborn garrison holding Moat Cailin prevents the army of Roose Bolton from returning to north of the Neck, having remained there even after Victarion Greyjoy departed with the Iron Fleet and the army. He promised he'd return with a thousand extra men to reinforce the small garrison he left, but unbeknownst to them, he is immediately assigned with sailing the fleet to Essos after he returns. Reinforcements never show up. To make matters worse, the already small garrison is then slimmed down by guerrilla attacks from the crannogmen.

To allow the passage of his army without taking significant casualties, Roose assigns his bastard son, Ramsay Snow, with the task of capturing Moat Cailin from the north, where it is more vulnerable.

Siege

Ramsay Snow gathers a large force of Northerners, Boltons and Hornwoods, to take the fortress. Theon Greyjoy, serving Ramsay as "Reek", speculates that, even though there are a mere sixty-seven Ironborn left, only fifty-eight of which are combat capable, the fortress is defensible enough that the defenders will inflict three to one casualties on the attackers if Ramsay tries to take the position by storm. Recognizing this, Ramsay sends "Reek" into the castle "disguised" as Theon Greyjoy, to offer the Ironborn terms of surrender: if the Ironborn lay down their weapons and come to the Bolton camp unarmed, Ramsay will feed them and send them home.

While there, Theon discovers that, of the sixty-seven, three are near death, and five can't walk. All of the Ironborn within the Children's Tower died, save two cannibals eating the corpses, who were then executed. The nominal commander of the garrison, Ralf Kenning, is incapacitated and near death on part of a poison arrow. Theon puts him out of his misery by slitting his throat before offering his terms to the remaining Ironborn, who have no clear commander. Of the 66 Ironborn, 18 are at Drunkard's Tower while 48 hold the Gatehouse Tower. Most are men from House Codd.[1]

Dagon Codd is opposed to the plan and distrusts the Boltons. However, he is killed with an axe to the head by Adrack Humble, who is then convinced by Theon to accept the terms on behalf of the other soldiers. The 58 able-bodied men carry out the five who can't walk, while leaving the two near-death ones to die, as there is no hope for them. They follow the directions and lay down their weapons before the Bolton forces.

After escorting them back to the Dreadfort, however, Ramsay reneges on the deal and has all 63 of the remaining Ironborn flayed alive. He then puts their still-bleeding bodies upon pikes along the road.[2]

Aftermath

With Moat Cailin retaken, Roose's host, consisting of 4,000 Northerners (almost entirely his own Bolton men) and 2,000 Freys, is able to march back into the North.

References and Notes