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Military strength

2019-06-09T18:33:06Z

Nihlus:

[[File:T Jedruszek starfall knights.jpg|thumb|450px|Knights from [[Starfall]] in battle|right]]
'''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 [[feudalism|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 [[landed knight|knight]] possesses. In addition to this land force, there are some lords or powers who have their own fleets (e.g. [[Redwyne fleet|House Redwyne]], the [[royal fleet|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.<ref name=strength/>

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 {{Date|299}} is estimated by [[Jon Snow]] to be thirty to forty thousand strong while he's traveling with them,{{Ref|ASOS|73}} 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.{{Ref|ASOS|64}}

The free folk are defeated by [[Stannis Baratheon]] and the [[Night's Watch]] in the [[battle beneath the Wall]].{{ref|ASOS|73}} According to Stannis, the free folk combatants outnumbered his soldiers twenty to one,<ref name=Theon>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', [[Theon I (The Winds of Winter)|Theon I]]</ref> 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).{{Ref|ADWD|62}} Free folk military forces include hundreds of [[giants]]{{Ref|ASOS|15}} many [[Skinchanger]]s, and over a hundred war mammoths.{{Ref|ASOS|64}}

Later, [[Tormund]] leads three thousand one hundred and nineteen free folk through the gates of the [[Wall]] at [[Castle Black]].{{ref|ADWD|58}} Many of the free folk follow [[Mother Mole]] to [[Hardhome]]; [[Varamyr Sixskins]] believes the number to have been hundreds,{{Ref|adwd|Prologue}} but [[Bowen Marsh]] later reports that more than six thousand wildlings are at Hardhome with Mother Mole.{{Ref|adwd|53}}

The [[Thenns]] have at least 300 soldiers, all equipped with bronze weapons and armor. 96 are killed assaulting Castle Black,{{ref|ASOS|30}} an unknown number are killed in the [[Battle beneath the Wall]], and 200 are still sworn to [[Sigorn]] in the aftermath.{{ref|ADWD|49}}

===The Night's Watch===
The numbers of the [[Night's Watch]] have long been dwindling.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Wall and Beyond: The Night's Watch}} During [[Aegon's Conquest]], the Night's Watch numbered ten thousand strong.{{ref|AGOT|60}} However, by {{Date|298}}, their strength has dwindled to less than a thousand.{{ref|AGOT|21}} Of these thousand, six hundred are stationed at [[Castle Black]], two hundred at the [[Shadow Tower]], and fewer at [[Eastwatch-by-the-Sea]].{{ref|AGOT|21}} In {{Date|299}}, [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch|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.{{Ref|ACOK|6}}{{Ref|ASOS|15}} Of these three hundred men, only fourteen survive and return to the Wall.{{Ref|ASOS|48}} When the new Lord Commander is being chosen, five hundred eighty-eight token are cast, with only one brother not voting,{{Ref|ASOS|75}} 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 {{Date|233}}, 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]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}}

===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.{{Ref|RPG|guardiansorder}} According to [[George R.R. Martin]], the north's military strength is about equal to that of the [[Vale]], and [[Dorne]].<ref name=strength/> Since [[Brandon the Burner]] burned his father's fleet, the north has had no strength at sea,{{Ref|ACOK|16}} In more recent times, however, [[House Manderly]] has begun the construction of a new fleet,{{Ref|ACOK|16}} which counts about forty-six ships by the first half of {{Date|300}}.{{Ref|ADWD|15}}{{Ref|ADWD|29}}<ref group="N">Davos sees twenty-three ships in the harbor (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 16|Davos II]]), but according to Lord Wyman, there are "as many more" hidden up the White Knife (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 29|Davos IV]])</ref>

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]] ([[Years before Aegon's Conquest#Year 2 Before the Conquest|2 BC]]-[[Years before Aegon's Conquest#Year 1 Before the Conquest|1 BC]]), the [[north]] marched to war with an army of thirty thousand.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} 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.{{Ref|TPATQ}} Lord [[Cregan Stark]] followed much later, but brought a much larger army.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}}

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).{{Ref|AGOT|53}} In total, the host of twelve thousand counts three to four hundred [[knight]]s, and three thousand northern cavalry.{{Ref|AGOT|53}} When the Stark host marches, others join them along the [[kingsroad]],{{Ref|AGOT|53}} and by the time the host reaches Moat Cailin, it is about eighteen thousand large.{{Ref|AGOT|55}} [[House Manderly]] adds another fifteen hundred men,{{Ref|AGOT|55}} bringing the total to nineteen thousand five hundred men. By the time they get to [[The Twins]], Robb's host consists of twenty thousand northern soldiers;{{ref|AGOT|59}} considering their placement on the map, the additional five hundred likely came from [[House Flint of Flint's Finger]] ([[Flint's Finger]] is south of the Neck).

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<ref group="N">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]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 53|Bran VI]], and the thousand cavalry from House Frey (''[[A Storm of Swords]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 14|Catelyn II]]), which brings the total to four thousand three hundred fifty, making 9/10th three thousand nine hundred and fifteen men</ref> to [[Riverrun]].{{Ref|AGOT|59}} He is joined on the road there, by forces from [[House Mallister]] and others, which swells the host to some six thousand thousand men.{{Ref|AGOT|63}} 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]],<ref group="N">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</ref> where he fights the [[Battle of the Green Fork]] against [[House Lannister]].{{Ref|AGOT|59}}{{Ref|AGOT|62}} Bolton retreats, and later during the war is known to have ten thousand soldiers under his command.{{Ref|ACOK|39}} A large number of these ten thousand, equaling one-third of Robb's infantry, are lost after the [[Battle at Duskendale]].{{Ref|ASOS|35}}

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 [[House Bolton|Boltons]] in the [[battle at Winterfell]].{{ref|ACOK|66}}

[[Robb Stark]] leads thirty-five hundred veterans from the Whispering Wood<ref group="N">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]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 53|Bran VI]]).</ref> north from Riverrun to the Twins.{{ref|ASOS|45}} Roose Bolton marches with some sixty-one hundred men towards the Twins,<ref group="N" name=ruby>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]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 49|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.</ref> 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.{{Ref|ASOS|49}} Some two thousand men<ref group="N" name=ruby/> are either drowned or slain, taken captive, or flee.{{Ref|ASOS|49}} 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.{{ref|ASOS|49}} 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,{{Ref|ASOS|45}} 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]].{{Ref|ADWD|20}} According to [[Theon Greyjoy]], Roose later has six thousand men or more [[Siege of Winterfell|at Winterfell]].<ref>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', [[Theon I (The Winds of Winter)|Theon I]]</ref>

In {{Date|300}}, 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.{{ref|ADWD|17}} Following the [[fight by Deepwood Motte]], after the mountain clans, [[House Mormont]], men once sworn to [[House Hornwood]], [[House Cerwyn|Cerwyn]], and [[House Tallhart|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.{{ref|ADWD|35}} 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]].{{ref|ADWD|42}}{{ref|ADWD|62}}

===The Iron Islands===
[[File:The iron fleet by reneaigner.jpg|thumb|Ships of the [[Iron Fleet]]|450px]]
According to a semi-canon source from 2005, the Iron Isles can raise approximately twenty thousand men.{{Ref|RPG|guardiansorder}} [[George R. R. Martin]] has indicated that the major lords of the [[ironborn]] can each float around one hundred ships.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Re_Greyjoy_Fleet Re: Greyjoy Fleet (February 9, 1999)]</ref> A longship such as ''[[Sea Bitch]]'' has fifty oars, while ''[[Great Kraken]]'' and ''[[Iron Victory]]'' are larger.{{ref|ACOK|24}} The [[Iron Fleet]] alone consists of one hundred ships which are three times larger than the standard longship.{{ref|ADWD|56}} The only fleets comparable to those of the Iron Islands are the [[royal fleet]] in the crownlands and the [[Redwyne fleet]] from the [[Reach]].<ref name=SSMLF>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/The_Lannister_Fleet The Lannister Fleet (September 26, 1999)]</ref>

In {{Date|300}}, King [[Tommen Baratheon|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.{{Ref|AFFC|32}} 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]],{{Ref|ADWD|56}} the other seven having been lost in the months before (one sank during a storm,{{Ref|AFFC|14}} the other six were lost in battle{{Ref|AFFC|29}}). 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.{{Ref|ADWD|56}} 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.{{Ref|ADWD|56}} More ships are captured along the way, bringing the Iron Fleet's total to sixty-one.{{Ref|ADWD|63}}

===The Riverlands===
A semi-canon source from 2005 states that the riverlands can field roughly forty-five thousand men.{{Ref|RPG|guardiansorder}}

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.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} 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 Rush|Blackwater]].{{Ref|TPATQ}} Ser [[Addam Velaryon]] later gathered near four thousand men from the riverlands.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

[[House Frey]] raised four thousand soldiers at the start of the [[War of the Five Kings]],{{Ref|AGOT|59}} with one thousand of them knights and near three thousand foot.{{ref|ASOS|14}} They later supply the northern host commanded by Roose Bolton at [[Harrenhal]] with two thousand fifteen hundred soldiers, commanded by Ser [[Aenys Frey]].{{ref|ACOK|64}} The other riverlords combined can raise at least an additional eleven thousand, including eight thousand foot and three thousand horse.{{ref|ACOK|39}} After the [[Red Wedding]], [[Ryman Frey]] leads two thousand soldiers of [[House Frey]] against Riverrun.{{Ref|ASOS|60}} When the [[House Bolton|Bolton host]] marches back north after the Red Wedding, two thousand [[House Frey|Frey]] troops accompany them.{{ref|AFFC|16}} These two thousand consist of five hundred mounted knights, "at least a thousand, possibly more" foot soldiers, and some number of freeriders and mounted bowmen.{{ref|ADWD|20}}

[[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, due to Edmure deeming their terms of service fulfilled and a great many men going home to help bring in their harvests.{{Ref|ACOK|22}}

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.<ref name=strength />

===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.{{Ref|RPG|guardiansorder}} [[George R. R. Martin]] has previously stated that the Vale is roughly equal in military strength to the [[north]] and [[Dorne]].<ref name=strength /> 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.{{Ref|AFFC|10}} 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.{{Ref|AFFC|23}} The exact numbers the remainder of the lords of the Vale can field, are currently unknown.

The [[Vale]] also has a fleet.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} The [[King of Mountain and Vale|Kings of Mountain and Vale]] did not neglect their fleets when they still reigned, which might have counted hundreds of ships at [[Gulltown]] alone.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Vale}} 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.{{ref|AGOT|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.{{Ref|RPG|guardiansorder}}

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.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}

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.<ref name=SSMLF/>

In {{Date|260}}, 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]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons}} Upon return after the war, five hundred knights formed a company commanded by Ser [[Kevan Lannister]]. In late {{Date|261}}, 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.<ref group="N">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.</ref> With this force, [[Tarbeck Hall]] was destroyed.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons}} According to semi-canon sources, Houses [[House Westerling|Westerling]], [[House Banefort|Banefort]], [[House Plumm|Plumm]], and [[House Stackspear|Stackspear]] together were able to gather roughly sixty-five hundred more men, doubling the Lannister host in size.<ref name=westerlands/> 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.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragon}} According to semi-canon sources, this was only a quarter of his available strength.<ref name=westerlands>[http://www.georgerrmartin.com/world-of-ice-and-fire-sample/ "The World of Ice and Fire", The Westerlands, unabridged version]</ref> A surprise attack from the Reyne's left half of Lord Roger's forces dead.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons}}

In {{Date|283}}, Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] commanded twelve thousand [[House Lannister|Lannister]] men during the [[Sack of King's Landing]].{{ref|ACOK|12}} 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,{{ref|AGOT|56}} and another of fourteen or fifteen thousand strong, commanded by Ser [[Jaime Lannister]].{{ref|AGOT|63}} Meanwhile, [[Stafford Lannister]] is raising a third Lannister army, with an unknown amount of men.{{ref|acok|7}}{{Ref|acok|20}} The army is later attacked, and thousands are slain.{{Ref|ACOK|32}} It is currently unknown how many men of this army still remain. Meanwhile, Lord Tywin has retreated with his twenty thousand men to Harrenhal,{{ref|ACOK|69}} fights with them in the [[Battle of the Fords]] in the [[riverlands]],{{ref|ACOK|39}} and next marches them to King's Landing.{{Ref|ASOS|38}} All but some three thousand later return to the westerlands.{{Ref|AFFC|16}} Of the soldiers remaining, two thousand sail to Dragonstone for [[siege of Dragonstone|the siege]], while less than a thousand accompany Jaime Lannister into the riverlands to aid with the [[siege of Riverrun]].{{Ref|AFFC|27}}

[[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.<ref name=SSMLF/> A semi-canon sources from 2005 estimates the total naval power of the westerlands to be “probably closer to fifty or sixty large ships”.{{Ref|RPG|guardiansorder}} Though the Lannister fleet has been burned as recently as {{Date|289}},{{Ref|ACOK|24}} the ships who have been lost have been rebuild.<ref name=SSMLF/>

===The Crownlands===
[[File:Fury.jpg|330px|thumb|''[[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.{{Ref|RPG|guardiansorder}}

During [[Aegon's Conquest]], Houses [[House Darklyn|Darklyn]] and [[House Mooton|Mooton]] combined raised an army of three thousand men.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} The [[royal fleet]] of [[House Targaryen]] was then based at [[King's Landing]] and [[Dragonstone (island)|Dragonstone]]. During the [[Dance of the Dragons]] ({{Date|129}}-{{Date|131}}), Prince [[Aemond Targaryen]] gathered an army from King's Landing of four thousand men, within a fortnight.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

The main defense of King's Landing are the [[gold cloaks]]. In {{Date|298}}, they number two thousand.{{Ref|AGOT|47}} Ser [[Jacelyn Bywater]] augments the City Watch to six thousand in early {{Date|299}}.{{ref|ACOK|8}} Following the [[Battle of the Blackwater]], due to deaths and desertions, only some forty-four hundred men remain.{{Ref|ASOS|4}} Later that year, numbers have increased to nearly five thousand.{{ref|ASOS|38}}

[[Mace Tyrell]] later adds a hundred men from [[Highgarden]] to the gold cloaks.{{Ref|ADWD|Epilogue}}

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 of the Seven|Faith's]] military orders consisted out of the [[Poor Fellows]] and the [[Warrior's Sons]]. The Poor Fellows were far more numerous.{{ref|AFFC|28}} During the battle at the Great Fork of the [[Blackwater Rush|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.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}} More recently, in {{Date|300}}, more than two thousand [[sparrows]] have gathered in King's Landing.{{ref|AFFC|17}}

The crownlands is also home to the [[royal fleet]], which is one of the main three forces at sea in Westeros.<ref name="SSMLF"/> 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 {{Date|284}} during a summer storm,{{Ref|AGOT|3}} though some ships from the fleet might have survived.<ref group="N">For example the ships ''[[Prince Aemon]]'', ''[[Princess Rhaenys]]'', and ''[[Queen Alysanne]]''</ref> A new fleet has since been build. In {{Date|298}}, [[Stannis Baratheon]], then the [[master of ships]], sails most of the royal fleet to Dragonstone,{{Ref|ACOK|41}} leaving only some fifty ships behind in King’s Landing.{{Ref|ACOK|41}} While Stannis later sets sail with some two hundred ships,{{Ref|ACOK|58}} 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.{{Ref|ACOK|41}}{{Ref|ACOK|58}}

====Dragonstone====
[[Dragonstone]] can field the least amount of soldiers.<ref name=strength /> Its garrison is made up out of thirty knights, a hundred crossbowmen, and three hundred men-at-arms.{{ref|tpatq}} When [[Aegon I Targaryen]] in [[Years Before the Conquest|2 BC]] first prepared to sail to [[Westeros]] to begin his [[Aegon's Conquest|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.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}

In {{Date|299}}, [[Stannis Baratheon]]'s host includes three thousand men along the shore of [[Dragonstone]].{{ref|ACOK|Prologue}} During the [[Siege of Storm's End (299)|Siege of Storm's End]], Stannis's forces number five thousand, with less than four hundred horse.{{ref|ACOK|31}} 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]].{{ref|ACOK|52}} Stannis's host numbers near twenty thousand knights, light horse, and freeriders,{{ref|ACOK|58}} 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.{{ref|ASOS|75}} According to Davos, Stannis arrived north with "no more than fifteen hundred men".{{Ref|adwd|19}}

===The Stormlands===
According to a semi-canon source from 2005, the stormlands can field perhaps thirty-thousand men.{{Ref|rpg|guardiansorder}}

In {{Date|206}}, [[House Dondarrion]] was able to gather nearly four thousand infantry and eight hundred cavalry.{{Ref|THK}}

In {{Date|299}}, 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, at least ten thousand of whom are heavy lancers, and claims they will soon be reinforced with a hundred thousand swords and spears.{{ref|ACOK|31}}{{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]] from the Reach—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.

During the [[Battle of the Blackwater]], Stannis's host numbers near twenty thousand knights, light horse, and freeriders.{{ref|ACOK|58}} As he previously had five thousand soldiers,{{Ref|ACOK|31}} fifteen thousand men have joined him since Renly's death. Renly's force at Storm's End only was ten thousand men strong,{{Ref|acok|31}} made up out of both forces from the stormlands and the reach, and a fifth of his men are said to have left with Ser [[Loras Tyrell]].{{ref|ACOK|36}} It is unknown whether the additional seven thousand come solely from the stormlands or from both the stormlands and the Reach.

===The Reach===
[[File:T Jedruszek BrightwaterCavalrywing.jpg|thumb|350px|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.{{Ref|rpg|guardiansorder}}

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 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 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}}

===Dorne===
[[File:Tomasz Jedruszek Army of Scorpions II.jpg|350px|thumb|right|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.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reach: The Gardener Kings}} 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]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| Dorne: Kingsdoms of the First Men}}

During [[Aegon's Conquest]], the Dornish did not give battle. However, in {{Date|37}}, at the start of the reign of King [[Aenys I Targaryen]], a rebel known as the [[Vulture King (Aenys I)|Vulture King]] rose. He was said to have a following of thirty thousand, to resist [[House Targaryen]] with.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}

More recently, [[House Martell]] sent ten thousand soldiers to fight under the Targaryen banner at the [[Battle of the Trident]], in {{Date|283}}, led by Prince [[Lewyn Martell]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Fall of the Dragons: Robert's Rebellion}}{{ref|ASOS|37}}

Currently, the Martells are believed to be able to raise fifty thousand soldiers.{{Ref|ACOK|17}}{{Ref|ADWD|43}} 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.{{ref|AFFC|40}} 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]].<ref name=strength>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Strength_of_the_Regions Strength of the Regions (February 18, 2002)]</ref>

Dorne has had no strength at sea since the [[Rhoynar|Rhoynish]] warrior queen [[Nymeria]] burned her ten thousand ships a thousand years ago.{{Ref|adwd|50}}

===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.{{Ref|AGOT|30}} Of these forty thousand, ten thousand were [[Dorne|Dornishmen]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Fall of the Dragons: Robert's Rebellion}}{{ref|ASOS|37}} The rebels, consisting of the north, Vale, riverlands, and stormlands, had fewer men.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/The_Siege_of_Storms_End The Siege of Storm's End (July 18, 1999)]</ref>

==Essos==
===The Free Cities===
*'''[[Braavos]]''': Braavos is, together with Volantis, the most powerful of the Free Cities. Their main power is at sea,{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Volantis}} as the Braavosi fleet of warships is second to none, in addition to a merchantile fleet.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Braavos}} Braavos also has a city watch.{{Ref|ADWD|64}} In {{Date|300}}, [[Stannis Baratheon]] sends Ser [[Justin Massey]] to recruit twenty thousand sellswords in Braavos.<ref name=WindsTheon>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', Theon I</ref>
[[File:T Jedruszek GreyWormsElite.jpg|thumb|450px|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.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Lorath}}
*'''[[Lys]]''': The Lyseni prefer to hire sellswords to do their fighting, seldom risking the lives of their own citizens.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: The Quarrelsome Daughters: Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh}}
*'''[[Myr]]''': The Myrish prefer to hire sellswords to do their fighting, seldom risking the lives of their own citizens.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: The Quarrelsome Daughters: Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh}}
*'''[[Norvos]]''': The [[bearded priests]] of Norvos keep a guard of slave soldiers.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Norvos}}
*'''[[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.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Pentos}}
*'''[[Qohor]]''': During the [[Battle of Qohor]], the city was successfully defended by three thousand Unsullied.{{ref|ASOS|8}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Qohor}} Ever since, Qohor has relied on the Unsullied slave soldiers for the defense of the city, further keeping only a small city watch.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Qohor}} Occasionally, Qohor also hires sellsword companies. Overall, the city is not considered to be martial.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Qohor}}
*'''[[Tyrosh]]''': The Tyroshi prefer to hire sellswords to do their fighting, seldom risking the lives of their own citizens.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: The Quarrelsome Daughters: Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh}}
*'''[[Volantis]]''': Volantis is, together with Braavos, the most powerful of the Free Cities. Though Volantis has a fleet,{{Ref|ADWD|24}}{{Ref|ADWD|27}}{{Ref|ADWD|55}} the city's main power is on land.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Volantis}} In {{Date|300}}, Triarch [[Malaquo]] cuts off the [[Golden Company]] from the delta road near [[Volantis]] with five thousand foot and one thousand horse.{{ref|ADWD|24}}

===Ghiscari cities===
*'''[[Astapor]]''': The [[Unsullied]] of [[Astapor]] are sold by the century or the thousand.{{ref|ASOS|23}}
*'''[[Meereen]]''': In {{Date|300}}, when Queen [[Daenerys Targaryen]] takes over the rule of the city, a city watch called the [[Brazen Beasts]] is created,{{Ref|ADWD|16}} a force consisting out of equal numbers of freedmen and shavepate Meereenese.{{Ref|ADWD|11}}{{Ref|ADWD|16}} Further, the freedmen of fighting age have been organized into companies,{{Ref|ADWD|16}} called the [[Mother's Men]], [[Stalwart Shields]], and the [[Free Brothers]].{{Ref|ADWD|11}}
*'''[[New Ghis]]''': New Ghis has its army divided into [[Ghiscari legions|legions]], armed and organized as the [[Unsullied]]. However, in contrast to the Unsullied, the Ghiscari armies are made up of freemen, who serve three-year terms.{{Ref|ADWD|57}} The Ghiscari legions are reportedly six thousand soldiers strong each.<ref>asoiaf.westeros.org: Boskone 2013, reading of Barristan I and [http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?/topic/81338-twow-spoilers-barristan/&do=findComment&comment=4122024 Barristan II]</ref> They bring two of these legions to [[Astapor]], when they take part in the [[siege of Astapor|siege]].{{Ref|ADWD|16}} Four Ghiscari legions join [[Yunkai]] in their march to [[Meereen]], while two more legions from New Ghis took ship at Astapor, heading for Meereen as well.{{Ref|ADWD|36}}
*'''[[Yunkai]]''': Yunkai has a host of four thousand men, all slaves, strengthened by two sellsword companies (the [[Stormcrows]] and the [[Second Sons]]) in {{Date|299}}. The sellsword companies abandon Yunkai during the [[Battle near Yunkai]], while the slave army breaks.{{Ref|ASOS|42}} In {{Date|300}}, the Yunkish host consists out of several sellsword companies ([[Company of the Cat]], [[Long Lances]], [[Second Sons]], and the [[Windblown]]).{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}

===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.{{Ref|ASOS|23}}{{Ref|ASOS|27}}{{ref|ADWD|16}} Upon arrival at [[Meereen]], Daenerys has a host of more than eighty thousand people strong, though less than a quarter are warriors.{{Ref|ASOS|57}} The Second Sons later abandon Daenerys.{{Ref|ADWD|36}}

[[File:Marc Simonetti Bittersteel golden company.jpg|thumb|500px|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]].
*The [[Company of the Cat]] numbers three thousand soldiers, currently sworn to [[Yunkai]].{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
*The [[Golden Company]] numbers ten thousand, many of whom are Westerosi exiles.{{ref|ADWD|5}} When Lord [[Jon Connington]] and Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon Targaryen]] set sail for [[Westeros]] with the company to [[landing of the Golden Company|invade the stormlands]], about half of the men become scattered along the southron [[narrow sea]].{{ref|ADWD|61}}{{ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
*The [[Long Lances]] number eight hundred cavalry, who are currently sworn to [[Yunkai]].{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
*The [[Second Sons]] number five hundred fourteen{{ref|ADWD|66}} cavalry.{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}} They have gone back and forth between [[Yunkai]] and Queen [[Daenerys Targaryen]] of [[Meereen]]. They are about to change their alliance from Yunkai to Daenerys, again.<ref name=WindsTyrion/>
*The [[Stormcrows]] number about five hundred cavalry, who are currently sworn to Queen [[Daenerys Targaryen]] of [[Meereen]].{{Ref|ASOS|42}}{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
*The [[Windblown]] number two thousand cavalry and infantry, sworn to [[Yunkai]],{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}} but about to change alliance.<ref name=WindsTyrion>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', Tyrion II</ref>

===Dothraki===
''[[Khalasar]]s'' in the [[Dothraki sea]] have been known to reach fifty thousand{{ref|ASOS|8}} or even one hundred thousand{{ref|ASOS|27}} 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 [[Sarnor]]i.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Grasslands}}

In more recent times, Khal [[Drogo]]'s ''[[khalasar]]'', which is said to be one hundred thousand strong,{{ref|AGOT|3}} includes forty thousand mounted warriors.{{ref|AGOT|36}} It splinters into smaller groups after his death, however.{{ref|AGOT|72}} Khal [[Pono]] claims ten thousand of Drogo's ''khalasar'',{{Ref|ACOK|12}} while Khal [[Jhaqo]] claims twenty thousand riders{{Ref|AGOT|68}} About a year later, the ''khalasar'' of Khal [[Pono]] is reported to be thirty thousand strong, located near [[Selhorys]].{{ref|ADWD|8}}

===Further east===
[[Bayasabhad]], [[Samyriana]], and [[Kayakayanaya]] are guarded by tens of thousands of female defenders.{{ref|TWOIAF| Beyond the Free Cities: The Grasslands}}

The [[Five Forts]] can hold fifty thousand men in total, although it is unknown if they are at capacity.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Bones and Beyond: Yi Ti}}

Emperor [[Lo Bu]] of [[Yi Ti]] allegedly led three hundred thousand against the [[Jogos Nhai]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The Bones and Beyond: The Plains of the Jogos Nhai}}

===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 [[elephant]]s, and three hundred [[dragon]]s.{{ref|TWOIAF| Ancient History: Ten Thousand Ships}} Following the [[Doom of Valyria]], the thirty thousand of [[Aurion]] disappeared when they marched to the [[Valyrian peninsula]].{{ref|TWOIAF| Ancient History: The Doom of Valyria}}

==Notes==
{{Notes}}

==References==
{{references|2}}

[[Category:Society]]

Military strength

2019-06-09T18:32:03Z

Nihlus:

[[File:T Jedruszek starfall knights.jpg|thumb|450px|Knights from [[Starfall]] in battle|right]]
'''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 [[feudalism|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 [[landed knight|knight]] possesses. In addition to this land force, there are some lords or powers who have their own fleets (e.g. [[Redwyne fleet|House Redwyne]], the [[royal fleet|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.<ref name=strength/>

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 {{Date|299}} is estimated by [[Jon Snow]] to be thirty to forty thousand strong while he's traveling with them,{{Ref|ASOS|73}} 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.{{Ref|ASOS|64}}

The free folk are defeated by [[Stannis Baratheon]] and the [[Night's Watch]] in the [[battle beneath the Wall]].{{ref|ASOS|73}} According to Stannis, the free folk combatants outnumbered his soldiers twenty to one,<ref name=Theon>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', [[Theon I (The Winds of Winter)|Theon I]]</ref> 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).{{Ref|ADWD|62}} Free folk military forces include hundreds of [[giants]]{{Ref|ASOS|15}} and over a hundred war mammoths.{{Ref|ASOS|64}}

Later, [[Tormund]] leads three thousand one hundred and nineteen free folk through the gates of the [[Wall]] at [[Castle Black]].{{ref|ADWD|58}} Many of the free folk follow [[Mother Mole]] to [[Hardhome]]; [[Varamyr Sixskins]] believes the number to have been hundreds,{{Ref|adwd|Prologue}} but [[Bowen Marsh]] later reports that more than six thousand wildlings are at Hardhome with Mother Mole.{{Ref|adwd|53}}

The [[Thenns]] have at least 300 soldiers, all equipped with bronze weapons and armor. 96 are killed assaulting Castle Black,{{ref|ASOS|30}} an unknown number are killed in the [[Battle beneath the Wall]], and 200 are still sworn to [[Sigorn]] in the aftermath.{{ref|ADWD|49}}

===The Night's Watch===
The numbers of the [[Night's Watch]] have long been dwindling.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Wall and Beyond: The Night's Watch}} During [[Aegon's Conquest]], the Night's Watch numbered ten thousand strong.{{ref|AGOT|60}} However, by {{Date|298}}, their strength has dwindled to less than a thousand.{{ref|AGOT|21}} Of these thousand, six hundred are stationed at [[Castle Black]], two hundred at the [[Shadow Tower]], and fewer at [[Eastwatch-by-the-Sea]].{{ref|AGOT|21}} In {{Date|299}}, [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch|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.{{Ref|ACOK|6}}{{Ref|ASOS|15}} Of these three hundred men, only fourteen survive and return to the Wall.{{Ref|ASOS|48}} When the new Lord Commander is being chosen, five hundred eighty-eight token are cast, with only one brother not voting,{{Ref|ASOS|75}} 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 {{Date|233}}, 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]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}}

===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.{{Ref|RPG|guardiansorder}} According to [[George R.R. Martin]], the north's military strength is about equal to that of the [[Vale]], and [[Dorne]].<ref name=strength/> Since [[Brandon the Burner]] burned his father's fleet, the north has had no strength at sea,{{Ref|ACOK|16}} In more recent times, however, [[House Manderly]] has begun the construction of a new fleet,{{Ref|ACOK|16}} which counts about forty-six ships by the first half of {{Date|300}}.{{Ref|ADWD|15}}{{Ref|ADWD|29}}<ref group="N">Davos sees twenty-three ships in the harbor (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 16|Davos II]]), but according to Lord Wyman, there are "as many more" hidden up the White Knife (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 29|Davos IV]])</ref>

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]] ([[Years before Aegon's Conquest#Year 2 Before the Conquest|2 BC]]-[[Years before Aegon's Conquest#Year 1 Before the Conquest|1 BC]]), the [[north]] marched to war with an army of thirty thousand.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} 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.{{Ref|TPATQ}} Lord [[Cregan Stark]] followed much later, but brought a much larger army.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}}

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).{{Ref|AGOT|53}} In total, the host of twelve thousand counts three to four hundred [[knight]]s, and three thousand northern cavalry.{{Ref|AGOT|53}} When the Stark host marches, others join them along the [[kingsroad]],{{Ref|AGOT|53}} and by the time the host reaches Moat Cailin, it is about eighteen thousand large.{{Ref|AGOT|55}} [[House Manderly]] adds another fifteen hundred men,{{Ref|AGOT|55}} bringing the total to nineteen thousand five hundred men. By the time they get to [[The Twins]], Robb's host consists of twenty thousand northern soldiers;{{ref|AGOT|59}} considering their placement on the map, the additional five hundred likely came from [[House Flint of Flint's Finger]] ([[Flint's Finger]] is south of the Neck).

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<ref group="N">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]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 53|Bran VI]], and the thousand cavalry from House Frey (''[[A Storm of Swords]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 14|Catelyn II]]), which brings the total to four thousand three hundred fifty, making 9/10th three thousand nine hundred and fifteen men</ref> to [[Riverrun]].{{Ref|AGOT|59}} He is joined on the road there, by forces from [[House Mallister]] and others, which swells the host to some six thousand thousand men.{{Ref|AGOT|63}} 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]],<ref group="N">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</ref> where he fights the [[Battle of the Green Fork]] against [[House Lannister]].{{Ref|AGOT|59}}{{Ref|AGOT|62}} Bolton retreats, and later during the war is known to have ten thousand soldiers under his command.{{Ref|ACOK|39}} A large number of these ten thousand, equaling one-third of Robb's infantry, are lost after the [[Battle at Duskendale]].{{Ref|ASOS|35}}

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 [[House Bolton|Boltons]] in the [[battle at Winterfell]].{{ref|ACOK|66}}

[[Robb Stark]] leads thirty-five hundred veterans from the Whispering Wood<ref group="N">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]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 53|Bran VI]]).</ref> north from Riverrun to the Twins.{{ref|ASOS|45}} Roose Bolton marches with some sixty-one hundred men towards the Twins,<ref group="N" name=ruby>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]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 49|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.</ref> 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.{{Ref|ASOS|49}} Some two thousand men<ref group="N" name=ruby/> are either drowned or slain, taken captive, or flee.{{Ref|ASOS|49}} 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.{{ref|ASOS|49}} 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,{{Ref|ASOS|45}} 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]].{{Ref|ADWD|20}} According to [[Theon Greyjoy]], Roose later has six thousand men or more [[Siege of Winterfell|at Winterfell]].<ref>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', [[Theon I (The Winds of Winter)|Theon I]]</ref>

In {{Date|300}}, 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.{{ref|ADWD|17}} Following the [[fight by Deepwood Motte]], after the mountain clans, [[House Mormont]], men once sworn to [[House Hornwood]], [[House Cerwyn|Cerwyn]], and [[House Tallhart|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.{{ref|ADWD|35}} 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]].{{ref|ADWD|42}}{{ref|ADWD|62}}

===The Iron Islands===
[[File:The iron fleet by reneaigner.jpg|thumb|Ships of the [[Iron Fleet]]|450px]]
According to a semi-canon source from 2005, the Iron Isles can raise approximately twenty thousand men.{{Ref|RPG|guardiansorder}} [[George R. R. Martin]] has indicated that the major lords of the [[ironborn]] can each float around one hundred ships.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Re_Greyjoy_Fleet Re: Greyjoy Fleet (February 9, 1999)]</ref> A longship such as ''[[Sea Bitch]]'' has fifty oars, while ''[[Great Kraken]]'' and ''[[Iron Victory]]'' are larger.{{ref|ACOK|24}} The [[Iron Fleet]] alone consists of one hundred ships which are three times larger than the standard longship.{{ref|ADWD|56}} The only fleets comparable to those of the Iron Islands are the [[royal fleet]] in the crownlands and the [[Redwyne fleet]] from the [[Reach]].<ref name=SSMLF>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/The_Lannister_Fleet The Lannister Fleet (September 26, 1999)]</ref>

In {{Date|300}}, King [[Tommen Baratheon|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.{{Ref|AFFC|32}} 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]],{{Ref|ADWD|56}} the other seven having been lost in the months before (one sank during a storm,{{Ref|AFFC|14}} the other six were lost in battle{{Ref|AFFC|29}}). 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.{{Ref|ADWD|56}} 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.{{Ref|ADWD|56}} More ships are captured along the way, bringing the Iron Fleet's total to sixty-one.{{Ref|ADWD|63}}

===The Riverlands===
A semi-canon source from 2005 states that the riverlands can field roughly forty-five thousand men.{{Ref|RPG|guardiansorder}}

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.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} 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 Rush|Blackwater]].{{Ref|TPATQ}} Ser [[Addam Velaryon]] later gathered near four thousand men from the riverlands.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

[[House Frey]] raised four thousand soldiers at the start of the [[War of the Five Kings]],{{Ref|AGOT|59}} with one thousand of them knights and near three thousand foot.{{ref|ASOS|14}} They later supply the northern host commanded by Roose Bolton at [[Harrenhal]] with two thousand fifteen hundred soldiers, commanded by Ser [[Aenys Frey]].{{ref|ACOK|64}} The other riverlords combined can raise at least an additional eleven thousand, including eight thousand foot and three thousand horse.{{ref|ACOK|39}} After the [[Red Wedding]], [[Ryman Frey]] leads two thousand soldiers of [[House Frey]] against Riverrun.{{Ref|ASOS|60}} When the [[House Bolton|Bolton host]] marches back north after the Red Wedding, two thousand [[House Frey|Frey]] troops accompany them.{{ref|AFFC|16}} These two thousand consist of five hundred mounted knights, "at least a thousand, possibly more" foot soldiers, and some number of freeriders and mounted bowmen.{{ref|ADWD|20}}

[[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, due to Edmure deeming their terms of service fulfilled and a great many men going home to help bring in their harvests.{{Ref|ACOK|22}}

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.<ref name=strength />

===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.{{Ref|RPG|guardiansorder}} [[George R. R. Martin]] has previously stated that the Vale is roughly equal in military strength to the [[north]] and [[Dorne]].<ref name=strength /> 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.{{Ref|AFFC|10}} 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.{{Ref|AFFC|23}} The exact numbers the remainder of the lords of the Vale can field, are currently unknown.

The [[Vale]] also has a fleet.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} The [[King of Mountain and Vale|Kings of Mountain and Vale]] did not neglect their fleets when they still reigned, which might have counted hundreds of ships at [[Gulltown]] alone.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Vale}} 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.{{ref|AGOT|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.{{Ref|RPG|guardiansorder}}

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.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}

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.<ref name=SSMLF/>

In {{Date|260}}, 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]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons}} Upon return after the war, five hundred knights formed a company commanded by Ser [[Kevan Lannister]]. In late {{Date|261}}, 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.<ref group="N">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.</ref> With this force, [[Tarbeck Hall]] was destroyed.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons}} According to semi-canon sources, Houses [[House Westerling|Westerling]], [[House Banefort|Banefort]], [[House Plumm|Plumm]], and [[House Stackspear|Stackspear]] together were able to gather roughly sixty-five hundred more men, doubling the Lannister host in size.<ref name=westerlands/> 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.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragon}} According to semi-canon sources, this was only a quarter of his available strength.<ref name=westerlands>[http://www.georgerrmartin.com/world-of-ice-and-fire-sample/ "The World of Ice and Fire", The Westerlands, unabridged version]</ref> A surprise attack from the Reyne's left half of Lord Roger's forces dead.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons}}

In {{Date|283}}, Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] commanded twelve thousand [[House Lannister|Lannister]] men during the [[Sack of King's Landing]].{{ref|ACOK|12}} 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,{{ref|AGOT|56}} and another of fourteen or fifteen thousand strong, commanded by Ser [[Jaime Lannister]].{{ref|AGOT|63}} Meanwhile, [[Stafford Lannister]] is raising a third Lannister army, with an unknown amount of men.{{ref|acok|7}}{{Ref|acok|20}} The army is later attacked, and thousands are slain.{{Ref|ACOK|32}} It is currently unknown how many men of this army still remain. Meanwhile, Lord Tywin has retreated with his twenty thousand men to Harrenhal,{{ref|ACOK|69}} fights with them in the [[Battle of the Fords]] in the [[riverlands]],{{ref|ACOK|39}} and next marches them to King's Landing.{{Ref|ASOS|38}} All but some three thousand later return to the westerlands.{{Ref|AFFC|16}} Of the soldiers remaining, two thousand sail to Dragonstone for [[siege of Dragonstone|the siege]], while less than a thousand accompany Jaime Lannister into the riverlands to aid with the [[siege of Riverrun]].{{Ref|AFFC|27}}

[[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.<ref name=SSMLF/> A semi-canon sources from 2005 estimates the total naval power of the westerlands to be “probably closer to fifty or sixty large ships”.{{Ref|RPG|guardiansorder}} Though the Lannister fleet has been burned as recently as {{Date|289}},{{Ref|ACOK|24}} the ships who have been lost have been rebuild.<ref name=SSMLF/>

===The Crownlands===
[[File:Fury.jpg|330px|thumb|''[[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.{{Ref|RPG|guardiansorder}}

During [[Aegon's Conquest]], Houses [[House Darklyn|Darklyn]] and [[House Mooton|Mooton]] combined raised an army of three thousand men.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} The [[royal fleet]] of [[House Targaryen]] was then based at [[King's Landing]] and [[Dragonstone (island)|Dragonstone]]. During the [[Dance of the Dragons]] ({{Date|129}}-{{Date|131}}), Prince [[Aemond Targaryen]] gathered an army from King's Landing of four thousand men, within a fortnight.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

The main defense of King's Landing are the [[gold cloaks]]. In {{Date|298}}, they number two thousand.{{Ref|AGOT|47}} Ser [[Jacelyn Bywater]] augments the City Watch to six thousand in early {{Date|299}}.{{ref|ACOK|8}} Following the [[Battle of the Blackwater]], due to deaths and desertions, only some forty-four hundred men remain.{{Ref|ASOS|4}} Later that year, numbers have increased to nearly five thousand.{{ref|ASOS|38}}

[[Mace Tyrell]] later adds a hundred men from [[Highgarden]] to the gold cloaks.{{Ref|ADWD|Epilogue}}

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 of the Seven|Faith's]] military orders consisted out of the [[Poor Fellows]] and the [[Warrior's Sons]]. The Poor Fellows were far more numerous.{{ref|AFFC|28}} During the battle at the Great Fork of the [[Blackwater Rush|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.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}} More recently, in {{Date|300}}, more than two thousand [[sparrows]] have gathered in King's Landing.{{ref|AFFC|17}}

The crownlands is also home to the [[royal fleet]], which is one of the main three forces at sea in Westeros.<ref name="SSMLF"/> 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 {{Date|284}} during a summer storm,{{Ref|AGOT|3}} though some ships from the fleet might have survived.<ref group="N">For example the ships ''[[Prince Aemon]]'', ''[[Princess Rhaenys]]'', and ''[[Queen Alysanne]]''</ref> A new fleet has since been build. In {{Date|298}}, [[Stannis Baratheon]], then the [[master of ships]], sails most of the royal fleet to Dragonstone,{{Ref|ACOK|41}} leaving only some fifty ships behind in King’s Landing.{{Ref|ACOK|41}} While Stannis later sets sail with some two hundred ships,{{Ref|ACOK|58}} 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.{{Ref|ACOK|41}}{{Ref|ACOK|58}}

====Dragonstone====
[[Dragonstone]] can field the least amount of soldiers.<ref name=strength /> Its garrison is made up out of thirty knights, a hundred crossbowmen, and three hundred men-at-arms.{{ref|tpatq}} When [[Aegon I Targaryen]] in [[Years Before the Conquest|2 BC]] first prepared to sail to [[Westeros]] to begin his [[Aegon's Conquest|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.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}

In {{Date|299}}, [[Stannis Baratheon]]'s host includes three thousand men along the shore of [[Dragonstone]].{{ref|ACOK|Prologue}} During the [[Siege of Storm's End (299)|Siege of Storm's End]], Stannis's forces number five thousand, with less than four hundred horse.{{ref|ACOK|31}} 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]].{{ref|ACOK|52}} Stannis's host numbers near twenty thousand knights, light horse, and freeriders,{{ref|ACOK|58}} 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.{{ref|ASOS|75}} According to Davos, Stannis arrived north with "no more than fifteen hundred men".{{Ref|adwd|19}}

===The Stormlands===
According to a semi-canon source from 2005, the stormlands can field perhaps thirty-thousand men.{{Ref|rpg|guardiansorder}}

In {{Date|206}}, [[House Dondarrion]] was able to gather nearly four thousand infantry and eight hundred cavalry.{{Ref|THK}}

In {{Date|299}}, 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, at least ten thousand of whom are heavy lancers, and claims they will soon be reinforced with a hundred thousand swords and spears.{{ref|ACOK|31}}{{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]] from the Reach—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.

During the [[Battle of the Blackwater]], Stannis's host numbers near twenty thousand knights, light horse, and freeriders.{{ref|ACOK|58}} As he previously had five thousand soldiers,{{Ref|ACOK|31}} fifteen thousand men have joined him since Renly's death. Renly's force at Storm's End only was ten thousand men strong,{{Ref|acok|31}} made up out of both forces from the stormlands and the reach, and a fifth of his men are said to have left with Ser [[Loras Tyrell]].{{ref|ACOK|36}} It is unknown whether the additional seven thousand come solely from the stormlands or from both the stormlands and the Reach.

===The Reach===
[[File:T Jedruszek BrightwaterCavalrywing.jpg|thumb|350px|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.{{Ref|rpg|guardiansorder}}

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 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 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}}

===Dorne===
[[File:Tomasz Jedruszek Army of Scorpions II.jpg|350px|thumb|right|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.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reach: The Gardener Kings}} 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]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| Dorne: Kingsdoms of the First Men}}

During [[Aegon's Conquest]], the Dornish did not give battle. However, in {{Date|37}}, at the start of the reign of King [[Aenys I Targaryen]], a rebel known as the [[Vulture King (Aenys I)|Vulture King]] rose. He was said to have a following of thirty thousand, to resist [[House Targaryen]] with.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}

More recently, [[House Martell]] sent ten thousand soldiers to fight under the Targaryen banner at the [[Battle of the Trident]], in {{Date|283}}, led by Prince [[Lewyn Martell]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Fall of the Dragons: Robert's Rebellion}}{{ref|ASOS|37}}

Currently, the Martells are believed to be able to raise fifty thousand soldiers.{{Ref|ACOK|17}}{{Ref|ADWD|43}} 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.{{ref|AFFC|40}} 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]].<ref name=strength>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Strength_of_the_Regions Strength of the Regions (February 18, 2002)]</ref>

Dorne has had no strength at sea since the [[Rhoynar|Rhoynish]] warrior queen [[Nymeria]] burned her ten thousand ships a thousand years ago.{{Ref|adwd|50}}

===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.{{Ref|AGOT|30}} Of these forty thousand, ten thousand were [[Dorne|Dornishmen]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Fall of the Dragons: Robert's Rebellion}}{{ref|ASOS|37}} The rebels, consisting of the north, Vale, riverlands, and stormlands, had fewer men.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/The_Siege_of_Storms_End The Siege of Storm's End (July 18, 1999)]</ref>

==Essos==
===The Free Cities===
*'''[[Braavos]]''': Braavos is, together with Volantis, the most powerful of the Free Cities. Their main power is at sea,{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Volantis}} as the Braavosi fleet of warships is second to none, in addition to a merchantile fleet.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Braavos}} Braavos also has a city watch.{{Ref|ADWD|64}} In {{Date|300}}, [[Stannis Baratheon]] sends Ser [[Justin Massey]] to recruit twenty thousand sellswords in Braavos.<ref name=WindsTheon>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', Theon I</ref>
[[File:T Jedruszek GreyWormsElite.jpg|thumb|450px|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.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Lorath}}
*'''[[Lys]]''': The Lyseni prefer to hire sellswords to do their fighting, seldom risking the lives of their own citizens.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: The Quarrelsome Daughters: Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh}}
*'''[[Myr]]''': The Myrish prefer to hire sellswords to do their fighting, seldom risking the lives of their own citizens.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: The Quarrelsome Daughters: Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh}}
*'''[[Norvos]]''': The [[bearded priests]] of Norvos keep a guard of slave soldiers.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Norvos}}
*'''[[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.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Pentos}}
*'''[[Qohor]]''': During the [[Battle of Qohor]], the city was successfully defended by three thousand Unsullied.{{ref|ASOS|8}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Qohor}} Ever since, Qohor has relied on the Unsullied slave soldiers for the defense of the city, further keeping only a small city watch.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Qohor}} Occasionally, Qohor also hires sellsword companies. Overall, the city is not considered to be martial.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Qohor}}
*'''[[Tyrosh]]''': The Tyroshi prefer to hire sellswords to do their fighting, seldom risking the lives of their own citizens.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: The Quarrelsome Daughters: Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh}}
*'''[[Volantis]]''': Volantis is, together with Braavos, the most powerful of the Free Cities. Though Volantis has a fleet,{{Ref|ADWD|24}}{{Ref|ADWD|27}}{{Ref|ADWD|55}} the city's main power is on land.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Volantis}} In {{Date|300}}, Triarch [[Malaquo]] cuts off the [[Golden Company]] from the delta road near [[Volantis]] with five thousand foot and one thousand horse.{{ref|ADWD|24}}

===Ghiscari cities===
*'''[[Astapor]]''': The [[Unsullied]] of [[Astapor]] are sold by the century or the thousand.{{ref|ASOS|23}}
*'''[[Meereen]]''': In {{Date|300}}, when Queen [[Daenerys Targaryen]] takes over the rule of the city, a city watch called the [[Brazen Beasts]] is created,{{Ref|ADWD|16}} a force consisting out of equal numbers of freedmen and shavepate Meereenese.{{Ref|ADWD|11}}{{Ref|ADWD|16}} Further, the freedmen of fighting age have been organized into companies,{{Ref|ADWD|16}} called the [[Mother's Men]], [[Stalwart Shields]], and the [[Free Brothers]].{{Ref|ADWD|11}}
*'''[[New Ghis]]''': New Ghis has its army divided into [[Ghiscari legions|legions]], armed and organized as the [[Unsullied]]. However, in contrast to the Unsullied, the Ghiscari armies are made up of freemen, who serve three-year terms.{{Ref|ADWD|57}} The Ghiscari legions are reportedly six thousand soldiers strong each.<ref>asoiaf.westeros.org: Boskone 2013, reading of Barristan I and [http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?/topic/81338-twow-spoilers-barristan/&do=findComment&comment=4122024 Barristan II]</ref> They bring two of these legions to [[Astapor]], when they take part in the [[siege of Astapor|siege]].{{Ref|ADWD|16}} Four Ghiscari legions join [[Yunkai]] in their march to [[Meereen]], while two more legions from New Ghis took ship at Astapor, heading for Meereen as well.{{Ref|ADWD|36}}
*'''[[Yunkai]]''': Yunkai has a host of four thousand men, all slaves, strengthened by two sellsword companies (the [[Stormcrows]] and the [[Second Sons]]) in {{Date|299}}. The sellsword companies abandon Yunkai during the [[Battle near Yunkai]], while the slave army breaks.{{Ref|ASOS|42}} In {{Date|300}}, the Yunkish host consists out of several sellsword companies ([[Company of the Cat]], [[Long Lances]], [[Second Sons]], and the [[Windblown]]).{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}

===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.{{Ref|ASOS|23}}{{Ref|ASOS|27}}{{ref|ADWD|16}} Upon arrival at [[Meereen]], Daenerys has a host of more than eighty thousand people strong, though less than a quarter are warriors.{{Ref|ASOS|57}} The Second Sons later abandon Daenerys.{{Ref|ADWD|36}}

[[File:Marc Simonetti Bittersteel golden company.jpg|thumb|500px|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]].
*The [[Company of the Cat]] numbers three thousand soldiers, currently sworn to [[Yunkai]].{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
*The [[Golden Company]] numbers ten thousand, many of whom are Westerosi exiles.{{ref|ADWD|5}} When Lord [[Jon Connington]] and Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon Targaryen]] set sail for [[Westeros]] with the company to [[landing of the Golden Company|invade the stormlands]], about half of the men become scattered along the southron [[narrow sea]].{{ref|ADWD|61}}{{ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
*The [[Long Lances]] number eight hundred cavalry, who are currently sworn to [[Yunkai]].{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
*The [[Second Sons]] number five hundred fourteen{{ref|ADWD|66}} cavalry.{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}} They have gone back and forth between [[Yunkai]] and Queen [[Daenerys Targaryen]] of [[Meereen]]. They are about to change their alliance from Yunkai to Daenerys, again.<ref name=WindsTyrion/>
*The [[Stormcrows]] number about five hundred cavalry, who are currently sworn to Queen [[Daenerys Targaryen]] of [[Meereen]].{{Ref|ASOS|42}}{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
*The [[Windblown]] number two thousand cavalry and infantry, sworn to [[Yunkai]],{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}} but about to change alliance.<ref name=WindsTyrion>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', Tyrion II</ref>

===Dothraki===
''[[Khalasar]]s'' in the [[Dothraki sea]] have been known to reach fifty thousand{{ref|ASOS|8}} or even one hundred thousand{{ref|ASOS|27}} 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 [[Sarnor]]i.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Grasslands}}

In more recent times, Khal [[Drogo]]'s ''[[khalasar]]'', which is said to be one hundred thousand strong,{{ref|AGOT|3}} includes forty thousand mounted warriors.{{ref|AGOT|36}} It splinters into smaller groups after his death, however.{{ref|AGOT|72}} Khal [[Pono]] claims ten thousand of Drogo's ''khalasar'',{{Ref|ACOK|12}} while Khal [[Jhaqo]] claims twenty thousand riders{{Ref|AGOT|68}} About a year later, the ''khalasar'' of Khal [[Pono]] is reported to be thirty thousand strong, located near [[Selhorys]].{{ref|ADWD|8}}

===Further east===
[[Bayasabhad]], [[Samyriana]], and [[Kayakayanaya]] are guarded by tens of thousands of female defenders.{{ref|TWOIAF| Beyond the Free Cities: The Grasslands}}

The [[Five Forts]] can hold fifty thousand men in total, although it is unknown if they are at capacity.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Bones and Beyond: Yi Ti}}

Emperor [[Lo Bu]] of [[Yi Ti]] allegedly led three hundred thousand against the [[Jogos Nhai]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The Bones and Beyond: The Plains of the Jogos Nhai}}

===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 [[elephant]]s, and three hundred [[dragon]]s.{{ref|TWOIAF| Ancient History: Ten Thousand Ships}} Following the [[Doom of Valyria]], the thirty thousand of [[Aurion]] disappeared when they marched to the [[Valyrian peninsula]].{{ref|TWOIAF| Ancient History: The Doom of Valyria}}

==Notes==
{{Notes}}

==References==
{{references|2}}

[[Category:Society]]

Battle in the ice

2019-06-09T18:25:16Z

Nihlus:

{{Battlebox
| image =
| caption =
| battle_name = Battle in the ice
| conflict = [[War of the Five Kings]]
| date = {{Date|300}}
| place = Between the [[crofter's village]] and [[Winterfell]]
| result =
| colour_scheme =
| combatant2 = [[File:House Baratheon (Dragonstone).svg|33px]] '''[[House Baratheon of Dragonstone]]:''' 

The [[Reach]]
* [[House Florent]]

[[Crownlands]]
* [[House Bar Emmon]]
* [[House Chyttering]]
* [[House Farring]]
* [[House Follard]]
* [[House Massey]]
* [[House Velaryon]]

[[Stormlands]]
* [[House Buckler]]
* [[House Caron]]
* [[House Estermont]]
* [[House Fell]]
* [[House Grandison]]
* [[House Horpe]]
* [[House Morrigen]]
* [[House Peasebury]]
* [[House Seaworth]]
* [[House Wensington]]
* [[House Wylde]]

[[File:House Stark.svg|30px]] [[North]]ern [[House Stark|Stark]] loyalists
* [[Northern mountain clans]]
** [[House Burley]]
** [[House Flint of the mountains|House Flint]]
** [[House Harclay]]
** [[House Liddle]]
** [[House Norrey]]
** [[House Wull]]
* [[House Mormont]]
* [[House Glover]]
** [[House Bole]]
** [[House Branch]]
** [[House Woods]]
* [[House Umber]], led by [[Mors Umber]]
* [[House Hornwood|Hornwood]], [[House Cerwyn|Cerwyn]], and [[House Tallhart|Tallhart]] survivors from the [[battle at Winterfell]]
* Men of the [[Stony Shore]]
| combatant1 = [[File:House Baratheon (King's Landing).svg|33px]] '''[[Iron Throne]]'''/ [[House Baratheon of King's Landing]]: 

[[File:House Bolton.svg|30px]] The [[North]], led by [[House Bolton]]
* [[House Cerwyn]]
* [[House Dustin]]
* [[House Hornwood]]
* [[House Karstark]] (with Stannis's host)
* [[House Locke]]
* [[House Manderly]] (nominally)
* [[House Ryswell]]
* [[House Slate]]
* [[House Stout]]
* [[House Umber]], led by [[Hother Umber]]

[[File:House Frey.svg|30px]] [[Riverlands]], led by [[House Frey]]

| commander2 = [[File:House Baratheon (Dragonstone).svg|23px]] '''[[King of Westeros|King]] [[Stannis Baratheon]]''' 
*[[File:House Horpe.svg|20px]] [[Knighthood|Ser]] [[Richard Horpe]]
*[[File:House Farring.svg|20px]] [[Knighthood|Ser]] [[Godry Farring]]
[[File:Umbercrest.png|20px]] [[Castellan]] [[Mors Umber]] 
[[File:House Wull.svg|20px]] [[Lord]] [[Hugo Wull]] 
[[File:House Norrey.svg|20px]] [[Brandon Norrey (Younger)|Brandon Norrey]] 
[[File:House Mormont.svg|20px]] [[Alysane Mormont]]
| commander1 = [[File:House Bolton.svg|20px]] '''[[Lord]] [[Roose Bolton]]''' 
[[File:House Bolton.svg|20px]] [[Lord of Winterfell|Lord]] [[Ramsay Bolton]] 
[[File:House Frey.svg|20px]] [[Knighthood|Ser]] [[Aenys Frey]]† 
[[File:House Frey.svg|20px]] [[Knighthood|Ser]] [[Hosteen Frey]] 
[[File:Umbercrest.png|20px]] [[Castellan]] [[Hother Umber]] 
[[File:House Karstark.svg|20px]] [[Castellan]] [[Arnolf Karstark]] (POW) 
[[File:House Manderly.svg|20px]] [[Lord of White Harbor|Lord]] [[Wyman Manderly]]
| strength2 =
{{Columns|1|5,400 soldiers:

Main host: 5,000
*~1,400 southron men-at-arms and knights<ref group="N">Stannis had come north with no more than fifteen hundred men from the south (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 19|Davos III]]), men-at-arms and knights from the remnants of his troops who had fought on the Blackwater. He left eighty-three southron men-at-arms at the Wall (fifty at Castle Black to guard Melisandre, twelve at Castle Black to guard Queen Selyse and Princess Shireen, ten at Icemark, and ten at Greyguard, and Ser Axell Florent) (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 44|Jon IX]]), and lost a small amount of men in the Battle at Castle Black, putting his southron knights and men-at-arms at around fourteen hundred. In contrast to his enemies, Stannis's army has little to no cavalry; his southrons started with eight hundred horses, but all but a few dozen of them died or were eaten during the [[March on Winterfell]] ([[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 62|The Sacrifice]]).</ref>
*~3,600 northmen (soldiers and mountain clansmen)<ref group="N">When marching on Winterfell, Stannis has an army of five thousand men strong (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 35|Jon VII]] and [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 41|The Turncloak]]). He had come north with no more than fifteen hundred men from the south (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 19|Davos III]]). He left eighty-three southron men-at-arms at the Wall (fifty at Castle Black to guard Melisandre, twelve at Castle Black to guard Queen Selyse and Princess Shireen, ten at Icemark, and ten at Greyguard, and Ser Axell Florent), and had lost a small amount of men in the Battle at Castle Black (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 44|Jon IX]]), putting his southron knights and men-at-arms at around fourteen hundred. The remainder of his force is made up of the mountain clans, [[House Mormont]], [[House Glover]], men once sworn to Houses [[House Hornwood|Hornwood]], [[House Cerwyn|Cerwyn]], and [[House Tallhart|Tallhart]], and [[smallfolk]] who had fled from the [[ironborn]] (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 35|Jon VII]]). According to Jon Snow, the mountain clans would provide 2,000 to 3,000 men (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 17|Jon IV]]) clad in animal hides and mostly wielding sticks and slings, indicating that the other 600 to 1,600 men have been provided by the Houses Mormont, Glover, Hornwood, Cerwyn, and Tallhart, and smallfolk.</ref>
Vanguard: 400
*~400 [[House Umber|Umber]] men (vanguard)<ref group="N">It is said that [[Hother Umber]] has half of the remaining strength of [[House Umber]] with him at the side of the [[House Bolton|Boltons]], while [[Mors Umber]] has the other half with him on the side of [[Stannis Baratheon]] (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 35|Jon VII]]). Hother is known to have brought four hundred men with him to the [[siege of Moat Cailin]] (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 28|Davos II]]), meaning that Mors has about four hundred men with him.</ref>}}
| strength1 = {{Columns|1|7,150+ soldiers:

Vanguard: 2,750+
*~2,000 Frey troops{{ref|AFFC|16}}{{ref|ADWD|20}}<ref group="N">Described by Cersei Lannister as a force of two thousand strong (''[[A Feast for Crows]]'', [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 16|Jaime II]]), while judged by Theon Greyjoy to consist of four hundred knights, with "at least a thousand, maybe more" foot soldiers (including bowmen and spearmen) and light cavalry (including freeriders and mounted bowmen), supported by another hundred knights (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 20|Reek II]]).</ref> (includes 500 knights)
*300 Manderly troops{{Ref|ADWD|46}} (100 knights, 200 mounted men-at-arms)
*456 Karstark troops (400 spearmen, 40 archers, and 16 mounted lancers)<ref group="N">[[Arnolf Karstark]] had brought four hundred and fifty men with him ("a son, three grandsons, four hundred spears, two score archers, and a dozen mounted lances") to Stannis's host in collaboration with Roose, with the intention of turning on Stannis's host in favor of Roose as soon as the battle begins. Shortly before the battle, after confirming with Maester [[Tybald]] that Roose Bolton knows where they are, Stannis has Arnolf and his family members arrested, and his men disarmed. However, he believes the soldiers likely did not know of the plan, and as such might decide to use them in battle.</ref>
Winterfell garrison: 4,400+
*~4,000 Northern troops{{Ref|ADWD|20}} (mainly Bolton men)
*400 Umber troops{{Ref|ADWD|15}} (300 spearmen, 100 archers)
*Houses Dustin, Tallhart, Cerwyn, Hornwood, and Locke with an unknown number of soldiers}}
| casualties2 =
| casualties1 = [[Aenys Frey]] 456 Karstark troops captured and disarmed
}}
{{Warning/twow}}

The '''battle in the ice''' is an upcoming battle between the forces of [[Stannis Baratheon]] and the forces of [[Roose Bolton]]. It is set to take place at the start of ''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', the as-yet-unpublished sixth book of ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]''.<ref name=smartertravel>[http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/today-in-travel/game-of-thrones-exclusive-george-martin-talks-season-the-winds-of-winter-and-real-world-influences-for-song-of-ice-and-fire.html?id=10593041 George R.R. Martin Talks Season Two, 'The Winds of Winter,' and Real-World Influences for 'A Song of Ice and Fire' (March 26, 2012)]</ref>

==Prelude==
At [[Castle Black]], [[Stannis Baratheon]] secures the support of [[Arnolf Karstark]], the castellan of [[Karhold]], but finds himself unable to convince others to join their strength to his.{{Ref|ADWD|3}} When Arnolf informs him that only fifty men remain at the [[Dreadfort]], the seat of [[House Bolton]], he considers marching on the Bolton castle. However, [[Jon Snow]], [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch]], counsels against it.{{Ref|ADWD|17}} Unbeknownst to Stannis, Arnolf's loyalty is a pretense; In reality, he is loyal to Lord [[Roose Bolton]], and was attempting to lure Stannis to the Dreadfort to trap him.{{Ref|ADWD|32}}

Lord Bolton arrives in the [[north]] with a girl he claims to be [[Arya Stark]], the youngest daughter of the late Lord [[Eddard Stark]] of [[Winterfell]]. In reality, however, the girl is [[Jeyne Poole]], the daughter of [[Vayon Poole]], the former steward of Winterfell.{{Ref|ADWD|20}} Roose marries the fake Arya to his [[bastardy|bastard son]], the recently legitimized [[Ramsay Snow|Ramsay Bolton]] at [[Winterfell]].{{Ref|ADWD|37}} Their presence at Winterfell is meant to force Stannis to march on them,{{Ref|ADWD|32}} and indeed, after following the advice of Jon Snow, thereby securing the support of the [[northern mountain clans]], and [[fight by Deepwood Motte|retaking Deepwood Motte]] from the [[ironborn]]—resulting in the capture of [[Asha Greyjoy]]{{Ref|ADWD|26}}—Stannis leads his army from [[Deepwood Motte]] through the [[wolfswood]] to [[Winterfell]]. Although the southron knights and lords oppose the march, the northern lords insist that Roose must be removed from Winterfell and "the Ned's" daughter rescued from Ramsay. The [[march on Winterfell]] is a hundred leagues long, and is estimated to take fifteen days. However, snows begin on the fourth day, and the harsh weather slow the army down significantly. After thirty-three days, they arrive at a [[crofters' village]], located three days from Winterfell, but find themselves snowed in. After eleven days, Arnolf Karstark arrives with four hundred and fifty men.{{Ref|ADWD|62}}

At Winterfell, the forces Roose Bolton has gathered—consisting of Houses [[House Ryswell|Ryswell]], [[House Dustin|Dustin]], [[House Frey|Frey]], [[House Cerwyn|Cerwyn]], [[House Hornwood|Hornwood]], [[House Manderly|Manderly]], and part of [[House Umber]]—suffer from divided loyalties, infighting, and a series of mysterious murders, which cause tension in the castle between the Freys, Boltons, Manderlys, and other northern houses. At first, [[Theon Greyjoy]] is suspected to be the murderer, but that idea is quickly dismissed by Roose, who declares Theon to be too broken and weak to have carried out the deeds.{{ref|ADWD|46}}

At [[Castle Black]], the [[red priest]]ess [[Melisandre]] sees a grey girl on a dying horse in her flames. Believing the girl to be Arya Stark, Lord Commander Jon Snow's younger half-sister, she enlists the help of [[Mance Rayder]], the former [[King-beyond-the-Wall]], to rescue the girl.{{Ref|ADWD|31}} The girl eventually arrives at Castle Black, but she turns out to be [[Alys Karstark]], who informs Jon Snow that her uncle Arnolf is plotting to betray Stannis.{{Ref|ADWD|44}} Jon sends ravens to [[Deepwood Motte]] in an attempt to warn Stannis.{{ref|ADWD|49}} At Winterfell, the tensions among the army finally erupt into a brawl (in which Lord [[Wyman Manderly]] becomes injured) and Manderly and Frey men are killed after [[Walder Frey (son of Merrett)|Little Walder Frey]] is found dead. In response, Roose sends out the forces of House Frey and House Manderly, to engage Stannis into battle at the crofters' village.{{Ref|ADWD|51}}

Theon and Jeyne—believed by Roose's host to be Arya—leap from Winterfell shortly before the Freys and Manderlys leave Winterfell, and the pair are found by [[Mors Umber]] beneath the walls of the castle. They are brought to the village where Stannis and his army remain by [[Tycho Nestoris]], a [[Braavos]]i [[Iron Bank of Braavos|banker]] searching for Stannis. Stannis is informed of Arnolf's planned treachery, and arrests him, his son [[Arthor Karstark|Arthor]], and his three grandsons.<ref name=Theon>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', [[Theon I (The Winds of Winter)|Theon I]]</ref>

Because it has been snowing severely, the men on the battlefields of Winterfell cannot see anyone beneath the walls, giving [[Mors Umber]] and his green boys the chance to dig pits outside the gates. Next, they blow their horns to lure their enemies out.<ref name=Theon/> [[Roose Bolton]] sends out the [[House Frey|Freys]] from the main gates and the [[House Manderly|Manderlys]] from the eastern gates.{{Ref|ADWD|51}} Some Frey men fall into the snow-covered pits placed by Mors, and Ser [[Aenys Frey]] breaks his neck. Hosteen Frey loses his horse but survives.<ref name=Theon/>

==Battle==

==Aftermath==
At [[Castle Black]], [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch|Lord Commander]] [[Jon Snow]] receives [[Bastard Letter|a letter]], supposedly written by [[Ramsay Snow|Ramsay Bolton]], which claims that [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]] is dead and his army is broken. Though it is unknown if the letter's contents are true or if it was indeed written by Ramsay, it galvanizes Lord Commander Snow into breaking with tradition of the [[Night's Watch]] and forming an army of volunteers—black brothers and [[free folk]] alike—to march on Winterfell and defeat the Boltons. Jon is attacked in the [[mutiny at Castle Black]], however.{{ref|ADWD|69}}

==Notes==
{{Notes}}

==References==
{{References|2}}

{{War of the Five Kings}}

[[Category:Battles]]
[[Category:House Baratheon battles]]
[[Category:House Bolton battles]]
[[Category:House Frey battles]]
[[Category:House Manderly battles]]
[[Category:House Umber battles]]
[[Category:War of the Five Kings]]
[[Category:Winterfell]]

Battle of the Blackwater

2019-06-04T18:21:28Z

Nihlus:

{{Battlebox collapsible
| image = [[File:T Jedruszek BattleoftheB ship.jpg|350px]]
| caption = by Tomasz Jedruszek. © Fantasy Flight Games
| battle_name = Battle of the Blackwater
| conflict = [[War of the Five Kings]]
| date = {{Date|299}}
| place = mouth of the [[Blackwater Rush]] and [[King's Landing]]
| result = Decisive victory for [[House Baratheon of King's Landing]]
| colour_scheme =
| combatant2 = [[File:House Baratheon (Dragonstone).svg|33px]] '''[[House Baratheon of Dragonstone]]:''' 

[[Crownlands]]
*[[House Bar Emmon]]{{ref|asos|75}}
*[[House Celtigar]]{{ref|acok|65}}
*[[House Chyttering]]{{ref|asos|10}}
*[[House Farring]]{{ref|affc|Appendix}}{{ref|adwd|3}}
*[[House Follard]]{{ref|adwd|44}}
*[[House Massey]]{{ref|adwd|7}}
*[[House Velaryon]]{{ref|asos|25}}

[[Stormlands]]
*[[House Bolling]]{{ref|affc|44}}
*[[House Buckler]]{{ref|adwd|44}}
*[[House Caron]]{{ref|acok|65}}
*[[House Connington]]{{ref|acok|65}}
*[[House Errol]]{{ref|acok|42}}
*[[House Estermont]]{{ref|acok|52}}{{ref|acok|57}}
*[[House Fell]]{{ref|affc|Appendix}}{{ref|adwd|17}}
*[[House Gower]]{{ref|asos|54}}
*[[House Grandison]]{{ref|adwd|44}}
*[[House Hasty]]{{ref|acok|65}}{{ref|asos|Appendix}}{{ref|affc|27}}
*[[House Horpe]]<ref name=TWOW>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', [[Theon I (The Winds of Winter)|Theon I]]</ref>
*[[House Mertyns]]
*[[House Morrigen]]{{ref|acok|52}}{{ref|acok|62}}
*[[House Peasebury]]{{ref|adwd|42}}
*[[House Penrose]]
*[[House Seaworth]]{{ref|acok|58}}{{ref|asos|5}}
*[[House Selmy]]
*[[House Staedmon]]{{ref|acok|65}}
*[[House Wensington]]{{ref|asos|75}}
*[[House Wylde]]{{ref|adwd|61}}

[[Reach|The Reach]]
*[[House Florent]]
*[[House Fossoway of Cider Hall]]
*[[House Fossoway of New Barrel]]
*[[House Meadows]]
*[[House Mullendore]]
*[[House Varner]]
*[[House Willum]]
[[Salladhor Saan]]'s pirate fleet ([[Lys]]ene) 
[[Myr]]ish sellsails
| combatant1 = [[File:House Baratheon (King's Landing).svg|33px]] '''[[Iron Throne]]'''/ [[House Baratheon of King's Landing]]: 

'''King's Landing garrison:'''
[[City Watch of King's Landing|Gold cloaks]] 

[[Crownlands]]
*[[House Brune of Brownhollow]]{{ref|ACOK|65}}
*[[House Brune of the Dyre Den]]{{refn|group=N|name=CrownlandHouses|The Crownland Houses of Brune of the Dyre Den, Byrch, Hayford, Hogg, Rosby and Rykker are not directly mentioned at Blackwater, but as they are sworn directly to the Iron Throne, it is likely they took part in the battle or provided men to the City Watch.}}
*[[House Byrch]]{{refn|group=N|name=CrownlandHouses}}
*[[House Bywater]]{{ref|ASOS|19}}
*[[House Harte]]{{ref|ASOS|67}}
*[[House Hayford]]{{refn|group=N|name=CrownlandHouses}}
*[[House Hogg]]{{refn|group=N|name=CrownlandHouses}}
*[[House Kettleblack]]{{ref|ACOK|59}}
*[[House Rosby]]{{refn|group=N|name=CrownlandHouses}}
*[[House Rykker]]{{refn|group=N|name=CrownlandHouses}}
*[[House Stokeworth]]{{ref|ACOK|57}}

[[Vale mountain clans]]
*[[Black Ears]]{{ref|ACOK|49}}
*[[Burned Men]]{{ref|ACOK|49}}
*[[Moon Brothers]]{{ref|ACOK|49}}
*[[Stone Crows]]{{ref|ACOK|49}}

'''Relief force (late battle):'''
[[File:House Lannister.svg|30px]] [[Westerlands]], led by [[House Lannister]]
*[[House Banefort]]
*[[House Bettley]]
*[[House Brax]]{{ref|ACOK|65}}
*[[House Crakehall]]{{ref|ACOK|65}}
*[[House Falwell]]
*[[House Ferren]]
*[[House Foote]]{{ref|ACOK|65}}
*[[House Kenning of Kayce]]
*[[House Lannister of Lannisport]]
*[[House Lefford]]
*[[House Lydden]]{{ref|ACOK|65}}
*[[House Marbrand]]{{ref|ACOK|62}}{{ref|ACOK|65}}
*[[House Myatt]]
*[[House Payne]]{{ref|ACOK|61}}
*[[House Peckledon]]{{ref|ACOK|65}}
*[[House Plumm]]
*[[House Prester]]
*[[House Sarsfield]]
*[[House Serrett]]
*[[House Stackspear]]
*[[House Swyft]]
*[[House Turnberry]]
*[[House Yarwyck]]

[[File:House Tyrell.svg|30px]] [[Reach|The Reach]], led by [[House Tyrell]]
*[[House Ambrose]]
*[[House Beesbury]]
*[[House Blackbar]]
*[[House Bulwer]]
*[[House Bushy]]
*[[House Caswell]]
*[[House Costayne]]
*[[House Cuy]]
*[[House Dunn]]
*[[House Footly]]
*[[House Graceford]]
*[[House Hightower]]
*[[House Hunt]]
*[[House Inchfield]]
*[[House Leygood]]
*[[House Merryweather]]
*[[House Norcross]]
*[[House Oakheart]]
*[[House Peake]]
*[[House Redwyne]]
*[[House Rowan]]
*[[House Shermer]]
*[[House Tarly]]
*[[House Webber]]
*[[House Wythers]]
| commander2 = '''Force on land:'''
*King [[Stannis Baratheon]]
*Ser [[Guyard Morrigen]]†
*Ser [[Rolland Storm]]
'''Fleet:'''
*Ser [[Imry Florent]]†
*[[Salladhor Saan]]
| commander1 =
'''King's Landing garrison:'''
*Lord [[Tyrion Lannister]] (WIA)
*Lord [[Jacelyn Bywater]]†
*[[Sandor Clegane]]
'''Relief force:'''
*Lord [[Mace Tyrell]]
*Ser [[Garlan Tyrell]]
*Lord [[Randyll Tarly]]
*Lord [[Tywin Lannister]]
| strength2 = '''Force on land:'''
* ~16,400 cavalry mainly from the [[Reach]], and some from the [[Stormlands]] and [[Crownlands]]{{refn|group=N|Stannis originally had an army of five thousand men, but he claims to have twenty thousand men after Renly's death has caused a large part of his men to join Stannis. According to Davos, Stannis has “nearly twenty thousand” cavalry alone.{{ref|ACOK|58}} If true, this would mean Stannis had close to 25,000 soldiers in total, though Stannis claims to only have about 20,000 men immediately after Renly's death;{{ref|ACOK|42}} this would indicate that either Davos mistaken/rounding up, Stannis was rounding down, or that more men joined Stannis soon after he said he had 20,000. However, Tyrion states that four fifths of the cavalry present joined Stannis, which from a force of 20,000 would equate to 16,000 men, giving Stannis ~21,000 total when his original 5,000 are added, which lends credence to Stannis's figure ~20,000 being closer to the truth than Davos's ~25,000. Additionally, Stannis's force on land is referred to by Davos as being entirely mounted and making better pace than an infantry force as a result;{{ref|ACOK|58}} since Stannis's original host numbered 4,600 infantry and 400 cavalry{{ref|ACOK|22}} before being joined by ~16,000 of Renly's cavalry, this would mean his force on land totaled 16,400 soldiers, with his original infantry (mainly consisting of "companies of spearmen and archers",{{ref|ACOK|22}} as opposed to the knights and man-at-arms that make up the bulk of his main host) being confined to his ships.}}
'''Fleet:'''
* ~4,600 embarked infantry of Stannis's original host, from the [[crownlands]], [[Lys]], and [[Myr]]{{Ref|ACOK|31}}
~200 ships:{{refn|group=N|Stannis' fleet consists of ten battlelines of twenty ships,{{ref|ACOK|58}} bringing the total amount of ship to two hundred.}}
* 60 war galleys of the [[royal fleet]] and Crownlords{{refn|group=N|The first three lines of twenty are made up of Westerosi war galleys. Out of these sixty ships, at least nine are known to belong to the lords of the Narrow Sea (''[[Pride of Driftmark]]'', ''[[Bold Laughter]]'', ''[[Harridan]]'', and ''[[Seahorse]]'' from [[House Velaryon]]; ''[[Red Claw]]'' from [[House Celtigar]]; ''[[Swordfish]]'' from [[House Bar Emmon]]; ''[[Piety]]'', ''[[Prayer]]'', and ''[[Devotion]]'', commandeered from [[House Sunglass]]).}}
* ~40 smaller Myrish sellsail war galleys{{ref|ACOK|17}}{{refn|group=N|name=Myrish|Described as a smaller contingent "the smaller, slower Myrish contingent".{{ref|ACOK|58}} As the fleet is stated in the same chapter to be divided into ten lines of twenty, this means the Myrmen have at most forty ships, but possibly as few as twenty.}}
* ~80 commandeered transport vessels taken from traders (carracks and lumbering great cogs){{Ref|ACOK|58}}{{ref|ACOK|1}}
* 25 Lysene pirate galleys{{refn|group=N|The Lyseni Salladhor Saan commands his [[Valyrian]] and two dozen smaller galleys.{{ref|ACOK|0}}}}
| strength1 = '''King's Landing garrison:''' 7,000-8,000
* 5,700 [[City Watch of King's Landing|gold cloaks]]{{refn|group=N|name=goldcloaks|The city watch contains six thousand men, although only two thousand of these, who had received their gold cloak from Robert, are seasoned men.{{Ref|ACOK|49}} Three hundred gold cloaks later escort Petyr Baelish to Bitterbridge,{{Ref|ACOK|36}} leaving only five thousand seven hundred.}}
* ~800 sellswords{{Ref|acok|49}}
*[[Stokeworth]] and [[Rosby]] contingents{{Ref|ACOK|49}}{{Ref|ACOK|57}}
* 300 knights, squires and men-at-arms{{Ref|ACOK|49}}
* 150 mountain clansmen (harassed Stannis's army during the march)
* "Hundreds" of scorpions, catapaults, and ballistae manned by hundreds of engineers{{ref|ACOK|17}}
'''Lannister navy:''' 57+ ships
* 45 war galleys of the [[royal fleet]]{{refn|group=N|Stannis has ten lines of twenty ships, bringing his total to ~200; Stannis has four times more ships than Joffrey, giving Joffrey ~50 ships of the royal fleet. (The Baratheon forces would have no information regarding the trading vessels seized on Tyrion's command.) However, unbeknownst to Stannis and his men, five of these ships (''[[King Robert's Hammer]]'', ''[[Seaswift]]'', ''[[Lionstar]]'', ''[[Bold Wind]]'', and ''[[Lady Lyanna]]'') have departed King’s Landing long before to escort Myrcella to Braavos.{{Ref|ACOK|41}} When the Battle of the Blackwater takes place, they have not yet returned.{{Ref|ACOK|58}}}}
* At least 12 vessels taken from traders{{Ref|ACOK|49}}
* A "swarm" of hulks, barges, skiffs, ferries, wherries, and rowboats laden with [[wildfire]]{{Ref|AFFC|58}}
'''Relief force:'''
* ~50,000-70,000 Tyrell men{{refn|group=N|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}} The forces of House Tyrell make up the majority of Renly's forces. Catelyn Stark says that Renly's cavalry includes at least ten thousand heavy lancers,{{Ref|ACOK|33}} and that it accompanies him to Storm's End to lift the siege, while his foot, according to Stannis near sixty thousand strong,{{Ref|ACOK|42}} remains at Bitterbridge when Renly goes to lift the siege of Storm’s End. As Renly previously stated that the total of his men at Bitterbridge numbered eighty thousand, this would make his cavalry at Storm's End 20,000 strong. As only one fifth of Renly's knights did not join Stannis,{{Ref|ACOK|36}} Stannis would have gained ~16,000 troops, bringing his total force to ~21,000. 
Of those who remain, some — chiefly those of [[House Florent]] — are put to death by Lord [[Randyll Tarly]] after Renly's death.{{Ref|ACOK|42}}{{Ref|ACOK|44}} As House Florent can field two thousand men at best,{{Ref|ACOK|0}} this would reduce Renly's foot to fifty-eight thousand at a minimum. A fifth of the knights that had accompanied Renly to Storm's End return to join the other forces from the Reach,{{Ref|ACOK|36}} but how many of his ten (of fifteen) thousand cavalry had been knights is unknown. Mace Tyrell's additional ten thousand at Highgarden would bring the total to ~70,000 soldiers from House Tyrell.
 [[Petyr Baelish]] tells [[Joffrey Baratheon]]'s [[small council]] that Mace Tyrell can field fifty thousand swords.{{Ref|ACOK|36}} According to Tyrion Lannister, some fifty to seventy thousand [[House Tyrell|Tyrell soldiers]] are in the King's Landing vicinity after the Battle of the Blackwater.{{Ref|asos|38}}}}
* ~20,000 Lannister men{{refn|group=N|Tywin's host originally is 20,000 men strong.{{Ref|agot|56}} Despite desertions and insurgency in the riverlands, and many minor sieges and skirmishes, he still has about the same number before the [[Battle of the Fords]].{{Ref|asos|45}} Despite casualties during the battle, Tywin is later said to have twenty thousand swords in King's Landing,{{Ref|asos|38}} suggesting he either gained men or did not lose a significant amount.}}
| casualties2 = [[#Notable Casualties|See below]]
* 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's remaining fleet
* 47 Lesser lordlings killed{{Ref|ASOS|19}}
* 619 knights killed{{Ref|ASOS|19}}
* Several thousand men-at-arms killed{{Ref|ASOS|19}}
* Several thousand men-at-arms left behind for lack of space on Saan's fleet{{ref|adwd|66}}
* Most of the ~15,000 stormlanders and men of the Reach who had previously supported Renly abandoned Stannis{{Ref|ASOS|4}} by the hundreds{{Ref|ASOS|10}}
| casualties1 = [[#Notable Casualties|See below]]
'''King's Landing garrison:''' Heavy
* 1,600 gold cloaks killed or deserted{{refn|group=N|Following the deaths from and the desertions during the battle, the city watch only contains some forty-four hundred men,{{Ref|ASOS|4}} where it had numbered six thousand before.{{Ref|acok|49}}}}
* Majority of the sellswords and knights/men-at-arms killed{{refn|group=N|Sandor Clegane loses half his knights and sellswords.{{Ref|acok|59}} Tyrion Lannister leads another sally, which is nearly wiped out.{{Ref|acok|61}}}}
'''King's Landing navy:''' Heavy
* 39+ royal war galleys{{Ref|AFFC|17}} destroyed, associated crews and marines all killed
* All hulks, barges, skiffs, ferries, wherries, and rowboats destroyed
'''Relief force:''' Minimal
}}

The '''Battle of the Blackwater'''{{ref|ASOS|16}} is the largest battle in the [[War of the Five Kings]]. The battle is fought between the forces loyal to [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I Baratheon]], the King on the [[Iron Throne]], and those loyal to [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis I Baratheon]], the King in the [[Narrow Sea]]. After [[Siege of Storm's End (299)#Regicide|eliminating]] his younger brother [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]], a rival claimaint to the Iron Throne, Stannis gains the loyalty of nearly all of the [[Stormlands|Stormlords]] and [[Reach|Reach lords]] and advances on [[King's Landing]] by land and sea, intent on seizing the city and taking control of the Iron Throne.

==Prelude==
Convinced that Joffrey Baratheon is not King [[Robert I Baratheon]]'s son, Stannis believes his claim to the [[Iron Throne]] is the true one. However, he lacks the strength to attack King's Landing, as few [[House Baratheon of Dragonstone#Sworn to Dragonstone|Houses are sworn to Dragonstone]] and the rocky, volcanic islands surrounding Dragonstone have a sparse population, and the men of the [[stormlands]] have given their support to his younger brother [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]], the [[Lord of Storm's End]], who has proclaimed himself king as well. Additionally, Renly has taken [[Margaery Tyrell]] to wife, which has earned him the support of the men from the [[Reach]] as well.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} On Dragonstone, the red priestess [[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.{{Ref|ACOK|42}}

[[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]] arrives in the [[stormlands]] with his five thousand men and [[Siege of Storm's End (299)|lays siege]] to the coastal fortress [[Storm's End]], the seat of his younger brother, [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]].{{ref|ACOK|22}}{{Ref|ACOK|25}} Renly is at [[Bitterbridge]] with his army when news reaches his camp. He splits his forces and rides with some twenty thousand cavalry to Storm's End to break the siege.{{ref|ACOK|31}} After a failed parlay in which neither brother will yield, the battle is set at dawn.{{ref|ACOK|31}} However, that night Renly is killed by a [[shadow assassin]] summoned by [[Melisandre]].{{Ref|ACOK|33}} With Renly dead, the majority of the host that had accompanied him to Storm's End swears their allegiance to Stannis.{{ref|ACOK|36}} [[House Florent]] and both branches of [[House Fossoway]] also defect to Stannis, but a fifth of Renly’s knights returns to Bitterbridge with Ser [[Loras Tyrell]].{{ref|ACOK|36}} The siege continues, as Storm's End's castellan, Ser [[Cortnay Penrose]], refuses to yield the castle to Stannis{{ref|ACOK|36}} because he fears for the safety of King [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert]]'s [[bastard]] son [[Edric Storm]].{{Ref|ACOK|42}} To end the siege quickly, Ser [[Davos Seaworth]] smuggles Melisandre under the castle by boat, where she summons another shadow to assassinate Cortnay.{{ref|ACOK|42}} After Cortnay's death, the castle yields, leaving Stannis free to advance on [[King's Landing]].{{ref|ACOK|44}}{{Ref|ACOK|45}}

Sixty thousand men from Renly's army are still encamped at Bitterbridge, and when news of Renly's death reaches them,{{Ref|ACOK|42}} fighting breaks out between Stannis' supporters and Renly's loyalists led by the vengeful Loras Tyrell. [[Parmen Crane]] and [[Erren Florent]] – the two knights sent by Stannis to retrieve the army for him{{Ref|ACOK|42}} – are taken prisoner,{{Ref|ASOS|Appendix}} while Lord [[Randyll Tarly]] seizes the supplies and puts many men, mostly Florents, to death.{{ref|acok|44}} In [[King's Landing]], the [[small council]] of King Joffrey decides to attempt to make an alliance with [[House Tyrell]] by offering to marry Joffrey to Margaery. [[Petyr Baelish]], representing King Joffrey I,{{ref|ACOK|36}} travels to Bitterbridge and wins the allegiance of [[House Tyrell]]. Riders are sent north to warn Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] of Stannis's threat to the capital.{{ref|ASOS|14}}

Meanwhile, [[Robb Stark]] attacks the [[westerlands]], hoping to lure Lord Tywin Lannister, who had been residing at [[Harrenhal]] with his twenty thousand men, away from [[King's Landing]] while King Stannis attacks the city from the south. Stannis's victory would mean the end of King [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I]], Queen [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]], and acting [[Hand of the King|Hand]] [[Tyrion Lannister]], breaking Lannister power.{{Ref|ASOS|14}} Tywin begins his march west,{{Ref|ACOK|39}} but Lord [[Edmure Tully]], unaware of Robb's plan,{{Ref|ASOS|14}} refuses to allow the Lannisters to cross the [[Trident]] without [[Battle of the Fords|giving battle]] and places an army of eleven thousand men at the key fords along the [[Red Fork]].{{Ref|ACOK|39}} After several probing attacks, Lord Tywin attempts to force a crossing in a dozen places. Unable to cross the river, Tywin is forced to retreat.{{Ref|ACOK|45}} This delays Tywin just long enough for riders out of Bitterbridge to reach him with word of Stannis's threat to King's Landing.{{Ref|ASOS|14}}

In preparation of the defense of King's Landing, [[Cersei Lannister]] has arranged for the production of vast amounts of [[wildfire]],{{Ref|ACOK|3}} while [[Tyrion Lannister]] has commissioned a great chain boom across the mouth of the [[Blackwater Rush]].{{Ref|ACOK|15}} The [[City Watch of King's Landing|City Watch]] is tripled in size,{{ref|acok|3}} sellswords are hired,{{ref|acok|8}} contingents of soldiers are send from [[Rosby]] and [[Stokeworth]],{{Ref|ACOK|49}}{{Ref|ACOK|57}} and hundreds of scorpions, spitfires, and catapults are constructed and placed on the walls.{{ref|acok|3}}{{ref|ACOK|31}} Tyrion further sends out his hundred and fifty [[Vale mountain clans]]men to harass Stannis' flanks and kill his scouts in the [[kingswood]].{{ref|acok|52}} Stannis's vanguard arrives at the city 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]].{{Ref|aCoK|52}}

Treacherous waters and inclement weather delay Stannis's fleet on its northward journey from Storm's End. A dozen ships are lost on the journey to [[Blackwater Bay]]. Stannis gives command of the fleet to Ser [[Imry Florent]], who commands from Stannis's [[ships|galley]], the ''[[Fury]]''. Stannis himself is on the south side of the Blackwater with his host, making them create arrows and rafts.{{Ref|aCoK|58}}

==The Battle==
[[File:King's Landing Map BattleoftheBlackwater.png|thumb|350px|Map of King's Landing during the Battle of the Blackwater 
'' '''I.''' The [[Red Keep]]; '''II.''' [[Great Sept of Baelor]] upon [[Visenya's Hill]]; '''III.''' [[Dragonpit]] upon [[Rhaenys's Hill]]; '''IV.''' Western baracks of the [[City Watch]]; '''V.''' Eastern baracks of the [[City Watch]] ''
 '''1.''' Stannis' fleet enters the river from Blackwater Bay; Only the ships of [[Salladhor Saan]] remain behind; '''2.''' Once the first lines have passed, the defenders of King's Landing begin raising the chain; By the time the entire fleet has passed, the chain has been raised completely; '''3.''' When Stannis' ships engage Joffrey's fleet, the ships are lit afire with [[wildfire]]; '''4.''' Skirmishes start in [[Flea Bottom]]; '''5.''' King [[Joffrey I Baratheon]] travels to the trebuchets ("the Whores") to launch the [[Antler Men]]; '''6.''' Survivors from Stannis' fleet land on the riverfront and take a ram to the King's Gate; 7. The burning and broken ships have pilled together, creating a bridge of ships allowing Stannis' vanguard to cross the river; '''8.''' An army of [[westermen]] and men from the [[Reach]] arrives to take the forces of Stannis Baratheon in the rear; '''9.''' Seeing the battle is lost, Salladhor Saan, who kept his ships in the bay, lands his ships, allowing Stannis and ~1500 men to retreat.]]
===Battle on the River===
The battle opens when Stannis's admiral, Ser [[Imry Florent]], leads Stannis' fleet up the river to engage Joffrey's ships. They enter visual range of the city in the late afternoon.{{Ref|ACOK|58}} 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 the [[Lysene]] galleys of [[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 are made up of war galleys belonging to the royal navy and the lords of the narrow sea. Behind them sails the smaller [[Myr]]ish contingent, who are 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.{{Ref|aCoK|58}} Ser [[Davos Seaworth]] realizes that the two watchtowers at the mouth of the Blackwater Rush are newly build, and he notices the chain in the water.{{ref|ACOK|58}} The fleet continues forward nonetheless. From within the city, pots of pitch are flung at the ships, and the trebuchets located within the city start to fling stones.{{Ref|ACOK|58}}
[[File:Battle of the Blackwater.jpg|400px|thumb|The wildfire burns the Blackwater - by Amok ©]]
[[Tyrion Lannister]] has ordered several of Joffrey's ships to be filled with wildfire. Stannis' fleet is lured further in the bay when Joffrey's pull back. When they engage the fleet of King's Landing, the ships and the river are soon afire. The wildfire destroys nearly every ship in both fleets. To their horror, the men on Stannis' ship discover that the great chain has been raised behind them, cutting off their retreat.{{Ref|ACOK|58}} However, as Ser Imry's first two battle lines had been well upstream of the fire when the hulks went up, some thirty or forty galleys are able to escape the inferno at first.{{Ref|ACOK|59}} Eight ships manage to land under the city walls and put men ashore, while many of the [[Myr]]men escape the flames by sailing for the south bank.{{Ref|ACOK|59}}

===Attack on King's Landing===
The city itself is defended by some five thousand seven hundred [[gold cloaks]],{{refn|group=N|name=goldcloaks}} leavened with eight hundred mercenaries and three hundred 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]].{{Ref|aCoK|49}}

At the start of the battle, some small skirmishes arise within the city when some drunkards in [[Flea Bottom]] smash doors and climb into houses. Lord [[Jacelyn Bywater]] sends his gold cloaks to deal with them.{{Ref|ACOK|60}} When rich merchants and such gather in the square before the [[Red Keep]], asking for refuge in the castle, Queen Regent Cersei Lannister commands the gates be kept close.{{Ref|ACOK|60}}

Tyrion tasks several groups of mounted men-at-arms, along with what few [[knight]]s 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. Tyrion and King [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I Baratheon]] look on from the Mud Gate how the fleet goes up in flames. After King Joffrey leaves to shoot the [[Antler Men]] from [[Three Whores|the trebuchets]], guarded by Ser [[Meryn Trant]] and Ser [[Osmund Kettleblack]], Tyrion learns of Stannis' men having landed on the tourney grounds, who are preparing to ram the King's Gate. He arrives at the Mud Gate where Sandor Clegane, who had already led three sorties in which he has lost half his men, refuses to go out again. The [[wildfire]] raging across the river has robbed Clegane of his courage, and his refusal to lead any more sorties threatens to break the morale of the defenders. As they need to hold the river at all costs, Tyrion decides to lead the next sortie himself. Shamed into action by the dwarf's display of courage, several defenders gather to Tyrion's side.{{Ref|AGOT|59}}

While Tyrion is leading the sortie at the King's Gate, the Mud Gate falls under attack as well.{{Ref|ACOK|60}} Queen Regent Cersei Lannister orders King Joffrey, who is still at the trebuchets near the gate, to be brought back to the castle.{{Ref|ACOK|60}} When the defenders see their 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.{{Ref|ASOS|4}} Tyrion manages to disperse the attackers at the [[King's Gate]] and makes for the [[Mud Gate]]. When Ser [[Balon Swann]] points out that the galleys on the river which had smashed into each other have tangled together, creating a bridge of ships, which is being used by Stannis' boldest knights to cross the river, they take the fight to the riverfront.{{Ref|aCoK|61}} Tyrion eventually finds himself on the bridge of ships, when it is about to collapse. He is severely wounded by Ser [[Mandon Moore]] of the [[Kingsguard]], who had been Tyrion's sworn shield throughout the battle.{{Ref|aCoK|61}} Moore is killed by Tyrion's squire, [[Podrick Payne]].{{Ref|acok|61}}{{Ref|acok|67}}

With the bridge breaking up and their Hand lost in battle, the defenders retreat within the city walls.{{Ref|aSoS|4}} At this point, after only a few hours of resistance, the battle seems to be lost to Tyrion, though at this time he also sees Stannis's army seemingly fighting itself on the other side of the river.

===Renly's ghost===
Having learned of Stannis' approaching attack on King's Landing and the alliance between then Iron Throne and [[House Lannister]], Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] has marched his host south. Near the headwaters of the [[Blackwater Rush]] he joins up with Lords [[Mathis Rowan]] and [[Randyll Tarly]], from where they force a march to [[Tumbler's Falls]], where they find Lord [[Mace Tyrell]] and his sons wait with their huge host and a fleet of barges. Together, the Lannisters and Tyrells float down the river to disembark half a day's ride from the capital.{{Ref|ASOS|14}} They arrive at the battle scene at dusk,{{Ref|acok|61}} taking Stannis' army from the rear. Lord Tywin leads the right wing on the north side of the river, while Randyll Tarly commands the center and Mace Tyrell the left.{{Ref|ACOK|62}} However, it is their vanguard, led by Ser [[Garlan Tyrell]],{{Ref|ASOS|67}} which plunges through Stannis' army. Dressed in the recognizable armor of the deceased [[Renly Baratheon]], his former supporters, convinced their dead lord has returned, abandon Stannis.{{Ref|ACOK|62}} "Renly's shade" kills Ser [[Guyard Morrigen]], who leads Stannis' van.{{Ref|ACOK|62}}
[[File:T Jedruszek DefendersOfKingsLanding.jpg|350px|thumb|right|Lannister soldiers defending King's Landing – by Tomasz Jedruszek. © Fantasy Flight Games]]
Seeing that the battle has turned bad, Salladhor Saan puts his ships, which had been kept out in the bay, in along the shore, taking as many people as will fit.{{Ref|asos|4}} [[Rolland Storm]] leads a rearguard action, allowing Stannis and several hundreds of his men, about half of Florents, to reach the ships.{{Ref|aSoS|54}} As Saan’s ship can only take a limited amount of men, thousands are left behind due to lack of space,{{Ref|adwd|66}} and towards the end, men begin to kill each other to get aboard and escape.{{Ref|asos|4}}

==Aftermath==
The Battle of the Blackwater is a major defeat for Stannis. He retreats to Dragonstone with only a fraction of his army, and only Saan’s ships.

Most of those captured during the battle bend the knee to Joffrey, including men sworn to Dragonstone. During a court session, Ser [[Garlan Tyrell]] publicly asks Joffrey to take his sister Margaery to bride, and Joffrey, as previously agreed upon, fakes unwillingness to break his betrothal to [[Sansa Stark]] until the High Septon and small council agree that he is allowed to do so. Multiple honors and rewards are given to the participants and survivors of the battle by King Joffrey and his small council:

* Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] is proclaimed ''"[[Savior of the City]]"'', and openly accepts the responsibility of the governance of the realm, officially resuming his office as [[Hand of the King]].{{Ref|acok|65}}
* Ser [[Loras Tyrell]] is given a place in the [[Kingsguard]], replacing Ser [[Mandon Moore]].
* Lord [[Mace Tyrell]] is granted a seat on the [[small council]],{{Ref|acok|65}} as [[master of ships]].{{ref|asos|appendix}}
* Ser [[Garlan Tyrell]], the titles, lands and incomes of [[House Florent]], including lordship of [[Brightwater Keep]].{{Ref|asos|19}}
* Lords [[Mathis Rowan]] and [[Paxter Redwyne]] seats on the small council as advisers.{{Ref|asos|19}}
* Ser [[Philip Foote]], the lands, rights and incomes of [[House Caron]], including Lordship of [[Nightsong]] as Lord Foote, for slaying Lord [[Bryce Caron]].{{Ref|acok|65}}
* [[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 Fossoway|Bryan]] and Ser [[Edwyd Fossoway]] after fighting past half a hundred Fossoway men-at-arms.{{Ref|acok|65}}
* [[Josmyn Peckledon]], a sword and suit of plate and a warhorse of the royal stables as well as a [[knight]]hood when coming of age, for killing two knights, wounding a third and capturing two more.{{Ref|acok|65}}
* Goodman [[Willit]], a [[House Swyft|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]].{{Ref|acok|65}}
* [[Wisdom]] [[Hallyne]], raised to lordship, albeit without lands or castle.{{Ref|acok|65}}
* Ser [[Lancel Lannister]], granted the lands, castle and rights of [[House Darry]] as Lord of [[Darry]].{{Ref|acok|65}}
* 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]].{{Ref|acok|65}}
* Surviving captains from Joffrey's warships ''[[River Arrow]]'', ''[[Wildwind]]'' and ''[[Prince Aemon]]'', and under officers from ''[[Godsgrace (ship)|Godsgrace]]'', ''[[Ramshead]]'', ''[[Lance]]'' and ''[[Lady of Silk]]'', honored by the crown.{{ref|ACOK|65}}
* More than six hundred men are knighted by the [[Kingsguard]],{{Ref|acok|65}} including sellsword [[Bronn]], raised to [[knight]]hood as Ser Bronn of the Blackwater, and [[Osfryd Kettleblack|Osfryd]] and [[Osney Kettleblack]].{{Ref|asos|4}}

==Hostages and casualties==
[[File:John_Picacio_Tyrion.jpg‎|[[Tyrion Lannister]] during the Battle of the Blackwater ‎- © 2012 John Picacio|thumb|250px|right]]
===Hostages===
{{Columns|2|
* Lord [[Ardrian Celtigar]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* Lord [[Alesander Staedmon]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* Lord [[Steffon Varner]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* Lord [[House Willum|Willum]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* Ser [[Eldon Estermont]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* Ser [[Mark Mullendore]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* Ser [[Tanton Fossoway]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* Ser [[Donnel Swann]], gets ransomed and bends the knee to Joffrey
* Ser [[Ronnet Connington]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* Ser [[Jon Fossoway]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* Ser [[Bonifer Hasty]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* Ser [[Dermot]] of the [[Rainwood]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* Ser [[Timon]], "the Scrapesword", bends the knee to Joffrey
* [[Josua Willum]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* [[Elyas Willum]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* [[Aurane Waters]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* A bastard of [[House Florent]], remains defiant and is executed{{ref|acok|65}}
* Ser [[Shadrich]] of the Shady Glen, ransoms himself
}}

===Notable Casualties===
====Lannister/Tyrell forces====
{{Columns|3|
* Ser [[Mandon Moore]]
* Ser [[Jacelyn Bywater]]
* Ser [[Ben Bushy]]
* Ser [[Richard Farrow]]
* Ser [[Will (Stork)|Will the Stork]]
}}
====Stannis' forces====
{{Columns|3|
* Ser [[Imry Florent]]
* Ser [[Guyard Morrigen]]
* Lord [[Monford Velaryon]]
* Lord [[Bryce Caron]]
* Lord [[House Chyttering|Chyttering]]
* Ser [[Bryan Fossoway]]
* Ser [[Edwyd Fossoway]]
* Ser [[Herbert Bolling]]
* [[Dale Seaworth]]
* [[Allard Seaworth]]
* [[Maric Seaworth]]
* [[Matthos Seaworth]]
}}

===Ships===  
====King Joffrey====
{{Columns|3|
* ''[[Kingslander]]''
* ''[[Godsgrace (ship)|Godsgrace]]''
* ''[[Prince Aemon]]''
* ''[[Lady of Silk]]''
* ''[[Lady's Shame]]''
* ''[[Wildwind]]''
* ''[[Lance]]''
* ''[[Seaflower]]''
* ''[[White Hart]]''
* ''[[Loyal Man]]''
* ''[[Queen Cersei]]''
* ''[[River Arrow]]''
* ''[[Ramshead]]''
}}
====King Stannis====
{{Columns|3|
*''[[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 (ship)|Red Raven]]''
* ''[[Cat]]''
* ''[[Courageous]]''
* ''[[Dragonsbane]]''
* ''[[Black Betha]]''
* ''[[Lady Marya]]''
* ''[[Wraith]]''
* ''[[Valyrian (ship)|Valyrian]]''
}}

==Quotes==
{{quote|A wall of red-hot steel, blazing wood, and swirling [[wildfire|green flame]] stretched before him. The mouth of the [[Blackwater Rush]] had turned into the mouth of hell.{{ref|ACOK|58}}|[[Davos Seaworth]]'s thoughts}}

{{Quote|We're delivered, [[Sansa Stark|sweetling]]! They came up the [[roseroad]] and along the riverbank, through all the fields [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]] had burned, the ashes puffing up around their boots and turning all their armor grey, but oh! the banners must have been bright, the [[House Tyrell|golden rose]] and [[House Lannister|golden lion]] and all the others, the [[House Marbrand|Marbrand]] tree and the [[House Rowan|Rowan]], [[House Tarly|Tarly's]] huntsman and [[House Redwyne|Redwyne]] grapes and [[Arwyn Oakheart|Lady Oakheart's]] leaf. All the [[westermen]], all the power of [[Highgarden]] and [[Casterly Rock]]! [[Tywin Lannister|Lord Tywin]] himself had their right wing on the north side of the river, with [[Randyll Tarly]] commanding the center and [[Mace Tyrell]] the left, but the vanguard won the fight. They plunged through Stannis like a lance through a pumpkin, every man of them howling like some demon in steel. And do you know who led the vanguard? Do you? Do you? Do you? It was [[Renly Baratheon|Lord Renly]]! Lord Renly in his green armor, with the fires 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!{{ref|acok|62}}|[[Dontos Hollard]] to [[Sansa Stark]]}}

{{Quote|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?{{Ref|aSoS|4}}|[[Tyrion Lannister]]'s thoughts}}

{{Quote|That chain of yours, that was cunning.{{Ref|aSoS|19}}|[[Mace Tyrell]] to Tyrion Lannister}}

{{quote|Too many good men died that day.{{ref|ADWD|66}}|[[Tyrion Lannister]] to [[Kem]]}}

==See also==
:*[[:Category:Images of the Battle of the Blackwater|Images of the Battle of the Blackwater]]

==Notes==
{{Notes}}

==References==
{{references|2}}

{{War of the Five Kings}}

[[Category:Battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:War of the Five Kings|Blackwater]]
[[Category:Crownlands]]
[[Category:King's Landing]]
[[Category:House Bar Emmon battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Baratheon battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Brax battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Caron battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Celtigar battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Chyttering battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Connington battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Crakehall battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Errol battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Estermont battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Florent battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Foote battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Fossoway of Cider Hall battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Fossoway of New Barrel battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Hasty battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Horpe battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Lannister battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Lydden battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Marbrand battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Massey battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Meadows battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Morrigen battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Mullendore battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Oakheart battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Redwyne battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Rosby battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Rowan battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Seaworth battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Staedmon battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Stokeworth battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Tarly battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Tyrell battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Varner battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Velaryon battles|Blackwater]]

[[es:Batalla del Aguasnegras]]
[[fr:Bataille de la Néra]]
[[ru:Битва на Черноводной]]
[[zh:黑水河之役]]

Invasion of the Arbor

2019-06-04T15:51:00Z

Nihlus: /* Invasion */

{{Battlebox
| image =
| caption =
| battle_name = Invasion of the Arbor
| conflict = [[War of the Five Kings]]
| date = {{Date|300}}
| place = The [[Arbor]] and the surrounding islands, in the [[Reach]]
| result = [[Ironborn]] victory
*[[Ryamsport]] is sacked
*The towns of [[Vinetown]] and [[Starfish Harbor]] on the Arbor and the islands of [[Stonecrab Cay]], the [[Isle of Pigs]], and the [[Mermaid's Palace]] are occupied
*The islands of [[Horseshoe Rock]] and [[Bastard's Cradle]] are partially occupied
| combatant2 = [[File:House Greyjoy.svg|30px]] '''[[King of the Isles and the North|Kingdom of the Isles and the North]]'''/ [[House Greyjoy]]
*[[House Drumm]]
*[[House Goodbrother]]
*[[House Harlaw]]
*[[House Harlaw of the Tower of Glimmering|House Harlaw of Glimmering]]
*[[House Merlyn]]
*[[House Myre]]
*[[House Orkwood]]
*[[House Saltcliffe]]
*[[House Sharp]]
*[[House Sunderly]]
*[[House Volmark]]
*[[House Wynch]]
| combatant1 = [[File:House Baratheon (King's Landing).svg|33px]] '''[[Iron Throne]]'''/ [[House Baratheon of King's Landing]]: 
[[File:House Tyrell.svg|30px]] The [[Reach]], led by [[House Tyrell]]
*[[House Redwyne]]
| commander2 = Unknown
| commander1 = Unknown
| strength2 = Ironborn fleets, excluding the [[Iron Fleet]]
| strength1 = 12 war galleys{{ref|AFFC|36}}
| casualties2 = Unknown
| casualties1 = All ships captured or sunken{{ref|AFFC|36}}
}}

The '''invasion of the Arbor''' takes place in {{date|300}} during the second phase of the [[War of the Five Kings]], and is part of the [[ironborn]] campaign in the [[Reach]]. Following the [[taking of the Shields]], [[Euron Greyjoy]], the new [[King of the Iron Islands]], sends his ships to raid up the [[Arbor]] as well as other parts of the Reach. With much of the Reach's armies and navies on campaign in the [[stormlands]], [[crownlands]], and [[riverlands]], the Reach is poorly defended.

==Prelude==
Reports of the [[ironborn]] taking the [[Shield Islands]] reach [[King's Landing]]. The ironborn are said to have a thousand ships, although this is most likely an exaggeration. Queen [[Margaery Tyrell]] demands that the [[Redwyne fleet]], which is besieging [[Siege of Storm's End (300)|Storm’s End]] and [[Siege of Dragonstone|Dragonstone]], be allowed to leave the stormlands and the [[narrow sea]] in order to defend the Reach, but Queen Regent [[Cersei Lannister]] refuses, stating that the two castles remain a danger to King's Landing and King [[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen I Baratheon's]] rule as they remain loyal to a rival king, [[Stannis Baratheon]]. Margaery's brother, Ser [[Loras Tyrell]], offers to lead a charge on the walls of Dragonstone in order to quickly end the siege, which Cersei accepts.{{ref|AFFC|32}} A fortnight later it is reported that Loras has successfully taken the castle, being grievously wounded in the process, which allows for the Redwyne fleet to make for the Reach.{{ref|AFFC|36}}

In the meantime Euron Greyjoy has ordered his fleet to carry out attacks on settlements of the [[Mander]], the [[Arbor]], and the Whispering Sound. King's Landing is informed of the presence of ironborn longships in the [[Redwyne Straits]].{{ref|AFFC|36}}

==Invasion==
With most of the Redwyne fleet away, the [[ironborn]] capture or sink the dozen warships remaining at the Arbor.{{ref|AFFC|36}} The Arbor town of [[Ryamsport]] is sacked whilst [[Vinetown]] and [[Starfish Harbor]] are taken. The ironborn also capture the neighboring islands of [[Stonecrab Cay]], the [[Isle of Pigs]], and the [[Mermaid's Palace]] whilst the islands of [[Horseshoe Rock]] and [[Bastard's Cradle]] are partially occupied.{{ref|AFFC|45}}

==Aftermath==
[[Samwell Tarly]] learns about the Arbor's fate from the captain of the ''[[Huntress]]''.{{ref|AFFC|45}}

==Quotes==
{{quote|If [[King's Landing]] loses [[Oldtown]] and the [[Arbor]], the [[Seven Kingdoms|whole realm]] will fall to pieces, he thought as he watched the [[Huntress]] and her sisters moving off.{{ref|AFFC|45}}|thoughts of [[Samwell Tarly]]}}

==References==
{{references|2}}

{{War of the Five Kings}}

[[Category:Battles|Arbor]]
[[Category:House Greyjoy battles|Arbor]]
[[Category:House Redwyne battles|Arbor]]
[[Category:War of the Five Kings|Arbor]]

Invasion of the Arbor

2019-06-04T15:50:29Z

Nihlus: "The Redwynes had kept no more than a dozen warships in their home waters, and all those had been overwhelmed, taken, or sunk."

{{Battlebox
| image =
| caption =
| battle_name = Invasion of the Arbor
| conflict = [[War of the Five Kings]]
| date = {{Date|300}}
| place = The [[Arbor]] and the surrounding islands, in the [[Reach]]
| result = [[Ironborn]] victory
*[[Ryamsport]] is sacked
*The towns of [[Vinetown]] and [[Starfish Harbor]] on the Arbor and the islands of [[Stonecrab Cay]], the [[Isle of Pigs]], and the [[Mermaid's Palace]] are occupied
*The islands of [[Horseshoe Rock]] and [[Bastard's Cradle]] are partially occupied
| combatant2 = [[File:House Greyjoy.svg|30px]] '''[[King of the Isles and the North|Kingdom of the Isles and the North]]'''/ [[House Greyjoy]]
*[[House Drumm]]
*[[House Goodbrother]]
*[[House Harlaw]]
*[[House Harlaw of the Tower of Glimmering|House Harlaw of Glimmering]]
*[[House Merlyn]]
*[[House Myre]]
*[[House Orkwood]]
*[[House Saltcliffe]]
*[[House Sharp]]
*[[House Sunderly]]
*[[House Volmark]]
*[[House Wynch]]
| combatant1 = [[File:House Baratheon (King's Landing).svg|33px]] '''[[Iron Throne]]'''/ [[House Baratheon of King's Landing]]: 
[[File:House Tyrell.svg|30px]] The [[Reach]], led by [[House Tyrell]]
*[[House Redwyne]]
| commander2 = Unknown
| commander1 = Unknown
| strength2 = Ironborn fleets, excluding the [[Iron Fleet]]
| strength1 = 12 war galleys{{ref|AFFC|36}}
| casualties2 = Unknown
| casualties1 = All ships captured or sunken{{ref|AFFC|36}}
}}

The '''invasion of the Arbor''' takes place in {{date|300}} during the second phase of the [[War of the Five Kings]], and is part of the [[ironborn]] campaign in the [[Reach]]. Following the [[taking of the Shields]], [[Euron Greyjoy]], the new [[King of the Iron Islands]], sends his ships to raid up the [[Arbor]] as well as other parts of the Reach. With much of the Reach's armies and navies on campaign in the [[stormlands]], [[crownlands]], and [[riverlands]], the Reach is poorly defended.

==Prelude==
Reports of the [[ironborn]] taking the [[Shield Islands]] reach [[King's Landing]]. The ironborn are said to have a thousand ships, although this is most likely an exaggeration. Queen [[Margaery Tyrell]] demands that the [[Redwyne fleet]], which is besieging [[Siege of Storm's End (300)|Storm’s End]] and [[Siege of Dragonstone|Dragonstone]], be allowed to leave the stormlands and the [[narrow sea]] in order to defend the Reach, but Queen Regent [[Cersei Lannister]] refuses, stating that the two castles remain a danger to King's Landing and King [[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen I Baratheon's]] rule as they remain loyal to a rival king, [[Stannis Baratheon]]. Margaery's brother, Ser [[Loras Tyrell]], offers to lead a charge on the walls of Dragonstone in order to quickly end the siege, which Cersei accepts.{{ref|AFFC|32}} A fortnight later it is reported that Loras has successfully taken the castle, being grievously wounded in the process, which allows for the Redwyne fleet to make for the Reach.{{ref|AFFC|36}}

In the meantime Euron Greyjoy has ordered his fleet to carry out attacks on settlements of the [[Mander]], the [[Arbor]], and the Whispering Sound. King's Landing is informed of the presence of ironborn longships in the [[Redwyne Straits]].{{ref|AFFC|36}}

==Invasion==
With most of the Redwyne fleet away, the [[ironborn]] capture or sink the dozen ships remaining at the Arbor.{{ref|AFFC|36}} The Arbor town of [[Ryamsport]] is sacked whilst [[Vinetown]] and [[Starfish Harbor]] are taken. The ironborn also capture the neighboring islands of [[Stonecrab Cay]], the [[Isle of Pigs]], and the [[Mermaid's Palace]] whilst the islands of [[Horseshoe Rock]] and [[Bastard's Cradle]] are partially occupied.{{ref|AFFC|45}}

==Aftermath==
[[Samwell Tarly]] learns about the Arbor's fate from the captain of the ''[[Huntress]]''.{{ref|AFFC|45}}

==Quotes==
{{quote|If [[King's Landing]] loses [[Oldtown]] and the [[Arbor]], the [[Seven Kingdoms|whole realm]] will fall to pieces, he thought as he watched the [[Huntress]] and her sisters moving off.{{ref|AFFC|45}}|thoughts of [[Samwell Tarly]]}}

==References==
{{references|2}}

{{War of the Five Kings}}

[[Category:Battles|Arbor]]
[[Category:House Greyjoy battles|Arbor]]
[[Category:House Redwyne battles|Arbor]]
[[Category:War of the Five Kings|Arbor]]

Watercraft

2019-06-04T13:54:34Z

Nihlus: /* Warfare */

[[File:Blacktyde longship by MarcSimonetti.jpg|350px|thumb|[[Blacktyde]] longship, by Marc Simonetti]]
[[File:First mate by henning.jpg|350px|thumb|A ship's crew]]
[[File:Sallas escort ship by MarcSimonetti.jpg|350px|thumb|[[Salladhor Saan]]'s escort ship, by Marc Simonetti]]
[[File:Paolopuggioni-ships.png|350px|thumb|[[Braavos]]i trading ships, with purple sails, by Paolo Puggioni]]
[[File:Suicide raider by MarcSimonetti.jpg|350px|thumb|Suicide raider, by Marc Simonetti]]
[[File:LyseniCaptain final use web 181.jpg|350px|thumb|[[Lys]]eni ship's Captain. © FFG]]
'''Ships''' are watercraft used in the [[Known World]]. They range from smaller fisher boats and raider vessels, various warships and trade ships, up to the huge war [[w:dromond|dromonds]] and the magnificent [[swan ship]]s that cross the [[Summer Sea]].

==Ships in the World==
===[[Westeros]]===
The major fleets of the [[Seven Kingdoms]] are the [[Iron Fleet]] and the fleets of the [[ironborn]], based in the [[Iron Islands]]; the [[royal fleet]], based at [[King's Landing]] and [[Dragonstone]]; and the [[Redwyne fleet]], based at the [[Arbor]].<ref name=SSM:LannisterFleet>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/The_Lannister_Fleet/ The Lannister fleet] (September 26, 1999)</ref> The [[North]] has had no strength at sea since [[King in the North]] [[Brandon Stark (Burner)|Brandon the Burner]] put [[Brandon Stark (Shipwright)|Brandon the Shipwright]]'s remaining ships to the torch hundreds of years ago.{{Ref|aCoK|16}}

In the rest of the Seven Kingdoms, lords whose lands abut the coast might keep a war galley or three for coastal defense against pirates, but only major houses like the [[House Lannister|Lannisters]] have larger and grander fleets of twenty to thirty ships. Usually for major battles, the lords call the ships of their various bannermen.<ref name=SSM:LannisterFleet /> While the [[House Greyjoy|Greyjoys']] main force is the Iron Fleet, they can also raise hundreds of ironborn ships. However, most of those will be [[w:longship|longships]] made for raids rather than battle. Other Westerosi lords are more likely to have larger and more formidable ships like cogs, carracks, and war galleys of various sides, up to the great dromonds with scorpions and catapults on deck.<ref name=SSM:GreyjoyFleet>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Re_Greyjoy_Fleet/ Re: Greyjoy fleet] (February 09, 1999)</ref>

The [[House Tyrell|Tyrells]] are in more or less the same position as the Lannisters, though they depend even more on their bannermen, especially the lords of the [[Shield Islands]] off the mouth of the [[Mander]]. The [[House Hightower|Hightowers]] have only a few warships, but control [[Oldtown]], home to numerous trading vessels.<ref name=SSM:LannisterFleet />

===[[Essos]]===
In [[Qarth]], the [[Thirteen]] control about 1,000 ships, the [[Ancient Guild of Spicers]] own about 1,200 or 1,300, and the [[Tourmaline Brotherhood]] has about 800.{{Ref|aCoK|63}} In [[Braavos]], the [[Sealord]] commands a fleet of warships second to none, and a mercantile fleet whose purple hulls and purple sails have become a common sight throughout the known world.{{ref|twoiaf| The Free Cities: Braavos}} The [[Arsenal]] of Braavos can reportedly build a war galley in a day.{{ref|AFFC|6}}

===Other Places===
[[Ibben]] makes use of fat-bellied whaling ships.{{ref|agot|18}} People of the [[Summer Islands]] use great [[swan ship]]s, which sail farther and faster than the vessels of any other nation, to the very ends of the earth; but they have no warships and prefer trade and exploration to conquest.{{ref|twoiaf| Beyond the Free Cities: The Summer Isles}}

==Warfare==
Ships are used in small skirmishes, raids, and full-scale naval engagements, such as the [[Battle of Fair Isle]]. Lords whose lands abut the coast might need to maintain a few war galleys to defend against piracy. Ships are also use for support roles, such as providing provisions and transporting troops.

The basic tactic of naval battles is to get the ship close enough to ram the other ship, board her, and fight the rest of the battle on the deck. Up until they close, longbows and crossbows can be used. Sometimes siege weapons are carried on the largest war galleys.

* '''Longships of the [[Iron Fleet]]''' are used as fast raiding ships. They can travel twice as swiftly as a merchant cog{{Ref|aCoK|11}} and are three times the size of standard longships.{{Ref|affc|29}} The standard tactic for engaging is to board the enemy ship. The whole crew being doubling as both marines and oarsmen, as well as the ironborn preference for wearing armor despite the risk of drowning, gives the ironborn an advantage when boarding.

* '''War galleys or dromonds''' are larger than normal galleys and carry more tonnage as a result of being equipped with a ram, and they may equip siege weapons like ballista or catapults. They also have a larger compliment of oarsmen and soldiers onboard. The standard tactic for engaging is to ram the enemy ship, causing it to sink, or to board it if the attacking ship has a greater number of soldiers and wishes to capture the enemy ship intact. They are presumably the kind of ship that [[George R. R. Martin]] has compared to Venetian/Byzantine [[w:dromon|dromonds of war]].<ref name=SSM:GreyjoyFleet /> The standard war galley in Westeros has 100 oars and oarmen, with the larger ships adding more decks of 100 oarsmen. [[Myr]]ish war galleys appear to have no more than 80 oars. During boarding actions, oarsmen equipped with boarding axes, shortswords, and other weapons are expected to fight, though only 1/10 of the crew (marines, rather than oarsmen) are wearing armor.{{Ref|affc|29}} Given Martin's comparison of these ships to Byzantine/Venetian war dromonds, there should be roughly 35 marines, archers, and artillery crews for every 100 oarsmen.<Ref>[https://www.naval-encyclopedia.com/medieval-ships/ Medieval Ships.] Naval Encyclopedia. "In general, the Dromon, a bireme, was propelled by 80 oars (for the biggest ones like the one represented above, of 50 by 7 meters), and could total 240 rowers, not counting the 80 soldiers, archers, officers, and crew for balisters and catapults."</ref>

* '''[[Swan ship]]s''' are known to have red archers with [[goldenheart]] bows, companies that help defend the vessel from attack. Women serve on swan ships and can command the red archers.{{ref|AFFC|35}}

==Types of ships - Specifications==
Some of the descriptions are based on real world parallels.

* '''Galleys''', vessels larger than boats, are propelled by sail or oar power. They are used for warfare, trade and piracy. Due to their low setting they are primarily coastal ships, preferring to thread through archipelagos rather than risking even a moderate sea. Their large rower crew makes them maneuverable and swift but also require frequent stops for food and water. The galley has supplemental sails to replace or augment the effort of the rowers, particularly during long journeys. The ability to travel swiftly without regard to the direction or strength of the wind becomes invaluable for daylight expeditions across open water. The real world, practical upper limit for a galley fast and maneuverable enough for warfare was around 25-30 oars per side. By adding another level of oars, the galley could be made shorter with as many rowers, while making them strong enough to be effective ramming weapons. The flagship of [[House Hightower]], ''[[Honor of Oldtown]]'', and the flagship of the [[royal fleet]], ''[[King Robert's Hammer]]'', are the two largest known galleys in Westeros.

* '''Longships''' are a smaller type of galley primarily used by the [[ironborn]]. They are long, narrow, light, wooden boat with a shallow-draft hull designed for speed. The ship's shallow draft allows navigation in waters only one meter deep and permits beach landings, while its light weight enables it to be carried over portages. Longships are also double-ended, the symmetrical bow and stern allowing the ship to reverse direction quickly without having to turn around. This trait proves particularly useful in northern latitudes where icebergs and sea ice pose hazards to navigation. Longships are fitted with oars along almost the entire length of the boat itself. Later versions sport a rectangular sail on a single mast which is used to replace or augment the effort of the rowers, particularly during long journeys. Martin has compared them to [[w:longship|Viking longboats]].<ref name=SSM:GreyjoyFleet />

* '''Cogs''' are mostly propelled by sails, which make them difficult to sail, especially upwind, and they are hostage to breezes and currents in a way that the swift galley is not. However, it can better manage rough seas and its small crew and ample storage space give it greater freedom of movement, making it perfect for trade or equipment transport.

* '''Carracks''' are large ocean-going vessels. They are stable in heavy seas, and roomy enough to carry provisions for long voyages.

* '''[[Swan ship]]s''', so called in the [[Seven Kingdoms]] for their great white sails and figureheads which are often carved in the shape of birds, are large ocean-going vessels designed and built in the [[Summer Islands]]. With a good wind behind them they can outrun any galley. However, they are helpless when becalmed. They have high masts and high forecastles.{{Ref|affc|35}}

* '''Whalers''' are fat-bellied ships from [[Ibben]], with hulls black with tar, used to hunt and process whales in the [[Shivering Sea]]. Ibbenese ships, though ungainly and smelly, are renowned for their strength, as they are built to weather any storm and withstand the assaults of the largest whales.{{ref|twoiaf| Beyond the Free Cities: Ib}}

==Recent Events==
===''A Clash of Kings''===
[[Victarion Greyjoy]] leads the [[Iron Fleet]] in capturing [[Battle of Moat Cailin|capturing Moat Cailin]].

The [[royal fleet]] is divided between King [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I Baratheon]] at [[King's Landing]] and [[Stannis Baratheon]] at [[Dragonstone]]. Both fleets are largely destroyed during the [[Battle of the Blackwater]].

===''A Feast for Crows''===
[[Euron Greyjoy]] sends the Iron Fleet against the [[Battle of the Shield Islands|Shield Islands]].

The [[Redwyne fleet]] assists in the [[siege of Dragonstone]].

===''A Dance with Dragons''===
Victarion leads the Iron Fleet to [[Slaver's Bay]].

The Redwyne fleet sails back to defend the [[Reach]] from the [[ironborn]].

[[Davos Seaworth]] spots twenty-three war galleys at [[White Harbor]],{{ref|ADWD|15}} while [[Wyman Manderly]] claims to have as many more hidden up the [[White Knife]].{{ref|ADWD|29}}

==See Also==
* List of all known [[:Category:Ships|ships]].
* List of known [[:Category:Warships|warships]].
* [[:Category:Images of Ships|Images of Ships]]

==References==
{{references}}

[[Category:Ships| ]]
[[Category:Transport]]

[[fr:Bateaux]]
[[ru:Корабли и морское дело]]
[[zh:船只]]

Second siege of Meereen

2019-06-03T20:12:05Z

Nihlus:

{{Hatnote|Not to be confused with the [[siege of Meereen]], taking place in 299 AC}}
{{Battlebox
| image = [[File:Mike Capprotti Ser Barristan.jpg|400px]]
| caption = Ser [[Barristan Selmy]] commands his Queen's forces as Hand of the Queen during the [[Battle of Slaver's Bay]] © FFG
| battle_name = Siege of Meereen II
| conflict =
| date = {{Date|300}}
| place = [[Meereen]], [[Essos]]
| result = Ongoing
| combatant1 = [[File:House Targaryen.svg|30px]] '''[[Meereen|Kingdom of Meereen]]'''/ [[House Targaryen]]
*[[Brazen Beasts]]
*[[Mother's Men]]
*[[Free Brothers]]
*[[Stalwart Shields]]
*[[Dothraki]] loyalists
*[[House of Loraq]]
*[[House of Kandaq]]
*[[House of Reznak]]
*[[Pit Fighters]]

[[Sellsword]] companies:
* [[File:Stormcrows.svg|30px]] [[Stormcrows]]
* [[File:Second Sons small.png|30px]] [[Second Sons]]
* [[File:Windblown.svg|30px]] [[Windblown]]
----
[[File:House Greyjoy.svg|30px]] '''[[King of the Isles and the North|Kingdom of the Isles and the North]]'''/ [[House Greyjoy]]
*[[House Botley]]
*[[House Codd]]
*[[House Humble]]
*[[House Shepherd]]
*[[House Sparr]]
*[[House Stonehouse]]
*[[House Tawney]]
*[[House Wynch]]
| combatant2 =

'''Slaver's Alliance''' 
* [[File:GhisHarpie.png|30px]] [[New Ghis]]
* [[File:YunkaiHarpie.png|30px]] [[Yunkai]]
* [[Qarth]]
* [[Dothraki]]{{ref|adwd|30}}
* [[Tolos]]
* [[Elyria]]
* [[Mantarys]]

[[Sellsword]] companies:
* [[Company of the Cat]]
* [[Long Lances]]
* [[File:Second Sons flag.png|30px]] [[Second Sons]] (defects)
* [[File:Windblown.svg|30px]] [[Windblown]] (defects)

[[File:Meereen.png|30px]] '''Meereenese Slavers'''
*[[Sons of the Harpy]]
*[[House of Ghazeen]]
*[[House of Hazkar]]
*[[House of Loraq]]
*[[House of Merreq]]
*[[House of Pahl]]
*[[House of Quazzar]]
*[[House of Reznak]]
*[[House of Rhazdar]]
*[[House of Zhak]]
| commander1 = [[House Targaryen]]
* [[Barristan Selmy]]: Hand of the Queen and leader of the ruling council of Meereen
* [[Skahaz mo Kandaq]]: Commander of the Brazen Beasts
* [[Grey Worm]]: Commander of the Unsullied
* [[Tattered Prince]]: Commander of the Windblown
* [[Widower]] & [[Jokin]]: Co-Commanders of the Stormcrows
* [[Symon Stripeback]]: Commander of the [[Free Brothers]] freedmen
* [[Marselen]]: Commander of the [[Mother's Men]] freedmen
* [[Tal Toraq]]: Commander of the [[Stalwart Shields]] freedmen
* [[Rakharo]]: Commander of the Dothraki
[[House Greyjoy]]
*[[Victarion Greyjoy]]: [[Lord Captain of the Iron Fleet]]
| commander2 = Slaver Alliance
* [[Wise Masters]]: Commanders of the Yunkish slave troops
* [[Bloodbeard]]: Commander of the Company of the Cat
* [[Gylo Rhegan]]: Commander of the Long Lances
* [[Ben Plumm]]: Commander of the Second Sons (defects)
*The [[Tattered Prince]]: Commander of the Windblown (defects)

| strength1 = House Targaryen: 22,000+
* ~10,600 [[Unsullied]]{{Ref|ASOS|27}} (2000 of whom have not yet completed training)
* 2,000 [[Windblown]]{{Ref|ADWD|25}} <ref group="N">Originally hired by Yunkai, the Windblown make a secret alliance with Barristan Selmy and turn on Yunkai and the slavers at the start of the battle</ref>
* ~8,000 [[Freedmen]] (divided into 4 companies){{Ref|asos|57}}
* 514 [[Second Sons]]{{Ref|ADWD|66}}<ref group="N" name=sons>Originally supporting Daenerys. Defect to Yunkai after the Fall of Astapor; defect back to Meereen during the Battle of Slaver's Bay)</ref>
* 500 [[Stormcrows]]{{Ref|adwd|50}}
* ~200 [[Pit Fighters]]<ref name=barristan2>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', Barristan II ([http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?/topic/81338-twow-spoilers-barristan/&do=findComment&comment=4122024 Notes from Boskone 2013 reading]</ref>
* 26 squires of Ser Barristan
* ~20 Dothraki warriors<ref name=barristan1>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', Barristan I</ref>
* [[Viserion]]
* [[Rhaegal]]
* Unknown number of [[Brazen Beast]]s
[[House Greyjoy]]:
* 4,500+ reavers<ref group="N">It is stated that the ships of the Iron Fleet are the equals of the smaller war galleys of the Royal Fleet (''[[A Feast for Crows]]'', [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 32|Cersei VI]]), and that all of the crewmen of Ironborn ships (including oarsmen) are armored and armed reavers in contrast to the ship crews of other factions (''[[A Feast for Crows]]'', [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 29|The Reaver]]). The smaller war galleys of the Royal Fleet dip about 100 oars each (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 10|Davos I]]), putting the crews of Victarion's remaining ships at a minimum of 4,500+.</ref>
* 45 war galleys of the [[Iron Fleet]]{{ref|ADWD|56}}
* 17 captured slaver ships{{ref|ADWD|56}}
| strength2 = Slaver Alliance: 70,000+
[[New Ghis]]
* 36,000 men divided into 6 legions<ref name=barristan2/>
* 100 armored and towered war elephants
* 3 war galleys
[[Yunkai]]
* 40 Yunkai commanders each having "20 or 200 or 2,000" armed slaves{{ref|adwd|66}} (~8,000 assuming median count)
* [[Six sisters (trebuchets)|6 trebuchets]]
* 3,000 [[Company of the Cat]]{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
* 800 [[Long Lances]]{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
* 514 [[Second Sons]]{{Ref|ADWD|66}}(switches sides)<ref group="N" name=sons/>
[[Qarth]]
* [[Qartheen]] fleet
* Qartheen [[camel]] corps
[[Dothraki]]
*Large khalasar{{Ref|ADWD|30}}
*Possibly 20,000+<ref group="N" name=dothraki>It is stated that the slavers are hiring a Dothraki khalasar to complement their forces; Daenerys figures out that Khal [[Jhaqo]]'s khalasar is fairly close to Meereen.{{Ref|ADWD|71}} When last seen, his khalasar commanded twenty thousand riders.{{ref|AGOT|68}}</ref>
Other
* 300 [[Elyria]]n Crossbowmen
* [[Tolos]]i slingers
| casualties1 = unknown
| casualties2 = [[Little Pigeon]] [[Pudding Face]]
}}

[[File: Marc Fishman SerBS GreatP.jpg| [[Barristan Selmy|Ser Barristan]] looks at a smouldering [[Meereen]] - by Marc Fishman © |thumb|400px|right]]
The '''second siege of Meereen''' takes place after [[Daenerys Targaryen]] has taken control of [[Meereen]]. A coalition of [[slavery|slavers]] besieges the city, in an attempt to restore slavery.

==Prelude==
Upon buying eight thousand six hundred trained [[Unsullied]], as well as five thousand boys who had not yet completed their training, [[Daenerys Targaryen]] [[Fall of Astapor|sacks]] [[Astapor]].{{Ref|ASOS|27}} Daenerys installs a council of three to rule the city, a healer, a scholar, and a priest.{{Ref|ASOS|49}} She marches her army to [[Yunkai]], where she is faced with four thousand slave soldiers, as well as two sellsword companies, the [[Second Sons]] and the [[Stormcrows]], each consisting of five hundred men. Daenerys meets envoys from all three parties, and promises the Yunkai'i that they'll remain unharmed if they'd release their slaves. The Stormcrows defect to Daenerys prior to battle, and join Daenerys against the remaining Yunkai'i forces.{{Ref|ASOS|42}} Daenerys does not take the city, but instead marches her army, now greater than eighty thousand men, though less than a quarter are warriors.{{Ref|ASOS|57}}

Daenerys [[Siege of Meereen|conquers Meereen]] and installs herself as its Queen, taking the [[Great Pyramid]] as her seat.{{Ref|ASOS|71}} However, the council she had left to rule Astapor has been killed after a former slave, the butcher [[Cleon]], accused them of plotting to reinstall the [[Good Masters]], the former slavers. Following the deaths of the council members, Cleon names himself king and has all highborn boys in the city seized, to train them as Unsullied.{{Ref|ASOS|71}} Cleon sends an envoy, Lord [[Ghael]], to Meereen, to inform her of Cleon's reign. Cleon offers an alliance, to be sealed with marriage. Daenerys declines.{{Ref|ASOS|71}} Meanwhile, [[Yunkai]] return to slavery.{{Ref|ADWD|2}}

Even without Daenerys, Cleon marches his army out to meet Yunkai in the field. He is defeated during the [[Battle at the Horns of Hazzat]], and flees with his host back to Astapor.{{ref|ADWD|16}} The Yukai'i follow, and [[Siege of Astapor|besiege the Red City]].{{Ref|ADWD|23}} When Cleon orders his men to march out and fight, they kill him. His successor, [[Cleon the Second]], is slain eight days later, and the killer takes up the crown. The concubine of the first Cleon claims the crown as well, and the Astapori name them "King Cutthroat" and "Queen Whore".{{Ref|ADWD|23}} While Astapor starves, the King and Queen accuse one another of eating the slain.{{Ref|ADWD|30}} When the [[Green Grace]] of [[Astapor]] has a vision that the first Cleon will soon deliver the Astapori from the Yunkai'i,{{Ref|ADWD|30}} the Astapori make the decision to strap Cleon's corpse into his armor and onto his horse to lead the Unsullied in battle.{{Ref|ADWD|30}}{{Ref|ADWD|25}} When the dead King Cleon is slain once again, the Astapori break and attempt to flee, only to find the gates to the city closed. The battle itself is butchery.{{Ref|ADWD|25}}

Many of the survivors of the second fall of Astapor have the [[bloody flux]]. The Yunkai'i command their sellswords to hunt the survivors down and turn them, driving them back to Astapor or north to Meereen to prevent them from going near Yunkai.{{Ref|ADWD|25}} In [[Meereen]], Queen [[Daenerys Targaryen]] receives the news of the fall from three escaped Astapori, and, following the advice of her councillors, refuses to allow the other Astapori to settle in the city,{{Ref|ADWD|30}} but instead settles them outside the walls,{{Ref|ADWD|36}} to prevent the bloody flux from spreading into Meereen.

==Siege of Meereen==
===Initial siege===
With Astapor defeated, the Yunkai'i forces march on to Meereen.{{Ref|ADWD|25}}{{Ref|ADWD|36}} Ships from [[Qarth]], [[Tolos]], and [[New Ghis]] are shocking off the bay, aided by ships from the Meereenese fleet who had fled when Daenerys first arrived at the city.{{Ref|ADWD|30}} The Yunkai'i march their new slave soldiers up the coast road, accompanied by four sellsword companies, four [[Ghiscari legion]]s, a hundred elephants, [[Tolos]]i slingers, and a corps of [[Qarth]]een camelry, while another two legions from [[New Ghis]] are set to arrive by ship.{{Ref|ADWD|36}}

Following the death of the young girl [[Hazzea]] and the subsequent imprisonment of [[Viserion]] and [[Rhaegal]] and the escape of [[Drogon]], Daenerys refuses to use her dragons in battle.{{Ref|ADWD|30}} Following her refusal, [[Ben Plumm]] allies his [[Second Sons]] with Yunkai.{{Ref|ADWD|36}} The Yunkai'i are in contact with [[Hizdahr zo Loraq]], and inform him that they are willing to give Meereen peace, on the condition that the Yunkai'i can resume slaving. They insist that Astapor, once rebuild, will be a slaver city once again, and that Daenerys has to promise that she will not interfere. The agreements are to be sealed by Daenerys's marriage to Hizdahr.{{Ref|ADWD|36}} When the Yunkai'i lay siege to Meereen, they build catapults, scorpions, and tall trebuchets. Their aim is to weaken Meereen, until famine and disease brings the city to its knees.{{Ref|ADWD|43}} The bloody flux has by now already spread across Meereen;{{ref|ADWD|43}} However, it has also begun to spread among the Yunkish camps as well.{{Ref|ADWD|47}}

===Agreement of peace===
Following Daenerys's occupation of Meereen, Ghiscari descendants known as the [[Sons of the Harpy]] began to fight a [[shadow war]] against her, killing freedmen and [[Unsullied]], which leads to the formation of the [[Brazen Beasts]], Meereen's new city watch.{{Ref|ADWD|11}}{{Ref|ADWD|16}} However, the Harpy's Sons continue their killings, and the [[Green Grace]], [[Galazza Galare]], suggests to Daenerys that she should take a Meereenese nobleman as her husband and recommends [[Hizdahr zo Loraq]].{{Ref|ADWD|23}}

Daenerys follows the advice of Galazza and agrees to a pact with Hizdahr: if he is able to stop the Sons of the Harpy from killing for ninety days, Daenerys will marry Hizdahr.{{ref|ADWD|23}} Hizdahr discusses a peace treaty with the Yunkai'i, in which the marriage is an important aspect.{{Ref|ADWD|36}} Following ninety days of peace, Daenerys and Hizdahr are wed.{{ref|ADWD|43}}

Following the marriage, the peace between Meereen and the slavers is to be signed and sealed, and Meereen's fighting pits are to be opened once more.{{ref|ADWD|47}} Meereen's ports have already been opened following the wedding,{{ref|adwd|50}} and Hizdahr has invited the Yunkai'i commanders into the city to witness the opening of the fighting pits and sign the peace. Three Yunkish noblemen and the four commanders of the sellsword companies enter Meereen, and in return seven Meereenese hostages are sent to the camps of Yunkai.{{Ref|ADWD|50}} The following day, [[Daznak's Pit]] is opened. Daenerys and Hizdahr witness the matches from Hizdahr's box. Hizdahr urges Daenerys to try some honeyed locusts, but she declines them, letting [[Belwas]] eat them all. However, Daenerys feels more and more uneasy while watching the fights. During a fight where [[Barsena]] is slain by a boar, Daenerys stands to leave, when Belwas falls to his knees, and [[Drogon]] returns to the city. Drogon slays the boar and begins to eat Barsena and the animal. The gathered public panicks and attempts to flee. Daenerys rushes to Drogon's side and flies away from Meereen on his back.{{Ref|ADWD|52}}

Two hundred fourteen people died at Daznak's Pit, while three times as many were injured.{{Ref|ADWD|55}} After Daenerys's departure on Drogon, Hizdahr takes over the rule of Meereen and removes many of Daenerys's people from command. He places the command of the [[Brazen Beasts]] under the command of one of his cousins, and attempts to do the same with the Unsullied, which angers them, resulting in Hizdahr losing their support. [[Skahaz mo Kandaq]] contacts [[Barristan Selmy]] and informs him that Hizdahr's confectioner has confessed to having poisoned the locusts, from which Belwas had gotten sick, on behalf of the [[Sons of the Harpy]], who had threatened to kill his daughter. As Daenerys survived, the girl was killed. Skahaz has been gathering support against Hizdahr, but needs Barristan to bring the Unsullied to their side. Barristan agrees.{{Ref|ADWD|55}}

===The Battle of Slaver's Bay===
{{warning| This section contains pieces of information which have thus far been only released in samples chapters for ''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', or which originate from notes taken at readings from unreleased chapters. Therefore, the section might therefore be considered to contain spoilers. Additionally, the information might not be in finalized form. Keep in mind that parts of the content as described below could still be subject to change.}}
One of the deaths at Daznak's Pit was the Yunkish Supreme Commander [[Yurkhaz zo Yunzak]]. Following his death, the Yunkai'i commanders rotate the leadership, with a new general commanding the army each day, starting at dawn.<ref name=tyrion2/> Because Yurkhaz died whilst inside Meereen, the Yunkai'i speak of a breach of the peace, and continue their siege. They present King Hizdahr with the severed head of one of the Meereenese hostages, [[Groleo]]. They also return three hostages - all family to Hizdahr - as a shown of good faith, while promising to return the other three after Hizdahr has slain the dragons.{{Ref|ADWD|59}} Barristan and Skahaz agree to imprison Hizdahr, as well as [[Reznak mo Reznak]], and rule Meereen by a council.{{Ref|ADWD|67}} However, in the meantime, Prince [[Quentyn Martell]] has contacted the [[Tattered Prince]] and enlisted his help in capturing Daenerys's dragons,.{{Ref|ADWD|60}} Barristan's and Skahaz's plan to arrest Hizdahr takes place on the same night as Quentyn's plan to steal the dragons. Quentyn's plan fails, resulting in his mortal injuries as well as the escape of both [[Viserion]] and [[Rhaegal]].{{Ref|ADWD|68}} While Barristan is confronting Hizdahr about his role in the poisoning attempt of Daenerys, a [[cupbearer]] informs them that the dragons have been loosened on the city.{{Ref|ADWD|67}}

Following Hizdahr's arrest, the [[Sons of the Harpy]] return to their nightly killings. Galazza Galare is send to the Yunkai'i to discuss terms, but upon her return informs Barristan that the they demand that Hizdahr is restored to his throne. Galazza had presented an offer from Barristan to the nobles from Yunkai, but they have refused. When Galazza has informed Barristan of this fact, he is informed that the Yunkai'i are now flinging corpses into [[Meereen]], using the trebuchets.{{Ref|ADWD|70}}

Meereen prepares for the Battle of Slaver’s Bay<ref name=smartertravel>[http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/today-in-travel/game-of-thrones-exclusive-george-martin-talks-season-the-winds-of-winter-and-real-world-influences-for-song-of-ice-and-fire.html?id=10593041 George R.R. Martin Talks Season Two, 'The Winds of Winter,' and Real-World Influences for 'A Song of Ice and Fire' (March 26, 2012)]</ref> during the night. At the western gate, five thousand Unsullied are lined up, along with the [[Stormcrows]] and several hundred [[pit fighters]]. Barristan rides on Daenerys's [[silver]], hoping it gives the soldiers courage. The [[Brazen Beasts]] have taken the city walls, and are to be Meereen's final stand against Yunkai, should all else fail. The [[Stalwart Shields]] have gathered by the eastern gate, the [[Mother's Men]] by the south gate, and the [[Free Brothers]] by the north gate. Meanwhile, the Yunkishmen have two Ghiscari legions to the north, across the [[Skahazadhan]], while their main camp is located to the west, with two of its six trebuchets located there; one beside the river, one opposed Meereen's main gates.<ref name=barristan1/> Yunkai has [[six sisters|six trebuchets]] in total: the Dragonbreaker, the Harridan, the Harpy's Daughter, the Wicked Sister, the Ghost of Astapor, and the Mazdhan's Fist.{{Ref|adwd|47}} Yunkai's numbers are larger than Meereen's, and the attack goes against all of [[Barristan Selmy]]'s instincts, but he knows the battle is necessary nonetheless.<ref name=barristan1/>

Barristan's plan is to destroy the trebuchet known as the Harridan, in order to distract the Yunkai'i long enough for the Unsullied to form up before the city. The battle itself begins shortly before dawn.<ref name=barristan1/> Barristan leads the charge on the Harridan with cavalry fighters, while the Unsullied form a shield wall. He manages to reach the trebuchet, where a [[Ghiscari legion]] has formed up, six thousand men strong. However, they are not the only defenders. Barristan targets the [[Paezhar zo Myraq]]'s [[Herons]], and his plan is successful when the Yunkai'i fail to launge a counter-attack, and the Unsullied can take their position. [[Tumco Lho]] points Barristan's attention towards the bay, due to the large amount of ships. They identify the banners of [[House Greyjoy]], and Barristan is surprised to discover that the [[Ironborn]] are fighting on their side.<ref name=barristan2/>

Meanwhile, [[Tyrion Lannister]], who had been enslaved{{ref|adwd|47}} and had escaped to the [[Second Sons]],{{Ref|ADWD|57}} whom he has joined,{{ref|adwd|66}} has been trying to convince [[Ben Plumm]] to defect to Daenerys.<ref>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', Tyrion I (Notes from [http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?/topic/67929-twow-spoilers-miscon-reading-two-winds-of-winter-chapters/ Miscon reading: two Winds of Winter chapters (Victarion I and Tyrion I) (June 6, 2012)]</ref> When the [[Second Sons]] are commanded by a messenger from [[Gorzhak zo Eraz]], the slaver commanding the Yunkish armies that day, to give their aid against the ironborn, the mercenaries present refuse the order, citing [[Ben Plumm]]'s absence. Meanwhile, [[Viserion]] is snatching and devouring corpses in the air which are being thrown by the Wicked Sister, while [[Rhaegal]] flies over the bay and circles the clashing ships of the [[Iron Fleet]] and [[Qarth]].<ref name="tyrion2">''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', Tyrion II</ref> When Plumm returns, he informs his men that [[Malazza]], the Girl General, commands them to defend the [[Wicked Sister]], in case Barristan will turn to that trebuchet when the Harridan is down. However, Malazza's command had ended at dawn, and a new messenger arrives, informing the Second Sons that commander Gorzhak zo Eraz has been slain by the [[Tattered Prince]], and that the [[Windblown]] have declared their loyalty for Meereen. Command is now being held by [[Morghar zo Zherzyn]], who commands the Second Sons to give their aid to the [[Company of the Cat]] and the two [[Ghiscari legions]] defending the Harpy's Daughter, as the Targaryen Unsullied are marching for the trebuchet. When Tyrion makes a sarcastic comment, the messenger recognizes him for an escaped slave. [[Jorah Mormont]] kills the messenger, and the Second Sons declare they had been loyal to Daenerys all along and their defection had been no more than a ruse.<ref name=tyrion2/>

==Quotes==
{{Quote|Dragons wheeled overhead, their shadows sweeping across the upturned faces of friend and foe alike.<ref name=tyrion2/>}}

{{Quote|'''Tyrion:''' "Do you hear that sound?" '''Penny:''' "What is it?" '''Tyrion: ''' "War. On either side of us and not a league away. That's slaughter, Penny. That's men stumbling through the mud with their entrails hanging out. That's severed limbs and broken bones and pools of blood. You know how the worms come out after a hard rain? I hear they do the same after a big battle if enough blood soaks into the ground. That's the [[Stranger]] coming, Penny. The [[Black Goat of Qohor|Black Goat]], the [[Pale Child]], [[Him of Many Faces]], call him what you will. That's death." <ref name=tyrion2/>|[[Tyrion Lannister]] and [[Penny]] at the start of battle}}

{{Quote|Whatever might befall us on the battlefield, remember, it has happened before, and to better men than you. I am an old man, an old knight, and I have seen more battles than most of you have years. Nothing is more terrible upon this earth, nothing more glorious, nothing more absurd. You may retch. You will not be the first. You may drop your sword, your shield, your lance. Others have done the same. Pick it up and go on fighting. You may foul your breeches. I did, in my first battle. No one will care. All battlefields smell of shit. You may cry out for your mother, pray to gods you thought you had forgotten, howl obscenities that you never dreamed could pass your lips. All this has happened too. Some men die in every battle. More survive. East or west, in every inn and wine sink, you will find greybeards endlessly refighting the wars of their youth. They survived their battles. So may you. This you can be certain of: the foe you see before you is just another man, and like as not he is as frightened as you. Hate him if you must, love him if you can, but lift your sword and bring it down, then ride on. Above all else, keep moving. We are too few to win the battle. We ride to make chaos, to buy the Unsullied time enough to make their spear wall, we—<ref name=barristan1/>|Barristan Selmy's speech, until he is interrupted.}}

==Notes==
{{Notes}}

==References==
{{References|2}}

{{Targaryen campaign in Slavers Bay}}

[[Category:Battles|Meereen]]
[[Category:House Greyjoy battles|Meereen]]
[[Category:House Targaryen battles|Meereen 2]]
[[Category:Meereen]]
[[Category:Targaryen campaign in Slaver's Bay]]

[[es:Batalla de Meereen]]
[[fr:Siège de Meereen]]

Second siege of Meereen

2019-06-03T20:06:46Z

Nihlus:

{{Hatnote|Not to be confused with the [[siege of Meereen]], taking place in 299 AC}}
{{Battlebox
| image = [[File:Mike Capprotti Ser Barristan.jpg|400px]]
| caption = Ser [[Barristan Selmy]] commands his Queen's forces as Hand of the Queen during the [[Battle of Slaver's Bay]] © FFG
| battle_name = Siege of Meereen II
| conflict =
| date = {{Date|300}}
| place = [[Meereen]], [[Essos]]
| result = Ongoing
| combatant1 = [[File:House Targaryen.svg|30px]] '''[[Meereen|Kingdom of Meereen]]'''/ [[House Targaryen]]
*[[Brazen Beasts]]
*[[Mother's Men]]
*[[Free Brothers]]
*[[Stalwart Shields]]
*[[Dothraki]] loyalists
*[[House of Loraq]]
*[[House of Kandaq]]
*[[House of Reznak]]
*[[Pit Fighters]]

[[Sellsword]] companies:
* [[File:Stormcrows.svg|30px]] [[Stormcrows]]
* [[File:Second Sons small.png|30px]] [[Second Sons]]
* [[File:Windblown.svg|30px]] [[Windblown]]
----
[[File:House Greyjoy.svg|30px]] '''[[King of the Isles and the North|Kingdom of the Isles and the North]]'''/ [[House Greyjoy]]
*[[House Botley]]
*[[House Codd]]
*[[House Humble]]
*[[House Shepherd]]
*[[House Sparr]]
*[[House Stonehouse]]
*[[House Tawney]]
*[[House Wynch]]
| combatant2 =
[[File:Meereen.png|30px]] '''Meereenese Slavers'''
*[[Sons of the Harpy]]
*[[House of Ghazeen]]
*[[House of Hazkar]]
*[[House of Loraq]]
*[[House of Merreq]]
*[[House of Pahl]]
*[[House of Quazzar]]
*[[House of Reznak]]
*[[House of Rhazdar]]
*[[House of Zhak]]

'''Slaver's Alliance''' 
* [[File:GhisHarpie.png|30px]] [[New Ghis]]
* [[File:YunkaiHarpie.png|30px]] [[Yunkai]]
* [[Qarth]]
* [[Dothraki]]{{ref|adwd|30}}
* [[Tolos]]
* [[Elyria]]
* [[Mantarys]]

[[Sellsword]] companies:
* [[Company of the Cat]]
* [[Long Lances]]
* [[File:Second Sons flag.png|30px]] [[Second Sons]] (defects)
* [[File:Windblown.svg|30px]] [[Windblown]] (defects)
| commander1 = [[House Targaryen]]
* [[Barristan Selmy]]: Hand of the Queen and leader of the ruling council of Meereen
* [[Skahaz mo Kandaq]]: Commander of the Brazen Beasts
* [[Grey Worm]]: Commander of the Unsullied
* [[Tattered Prince]]: Commander of the Windblown
* [[Widower]] & [[Jokin]]: Co-Commanders of the Stormcrows
* [[Symon Stripeback]]: Commander of the [[Free Brothers]] freedmen
* [[Marselen]]: Commander of the [[Mother's Men]] freedmen
* [[Tal Toraq]]: Commander of the [[Stalwart Shields]] freedmen
* [[Rakharo]]: Commander of the Dothraki
[[House Greyjoy]]
*[[Victarion Greyjoy]]: [[Lord Captain of the Iron Fleet]]
| commander2 = Slaver Alliance
* [[Wise Masters]]: Commanders of the Yunkish slave troops
* [[Bloodbeard]]: Commander of the Company of the Cat
* [[Gylo Rhegan]]: Commander of the Long Lances
* [[Ben Plumm]]: Commander of the Second Sons (defects)
*The [[Tattered Prince]]: Commander of the Windblown (defects)

| strength1 = House Targaryen: 22,000+
* ~10,600 [[Unsullied]]{{Ref|ASOS|27}} (2000 of whom have not yet completed training)
* 2,000 [[Windblown]]{{Ref|ADWD|25}} <ref group="N">Originally hired by Yunkai, the Windblown make a secret alliance with Barristan Selmy and turn on Yunkai and the slavers at the start of the battle</ref>
* ~8,000 [[Freedmen]] (divided into 4 companies){{Ref|asos|57}}
* 514 [[Second Sons]]{{Ref|ADWD|66}}<ref group="N" name=sons>Originally supporting Daenerys. Defect to Yunkai after the Fall of Astapor; defect back to Meereen during the Battle of Slaver's Bay)</ref>
* 500 [[Stormcrows]]{{Ref|adwd|50}}
* ~200 [[Pit Fighters]]<ref name=barristan2>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', Barristan II ([http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?/topic/81338-twow-spoilers-barristan/&do=findComment&comment=4122024 Notes from Boskone 2013 reading]</ref>
* 26 squires of Ser Barristan
* ~20 Dothraki warriors<ref name=barristan1>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', Barristan I</ref>
* [[Viserion]]
* [[Rhaegal]]
* Unknown number of [[Brazen Beast]]s
[[House Greyjoy]]:
* 4,500+ reavers<ref group="N">It is stated that the ships of the Iron Fleet are the equals of the smaller war galleys of the Royal Fleet (''[[A Feast for Crows]]'', [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 32|Cersei VI]]), and that all of the crewmen of Ironborn ships (including oarsmen) are armored and armed reavers in contrast to the ship crews of other factions (''[[A Feast for Crows]]'', [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 29|The Reaver]]). The smaller war galleys of the Royal Fleet dip about 100 oars each (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 10|Davos I]]), putting the crews of Victarion's remaining ships at a minimum of 4,500+.</ref>
* 45 war galleys of the [[Iron Fleet]]{{ref|ADWD|56}}
* 17 captured slaver ships{{ref|ADWD|56}}
| strength2 = Slaver Alliance: 70,000+
[[New Ghis]]
* 36,000 men divided into 6 legions<ref name=barristan2/>
* 100 armored and towered war elephants
* 3 war galleys
[[Yunkai]]
* 40 Yunkai commanders each having "20 or 200 or 2,000" armed slaves{{ref|adwd|66}} (~8,000 assuming median count)
* [[Six sisters (trebuchets)|6 trebuchets]]
* 3,000 [[Company of the Cat]]{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
* 800 [[Long Lances]]{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
* 514 [[Second Sons]]{{Ref|ADWD|66}}(switches sides)<ref group="N" name=sons/>
[[Qarth]]
* [[Qartheen]] fleet
* Qartheen [[camel]] corps
[[Dothraki]]
*Large khalasar{{Ref|ADWD|30}}
*Possibly 20,000+<ref group="N" name=dothraki>It is stated that the slavers are hiring a Dothraki khalasar to complement their forces; Daenerys figures out that Khal [[Jhaqo]]'s khalasar is fairly close to Meereen.{{Ref|ADWD|71}} When last seen, his khalasar commanded twenty thousand riders.{{ref|AGOT|68}}</ref>
Other
* 300 [[Elyria]]n Crossbowmen
* [[Tolos]]i slingers
| casualties1 = unknown
| casualties2 = [[Little Pigeon]] [[Pudding Face]]
}}

[[File: Marc Fishman SerBS GreatP.jpg| [[Barristan Selmy|Ser Barristan]] looks at a smouldering [[Meereen]] - by Marc Fishman © |thumb|400px|right]]
The '''second siege of Meereen''' takes place after [[Daenerys Targaryen]] has taken control of [[Meereen]]. A coalition of [[slavery|slavers]] besieges the city, in an attempt to restore slavery.

==Prelude==
Upon buying eight thousand six hundred trained [[Unsullied]], as well as five thousand boys who had not yet completed their training, [[Daenerys Targaryen]] [[Fall of Astapor|sacks]] [[Astapor]].{{Ref|ASOS|27}} Daenerys installs a council of three to rule the city, a healer, a scholar, and a priest.{{Ref|ASOS|49}} She marches her army to [[Yunkai]], where she is faced with four thousand slave soldiers, as well as two sellsword companies, the [[Second Sons]] and the [[Stormcrows]], each consisting of five hundred men. Daenerys meets envoys from all three parties, and promises the Yunkai'i that they'll remain unharmed if they'd release their slaves. The Stormcrows defect to Daenerys prior to battle, and join Daenerys against the remaining Yunkai'i forces.{{Ref|ASOS|42}} Daenerys does not take the city, but instead marches her army, now greater than eighty thousand men, though less than a quarter are warriors.{{Ref|ASOS|57}}

Daenerys [[Siege of Meereen|conquers Meereen]] and installs herself as its Queen, taking the [[Great Pyramid]] as her seat.{{Ref|ASOS|71}} However, the council she had left to rule Astapor has been killed after a former slave, the butcher [[Cleon]], accused them of plotting to reinstall the [[Good Masters]], the former slavers. Following the deaths of the council members, Cleon names himself king and has all highborn boys in the city seized, to train them as Unsullied.{{Ref|ASOS|71}} Cleon sends an envoy, Lord [[Ghael]], to Meereen, to inform her of Cleon's reign. Cleon offers an alliance, to be sealed with marriage. Daenerys declines.{{Ref|ASOS|71}} Meanwhile, [[Yunkai]] return to slavery.{{Ref|ADWD|2}}

Even without Daenerys, Cleon marches his army out to meet Yunkai in the field. He is defeated during the [[Battle at the Horns of Hazzat]], and flees with his host back to Astapor.{{ref|ADWD|16}} The Yukai'i follow, and [[Siege of Astapor|besiege the Red City]].{{Ref|ADWD|23}} When Cleon orders his men to march out and fight, they kill him. His successor, [[Cleon the Second]], is slain eight days later, and the killer takes up the crown. The concubine of the first Cleon claims the crown as well, and the Astapori name them "King Cutthroat" and "Queen Whore".{{Ref|ADWD|23}} While Astapor starves, the King and Queen accuse one another of eating the slain.{{Ref|ADWD|30}} When the [[Green Grace]] of [[Astapor]] has a vision that the first Cleon will soon deliver the Astapori from the Yunkai'i,{{Ref|ADWD|30}} the Astapori make the decision to strap Cleon's corpse into his armor and onto his horse to lead the Unsullied in battle.{{Ref|ADWD|30}}{{Ref|ADWD|25}} When the dead King Cleon is slain once again, the Astapori break and attempt to flee, only to find the gates to the city closed. The battle itself is butchery.{{Ref|ADWD|25}}

Many of the survivors of the second fall of Astapor have the [[bloody flux]]. The Yunkai'i command their sellswords to hunt the survivors down and turn them, driving them back to Astapor or north to Meereen to prevent them from going near Yunkai.{{Ref|ADWD|25}} In [[Meereen]], Queen [[Daenerys Targaryen]] receives the news of the fall from three escaped Astapori, and, following the advice of her councillors, refuses to allow the other Astapori to settle in the city,{{Ref|ADWD|30}} but instead settles them outside the walls,{{Ref|ADWD|36}} to prevent the bloody flux from spreading into Meereen.

==Siege of Meereen==
===Initial siege===
With Astapor defeated, the Yunkai'i forces march on to Meereen.{{Ref|ADWD|25}}{{Ref|ADWD|36}} Ships from [[Qarth]], [[Tolos]], and [[New Ghis]] are shocking off the bay, aided by ships from the Meereenese fleet who had fled when Daenerys first arrived at the city.{{Ref|ADWD|30}} The Yunkai'i march their new slave soldiers up the coast road, accompanied by four sellsword companies, four [[Ghiscari legion]]s, a hundred elephants, [[Tolos]]i slingers, and a corps of [[Qarth]]een camelry, while another two legions from [[New Ghis]] are set to arrive by ship.{{Ref|ADWD|36}}

Following the death of the young girl [[Hazzea]] and the subsequent imprisonment of [[Viserion]] and [[Rhaegal]] and the escape of [[Drogon]], Daenerys refuses to use her dragons in battle.{{Ref|ADWD|30}} Following her refusal, [[Ben Plumm]] allies his [[Second Sons]] with Yunkai.{{Ref|ADWD|36}} The Yunkai'i are in contact with [[Hizdahr zo Loraq]], and inform him that they are willing to give Meereen peace, on the condition that the Yunkai'i can resume slaving. They insist that Astapor, once rebuild, will be a slaver city once again, and that Daenerys has to promise that she will not interfere. The agreements are to be sealed by Daenerys's marriage to Hizdahr.{{Ref|ADWD|36}} When the Yunkai'i lay siege to Meereen, they build catapults, scorpions, and tall trebuchets. Their aim is to weaken Meereen, until famine and disease brings the city to its knees.{{Ref|ADWD|43}} The bloody flux has by now already spread across Meereen;{{ref|ADWD|43}} However, it has also begun to spread among the Yunkish camps as well.{{Ref|ADWD|47}}

===Agreement of peace===
Following Daenerys's occupation of Meereen, Ghiscari descendants known as the [[Sons of the Harpy]] began to fight a [[shadow war]] against her, killing freedmen and [[Unsullied]], which leads to the formation of the [[Brazen Beasts]], Meereen's new city watch.{{Ref|ADWD|11}}{{Ref|ADWD|16}} However, the Harpy's Sons continue their killings, and the [[Green Grace]], [[Galazza Galare]], suggests to Daenerys that she should take a Meereenese nobleman as her husband and recommends [[Hizdahr zo Loraq]].{{Ref|ADWD|23}}

Daenerys follows the advice of Galazza and agrees to a pact with Hizdahr: if he is able to stop the Sons of the Harpy from killing for ninety days, Daenerys will marry Hizdahr.{{ref|ADWD|23}} Hizdahr discusses a peace treaty with the Yunkai'i, in which the marriage is an important aspect.{{Ref|ADWD|36}} Following ninety days of peace, Daenerys and Hizdahr are wed.{{ref|ADWD|43}}

Following the marriage, the peace between Meereen and the slavers is to be signed and sealed, and Meereen's fighting pits are to be opened once more.{{ref|ADWD|47}} Meereen's ports have already been opened following the wedding,{{ref|adwd|50}} and Hizdahr has invited the Yunkai'i commanders into the city to witness the opening of the fighting pits and sign the peace. Three Yunkish noblemen and the four commanders of the sellsword companies enter Meereen, and in return seven Meereenese hostages are sent to the camps of Yunkai.{{Ref|ADWD|50}} The following day, [[Daznak's Pit]] is opened. Daenerys and Hizdahr witness the matches from Hizdahr's box. Hizdahr urges Daenerys to try some honeyed locusts, but she declines them, letting [[Belwas]] eat them all. However, Daenerys feels more and more uneasy while watching the fights. During a fight where [[Barsena]] is slain by a boar, Daenerys stands to leave, when Belwas falls to his knees, and [[Drogon]] returns to the city. Drogon slays the boar and begins to eat Barsena and the animal. The gathered public panicks and attempts to flee. Daenerys rushes to Drogon's side and flies away from Meereen on his back.{{Ref|ADWD|52}}

Two hundred fourteen people died at Daznak's Pit, while three times as many were injured.{{Ref|ADWD|55}} After Daenerys's departure on Drogon, Hizdahr takes over the rule of Meereen and removes many of Daenerys's people from command. He places the command of the [[Brazen Beasts]] under the command of one of his cousins, and attempts to do the same with the Unsullied, which angers them, resulting in Hizdahr losing their support. [[Skahaz mo Kandaq]] contacts [[Barristan Selmy]] and informs him that Hizdahr's confectioner has confessed to having poisoned the locusts, from which Belwas had gotten sick, on behalf of the [[Sons of the Harpy]], who had threatened to kill his daughter. As Daenerys survived, the girl was killed. Skahaz has been gathering support against Hizdahr, but needs Barristan to bring the Unsullied to their side. Barristan agrees.{{Ref|ADWD|55}}

===The Battle of Slaver's Bay===
{{warning| This section contains pieces of information which have thus far been only released in samples chapters for ''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', or which originate from notes taken at readings from unreleased chapters. Therefore, the section might therefore be considered to contain spoilers. Additionally, the information might not be in finalized form. Keep in mind that parts of the content as described below could still be subject to change.}}
One of the deaths at Daznak's Pit was the Yunkish Supreme Commander [[Yurkhaz zo Yunzak]]. Following his death, the Yunkai'i commanders rotate the leadership, with a new general commanding the army each day, starting at dawn.<ref name=tyrion2/> Because Yurkhaz died whilst inside Meereen, the Yunkai'i speak of a breach of the peace, and continue their siege. They present King Hizdahr with the severed head of one of the Meereenese hostages, [[Groleo]]. They also return three hostages - all family to Hizdahr - as a shown of good faith, while promising to return the other three after Hizdahr has slain the dragons.{{Ref|ADWD|59}} Barristan and Skahaz agree to imprison Hizdahr, as well as [[Reznak mo Reznak]], and rule Meereen by a council.{{Ref|ADWD|67}} However, in the meantime, Prince [[Quentyn Martell]] has contacted the [[Tattered Prince]] and enlisted his help in capturing Daenerys's dragons,.{{Ref|ADWD|60}} Barristan's and Skahaz's plan to arrest Hizdahr takes place on the same night as Quentyn's plan to steal the dragons. Quentyn's plan fails, resulting in his mortal injuries as well as the escape of both [[Viserion]] and [[Rhaegal]].{{Ref|ADWD|68}} While Barristan is confronting Hizdahr about his role in the poisoning attempt of Daenerys, a [[cupbearer]] informs them that the dragons have been loosened on the city.{{Ref|ADWD|67}}

Following Hizdahr's arrest, the [[Sons of the Harpy]] return to their nightly killings. Galazza Galare is send to the Yunkai'i to discuss terms, but upon her return informs Barristan that the they demand that Hizdahr is restored to his throne. Galazza had presented an offer from Barristan to the nobles from Yunkai, but they have refused. When Galazza has informed Barristan of this fact, he is informed that the Yunkai'i are now flinging corpses into [[Meereen]], using the trebuchets.{{Ref|ADWD|70}}

Meereen prepares for the Battle of Slaver’s Bay<ref name=smartertravel>[http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/today-in-travel/game-of-thrones-exclusive-george-martin-talks-season-the-winds-of-winter-and-real-world-influences-for-song-of-ice-and-fire.html?id=10593041 George R.R. Martin Talks Season Two, 'The Winds of Winter,' and Real-World Influences for 'A Song of Ice and Fire' (March 26, 2012)]</ref> during the night. At the western gate, five thousand Unsullied are lined up, along with the [[Stormcrows]] and several hundred [[pit fighters]]. Barristan rides on Daenerys's [[silver]], hoping it gives the soldiers courage. The [[Brazen Beasts]] have taken the city walls, and are to be Meereen's final stand against Yunkai, should all else fail. The [[Stalwart Shields]] have gathered by the eastern gate, the [[Mother's Men]] by the south gate, and the [[Free Brothers]] by the north gate. Meanwhile, the Yunkishmen have two Ghiscari legions to the north, across the [[Skahazadhan]], while their main camp is located to the west, with two of its six trebuchets located there; one beside the river, one opposed Meereen's main gates.<ref name=barristan1/> Yunkai has [[six sisters|six trebuchets]] in total: the Dragonbreaker, the Harridan, the Harpy's Daughter, the Wicked Sister, the Ghost of Astapor, and the Mazdhan's Fist.{{Ref|adwd|47}} Yunkai's numbers are larger than Meereen's, and the attack goes against all of [[Barristan Selmy]]'s instincts, but he knows the battle is necessary nonetheless.<ref name=barristan1/>

Barristan's plan is to destroy the trebuchet known as the Harridan, in order to distract the Yunkai'i long enough for the Unsullied to form up before the city. The battle itself begins shortly before dawn.<ref name=barristan1/> Barristan leads the charge on the Harridan with cavalry fighters, while the Unsullied form a shield wall. He manages to reach the trebuchet, where a [[Ghiscari legion]] has formed up, six thousand men strong. However, they are not the only defenders. Barristan targets the [[Paezhar zo Myraq]]'s [[Herons]], and his plan is successful when the Yunkai'i fail to launge a counter-attack, and the Unsullied can take their position. [[Tumco Lho]] points Barristan's attention towards the bay, due to the large amount of ships. They identify the banners of [[House Greyjoy]], and Barristan is surprised to discover that the [[Ironborn]] are fighting on their side.<ref name=barristan2/>

Meanwhile, [[Tyrion Lannister]], who had been enslaved{{ref|adwd|47}} and had escaped to the [[Second Sons]],{{Ref|ADWD|57}} whom he has joined,{{ref|adwd|66}} has been trying to convince [[Ben Plumm]] to defect to Daenerys.<ref>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', Tyrion I (Notes from [http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?/topic/67929-twow-spoilers-miscon-reading-two-winds-of-winter-chapters/ Miscon reading: two Winds of Winter chapters (Victarion I and Tyrion I) (June 6, 2012)]</ref> When the [[Second Sons]] are commanded by a messenger from [[Gorzhak zo Eraz]], the slaver commanding the Yunkish armies that day, to give their aid against the ironborn, the mercenaries present refuse the order, citing [[Ben Plumm]]'s absence. Meanwhile, [[Viserion]] is snatching and devouring corpses in the air which are being thrown by the Wicked Sister, while [[Rhaegal]] flies over the bay and circles the clashing ships of the [[Iron Fleet]] and [[Qarth]].<ref name="tyrion2">''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', Tyrion II</ref> When Plumm returns, he informs his men that [[Malazza]], the Girl General, commands them to defend the [[Wicked Sister]], in case Barristan will turn to that trebuchet when the Harridan is down. However, Malazza's command had ended at dawn, and a new messenger arrives, informing the Second Sons that commander Gorzhak zo Eraz has been slain by the [[Tattered Prince]], and that the [[Windblown]] have declared their loyalty for Meereen. Command is now being held by [[Morghar zo Zherzyn]], who commands the Second Sons to give their aid to the [[Company of the Cat]] and the two [[Ghiscari legions]] defending the Harpy's Daughter, as the Targaryen Unsullied are marching for the trebuchet. When Tyrion makes a sarcastic comment, the messenger recognizes him for an escaped slave. [[Jorah Mormont]] kills the messenger, and the Second Sons declare they had been loyal to Daenerys all along and their defection had been no more than a ruse.<ref name=tyrion2/>

==Quotes==
{{Quote|Dragons wheeled overhead, their shadows sweeping across the upturned faces of friend and foe alike.<ref name=tyrion2/>}}

{{Quote|'''Tyrion:''' "Do you hear that sound?" '''Penny:''' "What is it?" '''Tyrion: ''' "War. On either side of us and not a league away. That's slaughter, Penny. That's men stumbling through the mud with their entrails hanging out. That's severed limbs and broken bones and pools of blood. You know how the worms come out after a hard rain? I hear they do the same after a big battle if enough blood soaks into the ground. That's the [[Stranger]] coming, Penny. The [[Black Goat of Qohor|Black Goat]], the [[Pale Child]], [[Him of Many Faces]], call him what you will. That's death." <ref name=tyrion2/>|[[Tyrion Lannister]] and [[Penny]] at the start of battle}}

{{Quote|Whatever might befall us on the battlefield, remember, it has happened before, and to better men than you. I am an old man, an old knight, and I have seen more battles than most of you have years. Nothing is more terrible upon this earth, nothing more glorious, nothing more absurd. You may retch. You will not be the first. You may drop your sword, your shield, your lance. Others have done the same. Pick it up and go on fighting. You may foul your breeches. I did, in my first battle. No one will care. All battlefields smell of shit. You may cry out for your mother, pray to gods you thought you had forgotten, howl obscenities that you never dreamed could pass your lips. All this has happened too. Some men die in every battle. More survive. East or west, in every inn and wine sink, you will find greybeards endlessly refighting the wars of their youth. They survived their battles. So may you. This you can be certain of: the foe you see before you is just another man, and like as not he is as frightened as you. Hate him if you must, love him if you can, but lift your sword and bring it down, then ride on. Above all else, keep moving. We are too few to win the battle. We ride to make chaos, to buy the Unsullied time enough to make their spear wall, we—<ref name=barristan1/>|Barristan Selmy's speech, until he is interrupted.}}

==Notes==
{{Notes}}

==References==
{{References|2}}

{{Targaryen campaign in Slavers Bay}}

[[Category:Battles|Meereen]]
[[Category:House Greyjoy battles|Meereen]]
[[Category:House Targaryen battles|Meereen 2]]
[[Category:Meereen]]
[[Category:Targaryen campaign in Slaver's Bay]]

[[es:Batalla de Meereen]]
[[fr:Siège de Meereen]]

Military strength

2019-06-03T19:52:48Z

Nihlus: /* The Stormlands */ Catelyn says 10,000 LANCERS, not 10,000 cavalry; Renly himself claims to have 20,000. Also the Tyrells are given a wide range of fifty to seventy thousand, not seventy thousand solidly.

[[File:T Jedruszek starfall knights.jpg|thumb|450px|Knights from [[Starfall]] in battle|right]]
'''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 [[feudalism|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 [[landed knight|knight]] possesses. In addition to this land force, there are some lords or powers who have their own fleets (e.g. [[Redwyne fleet|House Redwyne]], the [[royal fleet|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.<ref name=strength/>

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 {{Date|299}} is estimated by [[Jon Snow]] to be thirty to forty thousand strong while he's traveling with them,{{Ref|ASOS|73}} 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.{{Ref|ASOS|64}}

The free folk are defeated by [[Stannis Baratheon]] and the [[Night's Watch]] in the [[battle beneath the Wall]].{{ref|ASOS|73}} According to Stannis, the free folk combatants outnumbered his soldiers twenty to one,<ref name=Theon>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', [[Theon I (The Winds of Winter)|Theon I]]</ref> 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).{{Ref|ADWD|62}} Free folk military forces include hundreds of [[giants]]{{Ref|ASOS|15}} and over a hundred war mammoths.{{Ref|ASOS|64}}

Later, [[Tormund]] leads three thousand one hundred and nineteen free folk through the gates of the [[Wall]] at [[Castle Black]].{{ref|ADWD|58}} Many of the free folk follow [[Mother Mole]] to [[Hardhome]]; [[Varamyr Sixskins]] believes the number to have been hundreds,{{Ref|adwd|Prologue}} but [[Bowen Marsh]] later reports that more than six thousand wildlings are at Hardhome with Mother Mole.{{Ref|adwd|53}}

The [[Thenns]] have at least 300 soldiers, all equipped with bronze weapons and armor. 96 are killed assaulting Castle Black,{{ref|ASOS|30}} an unknown number are killed in the [[Battle beneath the Wall]], and 200 are still sworn to [[Sigorn]] in the aftermath.{{ref|ADWD|49}}

===The Night's Watch===
The numbers of the [[Night's Watch]] have long been dwindling.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Wall and Beyond: The Night's Watch}} During [[Aegon's Conquest]], the Night's Watch numbered ten thousand strong.{{ref|AGOT|60}} However, by {{Date|298}}, their strength has dwindled to less than a thousand.{{ref|AGOT|21}} Of these thousand, six hundred are stationed at [[Castle Black]], two hundred at the [[Shadow Tower]], and fewer at [[Eastwatch-by-the-Sea]].{{ref|AGOT|21}} In {{Date|299}}, [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch|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.{{Ref|ACOK|6}}{{Ref|ASOS|15}} Of these three hundred men, only fourteen survive and return to the Wall.{{Ref|ASOS|48}} When the new Lord Commander is being chosen, five hundred eighty-eight token are cast, with only one brother not voting,{{Ref|ASOS|75}} 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 {{Date|233}}, 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]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}}

===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.{{Ref|RPG|guardiansorder}} According to [[George R.R. Martin]], the north's military strength is about equal to that of the [[Vale]], and [[Dorne]].<ref name=strength/> Since [[Brandon the Burner]] burned his father's fleet, the north has had no strength at sea,{{Ref|ACOK|16}} In more recent times, however, [[House Manderly]] has begun the construction of a new fleet,{{Ref|ACOK|16}} which counts about forty-six ships by the first half of {{Date|300}}.{{Ref|ADWD|15}}{{Ref|ADWD|29}}<ref group="N">Davos sees twenty-three ships in the harbor (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 16|Davos II]]), but according to Lord Wyman, there are "as many more" hidden up the White Knife (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 29|Davos IV]])</ref>

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]] ([[Years before Aegon's Conquest#Year 2 Before the Conquest|2 BC]]-[[Years before Aegon's Conquest#Year 1 Before the Conquest|1 BC]]), the [[north]] marched to war with an army of thirty thousand.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} 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.{{Ref|TPATQ}} Lord [[Cregan Stark]] followed much later, but brought a much larger army.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}}

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).{{Ref|AGOT|53}} In total, the host of twelve thousand counts three to four hundred [[knight]]s, and three thousand northern cavalry.{{Ref|AGOT|53}} When the Stark host marches, others join them along the [[kingsroad]],{{Ref|AGOT|53}} and by the time the host reaches Moat Cailin, it is about eighteen thousand large.{{Ref|AGOT|55}} [[House Manderly]] adds another fifteen hundred men,{{Ref|AGOT|55}} 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<ref group="N">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]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 53|Bran VI]], and the thousand cavalry from House Frey (''[[A Storm of Swords]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 14|Catelyn II]]), which brings the total to four thousand three hundred fifty, making 9/10th three thousand nine hundred and fifteen men</ref> to [[Riverrun]].{{Ref|AGOT|59}} He is joined on the road there, by forces from [[House Mallister]] and others, which swells the host to some six thousand thousand men.{{Ref|AGOT|63}} 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]],<ref group="N">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</ref> where he fights the [[Battle of the Green Fork]] against [[House Lannister]].{{Ref|AGOT|59}}{{Ref|AGOT|62}} Bolton retreats, and later during the war is known to have ten thousand soldiers under his command.{{Ref|ACOK|39}} A large number of these ten thousand, equaling one-third of Robb's infantry, are lost after the [[Battle at Duskendale]].{{Ref|ASOS|35}}

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 [[House Bolton|Boltons]] in the [[battle at Winterfell]].{{ref|ACOK|66}}

[[Robb Stark]] leads thirty-five hundred veterans from the Whispering Wood<ref group="N">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]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 53|Bran VI]]).</ref> north from Riverrun to the Twins.{{ref|ASOS|45}} Roose Bolton marches with some sixty-one hundred men towards the Twins,<ref group="N" name=ruby>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]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 49|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.</ref> 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.{{Ref|ASOS|49}} Some two thousand men<ref group="N" name=ruby/> are either drowned or slain, taken captive, or flee.{{Ref|ASOS|49}} 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.{{ref|ASOS|49}} 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,{{Ref|ASOS|45}} 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]].{{Ref|ADWD|20}} According to [[Theon Greyjoy]], Roose later has six thousand men or more [[Siege of Winterfell|at Winterfell]].<ref>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', [[Theon I (The Winds of Winter)|Theon I]]</ref>

In {{Date|300}}, 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.{{ref|ADWD|17}} Following the [[fight by Deepwood Motte]], after the mountain clans, [[House Mormont]], men once sworn to [[House Hornwood]], [[House Cerwyn|Cerwyn]], and [[House Tallhart|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.{{ref|ADWD|35}} 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]].{{ref|ADWD|42}}{{ref|ADWD|62}}

===The Iron Islands===
[[File:The iron fleet by reneaigner.jpg|thumb|Ships of the [[Iron Fleet]]|450px]]
According to a semi-canon source from 2005, the Iron Isles can raise approximately twenty thousand men.{{Ref|RPG|guardiansorder}} [[George R. R. Martin]] has indicated that the major lords of the [[ironborn]] can each float around one hundred ships.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Re_Greyjoy_Fleet Re: Greyjoy Fleet (February 9, 1999)]</ref> A longship such as ''[[Sea Bitch]]'' has fifty oars, while ''[[Great Kraken]]'' and ''[[Iron Victory]]'' are larger.{{ref|ACOK|24}} The [[Iron Fleet]] alone consists of one hundred ships which are three times larger than the standard longship.{{ref|ADWD|56}} The only fleets comparable to those of the Iron Islands are the [[royal fleet]] in the crownlands and the [[Redwyne fleet]] from the [[Reach]].<ref name=SSMLF>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/The_Lannister_Fleet The Lannister Fleet (September 26, 1999)]</ref>

In {{Date|300}}, King [[Tommen Baratheon|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.{{Ref|AFFC|32}} 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]],{{Ref|ADWD|56}} the other seven having been lost in the months before (one sank during a storm,{{Ref|AFFC|14}} the other six were lost in battle{{Ref|AFFC|29}}). 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.{{Ref|ADWD|56}} 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.{{Ref|ADWD|56}} More ships are captured along the way, bringing the Iron Fleet's total to sixty-one.{{Ref|ADWD|63}}

===The Riverlands===
A semi-canon source from 2005 states that the riverlands can field roughly forty-five thousand men.{{Ref|RPG|guardiansorder}}

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.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} 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 Rush|Blackwater]].{{Ref|TPATQ}} Ser [[Addam Velaryon]] later gathered near four thousand men from the riverlands.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

[[House Frey]] raised four thousand soldiers at the start of the [[War of the Five Kings]],{{Ref|AGOT|59}} with one thousand of them knights and near three thousand foot.{{ref|ASOS|14}} They later supply the northern host commanded by Roose Bolton at [[Harrenhal]] with an additional fifteen hundred soldiers, commanded by Ser [[Aenys Frey]].{{ref|ACOK|64}} The other riverlords combined can raise at least an additional eleven thousand, including eight thousand foot and three thousand horse.{{ref|ACOK|39}} After the [[Red Wedding]], [[Ryman Frey]] leads two thousand soldiers of [[House Frey]] against Riverrun.{{Ref|ASOS|60}} When the [[House Bolton|Bolton host]] marches back north after the Red Wedding, fifteen hundred [[House Frey|Frey's]] accompany them.{{ref|ADWD|20}}

[[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.{{Ref|ACOK|22}}

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.<ref name=strength />

===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.{{Ref|RPG|guardiansorder}} [[George R. R. Martin]] has previously stated that the Vale is roughly equal in military strength to the [[north]] and [[Dorne]].<ref name=strength /> 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.{{Ref|AFFC|10}} 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.{{Ref|AFFC|23}} The exact numbers the remainder of the lords of the Vale can field, are currently unknown.

The [[Vale]] also has a fleet.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} The [[King of Mountain and Vale|Kings of Mountain and Vale]] did not neglect their fleets when they still reigned, which might have counted hundreds of ships at [[Gulltown]] alone.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Vale}} 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.{{ref|AGOT|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.{{Ref|RPG|guardiansorder}}

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.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}

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.<ref name=SSMLF/>

In {{Date|260}}, 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]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons}} Upon return after the war, five hundred knights formed a company commanded by Ser [[Kevan Lannister]]. In late {{Date|261}}, 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.<ref group="N">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.</ref> With this force, [[Tarbeck Hall]] was destroyed.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons}} According to semi-canon sources, Houses [[House Westerling|Westerling]], [[House Banefort|Banefort]], [[House Plumm|Plumm]], and [[House Stackspear|Stackspear]] together were able to gather roughly sixty-five hundred more men, doubling the Lannister host in size.<ref name=westerlands/> 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.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragon}} According to semi-canon sources, this was only a quarter of his available strength.<ref name=westerlands>[http://www.georgerrmartin.com/world-of-ice-and-fire-sample/ "The World of Ice and Fire", The Westerlands, unabridged version]</ref> A surprise attack from the Reyne's left half of Lord Roger's forces dead.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons}}

In {{Date|283}}, Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] commanded twelve thousand [[House Lannister|Lannister]] men during the [[Sack of King's Landing]].{{ref|ACOK|12}} 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,{{ref|AGOT|56}} and another of fourteen or fifteen thousand strong, commanded by Ser [[Jaime Lannister]].{{ref|AGOT|63}} Meanwhile, [[Stafford Lannister]] is raising a third Lannister army, with an unknown amount of men.{{ref|acok|7}}{{Ref|acok|20}} The army is later attacked, and thousands are slain.{{Ref|ACOK|32}} It is currently unknown how many men of this army still remain. Meanwhile, Lord Tywin has retreated with his twenty thousand men to Harrenhal,{{ref|ACOK|69}} fights with them in the [[Battle of the Fords]] in the [[riverlands]],{{ref|ACOK|39}} and next marches them to King's Landing.{{Ref|ASOS|38}} All but some three thousand later return to the westerlands.{{Ref|AFFC|16}} Of the soldiers remaining, two thousand sail to Dragonstone for [[siege of Dragonstone|the siege]], while less than a thousand accompany Jaime Lannister into the riverlands to aid with the [[siege of Riverrun]].{{Ref|AFFC|27}}

[[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.<ref name=SSMLF/> A semi-canon sources from 2005 estimates the total naval power of the westerlands to be “probably closer to fifty or sixty large ships”.{{Ref|RPG|guardiansorder}} Though the Lannister fleet has been burned as recently as {{Date|289}},{{Ref|ACOK|24}} the ships who have been lost have been rebuild.<ref name=SSMLF/>

===The Crownlands===
[[File:Fury.jpg|330px|thumb|''[[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.{{Ref|RPG|guardiansorder}}

During [[Aegon's Conquest]], Houses [[House Darklyn|Darklyn]] and [[House Mooton|Mooton]] combined raised an army of three thousand men.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} The [[royal fleet]] of [[House Targaryen]] was then based at [[King's Landing]] and [[Dragonstone (island)|Dragonstone]]. During the [[Dance of the Dragons]] ({{Date|129}}-{{Date|131}}), Prince [[Aemond Targaryen]] gathered an army from King's Landing of four thousand men, within a fortnight.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

The main defense of King's Landing are the [[gold cloaks]]. In {{Date|298}}, they number two thousand.{{Ref|AGOT|47}} Ser [[Jacelyn Bywater]] augments the City Watch to six thousand in early {{Date|299}}.{{ref|ACOK|8}} Following the [[Battle of the Blackwater]], due to deaths and desertions, only some forty-four hundred men remain.{{Ref|ASOS|4}} Later that year, numbers have increased to nearly five thousand.{{ref|ASOS|38}}

[[Mace Tyrell]] later adds a hundred men from [[Highgarden]] to the gold cloaks.{{Ref|ADWD|Epilogue}}

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 of the Seven|Faith's]] military orders consisted out of the [[Poor Fellows]] and the [[Warrior's Sons]]. The Poor Fellows were far more numerous.{{ref|AFFC|28}} During the battle at the Great Fork of the [[Blackwater Rush|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.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}} More recently, in {{Date|300}}, more than two thousand [[sparrows]] have gathered in King's Landing.{{ref|AFFC|17}}

The crownlands is also home to the [[royal fleet]], which is one of the main three forces at sea in Westeros.<ref name="SSMLF"/> 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 {{Date|284}} during a summer storm,{{Ref|AGOT|3}} though some ships from the fleet might have survived.<ref group="N">For example the ships ''[[Prince Aemon]]'', ''[[Princess Rhaenys]]'', and ''[[Queen Alysanne]]''</ref> A new fleet has since been build. In {{Date|298}}, [[Stannis Baratheon]], then the [[master of ships]], sails most of the royal fleet to Dragonstone,{{Ref|ACOK|41}} leaving only some fifty ships behind in King’s Landing.{{Ref|ACOK|41}} While Stannis later sets sail with some two hundred ships,{{Ref|ACOK|58}} 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.{{Ref|ACOK|41}}{{Ref|ACOK|58}}

====Dragonstone====
[[Dragonstone]] can field the least amount of soldiers.<ref name=strength /> Its garrison is made up out of thirty knights, a hundred crossbowmen, and three hundred men-at-arms.{{ref|tpatq}} When [[Aegon I Targaryen]] in [[Years Before the Conquest|2 BC]] first prepared to sail to [[Westeros]] to begin his [[Aegon's Conquest|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.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}

In {{Date|299}}, [[Stannis Baratheon]]'s host includes three thousand men along the shore of [[Dragonstone]].{{ref|ACOK|Prologue}} During the [[Siege of Storm's End (299)|Siege of Storm's End]], Stannis's forces number five thousand, with less than four hundred horse.{{ref|ACOK|31}} 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]].{{ref|ACOK|52}} Stannis's host numbers near twenty thousand knights, light horse, and freeriders,{{ref|ACOK|58}} 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.{{ref|ASOS|75}} According to Davos, Stannis arrived north with "no more than fifteen hundred men".{{Ref|adwd|19}}

===The Stormlands===
According to a semi-canon source from 2005, the stormlands can field perhaps thirty-thousand men.{{Ref|rpg|guardiansorder}}

In {{Date|206}}, [[House Dondarrion]] was able to gather nearly four thousand infantry and eight hundred cavalry.{{Ref|THK}}

In {{Date|299}}, 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, at least ten thousand of whom are heavy lancers, and claims they will soon be reinforced with a hundred thousand swords and spears.{{ref|ACOK|31}}{{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.

===The Reach===
[[File:T Jedruszek BrightwaterCavalrywing.jpg|thumb|350px|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.{{Ref|rpg|guardiansorder}}

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 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 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}}

===Dorne===
[[File:Tomasz Jedruszek Army of Scorpions II.jpg|350px|thumb|right|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.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reach: The Gardener Kings}} 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]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| Dorne: Kingsdoms of the First Men}}

During [[Aegon's Conquest]], the Dornish did not give battle. However, in {{Date|37}}, at the start of the reign of King [[Aenys I Targaryen]], a rebel known as the [[Vulture King (Aenys I)|Vulture King]] rose. He was said to have a following of thirty thousand, to resist [[House Targaryen]] with.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}

More recently, [[House Martell]] sent ten thousand soldiers to fight under the Targaryen banner at the [[Battle of the Trident]], in {{Date|283}}, led by Prince [[Lewyn Martell]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Fall of the Dragons: Robert's Rebellion}}{{ref|ASOS|37}}

Currently, the Martells are believed to be able to raise fifty thousand soldiers.{{Ref|ACOK|17}}{{Ref|ADWD|43}} 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.{{ref|AFFC|40}} 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]].<ref name=strength>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Strength_of_the_Regions Strength of the Regions (February 18, 2002)]</ref>

Dorne has had no strength at sea since the [[Rhoynar|Rhoynish]] warrior queen [[Nymeria]] burned her ten thousand ships a thousand years ago.{{Ref|adwd|50}}

===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.{{Ref|AGOT|30}} Of these forty thousand, ten thousand were [[Dorne|Dornishmen]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Fall of the Dragons: Robert's Rebellion}}{{ref|ASOS|37}} The rebels, consisting of the north, Vale, riverlands, and stormlands, had fewer men.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/The_Siege_of_Storms_End The Siege of Storm's End (July 18, 1999)]</ref>

==Essos==
===The Free Cities===
*'''[[Braavos]]''': Braavos is, together with Volantis, the most powerful of the Free Cities. Their main power is at sea,{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Volantis}} as the Braavosi fleet of warships is second to none, in addition to a merchantile fleet.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Braavos}} Braavos also has a city watch.{{Ref|ADWD|64}} In {{Date|300}}, [[Stannis Baratheon]] sends Ser [[Justin Massey]] to recruit twenty thousand sellswords in Braavos.<ref name=WindsTheon>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', Theon I</ref>
[[File:T Jedruszek GreyWormsElite.jpg|thumb|450px|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.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Lorath}}
*'''[[Lys]]''': The Lyseni prefer to hire sellswords to do their fighting, seldom risking the lives of their own citizens.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: The Quarrelsome Daughters: Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh}}
*'''[[Myr]]''': The Myrish prefer to hire sellswords to do their fighting, seldom risking the lives of their own citizens.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: The Quarrelsome Daughters: Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh}}
*'''[[Norvos]]''': The [[bearded priests]] of Norvos keep a guard of slave soldiers.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Norvos}}
*'''[[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.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Pentos}}
*'''[[Qohor]]''': During the [[Battle of Qohor]], the city was successfully defended by three thousand Unsullied.{{ref|ASOS|8}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Qohor}} Ever since, Qohor has relied on the Unsullied slave soldiers for the defense of the city, further keeping only a small city watch.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Qohor}} Occasionally, Qohor also hires sellsword companies. Overall, the city is not considered to be martial.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Qohor}}
*'''[[Tyrosh]]''': The Tyroshi prefer to hire sellswords to do their fighting, seldom risking the lives of their own citizens.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: The Quarrelsome Daughters: Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh}}
*'''[[Volantis]]''': Volantis is, together with Braavos, the most powerful of the Free Cities. Though Volantis has a fleet,{{Ref|ADWD|24}}{{Ref|ADWD|27}}{{Ref|ADWD|55}} the city's main power is on land.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Volantis}} In {{Date|300}}, Triarch [[Malaquo]] cuts off the [[Golden Company]] from the delta road near [[Volantis]] with five thousand foot and one thousand horse.{{ref|ADWD|24}}

===Ghiscari cities===
*'''[[Astapor]]''': The [[Unsullied]] of [[Astapor]] are sold by the century or the thousand.{{ref|ASOS|23}}
*'''[[Meereen]]''': In {{Date|300}}, when Queen [[Daenerys Targaryen]] takes over the rule of the city, a city watch called the [[Brazen Beasts]] is created,{{Ref|ADWD|16}} a force consisting out of equal numbers of freedmen and shavepate Meereenese.{{Ref|ADWD|11}}{{Ref|ADWD|16}} Further, the freedmen of fighting age have been organized into companies,{{Ref|ADWD|16}} called the [[Mother's Men]], [[Stalwart Shields]], and the [[Free Brothers]].{{Ref|ADWD|11}}
*'''[[New Ghis]]''': New Ghis has its army divided into [[Ghiscari legions|legions]], armed and organized as the [[Unsullied]]. However, in contrast to the Unsullied, the Ghiscari armies are made up of freemen, who serve three-year terms.{{Ref|ADWD|57}} The Ghiscari legions are reportedly six thousand soldiers strong each.<ref>asoiaf.westeros.org: Boskone 2013, reading of Barristan I and [http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?/topic/81338-twow-spoilers-barristan/&do=findComment&comment=4122024 Barristan II]</ref> They bring two of these legions to [[Astapor]], when they take part in the [[siege of Astapor|siege]].{{Ref|ADWD|16}} Four Ghiscari legions join [[Yunkai]] in their march to [[Meereen]], while two more legions from New Ghis took ship at Astapor, heading for Meereen as well.{{Ref|ADWD|36}}
*'''[[Yunkai]]''': Yunkai has a host of four thousand men, all slaves, strengthened by two sellsword companies (the [[Stormcrows]] and the [[Second Sons]]) in {{Date|299}}. The sellsword companies abandon Yunkai during the [[Battle near Yunkai]], while the slave army breaks.{{Ref|ASOS|42}} In {{Date|300}}, the Yunkish host consists out of several sellsword companies ([[Company of the Cat]], [[Long Lances]], [[Second Sons]], and the [[Windblown]]).{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}

===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.{{Ref|ASOS|23}}{{Ref|ASOS|27}}{{ref|ADWD|16}} Upon arrival at [[Meereen]], Daenerys has a host of more than eighty thousand people strong, though less than a quarter are warriors.{{Ref|ASOS|57}} The Second Sons later abandon Daenerys.{{Ref|ADWD|36}}

[[File:Marc Simonetti Bittersteel golden company.jpg|thumb|500px|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]].
*The [[Company of the Cat]] numbers three thousand soldiers, currently sworn to [[Yunkai]].{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
*The [[Golden Company]] numbers ten thousand, many of whom are Westerosi exiles.{{ref|ADWD|5}} When Lord [[Jon Connington]] and Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon Targaryen]] set sail for [[Westeros]] with the company to [[landing of the Golden Company|invade the stormlands]], about half of the men become scattered along the southron [[narrow sea]].{{ref|ADWD|61}}{{ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
*The [[Long Lances]] number eight hundred cavalry, who are currently sworn to [[Yunkai]].{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
*The [[Second Sons]] number five hundred fourteen{{ref|ADWD|66}} cavalry.{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}} They have gone back and forth between [[Yunkai]] and Queen [[Daenerys Targaryen]] of [[Meereen]]. They are about to change their alliance from Yunkai to Daenerys, again.<ref name=WindsTyrion/>
*The [[Stormcrows]] number about five hundred cavalry, who are currently sworn to Queen [[Daenerys Targaryen]] of [[Meereen]].{{Ref|ASOS|42}}{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
*The [[Windblown]] number two thousand cavalry and infantry, sworn to [[Yunkai]],{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}} but about to change alliance.<ref name=WindsTyrion>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', Tyrion II</ref>

===Dothraki===
''[[Khalasar]]s'' in the [[Dothraki sea]] have been known to reach fifty thousand{{ref|ASOS|8}} or even one hundred thousand{{ref|ASOS|27}} 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 [[Sarnor]]i.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Grasslands}}

In more recent times, Khal [[Drogo]]'s ''[[khalasar]]'', which is said to be one hundred thousand strong,{{ref|AGOT|3}} includes forty thousand mounted warriors.{{ref|AGOT|36}} It splinters into smaller groups after his death, however.{{ref|AGOT|72}} Khal [[Pono]] claims ten thousand of Drogo's ''khalasar'',{{Ref|ACOK|12}} while Khal [[Jhaqo]] claims twenty thousand riders{{Ref|AGOT|68}} About a year later, the ''khalasar'' of Khal [[Pono]] is reported to be thirty thousand strong, located near [[Selhorys]].{{ref|ADWD|8}}

===Further east===
[[Bayasabhad]], [[Samyriana]], and [[Kayakayanaya]] are guarded by tens of thousands of female defenders.{{ref|TWOIAF| Beyond the Free Cities: The Grasslands}}

The [[Five Forts]] can hold fifty thousand men in total, although it is unknown if they are at capacity.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Bones and Beyond: Yi Ti}}

Emperor [[Lo Bu]] of [[Yi Ti]] allegedly led three hundred thousand against the [[Jogos Nhai]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The Bones and Beyond: The Plains of the Jogos Nhai}}

===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 [[elephant]]s, and three hundred [[dragon]]s.{{ref|TWOIAF| Ancient History: Ten Thousand Ships}} Following the [[Doom of Valyria]], the thirty thousand of [[Aurion]] disappeared when they marched to the [[Valyrian peninsula]].{{ref|TWOIAF| Ancient History: The Doom of Valyria}}

==Notes==
{{Notes}}

==References==
{{references|2}}

[[Category:Society]]

Military strength

2019-06-03T19:50:55Z

Nihlus: /* The Reach */

[[File:T Jedruszek starfall knights.jpg|thumb|450px|Knights from [[Starfall]] in battle|right]]
'''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 [[feudalism|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 [[landed knight|knight]] possesses. In addition to this land force, there are some lords or powers who have their own fleets (e.g. [[Redwyne fleet|House Redwyne]], the [[royal fleet|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.<ref name=strength/>

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 {{Date|299}} is estimated by [[Jon Snow]] to be thirty to forty thousand strong while he's traveling with them,{{Ref|ASOS|73}} 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.{{Ref|ASOS|64}}

The free folk are defeated by [[Stannis Baratheon]] and the [[Night's Watch]] in the [[battle beneath the Wall]].{{ref|ASOS|73}} According to Stannis, the free folk combatants outnumbered his soldiers twenty to one,<ref name=Theon>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', [[Theon I (The Winds of Winter)|Theon I]]</ref> 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).{{Ref|ADWD|62}} Free folk military forces include hundreds of [[giants]]{{Ref|ASOS|15}} and over a hundred war mammoths.{{Ref|ASOS|64}}

Later, [[Tormund]] leads three thousand one hundred and nineteen free folk through the gates of the [[Wall]] at [[Castle Black]].{{ref|ADWD|58}} Many of the free folk follow [[Mother Mole]] to [[Hardhome]]; [[Varamyr Sixskins]] believes the number to have been hundreds,{{Ref|adwd|Prologue}} but [[Bowen Marsh]] later reports that more than six thousand wildlings are at Hardhome with Mother Mole.{{Ref|adwd|53}}

The [[Thenns]] have at least 300 soldiers, all equipped with bronze weapons and armor. 96 are killed assaulting Castle Black,{{ref|ASOS|30}} an unknown number are killed in the [[Battle beneath the Wall]], and 200 are still sworn to [[Sigorn]] in the aftermath.{{ref|ADWD|49}}

===The Night's Watch===
The numbers of the [[Night's Watch]] have long been dwindling.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Wall and Beyond: The Night's Watch}} During [[Aegon's Conquest]], the Night's Watch numbered ten thousand strong.{{ref|AGOT|60}} However, by {{Date|298}}, their strength has dwindled to less than a thousand.{{ref|AGOT|21}} Of these thousand, six hundred are stationed at [[Castle Black]], two hundred at the [[Shadow Tower]], and fewer at [[Eastwatch-by-the-Sea]].{{ref|AGOT|21}} In {{Date|299}}, [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch|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.{{Ref|ACOK|6}}{{Ref|ASOS|15}} Of these three hundred men, only fourteen survive and return to the Wall.{{Ref|ASOS|48}} When the new Lord Commander is being chosen, five hundred eighty-eight token are cast, with only one brother not voting,{{Ref|ASOS|75}} 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 {{Date|233}}, 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]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}}

===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.{{Ref|RPG|guardiansorder}} According to [[George R.R. Martin]], the north's military strength is about equal to that of the [[Vale]], and [[Dorne]].<ref name=strength/> Since [[Brandon the Burner]] burned his father's fleet, the north has had no strength at sea,{{Ref|ACOK|16}} In more recent times, however, [[House Manderly]] has begun the construction of a new fleet,{{Ref|ACOK|16}} which counts about forty-six ships by the first half of {{Date|300}}.{{Ref|ADWD|15}}{{Ref|ADWD|29}}<ref group="N">Davos sees twenty-three ships in the harbor (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 16|Davos II]]), but according to Lord Wyman, there are "as many more" hidden up the White Knife (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 29|Davos IV]])</ref>

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]] ([[Years before Aegon's Conquest#Year 2 Before the Conquest|2 BC]]-[[Years before Aegon's Conquest#Year 1 Before the Conquest|1 BC]]), the [[north]] marched to war with an army of thirty thousand.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} 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.{{Ref|TPATQ}} Lord [[Cregan Stark]] followed much later, but brought a much larger army.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}}

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).{{Ref|AGOT|53}} In total, the host of twelve thousand counts three to four hundred [[knight]]s, and three thousand northern cavalry.{{Ref|AGOT|53}} When the Stark host marches, others join them along the [[kingsroad]],{{Ref|AGOT|53}} and by the time the host reaches Moat Cailin, it is about eighteen thousand large.{{Ref|AGOT|55}} [[House Manderly]] adds another fifteen hundred men,{{Ref|AGOT|55}} 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<ref group="N">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]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 53|Bran VI]], and the thousand cavalry from House Frey (''[[A Storm of Swords]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 14|Catelyn II]]), which brings the total to four thousand three hundred fifty, making 9/10th three thousand nine hundred and fifteen men</ref> to [[Riverrun]].{{Ref|AGOT|59}} He is joined on the road there, by forces from [[House Mallister]] and others, which swells the host to some six thousand thousand men.{{Ref|AGOT|63}} 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]],<ref group="N">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</ref> where he fights the [[Battle of the Green Fork]] against [[House Lannister]].{{Ref|AGOT|59}}{{Ref|AGOT|62}} Bolton retreats, and later during the war is known to have ten thousand soldiers under his command.{{Ref|ACOK|39}} A large number of these ten thousand, equaling one-third of Robb's infantry, are lost after the [[Battle at Duskendale]].{{Ref|ASOS|35}}

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 [[House Bolton|Boltons]] in the [[battle at Winterfell]].{{ref|ACOK|66}}

[[Robb Stark]] leads thirty-five hundred veterans from the Whispering Wood<ref group="N">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]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 53|Bran VI]]).</ref> north from Riverrun to the Twins.{{ref|ASOS|45}} Roose Bolton marches with some sixty-one hundred men towards the Twins,<ref group="N" name=ruby>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]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 49|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.</ref> 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.{{Ref|ASOS|49}} Some two thousand men<ref group="N" name=ruby/> are either drowned or slain, taken captive, or flee.{{Ref|ASOS|49}} 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.{{ref|ASOS|49}} 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,{{Ref|ASOS|45}} 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]].{{Ref|ADWD|20}} According to [[Theon Greyjoy]], Roose later has six thousand men or more [[Siege of Winterfell|at Winterfell]].<ref>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', [[Theon I (The Winds of Winter)|Theon I]]</ref>

In {{Date|300}}, 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.{{ref|ADWD|17}} Following the [[fight by Deepwood Motte]], after the mountain clans, [[House Mormont]], men once sworn to [[House Hornwood]], [[House Cerwyn|Cerwyn]], and [[House Tallhart|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.{{ref|ADWD|35}} 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]].{{ref|ADWD|42}}{{ref|ADWD|62}}

===The Iron Islands===
[[File:The iron fleet by reneaigner.jpg|thumb|Ships of the [[Iron Fleet]]|450px]]
According to a semi-canon source from 2005, the Iron Isles can raise approximately twenty thousand men.{{Ref|RPG|guardiansorder}} [[George R. R. Martin]] has indicated that the major lords of the [[ironborn]] can each float around one hundred ships.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Re_Greyjoy_Fleet Re: Greyjoy Fleet (February 9, 1999)]</ref> A longship such as ''[[Sea Bitch]]'' has fifty oars, while ''[[Great Kraken]]'' and ''[[Iron Victory]]'' are larger.{{ref|ACOK|24}} The [[Iron Fleet]] alone consists of one hundred ships which are three times larger than the standard longship.{{ref|ADWD|56}} The only fleets comparable to those of the Iron Islands are the [[royal fleet]] in the crownlands and the [[Redwyne fleet]] from the [[Reach]].<ref name=SSMLF>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/The_Lannister_Fleet The Lannister Fleet (September 26, 1999)]</ref>

In {{Date|300}}, King [[Tommen Baratheon|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.{{Ref|AFFC|32}} 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]],{{Ref|ADWD|56}} the other seven having been lost in the months before (one sank during a storm,{{Ref|AFFC|14}} the other six were lost in battle{{Ref|AFFC|29}}). 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.{{Ref|ADWD|56}} 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.{{Ref|ADWD|56}} More ships are captured along the way, bringing the Iron Fleet's total to sixty-one.{{Ref|ADWD|63}}

===The Riverlands===
A semi-canon source from 2005 states that the riverlands can field roughly forty-five thousand men.{{Ref|RPG|guardiansorder}}

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.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} 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 Rush|Blackwater]].{{Ref|TPATQ}} Ser [[Addam Velaryon]] later gathered near four thousand men from the riverlands.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

[[House Frey]] raised four thousand soldiers at the start of the [[War of the Five Kings]],{{Ref|AGOT|59}} with one thousand of them knights and near three thousand foot.{{ref|ASOS|14}} They later supply the northern host commanded by Roose Bolton at [[Harrenhal]] with an additional fifteen hundred soldiers, commanded by Ser [[Aenys Frey]].{{ref|ACOK|64}} The other riverlords combined can raise at least an additional eleven thousand, including eight thousand foot and three thousand horse.{{ref|ACOK|39}} After the [[Red Wedding]], [[Ryman Frey]] leads two thousand soldiers of [[House Frey]] against Riverrun.{{Ref|ASOS|60}} When the [[House Bolton|Bolton host]] marches back north after the Red Wedding, fifteen hundred [[House Frey|Frey's]] accompany them.{{ref|ADWD|20}}

[[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.{{Ref|ACOK|22}}

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.<ref name=strength />

===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.{{Ref|RPG|guardiansorder}} [[George R. R. Martin]] has previously stated that the Vale is roughly equal in military strength to the [[north]] and [[Dorne]].<ref name=strength /> 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.{{Ref|AFFC|10}} 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.{{Ref|AFFC|23}} The exact numbers the remainder of the lords of the Vale can field, are currently unknown.

The [[Vale]] also has a fleet.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} The [[King of Mountain and Vale|Kings of Mountain and Vale]] did not neglect their fleets when they still reigned, which might have counted hundreds of ships at [[Gulltown]] alone.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Vale}} 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.{{ref|AGOT|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.{{Ref|RPG|guardiansorder}}

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.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}

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.<ref name=SSMLF/>

In {{Date|260}}, 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]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons}} Upon return after the war, five hundred knights formed a company commanded by Ser [[Kevan Lannister]]. In late {{Date|261}}, 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.<ref group="N">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.</ref> With this force, [[Tarbeck Hall]] was destroyed.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons}} According to semi-canon sources, Houses [[House Westerling|Westerling]], [[House Banefort|Banefort]], [[House Plumm|Plumm]], and [[House Stackspear|Stackspear]] together were able to gather roughly sixty-five hundred more men, doubling the Lannister host in size.<ref name=westerlands/> 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.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragon}} According to semi-canon sources, this was only a quarter of his available strength.<ref name=westerlands>[http://www.georgerrmartin.com/world-of-ice-and-fire-sample/ "The World of Ice and Fire", The Westerlands, unabridged version]</ref> A surprise attack from the Reyne's left half of Lord Roger's forces dead.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons}}

In {{Date|283}}, Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] commanded twelve thousand [[House Lannister|Lannister]] men during the [[Sack of King's Landing]].{{ref|ACOK|12}} 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,{{ref|AGOT|56}} and another of fourteen or fifteen thousand strong, commanded by Ser [[Jaime Lannister]].{{ref|AGOT|63}} Meanwhile, [[Stafford Lannister]] is raising a third Lannister army, with an unknown amount of men.{{ref|acok|7}}{{Ref|acok|20}} The army is later attacked, and thousands are slain.{{Ref|ACOK|32}} It is currently unknown how many men of this army still remain. Meanwhile, Lord Tywin has retreated with his twenty thousand men to Harrenhal,{{ref|ACOK|69}} fights with them in the [[Battle of the Fords]] in the [[riverlands]],{{ref|ACOK|39}} and next marches them to King's Landing.{{Ref|ASOS|38}} All but some three thousand later return to the westerlands.{{Ref|AFFC|16}} Of the soldiers remaining, two thousand sail to Dragonstone for [[siege of Dragonstone|the siege]], while less than a thousand accompany Jaime Lannister into the riverlands to aid with the [[siege of Riverrun]].{{Ref|AFFC|27}}

[[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.<ref name=SSMLF/> A semi-canon sources from 2005 estimates the total naval power of the westerlands to be “probably closer to fifty or sixty large ships”.{{Ref|RPG|guardiansorder}} Though the Lannister fleet has been burned as recently as {{Date|289}},{{Ref|ACOK|24}} the ships who have been lost have been rebuild.<ref name=SSMLF/>

===The Crownlands===
[[File:Fury.jpg|330px|thumb|''[[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.{{Ref|RPG|guardiansorder}}

During [[Aegon's Conquest]], Houses [[House Darklyn|Darklyn]] and [[House Mooton|Mooton]] combined raised an army of three thousand men.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} The [[royal fleet]] of [[House Targaryen]] was then based at [[King's Landing]] and [[Dragonstone (island)|Dragonstone]]. During the [[Dance of the Dragons]] ({{Date|129}}-{{Date|131}}), Prince [[Aemond Targaryen]] gathered an army from King's Landing of four thousand men, within a fortnight.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

The main defense of King's Landing are the [[gold cloaks]]. In {{Date|298}}, they number two thousand.{{Ref|AGOT|47}} Ser [[Jacelyn Bywater]] augments the City Watch to six thousand in early {{Date|299}}.{{ref|ACOK|8}} Following the [[Battle of the Blackwater]], due to deaths and desertions, only some forty-four hundred men remain.{{Ref|ASOS|4}} Later that year, numbers have increased to nearly five thousand.{{ref|ASOS|38}}

[[Mace Tyrell]] later adds a hundred men from [[Highgarden]] to the gold cloaks.{{Ref|ADWD|Epilogue}}

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 of the Seven|Faith's]] military orders consisted out of the [[Poor Fellows]] and the [[Warrior's Sons]]. The Poor Fellows were far more numerous.{{ref|AFFC|28}} During the battle at the Great Fork of the [[Blackwater Rush|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.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}} More recently, in {{Date|300}}, more than two thousand [[sparrows]] have gathered in King's Landing.{{ref|AFFC|17}}

The crownlands is also home to the [[royal fleet]], which is one of the main three forces at sea in Westeros.<ref name="SSMLF"/> 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 {{Date|284}} during a summer storm,{{Ref|AGOT|3}} though some ships from the fleet might have survived.<ref group="N">For example the ships ''[[Prince Aemon]]'', ''[[Princess Rhaenys]]'', and ''[[Queen Alysanne]]''</ref> A new fleet has since been build. In {{Date|298}}, [[Stannis Baratheon]], then the [[master of ships]], sails most of the royal fleet to Dragonstone,{{Ref|ACOK|41}} leaving only some fifty ships behind in King’s Landing.{{Ref|ACOK|41}} While Stannis later sets sail with some two hundred ships,{{Ref|ACOK|58}} 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.{{Ref|ACOK|41}}{{Ref|ACOK|58}}

====Dragonstone====
[[Dragonstone]] can field the least amount of soldiers.<ref name=strength /> Its garrison is made up out of thirty knights, a hundred crossbowmen, and three hundred men-at-arms.{{ref|tpatq}} When [[Aegon I Targaryen]] in [[Years Before the Conquest|2 BC]] first prepared to sail to [[Westeros]] to begin his [[Aegon's Conquest|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.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}

In {{Date|299}}, [[Stannis Baratheon]]'s host includes three thousand men along the shore of [[Dragonstone]].{{ref|ACOK|Prologue}} During the [[Siege of Storm's End (299)|Siege of Storm's End]], Stannis's forces number five thousand, with less than four hundred horse.{{ref|ACOK|31}} 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]].{{ref|ACOK|52}} Stannis's host numbers near twenty thousand knights, light horse, and freeriders,{{ref|ACOK|58}} 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.{{ref|ASOS|75}} According to Davos, Stannis arrived north with "no more than fifteen hundred men".{{Ref|adwd|19}}

===The Stormlands===
According to a semi-canon source from 2005, the stormlands can field perhaps thirty-thousand men.{{Ref|rpg|guardiansorder}}

In {{Date|206}}, [[House Dondarrion]] was able to gather nearly four thousand infantry and eight hundred cavalry.{{Ref|THK}}

In {{Date|299}}, 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, 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 cavalry 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, but as House Tyrell is later stated to be able to field seventy thousand men,{{Ref|ASOS|38}} and Renly previously had ninety thousand,{{Ref|ACOK|22}} 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.{{ref|ACOK|58}} As he previously had five thousand soldiers,{{Ref|ACOK|31}} fifteen thousand men have joined him since Renly's death. As Renly's force at Storm's End only was ten thousand men strong,{{Ref|acok|31}} 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]],{{ref|ACOK|36}} the additional seven thousand appear to come solely from the stormlands.

===The Reach===
[[File:T Jedruszek BrightwaterCavalrywing.jpg|thumb|350px|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.{{Ref|rpg|guardiansorder}}

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 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 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}}

===Dorne===
[[File:Tomasz Jedruszek Army of Scorpions II.jpg|350px|thumb|right|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.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reach: The Gardener Kings}} 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]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| Dorne: Kingsdoms of the First Men}}

During [[Aegon's Conquest]], the Dornish did not give battle. However, in {{Date|37}}, at the start of the reign of King [[Aenys I Targaryen]], a rebel known as the [[Vulture King (Aenys I)|Vulture King]] rose. He was said to have a following of thirty thousand, to resist [[House Targaryen]] with.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}

More recently, [[House Martell]] sent ten thousand soldiers to fight under the Targaryen banner at the [[Battle of the Trident]], in {{Date|283}}, led by Prince [[Lewyn Martell]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Fall of the Dragons: Robert's Rebellion}}{{ref|ASOS|37}}

Currently, the Martells are believed to be able to raise fifty thousand soldiers.{{Ref|ACOK|17}}{{Ref|ADWD|43}} 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.{{ref|AFFC|40}} 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]].<ref name=strength>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Strength_of_the_Regions Strength of the Regions (February 18, 2002)]</ref>

Dorne has had no strength at sea since the [[Rhoynar|Rhoynish]] warrior queen [[Nymeria]] burned her ten thousand ships a thousand years ago.{{Ref|adwd|50}}

===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.{{Ref|AGOT|30}} Of these forty thousand, ten thousand were [[Dorne|Dornishmen]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Fall of the Dragons: Robert's Rebellion}}{{ref|ASOS|37}} The rebels, consisting of the north, Vale, riverlands, and stormlands, had fewer men.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/The_Siege_of_Storms_End The Siege of Storm's End (July 18, 1999)]</ref>

==Essos==
===The Free Cities===
*'''[[Braavos]]''': Braavos is, together with Volantis, the most powerful of the Free Cities. Their main power is at sea,{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Volantis}} as the Braavosi fleet of warships is second to none, in addition to a merchantile fleet.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Braavos}} Braavos also has a city watch.{{Ref|ADWD|64}} In {{Date|300}}, [[Stannis Baratheon]] sends Ser [[Justin Massey]] to recruit twenty thousand sellswords in Braavos.<ref name=WindsTheon>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', Theon I</ref>
[[File:T Jedruszek GreyWormsElite.jpg|thumb|450px|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.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Lorath}}
*'''[[Lys]]''': The Lyseni prefer to hire sellswords to do their fighting, seldom risking the lives of their own citizens.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: The Quarrelsome Daughters: Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh}}
*'''[[Myr]]''': The Myrish prefer to hire sellswords to do their fighting, seldom risking the lives of their own citizens.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: The Quarrelsome Daughters: Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh}}
*'''[[Norvos]]''': The [[bearded priests]] of Norvos keep a guard of slave soldiers.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Norvos}}
*'''[[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.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Pentos}}
*'''[[Qohor]]''': During the [[Battle of Qohor]], the city was successfully defended by three thousand Unsullied.{{ref|ASOS|8}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Qohor}} Ever since, Qohor has relied on the Unsullied slave soldiers for the defense of the city, further keeping only a small city watch.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Qohor}} Occasionally, Qohor also hires sellsword companies. Overall, the city is not considered to be martial.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Qohor}}
*'''[[Tyrosh]]''': The Tyroshi prefer to hire sellswords to do their fighting, seldom risking the lives of their own citizens.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: The Quarrelsome Daughters: Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh}}
*'''[[Volantis]]''': Volantis is, together with Braavos, the most powerful of the Free Cities. Though Volantis has a fleet,{{Ref|ADWD|24}}{{Ref|ADWD|27}}{{Ref|ADWD|55}} the city's main power is on land.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Volantis}} In {{Date|300}}, Triarch [[Malaquo]] cuts off the [[Golden Company]] from the delta road near [[Volantis]] with five thousand foot and one thousand horse.{{ref|ADWD|24}}

===Ghiscari cities===
*'''[[Astapor]]''': The [[Unsullied]] of [[Astapor]] are sold by the century or the thousand.{{ref|ASOS|23}}
*'''[[Meereen]]''': In {{Date|300}}, when Queen [[Daenerys Targaryen]] takes over the rule of the city, a city watch called the [[Brazen Beasts]] is created,{{Ref|ADWD|16}} a force consisting out of equal numbers of freedmen and shavepate Meereenese.{{Ref|ADWD|11}}{{Ref|ADWD|16}} Further, the freedmen of fighting age have been organized into companies,{{Ref|ADWD|16}} called the [[Mother's Men]], [[Stalwart Shields]], and the [[Free Brothers]].{{Ref|ADWD|11}}
*'''[[New Ghis]]''': New Ghis has its army divided into [[Ghiscari legions|legions]], armed and organized as the [[Unsullied]]. However, in contrast to the Unsullied, the Ghiscari armies are made up of freemen, who serve three-year terms.{{Ref|ADWD|57}} The Ghiscari legions are reportedly six thousand soldiers strong each.<ref>asoiaf.westeros.org: Boskone 2013, reading of Barristan I and [http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?/topic/81338-twow-spoilers-barristan/&do=findComment&comment=4122024 Barristan II]</ref> They bring two of these legions to [[Astapor]], when they take part in the [[siege of Astapor|siege]].{{Ref|ADWD|16}} Four Ghiscari legions join [[Yunkai]] in their march to [[Meereen]], while two more legions from New Ghis took ship at Astapor, heading for Meereen as well.{{Ref|ADWD|36}}
*'''[[Yunkai]]''': Yunkai has a host of four thousand men, all slaves, strengthened by two sellsword companies (the [[Stormcrows]] and the [[Second Sons]]) in {{Date|299}}. The sellsword companies abandon Yunkai during the [[Battle near Yunkai]], while the slave army breaks.{{Ref|ASOS|42}} In {{Date|300}}, the Yunkish host consists out of several sellsword companies ([[Company of the Cat]], [[Long Lances]], [[Second Sons]], and the [[Windblown]]).{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}

===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.{{Ref|ASOS|23}}{{Ref|ASOS|27}}{{ref|ADWD|16}} Upon arrival at [[Meereen]], Daenerys has a host of more than eighty thousand people strong, though less than a quarter are warriors.{{Ref|ASOS|57}} The Second Sons later abandon Daenerys.{{Ref|ADWD|36}}

[[File:Marc Simonetti Bittersteel golden company.jpg|thumb|500px|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]].
*The [[Company of the Cat]] numbers three thousand soldiers, currently sworn to [[Yunkai]].{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
*The [[Golden Company]] numbers ten thousand, many of whom are Westerosi exiles.{{ref|ADWD|5}} When Lord [[Jon Connington]] and Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon Targaryen]] set sail for [[Westeros]] with the company to [[landing of the Golden Company|invade the stormlands]], about half of the men become scattered along the southron [[narrow sea]].{{ref|ADWD|61}}{{ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
*The [[Long Lances]] number eight hundred cavalry, who are currently sworn to [[Yunkai]].{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
*The [[Second Sons]] number five hundred fourteen{{ref|ADWD|66}} cavalry.{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}} They have gone back and forth between [[Yunkai]] and Queen [[Daenerys Targaryen]] of [[Meereen]]. They are about to change their alliance from Yunkai to Daenerys, again.<ref name=WindsTyrion/>
*The [[Stormcrows]] number about five hundred cavalry, who are currently sworn to Queen [[Daenerys Targaryen]] of [[Meereen]].{{Ref|ASOS|42}}{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
*The [[Windblown]] number two thousand cavalry and infantry, sworn to [[Yunkai]],{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}} but about to change alliance.<ref name=WindsTyrion>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', Tyrion II</ref>

===Dothraki===
''[[Khalasar]]s'' in the [[Dothraki sea]] have been known to reach fifty thousand{{ref|ASOS|8}} or even one hundred thousand{{ref|ASOS|27}} 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 [[Sarnor]]i.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Grasslands}}

In more recent times, Khal [[Drogo]]'s ''[[khalasar]]'', which is said to be one hundred thousand strong,{{ref|AGOT|3}} includes forty thousand mounted warriors.{{ref|AGOT|36}} It splinters into smaller groups after his death, however.{{ref|AGOT|72}} Khal [[Pono]] claims ten thousand of Drogo's ''khalasar'',{{Ref|ACOK|12}} while Khal [[Jhaqo]] claims twenty thousand riders{{Ref|AGOT|68}} About a year later, the ''khalasar'' of Khal [[Pono]] is reported to be thirty thousand strong, located near [[Selhorys]].{{ref|ADWD|8}}

===Further east===
[[Bayasabhad]], [[Samyriana]], and [[Kayakayanaya]] are guarded by tens of thousands of female defenders.{{ref|TWOIAF| Beyond the Free Cities: The Grasslands}}

The [[Five Forts]] can hold fifty thousand men in total, although it is unknown if they are at capacity.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Bones and Beyond: Yi Ti}}

Emperor [[Lo Bu]] of [[Yi Ti]] allegedly led three hundred thousand against the [[Jogos Nhai]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The Bones and Beyond: The Plains of the Jogos Nhai}}

===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 [[elephant]]s, and three hundred [[dragon]]s.{{ref|TWOIAF| Ancient History: Ten Thousand Ships}} Following the [[Doom of Valyria]], the thirty thousand of [[Aurion]] disappeared when they marched to the [[Valyrian peninsula]].{{ref|TWOIAF| Ancient History: The Doom of Valyria}}

==Notes==
{{Notes}}

==References==
{{references|2}}

[[Category:Society]]

Battle of Oxcross

2019-06-03T19:15:14Z

Nihlus:

{{Template:Battlebox
| image = [[File:T Jedruszek BattleOfOxcross.jpg|350px]]
| caption = Battle of Oxcross by Tomasz Jedruszek © Fantasy Flight Games
| battle_name = Battle of Oxcross
| conflict = [[War of the Five Kings]]
| date = {{Date|299}}
| place = [[Oxcross]], [[westerlands]]
| result = [[House Stark|Stark]] victory
| combatant1 = [[File:House Baratheon (King's Landing).svg|33px]] '''[[Iron Throne]]'''/ [[House Baratheon of King's Landing]]: 

[[File:House Lannister.svg|30px]] [[Westerlands]], led by [[House Lannister]]
*[[House Brax]]
*[[House Crakehall]]
*[[House Jast]]
*[[House Vikary]]
| combatant2 = [[File:House Stark.svg|30px]] '''[[King in the North|Kingdom of the North]] and [[King of the Trident|the Trident]]'''/ [[House Stark]]: 

The [[North]]
*[[House Flint of Flint's Finger]]{{refn|group=N|name=Northern Houses|Houses Flint of Flint's Finger, Hornwood, Manderly & Mollen are not directly mentioned at this battle. However as they were all a part of Robb's host that took part in the earlier battles at [[battle in the Whispering Wood|the Whispering Wood]] and [[Battle of the Camps|the Camp]]s, and as Robb takes most of his host with him into the [[westerlands]], it can be assumed these houses were present with Robb throughout his westerlands campaign as well.}}
*[[House Flint of Widow's Watch]]{{refn|group=N|name=Widow's Watch|House Flint of Widow's Watch is not directly mentioned at this battle. However as they were a part of Robb's host that gathered in the [[North]], it can be assumed they were present at subsequent battles in the [[riverlands]] and westerlands.}}
*[[House Glover]]{{ref|ACOK|39}}
*[[House Hornwood]]{{refn|group=N|name=Northern Houses}}
*[[House Karstark]]{{ref|ACOK|39}}
*[[House Manderly]]{{refn|group=N|name=Northern Houses}}
*[[House Mollen]]{{refn|group=N|name=Northern Houses}}
*[[House Mormont]]{{ref|ACOK|39}}
*[[House Slate]]{{refn|group=N|name=Slate|House Slate is not directly mentioned at this battle. However it is stated by Lady [[Barbrey Dustin]] that the Slates campaigned in the riverlands & westerlands with Robb Stark.{{ref|ADWD|46}} Therefore it can be assumed that Slates were present at this battle.}}
*[[House Umber]]{{ref|ACOK|39}}

[[File:House Tully.svg|30px]] [[Riverlands]], led by [[House Tully]]
*[[House Frey]]{{ref|ACOK|35}}{{ref|ACOK|39}}
| commander1 = Ser [[Stafford Lannister]]† Lord [[Roland Crakehall]] (POW) Lord [[Antario Jast]] (POW)
| commander2 = King [[Robb Stark]] Ser [[Brynden Tully]]
| strength1 = Many thousands
| strength2 = Possibly 6,000{{refn|group=N|Robb has six thousand at the earlier battle in the Whispering Wood.{{ref|agot|63}}}}
| casualties1 = Several thousand killed{{ref|acok|32}} many captured majority scattered Ser [[Rupert Brax]]† Ser [[Lymond Vikary]] (POW) [[Martyn Lannister]] (POW)
| casualties2 = Low Ser [[Stevron Frey]]†{{ref|ACOK|35}}
}}

The '''Battle of Oxcross'''{{ref|ASOS|Appendix}} is a battle during the [[War of the Five Kings]]. The [[House Stark|Stark]] army of King [[Robb Stark]] routs and scatters the [[House Lannister|Lannister]] army of Ser [[Stafford Lannister]], who is killed.

==Prelude==
After the [[battle in the Whispering Wood]] and the [[Battle of the Camps]], Robb Stark, the new [[King in the North]], sends Ser [[Cleos Frey]] as an envoy to [[King's Landing]] with a peace offer for Queen [[Cersei Lannister]]. In case the offer is rejected, Robb sends [[Theon Greyjoy]] to treat with his father [[Balon Greyjoy|Balon]], [[Lord of the Iron Islands]], for an alliance to assault the [[westerlands]] from both land and sea. Meanwhile, Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] tasks his cousin, Ser [[Stafford Lannister]], with training a new Lannister army at [[Casterly Rock]]. With the main Lannister army in the [[riverlands]], this new army could be used to attack Robb's host from two fronts.{{ref|ACOK|7}}{{ref|ACOK|20}}

Robb marches to deal with the forming threat as Stafford trains his fresh recruits, believed to be [[sellswords]], [[freeriders]], and boys from the stews of [[Lannisport]].{{ref|ACOK|7}} Also among them are many veterans of Ser [[Forley Prester]]'s 4,000-strong force at the Golden Tooth, survivors of the Camps.<ref>The Tooth and Tyroshi, (December 17, 1999) [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/1064 So Spake Martin]</ref> As Robb marches west from [[Riverrun]], he sends his mother, [[Catelyn Stark]], to forge an alliance with King [[Renly Baratheon]].{{ref|ACOK|22}} This is done with the aim that Renly will pose a more immediate threat to Tywin and force him to leave [[Harrenhal]].{{ref|ACOK|7}}

Robb's host invades the [[westerlands]] by avoiding the [[Golden Tooth]], the strong castle at the border, through a previously-unknown goat track found by his direwolf, [[Grey Wind]].{{ref|ACOK|39}}

==Battle==
Stafford trains the inexperienced recruits near the village of [[Oxcross]], within three days ride from [[Lannisport]]. Thinking himself safe in his own lands, Stafford does not bother to set sentries. During the night, Robb sends men to cut the lines that hold Stafford's horses. When Robb sets loose Grey Wind, the horses are maddened by the scent and trample tents and men alike while trying to flee. With confusion sending Lannister men fleeing everywhere, Robb sends his own cavalry. The battle is more a rout then a real encounter, as the untrained and surprised Lannister army fail to put up much resistance.{{ref|ACOK|32}}

Stafford is slain by Lord [[Rickard Karstark]] while running after his horse.{{ref|ACOK|32}} Ser [[Stevron Frey]], Lord [[Walder Frey]]'s eldest son and heir, suffers a minor wound during the battle, but dies shortly thereafter.{{ref|ACOK|35}} Among those reported dead, missing and wounded are Ser [[Lymond Vikary]], Lord [[Roland Crakehall]], and Lord [[Antario Jast]].{{ref|ACOK|32}} These men are actually captured by the Stark forces, along with [[Martyn Lannister]], Lord Jast's sons, and half a hundred other highborn hostages.{{ref|ACOK|32}}{{ref|ASOS|Appendix}}

==Aftermath==
The Lannister army's defeat is so great that, according to rumor, Robb cut out Stafford's heart and fed it to Grey Wind. Remnants fall back to Lannisport, where Stafford's son, Ser [[Daven Lannister]], reforms them.{{ref|ACOK|39}}{{ref|ASOS|19}} Robb continues attacking the westerlands, capturing [[taking of Ashemark|Ashemark]], and marches on to take the [[storming of the Crag|Crag]].{{ref|ACOK|35}} [[Galbart Glover]] and [[Rickard Karstark]] raid along [[Raiding along the westerlands coast|the coast]]. Lady [[Maege Mormont]] captures thousands of livestock and begins driving them back towards the [[riverlands]]. Lord [[Jon Umber|Greatjon Umber]] captures [[Seizure of westerlands gold mines|the gold mines]] at [[Nunn's Deep]], [[Castamere]], and in the [[Pendric Hills]].{{ref|ACOK|39}}

Lord Tywin, having heard of the defeat at Oxcross, and feeling confident that [[Stannis Baratheon]] laying [[siege of Storm's End (299)|siege to Storm's End]] means a secure southern front,{{ref|ACOK|44}} marches west to face Robb's host.{{ref|ACOK|45}}

The singer [[Rymund the Rhymer]] composes a tune commemorating the northern victory, "[[Wolf in the Night]]".{{ref|acok|45}}

Remembering his uncle Stafford's mistake, Ser [[Jaime Lannister]] sets sentries himself while at [[Hayford]].{{ref|AFFC|27}} Daven vows not to cut his hair until he avenges his father's death by slaying Lord Karstark.{{ref|AFFC|33}}

==Quotes==
{{quote|Using some vile sorcery, [[Robb Stark|your brother]] fell upon Ser [[Stafford Lannister]] with an army of [[warg]]s, not three days ride from [[Lannisport]]. Thousands of good men were butchered as they slept, without the chance to lift sword. After the slaughter, the [[northmen]] feasted on the flesh of the slain.{{ref|ACOK|32}}|[[Lancel Lannister]] to [[Sansa Stark]]}}

{{quote|Do not take Oxcross too much to heart, my lady. A battle is not a war, and [[Tywin Lannister|my lord father]] is assuredly not [[Stafford Lannister|my uncle Stafford]].{{ref|ACOK|32}}|[[Tyrion Lannister]] to [[Sansa Stark]]}}

{{quote|'''Martyn''': There's some say that after the battle, [[Robb Stark|the king]] cut out [[Stafford Lannister]]'s heart and fed it to [[Grey Wind|the wolf]]. 
'''Catelyn''': I would not believe such tales. My son is no savage.{{ref|ACOK|39}}|[[Martyn Rivers]] and [[Catelyn Stark]]}}

==Notes==
{{notes}}

==References==
{{references|2}}

{{War of the Five Kings}}

[[Category:Battles|Oxcross]]
[[Category:House Brax battles|Oxcross]]
[[Category:House Crakehall battles|Oxcross]]
[[Category:House Frey battles|Oxcross]]
[[Category:House Jast battles|Oxcross]]
[[Category:House Karstark battles|Oxcross]]
[[Category:House Lannister battles|Oxcross]]
[[Category:House Stark battles|Oxcross]]
[[Category:House Vikary battles|Oxcross]]
[[Category:War of the Five Kings|Oxcross]]
[[Category:Westerlands]]

[[es:Batalla de Cruce de Bueyes]]
[[fr:Bataille de Croixbœuf]]
[[ru:Битва у Окскросса]]
[[zh:牛津之战]]

Battle of Oxcross

2019-06-03T19:14:57Z

Nihlus:

{{Template:Battlebox
| image = [[File:T Jedruszek BattleOfOxcross.jpg|350px]]
| caption = Battle of Oxcross by Tomasz Jedruszek © Fantasy Flight Games
| battle_name = Battle of Oxcross
| conflict = [[War of the Five Kings]]
| date = {{Date|299}}
| place = [[Oxcross]], [[westerlands]]
| result = [[House Stark|Stark]] victory
| combatant1 = [[File:House Baratheon (King's Landing).svg|33px]] '''[[Iron Throne]]'''/ [[House Baratheon of King's Landing]]: 

[[File:House Lannister.svg|30px]] [[Westerlands]], led by [[House Lannister]]
*[[House Brax]]
*[[House Crakehall]]
*[[House Jast]]
*[[House Vikary]]
| combatant2 = [[File:House Stark.svg|30px]] '''[[King in the North|Kingdom of the North]] and [[King of the Trident|the Trident]]'''/ [[House Stark]]: 

The [[North]]
*[[House Flint of Flint's Finger]]{{refn|group=N|name=Northern Houses|Houses Flint of Flint's Finger, Hornwood, Manderly & Mollen are not directly mentioned at this battle. However as they were all a part of Robb's host that took part in the earlier battles at [[battle in the Whispering Wood|the Whispering Wood]] and [[Battle of the Camps|the Camp]]s, and as Robb takes most of his host with him into the [[westerlands]], it can be assumed these houses were present with Robb throughout his westerlands campaign as well.}}
*[[House Flint of Widow's Watch]]{{refn|group=N|name=Widow's Watch|House Flint of Widow's Watch is not directly mentioned at this battle. However as they were a part of Robb's host that gathered in the [[North]], it can be assumed they were present at subsequent battles in the [[riverlands]] and westerlands.}}
*[[House Glover]]{{ref|ACOK|39}}
*[[House Hornwood]]{{refn|group=N|name=Northern Houses}}
*[[House Karstark]]{{ref|ACOK|39}}
*[[House Manderly]]{{refn|group=N|name=Northern Houses}}
*[[House Mollen]]{{refn|group=N|name=Northern Houses}}
*[[House Mormont]]{{ref|ACOK|39}}
*[[House Slate]]{{refn|group=N|name=Slate|House Slate is not directly mentioned at this battle. However it is stated by Lady [[Barbrey Dustin]] that the Slates campaigned in the riverlands & westerlands with Robb Stark.{{ref|ADWD|46}} Therefore it can be assumed that Slates were present at this battle.}}
*[[House Umber]]{{ref|ACOK|39}}

[[File:House Tully.svg|30px]] [[Riverlands]], led by [[House Tully]]
*[[House Frey]]{{ref|ACOK|35}}{{ref|ACOK|39}}
| commander1 = Ser [[Stafford Lannister]]† Lord [[Roland Crakehall]] (POW) Lord [[Antario Jast]] (POW)
| commander2 = King [[Robb Stark]] Ser [[Brynden Tully]]
| strength1 = Many thousands
| strength2 = Possibly 6,000{{refn|group=N|Robb has six thousand at the earlier battle in the Whispering Wood.{{ref|agot|63}}}}
| casualties1 = Several thousand killed{{ref|acok|32}}}} many captured majority scattered Ser [[Rupert Brax]]† Ser [[Lymond Vikary]] (POW) [[Martyn Lannister]] (POW)
| casualties2 = Low Ser [[Stevron Frey]]†{{ref|ACOK|35}}
}}

The '''Battle of Oxcross'''{{ref|ASOS|Appendix}} is a battle during the [[War of the Five Kings]]. The [[House Stark|Stark]] army of King [[Robb Stark]] routs and scatters the [[House Lannister|Lannister]] army of Ser [[Stafford Lannister]], who is killed.

==Prelude==
After the [[battle in the Whispering Wood]] and the [[Battle of the Camps]], Robb Stark, the new [[King in the North]], sends Ser [[Cleos Frey]] as an envoy to [[King's Landing]] with a peace offer for Queen [[Cersei Lannister]]. In case the offer is rejected, Robb sends [[Theon Greyjoy]] to treat with his father [[Balon Greyjoy|Balon]], [[Lord of the Iron Islands]], for an alliance to assault the [[westerlands]] from both land and sea. Meanwhile, Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] tasks his cousin, Ser [[Stafford Lannister]], with training a new Lannister army at [[Casterly Rock]]. With the main Lannister army in the [[riverlands]], this new army could be used to attack Robb's host from two fronts.{{ref|ACOK|7}}{{ref|ACOK|20}}

Robb marches to deal with the forming threat as Stafford trains his fresh recruits, believed to be [[sellswords]], [[freeriders]], and boys from the stews of [[Lannisport]].{{ref|ACOK|7}} Also among them are many veterans of Ser [[Forley Prester]]'s 4,000-strong force at the Golden Tooth, survivors of the Camps.<ref>The Tooth and Tyroshi, (December 17, 1999) [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/1064 So Spake Martin]</ref> As Robb marches west from [[Riverrun]], he sends his mother, [[Catelyn Stark]], to forge an alliance with King [[Renly Baratheon]].{{ref|ACOK|22}} This is done with the aim that Renly will pose a more immediate threat to Tywin and force him to leave [[Harrenhal]].{{ref|ACOK|7}}

Robb's host invades the [[westerlands]] by avoiding the [[Golden Tooth]], the strong castle at the border, through a previously-unknown goat track found by his direwolf, [[Grey Wind]].{{ref|ACOK|39}}

==Battle==
Stafford trains the inexperienced recruits near the village of [[Oxcross]], within three days ride from [[Lannisport]]. Thinking himself safe in his own lands, Stafford does not bother to set sentries. During the night, Robb sends men to cut the lines that hold Stafford's horses. When Robb sets loose Grey Wind, the horses are maddened by the scent and trample tents and men alike while trying to flee. With confusion sending Lannister men fleeing everywhere, Robb sends his own cavalry. The battle is more a rout then a real encounter, as the untrained and surprised Lannister army fail to put up much resistance.{{ref|ACOK|32}}

Stafford is slain by Lord [[Rickard Karstark]] while running after his horse.{{ref|ACOK|32}} Ser [[Stevron Frey]], Lord [[Walder Frey]]'s eldest son and heir, suffers a minor wound during the battle, but dies shortly thereafter.{{ref|ACOK|35}} Among those reported dead, missing and wounded are Ser [[Lymond Vikary]], Lord [[Roland Crakehall]], and Lord [[Antario Jast]].{{ref|ACOK|32}} These men are actually captured by the Stark forces, along with [[Martyn Lannister]], Lord Jast's sons, and half a hundred other highborn hostages.{{ref|ACOK|32}}{{ref|ASOS|Appendix}}

==Aftermath==
The Lannister army's defeat is so great that, according to rumor, Robb cut out Stafford's heart and fed it to Grey Wind. Remnants fall back to Lannisport, where Stafford's son, Ser [[Daven Lannister]], reforms them.{{ref|ACOK|39}}{{ref|ASOS|19}} Robb continues attacking the westerlands, capturing [[taking of Ashemark|Ashemark]], and marches on to take the [[storming of the Crag|Crag]].{{ref|ACOK|35}} [[Galbart Glover]] and [[Rickard Karstark]] raid along [[Raiding along the westerlands coast|the coast]]. Lady [[Maege Mormont]] captures thousands of livestock and begins driving them back towards the [[riverlands]]. Lord [[Jon Umber|Greatjon Umber]] captures [[Seizure of westerlands gold mines|the gold mines]] at [[Nunn's Deep]], [[Castamere]], and in the [[Pendric Hills]].{{ref|ACOK|39}}

Lord Tywin, having heard of the defeat at Oxcross, and feeling confident that [[Stannis Baratheon]] laying [[siege of Storm's End (299)|siege to Storm's End]] means a secure southern front,{{ref|ACOK|44}} marches west to face Robb's host.{{ref|ACOK|45}}

The singer [[Rymund the Rhymer]] composes a tune commemorating the northern victory, "[[Wolf in the Night]]".{{ref|acok|45}}

Remembering his uncle Stafford's mistake, Ser [[Jaime Lannister]] sets sentries himself while at [[Hayford]].{{ref|AFFC|27}} Daven vows not to cut his hair until he avenges his father's death by slaying Lord Karstark.{{ref|AFFC|33}}

==Quotes==
{{quote|Using some vile sorcery, [[Robb Stark|your brother]] fell upon Ser [[Stafford Lannister]] with an army of [[warg]]s, not three days ride from [[Lannisport]]. Thousands of good men were butchered as they slept, without the chance to lift sword. After the slaughter, the [[northmen]] feasted on the flesh of the slain.{{ref|ACOK|32}}|[[Lancel Lannister]] to [[Sansa Stark]]}}

{{quote|Do not take Oxcross too much to heart, my lady. A battle is not a war, and [[Tywin Lannister|my lord father]] is assuredly not [[Stafford Lannister|my uncle Stafford]].{{ref|ACOK|32}}|[[Tyrion Lannister]] to [[Sansa Stark]]}}

{{quote|'''Martyn''': There's some say that after the battle, [[Robb Stark|the king]] cut out [[Stafford Lannister]]'s heart and fed it to [[Grey Wind|the wolf]]. 
'''Catelyn''': I would not believe such tales. My son is no savage.{{ref|ACOK|39}}|[[Martyn Rivers]] and [[Catelyn Stark]]}}

==Notes==
{{notes}}

==References==
{{references|2}}

{{War of the Five Kings}}

[[Category:Battles|Oxcross]]
[[Category:House Brax battles|Oxcross]]
[[Category:House Crakehall battles|Oxcross]]
[[Category:House Frey battles|Oxcross]]
[[Category:House Jast battles|Oxcross]]
[[Category:House Karstark battles|Oxcross]]
[[Category:House Lannister battles|Oxcross]]
[[Category:House Stark battles|Oxcross]]
[[Category:House Vikary battles|Oxcross]]
[[Category:War of the Five Kings|Oxcross]]
[[Category:Westerlands]]

[[es:Batalla de Cruce de Bueyes]]
[[fr:Bataille de Croixbœuf]]
[[ru:Битва у Окскросса]]
[[zh:牛津之战]]

Military strength

2019-06-03T12:43:19Z

Nihlus: /* Beyond the Wall */

[[File:T Jedruszek starfall knights.jpg|thumb|450px|Knights from [[Starfall]] in battle|right]]
'''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 [[feudalism|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 [[landed knight|knight]] possesses. In addition to this land force, there are some lords or powers who have their own fleets (e.g. [[Redwyne fleet|House Redwyne]], the [[royal fleet|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.<ref name=strength/>

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 {{Date|299}} is estimated by [[Jon Snow]] to be thirty to forty thousand strong while he's traveling with them,{{Ref|ASOS|73}} including elderly, women and children. Satin, with a full view of the horde from the top of the Wall, estimates it at 100,000.{{Ref|ASOS|64}}

The free folk are defeated by [[Stannis Baratheon]] and the [[Night's Watch]] in the [[battle beneath the Wall]].{{ref|ASOS|73}} Stannis stated that the free folk combatants outnumbered his soldiers twenty to one,<ref name=Theon>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', [[Theon I (The Winds of Winter)|Theon I]]</ref> putting the total number of free folk warriors at around 16,000 (as Stannis defeated them solely with cavalry, and his troops possessed 800 horses).{{Ref|ADWD|62}} Free folk military forces include hundreds of [[giants]]{{Ref|ASOS|15}} and over a hundred war mammoths.{{Ref|ASOS|64}}

Later, [[Tormund]] leads three thousand one hundred and nineteen free folk through the gates of the [[Wall]] at [[Castle Black]].{{ref|ADWD|58}} Many of the free folk follow [[Mother Mole]] to [[Hardhome]]; [[Varamyr Sixskins]] believes the number to have been hundreds,{{Ref|adwd|Prologue}} but [[Bowen Marsh]] later reports that more than six thousand wildlings are at Hardhome with Mother Mole.{{Ref|adwd|53}}

The [[Thenns]] have at least 300 soldiers, all equipped with bronze weapons and armor. 96 are killed assaulting Castle Black,{{ref|ASOS|30}} an unknown number are killed in the [[Battle beneath the Wall]], and 200 are still sworn to [[Sigorn]] in the aftermath.{{ref|ADWD|49}}

===The Night's Watch===
The numbers of the [[Night's Watch]] have long been dwindling.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Wall and Beyond: The Night's Watch}} During [[Aegon's Conquest]], the Night's Watch numbered ten thousand strong.{{ref|AGOT|60}} However, by {{Date|298}}, their strength has dwindled to less than a thousand.{{ref|AGOT|21}} Of these thousand, six hundred are stationed at [[Castle Black]], two hundred at the [[Shadow Tower]], and fewer at [[Eastwatch-by-the-Sea]].{{ref|AGOT|21}} In {{Date|299}}, [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch|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.{{Ref|ACOK|6}}{{Ref|ASOS|15}} Of these three hundred men, only fourteen survive and return to the Wall.{{Ref|ASOS|48}} When the new Lord Commander is being chosen, five hundred eighty-eight token are cast, with only one brother not voting,{{Ref|ASOS|75}} 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 {{Date|233}}, 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]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}}

===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.{{Ref|RPG|guardiansorder}} According to [[George R.R. Martin]], the north's military strength is about equal to that of the [[Vale]], and [[Dorne]].<ref name=strength/> Since [[Brandon the Burner]] burned his father's fleet, the north has had no strength at sea,{{Ref|ACOK|16}} In more recent times, however, [[House Manderly]] has begun the construction of a new fleet,{{Ref|ACOK|16}} which counts about forty-six ships by the first half of {{Date|300}}.{{Ref|ADWD|15}}{{Ref|ADWD|29}}<ref group="N">Davos sees twenty-three ships in the harbor (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 16|Davos II]]), but according to Lord Wyman, there are "as many more" hidden up the White Knife (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 29|Davos IV]])</ref>

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]] ([[Years before Aegon's Conquest#Year 2 Before the Conquest|2 BC]]-[[Years before Aegon's Conquest#Year 1 Before the Conquest|1 BC]]), the [[north]] marched to war with an army of thirty thousand.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} 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.{{Ref|TPATQ}} Lord [[Cregan Stark]] followed much later, but brought a much larger army.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}}

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).{{Ref|AGOT|53}} In total, the host of twelve thousand counts three to four hundred [[knight]]s, and three thousand northern cavalry.{{Ref|AGOT|53}} When the Stark host marches, others join them along the [[kingsroad]],{{Ref|AGOT|53}} and by the time the host reaches Moat Cailin, it is about eighteen thousand large.{{Ref|AGOT|55}} [[House Manderly]] adds another fifteen hundred men,{{Ref|AGOT|55}} 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<ref group="N">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]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 53|Bran VI]], and the thousand cavalry from House Frey (''[[A Storm of Swords]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 14|Catelyn II]]), which brings the total to four thousand three hundred fifty, making 9/10th three thousand nine hundred and fifteen men</ref> to [[Riverrun]].{{Ref|AGOT|59}} He is joined on the road there, by forces from [[House Mallister]] and others, which swells the host to some six thousand thousand men.{{Ref|AGOT|63}} 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]],<ref group="N">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</ref> where he fights the [[Battle of the Green Fork]] against [[House Lannister]].{{Ref|AGOT|59}}{{Ref|AGOT|62}} Bolton retreats, and later during the war is known to have ten thousand soldiers under his command.{{Ref|ACOK|39}} A large number of these ten thousand, equaling one-third of Robb's infantry, are lost after the [[Battle at Duskendale]].{{Ref|ASOS|35}}

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 [[House Bolton|Boltons]] in the [[battle at Winterfell]].{{ref|ACOK|66}}

[[Robb Stark]] leads thirty-five hundred veterans from the Whispering Wood<ref group="N">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]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 53|Bran VI]]).</ref> north from Riverrun to the Twins.{{ref|ASOS|45}} Roose Bolton marches with some sixty-one hundred men towards the Twins,<ref group="N" name=ruby>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]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 49|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.</ref> 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.{{Ref|ASOS|49}} Some two thousand men<ref group="N" name=ruby/> are either drowned or slain, taken captive, or flee.{{Ref|ASOS|49}} 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.{{ref|ASOS|49}} 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,{{Ref|ASOS|45}} 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]].{{Ref|ADWD|20}} According to [[Theon Greyjoy]], Roose later has six thousand men or more [[Siege of Winterfell|at Winterfell]].<ref>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', [[Theon I (The Winds of Winter)|Theon I]]</ref>

In {{Date|300}}, 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.{{ref|ADWD|17}} Following the [[fight by Deepwood Motte]], after the mountain clans, [[House Mormont]], men once sworn to [[House Hornwood]], [[House Cerwyn|Cerwyn]], and [[House Tallhart|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.{{ref|ADWD|35}} 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]].{{ref|ADWD|42}}{{ref|ADWD|62}}

===The Iron Islands===
[[File:The iron fleet by reneaigner.jpg|thumb|Ships of the [[Iron Fleet]]|450px]]
According to a semi-canon source from 2005, the Iron Isles can raise approximately twenty thousand men.{{Ref|RPG|guardiansorder}} [[George R. R. Martin]] has indicated that the major lords of the [[ironborn]] can each float around one hundred ships.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Re_Greyjoy_Fleet Re: Greyjoy Fleet (February 9, 1999)]</ref> A longship such as ''[[Sea Bitch]]'' has fifty oars, while ''[[Great Kraken]]'' and ''[[Iron Victory]]'' are larger.{{ref|ACOK|24}} The [[Iron Fleet]] alone consists of one hundred ships which are three times larger than the standard longship.{{ref|ADWD|56}} The only fleets comparable to those of the Iron Islands are the [[royal fleet]] in the crownlands and the [[Redwyne fleet]] from the [[Reach]].<ref name=SSMLF>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/The_Lannister_Fleet The Lannister Fleet (September 26, 1999)]</ref>

In {{Date|300}}, King [[Tommen Baratheon|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.{{Ref|AFFC|32}} 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]],{{Ref|ADWD|56}} the other seven having been lost in the months before (one sank during a storm,{{Ref|AFFC|14}} the other six were lost in battle{{Ref|AFFC|29}}). 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.{{Ref|ADWD|56}} 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.{{Ref|ADWD|56}} More ships are captured along the way, bringing the Iron Fleet's total to sixty-one.{{Ref|ADWD|63}}

===The Riverlands===
A semi-canon source from 2005 states that the riverlands can field roughly forty-five thousand men.{{Ref|RPG|guardiansorder}}

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.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} 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 Rush|Blackwater]].{{Ref|TPATQ}} Ser [[Addam Velaryon]] later gathered near four thousand men from the riverlands.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

[[House Frey]] raised four thousand soldiers at the start of the [[War of the Five Kings]],{{Ref|AGOT|59}} with one thousand of them knights and near three thousand foot.{{ref|ASOS|14}} They later supply the northern host commanded by Roose Bolton at [[Harrenhal]] with an additional fifteen hundred soldiers, commanded by Ser [[Aenys Frey]].{{ref|ACOK|64}} The other riverlords combined can raise at least an additional eleven thousand, including eight thousand foot and three thousand horse.{{ref|ACOK|39}} After the [[Red Wedding]], [[Ryman Frey]] leads two thousand soldiers of [[House Frey]] against Riverrun.{{Ref|ASOS|60}} When the [[House Bolton|Bolton host]] marches back north after the Red Wedding, fifteen hundred [[House Frey|Frey's]] accompany them.{{ref|ADWD|20}}

[[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.{{Ref|ACOK|22}}

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.<ref name=strength />

===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.{{Ref|RPG|guardiansorder}} [[George R. R. Martin]] has previously stated that the Vale is roughly equal in military strength to the [[north]] and [[Dorne]].<ref name=strength /> 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.{{Ref|AFFC|10}} 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.{{Ref|AFFC|23}} The exact numbers the remainder of the lords of the Vale can field, are currently unknown.

The [[Vale]] also has a fleet.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} The [[King of Mountain and Vale|Kings of Mountain and Vale]] did not neglect their fleets when they still reigned, which might have counted hundreds of ships at [[Gulltown]] alone.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Vale}} 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.{{ref|AGOT|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.{{Ref|RPG|guardiansorder}}

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.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}

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.<ref name=SSMLF/>

In {{Date|260}}, 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]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons}} Upon return after the war, five hundred knights formed a company commanded by Ser [[Kevan Lannister]]. In late {{Date|261}}, 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.<ref group="N">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.</ref> With this force, [[Tarbeck Hall]] was destroyed.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons}} According to semi-canon sources, Houses [[House Westerling|Westerling]], [[House Banefort|Banefort]], [[House Plumm|Plumm]], and [[House Stackspear|Stackspear]] together were able to gather roughly sixty-five hundred more men, doubling the Lannister host in size.<ref name=westerlands/> 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.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragon}} According to semi-canon sources, this was only a quarter of his available strength.<ref name=westerlands>[http://www.georgerrmartin.com/world-of-ice-and-fire-sample/ "The World of Ice and Fire", The Westerlands, unabridged version]</ref> A surprise attack from the Reyne's left half of Lord Roger's forces dead.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons}}

In {{Date|283}}, Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] commanded twelve thousand [[House Lannister|Lannister]] men during the [[Sack of King's Landing]].{{ref|ACOK|12}} 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,{{ref|AGOT|56}} and another of fourteen or fifteen thousand strong, commanded by Ser [[Jaime Lannister]].{{ref|AGOT|63}} Meanwhile, [[Stafford Lannister]] is raising a third Lannister army, with an unknown amount of men.{{ref|acok|7}}{{Ref|acok|20}} The army is later attacked, and thousands are slain.{{Ref|ACOK|32}} It is currently unknown how many men of this army still remain. Meanwhile, Lord Tywin has retreated with his twenty thousand men to Harrenhal,{{ref|ACOK|69}} fights with them in the [[Battle of the Fords]] in the [[riverlands]],{{ref|ACOK|39}} and next marches them to King's Landing.{{Ref|ASOS|38}} All but some three thousand later return to the westerlands.{{Ref|AFFC|16}} Of the soldiers remaining, two thousand sail to Dragonstone for [[siege of Dragonstone|the siege]], while less than a thousand accompany Jaime Lannister into the riverlands to aid with the [[siege of Riverrun]].{{Ref|AFFC|27}}

[[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.<ref name=SSMLF/> A semi-canon sources from 2005 estimates the total naval power of the westerlands to be “probably closer to fifty or sixty large ships”.{{Ref|RPG|guardiansorder}} Though the Lannister fleet has been burned as recently as {{Date|289}},{{Ref|ACOK|24}} the ships who have been lost have been rebuild.<ref name=SSMLF/>

===The Crownlands===
[[File:Fury.jpg|330px|thumb|''[[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.{{Ref|RPG|guardiansorder}}

During [[Aegon's Conquest]], Houses [[House Darklyn|Darklyn]] and [[House Mooton|Mooton]] combined raised an army of three thousand men.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} The [[royal fleet]] of [[House Targaryen]] was then based at [[King's Landing]] and [[Dragonstone (island)|Dragonstone]]. During the [[Dance of the Dragons]] ({{Date|129}}-{{Date|131}}), Prince [[Aemond Targaryen]] gathered an army from King's Landing of four thousand men, within a fortnight.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

The main defense of King's Landing are the [[gold cloaks]]. In {{Date|298}}, they number two thousand.{{Ref|AGOT|47}} Ser [[Jacelyn Bywater]] augments the City Watch to six thousand in early {{Date|299}}.{{ref|ACOK|8}} Following the [[Battle of the Blackwater]], due to deaths and desertions, only some forty-four hundred men remain.{{Ref|ASOS|4}} Later that year, numbers have increased to nearly five thousand.{{ref|ASOS|38}}

[[Mace Tyrell]] later adds a hundred men from [[Highgarden]] to the gold cloaks.{{Ref|ADWD|Epilogue}}

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 of the Seven|Faith's]] military orders consisted out of the [[Poor Fellows]] and the [[Warrior's Sons]]. The Poor Fellows were far more numerous.{{ref|AFFC|28}} During the battle at the Great Fork of the [[Blackwater Rush|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.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}} More recently, in {{Date|300}}, more than two thousand [[sparrows]] have gathered in King's Landing.{{ref|AFFC|17}}

The crownlands is also home to the [[royal fleet]], which is one of the main three forces at sea in Westeros.<ref name="SSMLF"/> 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 {{Date|284}} during a summer storm,{{Ref|AGOT|3}} though some ships from the fleet might have survived.<ref group="N">For example the ships ''[[Prince Aemon]]'', ''[[Princess Rhaenys]]'', and ''[[Queen Alysanne]]''</ref> A new fleet has since been build. In {{Date|298}}, [[Stannis Baratheon]], then the [[master of ships]], sails most of the royal fleet to Dragonstone,{{Ref|ACOK|41}} leaving only some fifty ships behind in King’s Landing.{{Ref|ACOK|41}} While Stannis later sets sail with some two hundred ships,{{Ref|ACOK|58}} 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.{{Ref|ACOK|41}}{{Ref|ACOK|58}}

====Dragonstone====
[[Dragonstone]] can field the least amount of soldiers.<ref name=strength /> Its garrison is made up out of thirty knights, a hundred crossbowmen, and three hundred men-at-arms.{{ref|tpatq}} When [[Aegon I Targaryen]] in [[Years Before the Conquest|2 BC]] first prepared to sail to [[Westeros]] to begin his [[Aegon's Conquest|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.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}

In {{Date|299}}, [[Stannis Baratheon]]'s host includes three thousand men along the shore of [[Dragonstone]].{{ref|ACOK|Prologue}} During the [[Siege of Storm's End (299)|Siege of Storm's End]], Stannis's forces number five thousand, with less than four hundred horse.{{ref|ACOK|31}} 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]].{{ref|ACOK|52}} Stannis's host numbers near twenty thousand knights, light horse, and freeriders,{{ref|ACOK|58}} 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.{{ref|ASOS|75}}

===The Stormlands===
According to a semi-canon source from 2005, the stormlands can field perhaps thirty-thousand men.{{Ref|rpg|guardiansorder}}

In {{Date|206}}, [[House Dondarrion]] was able to gather nearly four thousand infantry and eight hundred cavalry.{{Ref|THK}}

In {{Date|299}}, 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, 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 cavalry 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, but as House Tyrell is later stated to be able to field seventy thousand men,{{Ref|ASOS|38}} and Renly previously had ninety thousand,{{Ref|ACOK|22}} 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.{{ref|ACOK|58}} As he previously had five thousand soldiers,{{Ref|ACOK|31}} fifteen thousand men have joined him since Renly's death. As Renly's force at Storm's End only was ten thousand men strong,{{Ref|acok|31}} 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]],{{ref|ACOK|36}} the additional seven thousand appear to come solely from the stormlands.

===The Reach===
[[File:T Jedruszek BrightwaterCavalrywing.jpg|thumb|350px|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.{{Ref|rpg|guardiansorder}}

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.

[[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}}

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}}

===Dorne===
[[File:Tomasz Jedruszek Army of Scorpions II.jpg|350px|thumb|right|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.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reach: The Gardener Kings}} 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]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| Dorne: Kingsdoms of the First Men}}

During [[Aegon's Conquest]], the Dornish did not give battle. However, in {{Date|37}}, at the start of the reign of King [[Aenys I Targaryen]], a rebel known as the [[Vulture King (Aenys I)|Vulture King]] rose. He was said to have a following of thirty thousand, to resist [[House Targaryen]] with.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}

More recently, [[House Martell]] sent ten thousand soldiers to fight under the Targaryen banner at the [[Battle of the Trident]], in {{Date|283}}, led by Prince [[Lewyn Martell]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Fall of the Dragons: Robert's Rebellion}}{{ref|ASOS|37}}

Currently, the Martells are believed to be able to raise fifty thousand soldiers.{{Ref|ACOK|17}}{{Ref|ADWD|43}} 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.{{ref|AFFC|40}} 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]].<ref name=strength>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Strength_of_the_Regions Strength of the Regions (February 18, 2002)]</ref>

Dorne has had no strength at sea since the [[Rhoynar|Rhoynish]] warrior queen [[Nymeria]] burned her ten thousand ships a thousand years ago.{{Ref|adwd|50}}

===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.{{Ref|AGOT|30}} Of these forty thousand, ten thousand were [[Dorne|Dornishmen]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Fall of the Dragons: Robert's Rebellion}}{{ref|ASOS|37}} The rebels, consisting of the north, Vale, riverlands, and stormlands, had fewer men.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/The_Siege_of_Storms_End The Siege of Storm's End (July 18, 1999)]</ref>

==Essos==
===The Free Cities===
*'''[[Braavos]]''': Braavos is, together with Volantis, the most powerful of the Free Cities. Their main power is at sea,{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Volantis}} as the Braavosi fleet of warships is second to none, in addition to a merchantile fleet.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Braavos}} Braavos also has a city watch.{{Ref|ADWD|64}} In {{Date|300}}, [[Stannis Baratheon]] sends Ser [[Justin Massey]] to recruit twenty thousand sellswords in Braavos.<ref name=WindsTheon>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', Theon I</ref>
[[File:T Jedruszek GreyWormsElite.jpg|thumb|450px|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.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Lorath}}
*'''[[Lys]]''': The Lyseni prefer to hire sellswords to do their fighting, seldom risking the lives of their own citizens.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: The Quarrelsome Daughters: Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh}}
*'''[[Myr]]''': The Myrish prefer to hire sellswords to do their fighting, seldom risking the lives of their own citizens.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: The Quarrelsome Daughters: Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh}}
*'''[[Norvos]]''': The [[bearded priests]] of Norvos keep a guard of slave soldiers.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Norvos}}
*'''[[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.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Pentos}}
*'''[[Qohor]]''': During the [[Battle of Qohor]], the city was successfully defended by three thousand Unsullied.{{ref|ASOS|8}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Qohor}} Ever since, Qohor has relied on the Unsullied slave soldiers for the defense of the city, further keeping only a small city watch.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Qohor}} Occasionally, Qohor also hires sellsword companies. Overall, the city is not considered to be martial.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Qohor}}
*'''[[Tyrosh]]''': The Tyroshi prefer to hire sellswords to do their fighting, seldom risking the lives of their own citizens.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: The Quarrelsome Daughters: Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh}}
*'''[[Volantis]]''': Volantis is, together with Braavos, the most powerful of the Free Cities. Though Volantis has a fleet,{{Ref|ADWD|24}}{{Ref|ADWD|27}}{{Ref|ADWD|55}} the city's main power is on land.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Volantis}} In {{Date|300}}, Triarch [[Malaquo]] cuts off the [[Golden Company]] from the delta road near [[Volantis]] with five thousand foot and one thousand horse.{{ref|ADWD|24}}

===Ghiscari cities===
*'''[[Astapor]]''': The [[Unsullied]] of [[Astapor]] are sold by the century or the thousand.{{ref|ASOS|23}}
*'''[[Meereen]]''': In {{Date|300}}, when Queen [[Daenerys Targaryen]] takes over the rule of the city, a city watch called the [[Brazen Beasts]] is created,{{Ref|ADWD|16}} a force consisting out of equal numbers of freedmen and shavepate Meereenese.{{Ref|ADWD|11}}{{Ref|ADWD|16}} Further, the freedmen of fighting age have been organized into companies,{{Ref|ADWD|16}} called the [[Mother's Men]], [[Stalwart Shields]], and the [[Free Brothers]].{{Ref|ADWD|11}}
*'''[[New Ghis]]''': New Ghis has its army divided into [[Ghiscari legions|legions]], armed and organized as the [[Unsullied]]. However, in contrast to the Unsullied, the Ghiscari armies are made up of freemen, who serve three-year terms.{{Ref|ADWD|57}} The Ghiscari legions are reportedly six thousand soldiers strong each.<ref>asoiaf.westeros.org: Boskone 2013, reading of Barristan I and [http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?/topic/81338-twow-spoilers-barristan/&do=findComment&comment=4122024 Barristan II]</ref> They bring two of these legions to [[Astapor]], when they take part in the [[siege of Astapor|siege]].{{Ref|ADWD|16}} Four Ghiscari legions join [[Yunkai]] in their march to [[Meereen]], while two more legions from New Ghis took ship at Astapor, heading for Meereen as well.{{Ref|ADWD|36}}
*'''[[Yunkai]]''': Yunkai has a host of four thousand men, all slaves, strengthened by two sellsword companies (the [[Stormcrows]] and the [[Second Sons]]) in {{Date|299}}. The sellsword companies abandon Yunkai during the [[Battle near Yunkai]], while the slave army breaks.{{Ref|ASOS|42}} In {{Date|300}}, the Yunkish host consists out of several sellsword companies ([[Company of the Cat]], [[Long Lances]], [[Second Sons]], and the [[Windblown]]).{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}

===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.{{Ref|ASOS|23}}{{Ref|ASOS|27}}{{ref|ADWD|16}} Upon arrival at [[Meereen]], Daenerys has a host of more than eighty thousand people strong, though less than a quarter are warriors.{{Ref|ASOS|57}} The Second Sons later abandon Daenerys.{{Ref|ADWD|36}}

[[File:Marc Simonetti Bittersteel golden company.jpg|thumb|500px|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]].
*The [[Company of the Cat]] numbers three thousand soldiers, currently sworn to [[Yunkai]].{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
*The [[Golden Company]] numbers ten thousand, many of whom are Westerosi exiles.{{ref|ADWD|5}} When Lord [[Jon Connington]] and Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon Targaryen]] set sail for [[Westeros]] with the company to [[landing of the Golden Company|invade the stormlands]], about half of the men become scattered along the southron [[narrow sea]].{{ref|ADWD|61}}{{ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
*The [[Long Lances]] number eight hundred cavalry, who are currently sworn to [[Yunkai]].{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
*The [[Second Sons]] number five hundred fourteen{{ref|ADWD|66}} cavalry.{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}} They have gone back and forth between [[Yunkai]] and Queen [[Daenerys Targaryen]] of [[Meereen]]. They are about to change their alliance from Yunkai to Daenerys, again.<ref name=WindsTyrion/>
*The [[Stormcrows]] number about five hundred cavalry, who are currently sworn to Queen [[Daenerys Targaryen]] of [[Meereen]].{{Ref|ASOS|42}}{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
*The [[Windblown]] number two thousand cavalry and infantry, sworn to [[Yunkai]],{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}} but about to change alliance.<ref name=WindsTyrion>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', Tyrion II</ref>

===Dothraki===
''[[Khalasar]]s'' in the [[Dothraki sea]] have been known to reach fifty thousand{{ref|ASOS|8}} or even one hundred thousand{{ref|ASOS|27}} 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 [[Sarnor]]i.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Grasslands}}

In more recent times, Khal [[Drogo]]'s ''[[khalasar]]'', which is said to be one hundred thousand strong,{{ref|AGOT|3}} includes forty thousand mounted warriors.{{ref|AGOT|36}} It splinters into smaller groups after his death, however.{{ref|AGOT|72}} Khal [[Pono]] claims ten thousand of Drogo's ''khalasar'',{{Ref|ACOK|12}} while Khal [[Jhaqo]] claims twenty thousand riders{{Ref|AGOT|68}} About a year later, the ''khalasar'' of Khal [[Pono]] is reported to be thirty thousand strong, located near [[Selhorys]].{{ref|ADWD|8}}

===Further east===
[[Bayasabhad]], [[Samyriana]], and [[Kayakayanaya]] are guarded by tens of thousands of female defenders.{{ref|TWOIAF| Beyond the Free Cities: The Grasslands}}

The [[Five Forts]] can hold fifty thousand men in total, although it is unknown if they are at capacity.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Bones and Beyond: Yi Ti}}

Emperor [[Lo Bu]] of [[Yi Ti]] allegedly led three hundred thousand against the [[Jogos Nhai]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The Bones and Beyond: The Plains of the Jogos Nhai}}

===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 [[elephant]]s, and three hundred [[dragon]]s.{{ref|TWOIAF| Ancient History: Ten Thousand Ships}} Following the [[Doom of Valyria]], the thirty thousand of [[Aurion]] disappeared when they marched to the [[Valyrian peninsula]].{{ref|TWOIAF| Ancient History: The Doom of Valyria}}

==Notes==
{{Notes}}

==References==
{{references|2}}

[[Category:Society]]

Battle of Oxcross

2019-06-03T11:58:56Z

Nihlus: /* Prelude */

{{Template:Battlebox
| image = [[File:T Jedruszek BattleOfOxcross.jpg|350px]]
| caption = Battle of Oxcross by Tomasz Jedruszek © Fantasy Flight Games
| battle_name = Battle of Oxcross
| conflict = [[War of the Five Kings]]
| date = {{Date|299}}
| place = [[Oxcross]], [[westerlands]]
| result = [[House Stark|Stark]] victory
| combatant1 = [[File:House Baratheon (King's Landing).svg|33px]] '''[[Iron Throne]]'''/ [[House Baratheon of King's Landing]]: 

[[File:House Lannister.svg|30px]] [[Westerlands]], led by [[House Lannister]]
*[[House Brax]]
*[[House Crakehall]]
*[[House Jast]]
*[[House Vikary]]
| combatant2 = [[File:House Stark.svg|30px]] '''[[King in the North|Kingdom of the North]] and [[King of the Trident|the Trident]]'''/ [[House Stark]]: 

The [[North]]
*[[House Flint of Flint's Finger]]{{refn|group=N|name=Northern Houses|Houses Flint of Flint's Finger, Hornwood, Manderly & Mollen are not directly mentioned at this battle. However as they were all a part of Robb's host that took part in the earlier battles at [[battle in the Whispering Wood|the Whispering Wood]] and [[Battle of the Camps|the Camp]]s, and as Robb takes most of his host with him into the [[westerlands]], it can be assumed these houses were present with Robb throughout his westerlands campaign as well.}}
*[[House Flint of Widow's Watch]]{{refn|group=N|name=Widow's Watch|House Flint of Widow's Watch is not directly mentioned at this battle. However as they were a part of Robb's host that gathered in the [[North]], it can be assumed they were present at subsequent battles in the [[riverlands]] and westerlands.}}
*[[House Glover]]{{ref|ACOK|39}}
*[[House Hornwood]]{{refn|group=N|name=Northern Houses}}
*[[House Karstark]]{{ref|ACOK|39}}
*[[House Manderly]]{{refn|group=N|name=Northern Houses}}
*[[House Mollen]]{{refn|group=N|name=Northern Houses}}
*[[House Mormont]]{{ref|ACOK|39}}
*[[House Slate]]{{refn|group=N|name=Slate|House Slate is not directly mentioned at this battle. However it is stated by Lady [[Barbrey Dustin]] that the Slates campaigned in the riverlands & westerlands with Robb Stark.{{ref|ADWD|46}} Therefore it can be assumed that Slates were present at this battle.}}
*[[House Umber]]{{ref|ACOK|39}}

[[File:House Tully.svg|30px]] [[Riverlands]], led by [[House Tully]]
*[[House Frey]]{{ref|ACOK|35}}{{ref|ACOK|39}}
| commander1 = Ser [[Stafford Lannister]]† Lord [[Roland Crakehall]] (POW) Lord [[Antario Jast]] (POW)
| commander2 = King [[Robb Stark]] Ser [[Brynden Tully]]
| strength1 = Unknown
| strength2 = Possibly 6,000{{refn|group=N|Robb has six thousand at the earlier battle in the Whispering Wood.{{ref|agot|63}}}}
| casualties1 = Entire force killed, captured, or scattered Ser [[Rupert Brax]]† Ser [[Lymond Vikary]] (POW) [[Martyn Lannister]] (POW)
| casualties2 = Low Ser [[Stevron Frey]]†{{ref|ACOK|35}}
}}

The '''Battle of Oxcross'''{{ref|ASOS|Appendix}} is a battle during the [[War of the Five Kings]]. The [[House Stark|Stark]] army of King [[Robb Stark]] routs and scatters the [[House Lannister|Lannister]] army of Ser [[Stafford Lannister]], who is killed.

==Prelude==
After the [[battle in the Whispering Wood]] and the [[Battle of the Camps]], Robb Stark, the new [[King in the North]], sends Ser [[Cleos Frey]] as an envoy to [[King's Landing]] with a peace offer for Queen [[Cersei Lannister]]. In case the offer is rejected, Robb sends [[Theon Greyjoy]] to treat with his father [[Balon Greyjoy|Balon]], [[Lord of the Iron Islands]], for an alliance to assault the [[westerlands]] from both land and sea. Meanwhile, Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] tasks his cousin, Ser [[Stafford Lannister]], with training a new Lannister army at [[Casterly Rock]]. With the main Lannister army in the [[riverlands]], this new army could be used to attack Robb's host from two fronts.{{ref|ACOK|7}}{{ref|ACOK|20}}

Robb marches to deal with the forming threat as Stafford trains his fresh recruits, believed to be [[sellswords]], [[freeriders]], and boys from the stews of [[Lannisport]].{{ref|ACOK|7}} Also among them are many veterans of Ser [[Forley Prester]]'s 4,000-strong force at the Golden Tooth, survivors of the Camps.<ref>The Tooth and Tyroshi, (December 17, 1999) [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/1064 So Spake Martin]</ref> As Robb marches west from [[Riverrun]], he sends his mother, [[Catelyn Stark]], to forge an alliance with King [[Renly Baratheon]].{{ref|ACOK|22}} This is done with the aim that Renly will pose a more immediate threat to Tywin and force him to leave [[Harrenhal]].{{ref|ACOK|7}}

Robb's host invades the [[westerlands]] by avoiding the [[Golden Tooth]], the strong castle at the border, through a previously-unknown goat track found by his direwolf, [[Grey Wind]].{{ref|ACOK|39}}

==Battle==
Stafford trains the inexperienced recruits near the village of [[Oxcross]], within three days ride from [[Lannisport]]. Thinking himself safe in his own lands, Stafford does not bother to set sentries. During the night, Robb sends men to cut the lines that hold Stafford's horses. When Robb sets loose Grey Wind, the horses are maddened by the scent and trample tents and men alike while trying to flee. With confusion sending Lannister men fleeing everywhere, Robb sends his own cavalry. The battle is more a rout then a real encounter, as the untrained and surprised Lannister army fail to put up much resistance.{{ref|ACOK|32}}

Stafford is slain by Lord [[Rickard Karstark]] while running after his horse.{{ref|ACOK|32}} Ser [[Stevron Frey]], Lord [[Walder Frey]]'s eldest son and heir, suffers a minor wound during the battle, but dies shortly thereafter.{{ref|ACOK|35}} Among those reported dead, missing and wounded are Ser [[Lymond Vikary]], Lord [[Roland Crakehall]], and Lord [[Antario Jast]].{{ref|ACOK|32}} These men are actually captured by the Stark forces, along with [[Martyn Lannister]], Lord Jast's sons, and half a hundred other highborn hostages.{{ref|ACOK|32}}{{ref|ASOS|Appendix}}

==Aftermath==
The Lannister army's defeat is so great that, according to rumor, Robb cut out Stafford's heart and fed it to Grey Wind. Remnants fall back to Lannisport, where Stafford's son, Ser [[Daven Lannister]], reforms them.{{ref|ACOK|39}}{{ref|ASOS|19}} Robb continues attacking the westerlands, capturing [[taking of Ashemark|Ashemark]], and marches on to take the [[storming of the Crag|Crag]].{{ref|ACOK|35}} [[Galbart Glover]] and [[Rickard Karstark]] raid along [[Raiding along the westerlands coast|the coast]]. Lady [[Maege Mormont]] captures thousands of livestock and begins driving them back towards the [[riverlands]]. Lord [[Jon Umber|Greatjon Umber]] captures [[Seizure of westerlands gold mines|the gold mines]] at [[Nunn's Deep]], [[Castamere]], and in the [[Pendric Hills]].{{ref|ACOK|39}}

Lord Tywin, having heard of the defeat at Oxcross, and feeling confident that [[Stannis Baratheon]] laying [[siege of Storm's End (299)|siege to Storm's End]] means a secure southern front,{{ref|ACOK|44}} marches west to face Robb's host.{{ref|ACOK|45}}

The singer [[Rymund the Rhymer]] composes a tune commemorating the northern victory, "[[Wolf in the Night]]".{{ref|acok|45}}

Remembering his uncle Stafford's mistake, Ser [[Jaime Lannister]] sets sentries himself while at [[Hayford]].{{ref|AFFC|27}} Daven vows not to cut his hair until he avenges his father's death by slaying Lord Karstark.{{ref|AFFC|33}}

==Quotes==
{{quote|Using some vile sorcery, [[Robb Stark|your brother]] fell upon Ser [[Stafford Lannister]] with an army of [[warg]]s, not three days ride from [[Lannisport]]. Thousands of good men were butchered as they slept, without the chance to lift sword. After the slaughter, the [[northmen]] feasted on the flesh of the slain.{{ref|ACOK|32}}|[[Lancel Lannister]] to [[Sansa Stark]]}}

{{quote|Do not take Oxcross too much to heart, my lady. A battle is not a war, and [[Tywin Lannister|my lord father]] is assuredly not [[Stafford Lannister|my uncle Stafford]].{{ref|ACOK|32}}|[[Tyrion Lannister]] to [[Sansa Stark]]}}

{{quote|'''Martyn''': There's some say that after the battle, [[Robb Stark|the king]] cut out [[Stafford Lannister]]'s heart and fed it to [[Grey Wind|the wolf]]. 
'''Catelyn''': I would not believe such tales. My son is no savage.{{ref|ACOK|39}}|[[Martyn Rivers]] and [[Catelyn Stark]]}}

==Notes==
{{notes}}

==References==
{{references|2}}

{{War of the Five Kings}}

[[Category:Battles|Oxcross]]
[[Category:House Brax battles|Oxcross]]
[[Category:House Crakehall battles|Oxcross]]
[[Category:House Frey battles|Oxcross]]
[[Category:House Jast battles|Oxcross]]
[[Category:House Karstark battles|Oxcross]]
[[Category:House Lannister battles|Oxcross]]
[[Category:House Stark battles|Oxcross]]
[[Category:House Vikary battles|Oxcross]]
[[Category:War of the Five Kings|Oxcross]]
[[Category:Westerlands]]

[[es:Batalla de Cruce de Bueyes]]
[[fr:Bataille de Croixbœuf]]
[[ru:Битва у Окскросса]]
[[zh:牛津之战]]

Battle of the Blackwater

2019-06-03T11:37:49Z

Nihlus:

{{Battlebox collapsible
| image = [[File:T Jedruszek BattleoftheB ship.jpg|350px]]
| caption = by Tomasz Jedruszek. © Fantasy Flight Games
| battle_name = Battle of the Blackwater
| conflict = [[War of the Five Kings]]
| date = {{Date|299}}
| place = mouth of the [[Blackwater Rush]] and [[King's Landing]]
| result = Decisive victory for [[House Baratheon of King's Landing]]
| colour_scheme =
| combatant2 = [[File:House Baratheon (Dragonstone).svg|33px]] '''[[House Baratheon of Dragonstone]]:''' 

[[Crownlands]]
*[[House Bar Emmon]]{{ref|asos|75}}
*[[House Celtigar]]{{ref|acok|65}}
*[[House Chyttering]]{{ref|asos|10}}
*[[House Farring]]{{ref|affc|Appendix}}{{ref|adwd|3}}
*[[House Follard]]{{ref|adwd|44}}
*[[House Massey]]{{ref|adwd|7}}
*[[House Velaryon]]{{ref|asos|25}}

[[Stormlands]]
*[[House Bolling]]{{ref|affc|44}}
*[[House Buckler]]{{ref|adwd|44}}
*[[House Caron]]{{ref|acok|65}}
*[[House Connington]]{{ref|acok|65}}
*[[House Errol]]{{ref|acok|42}}
*[[House Estermont]]{{ref|acok|52}}{{ref|acok|57}}
*[[House Fell]]{{ref|affc|Appendix}}{{ref|adwd|17}}
*[[House Gower]]{{ref|asos|54}}
*[[House Grandison]]{{ref|adwd|44}}
*[[House Hasty]]{{ref|acok|65}}{{ref|asos|Appendix}}{{ref|affc|27}}
*[[House Horpe]]<ref name=TWOW>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', [[Theon I (The Winds of Winter)|Theon I]]</ref>
*[[House Mertyns]]
*[[House Morrigen]]{{ref|acok|52}}{{ref|acok|62}}
*[[House Peasebury]]{{ref|adwd|42}}
*[[House Penrose]]
*[[House Seaworth]]{{ref|acok|58}}{{ref|asos|5}}
*[[House Selmy]]
*[[House Staedmon]]{{ref|acok|65}}
*[[House Wensington]]{{ref|asos|75}}
*[[House Wylde]]{{ref|adwd|61}}

[[Reach|The Reach]]
*[[House Florent]]
*[[House Fossoway of Cider Hall]]
*[[House Fossoway of New Barrel]]
*[[House Meadows]]
*[[House Mullendore]]
*[[House Varner]]
*[[House Willum]]
[[Salladhor Saan]]'s pirate fleet ([[Lys]]ene) 
[[Myr]]ish sellsails
| combatant1 = [[File:House Baratheon (King's Landing).svg|33px]] '''[[Iron Throne]]'''/ [[House Baratheon of King's Landing]]: 

'''King's Landing garrison:'''
[[City Watch of King's Landing|Gold cloaks]] 

[[Crownlands]]
*[[House Brune of Brownhollow]]{{ref|ACOK|65}}
*[[House Brune of the Dyre Den]]{{refn|group=N|name=CrownlandHouses|The Crownland Houses of Brune of the Dyre Den, Byrch, Hayford, Hogg, Rosby and Rykker are not directly mentioned at Blackwater, but as they are sworn directly to the Iron Throne, it is likely they took part in the battle or provided men to the City Watch.}}
*[[House Byrch]]{{refn|group=N|name=CrownlandHouses}}
*[[House Bywater]]{{ref|ASOS|19}}
*[[House Harte]]{{ref|ASOS|67}}
*[[House Hayford]]{{refn|group=N|name=CrownlandHouses}}
*[[House Hogg]]{{refn|group=N|name=CrownlandHouses}}
*[[House Kettleblack]]{{ref|ACOK|59}}
*[[House Rosby]]{{refn|group=N|name=CrownlandHouses}}
*[[House Rykker]]{{refn|group=N|name=CrownlandHouses}}
*[[House Stokeworth]]{{ref|ACOK|57}}

[[Vale mountain clans]]
*[[Black Ears]]{{ref|ACOK|49}}
*[[Burned Men]]{{ref|ACOK|49}}
*[[Moon Brothers]]{{ref|ACOK|49}}
*[[Stone Crows]]{{ref|ACOK|49}}

'''Relief force (late battle):'''
[[File:House Lannister.svg|30px]] [[Westerlands]], led by [[House Lannister]]
*[[House Banefort]]
*[[House Bettley]]
*[[House Brax]]{{ref|ACOK|65}}
*[[House Crakehall]]{{ref|ACOK|65}}
*[[House Falwell]]
*[[House Ferren]]
*[[House Foote]]{{ref|ACOK|65}}
*[[House Kenning of Kayce]]
*[[House Lannister of Lannisport]]
*[[House Lefford]]
*[[House Lydden]]{{ref|ACOK|65}}
*[[House Marbrand]]{{ref|ACOK|62}}{{ref|ACOK|65}}
*[[House Myatt]]
*[[House Payne]]{{ref|ACOK|61}}
*[[House Peckledon]]{{ref|ACOK|65}}
*[[House Plumm]]
*[[House Prester]]
*[[House Sarsfield]]
*[[House Serrett]]
*[[House Stackspear]]
*[[House Swyft]]
*[[House Turnberry]]
*[[House Yarwyck]]

[[File:House Tyrell.svg|30px]] [[Reach|The Reach]], led by [[House Tyrell]]
*[[House Ambrose]]
*[[House Beesbury]]
*[[House Blackbar]]
*[[House Bulwer]]
*[[House Bushy]]
*[[House Caswell]]
*[[House Costayne]]
*[[House Cuy]]
*[[House Dunn]]
*[[House Footly]]
*[[House Graceford]]
*[[House Hightower]]
*[[House Hunt]]
*[[House Inchfield]]
*[[House Leygood]]
*[[House Merryweather]]
*[[House Norcross]]
*[[House Oakheart]]
*[[House Peake]]
*[[House Redwyne]]
*[[House Rowan]]
*[[House Shermer]]
*[[House Tarly]]
*[[House Webber]]
*[[House Wythers]]
| commander2 = '''Force on land:'''
*King [[Stannis Baratheon]]
*Ser [[Guyard Morrigen]]†
*Ser [[Rolland Storm]]
'''Fleet:'''
*Ser [[Imry Florent]]†
*[[Salladhor Saan]]
| commander1 =
'''King's Landing garrison:'''
*Lord [[Tyrion Lannister]] (WIA)
*Lord [[Jacelyn Bywater]]†
*[[Sandor Clegane]]
'''Relief force:'''
*Lord [[Mace Tyrell]]
*Ser [[Garlan Tyrell]]
*Lord [[Randyll Tarly]]
*Lord [[Tywin Lannister]]
| strength2 = '''Force on land:'''
* ~16,400 cavalry mainly from the [[Reach]], and some from the [[Stormlands]] and [[Crownlands]]{{refn|group=N|Stannis originally had an army of five thousand men, but he claims to have twenty thousand men after Renly's death has caused a large part of his men to join Stannis. According to Davos, Stannis has “nearly twenty thousand” cavalry alone.{{ref|ACOK|58}} If true, this would mean Stannis had close to 25,000 soldiers in total, though Stannis claims to only have about 20,000 men immediately after Renly's death;{{ref|ACOK|42}} this would indicate that either Davos mistaken/rounding up, Stannis was rounding down, or that more men joined Stannis soon after he said he had 20,000. However, Tyrion states that four fifths of the cavalry present joined Stannis, which from a force of 20,000 would equate to 16,000 men, giving Stannis ~21,000 total when his original 5,000 are added, which lends credence to Stannis's figure ~20,000 being closer to the truth than Davos's ~25,000. Additionally, Stannis's force on land is referred to by Davos as being entirely mounted and making better pace than an infantry force as a result;{{ref|ACOK|58}} since Stannis's original host numbered 4,600 infantry and 400 cavalry{{ref|ACOK|22}} before being joined by ~16,000 of Renly's cavalry, this would mean his force on land totaled 16,400 soldiers, with his original infantry (mainly consisting of "companies of spearmen and archers",{{ref|ACOK|22}} as opposed to the knights and man-at-arms that make up the bulk of his main host) being confined to his ships.}}
'''Fleet:'''
* ~4,600 embarked infantry of Stannis's original host, from the [[crownlands]], [[Lys]], and [[Myr]]{{Ref|ACOK|31}}
~200 ships:{{refn|group=N|Stannis' fleet consists of ten battlelines of twenty ships,{{ref|ACOK|58}} bringing the total amount of ship to two hundred.}}
* 60 war galleys of the [[royal fleet]] and Crownlords{{refn|group=N|The first three lines of twenty are made up of Westerosi war galleys. Out of these sixty ships, at least nine are known to belong to the lords of the Narrow Sea (''[[Pride of Driftmark]]'', ''[[Bold Laughter]]'', ''[[Harridan]]'', and ''[[Seahorse]]'' from [[House Velaryon]]; ''[[Red Claw]]'' from [[House Celtigar]]; ''[[Swordfish]]'' from [[House Bar Emmon]]; ''[[Piety]]'', ''[[Prayer]]'', and ''[[Devotion]]'', commandeered from [[House Sunglass]]).}}
* ~40 smaller Myrish sellsail war galleys{{ref|ACOK|17}}{{refn|group=N|name=Myrish|Described as a smaller contingent "the smaller, slower Myrish contingent".{{ref|ACOK|58}} As the fleet is stated in the same chapter to be divided into ten lines of twenty, this means the Myrmen have at most forty ships, but possibly as few as twenty.}}
* ~80 commandeered transport vessels taken from traders (carracks and lumbering great cogs){{Ref|ACOK|58}}{{ref|ACOK|1}}
* 25 Lysene pirate galleys{{refn|group=N|The Lyseni Salladhor Saan commands his [[Valyrian]] and two dozen smaller galleys.{{ref|ACOK|0}}}}
| strength1 = '''King's Landing garrison:''' 7,000-8,000
* 5,700 [[City Watch of King's Landing|gold cloaks]]{{refn|group=N|name=goldcloaks|The city watch contains six thousand men, although only two thousand of these, who had received their gold cloak from Robert, are seasoned men.{{Ref|ACOK|49}} Three hundred gold cloaks later escort Petyr Baelish to Bitterbridge,{{Ref|ACOK|36}} leaving only five thousand seven hundred.}}
* ~800 sellswords{{Ref|acok|49}}
*[[Stokeworth]] and [[Rosby]] contingents{{Ref|ACOK|49}}{{Ref|ACOK|57}}
* 300 knights, squires and men-at-arms{{Ref|ACOK|49}}
* 150 mountain clansmen (harassed Stannis's army during the march)
* "Hundreds" of scorpions, catapaults, and ballistae manned by hundreds of engineers{{ref|ACOK|17}}
'''Lannister navy:''' 57+ ships
* 45 war galleys of the [[royal fleet]]{{refn|group=N|Stannis has ten lines of twenty ships, bringing his total to ~200; Stannis has four times more ships than Joffrey, giving Joffrey ~50 ships of the royal fleet. (The Baratheon forces would have no information regarding the trading vessels seized on Tyrion's command.) However, unbeknownst to Stannis and his men, five of these ships (''[[King Robert's Hammer]]'', ''[[Seaswift]]'', ''[[Lionstar]]'', ''[[Bold Wind]]'', and ''[[Lady Lyanna]]'') have departed King’s Landing long before to escort Myrcella to Braavos.{{Ref|ACOK|41}} When the Battle of the Blackwater takes place, they have not yet returned.{{Ref|ACOK|58}}}}
* At least 12 vessels taken from traders{{Ref|ACOK|49}}
* A "swarm" of hulks, barges, skiffs, ferries, wherries, and rowboats laden with [[wildfire]]{{Ref|AFFC|58}}
'''Relief force:'''
* ~50,000-70,000 Tyrell men{{refn|group=N|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}} The forces of House Tyrell make up the majority of Renly's forces. Catelyn Stark says that Renly's cavalry includes at least ten thousand heavy lancers,{{Ref|ACOK|33}} and that it accompanies him to Storm's End to lift the siege, while his foot, according to Stannis near sixty thousand strong,{{Ref|ACOK|42}} remains at Bitterbridge when Renly goes to lift the siege of Storm’s End. As Renly previously stated that the total of his men at Bitterbridge numbered eighty thousand, this would make his cavalry at Storm's End 20,000 strong. As only one fifth of Renly's knights did not join Stannis,{{Ref|ACOK|36}} Stannis would have gained ~16,000 troops, bringing his total force to ~21,000. 
Of those who remain, some — chiefly those of [[House Florent]] — are put to death by Lord [[Randyll Tarly]] after Renly's death.{{Ref|ACOK|42}}{{Ref|ACOK|44}} As House Florent can field two thousand men at best,{{Ref|ACOK|0}} this would reduce Renly's foot to fifty-eight thousand at a minimum. A fifth of the knights that had accompanied Renly to Storm's End return to join the other forces from the Reach,{{Ref|ACOK|36}} but how many of his ten (of fifteen) thousand cavalry had been knights is unknown. Mace Tyrell's additional ten thousand at Highgarden would bring the total to ~70,000 soldiers from House Tyrell.
 [[Petyr Baelish]] tells [[Joffrey Baratheon]]'s [[small council]] that Mace Tyrell can field fifty thousand swords.{{Ref|ACOK|36}} According to Tyrion Lannister, some fifty to seventy thousand [[House Tyrell|Tyrell soldiers]] are in the King's Landing vicinity after the Battle of the Blackwater.{{Ref|asos|38}}}}
* ~20,000 Lannister men{{refn|group=N|Tywin's host originally is 20,000 men strong.{{Ref|agot|56}} Despite desertions and insurgency in the riverlands, and many minor sieges and skirmishes, he still has about the same number before the [[Battle of the Fords]].{{Ref|asos|45}} Despite casualties during the battle, Tywin is later said to have twenty thousand swords in King's Landing,{{Ref|asos|38}} suggesting he either gained men or did not lose a significant amount.}}
| casualties2 = [[#Notable Casualties|See below]]
* 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's remaining fleet
* 47 Lesser lordlings killed{{Ref|ASOS|19}}
* 619 knights killed{{Ref|ASOS|19}}
* Several thousand men-at-arms killed{{Ref|ASOS|19}}
* Several thousand men-at-arms left behind for lack of space on Saan's fleet{{ref|adwd|66}}
* Most of the ~15,000 stormlanders and men of the Reach who had previously supported Renly abandoned Stannis{{Ref|ASOS|4}} by the hundreds{{Ref|ASOS|10}}
| casualties1 = [[#Notable Casualties|See below]]
'''King's Landing garrison:''' Heavy
* 1,600 gold cloaks killed or deserted{{refn|group=N|Following the deaths from and the desertions during the battle, the city watch only contains some forty-four hundred men,{{Ref|ASOS|4}} where it had numbered six thousand before.{{Ref|acok|49}}}}
* Majority of the sellswords and knights/men-at-arms killed{{refn|group=N|Sandor Clegane loses half his knights and sellswords.{{Ref|acok|59}} Tyrion Lannister leads another sally, which is nearly wiped out.{{Ref|acok|61}}}}
'''King's Landing navy:''' Heavy
* 39+ royal war galleys{{Ref|AFFC|17}} destroyed, associated crews and marines all killed
* All hulks, barges, skiffs, ferries, wherries, and rowboats destroyed
'''Relief force:''' Minimal
}}

The '''Battle of the Blackwater'''{{ref|ASOS|16}} is the largest battle in the [[War of the Five Kings]]. The battle is fought between the forces loyal to [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I Baratheon]], the King on the [[Iron Throne]], and those loyal to [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis I Baratheon]], the King in the [[Narrow Sea]]. After [[Siege of Storm's End (299)#Regicide|eliminating]] his younger brother [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]], a rival claimaint to the Iron Throne, Stannis gains the loyalty of nearly all of the [[Stormlands|Stormlords]] and [[Reach|Reach lords]] and advances on [[King's Landing]] by land and sea, intent on seizing the city and taking control of the Iron Trone.

==Prelude==
Convinced that Joffrey Baratheon is not King [[Robert I Baratheon]]'s son, Stannis believes his claim to the [[Iron Throne]] is the true one. However, he lacks the strength to attack King's Landing, as few [[House Baratheon of Dragonstone#Sworn to Dragonstone|Houses are sworn to Dragonstone]] and the rocky, volcanic islands surrounding Dragonstone have a sparse population, and the men of the [[stormlands]] have given their support to his younger brother [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]], the [[Lord of Storm's End]], who has proclaimed himself king as well. Additionally, Renly has taken [[Margaery Tyrell]] to wife, which has earned him the support of the men from the [[Reach]] as well.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} On Dragonstone, the red priestess [[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.{{Ref|ACOK|42}}

[[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]] arrives in the [[stormlands]] with his five thousand men and [[Siege of Storm's End (299)|lays siege]] to the coastal fortress [[Storm's End]], the seat of his younger brother, [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]].{{ref|ACOK|22}}{{Ref|ACOK|25}} Renly is at [[Bitterbridge]] with his army when news reaches his camp. He splits his forces and rides with some twenty thousand cavalry to Storm's End to break the siege.{{ref|ACOK|31}} After a failed parlay in which neither brother will yield, the battle is set at dawn.{{ref|ACOK|31}} However, that night Renly is killed by a [[shadow assassin]] summoned by [[Melisandre]].{{Ref|ACOK|33}} With Renly dead, the majority of the host that had accompanied him to Storm's End swears their allegiance to Stannis.{{ref|ACOK|36}} [[House Florent]] and both branches of [[House Fossoway]] also defect to Stannis, but a fifth of Renly’s knights returns to Bitterbridge with Ser [[Loras Tyrell]].{{ref|ACOK|36}} The siege continues, as Storm's End's castellan, Ser [[Cortnay Penrose]], refuses to yield the castle to Stannis{{ref|ACOK|36}} because he fears for the safety of King [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert]]'s [[bastard]] son [[Edric Storm]].{{Ref|ACOK|42}} To end the siege quickly, Ser [[Davos Seaworth]] smuggles Melisandre under the castle by boat, where she summons another shadow to assassinate Cortnay.{{ref|ACOK|42}} After Cortnay's death, the castle yields, leaving Stannis free to advance on [[King's Landing]].{{ref|ACOK|44}}{{Ref|ACOK|45}}

Sixty thousand men from Renly's army are still encamped at Bitterbridge, and when news of Renly's death reaches them,{{Ref|ACOK|42}} fighting breaks out between Stannis' supporters and Renly's loyalists led by the vengeful Loras Tyrell. [[Parmen Crane]] and [[Erren Florent]] – the two knights sent by Stannis to retrieve the army for him{{Ref|ACOK|42}} – are taken prisoner,{{Ref|ASOS|Appendix}} while Lord [[Randyll Tarly]] seizes the supplies and puts many men, mostly Florents, to death.{{ref|acok|44}} In [[King's Landing]], the [[small council]] of King Joffrey decides to attempt to make an alliance with [[House Tyrell]] by offering to marry Joffrey to Margaery. [[Petyr Baelish]], representing King Joffrey I,{{ref|ACOK|36}} travels to Bitterbridge and wins the allegiance of [[House Tyrell]]. Riders are sent north to warn Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] of Stannis's threat to the capital.{{ref|ASOS|14}}

Meanwhile, [[Robb Stark]] attacks the [[westerlands]], hoping to lure Lord Tywin Lannister, who had been residing at [[Harrenhal]] with his twenty thousand men, away from [[King's Landing]] while King Stannis attacks the city from the south. Stannis's victory would mean the end of King [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I]], Queen [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]], and acting [[Hand of the King|Hand]] [[Tyrion Lannister]], breaking Lannister power.{{Ref|ASOS|14}} Tywin begins his march west,{{Ref|ACOK|39}} but Lord [[Edmure Tully]], unaware of Robb's plan,{{Ref|ASOS|14}} refuses to allow the Lannisters to cross the [[Trident]] without [[Battle of the Fords|giving battle]] and places an army of eleven thousand men at the key fords along the [[Red Fork]].{{Ref|ACOK|39}} After several probing attacks, Lord Tywin attempts to force a crossing in a dozen places. Unable to cross the river, Tywin is forced to retreat.{{Ref|ACOK|45}} This delays Tywin just long enough for riders out of Bitterbridge to reach him with word of Stannis's threat to King's Landing.{{Ref|ASOS|14}}

In preparation of the defense of King's Landing, [[Cersei Lannister]] has arranged for the production of vast amounts of [[wildfire]],{{Ref|ACOK|3}} while [[Tyrion Lannister]] has commissioned a great chain boom across the mouth of the [[Blackwater Rush]].{{Ref|ACOK|15}} The [[City Watch of King's Landing|City Watch]] is tripled in size,{{ref|acok|3}} sellswords are hired,{{ref|acok|8}} contingents of soldiers are send from [[Rosby]] and [[Stokeworth]],{{Ref|ACOK|49}}{{Ref|ACOK|57}} and hundreds of scorpions, spitfires, and catapults are constructed and placed on the walls.{{ref|acok|3}}{{ref|ACOK|31}} Tyrion further sends out his hundred and fifty [[Vale mountain clans]]men to harass Stannis' flanks and kill his scouts in the [[kingswood]].{{ref|acok|52}} Stannis's vanguard arrives at the city 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]].{{Ref|aCoK|52}}

Treacherous waters and inclement weather delay Stannis's fleet on its northward journey from Storm's End. A dozen ships are lost on the journey to [[Blackwater Bay]]. Stannis gives command of the fleet to Ser [[Imry Florent]], who commands from Stannis's [[ships|galley]], the ''[[Fury]]''. Stannis himself is on the south side of the Blackwater with his host, making them create arrows and rafts.{{Ref|aCoK|58}}

==The Battle==
[[File:King's Landing Map BattleoftheBlackwater.png|thumb|350px|Map of King's Landing during the Battle of the Blackwater 
'' '''I.''' The [[Red Keep]]; '''II.''' [[Great Sept of Baelor]] upon [[Visenya's Hill]]; '''III.''' [[Dragonpit]] upon [[Rhaenys's Hill]]; '''IV.''' Western baracks of the [[City Watch]]; '''V.''' Eastern baracks of the [[City Watch]] ''
 '''1.''' Stannis' fleet enters the river from Blackwater Bay; Only the ships of [[Salladhor Saan]] remain behind; '''2.''' Once the first lines have passed, the defenders of King's Landing begin raising the chain; By the time the entire fleet has passed, the chain has been raised completely; '''3.''' When Stannis' ships engage Joffrey's fleet, the ships are lit afire with [[wildfire]]; '''4.''' Skirmishes start in [[Flea Bottom]]; '''5.''' King [[Joffrey I Baratheon]] travels to the trebuchets ("the Whores") to launch the [[Antler Men]]; '''6.''' Survivors from Stannis' fleet land on the riverfront and take a ram to the King's Gate; 7. The burning and broken ships have pilled together, creating a bridge of ships allowing Stannis' vanguard to cross the river; '''8.''' An army of [[westermen]] and men from the [[Reach]] arrives to take the forces of Stannis Baratheon in the rear; '''9.''' Seeing the battle is lost, Salladhor Saan, who kept his ships in the bay, lands his ships, allowing Stannis and ~1500 men to retreat.]]
===Battle on the River===
The battle opens when Stannis's admiral, Ser [[Imry Florent]], leads Stannis' fleet up the river to engage Joffrey's ships. They enter visual range of the city in the late afternoon.{{Ref|ACOK|58}} 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 the [[Lysene]] galleys of [[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 are made up of war galleys belonging to the royal navy and the lords of the narrow sea. Behind them sails the smaller [[Myr]]ish contingent, who are 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.{{Ref|aCoK|58}} Ser [[Davos Seaworth]] realizes that the two watchtowers at the mouth of the Blackwater Rush are newly build, and he notices the chain in the water.{{ref|ACOK|58}} The fleet continues forward nonetheless. From within the city, pots of pitch are flung at the ships, and the trebuchets located within the city start to fling stones.{{Ref|ACOK|58}}
[[File:Battle of the Blackwater.jpg|400px|thumb|The wildfire burns the Blackwater - by Amok ©]]
[[Tyrion Lannister]] has ordered several of Joffrey's ships to be filled with wildfire. Stannis' fleet is lured further in the bay when Joffrey's pull back. When they engage the fleet of King's Landing, the ships and the river are soon afire. The wildfire destroys nearly every ship in both fleets. To their horror, the men on Stannis' ship discover that the great chain has been raised behind them, cutting off their retreat.{{Ref|ACOK|58}} However, as Ser Imry's first two battle lines had been well upstream of the fire when the hulks went up, some thirty or forty galleys are able to escape the inferno at first.{{Ref|ACOK|59}} Eight ships manage to land under the city walls and put men ashore, while many of the [[Myr]]men escape the flames by sailing for the south bank.{{Ref|ACOK|59}}

===Attack on King's Landing===
The city itself is defended by some five thousand seven hundred [[gold cloaks]],{{refn|group=N|name=goldcloaks}} leavened with eight hundred mercenaries and three hundred 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]].{{Ref|aCoK|49}}

At the start of the battle, some small skirmishes arise within the city when some drunkards in [[Flea Bottom]] smash doors and climb into houses. Lord [[Jacelyn Bywater]] sends his gold cloaks to deal with them.{{Ref|ACOK|60}} When rich merchants and such gather in the square before the [[Red Keep]], asking for refuge in the castle, Queen Regent Cersei Lannister commands the gates be kept close.{{Ref|ACOK|60}}

Tyrion tasks several groups of mounted men-at-arms, along with what few [[knight]]s 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. Tyrion and King [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I Baratheon]] look on from the Mud Gate how the fleet goes up in flames. After King Joffrey leaves to shoot the [[Antler Men]] from [[Three Whores|the trebuchets]], guarded by Ser [[Meryn Trant]] and Ser [[Osmund Kettleblack]], Tyrion learns of Stannis' men having landed on the tourney grounds, who are preparing to ram the King's Gate. He arrives at the Mud Gate where Sandor Clegane, who had already led three sorties in which he has lost half his men, refuses to go out again. The [[wildfire]] raging across the river has robbed Clegane of his courage, and his refusal to lead any more sorties threatens to break the morale of the defenders. As they need to hold the river at all costs, Tyrion decides to lead the next sortie himself. Shamed into action by the dwarf's display of courage, several defenders gather to Tyrion's side.{{Ref|AGOT|59}}

While Tyrion is leading the sortie at the King's Gate, the Mud Gate falls under attack as well.{{Ref|ACOK|60}} Queen Regent Cersei Lannister orders King Joffrey, who is still at the trebuchets near the gate, to be brought back to the castle.{{Ref|ACOK|60}} When the defenders see their 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.{{Ref|ASOS|4}} Tyrion manages to disperse the attackers at the [[King's Gate]] and makes for the [[Mud Gate]]. When Ser [[Balon Swann]] points out that the galleys on the river which had smashed into each other have tangled together, creating a bridge of ships, which is being used by Stannis' boldest knights to cross the river, they take the fight to the riverfront.{{Ref|aCoK|61}} Tyrion eventually finds himself on the bridge of ships, when it is about to collapse. He is severely wounded by Ser [[Mandon Moore]] of the [[Kingsguard]], who had been Tyrion's sworn shield throughout the battle.{{Ref|aCoK|61}} Moore is killed by Tyrion's squire, [[Podrick Payne]].{{Ref|acok|61}}{{Ref|acok|67}}

With the bridge breaking up and their Hand lost in battle, the defenders retreat within the city walls.{{Ref|aSoS|4}} At this point, after only a few hours of resistance, the battle seems to be lost to Tyrion, though at this time he also sees Stannis's army seemingly fighting itself on the other side of the river.

===Renly's ghost===
Having learned of Stannis' approaching attack on King's Landing and the alliance between then Iron Throne and [[House Lannister]], Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] has marched his host south. Near the headwaters of the [[Blackwater Rush]] he joins up with Lords [[Mathis Rowan]] and [[Randyll Tarly]], from where they force a march to [[Tumbler's Falls]], where they find Lord [[Mace Tyrell]] and his sons wait with their huge host and a fleet of barges. Together, the Lannisters and Tyrells float down the river to disembark half a day's ride from the capital.{{Ref|ASOS|14}} They arrive at the battle scene at dusk,{{Ref|acok|61}} taking Stannis' army from the rear. Lord Tywin leads the right wing on the north side of the river, while Randyll Tarly commands the center and Mace Tyrell the left.{{Ref|ACOK|62}} However, it is their vanguard, led by Ser [[Garlan Tyrell]],{{Ref|ASOS|67}} which plunges through Stannis' army. Dressed in the recognizable armor of the deceased [[Renly Baratheon]], his former supporters, convinced their dead lord has returned, abandon Stannis.{{Ref|ACOK|62}} "Renly's shade" kills Ser [[Guyard Morrigen]], who leads Stannis' van.{{Ref|ACOK|62}}
[[File:T Jedruszek DefendersOfKingsLanding.jpg|350px|thumb|right|Lannister soldiers defending King's Landing – by Tomasz Jedruszek. © Fantasy Flight Games]]
Seeing that the battle has turned bad, Salladhor Saan puts his ships, which had been kept out in the bay, in along the shore, taking as many people as will fit.{{Ref|asos|4}} [[Rolland Storm]] leads a rearguard action, allowing Stannis and several hundreds of his men, about half of Florents, to reach the ships.{{Ref|aSoS|54}} As Saan’s ship can only take a limited amount of men, thousands are left behind due to lack of space,{{Ref|adwd|66}} and towards the end, men begin to kill each other to get aboard and escape.{{Ref|asos|4}}

==Aftermath==
The Battle of the Blackwater is a major defeat for Stannis. He retreats to Dragonstone with only a fraction of his army, and only Saan’s ships.

Most of those captured during the battle bend the knee to Joffrey, including men sworn to Dragonstone. During a court session, Ser [[Garlan Tyrell]] publicly asks Joffrey to take his sister Margaery to bride, and Joffrey, as previously agreed upon, fakes unwillingness to break his betrothal to [[Sansa Stark]] until the High Septon and small council agree that he is allowed to do so. Multiple honors and rewards are given to the participants and survivors of the battle by King Joffrey and his small council:

* Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] is proclaimed ''"[[Savior of the City]]"'', and openly accepts the responsibility of the governance of the realm, officially resuming his office as [[Hand of the King]].{{Ref|acok|65}}
* Ser [[Loras Tyrell]] is given a place in the [[Kingsguard]], replacing Ser [[Mandon Moore]].
* Lord [[Mace Tyrell]] is granted a seat on the [[small council]],{{Ref|acok|65}} as [[master of ships]].{{ref|asos|appendix}}
* Ser [[Garlan Tyrell]], the titles, lands and incomes of [[House Florent]], including lordship of [[Brightwater Keep]].{{Ref|asos|19}}
* Lords [[Mathis Rowan]] and [[Paxter Redwyne]] seats on the small council as advisers.{{Ref|asos|19}}
* Ser [[Philip Foote]], the lands, rights and incomes of [[House Caron]], including Lordship of [[Nightsong]] as Lord Foote, for slaying Lord [[Bryce Caron]].{{Ref|acok|65}}
* [[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 Fossoway|Bryan]] and Ser [[Edwyd Fossoway]] after fighting past half a hundred Fossoway men-at-arms.{{Ref|acok|65}}
* [[Josmyn Peckledon]], a sword and suit of plate and a warhorse of the royal stables as well as a [[knight]]hood when coming of age, for killing two knights, wounding a third and capturing two more.{{Ref|acok|65}}
* Goodman [[Willit]], a [[House Swyft|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]].{{Ref|acok|65}}
* [[Wisdom]] [[Hallyne]], raised to lordship, albeit without lands or castle.{{Ref|acok|65}}
* Ser [[Lancel Lannister]], granted the lands, castle and rights of [[House Darry]] as Lord of [[Darry]].{{Ref|acok|65}}
* 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]].{{Ref|acok|65}}
* Surviving captains from Joffrey's warships ''[[River Arrow]]'', ''[[Wildwind]]'' and ''[[Prince Aemon]]'', and under officers from ''[[Godsgrace (ship)|Godsgrace]]'', ''[[Ramshead]]'', ''[[Lance]]'' and ''[[Lady of Silk]]'', honored by the crown.{{ref|ACOK|65}}
* More than six hundred men are knighted by the [[Kingsguard]],{{Ref|acok|65}} including sellsword [[Bronn]], raised to [[knight]]hood as Ser Bronn of the Blackwater, and [[Osfryd Kettleblack|Osfryd]] and [[Osney Kettleblack]].{{Ref|asos|4}}

==Hostages and casualties==
[[File:John_Picacio_Tyrion.jpg‎|[[Tyrion Lannister]] during the Battle of the Blackwater ‎- © 2012 John Picacio|thumb|250px|right]]
===Hostages===
{{Columns|2|
* Lord [[Ardrian Celtigar]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* Lord [[Alesander Staedmon]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* Lord [[Steffon Varner]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* Lord [[House Willum|Willum]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* Ser [[Eldon Estermont]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* Ser [[Mark Mullendore]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* Ser [[Tanton Fossoway]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* Ser [[Donnel Swann]], gets ransomed and bends the knee to Joffrey
* Ser [[Ronnet Connington]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* Ser [[Jon Fossoway]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* Ser [[Bonifer Hasty]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* Ser [[Dermot]] of the [[Rainwood]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* Ser [[Timon]], "the Scrapesword", bends the knee to Joffrey
* [[Josua Willum]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* [[Elyas Willum]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* [[Aurane Waters]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* A bastard of [[House Florent]], remains defiant and is executed{{ref|acok|65}}
* Ser [[Shadrich]] of the Shady Glen, ransoms himself
}}

===Notable Casualties===
====Lannister/Tyrell forces====
{{Columns|3|
* Ser [[Mandon Moore]]
* Ser [[Jacelyn Bywater]]
* Ser [[Ben Bushy]]
* Ser [[Richard Farrow]]
* Ser [[Will (Stork)|Will the Stork]]
}}
====Stannis' forces====
{{Columns|3|
* Ser [[Imry Florent]]
* Ser [[Guyard Morrigen]]
* Lord [[Monford Velaryon]]
* Lord [[Bryce Caron]]
* Lord [[House Chyttering|Chyttering]]
* Ser [[Bryan Fossoway]]
* Ser [[Edwyd Fossoway]]
* Ser [[Herbert Bolling]]
* [[Dale Seaworth]]
* [[Allard Seaworth]]
* [[Maric Seaworth]]
* [[Matthos Seaworth]]
}}

===Ships===  
====King Joffrey====
{{Columns|3|
* ''[[Kingslander]]''
* ''[[Godsgrace (ship)|Godsgrace]]''
* ''[[Prince Aemon]]''
* ''[[Lady of Silk]]''
* ''[[Lady's Shame]]''
* ''[[Wildwind]]''
* ''[[Lance]]''
* ''[[Seaflower]]''
* ''[[White Hart]]''
* ''[[Loyal Man]]''
* ''[[Queen Cersei]]''
* ''[[River Arrow]]''
* ''[[Ramshead]]''
}}
====King Stannis====
{{Columns|3|
*''[[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 (ship)|Valyrian]]''
}}

==Quotes==
{{quote|A wall of red-hot steel, blazing wood, and swirling [[wildfire|green flame]] stretched before him. The mouth of the [[Blackwater Rush]] had turned into the mouth of hell.{{ref|ACOK|58}}|[[Davos Seaworth]]'s thoughts}}

{{Quote|We're delivered, [[Sansa Stark|sweetling]]! They came up the [[roseroad]] and along the riverbank, through all the fields [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]] had burned, the ashes puffing up around their boots and turning all their armor grey, but oh! the banners must have been bright, the [[House Tyrell|golden rose]] and [[House Lannister|golden lion]] and all the others, the [[House Marbrand|Marbrand]] tree and the [[House Rowan|Rowan]], [[House Tarly|Tarly's]] huntsman and [[House Redwyne|Redwyne]] grapes and [[Arwyn Oakheart|Lady Oakheart's]] leaf. All the [[westermen]], all the power of [[Highgarden]] and [[Casterly Rock]]! [[Tywin Lannister|Lord Tywin]] himself had their right wing on the north side of the river, with [[Randyll Tarly]] commanding the center and [[Mace Tyrell]] the left, but the vanguard won the fight. They plunged through Stannis like a lance through a pumpkin, every man of them howling like some demon in steel. And do you know who led the vanguard? Do you? Do you? Do you? It was [[Renly Baratheon|Lord Renly]]! Lord Renly in his green armor, with the fires 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!{{ref|acok|62}}|[[Dontos Hollard]] to [[Sansa Stark]]}}

{{Quote|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?{{Ref|aSoS|4}}|[[Tyrion Lannister]]'s thoughts}}

{{Quote|That chain of yours, that was cunning.{{Ref|aSoS|19}}|[[Mace Tyrell]] to Tyrion Lannister}}

{{quote|Too many good men died that day.{{ref|ADWD|66}}|[[Tyrion Lannister]] to [[Kem]]}}

==See also==
:*[[:Category:Images of the Battle of the Blackwater|Images of the Battle of the Blackwater]]

==Notes==
{{Notes}}

==References==
{{references|2}}

{{War of the Five Kings}}

[[Category:Battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:War of the Five Kings|Blackwater]]
[[Category:Crownlands]]
[[Category:King's Landing]]
[[Category:House Bar Emmon battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Baratheon battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Brax battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Caron battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Celtigar battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Chyttering battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Connington battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Crakehall battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Errol battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Estermont battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Florent battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Foote battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Fossoway of Cider Hall battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Fossoway of New Barrel battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Hasty battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Horpe battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Lannister battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Lydden battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Marbrand battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Massey battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Meadows battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Morrigen battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Mullendore battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Oakheart battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Redwyne battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Rosby battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Rowan battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Seaworth battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Staedmon battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Stokeworth battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Tarly battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Tyrell battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Varner battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Velaryon battles|Blackwater]]

[[es:Batalla del Aguasnegras]]
[[fr:Bataille de la Néra]]
[[ru:Битва на Черноводной]]
[[zh:黑水河之役]]

Winter town

2019-06-02T15:10:25Z

Nihlus:

{|
{{Location map| File:The North.png
| label = '''Winter town'''
| lat = 3
| long = -11
| position = right
| mark = Wolff2.PNG
| marksize = 9
| width = 350
| float = right
| caption = The [[north]] and the location of the winter town
| alt = The north and the location of the winter town
}}
|}

The '''winter town''' is a town located outside of [[Winterfell]], the seat of [[House Stark]] in the [[north]]. During autumn and winter it is one of the largest northern settlements, along with [[White Harbor]] and [[Barrowton]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The North}}

==Layout==
[[File:Ted Nasmith A Song of Ice and Fire Winterfell.jpg|thumb|350px|Winter town beneath the walls of [[Winterfell]] by [http://www.tednasmith.com/ Ted Nasmith] ©]]
The winter town has rows of small and neat houses built of log and undressed stone. Its streets are muddy.{{ref|AGOT|37}} Located at [[Winterfell]]'s main gatehouse, the market square has wooden stalls for produce and goods{{ref|AGOT|37}} and a well at its center.{{ref|ACOK|66}} The local inn{{ref|AGOT|24}} and alehouse is the [[Smoking Log]].{{ref|AGOT|37}}

The [[kingsroad]] lies past the sprawl of castle and town,{{ref|AGOT|13}} while the [[wolfswood]] is two miles away.{{ref|AGOT|37}} Hunting parties from Winterfell can avoid the winter town by taking the Hunter's Gate instead of the main gate.{{ref|ACOK|50}}

==History==
During spring and summer, four-fifths of the winter town's homes are empty.{{ref|AGOT|37}} During autumn and winter, however, the town becomes "full to bursting" with northmen from throughout the region, including farmers,{{ref|AGOT|37}} villagers,{{ref|TWOIAF| The North}} and [[northern mountain clans|clansmen]] from the [[northern mountains]].{{ref|ADWD|49}} When full, the winter town might have a population of around fifteen thousand.{{refn|group=N|Less than one in five homes are occupied in ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 37|Bran V]], when [[Bran Stark]] rides to the [[wolfswood]]. [[Luwin]] later states in [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 53|Bran VI]] that [[Robb Stark]]'s initial army (which is around 12,000 men), when quartered in the settlement, are numerous enough that "the winter town is full to bursting". This occurs during late summer (with autumn arriving in ''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 4|Bran I]]). Given that four fifths of the winter town's housing would be available for the army with the last fifth being occupied by the civilians who normally live there,{{ref|AGOT|37}} the town might therefore house 15,000 people at maximum capacity.}}

Some townfolk claim that the hot springs of [[Winterfell]] are warmed by a [[dragon]] that sleeps below the castle.{{ref|TWOIAF| The North: Winterfell}}

During the winter of {{date|134}} northmen in the winter town ate dogs and horses to avoid starvation.{{ref|FAB|The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency}}

[[Theon Greyjoy]] once had an amorous encounter with [[Bessa (Winterfell)|Bessa]] and [[Kyra]] of the winter town.{{ref|AGOT|37}}

==Recent Events==
===''A Game of Thrones''===
After receiving a frosty greeting from [[Robb Stark]] in [[Winterfell]], [[Tyrion Lannister]] decides to stay in an inn in the winter town, rather than in the castle.{{ref|AGOT|24}}

Robb, [[Bran Stark]], and [[Theon Greyjoy]] ride through the winter town on their way to the [[wolfswood]]. Most townspeople have become accustomed to their [[direwolves]], [[Grey Wind]] and [[Summer]].{{ref|AGOT|37}}

The winter town becomes full when Robb calls the [[north]]ern banners in response to the [[Iron Throne]]'s imprisonment of his father, [[Eddard Stark]], Lord of Winterfell. The townspeople cheer Robb when he leads the soldiers south along the [[kingsroad]].{{ref|AGOT|53}}

===''A Clash of Kings''===
Some [[smallfolk]] from the town attend the [[harvest feast]] in Winterfell.{{ref|ACOK|21}}

After the [[capture of Winterfell]] by Theon's [[ironborn]] during the [[War of the Five Kings]],{{ref|ACOK|46}} [[Kyra]], a tavern wench who has lived her entire life in the winter town, becomes Theon's bedmate in the castle.{{ref|ACOK|50}}

Theon unsuccessfully parleys with Ser [[Rodrik Cassel]] in the market square after Rodrik gathers an army of [[House Stark|Stark]] loyalists to retake Winterfell. The square is defended by Rodrik's men, including spearmen, archers atop the houses, and knights from [[White Harbor]].{{ref|ACOK|66}} Later that day, however, Rodrik's men are betrayed by the [[Dreadfort]] garrison brought by [[Ramsay Snow]]. The Stark men are unable to form up between the houses, which [[House Bolton|Boltons]] put to the torch.{{ref|ASOS|49}}{{ref|ADWD|41}} Following the scattering of Rodrik's men in this [[battle at Winterfell]], Theon admits the Boltons into Winterfell, which they quickly [[sack of Winterfell|sack]].{{ref|ACOK|66}}

===''A Dance with Dragons''===
The remnants of the winter town are buried by the blizzard striking the north.{{ref|ADWD|41}} Lord [[Roose Bolton]]'s army instead quarters in Winterfell.{{ref|ADWD|37}}

==Quotes==
{{quote|When the snow fell and the ice winds howled down out of the north, [[Old Nan]] said, farmers left their frozen fields and distant holdfasts, loaded up their wagons, and then the winter town came alive.{{ref|AGOT|37}}|thoughts of [[Bran Stark]]}}

==Chapters that take place in the winter town==
*[[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 24|''A Game of Thrones'': 37. Bran V]]
*[[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 66|''A Clash of Kings'': 66. Theon VI]]

==Notes==
{{notes}}

==References==
{{references}}

{{Region North}}

[[Category:House Stark]]
[[Category:Places in the North]]
[[Category:Towns]]
[[Category:Winterfell]]

[[es:Las Inviernas]]
[[fr:Ville d'hiver]]
[[pt:Vila de Inverno]]
[[ru:Зимний городок]]

Battle of the Blackwater

2019-06-02T12:23:13Z

Nihlus:

{{Battlebox collapsible
| image = [[File:T Jedruszek BattleoftheB ship.jpg|350px]]
| caption = by Tomasz Jedruszek. © Fantasy Flight Games
| battle_name = Battle of the Blackwater
| conflict = [[War of the Five Kings]]
| date = {{Date|299}}
| place = mouth of the [[Blackwater Rush]] and [[King's Landing]]
| result = Decisive victory for [[House Baratheon of King's Landing]]
| colour_scheme =
| combatant2 = [[File:House Baratheon (Dragonstone).svg|33px]] '''[[House Baratheon of Dragonstone]]:''' 

[[Crownlands]]
*[[House Bar Emmon]]{{ref|asos|75}}
*[[House Celtigar]]{{ref|acok|65}}
*[[House Chyttering]]{{ref|asos|10}}
*[[House Farring]]{{ref|affc|Appendix}}{{ref|adwd|3}}
*[[House Follard]]{{ref|adwd|44}}
*[[House Massey]]{{ref|adwd|7}}
*[[House Velaryon]]{{ref|asos|25}}

[[Stormlands]]
*[[House Bolling]]{{ref|affc|44}}
*[[House Buckler]]{{ref|adwd|44}}
*[[House Caron]]{{ref|acok|65}}
*[[House Connington]]{{ref|acok|65}}
*[[House Errol]]{{ref|acok|42}}
*[[House Estermont]]{{ref|acok|52}}{{ref|acok|57}}
*[[House Fell]]{{ref|affc|Appendix}}{{ref|adwd|17}}
*[[House Gower]]{{ref|asos|54}}
*[[House Grandison]]{{ref|adwd|44}}
*[[House Hasty]]{{ref|acok|65}}{{ref|asos|Appendix}}{{ref|affc|27}}
*[[House Horpe]]<ref name=TWOW>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', [[Theon I (The Winds of Winter)|Theon I]]</ref>
*[[House Mertyns]]
*[[House Morrigen]]{{ref|acok|52}}{{ref|acok|62}}
*[[House Peasebury]]{{ref|adwd|42}}
*[[House Penrose]]
*[[House Seaworth]]{{ref|acok|58}}{{ref|asos|5}}
*[[House Selmy]]
*[[House Staedmon]]{{ref|acok|65}}
*[[House Wensington]]{{ref|asos|75}}
*[[House Wylde]]{{ref|adwd|61}}

[[Reach|The Reach]]
*[[House Florent]]
*[[House Fossoway of Cider Hall]]
*[[House Fossoway of New Barrel]]
*[[House Meadows]]
*[[House Mullendore]]
*[[House Varner]]
*[[House Willum]]
[[Salladhor Saan]]'s pirate fleet ([[Lys]]ene) 
[[Myr]]ish sellsails
| combatant1 = [[File:House Baratheon (King's Landing).svg|33px]] '''[[Iron Throne]]'''/ [[House Baratheon of King's Landing]]: 

'''King's Landing garrison:'''
[[City Watch of King's Landing|Gold cloaks]] 

[[Crownlands]]
*[[House Brune of Brownhollow]]{{ref|ACOK|65}}
*[[House Brune of the Dyre Den]]{{refn|group=N|name=CrownlandHouses|The Crownland Houses of Brune of the Dyre Den, Byrch, Hayford, Hogg, Rosby and Rykker are not directly mentioned at Blackwater, but as they are sworn directly to the Iron Throne, it is likely they took part in the battle or provided men to the City Watch.}}
*[[House Byrch]]{{refn|group=N|name=CrownlandHouses}}
*[[House Bywater]]{{ref|ASOS|19}}
*[[House Harte]]{{ref|ASOS|67}}
*[[House Hayford]]{{refn|group=N|name=CrownlandHouses}}
*[[House Hogg]]{{refn|group=N|name=CrownlandHouses}}
*[[House Kettleblack]]{{ref|ACOK|59}}
*[[House Rosby]]{{refn|group=N|name=CrownlandHouses}}
*[[House Rykker]]{{refn|group=N|name=CrownlandHouses}}
*[[House Stokeworth]]{{ref|ACOK|57}}

[[Vale mountain clans]]
*[[Black Ears]]{{ref|ACOK|49}}
*[[Burned Men]]{{ref|ACOK|49}}
*[[Moon Brothers]]{{ref|ACOK|49}}
*[[Stone Crows]]{{ref|ACOK|49}}

'''Relief force (late battle):'''
[[File:House Lannister.svg|30px]] [[Westerlands]], led by [[House Lannister]]
*[[House Banefort]]
*[[House Bettley]]
*[[House Brax]]{{ref|ACOK|65}}
*[[House Crakehall]]{{ref|ACOK|65}}
*[[House Falwell]]
*[[House Ferren]]
*[[House Foote]]{{ref|ACOK|65}}
*[[House Kenning of Kayce]]
*[[House Lannister of Lannisport]]
*[[House Lefford]]
*[[House Lydden]]{{ref|ACOK|65}}
*[[House Marbrand]]{{ref|ACOK|62}}{{ref|ACOK|65}}
*[[House Myatt]]
*[[House Payne]]{{ref|ACOK|61}}
*[[House Peckledon]]{{ref|ACOK|65}}
*[[House Plumm]]
*[[House Prester]]
*[[House Sarsfield]]
*[[House Serrett]]
*[[House Stackspear]]
*[[House Swyft]]
*[[House Turnberry]]
*[[House Yarwyck]]

[[File:House Tyrell.svg|30px]] [[Reach|The Reach]], led by [[House Tyrell]]
*[[House Ambrose]]
*[[House Beesbury]]
*[[House Blackbar]]
*[[House Bulwer]]
*[[House Bushy]]
*[[House Caswell]]
*[[House Costayne]]
*[[House Cuy]]
*[[House Dunn]]
*[[House Footly]]
*[[House Graceford]]
*[[House Hightower]]
*[[House Hunt]]
*[[House Inchfield]]
*[[House Leygood]]
*[[House Merryweather]]
*[[House Norcross]]
*[[House Oakheart]]
*[[House Peake]]
*[[House Redwyne]]
*[[House Rowan]]
*[[House Shermer]]
*[[House Tarly]]
*[[House Webber]]
*[[House Wythers]]
| commander2 = '''Force on land:'''
*King [[Stannis Baratheon]]
*Ser [[Guyard Morrigen]]†
*Ser [[Rolland Storm]]
'''Fleet:'''
*Ser [[Imry Florent]]†
*[[Salladhor Saan]]
| commander1 =
'''King's Landing garrison:'''
*Lord [[Tyrion Lannister]] (WIA)
*Lord [[Jacelyn Bywater]]†
*[[Sandor Clegane]]
'''Relief force:'''
*Lord [[Mace Tyrell]]
*Ser [[Garlan Tyrell]]
*Lord [[Randyll Tarly]]
*Lord [[Tywin Lannister]]
| strength2 = '''Force on land:'''
* ~16,400 cavalry mainly from the [[Reach]], and some from the [[Stormlands]] and [[Crownlands]]{{refn|group=N|Stannis originally had an army of five thousand men, but he claims to have twenty thousand men after Renly's death has caused a large part of his men to join Stannis. According to Davos, Stannis has “nearly twenty thousand” cavalry alone.{{ref|ACOK|58}} If true, this would mean Stannis had close to 25,000 soldiers in total, though Stannis claims to only have about 20,000 men immediately after Renly's death;{{ref|ACOK|42}} this would indicate that either Davos mistaken/rounding up, Stannis was rounding down, or that more men joined Stannis soon after he said he had 20,000. However, Tyrion states that four fifths of the cavalry present joined Stannis, which from a force of 20,000 would equate to 16,000 men, giving Stannis ~21,000 total when his original 5,000 are added, which lends credence to Stannis's figure ~20,000 being closer to the truth than Davos's ~25,000. Additionally, Stannis's force on land is referred to by Davos as being entirely mounted and making better pace than an infantry force as a result;{{ref|ACOK|58}} since Stannis's original host numbered 4,600 infantry and 400 cavalry{{ref|ACOK|22}} before being joined by ~16,000 of Renly's cavalry, this would mean his force on land totaled 16,400 soldiers, with his original infantry (mainly consisting of "companies of spearmen and archers",{{ref|ACOK|22}} as opposed to the knights and man-at-arms that make up the bulk of his main host) being confined to his ships.}}
'''Fleet:'''
* ~4,600 embarked infantry of Stannis's original host, from the [[crownlands]], [[Lys]], and [[Myr]]{{Ref|ACOK|31}}
~200 ships:{{refn|group=N|Stannis' fleet consists of ten battlelines of twenty ships,{{ref|ACOK|58}} bringing the total amount of ship to two hundred.}}
* 60 war galleys of the [[royal fleet]] and Crownlords{{refn|group=N|The first three lines of twenty are made up of Westerosi war galleys. Out of these sixty ships, at least nine are known to belong to the lords of the Narrow Sea (''[[Pride of Driftmark]]'', ''[[Bold Laughter]]'', ''[[Harridan]]'', and ''[[Seahorse]]'' from [[House Velaryon]]; ''[[Red Claw]]'' from [[House Celtigar]]; ''[[Swordfish]]'' from [[House Bar Emmon]]; ''[[Piety]]'', ''[[Prayer]]'', and ''[[Devotion]]'', commandeered from [[House Sunglass]]).}}
* ~40 smaller Myrish sellsail war galleys{{ref|ACOK|17}}{{refn|group=N|name=Myrish|Described as a smaller contingent "the smaller, slower Myrish contingent".{{ref|ACOK|58}} As the fleet is stated in the same chapter to be divided into ten lines of twenty, this means the Myrmen have at most forty ships, but possibly as few as twenty.}}
* ~100 commandeered transport vessels taken from traders (carracks and lumbering great cogs){{Ref|ACOK|58}}{{ref|ACOK|1}}
* 25 Lysene pirate galleys{{refn|group=N|The Lyseni Salladhor Saan commands his [[Valyrian]] and two dozen smaller galleys.{{ref|ACOK|0}}}}
| strength1 = '''King's Landing garrison:''' 7,000-8,000
* 5,700 [[City Watch of King's Landing|gold cloaks]]{{refn|group=N|name=goldcloaks|The city watch contains six thousand men, although only two thousand of these, who had received their gold cloak from Robert, are seasoned men.{{Ref|ACOK|49}} Three hundred gold cloaks later escort Petyr Baelish to Bitterbridge,{{Ref|ACOK|36}} leaving only five thousand seven hundred.}}
* ~800 sellswords{{Ref|acok|49}}
*[[Stokeworth]] and [[Rosby]] contingents{{Ref|ACOK|49}}{{Ref|ACOK|57}}
* 300 knights, squires and men-at-arms{{Ref|ACOK|49}}
* 150 mountain clansmen (harassed Stannis's army during the march)
* "Hundreds" of scorpions, catapaults, and ballistae manned by hundreds of engineers{{ref|ACOK|17}}
'''Lannister navy:''' 57+ ships
* 45 war galleys of the [[royal fleet]]{{refn|group=N|Stannis has ten lines of twenty ships, bringing his total to ~200; Stannis has four times more ships than Joffrey, giving Joffrey ~50 ships of the royal fleet. (The Baratheon forces would have no information regarding the trading vessels seized on Tyrion's command.) However, unbeknownst to Stannis and his men, five of these ships (''[[King Robert's Hammer]]'', ''[[Seaswift]]'', ''[[Lionstar]]'', ''[[Bold Wind]]'', and ''[[Lady Lyanna]]'') have departed King’s Landing long before to escort Myrcella to Braavos.{{Ref|ACOK|41}} When the Battle of the Blackwater takes place, they have not yet returned.{{Ref|ACOK|58}}}}
* At least 12 vessels taken from traders{{Ref|ACOK|49}}
* A "swarm" of hulks, barges, skiffs, ferries, wherries, and rowboats laden with [[wildfire]]{{Ref|AFFC|58}}
'''Relief force:'''
* ~50,000-70,000 Tyrell men{{refn|group=N|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}} The forces of House Tyrell make up the majority of Renly's forces. Catelyn Stark says that Renly's cavalry includes at least ten thousand heavy lancers,{{Ref|ACOK|33}} and that it accompanies him to Storm's End to lift the siege, while his foot, according to Stannis near sixty thousand strong,{{Ref|ACOK|42}} remains at Bitterbridge when Renly goes to lift the siege of Storm’s End. As Renly previously stated that the total of his men at Bitterbridge numbered eighty thousand, this would make his cavalry at Storm's End 20,000 strong. As only one fifth of Renly's knights did not join Stannis,{{Ref|ACOK|36}} Stannis would have gained ~16,000 troops, bringing his total force to ~21,000. 
Of those who remain, some — chiefly those of [[House Florent]] — are put to death by Lord [[Randyll Tarly]] after Renly's death.{{Ref|ACOK|42}}{{Ref|ACOK|44}} As House Florent can field two thousand men at best,{{Ref|ACOK|0}} this would reduce Renly's foot to fifty-eight thousand at a minimum. A fifth of the knights that had accompanied Renly to Storm's End return to join the other forces from the Reach,{{Ref|ACOK|36}} but how many of his ten (of fifteen) thousand cavalry had been knights is unknown. Mace Tyrell's additional ten thousand at Highgarden would bring the total to ~70,000 soldiers from House Tyrell.
 [[Petyr Baelish]] tells [[Joffrey Baratheon]]'s [[small council]] that Mace Tyrell can field fifty thousand swords.{{Ref|ACOK|36}} According to Tyrion Lannister, some fifty to seventy thousand [[House Tyrell|Tyrell soldiers]] are in the King's Landing vicinity after the Battle of the Blackwater.{{Ref|asos|38}}}}
* ~20,000 Lannister men{{refn|group=N|Tywin's host originally is 20,000 men strong.{{Ref|agot|56}} Despite desertions and insurgency in the riverlands, and many minor sieges and skirmishes, he still has about the same number before the [[Battle of the Fords]].{{Ref|asos|45}} Despite casualties during the battle, Tywin is later said to have twenty thousand swords in King's Landing,{{Ref|asos|38}} suggesting he either gained men or did not lose a significant amount.}}
| casualties2 = [[#Notable Casualties|See below]]
* 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's remaining fleet
* 47 Lesser lordlings killed{{Ref|ASOS|19}}
* 619 knights killed{{Ref|ASOS|19}}
* Several thousand men-at-arms killed{{Ref|ASOS|19}}
* Several thousand men-at-arms left behind for lack of space on Saan's fleet{{ref|adwd|66}}
* Most of the ~15,000 stormlanders and men of the Reach who had previously supported Renly abandoned Stannis{{Ref|ASOS|4}} by the hundreds{{Ref|ASOS|10}}
| casualties1 = [[#Notable Casualties|See below]]
'''King's Landing garrison:''' Heavy
* 1,600 gold cloaks killed or deserted{{refn|group=N|Following the deaths from and the desertions during the battle, the city watch only contains some forty-four hundred men,{{Ref|ASOS|4}} where it had numbered six thousand before.{{Ref|acok|49}}}}
* Majority of the sellswords and knights/men-at-arms killed{{refn|group=N|Sandor Clegane loses half his knights and sellswords.{{Ref|acok|59}} Tyrion Lannister leads another sally, which is nearly wiped out.{{Ref|acok|61}}}}
'''King's Landing navy:''' Heavy
* 39+ royal war galleys{{Ref|AFFC|17}} destroyed, associated crews and marines all killed
* All hulks, barges, skiffs, ferries, wherries, and rowboats destroyed
'''Relief force:''' Minimal
}}

The '''Battle of the Blackwater'''{{ref|ASOS|16}} is the largest battle in the [[War of the Five Kings]]. The battle is fought between the forces loyal to [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I Baratheon]], the King on the [[Iron Throne]], and those loyal to [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis I Baratheon]], the King in the [[Narrow Sea]]. After [[Siege of Storm's End (299)#Regicide|eliminating]] his younger brother [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]], a rival claimaint to the Iron Throne, Stannis gains the loyalty of nearly all of the [[Stormlands|Stormlords]] and [[Reach|Reach lords]] and advances on [[King's Landing]] by land and sea, intent on seizing the city and taking control of the Iron Trone.

==Prelude==
Convinced that Joffrey Baratheon is not King [[Robert I Baratheon]]'s son, Stannis believes his claim to the [[Iron Throne]] is the true one. However, he lacks the strength to attack King's Landing, as few [[House Baratheon of Dragonstone#Sworn to Dragonstone|Houses are sworn to Dragonstone]] and the rocky, volcanic islands surrounding Dragonstone have a sparse population, and the men of the [[stormlands]] have given their support to his younger brother [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]], the [[Lord of Storm's End]], who has proclaimed himself king as well. Additionally, Renly has taken [[Margaery Tyrell]] to wife, which has earned him the support of the men from the [[Reach]] as well.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} On Dragonstone, the red priestess [[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.{{Ref|ACOK|42}}

[[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]] arrives in the [[stormlands]] with his five thousand men and [[Siege of Storm's End (299)|lays siege]] to the coastal fortress [[Storm's End]], the seat of his younger brother, [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]].{{ref|ACOK|22}}{{Ref|ACOK|25}} Renly is at [[Bitterbridge]] with his army when news reaches his camp. He splits his forces and rides with some twenty thousand cavalry to Storm's End to break the siege.{{ref|ACOK|31}} After a failed parlay in which neither brother will yield, the battle is set at dawn.{{ref|ACOK|31}} However, that night Renly is killed by a [[shadow assassin]] summoned by [[Melisandre]].{{Ref|ACOK|33}} With Renly dead, the majority of the host that had accompanied him to Storm's End swears their allegiance to Stannis.{{ref|ACOK|36}} [[House Florent]] and both branches of [[House Fossoway]] also defect to Stannis, but a fifth of Renly’s knights returns to Bitterbridge with Ser [[Loras Tyrell]].{{ref|ACOK|36}} The siege continues, as Storm's End's castellan, Ser [[Cortnay Penrose]], refuses to yield the castle to Stannis{{ref|ACOK|36}} because he fears for the safety of King [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert]]'s [[bastard]] son [[Edric Storm]].{{Ref|ACOK|42}} To end the siege quickly, Ser [[Davos Seaworth]] smuggles Melisandre under the castle by boat, where she summons another shadow to assassinate Cortnay.{{ref|ACOK|42}} After Cortnay's death, the castle yields, leaving Stannis free to advance on [[King's Landing]].{{ref|ACOK|44}}{{Ref|ACOK|45}}

Sixty thousand men from Renly's army are still encamped at Bitterbridge, and when news of Renly's death reaches them,{{Ref|ACOK|42}} fighting breaks out between Stannis' supporters and Renly's loyalists led by the vengeful Loras Tyrell. [[Parmen Crane]] and [[Erren Florent]] – the two knights sent by Stannis to retrieve the army for him{{Ref|ACOK|42}} – are taken prisoner,{{Ref|ASOS|Appendix}} while Lord [[Randyll Tarly]] seizes the supplies and puts many men, mostly Florents, to death.{{ref|acok|44}} In [[King's Landing]], the [[small council]] of King Joffrey decides to attempt to make an alliance with [[House Tyrell]] by offering to marry Joffrey to Margaery. [[Petyr Baelish]], representing King Joffrey I,{{ref|ACOK|36}} travels to Bitterbridge and wins the allegiance of [[House Tyrell]]. Riders are sent north to warn Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] of Stannis's threat to the capital.{{ref|ASOS|14}}

Meanwhile, [[Robb Stark]] attacks the [[westerlands]], hoping to lure Lord Tywin Lannister, who had been residing at [[Harrenhal]] with his twenty thousand men, away from [[King's Landing]] while King Stannis attacks the city from the south. Stannis's victory would mean the end of King [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I]], Queen [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]], and acting [[Hand of the King|Hand]] [[Tyrion Lannister]], breaking Lannister power.{{Ref|ASOS|14}} Tywin begins his march west,{{Ref|ACOK|39}} but Lord [[Edmure Tully]], unaware of Robb's plan,{{Ref|ASOS|14}} refuses to allow the Lannisters to cross the [[Trident]] without [[Battle of the Fords|giving battle]] and places an army of eleven thousand men at the key fords along the [[Red Fork]].{{Ref|ACOK|39}} After several probing attacks, Lord Tywin attempts to force a crossing in a dozen places. Unable to cross the river, Tywin is forced to retreat.{{Ref|ACOK|45}} This delays Tywin just long enough for riders out of Bitterbridge to reach him with word of Stannis's threat to King's Landing.{{Ref|ASOS|14}}

In preparation of the defense of King's Landing, [[Cersei Lannister]] has arranged for the production of vast amounts of [[wildfire]],{{Ref|ACOK|3}} while [[Tyrion Lannister]] has commissioned a great chain boom across the mouth of the [[Blackwater Rush]].{{Ref|ACOK|15}} The [[City Watch of King's Landing|City Watch]] is tripled in size,{{ref|acok|3}} sellswords are hired,{{ref|acok|8}} contingents of soldiers are send from [[Rosby]] and [[Stokeworth]],{{Ref|ACOK|49}}{{Ref|ACOK|57}} and hundreds of scorpions, spitfires, and catapults are constructed and placed on the walls.{{ref|acok|3}}{{ref|ACOK|31}} Tyrion further sends out his hundred and fifty [[Vale mountain clans]]men to harass Stannis' flanks and kill his scouts in the [[kingswood]].{{ref|acok|52}} Stannis's vanguard arrives at the city 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]].{{Ref|aCoK|52}}

Treacherous waters and inclement weather delay Stannis's fleet on its northward journey from Storm's End. A dozen ships are lost on the journey to [[Blackwater Bay]]. Stannis gives command of the fleet to Ser [[Imry Florent]], who commands from Stannis's [[ships|galley]], the ''[[Fury]]''. Stannis himself is on the south side of the Blackwater with his host, making them create arrows and rafts.{{Ref|aCoK|58}}

==The Battle==
[[File:King's Landing Map BattleoftheBlackwater.png|thumb|350px|Map of King's Landing during the Battle of the Blackwater 
'' '''I.''' The [[Red Keep]]; '''II.''' [[Great Sept of Baelor]] upon [[Visenya's Hill]]; '''III.''' [[Dragonpit]] upon [[Rhaenys's Hill]]; '''IV.''' Western baracks of the [[City Watch]]; '''V.''' Eastern baracks of the [[City Watch]] ''
 '''1.''' Stannis' fleet enters the river from Blackwater Bay; Only the ships of [[Salladhor Saan]] remain behind; '''2.''' Once the first lines have passed, the defenders of King's Landing begin raising the chain; By the time the entire fleet has passed, the chain has been raised completely; '''3.''' When Stannis' ships engage Joffrey's fleet, the ships are lit afire with [[wildfire]]; '''4.''' Skirmishes start in [[Flea Bottom]]; '''5.''' King [[Joffrey I Baratheon]] travels to the trebuchets ("the Whores") to launch the [[Antler Men]]; '''6.''' Survivors from Stannis' fleet land on the riverfront and take a ram to the King's Gate; 7. The burning and broken ships have pilled together, creating a bridge of ships allowing Stannis' vanguard to cross the river; '''8.''' An army of [[westermen]] and men from the [[Reach]] arrives to take the forces of Stannis Baratheon in the rear; '''9.''' Seeing the battle is lost, Salladhor Saan, who kept his ships in the bay, lands his ships, allowing Stannis and ~1500 men to retreat.]]
===Battle on the River===
The battle opens when Stannis's admiral, Ser [[Imry Florent]], leads Stannis' fleet up the river to engage Joffrey's ships. They enter visual range of the city in the late afternoon.{{Ref|ACOK|58}} 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 the [[Lysene]] galleys of [[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 are made up of war galleys belonging to the royal navy and the lords of the narrow sea. Behind them sails the smaller [[Myr]]ish contingent, who are 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.{{Ref|aCoK|58}} Ser [[Davos Seaworth]] realizes that the two watchtowers at the mouth of the Blackwater Rush are newly build, and he notices the chain in the water.{{ref|ACOK|58}} The fleet continues forward nonetheless. From within the city, pots of pitch are flung at the ships, and the trebuchets located within the city start to fling stones.{{Ref|ACOK|58}}
[[File:Battle of the Blackwater.jpg|400px|thumb|The wildfire burns the Blackwater - by Amok ©]]
[[Tyrion Lannister]] has ordered several of Joffrey's ships to be filled with wildfire. Stannis' fleet is lured further in the bay when Joffrey's pull back. When they engage the fleet of King's Landing, the ships and the river are soon afire. The wildfire destroys nearly every ship in both fleets. To their horror, the men on Stannis' ship discover that the great chain has been raised behind them, cutting off their retreat.{{Ref|ACOK|58}} However, as Ser Imry's first two battle lines had been well upstream of the fire when the hulks went up, some thirty or forty galleys are able to escape the inferno at first.{{Ref|ACOK|59}} Eight ships manage to land under the city walls and put men ashore, while many of the [[Myr]]men escape the flames by sailing for the south bank.{{Ref|ACOK|59}}

===Attack on King's Landing===
The city itself is defended by some five thousand seven hundred [[gold cloaks]],{{refn|group=N|name=goldcloaks}} leavened with eight hundred mercenaries and three hundred 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]].{{Ref|aCoK|49}}

At the start of the battle, some small skirmishes arise within the city when some drunkards in [[Flea Bottom]] smash doors and climb into houses. Lord [[Jacelyn Bywater]] sends his gold cloaks to deal with them.{{Ref|ACOK|60}} When rich merchants and such gather in the square before the [[Red Keep]], asking for refuge in the castle, Queen Regent Cersei Lannister commands the gates be kept close.{{Ref|ACOK|60}}

Tyrion tasks several groups of mounted men-at-arms, along with what few [[knight]]s 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. Tyrion and King [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I Baratheon]] look on from the Mud Gate how the fleet goes up in flames. After King Joffrey leaves to shoot the [[Antler Men]] from [[Three Whores|the trebuchets]], guarded by Ser [[Meryn Trant]] and Ser [[Osmund Kettleblack]], Tyrion learns of Stannis' men having landed on the tourney grounds, who are preparing to ram the King's Gate. He arrives at the Mud Gate where Sandor Clegane, who had already led three sorties in which he has lost half his men, refuses to go out again. The [[wildfire]] raging across the river has robbed Clegane of his courage, and his refusal to lead any more sorties threatens to break the morale of the defenders. As they need to hold the river at all costs, Tyrion decides to lead the next sortie himself. Shamed into action by the dwarf's display of courage, several defenders gather to Tyrion's side.{{Ref|AGOT|59}}

While Tyrion is leading the sortie at the King's Gate, the Mud Gate falls under attack as well.{{Ref|ACOK|60}} Queen Regent Cersei Lannister orders King Joffrey, who is still at the trebuchets near the gate, to be brought back to the castle.{{Ref|ACOK|60}} When the defenders see their 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.{{Ref|ASOS|4}} Tyrion manages to disperse the attackers at the [[King's Gate]] and makes for the [[Mud Gate]]. When Ser [[Balon Swann]] points out that the galleys on the river which had smashed into each other have tangled together, creating a bridge of ships, which is being used by Stannis' boldest knights to cross the river, they take the fight to the riverfront.{{Ref|aCoK|61}} Tyrion eventually finds himself on the bridge of ships, when it is about to collapse. He is severely wounded by Ser [[Mandon Moore]] of the [[Kingsguard]], who had been Tyrion's sworn shield throughout the battle.{{Ref|aCoK|61}} Moore is killed by Tyrion's squire, [[Podrick Payne]].{{Ref|acok|61}}{{Ref|acok|67}}

With the bridge breaking up and their Hand lost in battle, the defenders retreat within the city walls.{{Ref|aSoS|4}} At this point, after only a few hours of resistance, the battle seems to be lost to Tyrion, though at this time he also sees Stannis's army seemingly fighting itself on the other side of the river.

===Renly's ghost===
Having learned of Stannis' approaching attack on King's Landing and the alliance between then Iron Throne and [[House Lannister]], Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] has marched his host south. Near the headwaters of the [[Blackwater Rush]] he joins up with Lords [[Mathis Rowan]] and [[Randyll Tarly]], from where they force a march to [[Tumbler's Falls]], where they find Lord [[Mace Tyrell]] and his sons wait with their huge host and a fleet of barges. Together, the Lannisters and Tyrells float down the river to disembark half a day's ride from the capital.{{Ref|ASOS|14}} They arrive at the battle scene at dusk,{{Ref|acok|61}} taking Stannis' army from the rear. Lord Tywin leads the right wing on the north side of the river, while Randyll Tarly commands the center and Mace Tyrell the left.{{Ref|ACOK|62}} However, it is their vanguard, led by Ser [[Garlan Tyrell]],{{Ref|ASOS|67}} which plunges through Stannis' army. Dressed in the recognizable armor of the deceased [[Renly Baratheon]], his former supporters, convinced their dead lord has returned, abandon Stannis.{{Ref|ACOK|62}} "Renly's shade" kills Ser [[Guyard Morrigen]], who leads Stannis' van.{{Ref|ACOK|62}}
[[File:T Jedruszek DefendersOfKingsLanding.jpg|350px|thumb|right|Lannister soldiers defending King's Landing – by Tomasz Jedruszek. © Fantasy Flight Games]]
Seeing that the battle has turned bad, Salladhor Saan puts his ships, which had been kept out in the bay, in along the shore, taking as many people as will fit.{{Ref|asos|4}} [[Rolland Storm]] leads a rearguard action, allowing Stannis and several hundreds of his men, about half of Florents, to reach the ships.{{Ref|aSoS|54}} As Saan’s ship can only take a limited amount of men, thousands are left behind due to lack of space,{{Ref|adwd|66}} and towards the end, men begin to kill each other to get aboard and escape.{{Ref|asos|4}}

==Aftermath==
The Battle of the Blackwater is a major defeat for Stannis. He retreats to Dragonstone with only a fraction of his army, and only Saan’s ships.

Most of those captured during the battle bend the knee to Joffrey, including men sworn to Dragonstone. During a court session, Ser [[Garlan Tyrell]] publicly asks Joffrey to take his sister Margaery to bride, and Joffrey, as previously agreed upon, fakes unwillingness to break his betrothal to [[Sansa Stark]] until the High Septon and small council agree that he is allowed to do so. Multiple honors and rewards are given to the participants and survivors of the battle by King Joffrey and his small council:

* Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] is proclaimed ''"[[Savior of the City]]"'', and openly accepts the responsibility of the governance of the realm, officially resuming his office as [[Hand of the King]].{{Ref|acok|65}}
* Ser [[Loras Tyrell]] is given a place in the [[Kingsguard]], replacing Ser [[Mandon Moore]].
* Lord [[Mace Tyrell]] is granted a seat on the [[small council]],{{Ref|acok|65}} as [[master of ships]].{{ref|asos|appendix}}
* Ser [[Garlan Tyrell]], the titles, lands and incomes of [[House Florent]], including lordship of [[Brightwater Keep]].{{Ref|asos|19}}
* Lords [[Mathis Rowan]] and [[Paxter Redwyne]] seats on the small council as advisers.{{Ref|asos|19}}
* Ser [[Philip Foote]], the lands, rights and incomes of [[House Caron]], including Lordship of [[Nightsong]] as Lord Foote, for slaying Lord [[Bryce Caron]].{{Ref|acok|65}}
* [[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 Fossoway|Bryan]] and Ser [[Edwyd Fossoway]] after fighting past half a hundred Fossoway men-at-arms.{{Ref|acok|65}}
* [[Josmyn Peckledon]], a sword and suit of plate and a warhorse of the royal stables as well as a [[knight]]hood when coming of age, for killing two knights, wounding a third and capturing two more.{{Ref|acok|65}}
* Goodman [[Willit]], a [[House Swyft|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]].{{Ref|acok|65}}
* [[Wisdom]] [[Hallyne]], raised to lordship, albeit without lands or castle.{{Ref|acok|65}}
* Ser [[Lancel Lannister]], granted the lands, castle and rights of [[House Darry]] as Lord of [[Darry]].{{Ref|acok|65}}
* 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]].{{Ref|acok|65}}
* Surviving captains from Joffrey's warships ''[[River Arrow]]'', ''[[Wildwind]]'' and ''[[Prince Aemon]]'', and under officers from ''[[Godsgrace (ship)|Godsgrace]]'', ''[[Ramshead]]'', ''[[Lance]]'' and ''[[Lady of Silk]]'', honored by the crown.{{ref|ACOK|65}}
* More than six hundred men are knighted by the [[Kingsguard]],{{Ref|acok|65}} including sellsword [[Bronn]], raised to [[knight]]hood as Ser Bronn of the Blackwater, and [[Osfryd Kettleblack|Osfryd]] and [[Osney Kettleblack]].{{Ref|asos|4}}

==Hostages and casualties==
[[File:John_Picacio_Tyrion.jpg‎|[[Tyrion Lannister]] during the Battle of the Blackwater ‎- © 2012 John Picacio|thumb|250px|right]]
===Hostages===
{{Columns|2|
* Lord [[Ardrian Celtigar]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* Lord [[Alesander Staedmon]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* Lord [[Steffon Varner]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* Lord [[House Willum|Willum]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* Ser [[Eldon Estermont]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* Ser [[Mark Mullendore]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* Ser [[Tanton Fossoway]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* Ser [[Donnel Swann]], gets ransomed and bends the knee to Joffrey
* Ser [[Ronnet Connington]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* Ser [[Jon Fossoway]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* Ser [[Bonifer Hasty]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* Ser [[Dermot]] of the [[Rainwood]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* Ser [[Timon]], "the Scrapesword", bends the knee to Joffrey
* [[Josua Willum]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* [[Elyas Willum]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* [[Aurane Waters]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* A bastard of [[House Florent]], remains defiant and is executed{{ref|acok|65}}
* Ser [[Shadrich]] of the Shady Glen, ransoms himself
}}

===Notable Casualties===
====Lannister/Tyrell forces====
{{Columns|3|
* Ser [[Mandon Moore]]
* Ser [[Jacelyn Bywater]]
* Ser [[Ben Bushy]]
* Ser [[Richard Farrow]]
* Ser [[Will (Stork)|Will the Stork]]
}}
====Stannis' forces====
{{Columns|3|
* Ser [[Imry Florent]]
* Ser [[Guyard Morrigen]]
* Lord [[Monford Velaryon]]
* Lord [[Bryce Caron]]
* Lord [[House Chyttering|Chyttering]]
* Ser [[Bryan Fossoway]]
* Ser [[Edwyd Fossoway]]
* Ser [[Herbert Bolling]]
* [[Dale Seaworth]]
* [[Allard Seaworth]]
* [[Maric Seaworth]]
* [[Matthos Seaworth]]
}}

===Ships===  
====King Joffrey====
{{Columns|3|
* ''[[Kingslander]]''
* ''[[Godsgrace (ship)|Godsgrace]]''
* ''[[Prince Aemon]]''
* ''[[Lady of Silk]]''
* ''[[Lady's Shame]]''
* ''[[Wildwind]]''
* ''[[Lance]]''
* ''[[Seaflower]]''
* ''[[White Hart]]''
* ''[[Loyal Man]]''
* ''[[Queen Cersei]]''
* ''[[River Arrow]]''
* ''[[Ramshead]]''
}}
====King Stannis====
{{Columns|3|
*''[[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 (ship)|Valyrian]]''
}}

==Quotes==
{{quote|A wall of red-hot steel, blazing wood, and swirling [[wildfire|green flame]] stretched before him. The mouth of the [[Blackwater Rush]] had turned into the mouth of hell.{{ref|ACOK|58}}|[[Davos Seaworth]]'s thoughts}}

{{Quote|We're delivered, [[Sansa Stark|sweetling]]! They came up the [[roseroad]] and along the riverbank, through all the fields [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]] had burned, the ashes puffing up around their boots and turning all their armor grey, but oh! the banners must have been bright, the [[House Tyrell|golden rose]] and [[House Lannister|golden lion]] and all the others, the [[House Marbrand|Marbrand]] tree and the [[House Rowan|Rowan]], [[House Tarly|Tarly's]] huntsman and [[House Redwyne|Redwyne]] grapes and [[Arwyn Oakheart|Lady Oakheart's]] leaf. All the [[westermen]], all the power of [[Highgarden]] and [[Casterly Rock]]! [[Tywin Lannister|Lord Tywin]] himself had their right wing on the north side of the river, with [[Randyll Tarly]] commanding the center and [[Mace Tyrell]] the left, but the vanguard won the fight. They plunged through Stannis like a lance through a pumpkin, every man of them howling like some demon in steel. And do you know who led the vanguard? Do you? Do you? Do you? It was [[Renly Baratheon|Lord Renly]]! Lord Renly in his green armor, with the fires 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!{{ref|acok|62}}|[[Dontos Hollard]] to [[Sansa Stark]]}}

{{Quote|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?{{Ref|aSoS|4}}|[[Tyrion Lannister]]'s thoughts}}

{{Quote|That chain of yours, that was cunning.{{Ref|aSoS|19}}|[[Mace Tyrell]] to Tyrion Lannister}}

{{quote|Too many good men died that day.{{ref|ADWD|66}}|[[Tyrion Lannister]] to [[Kem]]}}

==See also==
:*[[:Category:Images of the Battle of the Blackwater|Images of the Battle of the Blackwater]]

==Notes==
{{Notes}}

==References==
{{references|2}}

{{War of the Five Kings}}

[[Category:Battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:War of the Five Kings|Blackwater]]
[[Category:Crownlands]]
[[Category:King's Landing]]
[[Category:House Bar Emmon battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Baratheon battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Brax battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Caron battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Celtigar battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Chyttering battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Connington battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Crakehall battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Errol battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Estermont battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Florent battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Foote battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Fossoway of Cider Hall battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Fossoway of New Barrel battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Hasty battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Horpe battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Lannister battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Lydden battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Marbrand battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Massey battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Meadows battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Morrigen battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Mullendore battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Oakheart battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Redwyne battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Rosby battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Rowan battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Seaworth battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Staedmon battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Stokeworth battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Tarly battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Tyrell battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Varner battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Velaryon battles|Blackwater]]

[[es:Batalla del Aguasnegras]]
[[fr:Bataille de la Néra]]
[[ru:Битва на Черноводной]]
[[zh:黑水河之役]]

Battle of the Blackwater

2019-06-02T12:21:12Z

Nihlus:

{{Battlebox collapsible
| image = [[File:T Jedruszek BattleoftheB ship.jpg|350px]]
| caption = by Tomasz Jedruszek. © Fantasy Flight Games
| battle_name = Battle of the Blackwater
| conflict = [[War of the Five Kings]]
| date = {{Date|299}}
| place = mouth of the [[Blackwater Rush]] and [[King's Landing]]
| result = Decisive victory for [[House Baratheon of King's Landing]]
| colour_scheme =
| combatant2 = [[File:House Baratheon (Dragonstone).svg|33px]] '''[[House Baratheon of Dragonstone]]:''' 

[[Crownlands]]
*[[House Bar Emmon]]{{ref|asos|75}}
*[[House Celtigar]]{{ref|acok|65}}
*[[House Chyttering]]{{ref|asos|10}}
*[[House Farring]]{{ref|affc|Appendix}}{{ref|adwd|3}}
*[[House Follard]]{{ref|adwd|44}}
*[[House Massey]]{{ref|adwd|7}}
*[[House Velaryon]]{{ref|asos|25}}

[[Stormlands]]
*[[House Bolling]]{{ref|affc|44}}
*[[House Buckler]]{{ref|adwd|44}}
*[[House Caron]]{{ref|acok|65}}
*[[House Connington]]{{ref|acok|65}}
*[[House Errol]]{{ref|acok|42}}
*[[House Estermont]]{{ref|acok|52}}{{ref|acok|57}}
*[[House Fell]]{{ref|affc|Appendix}}{{ref|adwd|17}}
*[[House Gower]]{{ref|asos|54}}
*[[House Grandison]]{{ref|adwd|44}}
*[[House Hasty]]{{ref|acok|65}}{{ref|asos|Appendix}}{{ref|affc|27}}
*[[House Horpe]]<ref name=TWOW>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', [[Theon I (The Winds of Winter)|Theon I]]</ref>
*[[House Mertyns]]
*[[House Morrigen]]{{ref|acok|52}}{{ref|acok|62}}
*[[House Peasebury]]{{ref|adwd|42}}
*[[House Penrose]]
*[[House Seaworth]]{{ref|acok|58}}{{ref|asos|5}}
*[[House Selmy]]
*[[House Staedmon]]{{ref|acok|65}}
*[[House Wensington]]{{ref|asos|75}}
*[[House Wylde]]{{ref|adwd|61}}

[[Reach|The Reach]]
*[[House Florent]]
*[[House Fossoway of Cider Hall]]
*[[House Fossoway of New Barrel]]
*[[House Meadows]]
*[[House Mullendore]]
*[[House Varner]]
*[[House Willum]]
[[Salladhor Saan]]'s pirate fleet ([[Lys]]ene) 
[[Myr]]ish sellsails
| combatant1 = [[File:House Baratheon (King's Landing).svg|33px]] '''[[Iron Throne]]'''/ [[House Baratheon of King's Landing]]: 

'''King's Landing garrison:'''
[[City Watch of King's Landing|Gold cloaks]] 

[[Crownlands]]
*[[House Brune of Brownhollow]]{{ref|ACOK|65}}
*[[House Brune of the Dyre Den]]{{refn|group=N|name=CrownlandHouses|The Crownland Houses of Brune of the Dyre Den, Byrch, Hayford, Hogg, Rosby and Rykker are not directly mentioned at Blackwater, but as they are sworn directly to the Iron Throne, it is likely they took part in the battle or provided men to the City Watch.}}
*[[House Byrch]]{{refn|group=N|name=CrownlandHouses}}
*[[House Bywater]]{{ref|ASOS|19}}
*[[House Harte]]{{ref|ASOS|67}}
*[[House Hayford]]{{refn|group=N|name=CrownlandHouses}}
*[[House Hogg]]{{refn|group=N|name=CrownlandHouses}}
*[[House Kettleblack]]{{ref|ACOK|59}}
*[[House Rosby]]{{refn|group=N|name=CrownlandHouses}}
*[[House Rykker]]{{refn|group=N|name=CrownlandHouses}}
*[[House Stokeworth]]{{ref|ACOK|57}}

[[Vale mountain clans]]
*[[Black Ears]]{{ref|ACOK|49}}
*[[Burned Men]]{{ref|ACOK|49}}
*[[Moon Brothers]]{{ref|ACOK|49}}
*[[Stone Crows]]{{ref|ACOK|49}}

'''Relief force (late battle):'''
[[File:House Lannister.svg|30px]] [[Westerlands]], led by [[House Lannister]]
*[[House Banefort]]
*[[House Bettley]]
*[[House Brax]]{{ref|ACOK|65}}
*[[House Crakehall]]{{ref|ACOK|65}}
*[[House Falwell]]
*[[House Ferren]]
*[[House Foote]]{{ref|ACOK|65}}
*[[House Kenning of Kayce]]
*[[House Lannister of Lannisport]]
*[[House Lefford]]
*[[House Lydden]]{{ref|ACOK|65}}
*[[House Marbrand]]{{ref|ACOK|62}}{{ref|ACOK|65}}
*[[House Myatt]]
*[[House Payne]]{{ref|ACOK|61}}
*[[House Peckledon]]{{ref|ACOK|65}}
*[[House Plumm]]
*[[House Prester]]
*[[House Sarsfield]]
*[[House Serrett]]
*[[House Stackspear]]
*[[House Swyft]]
*[[House Turnberry]]
*[[House Yarwyck]]

[[File:House Tyrell.svg|30px]] [[Reach|The Reach]], led by [[House Tyrell]]
*[[House Ambrose]]
*[[House Beesbury]]
*[[House Blackbar]]
*[[House Bulwer]]
*[[House Bushy]]
*[[House Caswell]]
*[[House Costayne]]
*[[House Cuy]]
*[[House Dunn]]
*[[House Footly]]
*[[House Graceford]]
*[[House Hightower]]
*[[House Hunt]]
*[[House Inchfield]]
*[[House Leygood]]
*[[House Merryweather]]
*[[House Norcross]]
*[[House Oakheart]]
*[[House Peake]]
*[[House Redwyne]]
*[[House Rowan]]
*[[House Shermer]]
*[[House Tarly]]
*[[House Webber]]
*[[House Wythers]]
| commander2 = '''Force on land:'''
*King [[Stannis Baratheon]]
*Ser [[Guyard Morrigen]]†
*Ser [[Rolland Storm]]
'''Fleet:'''
*Ser [[Imry Florent]]†
*[[Salladhor Saan]]
| commander1 =
'''King's Landing garrison:'''
*Lord [[Tyrion Lannister]] (WIA)
*Lord [[Jacelyn Bywater]]†
*[[Sandor Clegane]]
'''Relief force:'''
*Lord [[Mace Tyrell]]
*Ser [[Garlan Tyrell]]
*Lord [[Randyll Tarly]]
*Lord [[Tywin Lannister]]
| strength2 = '''Force on land:'''
* ~16,400 cavalry mainly from the [[Reach]], and some from the [[Stormlands]] and [[Crownlands]]{{refn|group=N|Stannis originally had an army of five thousand men, but he claims to have twenty thousand men after Renly's death has caused a large part of his men to join Stannis. According to Davos, Stannis has “nearly twenty thousand” cavalry alone.{{ref|ACOK|58}} If true, this would mean Stannis had close to 25,000 soldiers in total, though Stannis claims to only have about 20,000 men immediately after Renly's death;{{ref|ACOK|42}} this would indicate that either Davos mistaken/rounding up, Stannis was rounding down, or that more men joined Stannis soon after he said he had 20,000. However, Tyrion states that four fifths of the cavalry present joined Stannis, which from a force of 20,000 would equate to 16,000 men, giving Stannis ~21,000 total when his original 5,000 are added, which lends credence to Stannis's figure ~20,000 being closer to the truth than Davos's ~25,000. Additionally, Stannis's force on land is referred to by Davos as being entirely mounted and making better pace than an infantry force as a result;{{ref|ACOK|58}} since Stannis's original host numbered 4,600 infantry and 400 cavalry{{ref|ACOK|22}} before being joined by ~16,000 of Renly's cavalry, this would mean his force on land totaled 16,400 soldiers, with his original infantry (mainly consisting of "companies of spearmen and archers",{{ref|ACOK|22}} as opposed to the knights and man-at-arms that make up the bulk of his main host) being confined to his ships.}}
'''Fleet:'''
* ~4,600 embarked infantry Stannis's original host, from the [[crownlands]], [[Lys]], and [[Myr]]{{Ref|ACOK|31}}
~200 ships:{{refn|group=N|Stannis' fleet consists of ten battlelines of twenty ships,{{ref|ACOK|58}} bringing the total amount of ship to two hundred.}}
* 60 war galleys of the [[royal fleet]] and Crownlords{{refn|group=N|The first three lines of twenty are made up of Westerosi war galleys. Out of these sixty ships, at least nine are known to belong to the lords of the Narrow Sea (''[[Pride of Driftmark]]'', ''[[Bold Laughter]]'', ''[[Harridan]]'', and ''[[Seahorse]]'' from [[House Velaryon]]; ''[[Red Claw]]'' from [[House Celtigar]]; ''[[Swordfish]]'' from [[House Bar Emmon]]; ''[[Piety]]'', ''[[Prayer]]'', and ''[[Devotion]]'', commandeered from [[House Sunglass]]).}}
* ~40 smaller Myrish sellsail war galleys{{ref|ACOK|17}}{{refn|group=N|name=Myrish|Described as a smaller contingent "the smaller, slower Myrish contingent".{{ref|ACOK|58}} As the fleet is stated in the same chapter to be divided into ten lines of twenty, this means the Myrmen have at most forty ships, but possibly as few as twenty.}}
* ~100 commandeered transport vessels taken from traders (carracks and lumbering great cogs){{Ref|ACOK|58}}{{ref|ACOK|1}}
* 25 Lysene pirate galleys{{refn|group=N|The Lyseni Salladhor Saan commands his [[Valyrian]] and two dozen smaller galleys.{{ref|ACOK|0}}}}
| strength1 = '''King's Landing garrison:''' 7,000-8,000
* 5,700 [[City Watch of King's Landing|gold cloaks]]{{refn|group=N|name=goldcloaks|The city watch contains six thousand men, although only two thousand of these, who had received their gold cloak from Robert, are seasoned men.{{Ref|ACOK|49}} Three hundred gold cloaks later escort Petyr Baelish to Bitterbridge,{{Ref|ACOK|36}} leaving only five thousand seven hundred.}}
* ~800 sellswords{{Ref|acok|49}}
*[[Stokeworth]] and [[Rosby]] contingents{{Ref|ACOK|49}}{{Ref|ACOK|57}}
* 300 knights, squires and men-at-arms{{Ref|ACOK|49}}
* 150 mountain clansmen (harassed Stannis's army during the march)
* "Hundreds" of scorpions, catapaults, and ballistae manned by hundreds of engineers{{ref|ACOK|17}}
'''Lannister navy:''' 57+ ships
* 45 war galleys of the [[royal fleet]]{{refn|group=N|Stannis has ten lines of twenty ships, bringing his total to ~200; Stannis has four times more ships than Joffrey, giving Joffrey ~50 ships of the royal fleet. (The Baratheon forces would have no information regarding the trading vessels seized on Tyrion's command.) However, unbeknownst to Stannis and his men, five of these ships (''[[King Robert's Hammer]]'', ''[[Seaswift]]'', ''[[Lionstar]]'', ''[[Bold Wind]]'', and ''[[Lady Lyanna]]'') have departed King’s Landing long before to escort Myrcella to Braavos.{{Ref|ACOK|41}} When the Battle of the Blackwater takes place, they have not yet returned.{{Ref|ACOK|58}}}}
* At least 12 vessels taken from traders{{Ref|ACOK|49}}
* A "swarm" of hulks, barges, skiffs, ferries, wherries, and rowboats laden with [[wildfire]]{{Ref|AFFC|58}}
'''Relief force:'''
* ~50,000-70,000 Tyrell men{{refn|group=N|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}} The forces of House Tyrell make up the majority of Renly's forces. Catelyn Stark says that Renly's cavalry includes at least ten thousand heavy lancers,{{Ref|ACOK|33}} and that it accompanies him to Storm's End to lift the siege, while his foot, according to Stannis near sixty thousand strong,{{Ref|ACOK|42}} remains at Bitterbridge when Renly goes to lift the siege of Storm’s End. As Renly previously stated that the total of his men at Bitterbridge numbered eighty thousand, this would make his cavalry at Storm's End 20,000 strong. As only one fifth of Renly's knights did not join Stannis,{{Ref|ACOK|36}} Stannis would have gained ~16,000 troops, bringing his total force to ~21,000. 
Of those who remain, some — chiefly those of [[House Florent]] — are put to death by Lord [[Randyll Tarly]] after Renly's death.{{Ref|ACOK|42}}{{Ref|ACOK|44}} As House Florent can field two thousand men at best,{{Ref|ACOK|0}} this would reduce Renly's foot to fifty-eight thousand at a minimum. A fifth of the knights that had accompanied Renly to Storm's End return to join the other forces from the Reach,{{Ref|ACOK|36}} but how many of his ten (of fifteen) thousand cavalry had been knights is unknown. Mace Tyrell's additional ten thousand at Highgarden would bring the total to ~70,000 soldiers from House Tyrell.
 [[Petyr Baelish]] tells [[Joffrey Baratheon]]'s [[small council]] that Mace Tyrell can field fifty thousand swords.{{Ref|ACOK|36}} According to Tyrion Lannister, some fifty to seventy thousand [[House Tyrell|Tyrell soldiers]] are in the King's Landing vicinity after the Battle of the Blackwater.{{Ref|asos|38}}}}
* ~20,000 Lannister men{{refn|group=N|Tywin's host originally is 20,000 men strong.{{Ref|agot|56}} Despite desertions and insurgency in the riverlands, and many minor sieges and skirmishes, he still has about the same number before the [[Battle of the Fords]].{{Ref|asos|45}} Despite casualties during the battle, Tywin is later said to have twenty thousand swords in King's Landing,{{Ref|asos|38}} suggesting he either gained men or did not lose a significant amount.}}
| casualties2 = [[#Notable Casualties|See below]]
* 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's remaining fleet
* 47 Lesser lordlings killed{{Ref|ASOS|19}}
* 619 knights killed{{Ref|ASOS|19}}
* Several thousand men-at-arms killed{{Ref|ASOS|19}}
* Several thousand men-at-arms left behind for lack of space on Saan's fleet{{ref|adwd|66}}
* Most of the ~15,000 stormlanders and men of the Reach who had previously supported Renly abandoned Stannis{{Ref|ASOS|4}} by the hundreds{{Ref|ASOS|10}}
| casualties1 = [[#Notable Casualties|See below]]
'''King's Landing garrison:''' Heavy
* 1,600 gold cloaks killed or deserted{{refn|group=N|Following the deaths from and the desertions during the battle, the city watch only contains some forty-four hundred men,{{Ref|ASOS|4}} where it had numbered six thousand before.{{Ref|acok|49}}}}
* Majority of the sellswords and knights/men-at-arms killed{{refn|group=N|Sandor Clegane loses half his knights and sellswords.{{Ref|acok|59}} Tyrion Lannister leads another sally, which is nearly wiped out.{{Ref|acok|61}}}}
'''King's Landing navy:''' Heavy
* 39+ royal war galleys{{Ref|AFFC|17}} destroyed, associated crews and marines all killed
* All hulks, barges, skiffs, ferries, wherries, and rowboats destroyed
'''Relief force:''' Minimal
}}

The '''Battle of the Blackwater'''{{ref|ASOS|16}} is the largest battle in the [[War of the Five Kings]]. The battle is fought between the forces loyal to [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I Baratheon]], the King on the [[Iron Throne]], and those loyal to [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis I Baratheon]], the King in the [[Narrow Sea]]. After [[Siege of Storm's End (299)#Regicide|eliminating]] his younger brother [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]], a rival claimaint to the Iron Throne, Stannis gains the loyalty of nearly all of the [[Stormlands|Stormlords]] and [[Reach|Reach lords]] and advances on [[King's Landing]] by land and sea, intent on seizing the city and taking control of the Iron Trone.

==Prelude==
Convinced that Joffrey Baratheon is not King [[Robert I Baratheon]]'s son, Stannis believes his claim to the [[Iron Throne]] is the true one. However, he lacks the strength to attack King's Landing, as few [[House Baratheon of Dragonstone#Sworn to Dragonstone|Houses are sworn to Dragonstone]] and the rocky, volcanic islands surrounding Dragonstone have a sparse population, and the men of the [[stormlands]] have given their support to his younger brother [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]], the [[Lord of Storm's End]], who has proclaimed himself king as well. Additionally, Renly has taken [[Margaery Tyrell]] to wife, which has earned him the support of the men from the [[Reach]] as well.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} On Dragonstone, the red priestess [[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.{{Ref|ACOK|42}}

[[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]] arrives in the [[stormlands]] with his five thousand men and [[Siege of Storm's End (299)|lays siege]] to the coastal fortress [[Storm's End]], the seat of his younger brother, [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]].{{ref|ACOK|22}}{{Ref|ACOK|25}} Renly is at [[Bitterbridge]] with his army when news reaches his camp. He splits his forces and rides with some twenty thousand cavalry to Storm's End to break the siege.{{ref|ACOK|31}} After a failed parlay in which neither brother will yield, the battle is set at dawn.{{ref|ACOK|31}} However, that night Renly is killed by a [[shadow assassin]] summoned by [[Melisandre]].{{Ref|ACOK|33}} With Renly dead, the majority of the host that had accompanied him to Storm's End swears their allegiance to Stannis.{{ref|ACOK|36}} [[House Florent]] and both branches of [[House Fossoway]] also defect to Stannis, but a fifth of Renly’s knights returns to Bitterbridge with Ser [[Loras Tyrell]].{{ref|ACOK|36}} The siege continues, as Storm's End's castellan, Ser [[Cortnay Penrose]], refuses to yield the castle to Stannis{{ref|ACOK|36}} because he fears for the safety of King [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert]]'s [[bastard]] son [[Edric Storm]].{{Ref|ACOK|42}} To end the siege quickly, Ser [[Davos Seaworth]] smuggles Melisandre under the castle by boat, where she summons another shadow to assassinate Cortnay.{{ref|ACOK|42}} After Cortnay's death, the castle yields, leaving Stannis free to advance on [[King's Landing]].{{ref|ACOK|44}}{{Ref|ACOK|45}}

Sixty thousand men from Renly's army are still encamped at Bitterbridge, and when news of Renly's death reaches them,{{Ref|ACOK|42}} fighting breaks out between Stannis' supporters and Renly's loyalists led by the vengeful Loras Tyrell. [[Parmen Crane]] and [[Erren Florent]] – the two knights sent by Stannis to retrieve the army for him{{Ref|ACOK|42}} – are taken prisoner,{{Ref|ASOS|Appendix}} while Lord [[Randyll Tarly]] seizes the supplies and puts many men, mostly Florents, to death.{{ref|acok|44}} In [[King's Landing]], the [[small council]] of King Joffrey decides to attempt to make an alliance with [[House Tyrell]] by offering to marry Joffrey to Margaery. [[Petyr Baelish]], representing King Joffrey I,{{ref|ACOK|36}} travels to Bitterbridge and wins the allegiance of [[House Tyrell]]. Riders are sent north to warn Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] of Stannis's threat to the capital.{{ref|ASOS|14}}

Meanwhile, [[Robb Stark]] attacks the [[westerlands]], hoping to lure Lord Tywin Lannister, who had been residing at [[Harrenhal]] with his twenty thousand men, away from [[King's Landing]] while King Stannis attacks the city from the south. Stannis's victory would mean the end of King [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I]], Queen [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]], and acting [[Hand of the King|Hand]] [[Tyrion Lannister]], breaking Lannister power.{{Ref|ASOS|14}} Tywin begins his march west,{{Ref|ACOK|39}} but Lord [[Edmure Tully]], unaware of Robb's plan,{{Ref|ASOS|14}} refuses to allow the Lannisters to cross the [[Trident]] without [[Battle of the Fords|giving battle]] and places an army of eleven thousand men at the key fords along the [[Red Fork]].{{Ref|ACOK|39}} After several probing attacks, Lord Tywin attempts to force a crossing in a dozen places. Unable to cross the river, Tywin is forced to retreat.{{Ref|ACOK|45}} This delays Tywin just long enough for riders out of Bitterbridge to reach him with word of Stannis's threat to King's Landing.{{Ref|ASOS|14}}

In preparation of the defense of King's Landing, [[Cersei Lannister]] has arranged for the production of vast amounts of [[wildfire]],{{Ref|ACOK|3}} while [[Tyrion Lannister]] has commissioned a great chain boom across the mouth of the [[Blackwater Rush]].{{Ref|ACOK|15}} The [[City Watch of King's Landing|City Watch]] is tripled in size,{{ref|acok|3}} sellswords are hired,{{ref|acok|8}} contingents of soldiers are send from [[Rosby]] and [[Stokeworth]],{{Ref|ACOK|49}}{{Ref|ACOK|57}} and hundreds of scorpions, spitfires, and catapults are constructed and placed on the walls.{{ref|acok|3}}{{ref|ACOK|31}} Tyrion further sends out his hundred and fifty [[Vale mountain clans]]men to harass Stannis' flanks and kill his scouts in the [[kingswood]].{{ref|acok|52}} Stannis's vanguard arrives at the city 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]].{{Ref|aCoK|52}}

Treacherous waters and inclement weather delay Stannis's fleet on its northward journey from Storm's End. A dozen ships are lost on the journey to [[Blackwater Bay]]. Stannis gives command of the fleet to Ser [[Imry Florent]], who commands from Stannis's [[ships|galley]], the ''[[Fury]]''. Stannis himself is on the south side of the Blackwater with his host, making them create arrows and rafts.{{Ref|aCoK|58}}

==The Battle==
[[File:King's Landing Map BattleoftheBlackwater.png|thumb|350px|Map of King's Landing during the Battle of the Blackwater 
'' '''I.''' The [[Red Keep]]; '''II.''' [[Great Sept of Baelor]] upon [[Visenya's Hill]]; '''III.''' [[Dragonpit]] upon [[Rhaenys's Hill]]; '''IV.''' Western baracks of the [[City Watch]]; '''V.''' Eastern baracks of the [[City Watch]] ''
 '''1.''' Stannis' fleet enters the river from Blackwater Bay; Only the ships of [[Salladhor Saan]] remain behind; '''2.''' Once the first lines have passed, the defenders of King's Landing begin raising the chain; By the time the entire fleet has passed, the chain has been raised completely; '''3.''' When Stannis' ships engage Joffrey's fleet, the ships are lit afire with [[wildfire]]; '''4.''' Skirmishes start in [[Flea Bottom]]; '''5.''' King [[Joffrey I Baratheon]] travels to the trebuchets ("the Whores") to launch the [[Antler Men]]; '''6.''' Survivors from Stannis' fleet land on the riverfront and take a ram to the King's Gate; 7. The burning and broken ships have pilled together, creating a bridge of ships allowing Stannis' vanguard to cross the river; '''8.''' An army of [[westermen]] and men from the [[Reach]] arrives to take the forces of Stannis Baratheon in the rear; '''9.''' Seeing the battle is lost, Salladhor Saan, who kept his ships in the bay, lands his ships, allowing Stannis and ~1500 men to retreat.]]
===Battle on the River===
The battle opens when Stannis's admiral, Ser [[Imry Florent]], leads Stannis' fleet up the river to engage Joffrey's ships. They enter visual range of the city in the late afternoon.{{Ref|ACOK|58}} 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 the [[Lysene]] galleys of [[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 are made up of war galleys belonging to the royal navy and the lords of the narrow sea. Behind them sails the smaller [[Myr]]ish contingent, who are 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.{{Ref|aCoK|58}} Ser [[Davos Seaworth]] realizes that the two watchtowers at the mouth of the Blackwater Rush are newly build, and he notices the chain in the water.{{ref|ACOK|58}} The fleet continues forward nonetheless. From within the city, pots of pitch are flung at the ships, and the trebuchets located within the city start to fling stones.{{Ref|ACOK|58}}
[[File:Battle of the Blackwater.jpg|400px|thumb|The wildfire burns the Blackwater - by Amok ©]]
[[Tyrion Lannister]] has ordered several of Joffrey's ships to be filled with wildfire. Stannis' fleet is lured further in the bay when Joffrey's pull back. When they engage the fleet of King's Landing, the ships and the river are soon afire. The wildfire destroys nearly every ship in both fleets. To their horror, the men on Stannis' ship discover that the great chain has been raised behind them, cutting off their retreat.{{Ref|ACOK|58}} However, as Ser Imry's first two battle lines had been well upstream of the fire when the hulks went up, some thirty or forty galleys are able to escape the inferno at first.{{Ref|ACOK|59}} Eight ships manage to land under the city walls and put men ashore, while many of the [[Myr]]men escape the flames by sailing for the south bank.{{Ref|ACOK|59}}

===Attack on King's Landing===
The city itself is defended by some five thousand seven hundred [[gold cloaks]],{{refn|group=N|name=goldcloaks}} leavened with eight hundred mercenaries and three hundred 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]].{{Ref|aCoK|49}}

At the start of the battle, some small skirmishes arise within the city when some drunkards in [[Flea Bottom]] smash doors and climb into houses. Lord [[Jacelyn Bywater]] sends his gold cloaks to deal with them.{{Ref|ACOK|60}} When rich merchants and such gather in the square before the [[Red Keep]], asking for refuge in the castle, Queen Regent Cersei Lannister commands the gates be kept close.{{Ref|ACOK|60}}

Tyrion tasks several groups of mounted men-at-arms, along with what few [[knight]]s 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. Tyrion and King [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I Baratheon]] look on from the Mud Gate how the fleet goes up in flames. After King Joffrey leaves to shoot the [[Antler Men]] from [[Three Whores|the trebuchets]], guarded by Ser [[Meryn Trant]] and Ser [[Osmund Kettleblack]], Tyrion learns of Stannis' men having landed on the tourney grounds, who are preparing to ram the King's Gate. He arrives at the Mud Gate where Sandor Clegane, who had already led three sorties in which he has lost half his men, refuses to go out again. The [[wildfire]] raging across the river has robbed Clegane of his courage, and his refusal to lead any more sorties threatens to break the morale of the defenders. As they need to hold the river at all costs, Tyrion decides to lead the next sortie himself. Shamed into action by the dwarf's display of courage, several defenders gather to Tyrion's side.{{Ref|AGOT|59}}

While Tyrion is leading the sortie at the King's Gate, the Mud Gate falls under attack as well.{{Ref|ACOK|60}} Queen Regent Cersei Lannister orders King Joffrey, who is still at the trebuchets near the gate, to be brought back to the castle.{{Ref|ACOK|60}} When the defenders see their 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.{{Ref|ASOS|4}} Tyrion manages to disperse the attackers at the [[King's Gate]] and makes for the [[Mud Gate]]. When Ser [[Balon Swann]] points out that the galleys on the river which had smashed into each other have tangled together, creating a bridge of ships, which is being used by Stannis' boldest knights to cross the river, they take the fight to the riverfront.{{Ref|aCoK|61}} Tyrion eventually finds himself on the bridge of ships, when it is about to collapse. He is severely wounded by Ser [[Mandon Moore]] of the [[Kingsguard]], who had been Tyrion's sworn shield throughout the battle.{{Ref|aCoK|61}} Moore is killed by Tyrion's squire, [[Podrick Payne]].{{Ref|acok|61}}{{Ref|acok|67}}

With the bridge breaking up and their Hand lost in battle, the defenders retreat within the city walls.{{Ref|aSoS|4}} At this point, after only a few hours of resistance, the battle seems to be lost to Tyrion, though at this time he also sees Stannis's army seemingly fighting itself on the other side of the river.

===Renly's ghost===
Having learned of Stannis' approaching attack on King's Landing and the alliance between then Iron Throne and [[House Lannister]], Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] has marched his host south. Near the headwaters of the [[Blackwater Rush]] he joins up with Lords [[Mathis Rowan]] and [[Randyll Tarly]], from where they force a march to [[Tumbler's Falls]], where they find Lord [[Mace Tyrell]] and his sons wait with their huge host and a fleet of barges. Together, the Lannisters and Tyrells float down the river to disembark half a day's ride from the capital.{{Ref|ASOS|14}} They arrive at the battle scene at dusk,{{Ref|acok|61}} taking Stannis' army from the rear. Lord Tywin leads the right wing on the north side of the river, while Randyll Tarly commands the center and Mace Tyrell the left.{{Ref|ACOK|62}} However, it is their vanguard, led by Ser [[Garlan Tyrell]],{{Ref|ASOS|67}} which plunges through Stannis' army. Dressed in the recognizable armor of the deceased [[Renly Baratheon]], his former supporters, convinced their dead lord has returned, abandon Stannis.{{Ref|ACOK|62}} "Renly's shade" kills Ser [[Guyard Morrigen]], who leads Stannis' van.{{Ref|ACOK|62}}
[[File:T Jedruszek DefendersOfKingsLanding.jpg|350px|thumb|right|Lannister soldiers defending King's Landing – by Tomasz Jedruszek. © Fantasy Flight Games]]
Seeing that the battle has turned bad, Salladhor Saan puts his ships, which had been kept out in the bay, in along the shore, taking as many people as will fit.{{Ref|asos|4}} [[Rolland Storm]] leads a rearguard action, allowing Stannis and several hundreds of his men, about half of Florents, to reach the ships.{{Ref|aSoS|54}} As Saan’s ship can only take a limited amount of men, thousands are left behind due to lack of space,{{Ref|adwd|66}} and towards the end, men begin to kill each other to get aboard and escape.{{Ref|asos|4}}

==Aftermath==
The Battle of the Blackwater is a major defeat for Stannis. He retreats to Dragonstone with only a fraction of his army, and only Saan’s ships.

Most of those captured during the battle bend the knee to Joffrey, including men sworn to Dragonstone. During a court session, Ser [[Garlan Tyrell]] publicly asks Joffrey to take his sister Margaery to bride, and Joffrey, as previously agreed upon, fakes unwillingness to break his betrothal to [[Sansa Stark]] until the High Septon and small council agree that he is allowed to do so. Multiple honors and rewards are given to the participants and survivors of the battle by King Joffrey and his small council:

* Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] is proclaimed ''"[[Savior of the City]]"'', and openly accepts the responsibility of the governance of the realm, officially resuming his office as [[Hand of the King]].{{Ref|acok|65}}
* Ser [[Loras Tyrell]] is given a place in the [[Kingsguard]], replacing Ser [[Mandon Moore]].
* Lord [[Mace Tyrell]] is granted a seat on the [[small council]],{{Ref|acok|65}} as [[master of ships]].{{ref|asos|appendix}}
* Ser [[Garlan Tyrell]], the titles, lands and incomes of [[House Florent]], including lordship of [[Brightwater Keep]].{{Ref|asos|19}}
* Lords [[Mathis Rowan]] and [[Paxter Redwyne]] seats on the small council as advisers.{{Ref|asos|19}}
* Ser [[Philip Foote]], the lands, rights and incomes of [[House Caron]], including Lordship of [[Nightsong]] as Lord Foote, for slaying Lord [[Bryce Caron]].{{Ref|acok|65}}
* [[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 Fossoway|Bryan]] and Ser [[Edwyd Fossoway]] after fighting past half a hundred Fossoway men-at-arms.{{Ref|acok|65}}
* [[Josmyn Peckledon]], a sword and suit of plate and a warhorse of the royal stables as well as a [[knight]]hood when coming of age, for killing two knights, wounding a third and capturing two more.{{Ref|acok|65}}
* Goodman [[Willit]], a [[House Swyft|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]].{{Ref|acok|65}}
* [[Wisdom]] [[Hallyne]], raised to lordship, albeit without lands or castle.{{Ref|acok|65}}
* Ser [[Lancel Lannister]], granted the lands, castle and rights of [[House Darry]] as Lord of [[Darry]].{{Ref|acok|65}}
* 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]].{{Ref|acok|65}}
* Surviving captains from Joffrey's warships ''[[River Arrow]]'', ''[[Wildwind]]'' and ''[[Prince Aemon]]'', and under officers from ''[[Godsgrace (ship)|Godsgrace]]'', ''[[Ramshead]]'', ''[[Lance]]'' and ''[[Lady of Silk]]'', honored by the crown.{{ref|ACOK|65}}
* More than six hundred men are knighted by the [[Kingsguard]],{{Ref|acok|65}} including sellsword [[Bronn]], raised to [[knight]]hood as Ser Bronn of the Blackwater, and [[Osfryd Kettleblack|Osfryd]] and [[Osney Kettleblack]].{{Ref|asos|4}}

==Hostages and casualties==
[[File:John_Picacio_Tyrion.jpg‎|[[Tyrion Lannister]] during the Battle of the Blackwater ‎- © 2012 John Picacio|thumb|250px|right]]
===Hostages===
{{Columns|2|
* Lord [[Ardrian Celtigar]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* Lord [[Alesander Staedmon]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* Lord [[Steffon Varner]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* Lord [[House Willum|Willum]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* Ser [[Eldon Estermont]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* Ser [[Mark Mullendore]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* Ser [[Tanton Fossoway]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* Ser [[Donnel Swann]], gets ransomed and bends the knee to Joffrey
* Ser [[Ronnet Connington]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* Ser [[Jon Fossoway]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* Ser [[Bonifer Hasty]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* Ser [[Dermot]] of the [[Rainwood]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* Ser [[Timon]], "the Scrapesword", bends the knee to Joffrey
* [[Josua Willum]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* [[Elyas Willum]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* [[Aurane Waters]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* A bastard of [[House Florent]], remains defiant and is executed{{ref|acok|65}}
* Ser [[Shadrich]] of the Shady Glen, ransoms himself
}}

===Notable Casualties===
====Lannister/Tyrell forces====
{{Columns|3|
* Ser [[Mandon Moore]]
* Ser [[Jacelyn Bywater]]
* Ser [[Ben Bushy]]
* Ser [[Richard Farrow]]
* Ser [[Will (Stork)|Will the Stork]]
}}
====Stannis' forces====
{{Columns|3|
* Ser [[Imry Florent]]
* Ser [[Guyard Morrigen]]
* Lord [[Monford Velaryon]]
* Lord [[Bryce Caron]]
* Lord [[House Chyttering|Chyttering]]
* Ser [[Bryan Fossoway]]
* Ser [[Edwyd Fossoway]]
* Ser [[Herbert Bolling]]
* [[Dale Seaworth]]
* [[Allard Seaworth]]
* [[Maric Seaworth]]
* [[Matthos Seaworth]]
}}

===Ships===  
====King Joffrey====
{{Columns|3|
* ''[[Kingslander]]''
* ''[[Godsgrace (ship)|Godsgrace]]''
* ''[[Prince Aemon]]''
* ''[[Lady of Silk]]''
* ''[[Lady's Shame]]''
* ''[[Wildwind]]''
* ''[[Lance]]''
* ''[[Seaflower]]''
* ''[[White Hart]]''
* ''[[Loyal Man]]''
* ''[[Queen Cersei]]''
* ''[[River Arrow]]''
* ''[[Ramshead]]''
}}
====King Stannis====
{{Columns|3|
*''[[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 (ship)|Valyrian]]''
}}

==Quotes==
{{quote|A wall of red-hot steel, blazing wood, and swirling [[wildfire|green flame]] stretched before him. The mouth of the [[Blackwater Rush]] had turned into the mouth of hell.{{ref|ACOK|58}}|[[Davos Seaworth]]'s thoughts}}

{{Quote|We're delivered, [[Sansa Stark|sweetling]]! They came up the [[roseroad]] and along the riverbank, through all the fields [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]] had burned, the ashes puffing up around their boots and turning all their armor grey, but oh! the banners must have been bright, the [[House Tyrell|golden rose]] and [[House Lannister|golden lion]] and all the others, the [[House Marbrand|Marbrand]] tree and the [[House Rowan|Rowan]], [[House Tarly|Tarly's]] huntsman and [[House Redwyne|Redwyne]] grapes and [[Arwyn Oakheart|Lady Oakheart's]] leaf. All the [[westermen]], all the power of [[Highgarden]] and [[Casterly Rock]]! [[Tywin Lannister|Lord Tywin]] himself had their right wing on the north side of the river, with [[Randyll Tarly]] commanding the center and [[Mace Tyrell]] the left, but the vanguard won the fight. They plunged through Stannis like a lance through a pumpkin, every man of them howling like some demon in steel. And do you know who led the vanguard? Do you? Do you? Do you? It was [[Renly Baratheon|Lord Renly]]! Lord Renly in his green armor, with the fires 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!{{ref|acok|62}}|[[Dontos Hollard]] to [[Sansa Stark]]}}

{{Quote|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?{{Ref|aSoS|4}}|[[Tyrion Lannister]]'s thoughts}}

{{Quote|That chain of yours, that was cunning.{{Ref|aSoS|19}}|[[Mace Tyrell]] to Tyrion Lannister}}

{{quote|Too many good men died that day.{{ref|ADWD|66}}|[[Tyrion Lannister]] to [[Kem]]}}

==See also==
:*[[:Category:Images of the Battle of the Blackwater|Images of the Battle of the Blackwater]]

==Notes==
{{Notes}}

==References==
{{references|2}}

{{War of the Five Kings}}

[[Category:Battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:War of the Five Kings|Blackwater]]
[[Category:Crownlands]]
[[Category:King's Landing]]
[[Category:House Bar Emmon battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Baratheon battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Brax battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Caron battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Celtigar battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Chyttering battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Connington battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Crakehall battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Errol battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Estermont battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Florent battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Foote battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Fossoway of Cider Hall battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Fossoway of New Barrel battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Hasty battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Horpe battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Lannister battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Lydden battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Marbrand battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Massey battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Meadows battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Morrigen battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Mullendore battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Oakheart battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Redwyne battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Rosby battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Rowan battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Seaworth battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Staedmon battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Stokeworth battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Tarly battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Tyrell battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Varner battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Velaryon battles|Blackwater]]

[[es:Batalla del Aguasnegras]]
[[fr:Bataille de la Néra]]
[[ru:Битва на Черноводной]]
[[zh:黑水河之役]]

Military strength

2017-10-10T21:06:10Z

Nihlus: /* The Reach */

[[File:T Jedruszek starfall knights.jpg|thumb|450px|Knights from [[Starfall]] in battle|right]]
'''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 [[feudalism|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 [[landed knight|knight]] possesses. In addition to this land force, there are some lords or powers who have their own fleets (e.g. [[Redwyne fleet|House Redwyne]], the [[royal fleet|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.<ref name=strength/>

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 army of [[free folk]] in {{Date|299}} is estimated by [[Jon Snow]] to be thirty to forty thousand strong,{{Ref|ASOS|73}} including elderly, women and children. The free folk are defeated by [[Stannis Baratheon]] and the [[Night's Watch]] in the [[Battle of Castle Black]].{{ref|ASOS|73}} Later, [[Tormund Giantsbane]] leads three thousand one hundred and nineteen free folk through the gates of the [[Wall]] at [[Castle Black]].{{ref|ADWD|58}}

===The Night's Watch===
The numbers of the [[Night's Watch]] have long been dwindling.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Wall and Beyond: The Night's Watch}} During [[Aegon's Conquest]], the Night's Watch numbered ten thousand strong.{{ref|AGOT|60}} However, by {{Date|298}}, their strength has dwindled to less than a thousand.{{ref|AGOT|21}} Of these thousand, six hundred are stationed at [[Castle Black]], two hundred at the [[Shadow Tower]], and fewer at [[Eastwatch-by-the-Sea]].{{ref|AGOT|21}} In {{Date|299}}, [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch|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.{{Ref|ACOK|6}}{{Ref|ASOS|15}} Of these three hundred men, only fourteen survive and return to the Wall.{{Ref|ASOS|48}} When the new Lord Commander is being chosen, five hundred eighty-eight token are cast, with only one brother not voting,{{Ref|ASOS|75}} 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 {{Date|233}}, 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]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}}

===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.{{Ref|RPG|guardiansorder}} According to [[George R.R. Martin]], the north's military strength is about equal to that of the [[Vale]], and [[Dorne]].<ref name=strength/> Since [[Brandon the Burner]] burned his father's fleet, the north has had no strength at sea,{{Ref|ACOK|16}} In more recent times, however, [[House Manderly]] has begun the construction of a new fleet,{{Ref|ACOK|16}} which counts about forty-six ships by the first half of {{Date|300}}.{{Ref|ADWD|15}}{{Ref|ADWD|29}}<ref group="N">Davos sees twenty-three ships in the harbor (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 16|Davos II]]), but according to Lord Wyman, there are "as many more" hidden up the White Knife (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 29|Davos IV]])</ref>

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]] ([[Years before Aegon's Conquest#Year 2 Before the Conquest|2 BC]]-[[Years before Aegon's Conquest#Year 1 Before the Conquest|1 BC]]), the [[north]] marched to war with an army of thirty thousand.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} 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.{{Ref|TPATQ}} Lord [[Cregan Stark]] followed much later, but brought a much larger army.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}}

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).{{Ref|AGOT|53}} In total, the host of twelve thousand counts three to four hundred [[knight]]s, and three thousand northern cavalry.{{Ref|AGOT|53}} When the Stark host marches, others join them along the [[kingsroad]],{{Ref|AGOT|53}} and by the time the host reaches Moat Cailin, it is about eighteen thousand large.{{Ref|AGOT|55}} [[House Manderly]] adds another fifteen hundred men,{{Ref|AGOT|55}} 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<ref group="N">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]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 53|Bran VI]], and the thousand cavalry from House Frey (''[[A Storm of Swords]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 14|Catelyn II]]), which brings the total to four thousand three hundred fifty, making 9/10th three thousand nine hundred and fifteen men</ref> to [[Riverrun]].{{Ref|AGOT|59}} He is joined on the road there, by forces from [[House Mallister]] and others, which swells the host to some six thousand thousand men.{{Ref|AGOT|63}} 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]],<ref group="N">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</ref> where he fights the [[Battle of the Green Fork]] against [[House Lannister]].{{Ref|AGOT|59}}{{Ref|AGOT|62}} Bolton retreats, and later during the war is known to have ten thousand soldiers under his command.{{Ref|ACOK|39}} A large number of these ten thousand, equaling one-third of Robb's infantry, are lost after the [[Battle at Duskendale]].{{Ref|ASOS|35}}

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 [[House Bolton|Boltons]] in the [[battle at Winterfell]].{{ref|ACOK|66}}

[[Robb Stark]] leads thirty-five hundred veterans from the Whispering Wood<ref group="N">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]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 53|Bran VI]]).</ref> north from Riverrun to the Twins.{{ref|ASOS|45}} Roose Bolton marches with some sixty-one hundred men towards the Twins,<ref group="N" name=ruby>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]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 49|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.</ref> 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.{{Ref|ASOS|49}} Some two thousand men<ref group="N" name=ruby/> are either drowned or slain, taken captive, or flee.{{Ref|ASOS|49}} 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.{{ref|ASOS|49}} 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,{{Ref|ASOS|45}} 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]].{{Ref|ADWD|20}} According to [[Theon Greyjoy]], Roose later has six thousand men or more [[Siege of Winterfell|at Winterfell]].<ref>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', [[Theon I (The Winds of Winter)|Theon I]]</ref>

In {{Date|300}}, 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.{{ref|ADWD|17}} Following the [[fight by Deepwood Motte]], after the mountain clans, [[House Mormont]], men once sworn to [[House Hornwood]], [[House Cerwyn|Cerwyn]], and [[House Tallhart|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.{{ref|ADWD|35}} 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]].{{ref|ADWD|42}}{{ref|ADWD|62}}

===The Iron Islands===
[[File:The iron fleet by reneaigner.jpg|thumb|Ships of the [[Iron Fleet]]|450px]]
According to a semi-canon source from 2005, the Iron Isles can raise approximately twenty thousand men.{{Ref|RPG|guardiansorder}} [[George R. R. Martin]] has indicated that the major lords of the [[ironborn]] can each float around one hundred ships.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Re_Greyjoy_Fleet Re: Greyjoy Fleet (February 9, 1999)]</ref> A longship such as ''[[Sea Bitch]]'' has fifty oars, while ''[[Great Kraken]]'' and ''[[Iron Victory]]'' are larger.{{ref|ACOK|24}} The [[Iron Fleet]] alone consists of one hundred ships which are three times larger than the standard longship.{{ref|ADWD|56}} The only fleets comparable to those of the Iron Islands are the [[royal fleet]] in the crownlands and the [[Redwyne fleet]] from the [[Reach]].<ref name=SSMLF>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/The_Lannister_Fleet The Lannister Fleet (September 26, 1999)]</ref>

In {{Date|300}}, King [[Tommen Baratheon|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.{{Ref|AFFC|32}} 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]],{{Ref|ADWD|56}} the other seven having been lost in the months before (one sank during a storm,{{Ref|AFFC|14}} the other six were lost in battle{{Ref|AFFC|29}}). 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.{{Ref|ADWD|56}} 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.{{Ref|ADWD|56}} More ships are captured along the way, bringing the Iron Fleet's total to sixty-one.{{Ref|ADWD|63}}

===The Riverlands===
A semi-canon source from 2005 states that the riverlands can field roughly forty-five thousand men.{{Ref|RPG|guardiansorder}}

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.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} 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]].{{Ref|TPATQ}} Ser [[Addam Velaryon]] later gathered near four thousand men from the riverlands.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

[[House Frey]] raised four thousand soldiers at the start of the [[War of the Five Kings]],{{Ref|AGOT|59}} with one thousand of them knights and near three thousand foot.{{ref|ASOS|14}} They later supply the northern host commanded by Roose Bolton at [[Harrenhal]] with an additional fifteen hundred soldiers, commanded by Ser [[Aenys Frey]].{{ref|ACOK|64}} The other riverlords combined can raise at least an additional eleven thousand, including eight thousand foot and three thousand horse.{{ref|ACOK|39}} After the [[Red Wedding]], [[Ryman Frey]] leads two thousand soldiers of [[House Frey]] against Riverrun.{{Ref|ASOS|60}} When the [[House Bolton|Bolton host]] marches back north after the Red Wedding, fifteen hundred [[House Frey|Frey's]] accompany them.{{ref|ADWD|20}}

[[Renly Baratheon]] believes that a host of twenty thousand riverlanders has joined Robb Stark and his nearly twenty thousand northeners. According to [[Catelyn Stark]], however, the actual number is much less.{{Ref|ACOK|22}}

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.<ref name=strength></ref>

===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.{{Ref|RPG|guardiansorder}} [[George R. R. Martin]] has previously stated that the Vale is roughly equal in military strength to the [[north]] and [[Dorne]].<ref name=strength></ref> 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.{{Ref|AFFC|10}} 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.{{Ref|AFFC|23}} The exact numbers the remainder of the lords of the Vale can field, are currently unknown.

The [[Vale]] also has a fleet.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} The [[King of Mountain and Vale|Kings of Mountain and Vale]] did not neglect their fleets when they still reigned, which might have counted hundreds of ships at [[Gulltown]] alone.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Vale}} 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.{{ref|AGOT|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.{{Ref|RPG|guardiansorder}}

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.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}

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.<ref name=SSMLF/>

In {{Date|260}}, 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]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons}} Upon return after the war, five hundred knights formed a company commanded by Ser [[Kevan Lannister]]. In late {{Date|261}}, 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.<ref group="N">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 and 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.</ref> With this force, [[Tarbeck Hall]] was destroyed.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons}} According to semi-canon sources, Houses [[House Westerling|Westerling]], [[House Banefort|Banefort]], [[House Plumm|Plumm]], and [[House Stackspear|Stackspear]] together were able to gather roughly sixty-five hundred more men, doubling the Lannister host in size.<ref name=westerlands/> 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.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragon}} According to semi-canon sources, this was only a quarter of his available strength.<ref name=westerlands>[http://www.georgerrmartin.com/world-of-ice-and-fire-sample/ "The World of Ice and Fire", The Westerlands, unabridged version]</ref> A surprise attack from the Reyne's left half of Lord Roger's forces dead.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons}}

In {{Date|283}}, Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] commanded twelve thousand [[House Lannister|Lannister]] men during the [[Sack of King's Landing]].{{ref|ACOK|12}} 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,{{ref|AGOT|56}} and another of fourteen or fifteen thousand strong, commanded by Ser [[Jaime Lannister]].{{ref|AGOT|63}} Meanwhile, [[Stafford Lannister]] is raising a third Lannister army, with an unknown amount of men.{{ref|acok|7}}{{Ref|acok|20}} The army is later attacked, and thousands are slain.{{Ref|ACOK|32}} It is currently unknown how many men of this army still remain. Meanwhile, Lord Tywin has retreated with his twenty thousand men to Harrenhal,{{ref|ACOK|69}} fights with them in the [[Battle of the Fords]] in the [[riverlands]],{{ref|ACOK|39}} and next marches them to King's Landing.{{Ref|ASOS|38}} All but some three thousand later return to the westerlands.{{Ref|AFFC|16}} Of the soldiers remaining, two thousand sail to Dragonstone for [[siege of Dragonstone|the siege]], while less than a thousand accompany Jaime Lannister into the riverlands to aid with the [[siege of Riverrun]].{{Ref|AFFC|27}}

[[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. <ref name=SSMLF>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/The_Lannister_Fleet The Lannister Fleet (September 26, 1999)]</ref> A semi-canon sources from 2005 estimates the total naval power of the westerlands to be “probably closer to fifty or sixty large ships”.{{Ref|RPG|guardiansorder}} Though the Lannister fleet has been burned as recently as {{Date|289}},{{Ref|ACOK|24}} the ships who have been lost have been rebuild.<ref name=SSMLF/>

===The Crownlands===
[[File:Fury.jpg|330px|thumb|''[[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.{{Ref|RPG|guardiansorder}}

During [[Aegon's Conquest]], Houses [[House Darklyn|Darklyn]] and [[House Mooton|Mooton]] combined raised an army of three thousand men.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} The [[royal fleet]] of [[House Targaryen]] was then based at [[King's Landing]] and [[Dragonstone (island)|Dragonstone]]. During the [[Dance of the Dragons]] ({{Date|129}}-{{Date|131}}), Prince [[Aemond Targaryen]] gathered an army from King's Landing of four thousand men, within a fortnight.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

The main defense of King's Landing are the [[gold cloaks]]. In {{Date|298}}, they number two thousand.{{Ref|AGOT|47}} Ser [[Jacelyn Bywater]] augments the City Watch to six thousand in early {{Date|299}}.{{ref|ACOK|8}} Following the [[Battle of the Blackwater]], due to deaths and desertions, only some forty-four hundred men remain.{{Ref|ASOS|4}} Later that year, numbers have increased to nearly five thousand.{{ref|ASOS|38}}

[[Mace Tyrell]] later adds a hundred men from [[Highgarden]] to the gold cloaks.{{Ref|ADWD|Epilogue}}

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 of the Seven|Faith's]] military orders consisted out of the [[Poor Fellows]] and the [[Warrior's Sons]]. The Poor Fellows were far more numerous.{{ref|AFFC|28}} 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.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}} More recently, in {{Date|300}}, more than two thousand [[sparrows]] have gathered in King's Landing.{{ref|AFFC|17}}

The crownlands is also home to the [[royal fleet]], which is one of the main three forces at sea in Westeros.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/The_Lannister_Fleet The Lannister Fleet (September 26, 1999)]</ref> 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 {{Date|284}} during a summer storm,{{Ref|AGOT|3}} though some ships from the fleet might have survived.<ref group="N">For example the ships ''[[Prince Aemon]]'', ''[[Princess Rhaenys]]'', and ''[[Queen Alysanne]]''</ref> A new fleet has since been build. In {{Date|298}}, [[Stannis Baratheon]], then the [[master of ships]], sails most of the royal fleet to Dragonstone,{{Ref|ACOK|41}} leaving only some fifty ships behind in King’s Landing.{{Ref|ACOK|41}} While Stannis later sets sail with some two hundred ships,{{Ref|ACOK|58}} 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.{{Ref|ACOK|41}}{{Ref|ACOK|58}}

====Dragonstone====
[[Dragonstone]] can field the least amount of soldiers.<ref name=strength></ref> Its garrison is made up out of thirty knights, a hundred crossbowmen, and three hundred men-at-arms.{{ref|tpatq}} When [[Aegon I Targaryen]] in [[Years Before the Conquest|2 BC]] first prepared to sail to [[Westeros]] to begin his [[Aegon's Conquest|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.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}

In {{Date|299}}, [[Stannis Baratheon]]'s host includes three thousand men along the shore of [[Dragonstone]].{{ref|ACOK|Prologue}} During the [[Siege of Storm's End (299)|Siege of Storm's End]], Stannis's forces number five thousand, with less than four hundred horse.{{ref|ACOK|31}} 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]].{{ref|ACOK|52}} Stannis's host numbers near twenty thousand knights, light horse, and freeriders,{{ref|ACOK|58}} 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.{{ref|ASOS|75}}

===The Stormlands===
According to a semi-canon source from 2005, the stormlands can field perhaps thirty-thousand men.{{Ref|rpg|guardiansorder}}

In {{Date|206}}, [[House Dondarrion]] was able to gather nearly four thousand infantry and eight hundred cavalry.{{Ref|THK}}

In {{Date|299}}, 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, 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 cavalry 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, but as House Tyrell is later stated to be able to field seventy thousand men,{{Ref|ASOS|38}} and Renly previously had ninety thousand,{{Ref|ACOK|22}} 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.{{ref|ACOK|58}} As he previously had five thousand soldiers,{{Ref|ACOK|31}} fifteen thousand men have joined him since Renly's death. As Renly's force at Storm's End only was ten thousand men strong,{{Ref|acok|31}} made up out of both forces from the stormlands and the reach, the additional five thousand appear to come solely from the stormlands.

===The Reach===
[[File:T Jedruszek BrightwaterCavalrywing.jpg|thumb|350px|Cavalry from [[Brightwater Keep]] - by artist Tomasz Jedruszek. © Fantasy Flight Games.]]
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}}

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. With the Redwynes, the Shield Islands, and the coastal lords gathered
together, the Reach can also float two hundred warships that dip a hundred oars or more.{{Ref|rpg|guardiansorder}}

The [[Redwyne fleet]] of the [[Arbor]] has two hundred warships.{{ref|AFFC|32}}

[[House Hightower]] is known to be able to field much more than nine thousand men.{{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.

[[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}}

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.

===Dorne===
[[File:Tomasz Jedruszek Army of Scorpions II.jpg|350px|thumb|right|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.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reach: The Gardener Kings}} 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]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| Dorne: Kingsdoms of the First Men}}

During [[Aegon's Conquest]], the Dornish did not give battle. However, in {{Date|37}}, at the start of the reign of King [[Aenys I Targaryen]], a rebel known as the [[Vulture King (I)|Vulture King]] rose. He was said to have a following of thirty thousand, to resist [[House Targaryen]] with.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}

More recently, [[House Martell]] sent ten thousand soldiers to fight under the Targaryen banner at the [[Battle of the Trident]], in {{Date|283}}, led by Prince [[Lewyn Martell]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Fall of the Dragons: Robert's Rebellion}}{{ref|ASOS|37}}

Currently, the Martells are believed to be able to raise fifty thousand soldiers.{{Ref|ACOK|17}}{{Ref|ADWD|43}} 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.{{ref|AFFC|40}} 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]].<ref name=strength>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Strength_of_the_Regions Strength of the Regions (February 18, 2002)]</ref>

Dorne has had no strength at sea since the [[Rhoynar|Rhoynish]] warrior queen [[Nymeria]] burned her ten thousand ships a thousand years ago.{{Ref|adwd|50}}

===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.{{Ref|AGOT|30}} Of these forty thousand, ten thousand were [[Dorne|Dornishmen]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Fall of the Dragons: Robert's Rebellion}}{{ref|ASOS|37}} The rebels, consisting of the north, Vale, riverlands, and stormlands, had fewer men.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/The_Siege_of_Storms_End The Siege of Storm's End (July 18, 1999)]</ref>

==Essos==
===The Free Cities===
*'''[[Braavos]]''': Braavos is, together with Volantis, the most powerful of the Free Cities. Their main power is at sea,{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Volantis}} as the Braavosi fleet of warships is second to none, in addition to a merchantile fleet.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Braavos}} Braavos also has a city watch.{{Ref|ADWD|64}} In {{Date|300}}, [[Stannis Baratheon]] sends Ser [[Justin Massey]] to recruit twenty thousand sellswords in Braavos.<ref name=WindsTheon>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', Theon I</ref>
[[File:T Jedruszek GreyWormsElite.jpg|thumb|450px|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.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Lorath}}
*'''[[Lys]]''': The Lyseni prefer to hire sellswords to do their fighting, seldom risking the lives of their own citizens.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: The Quarrelsome Daughters: Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh}}
*'''[[Myr]]''': The Myrish prefer to hire sellswords to do their fighting, seldom risking the lives of their own citizens.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: The Quarrelsome Daughters: Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh}}
*'''[[Norvos]]''': The [[bearded priests]] of Norvos keep a guard of slave soldiers.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Norvos}}
*'''[[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.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Pentos}}
*'''[[Qohor]]''': During the [[Battle of Qohor]], the city was successfully defended by three thousand Unsullied.{{ref|ASOS|8}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Qohor}} Ever since, Qohor has relied on the Unsullied slave soldiers for the defense of the city, further keeping only a small city watch.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Qohor}} Occasionally, Qohor also hires sellsword companies. Overall, the city is not considered to be martial.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Qohor}}
*'''[[Tyrosh]]''': The Tyroshi prefer to hire sellswords to do their fighting, seldom risking the lives of their own citizens.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: The Quarrelsome Daughters: Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh}}
*'''[[Volantis]]''': Volantis is, together with Braavos, the most powerful of the Free Cities. Though Volantis has a fleet,{{Ref|ADWD|24}}{{Ref|ADWD|27}}{{Ref|ADWD|55}} the city's main power is on land.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Volantis}} In {{Date|300}}, Triarch [[Malaquo]] cuts off the [[Golden Company]] from the delta road near [[Volantis]] with five thousand foot and one thousand horse.{{ref|ADWD|24}}

===Ghiscari cities===
*'''[[Astapor]]''': The [[Unsullied]] of [[Astapor]] are sold by the century or the thousand.{{ref|ASOS|23}}
*'''[[Meereen]]''': In {{Date|300}}, when Queen [[Daenerys Targaryen]] takes over the rule of the city, a city watch called the [[Brazen Beasts]] is created,{{Ref|ADWD|16}} a force consisting out of equal numbers of freedmen and shavepate Meereenese.{{Ref|ADWD|11}}{{Ref|ADWD|16}} Further, the freedmen of fighting age have been organized into companies,{{Ref|ADWD|16}} called the [[Mother's Men]], [[Stalwart Shields]], and the [[Free Brothers]].{{Ref|ADWD|11}}
*'''[[New Ghis]]''': New Ghis has its army divided into [[Ghiscari legions|legions]], armed and organized as the [[Unsullied]]. However, in contrast to the Unsullied, the Ghiscari armies are made up of freemen, who serve three-year terms.{{Ref|ADWD|57}} The Ghiscari legions are reportedly six thousand soldiers strong each.<ref>asoiaf.westeros.org: Boskone 2013, reading of Barristan I and [http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?/topic/81338-twow-spoilers-barristan/&do=findComment&comment=4122024 Barristan II]</ref> They bring two of these legions to [[Astapor]], when they take part in the [[siege of Astapor|siege]].{{Ref|ADWD|16}} Four Ghiscari legions join [[Yunkai]] in their march to [[Meereen]], while two more legions from New Ghis took ship at Astapor, heading for Meereen as well.{{Ref|ADWD|36}}
*'''[[Yunkai]]''': Yunkai has a host of four thousand men, all slaves, strengthened by two sellsword companies (the [[Stormcrows]] and the [[Second Sons]]) in {{Date|299}}. The sellsword companies abandon Yunkai during the [[Battle near Yunkai]], while the slave army breaks.{{Ref|ASOS|42}} In {{Date|300}}, the Yunkish host consists out of several sellsword companies ([[Company of the Cat]], [[Long Lances]], [[Second Sons]], and the [[Windblown]]).{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}

===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.{{Ref|ASOS|23}}{{Ref|ASOS|27}}{{ref|ADWD|16}} Upon arrival at [[Meereen]], Daenerys has a host of more than eighty thousand people strong, though less than a quarter are warriors.{{Ref|ASOS|57}} The Second Sons later abandon Daenerys.{{Ref|ADWD|36}}

[[File:Marc Simonetti Bittersteel golden company.jpg|thumb|500px|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]].
*The [[Company of the Cat]] numbers three thousand soldiers, currently sworn to [[Yunkai]].{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
*The [[Golden Company]] numbers ten thousand, many of whom are Westerosi exiles.{{ref|ADWD|5}} When Lord [[Jon Connington]] and Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon Targaryen]] set sail for [[Westeros]] with the company to [[landing of the Golden Company|invade the stormlands]], about half of the men become scattered along the southron [[narrow sea]].{{ref|ADWD|61}}{{ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
*The [[Long Lances]] number eight hundred cavalry, who are currently sworn to [[Yunkai]].{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
*The [[Second Sons]] number five hundred fourteen{{ref|ADWD|66}} cavalry.{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}} They have gone back and forth between [[Yunkai]] and Queen [[Daenerys Targaryen]] of [[Meereen]]. They are about to change their alliance from Yunkai to Daenerys, again.<ref name=WindsTyrion/>
*The [[Stormcrows]] number about five hundred cavalry, who are currently sworn to Queen [[Daenerys Targaryen]] of [[Meereen]].{{Ref|ASOS|42}}{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
*The [[Windblown]] number two thousand cavalry and infantry, sworn to [[Yunkai]],{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}} but about to change alliance.<ref name=WindsTyrion>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', Tyrion II</ref>

===Dothraki===
''[[Khalasar]]s'' in the [[Dothraki sea]] have been known to reach fifty thousand{{ref|ASOS|8}} or even one hundred thousand{{ref|ASOS|27}} 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 [[Sarnor]]i.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Grasslands}}

In more recent times, Khal [[Drogo]]'s ''[[khalasar]]'', which is said to be one hundred thousand strong,{{ref|AGOT|3}} includes forty thousand mounted warriors.{{ref|AGOT|36}} It splinters into smaller groups after his death, however.{{ref|AGOT|72}} Khal [[Pono]] claims ten thousand of Drogo's ''khalasar'',{{Ref|ACOK|12}} while Khal [[Jhaqo]] claims twenty thousand riders{{Ref|AGOT|68}} About a year later, the ''khalasar'' of Khal [[Pono]] is reported to be thirty thousand strong, located near [[Selhorys]].{{ref|ADWD|8}}

===Further east===
[[Bayasabhad]], [[Samyriana]], and [[Kayakayanaya]] are guarded by tens of thousands of female defenders.{{ref|TWOIAF| Beyond the Free Cities: The Grasslands}}

The [[Five Forts]] can hold fifty thousand men in total, although it is unknown if they are at capacity.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Bones and Beyond: Yi Ti}}

Emperor [[Lo Bu]] of [[Yi Ti]] allegedly led three hundred thousand against the [[Jogos Nhai]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The Bones and Beyond: The Plains of the Jogos Nhai}}

===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 [[elephant]]s, and three hundred [[dragon]]s.{{ref|TWOIAF| Ancient History: Ten Thousand Ships}} Following the [[Doom of Valyria]], the thirty thousand of [[Aurion]] disappeared when they marched to the [[Valyrian peninsula]].{{ref|TWOIAF| Ancient History: The Doom of Valyria}}

==Notes==
{{Notes}}

==References==
{{references|2}}

[[Category:Society]]

Stannis Baratheon

2017-09-17T07:29:25Z

Nihlus: He knighted Davos, which requires him to have been knighted himself. He has never been LP of the Stormlands, went straight from Lord of Dragonstone to claimant King.

{{Hatnote|"Stannis" redirects here. See also [[Stannis Seaworth]]}}
{{Infobox monarch
| name = '''Stannis Baratheon''' [[File:House_Baratheon.svg‎|50px|left]][[File:Stannis_sigil_coat.png‎|60px|right]]
| image = [[File:Joshua Cairosstannisbaratheon.jpg|300px]]
| image_caption = Stannis Baratheon by Joshua Cairos©
| reign =
| coronation =
| othertitles = [[Master of ships]] (formerly) [[Knight|Ser]] (formerly)<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Comic_Con_San_Diego_CA_July_20_232/ Comic-Con (San Diego, CA; July 20-23) (July 23, 2006)]</ref> [[Lord of Dragonstone]] [[Lord of Storm's End]] [[King of Westeros]] King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men (claimant){{ref|ADWD|35}} Lord of the Seven Kingdoms (claimant){{ref|ADWD|35}} Protector of the Realm (claimant){{ref|ADWD|35}}
| alias = The King in the Narrow Sea{{ref|ACOK|Appendix}} The King of the [[Painted Table]]{{ref|ASOS|54}} The dark lord{{ref|ASOS|60}} The King of Dragonstone{{ref|ASOS|72}} The King at the Wall{{ref|ADWD|Appendix}} Azor Ahai reborn/come again{{ref|ACOK|10}}{{ref|ASOS|78}}
| fullname = Stannis Baratheon the First of His Name
| predecessor = [[Robert I Baratheon]]
| successor =
| suc-type =
| heir = [[Shireen Baratheon]]
| queen = [[Selyse Florent]]
| consort =
| spouse1 =
| issue = [[Shireen Baratheon]]
| royalhouse = [[House Baratheon of Dragonstone]]
| dynasty =
| royalanthem = A crowned stag enclosed within a red heart surrounded by a blaze of orange fire on a field of sun yellow{{ref|ACOK|31}}
| father = [[Steffon Baratheon]]
| mother = [[Cassana Estermont]]
| dateofbirth = {{Date|264}}<ref name=Cal>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Ages (Continued3)#Stannis Baratheon|Stannis Baratheon]] calculation.''</ref>
| placeofbirth = [[Storm's End]]{{Ref|AWOIAF| Stannis Baratheon}}
| dateofdeath =
| placeofdeath =
| dateofburial =
| placeofburial =
| Books = ''[[The World of Ice and Fire]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Clash of Kings]]'' (appears) ''[[A Storm of Swords]]'' (appears) ''[[A Feast for Crows]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'' (appears) ''[[The Winds of Winter]]'' (appears)
| Played_by = [[List of actors of the televised series#Stephen Dillane, Stannis Baratheon|Stephen Dillane]]
| TV_series = [[Game of Thrones - Season 2|Season 2]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 3|Season 3]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 4|Season 4]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 5|Season 5]]
}}

'''Stannis Baratheon''' is the head of [[House Baratheon of Dragonstone]] and the [[Lord of Dragonstone]]. He is the secondborn son of [[Steffon Baratheon]], [[Lord of Storm's End]], and Lady [[Cassana Estermont]].{{ref|agot|appendix}} He has an older brother, King [[Robert I Baratheon]], and a younger brother, Lord [[Renly Baratheon]]. Stannis serves on Robert's [[small council]] as the [[master of ships]]. In the television adaptation ''[[Game of Thrones]]'' Stannis is played by [[List of actors of the televised series#Stephen Dillane, Stannis Baratheon|Stephen Dillane]].

==Appearance and Character==
:''See also: [[:Category:Images of Stannis Baratheon|Images of Stannis Baratheon]]''
Like his brothers, [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert]] and [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]], Stannis is a large man - tall, broad shouldered and sinewy.{{Ref|acok|prologue}} [[Jon Snow]] notes that Stannis towers over him.{{Ref|ASOS|76}} Stannis has dark blue eyes and a heavy brow. His head has only a fringe of black hair "like the shadow of a crown," and he has a close-cropped beard across his large jaw.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} His face has a tightness to it like cured leather, and he has hollow cheeks, and thin, pale lips.{{Ref|ACOK|prologue}}

Stannis is a serious, stubborn, rarely-forgiving, hard man with a strong sense of duty and justice.{{Ref|AGOT|27}}{{Ref|AGOT|58}}{{Ref|AGOT|47}}{{Ref|ACOK|42}}{{Ref|ASOS|36}}{{Ref|ACOK|10}}{{Ref|ASOS|72}} He grinds his teeth regularly.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}}{{Ref|acok|10}}{{Ref|ACOK|25}} He is an accomplished commander, sailor, and warrior,{{ref|AGOT|58}} with no thirst for battle, commanding from the rear.{{Ref|ACOK|59}} He has never had the affection of nobles or smallfolk alike.{{ref|acok|prologue}}{{Ref|ACOK|10}}{{Ref|ACOK|22}}{{Ref|ACOK|36}} In his adult life, he is increasingly embittered by the lack of affection he receives from Robert, even though he serves Robert as well as he can.{{Ref|ACOK|prologue}}{{Ref|AWOIAF| Stannis Baratheon}}

Stannis is not a man for easy courtesies,{{Ref|ACOK|31}} and has always been uncomfortable around women, even his own wife, Lady [[Selyse Florent|Selyse]] of [[House Florent]]. During the years he served on the [[small council]] in [[King's Landing]], he left his wife on [[Dragonstone (island)|Dragonstone]]. He wrote to her, but only occasionally. His visits were even fewer, and he did his duty in the marriage bed only once or twice a year, and took no joy in it.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} Though he once hoped for sons, he would only have one daughter, [[Shireen Baratheon|Shireen]].{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}}

Influenced by [[Melisandre]], Stannis adopts a new sigil which depicts the [[House Baratheon|Baratheon]] stag enclosed within a red heart surrounded by orange flame.{{ref|ACOK|31}} Unlike many of his noble peers, Stannis dresses plainly.{{ref|ACOK|31}} He sometimes wears a grey wool tunic, a dark red mantle, and a plain black leather belt from which hang his sword and dagger.{{ref|ASOS|36}} On campaign he wears a studded leather jerkin over quilted doublet, worn boots, breeches of brown roughspun, and a belt studded with garnets and yellow topaz.{{ref|ACOK|31}} Other armor includes wool and boiled leather{{ref|ACOK|42}} or grey plate inlaid with a flaming heart.{{ref|ADWD|10}}

==History==
===Early Life===
Born in {{Date|264}},<ref name=Cal></ref> Stannis was the second son of Lady [[Cassana Estermont]] and Lord [[Steffon Baratheon]] of [[Storm's End]]. He had an older brother, [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert]], and a younger brother, [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]].{{Ref|AGOT|Appendix}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| Appendix: Targaryen Lineage}}

When Stannis was no more than four years old, his father took him and his brother Robert to court. There, Stannis believed he saw King [[Aerys II Targaryen]] on the [[Iron Throne]], holding court. Stannis was impressed, and he and Robert agreed that the king had been as noble as the [[dragon]]s were fearsome. It was years later that Steffon told him that it had been [[Hand of the King]] [[Tywin Lannister]] whom they had seen, as King Aerys had cut himself on the throne earlier that day and Tywin had taken over for him.{{Ref|ASOS|54}}

As a lad, Stannis found an injured goshawk, and nursed it back to health. He named the bird [[Proudwing]], but his brother Robert called it Weakwing, as it would never fly higher than the treetops, and never soared. (Robert himself owned a gyrfalcon named [[Thunderclap]], who never missed a strike). Eventually, Stannis's great-uncle, [[Harbert]], convinced him to abandon the bird, stating that Stannis was making a fool of himself with it.{{Ref|ACOK|10}}

Growing up, Stannis always stood in the shadow of his older brother. Whatever Stannis did, Robert had done first and better.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} These feelings remained until adulthood.{{Ref|ADWD|42}} [[Maester]] [[Cressen]], the maester at [[Storm's End]], came to care deeply for Stannis, moreso than for his brothers, as he felt Stannis was the one who needed him the most, as the most unloved of the three.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} Even in his youth, Stannis had been an introverted child, who was mature beyond his years, solemn and joyless.{{Ref|AWOIAF| Stannis Baratheon}}

In {{Date|278}}, Stannis's parents were sent on a mission by King Aerys II to [[Volantis]] to find a bride for Stannis's cousin, Crown Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]]. They were unsuccessful.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}} Maester Cressen remembers how Lord Steffon had written to him a fortnight before his return, stating that he had found a [[Patchface|splendid fool]] in Volantis who would delight Robert and who might even teach Stannis how to laugh, in time.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} Stannis and Robert were both present at [[Storm's End]] when Steffon and Cassana were expected to return from their voyage, looking on from the parapets of the castle. When the ''[[Windproud]]'' came in sight of Storm's End, the two brothers witnessed how the ship was smashed against the rocks in [[Shipbreaker Bay]] and swallowed by the sea. Both Steffon and Cassana drowned.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} According to Stannis, he lost his faith in the [[Faith of the Seven|Seven]] that day.{{Ref|ACOK|10}}

===Robert's Rebellion===
When King Aerys II Targaryen demanded the heads of Robert and [[Eddard Stark]] after the executions of [[Rickard Stark|Rickard]] and [[Brandon Stark]], Lord [[Jon Arryn]] raised his banners in revolt, and both Eddard and Robert returned home to call their own banners. The resulting decision that Stannis faced — whether to be loyal to his older brother and liege, Robert, or to his king, Aerys II Targaryen — was a difficult one.{{Ref|ASOS|36}} Stannis was at [[Storm's End]] when Robert returned from the [[Battle of Summerhall]] with his prisoners, whom he kept at Storm's End, and eventually befriended. Stannis warned his brother that the men he had befriended were men who had wanted to deliver him to Aerys to be burned; while Stannis would have thrown them in a dungeon, Robert made them his allies.{{Ref|ACOK|36}}

Stannis remained behind at Storm's End when Robert marched again. After Robert was defeated at [[Ashford]], forces from the [[Reach]] besieged the Baratheon castle. Stannis successfully held against the [[siege of Storm's End]] by Lords [[Mace Tyrell]] and [[Paxter Redwyne]],{{Ref|aGoT|27}} which lasted a major part of the war. His garrison held under desperate conditions, only avoiding starvation by the timely intervention of a notorious smuggler, [[Davos Seaworth|Davos]]. His cargo of onions and salt fish allowed them to hold the fortress. After the siege was lifted by Lord [[Eddard Stark]], Stannis [[knight]]ed Davos and, taking him into his service, allowed the [[landed knight]] to choose the name Seaworth for his new house.{{ref|ACOK|Prologue}} True to Stannis's sense of justice, he also punished Davos for his crimes as a smuggler by removing the first joint from each finger of Davos's left hand, as payment for his past crimes. Davos accepted the punishment on the condition that Stannis carry out the sentence himself, which Stannis did, using a cleaver for a cleaner cut.{{ref|ACOK|Prologue}}

===Lord of Dragonstone===
Following the [[Sack of King's Landing]] and the surrender of the [[House Tyrell|Tyrells]] at [[Storm's End]], the new king, [[Robert I Baratheon]], charged his brother Stannis with building a new fleet to seize the [[Dragonstone (island)|island of Dragonstone]], the last stronghold in the possession of [[House Targaryen]]. A fierce storm destroyed the Targaryen fleet which had been protecting the island, while Dowager Queen [[Rhaella Targaryen]] died in labor at the [[Dragonstone|castle of Dragonstone]]. Targaryen loyalists smuggled the two Targaryen children, [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]] and [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]] from the island before Stannis's [[assault on Dragonstone]]. Robert blamed Stannis for letting the Targaryen heirs escape, although the two children had been spirited to safety by Targaryen loyalists shortly before Stannis had even set sail.{{ref|ACOK|Prologue}}{{Ref|AGOT|3}}{{ref|ACOK|25}}

Stannis was displeased to discover that King Robert had named him Lord of Dragonstone, instead of the wealthier Storm's End, which was given to their younger brother [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]], who was only a young child at the time. Stannis resented this and believed it to be an intentional slight,{{ref|ACOK|Prologue}} which Queen [[Cersei Lannister]] agrees with.{{ref|ACOK|25}} According to [[George R. R. Martin]], however, Robert had not necessarily meant it as such.<ref name=Baratheonbrothers>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/The_Baratheon_Brothers/ The Baratheon Brothers (September 11, 1999)]</ref> The castle had traditionally been the seat of the heir to the Iron Throne, the [[Prince of Dragonstone]], during most of the Targaryen Dynasty, so the then-childless Robert was granting it to his heir at that time, Stannis.<ref name=Baratheonbrothers></ref> Now the [[Lord of Dragonstone]], Stannis became the head of [[House Baratheon of Dragonstone]].
[[File:Stannis Baratheon Greyjoy Rebellion.png|450px|thumb|Stannis Baratheon leading the attack on [[Great Wyk]] during [[Greyjoy's Rebellion]]]]

Stannis was appointed to Robert's [[small council]] as the [[master of ships]].{{Ref|aGoT|27}}{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} A few years later, he wed Lady [[Selyse Florent|Selyse]] of [[House Florent]]. During the wedding, King Robert deflowered [[Delena Florent]], a cousin of Selyse, on the wedding bed. This coupling led to the birth of [[Edric Storm]], the only officially acknowledged [[bastard]] of the king. Stannis insisted that the boy was a slight upon the honor of his wife's house and promptly shipped him off to his brother Renly at Storm's End.{{Ref|aGoT|35}}

In {{Date|289}}, during [[Greyjoy's Rebellion]], Stannis commanded the [[royal fleet]] and trapped and destroyed much of the [[Iron Fleet]] in a [[sea battle off Fair Isle]]. Afterwards, he subdued [[Great Wyk]] in his brother's name.{{ref|ADWD|26}} He also once led a fleet to [[Sisterton]], to suppress smuggling from the [[Three Sisters]].{{ref|ADWD|9}} Ser [[Axell Florent]] served as Stannis's castellan of Dragonstone for ten years, while Stannis was away at [[King's Landing]].{{Ref|ACOK|10}}

Despite his loyalty and service to his brother Robert, Stannis always felt underappreciated by Robert. Instead of thanking Stannis for holding Storm's End against the Tyrells during [[Robert's Rebellion |the rebellion]], Robert thanked [[Eddard Stark]] for lifting the siege. Instead of thanking Stannis for capturing Dragonstone for him, Robert blamed Stannis for the escape of the Targaryen children, even though they left Dragonstone before Stannis had set sail.{{Ref|aCoK|Prologue}} Stannis helped [[Jon Arryn]], Robert's [[Hand of the King]], in ruling the kingdom but received little or no acknowledgement or thanks from his elder brother, who spent his time hunting, drinking, and whoring. And when Arryn died, Robert turned for help to his friend Eddard instead of Stannis.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} Stannis felt that Storm's End, the ancestral seat of House Baratheon, was his by rights after Robert took the throne, and told Robert so on multiple occasions. In due time, Storm's End was given to Renly instead.{{Ref|ACOK|25}}

King Robert once rejected Stannis's proposal to outlaw brothels.{{Ref|AGOT|27}} Stannis has outlawed [[prostitution]] on his island of Dragonstone.{{ref|ACOK|10}}

Eventually, Stannis began to suspect that the children of Queen Cersei Lannister were not actually Robert's. Convinced that Robert would not believe him, he confided his suspicions to Lord [[Jon Arryn]].{{Ref|ACOK|31}} Together, they investigated the matter, visiting several of Robert's [[Bastardy|baseborn]] children in the city.{{Ref|AGOT|28}}{{Ref|AGOT|30}} Jon had begun to gather proof when he suddenly died.{{Ref|ACOK|31}} Stannis believed Cersei had Jon killed,{{Ref|ACOK|31}}{{Ref|ASOS|36}} and when Robert left for the [[north]] to name Eddard Stark as his new Hand of the King, Stannis left for Dragonstone.{{Ref|AGOT|18}}{{Ref|AGOT|20}}{{Ref|AGOT|27}} As his maester, [[Cressen]] was old and ailing, Stannis sent to the [[Citadel]] for a new maester, and [[Pylos]] arrived mere days before Stannis closed Dragonstone off.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}}

During their investigations, Jon Arryn had agreed with Stannis that his young son, [[Robert Arryn]], would be fostered with Stannis on Dragonstone.{{Ref|AGOT|27}}{{Ref|AGOT|40}}{{Ref|AGOT|59}}{{Ref|ACOK|25}}{{Ref|ASOS|60}} However, this did not come to pass, as Jon's wife [[Lysa Arryn|Lysa]] fled back to the [[Vale]] with her son after Jon's death.{{Ref|AGOT|4}}

==Recent Events==
===''A Game of Thrones''===
After the death of [[Jon Arryn]], Stannis flees to [[Dragonstone]] to gather his strength, including most of the [[royal fleet]],{{ref|ACOK|41}} and plan his next move,{{Ref|aGoT|20}} believing Cersei poisoned Jon.{{Ref|aCoK|Prologue}} Lord [[Eddard Stark]] wonders why Stannis left, believing it was due to the discovery of whatever secret Jon Arryn was allegedly murdered for, although not realizing that Stannis was also slighted by King [[Robert I Baratheon]]'s selection of Eddard as his new [[Hand of the King]]. Ned, via Grand Maester [[Pycelle]], sends a raven with a polite letter requesting Lord Stannis to return to his seat on the [[small council]].{{ref|AGOT|33}} During Eddard's investigation of Jon's death, he discovers that Stannis and Jon had spent a great deal of time together. When he is told Stannis and Jon visited a brothel, when Stannis is normally so righteous to the point of prudish, he gets closer to the truth.{{Ref|aGoT|27}}

Robert dies after a boar hunt and is succeeded by his son, [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I Baratheon]].{{ref|AGOT|49}} Eddard has been selected by Robert to rule as regent, though plans to bring Stannis to the throne. However, he is outmaneuvered by Robert's widow, Queen [[Cersei Lannister]]. The boy king Joffrey subsequently has Eddard executed.{{ref|AGOT|64}}

Lord [[Varys]] reports to the [[small council]] that Stannis is said to be building ships, hiring sellswords, and bringing a [[shadowbinder]] from [[Asshai]] to Dragonstone.{{ref|AGOT|69}}

===''A Clash of Kings''===
[[File:Stannis Melisandre Lightbringer Dragonstone.jpg|300px|thumb|Stannis Baratheon holding [[Lightbringer]] with Melisandre at Dragonstone - by Amok ©]]
Stannis declares himself king on [[Dragonstone (island)|Dragonstone]]. He sends Ser [[Davos Seaworth]] to gather support for him among the stormlords, but none are willing to join him. His [[maester]], [[Cressen]], suggests to Stannis that he makes an alliance against the Lannisters with [[Robb Stark]], who has been declared [[King in the North]], but Stannis objects to ruling only half a kingdom. Cressen then proposes that Stannis sends [[Shireen Baratheon|Shireen]], his only child and heir, to the [[Eyrie]], to make an alliance with Lady [[Lysa Arryn]], but Stannis's wife, [[Selyse Florent]], objects, stating that Stannis should not have to beg for help, and Stannis sides with her.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}}

Selyse has converted to the faith of [[R'hllor]], the Lord of Light, giving the priestess [[Melisandre]] a base of power on Dragonstone. Selyse tells Stannis that the [[red comet]] is a sign that Stannis's time has come, and that he must sail from Dragonstone now to conquer.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} Selyse claims that Renly's men will join Stannis once Renly dies, and that Melisandre has seen Renly dead in her flames. Cressen is horrified by the thought of fratricide and objects, but Stannis dismisses him.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} Though Stannis is not a follower of [[R'hllor]],{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} he denounces the [[Faith of the Seven]] for the Lord of Light, burning the carvings of the seven gods from the Faith as a sacrifice. During this sacrifice, Melisandre proclaims that Stannis is [[Azor Ahai]] reborn, and has him pull a sword out of the burning carvings: [[Lightbringer]]. With [[Davos Seaworth]]'s help, Stannis has recruited [[Salladhor Saan]] for his cause. In private, Sallador tells Davos that the sword is not the real Lightbringer.{{Ref|ACOK|10}} Stannis writes a letter announcing his claim to the throne and the [[bastardy]] of [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey]], [[Myrcella Baratheon|Myrecella]] and [[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen]], which he plans to send to the lords of the Seven Kingdoms by raven, and to the ports of Westeros and the Free Cities by ship.{{Ref|ACOK|10}} Davos tells Stannis that he has no proof of the incest, but Stannis claims that at [[Storm's End]] there is [[Edric Storm|proof]], though he does not have access. Davos further informs Stannis that it would be unwise to declare for the Lord of Light, if he wishes to win over the followers of the [[Faith of the Seven]], but Stannis rejects the notion, as he believes Melisandre has power.{{Ref|ACOK|10}}

While his brother Renly is slowly marching from [[Highgarden]] to [[King's Landing]] by the [[Roseroad]],{{Ref|ACOK|10}}{{Ref|ACOK|17}} Stannis sails for [[Storm's End]] and [[Siege of Storm's End (299)|besieges the castle]].{{Ref|ACOK|22}} Renly rushes to Storm's End with ten thousand{{Ref|ACOK|33}} of his host to meet Stannis, claiming that he has another hundred thousand on their way.{{Ref|ACOK|31}} Stannis and Renly parley, and Renly offers Stannis a chance to swear him his fealthy, which Stannis angrily rejects. He calls Renly a traitor, as well as threatens [[Robb Stark]] to Lady [[Catelyn Stark]]. When it becomes clear that Renly, who does not care about Stannis's letter and is confident in his own strength, will not swear to Stannis, Stannis leaves, promising a battle at dawn.{{Ref|ACOK|31}} Catelyn informs Renly about the murder attempt on her son [[Bran Stark|Bran]]'s life, which she blames on the Lannisters. She now believes that Bran saw Cersei and Jaime having sex, and asks leave to go to Stannis to tell him of her suspicions, suggesting that Stannis, Renly and Robb all cast aside their crowns to call a [[Great Council]]. Renly refuses, and is about to continue preparing for battle when [[shadow assassin|a shadow]] kills him. Stannis's shadow, according to Catelyn Stark.{{Ref|ACOK|33}} Most of the forces Renly had brought with him to Storm's End join Stannis.{{Ref|ACOK|36}}

Following Renly's death, Stannis is troubled by terrible nightmares, and only Melisandre, who now shares his pavillon, can soothe him to sleep.{{Ref|ACOK|42}} He confides in Davos that he sometimes dreams of Renly's death, but that he is innocent, as he had been in his bed when Renly was slain, and that his [[squire]], [[Devan Seaworth]], had been unable to wake him.{{Ref|ACOK|42}} Stannis has surrounded Storm's End by land and sea, and promises that the garrison might go free unharmed is the castle is yielded up to him in a fortnight.{{Ref|ACOK|39}} Ser [[Cortnay Penrose]] continues to refuse, however, even during the last parley a fortnight later, as yielding require giving Stannis Robert's bastard son, [[Edric Storm]]. Cortnay challenges Stannis to single combat to decide the matter, but Stannis refuses. Unwilling to leave Storm's End untaken out of fear that it will be viewed as a defeat, and determined to get a hold of Robert's bastard to proof the incest, Stannis orders Davos to land a small boat beneath the castle, unseen in the black of the night, without anyone else knowing about it, taking Melisandre with him.{{Ref|ACOK|42}} Davos brings Melisandre beneath the castle, where she gives birth to a [[shadow assassin|Stannis's shadow]] which enters the castle.{{Ref|ACOK|42}} That same night, Cortnay falls off a tower of the castle to his death, and the castle yields to Stannis,{{Ref|ACOK|44}} who subsequently burns the [[godswood]] of Storm's End.{{Ref|acok|49}} It is said that Cortnay threw himself off of the tower, and his guards could not find anyone else in the room, nor had they seen anyone else enter. However, Lord [[Varys]] believes Cortnay to have been killed with magic.{{Ref|ACOK|44}}
[[File:Stannis Baratheon with Lightbrighter at Blackwater by WillHarrisArt.jpg|380px|thumb|Stannis Baratheon at the [[Battle of the Blackwater]] - by Will Harris ©]]
With Storm's End fallen, Stannis is free to march for King's Landing, which has been preparing for his arrival.{{Ref|ACOK|49}} [[Tyrion Lannister]] has the [[High Septon (Tyrion's)|High Septon]] spread the news that Stannis means to burn to [[Great Sept of Baelor]], to prevent people in the city from joining Stannis.{{Ref|ACOK|49}} Tyrion Lannister has ordered his men from the [[Vale mountain clans]] to light fires to burn the grass, while killing his scouts and raiding his baggage train. In response, Stannis's vanguard sets the [[kingswood]] afire, to smoke the clansmen out.{{Ref|ACOK|52}}

Stannis attacks King's Landing during the [[Battle of the Blackwater]]. Most of Stannis's ships enter the harbor, but the Lannisters light [[wildfire]], and when a chain prevents the ships from sailing out of the harbor again, most of them are destroyed. Stannis's forces are close to victory, when Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] and the forces of [[House Tyrell]] arrive, led by the "ghost" of Renly Baratheon, who is later revealed to have been [[Garlan Tyrell]], dressed in Renly's armor.{{Ref|acok|62}}

===''A Storm of Swords''===
Defeated during the [[Battle of the Blackwater]], Stannis returns to Dragonstone on the ships of the [[Lys]]eni [[Salladhor Saan]]{{Ref|asos|4}} with the few men that remain to him, most of them the [[queen's men]].{{Ref|ASOS|10}} He names Lord [[Alester Florent]] as his [[Hand of the King]], but refuses to see anyone but Melisandre, brooding in the [[Stone Drum]] instead. He does not eat, and tales are told claiming that Stannis and Melisandre go down into the [[Dragonmont]] to watch the fires inside.{{Ref|ASOS|10}} After [[Davos Seaworth]] is arrested for his plan to kill Melisandre{{Ref|ASOS|10}} Melisandre visits him, and informs him that she dare not make another shadow son with Stannis as his "fires burn so low" that doing to might kill him.{{Ref|ASOS|25}} Stannis's Hand, Alester, loses faith in Stannis's chances for succes, and prepares to offer peace to [[House Lannister]], to be sealed with the promise that Stannis gives up his claim to the Iron Throne and retracts all he said regarding the [[bastardy]] of [[Cersei Lannister]]'s children in exchange for being accepted back into the King's peace and being allowed to rule as [[Lord of Dragonstone]] and [[Lord of Storm's End]]. Alester wishes to seal the bargain by offering [[Shireen Baratheon|Shireen]] in marriage to [[Tommen Baratheon]]. However, before he can send his letter to King's Landing, he is arrested for treason.{{Ref|ASOS|25}}

Stannis has Davos brought before him. While escorting Davos to Stannis in the [[Chamber of the Painted Table]], Ser [[Axell Florent]] tries to make Davos tell Stannis that Axell should be named the King's Hand. Stannis informs Davos that Axell wishes to resume the war, and has Axell put his plans to sack [[Claw Isle]] to Davos. Stannis wishes to know Davos's opinion on the plans, and sends Axell away when the conversation turns badly, while asking for Melisandre. Davos shares his suspicions about Melisandre with Stannis, but Stannis states he does not believe Renly's death was Melisandre's doing. He shares Davos's opinion on Axell's plans, however, and raises Davos up to be the [[Lord of the Rainwood]], [[Admiral of the Narrow Sea]], and his Hand of the King. Stannis reveals that he has seen [[Fist of the First Men|a high hill in a forest]], where [[Night's Watch|men in black]] had made a ring of torches, and where [[Others|shapes]] were [[Fight at the Fist|moving through the snow]]. Though Melisandre has been trying to convince him to sacrifice [[Edric Storm]], Robert's acknowledged [[bastardy|bastard]], Stannis refuses, ordering her to use leeches instead. Stannis throws the three leeches into the fire one by one, stating the names of the other three kings ([[Joffrey Baratheon]], [[Balon Greyjoy]], and [[Robb Stark]]).{{Ref|ASOS|36}}

Both Balon and Robb die not long after, leading to a discussion among Stannis's counselors whether Edric should be sacrificed to wake a dragon from stone, as Melisandre claims will happen. Davos attempts to convince Stannis not to sacrifice Edric once they are alone, but Stannis admits that, should Joffrey die as well, he is willing to consider doing it.{{ref|ASOS|54}} Upon hearing the news of [[Purple Wedding|Joffrey's death]], Stannis is willing to sacrifice Edric, though he still does not like the idea.{{Ref|ASOS|63}} However, [[king's men|several of the men still loyal to him]] have forsaken R'hllor and returned to the Faith again,{{Ref|ASOS|54}} and Davos has found several of them willing to help him smuggle the boy to safety under the care of Ser [[Andrew Estermont]].{{Ref|ASOS|63}} Stannis is furious, but Davos urges Stannis to sail for the [[Wall]], claiming that "a king protects his people, or he is no king at all", and presents his king with [[Maester]] [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Aemon]]'s letter asking for aid.{{Ref|ASOS|63}}

[[File:Stannis at dragonstone.jpg|thumb|500px|Stannis and Melisandre sail from Dragonstone to the Wall - by Tomasz Jedruszek ©]]
Melisandre sacrifices a man to R'hllor to gain favorable winds and sails north. He leaves Selyse and Shireen at [[Eastwatch-by-the-Sea]] while marching west with all his forces.{{Ref|ASOS|75}} They arrive in time to defeat [[Mance Rayder]]'s [[free folk|wildling]] army during the [[Battle of Castle Black]].{{Ref|aSoS|73}} Stannis occupies the [[King's Tower]] at [[Castle Black]].{{Ref|ASOS|75}} Though he plans to burn Mance Rayder, he is willing to allow the other free folk through the Wall if they swear to R'hllor, settling them in the [[Gift]]. He has [[Jon Snow]] brought to him, and offers to legitimize him and name him [[Lord of Winterfell]] in exchange for Jon's help in winning the [[north]] to his side. He allows Jon time to think about the offfer.{{Ref|ASOS|76}} As Stannis needs to negotiate with the [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch]], he is displeased that after ten days of voting, the black brothers still have not yet chosen a new commander, and calls several of the higher ranking men to him to inform them that he will chose a Lord Commander for them, if they do not come to a decision that same day.{{Ref|ASOS|78}} Stannis informs maester Aemon and [[Samwell Tarly]] that he has send word to his castellan to begin mining [[dragonglass]] at Dragonstone to fight the [[Others]], and confirms that he is aware of Aemon's ancestry. Aemon requests to see Lightbringer, and Stannis grants the request.{{Ref|ASOS|78}} Thanks to Samwell's involvement,{{Ref|ASOS|78}} Jon Snow is elected as Lord Commander,{{Ref|aSoS|79}} preventing him from accepting Stannis's offer.

===''A Feast for Crows''===
Stannis, the self-styled [[King of Westeros]],{{ref|AFFC|Appendix}} remains at the [[King's Tower]] of [[Castle Black]]. He plans to use [[Val]], whom his men call the "wildling princess", to seal the peace between the northmen and the free folk.{{Ref|AFFC|5}} Lord Commander Jon Snow has given Stannis food, shelter, the [[Nightfort]], and leave to settle some free folk in the Gift. Stannis has send out ravens to the northern lords, demanding their fealthy, but thusfar only [[House Karstark]] has replied, swearing Stannis their allegiance.{{Ref|AFFC|5}}

Before blaming [[Tyrion Lannister]] for [[Tywin Lannister]]'s death, [[Cersei Lannister]] suspects Stannis's involvement.{{Ref|AFFC|3}} She is giddy as a maiden when she learns that Stannis has left Dragonstone, and believes that Stannis has finally admitted defeat and gone into exile. When news reaches King's Landing that he is now in the north, Cersei is furious.{{Ref|AFFC|16}} She sends two thousand Lannister soldiers to [[Dragonstone]] to defeat the small garrison Stannis had left behind and take the castle.{{Ref|AFFC|16}} Meanwhile, Lord [[Roose Bolton]], now [[Warden of the North]], and two thousand soldiers from [[House Frey]] are to deal with Stannis and his few thousand soldiers.{{Ref|AFFC|16}}

Cersei wishes to deal with the [[House Greyjoy|Greyjoys]] only after Stannis has been defeated.{{Ref|AFFC|17}} News reaches King's Landing that the [[Golden Company]] has broken its contract with [[Myr]], and it is being said that they have been hired by Stannis instead.{{Ref|AFFC|17}} The [[small council]] receives reports that Stannis's [[Hand of the King]], Lord [[Davos Seaworth]], has travelled to [[White Harbor]] and that he had been arrested by Lord [[Wyman Manderly]]. Cersei orders him to execute Davos.{{Ref|AFFC|17}}

In [[Braavos]], Maester Aemon becomes convinced that Melisandre has misread the signs that had convinced her that Stannis is [[Azor Ahai]] reborn.{{Ref|AFFC|35}}

===''A Dance with Dragons''===
[[File:Stannis and his sword.jpg|350px|thumb|left|King Stannis with Lightbringer - by Ming1918 ©]]
Stannis keeps his wildling prisoners [[beyond the Wall]]. He rides down the [[kingsroad]] almost as far as [[Queenscrown]], prowles through the empty hovels of [[Mole's Town]], inspects the ruins at [[Queensgate]] and [[Oakenshield]], and walks atop the [[Wall]] each night with Melisandre, while selecting prisoners for questioning during the day.{{Ref|ADWD|3}} [[House Mormont]] has refused to join Stannis, whereas [[House Manderly]]'s reply to Stannis's letter only made excuses. Jon Snow refuses to give Stannis ownership of the sixteen castles at the Wall that are unoccupied by the black brothers, and asks Stannis for men instead to serve under the command of his own commanders.{{Ref|ADWD|3}}

Stannis sends [[Davos Seaworth]] to [[White Harbor]] to treat with Lord [[Wyman Manderly]] on his behalf,{{Ref|ADWD|7}}{{Ref|aDwD|15}} as well sends [[Richard Horpe]] and [[Justin Massey]] as envoys south.{{ref|ADWD|7}} Stannis approves of the execution of [[Janos Slynt]],{{Ref|ADWD|7}} and has [[Mance Rayder]] burned in sacrifice to R'hllor as punishment for having deserted the Watch.{{Ref|aDwD|10}} In reality, however, Stannis has unknowingly burned [[Rattleshirt]], who had secretly been glamoured by Melisandre to look like Mance.{{Ref|ADWD|31}} He offers the remaining [[free folk]] the choice between bending the knee or returning beyond the Wall to die. Most of the free folk bend the knee and are allowed south of the Wall.{{Ref|aDwD|10}}

Stannis wins the support of half of the forces of [[House Umber]], commanded by [[Mors Umber]]. The remainder of the Umber forces have marched for House Bolton, under the command of [[Hother Umber]], as the [[Jon Umber|Greatjon]] remains a captive of the Lannisters.{{ref|ADWD|17}} Stannis plans to march with the wildlings on the [[Dreadfort]], as [[Ramsay Bolton]] has marched south to [[siege of Moat Cailin|Moat Cailin]]. Jon Snow tells him his plan will never succeed. The Dreadfort will learn of his approach long before he can ever reach the castle, and [[Moat Cailin]] will fall quickly, which means that Ramsay and [[Roose Bolton]] are free to march against Stannis with their entire force. Additionally, marching with the wildlings will only serve to turn the northmen against Stannis. Instead, Jon proposes that Stannis visit the [[northern mountain clans|mountain clans]], including the [[House Flint of the mountains|Flints]], [[House Wull|Wulls]], [[House Norrey|Norreys]] and [[House Liddle|Liddles]]. Instead of the Dreadfort, Jon suggests marching against [[Deepwood Motte]] to fight the [[ironborn]]. In exchange, the wildlings remain at the Wall.{{Ref|aDwD|17}}

At [[White Harbor]], Lord [[Wyman Manderly]] arrests Stannis's envoy and Hand, Davos Seaworth, and fakes his execution. In secret, he promises to swear loyalty to Stannis if Davos can bring him [[Rickon Stark]].{{Ref|ADWD|29}}

Stannis follows the advice of Jon Snow and wins over several of the moutain clans, gathering an additional three thousand men for his army. Stannis then [[fight by Deepwood Motte|takes Deepwood Motte]] from the [[ironborn]],{{Ref|aDwD|26}} returning the castle to [[House Glover]].{{Ref|ADWD|29}} The [[House Mormont|Mormonts]], as well as [[smallfolk]] fleeing from the ironborn and survivors from the battle outside of Winterfell, once sworn to [[House Hornwood]], [[House Cerwyn]], and [[House Tallhart]], join Stannis.{{Ref|ADWD|35}} [[Asha Greyjoy]] and several ironborn are taken captive at Deepwood Motte.{{Ref|ADWD|26}} Stannis and his army [[march on Winterfell]], taking Asha with them, but they are slowed by heavy snows, and Stannis is forced to encamp at a small [[crofters' village]] three days west of [[Winterfell]].{{Ref|ADWD|37}}{{Ref|ADWD|41}}{{Ref|ADWD|42}} [[Arnolf Karstark]] and [[Mors Umber]] have begun to march as well, and plan to join Stannis near Winterfell.{{Ref|ADWD|35}}{{Ref|ADWD|37}} Arnolf eventually finds Stannis at the crofters' village.{{Ref|ADWD|62}}

At the [[Wall]], [[Tycho Nestoris]], an emissary from the [[Iron Bank of Braavos]], arrives. As the [[Iron Throne]] has ceased payments of the loans, the Iron Bank wishes to broach the subject to Stannis. Jon Snow receives Tycho and realises that if Stannis gives in to the demands of the Iron Bank, the Braavosi will give him their support, which might win him the Iron Throne.{{Ref|ADWD|44}} [[Alys Karstark]] arrives at [[Castle Black]], and warns Jon that her uncle, [[Arnolf Karstark]], is only feigning loyalty to Stannis. In truth he sides with the Boltons, and is planning to betray Stannis at the oppertune moment. Jon sends a message to Deepwood Motte in an attempt to warn Stannis.{{Ref|ADWD|44}} Tycho travels to Deepwood Motte in search of Stannis, and from there continues to the crofters' village as well. Near Winterfell, Tycho finds Mors Umber with a captive [[Theon Greyjoy]] and "[[Jeyne Poole|Arya Stark]]", who he brings with him to Stannis.{{Ref|ADWD|62}}

Jon Snow receives a [[Bastard Letter|taunting letter]] at Castle Black from Ramsay, stating that Stannis was killed along with most of his army in seven days of battle.{{ref|ADWD|69}}

===''The Winds of Winter''===
{{Warning|This information has thus far been released in a sample chapter for ''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', and might therefore not be in finalized form. Keep in mind that the content as described below is still subject to change.}}
Stannis is actively and efficiently preparing for the looming battle against the [[House Bolton|Boltons]]. He signs a contract with the [[Braavos]]i [[Iron Bank of Braavos|banker]] [[Tycho Nestoris]], and plans to send Tycho back to the Wall for safety. Tycho brought a message from Jon Snow informing Stannis of [[Arnolf Karstark]]'s planned treachery, after which Stannis arrests Arnolf, his son [[Arthor Karstark|Arthor]], and his three grandsons arrested and plans to execute them. He sends Ser [[Justin Massey]] to escort "[[Jeyne Poole|Arya Stark]]" back to Castle Black to reunite her with Jon Snow, in gratitude for Jon's counsel of gathering the [[northern mountain clans]]. Massey is to then travel to Braavos and use money from the Iron Bank to hire twenty thousand sellswords for Stannis. Stannis tells Massey that he may hear of Stannis' death in Braavos, but even if that news is true, Massey is to follow the orders as to seat Shireen on the Iron Throne. Stannis next receives Asha Greyjoy, and informs her that her brother Theon must be executed, as showing him mercy would mean losing all of the northmen.<ref>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', [[Theon I (The Winds of Winter)|Theon I]]</ref>

==Quotes by Stannis==
{{Quote|Kings have no friends, only subjects and enemies.{{Ref|aCoK|31}}}}
– Stannis, to [[Catelyn Stark]]

{{Quote|These pardoned lords would do well to reflect on that. Good men and true will fight for [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey]], wrongly believing him the true king. A [[north]]man might even say the same of [[Robb Stark]]. But these lords who flocked to [[Renly Baratheon|my brother's]] banners knew him for a usurper. They turned their backs on their rightful king for no better reason than dreams of power and glory, and I have marked them for what they are. Pardoned them, yes. Forgiven. But not forgotten.{{Ref|aCoK|42}}}}
– Stannis, to [[Davos Seaworth]]

{{Quote|It is not a question of wanting. The throne is mine, as [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert's]] heir. That is law. After me, it must pass to my daughter, unless [[Selyse Florent|Selyse]] should finally give me a son. I am king. Wants do not enter into it. I have a duty to my daughter. To the realm. Even to Robert. He loved me but little, I know, yet he was my brother. The [[Cersei Lannister|Lannister woman]] gave him horns and made a motley fool of him. She may have murdered him as well, as she murdered [[Jon Arryn]] and [[Eddard Stark|Ned Stark]]. For such crimes there must be justice. Starting with Cersei and her abominations. But only starting. I mean to scour that court clean. As Robert should have done after the [[Battle of the Trident|Trident]].{{Ref|aSoS|36}}}}
– Stannis, to [[Davos Seaworth]]

{{Quote|I never asked for this, no more than I asked to be king. Yet dare I disregard [[Melisandre|her]]? We do not choose our destinies. Yet we must ... we must do our duty, no? Great or small, we must do our duty.{{Ref|aSoS|54}}}}
– Stannis, to [[Davos Seaworth]]

{{Quote|I know the cost! Last night, gazing into that hearth, I saw things in the flames as well. I saw a king, a crown of fire on his brows, burning… burning, Davos. His own crown consumed his flesh and turned him into ash. Do you think I need [[Melisandre]] to tell me what that means? Or you?{{Ref|aSoS|54}}}}
– Stannis, to [[Davos Seaworth]]

{{Quote|I never asked for this crown. Gold is cold and heavy on the head, but so long as I am the king, I have a duty … If I must sacrifice [[Edric Storm|one child]] to the flames to save a million from the dark... Sacrifice... is never easy, Davos. Or it is no true sacrifice.{{Ref|aSoS|63}}}}
– Stannis, to [[Davos Seaworth]]

{{Quote|Lord [[Davos Seaworth|Seaworth]] is a man of humble birth, but he reminded me of my duty, when all I could think of was my rights. I had the cart before the horse, Davos said. I was trying to win the throne to save the kingdom, when I should have been trying to save the kingdom to win the throne.{{Ref|aSoS|76}}}}
– Stannis, to [[Jon Snow]]

{{Quote|[[Others|Demons made of snow and ice and cold]]. The ancient enemy. The only enemy that matters.{{Ref|aSoS|78}}}}
– Stannis, to [[Samwell Tarly]], [[Melisandre]], and [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Aemon]]

{{Quote|'''Stannis:''' I thought the wet nurse was this man [[Craster]]'s daughter? 
'''Melisandre:''' Wife and daughter both, Your Grace. Craster married all his daughters. [[Gilly]]'s boy was the fruit of their union. 
'''Stannis:''' Her own father got this child on her? We are well rid of her, then. I will not suffer such abominations here. This is not [[King's Landing]].{{Ref|aDwD|3}}}}
– Stannis and [[Melisandre]]

==Quotes about Stannis==
{{Quote|I have felt from the beginning that Stannis was a greater danger than [[War of the Five Kings|all the others combined]].{{Ref|agot|69}}}}
– [[Tywin Lannister]], to [[Tyrion Lannister]]

{{Quote|Ned found it hard to imagine what could frighten Stannis Baratheon, who had once held [[Storm's End]] through a [[Siege of Storm's End|year of siege]], surviving on rats and boot leather while the Lords [[Mace Tyrell|Tyrell]] and [[Paxter Redwyne|Redwyne]] sat outside with their hosts, banqueting in sight of his walls.{{Ref|aGoT|58}}}} – thoughts of [[Eddard Stark]]

{{Quote|His claim is the true one, he is known for his prowess as a battle commander, and he is utterly without mercy. There is no creature on earth half so terrifying as a truly just man.{{Ref|aGoT|58}}}} – [[Varys]], to [[Eddard Stark]]

{{Quote|[[Robert I Baratheon|Robert]] was the true steel. Stannis is pure iron, black and hard and strong, yes, but brittle, the way iron gets. He'll break before he bends. And [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]], that one, he’s copper, bright and shiny, pretty to look at but not worth all that much at the end of the day.{{ref|ACOK|6}}}} – [[Donal Noye]], to [[Jon Snow]]

{{Quote|And Stannis has always felt he was cheated of [[Storm's End]]. The ancestral seat of [[House Baratheon]], his by rights... if you knew how many times he came to [[Robert Baratheon|Robert]] singing that same dull song in that gloomy aggrieved tone he has. When Robert gave the place to [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]], Stannis clenched his jaw so tight I thought his teeth would shatter.{{ref|ACOK|25}}}} – [[Cersei Lannister]] to [[Tyrion Lannister]]

{{Quote|This is Stannis Baratheon. The man will fight to the bitter end and then some.{{Ref|aSoS|72}}}} – [[Tywin Lannister]], to [[Pycelle]]

{{quote|Stannis Baratheon with a grievance was like a mastiff with a bone; he gnawed it down to splinters.{{ref|ADWD|3}}}} - thoughts of [[Jon Snow]]

{{Quote|What does Stannis offer you? Vengeance. Vengeance for my sons and yours, for your husbands and your fathers and your brothers. Vengeance for your murdered lord, your murdered king, your butchered princes. Vengeance!{{Ref|ADwD|19}}}} – [[Davos Seaworth]], to the [[Merman's Court]]

{{Quote|His eyes were sunk in deep pits, his close-cropped beard no more than a shadow across his hollow cheeks and bony jawbone. Yet there was power in his stare, an iron ferocity that told Asha this man would never, ever turn back from his course.{{Ref|ADwD|42}}}} – [[Asha Greyjoy]]

==Family==
{{Baratheon tree}}

==Behind the Scenes==
According to [[George R. R. Martin]], Stannis is partially inspired by [[w:Tiberius|Tiberius Caesar]], particularly the portrayal by [[w:George Baker (actor)|George Baker]] in ''[[w:I, Claudius (TV series)|I, Claudius]]''.<ref>[[w:92nd Street Y|92nd Street Y]]: [http://92yondemand.org/george-r-r-martin-world-ice-fire Game of Thrones Mastermind George R. R. Martin: The World of Ice and Fire], Oct 26, 2014</ref>

==References and Notes==
{{References|2}}

{{Kings of Westeros}}
{{Small council}}


[[Category:House Baratheon]]
[[Category:House Baratheon of Dragonstone]]
[[Category:Characters from the Stormlands|Baratheon, Stannis]]
[[Category:Claimants to the Iron Throne|Baratheon, Stannis]]
[[Category:Kinslayers|Baratheon, Stannis]]
[[Category:Knights|Baratheon, Stannis]]
[[Category:Lords of Dragonstone|Baratheon, Stannis]]
[[Category:Masters of ships|Baratheon, Stannis]]
[[Category:Members of Robert Baratheon's court|Baratheon, Stannis]]
[[Category:Monarchs|Baratheon, Stannis]]
[[Category:Nobles|Baratheon, Stannis]]
[[Category:Rebels of Robert's Rebellion|Baratheon, Stannis]]
[[Category:Veterans of Greyjoy's Rebellion|Baratheon, Stannis]]
[[Category:Veterans of Robert's Rebellion|Baratheon, Stannis]]


[[tr:Stannis Baratheon]]
[[es:Stannis Baratheon]]
[[fa:استنیس براتیون]]
[[fr:Stannis Baratheon]]
[[ru:Станнис Баратеон]]
[[zh:史坦尼斯·拜拉席恩]]

Maelys I Blackfyre

2017-09-14T10:39:00Z

Nihlus: /* Appearance */

{{Infobox character
| Character_name = [[File:House Blackfyre.svg|50px|left]] '''Maelys I Blackfyre''' [[File:Golden Company pike.png|11px|right]]
| image = [[File:Ninepenny.png|350px]]
| image_caption = Maelys Blackfyre fights [[Barristan Selmy]] during the War of the Ninepenny Kings, as depicted by Jose Daniel Cabrera Pena in ''[[The World of Ice and Fire]]''
| Alias = Maelys the Monstrous
| Title =Captain-general [[King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men]] (claimant) [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]] (claimant) [[Protector of the Realm]] (claimant)
| Allegiance = [[House Blackfyre]] [[Golden Company]] [[Band of Nine]]
| Race = [[Valyria]]n
| Culture = [[Free Cities]]
| Spouse =
| Place_of_Birth =
| Date_of_Birth =
| Place_of_Death = [[Stepstones]]
| Date_of_Death = {{Date|260}}
| Books = ''[[The World of Ice and Fire]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Storm of Swords]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'' (mentioned)
| coat-of-arms =
| Played_by =
| TV_series =
}}

'''Maelys I Blackfyre''',{{ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys II}} better known as '''Maelys the Monstrous''', was the last of the [[Blackfyre Pretenders]], and the last known member of [[House Blackfyre]].{{Ref|aDwD|5}}

==Appearance==
{{See also|:Category:Images of Maelys Blackfyre|l1=Images of Maelys Blackfyre}}
Maelys had a huge upper body with a second head sprouting from his neck. He was inhumanly strong, able to kill a destrier with a single punch and tear a man's head clean off his shoulders.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys II}}

==History==
Maelys is the last known descendant from [[Daemon I Blackfyre]], the first of the five [[Blackfyre Pretenders]]. He was named 'Maelys the Monstrous' for supposedly having eaten his twin in the womb, making him a [[Kinslaying|kinslayer]], albeit not by choice.{{Ref|rpg|guardiansorder}} Maelys grew up in exile in [[Essos]], and eventually became a kinslayer by free choice when he fought his own cousin, [[Daemon Blackfyre (cousin of Maelys I)|Daemon]], for command of the [[Golden Company]]. Maelys killed Daemon's destier, and then twisted Daemon's head, tearing it from his shoulders. Following Daemon's death, Maelys assumed command of the Golden Company.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys II}}

[[File:Maelys the monstrous2 by mike hallstein-da2emc1.png|thumb|left|270px|Maelys I Blackfyre killing his cousin, [[Daemon Blackfyre (cousin of Maelys I)|Daemon]] - by [http://mike-hallstein.deviantart.com/ Mike Hallstein].]]

In {{Date|258}}, Maelys gathered with eight other outlaws, exiles and sellsword captains beneath the [[Tree of Crowns]] in the [[Disputed Lands]] in [[Essos]]. There, they formed an alliance called the [[Band of Nine]], promising to aid each other in carving out a kingdom for each member. The Band of Nine pledged to help Maelys in conquering the [[Seven Kingdoms]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}} While it was generally believed that the Band of Nine would founder in Essos,{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys II}} they managed to sack and take [[Tyrosh]], and seize the [[Stepstones]], which made them a real threat to Westeros, while Maelys declared himself to be King Maelys I Blackfyre.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys II}}

In {{Date|260}}, King [[Jaehaerys II Targaryen]] sent an army to the Stepstones to meet the Band of Nine in battle. The war, dubbed the [[War of the Ninepenny Kings]], was fought entirely on the Stepstones. Maelys personally killed Lord [[Ormund Baratheon]], Jaehaerys's [[Hand of the King]], early in the war. Towards the war's end, Maelys himself was killed by Ser [[Barristan Selmy]], a young knight from the [[stormlands]] who thereby ended the Blackfyre threat on the [[Iron Throne]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys II}} {{Ref|ADWD|5}}{{Ref|ASOS|67}} Maelys's death decided the issue, as the other members of the Band of Nine were barely interested in [[Westeros]], and fell back to their own domains. Their union would not last much longer.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys II}}

==Quotes==
{{Quote|When Maelys the Monstrous died upon the [[Stepstones]], it was the end of the male line of [[House Blackfyre]].{{Ref|aDwD|5}}}} – [[Illyrio Mopatis]]

==Family==
{{Blackfyre tree}}

==References and Notes==
{{references}}

{{Kings of Westeros}}

[[Category:House Blackfyre]]
[[Category:Band of Nine|Blackfyre, Maelys I]]
[[Category:Captain-generals of the Golden Company|Blackfyre, Maelys I]]
[[Category:Casualties of the War of the Ninepenny Kings|Blackfyre, Maelys I]]
[[Category:Characters from the Free Cities|Blackfyre, Maelys I]]
[[Category:Characters killed by Barristan Selmy|Blackfyre, Maelys I]]
[[Category:Claimants to the Iron Throne|Blackfyre, Maelys I]]
[[Category:Exiles|Blackfyre, Maelys I]]
[[Category:Kinslayers|Blackfyre, Maelys I]]
[[Category:Mercenaries|Blackfyre, Maelys I]]
[[Category:Nobles|Blackfyre, Maelys I]]

[[es:Maelys Fuegoscuro]]
[[fr:Maelys Feunoyr]]
[[ru:Мэйлис Блэкфайр]]
[[zh:马里斯·黑火]]

Battle of the Blackwater

2017-09-14T07:31:02Z

Nihlus: Most of them were from the Reach; Reachmen were the vast majority of Renly's men, and 80% of them joined Stannis. Also, Catelyn wasn't referring to all of Renly's cavalry there, just the LANCERS (knights/men-at-arms) immediately in sight.

{{Battlebox collapsible
| image = [[File:T Jedruszek BattleoftheB ship.jpg|350px]]
| caption = by Tomasz Jedruszek. © Fantasy Flight Games
| battle_name = Battle of the Blackwater
| conflict = [[War of the Five Kings]]
| date = {{Date|299}}
| place = mouth of the [[Blackwater Rush]] and [[King's Landing]]
| result = Decisive victory for [[House Baratheon of King's Landing]]
| colour_scheme =
| combatant1 = '''[[House Baratheon of Dragonstone]]:''' [[Crownlands]]
*[[House Bar Emmon]]
*[[House Celtigar]]
*[[House Chyttering]]
*[[House Farring]]
*[[House Follard]]
*[[House Massey]]
*[[House Velaryon]]
[[Stormlands]]
*[[House Bolling]]
*[[House Buckler]]
*[[House Caron]]
*[[House Connington]]
*[[House Errol]]
*[[House Estermont]]
*[[House Fell]]
*[[House Gower]]
*[[House Grandison]]
*[[House Hasty]]
*[[House Horpe]]
*[[House Mertyns]]
*[[House Morrigen]]
*[[House Peasebury]]
*[[House Penrose]]
*[[House Selmy]]
*[[House Staedmon]]
*[[House Wensington]]
*[[House Wylde]]
[[Reach|The Reach]]
*[[House Florent]]
*[[House Fossoway of Cider Hall]]
*[[House Fossoway of New Barrel]]
*[[House Meadows]]
*[[House Mullendore]]
*[[House Varner]]
*[[House Willum]]
[[Lys]]ene pirates [[Myr]]ish sellsails
| combatant2 = '''[[Iron Throne]]'''/[[House Baratheon of King's Landing]]:
'''King's Landing garrison:'''
[[City Watch of King's Landing|Gold Cloaks]] 

[[Crownlands]]
*[[House Brune of Brownhollow]]{{ref|ACOK|65}}
*[[House Brune of the Dyre Den]]<ref group="N" name=CrowlandHouses>The Crownland Houses of Brune of the Dyre Den, Byrch, Hayford, Hogg, Rosby and Rykker are not directly mentioned at Blackwater but as they are sworn directly to the Iron Throne it is likely they took part in the Battle or provided men to the City Watch.</ref>
*[[House Byrch]]<ref group="N" name=CrowlandHouses/>
*[[House Bywater]]{{ref|ASOS|19}}
*[[House Harte]]{{ref|ASOS|67}}
*[[House Hayford]]<ref group="N" name=CrowlandHouses/>
*[[House Hogg]]<ref group="N" name=CrowlandHouses/>
*[[House Kettleblack]]{{ref|ACOK|59}}
*[[House Rosby]]<ref group="N" name=CrowlandHouses/>
*[[House Rykker]]<ref group="N" name=CrowlandHouses/>
*[[House Stokeworth]]{{ref|ACOK|57}}

[[Vale mountain clans]]
*[[Black Ears]]
*[[Burned Men]]
*[[Moon Brothers]]
*[[Stone Crows]]

'''Relief force (late battle):'''
[[Westerlands]], led by [[House Lannister]]
*[[House Banefort]]
*[[House Bettley]]
*[[House Brax]]{{ref|ACOK|65}}
*[[House Crakehall]]{{ref|ACOK|65}}
*[[House Falwell]]
*[[House Ferren]]
*[[House Foote]]{{ref|ACOK|65}}
*[[House Kenning of Kayce]]
*[[House Lannister of Lannisport]]
*[[House Lefford]]
*[[House Lydden]]{{ref|ACOK|65}}
*[[House Marbrand]]{{ref|ACOK|62}}{{ref|ACOK|65}}
*[[House Myatt]]
*[[House Payne]]{{ref|ACOK|61}}
*[[House Peckledon]]{{ref|ACOK|65}}
*[[House Plumm]]
*[[House Prester]]
*[[House Sarsfield]]
*[[House Serrett]]
*[[House Stackspear]]
*[[House Swyft]]
*[[House Turnberry]]
*[[House Yarwyck]]

[[Reach|The Reach]], led by [[House Tyrell]]
*[[House Ambrose]]
*[[House Beesbury]]
*[[House Blackbar]]
*[[House Bulwer]]
*[[House Bushy]]
*[[House Caswell]]
*[[House Costayne]]
*[[House Cuy]]
*[[House Dunn]]
*[[House Footly]]
*[[House Graceford]]
*[[House Hightower]]
*[[House Hunt]]
*[[House Inchfield]]
*[[House Leygood]]
*[[House Merryweather]]
*[[House Norcross]]
*[[House Oakheart]]
*[[House Peake]]
*[[House Redwyne]]
*[[House Rowan]]
*[[House Shermer]]
*[[House Tarly]]
*[[House Webber]]
*[[House Wythers]]
| commander1 = '''Force on land:''' ~16,000
*King [[Stannis Baratheon]]
*Ser [[Guyard Morrigen]]†
*Ser [[Rolland Storm]]
'''Fleet:'''
*Ser [[Imry Florent]]†
*[[Salladhor Saan]]
| commander2 =
'''King's Landing garrison:'''
*Lord [[Tyrion Lannister]] (WIA)
*Lord [[Jacelyn Bywater]]†
*[[Sandor Clegane]]
'''Relief force:'''
*Lord [[Mace Tyrell]]
*Ser [[Garlan Tyrell]]
*Lord [[Randyll Tarly]]
*Lord [[Tywin Lannister]]
| strength1 = '''Force on land:'''
* ~16,400 cavalry mainly from the [[Reach]], and some from the [[Stormlands]] and [[Crownlands]]<ref group="N">Stannis originally had an army of five thousand men, but he claims to have twenty thousand men after Renly's death has caused a large part of his men to join Stannis. According to Davos, Stannis has “nearly twenty thousand” cavalry alone (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 58|Davos III]]). If true, this would mean Stannis had close to 25,000 soldiers in total, though Stannis claims to only have about 20,000 men immediately after Renly's death (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 42|Davos II]]); this would indicate that either Davos mistaken/rounding up, Stannis was rounding down, or that more men joined Stannis soon after he said he had 20,000. However, Tyrion states that four fifths of the cavalry present joined Stannis, which from a force of 20,000 would equate to 16,000 men, giving Stannis ~21,000 total when his original 5,000 are added, which lend credence to Stannis's figure ~20,000 being closer to the truth than Davos's ~25,000. Additionally, Stannis's force on land is referred to by Davos as being entirely mounted and better pace than an infantry force as a result (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 58|Davos III]]); since Stannis's original host numbered 4,600 infantry and 400 foot soldiers ([[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 22|Catelyn II]]) before being joined by ~16,000 of Renly's cavalry, this would mean his force on land totaled 16,400 soldiers, with his original infantry being confined to his ships.</ref>
'''Fleet:'''
* ~4,600 infantry Stannis's original host, from the [[crownlands]], [[Lys]], and [[Myr]]{{Ref|ACOK|31}}
~200 ships:<ref group="N">Stannis' fleet consists of ten battlelines of twenty ships (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 58|Davos III]]), bringing the total amount of ship to two hundred.</ref>
* 60 war galleys<ref group="N">The first three lines of twenty are made up of war galleys; Out of these sixty ships, at least nine are known to belong to the lords of the Narrow Sea (''[[Pride of Driftmark]]'', ''[[Bold Laughter]]'', ''[[Harridan]]'', and ''[[Seahorse]]'' from [[House Velaryon]]; ''[[Red Claw]]'' from [[House Celtigar]]. ''[[Swordfish]]'' from [[House Bar Emmon]]; ''[[Piety]]'', ''[[Prayer]]'', and ''[[Devotion]]'', commandeered from [[House Sunglass]])</ref>
* Myrish sellsails{{Ref|ACOK|17}}<ref group="N">Described as a smaller contingent "the smaller, slower Myrish contingent" (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 58|Davos III]]), indicating that the Myrmen definitely have less than sixty ships, possibly as few as twenty.</ref>
* sailed warships (carracks and lumbering great cogs){{Ref|ACOK|58}}
* 25 Lysene pirate galleys<ref group="N">The Lyseni Salladhor Saan commands his [[Valyrian]] and two dozen smaller galleys (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Prologue|Prologue]].</ref>
| strength2 = '''King's Landing garrison:''' 7,000-8,000
* 5,700 [[City Watch of King's Landing|gold cloaks]]<ref group="N" name=goldcloaks>The city watch contains six thousand men, although only two thousand of these, who had received their gold cloak from Robert, are seasoned men (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 49|Tyrion XI]]). Three hundred gold cloaks later escort Petyr Baelish to Bitterbridge (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 36|Tyrion VIII]]), leaving only five thousand seven hundred.</ref>
* ~800 sellswords{{Ref|acok|49}}
*[[Stokeworth]] and [[Rosby]] contingents{{Ref|ACOK|49}}{{Ref|ACOK|57}}
* 300 knights, squires and men-at-arms{{Ref|ACOK|49}}
* 150 mountain clansmen (harassed Stannis's army during the march)
* "Hundreds" of scorpions, catapaults, and ballistae manned by hundreds of engineers{{Ref|ACOK|17}}
'''Lannister navy:''' 57+ ships
* 45 war galleys of the [[royal fleet]]<ref group="N">Stannis has ten lines of twenty ships, bringing his total to ~200; Stannis has four times more ships than Joffrey, giving Joffrey ~50 ships of the royal fleet. (The Baratheon forces would have no information regarding the trading vessels seized on Tyrion's command). However, unbeknownst to Stannis and his men, five of these ships (''[[King Robert's Hammer]]'', ''[[Seaswift]]'', ''[[Lionstar]]'', ''[[Bold Wind]]'', and ''[[Lady Lyanna]]'') have departed King’s Landing long before to escort Myrcella to Braavos(''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 41|Tyrion IX]]). When the Battle of the Blackwater takes place, they have not yet returned (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 58|Davos III]])</ref>
* At least a dozen vessels taken from traders{{Ref|ACOK|49}}
'''Relief force:'''
* ~50,000-70,000 Tyrell men <ref group="N">The host of [[Renly Baratheon]] is said to number a hundred thousand (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 17|Tyrion IV]]). Renly himself claims to have eighty thousand with him at Bitterbridge, while another ten thousand are with Lord [[Mace Tyrell]] at Highgarden (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 22|Catelyn II]]). The forces of House Tyrell make up the majority of Renly's forces. Catelyn Stark says that Renly's cavalry includes at least ten thousand heavy lancers (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 33|Catelyn IV]]), and that it accompanies him to Storm's End to lift the siege, while his foot, according to Stannis near sixty thousand strong (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 42|Davos II]]), remains at Bitterbridge when Renly goes to lift the siege of Storm’s End. As Renly previously stated that the total of his men at Bitterbridge numbered eighty thousand, this would make his cavalry at Storm's End 20,000 strong. As only one fifth of Renly's knights did not join Stannis (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 36|Tyrion IX]]), Stannis would have gained ~16,000 troops, bringing his total force to ~21,000. 
Of those who remain, some — chiefly those of [[House Florent]] — are put to death by Lord [[Randyll Tarly]] after Renly's death (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 42|Davos II]] and [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 44|Tyrion X]]). As House Florent can field two thousand men at best (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Prologue|Prologue]]), this would reduce Renly's foot to fifty-eight thousand at a minimum. A fifth of the knights that had accompanied Renly to Storm's End return to join the other forces from the Reach (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 36|Tyrion VIII]]), but how many of his ten (of fifteen) thousand cavalry had been knights is unknown. Mace Tyrell's additional ten thousand at Highgarden would bring the total to ~70,000 soldiers from House Tyrell.
 [[Petyr Baelish]] tells [[Joffrey Baratheon]]'s [[small council]] that Mace Tyrell can field fifty thousand swords (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 36|Tyrion VIII]]). According to Tyrion Lannister, some fifty to seventy thousand [[House Tyrell|Tyrell soldiers]] are in King's Landing vicinity after the Battle of the Blackwater (''[[A Storm of Swords]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 38|Tyrion V]]).</ref>
* ~20,000 Lannister men<ref group="N">Tywin's host originally is 20,000 men strong (''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 56|Tyrion VII]]). Despite desertions and insurgency in the riverlands, and many minor sieges and skirmishes, he still has about the same number before the [[Battle of the Fords]] (''[[A Storm of Swords]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 39|Catelyn V]]). Despite casualties during the battle, Tywin is later said to have twenty thousand swords in King's Landing (''[[A Storm of Swords]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 38|Tyrion V]]), suggesting he either gained men or did not lose a significant amount </ref>
| casualties1 = [[#Notable Casualties|See below]]
* 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's remaining fleet
* 47 Lesser lordlings killed{{Ref|ASOS|19}}
* 619 knights killed{{Ref|ASOS|19}}
* Several thousand men-at-arms killed{{Ref|ASOS|19}}
* Several thousand men-at-arms left behind for lack of space on Saan's fleet{{ref|adwd|66}}
* Most of the ~15,000 Stormlanders and Reachmen who had previously supported Renly abandoned Stannis{{Ref|ASOS|4}} by the hundreds{{Ref|ASOS|10}}
| casualties2 = [[#Notable Casualties|See below]]
'''King's Landing garrison:''' Heavy
* 1,600 gold cloaks killed or deserted<ref group="N">Following the deaths from and the desertions during the battle, the city watch only contains some forty-four hundred men (''[[A Storm of Swords]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 4|Tyrion I]]), where it had numbered six thousand before (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 49|Tyrion XI]]).</ref>
* Majority of the sellswords and knights/men-at-arms killed<ref group="N">Sandor Clegane loses half his knights and sellswords (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 59|Tyrion XIII]]). Tyrion Lannister leads another sally, which is nearly wiped out (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 61|Tyrion XIV]])</ref>
'''King's Landing navy:''' Heavy
* 39+ royal war galleys{{Ref|AFFC|17}} destroyed, associated crews and marines all killed
* All hulks, barges, skiffs, ferries, wherries, and rowboats destroyed
'''Relief force:''' Minimal
}}

The '''Battle of the Blackwater'''{{ref|ASOS|16}} is the largest battle in the [[War of the Five Kings]]. The battle is fought between the forces loyal to [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I Baratheon]], the King on the [[Iron Throne]], and those loyal to [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis I Baratheon]], the King in the [[Narrow Sea]]. After [[Siege of Storm's End (299)#Regicide|eliminating]] his younger brother [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]], a rival claimaint to the Iron Throne, Stannis gains the loyalty of nearly all of the [[Stormlands|Stormlords]] and [[Reach|Reach lords]] and advances on [[King's Landing]] by land and sea, intent on seizing the city and taking control of the Iron Trone.

==Prelude==
Convinced that Joffrey Baratheon is not King [[Robert I Baratheon]]'s son, Stannis believes his claim to the [[Iron Throne]] is the true one. However, he lacks the strength to attack King's Landing, as few [[House Baratheon of Dragonstone#Sworn to Dragonstone|Houses are sworn to Dragonstone]] and the rocky, volcanic islands surrounding Dragonstone have a sparse population, and the men of the [[stormlands]] have given their support to his younger brother [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]], the [[Lord of Storm's End]], who has proclaimed himself king as well. Additionally, Renly has taken [[Margaery Tyrell]] to wife, which has earned him the support of the men from the [[Reach]] as well.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} On Dragonstone, the red priestess [[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.{{Ref|ACOK|42}}

[[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]] arrives in the [[stormlands]] with his five thousand men and [[Siege of Storm's End (299)|lays siege]] to the coastal fortress [[Storm's End]], the seat of his younger brother, [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]].{{ref|ACOK|22}}{{Ref|ACOK|25}} Renly is at [[Bitterbridge]] with his army when news reaches his camp. He splits his forces and rides with some twenty thousand cavalry to Storm's End to break the siege.{{ref|ACOK|31}} After a failed parlay in which neither brother will yield, the battle is set at dawn.{{ref|ACOK|31}} However, that night Renly is killed by a [[shadow assassin]] summoned by [[Melisandre]].{{Ref|ACOK|33}} With Renly dead, the majority of the host that had accompanied him to Storm's End swears their allegiance to Stannis.{{ref|ACOK|36}} [[House Florent]] and both branches of [[House Fossoway]] also defect to Stannis, but a fifth of Renly’s knights returns to Bitterbridge with Ser [[Loras Tyrell]].{{ref|ACOK|36}} The siege continues, as Storm's End's castellan, Ser [[Cortnay Penrose]], refuses to yield the castle to Stannis{{ref|ACOK|36}} because he fears for the safety of King [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert]]'s [[bastard]] son [[Edric Storm]].{{Ref|ACOK|42}} To end the siege quickly, Ser [[Davos Seaworth]] smuggles Melisandre under the castle by boat, where she summons another shadow to assassinate Cortnay.{{ref|ACOK|42}} After Cortnay's death, the castle yields, leaving Stannis free to advance on [[King's Landing]].{{ref|ACOK|44}}{{Ref|ACOK|45}}

Sixty thousand men from Renly's army are still encamped at Bitterbridge, and when news of Renly's death reaches them,{{Ref|ACOK|42}} fighting breaks out between Stannis' supporters and Renly's loyalists led by the vengeful Loras Tyrell. [[Parmen Crane]] and [[Erren Florent]] – the two knights sent by Stannis to retrieve the army for him{{Ref|ACOK|42}} – are taken prisoner,{{Ref|ASOS|Appendix}} while Lord [[Randyll Tarly]] seizes the supplies and puts many men, mostly Florents, to death.{{ref|acok|44}} In [[King's Landing]], the [[small council]] of King Joffrey decides to attempt to make an alliance with [[House Tyrell]] by offering to marry Joffrey to Margaery. [[Petyr Baelish]], representing King Joffrey I,{{ref|ACOK|36}} travels to Bitterbridge and wins the allegiance of [[House Tyrell]]. Riders are sent north to warn Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] of Stannis's threat to the capital.{{ref|ASOS|14}}

Meanwhile, [[Robb Stark]] attacks the [[westerlands]], hoping to lure Lord Tywin Lannister, who had been residing at [[Harrenhal]] with his twenty thousand men, away from [[King's Landing]] while King Stannis attacks the city from the south. Stannis's victory would mean the end of King [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I]], Queen [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]], and acting [[Hand of the King|Hand]] [[Tyrion Lannister]], breaking Lannister power.{{Ref|ASOS|14}} Tywin begins his march west,{{Ref|ACOK|39}} but Lord [[Edmure Tully]], unaware of Robb's plan,{{Ref|ASOS|14}} refuses to allow the Lannisters to cross the [[Trident]] without [[Battle of the Fords|giving battle]] and places an army of eleven thousand men at the key fords along the [[Red Fork]].{{Ref|ACOK|39}} After several probing attacks, Lord Tywin attempts to force a crossing in a dozen places. Unable to cross the river, Tywin is forced to retreat.{{Ref|ACOK|45}} This delays Tywin just long enough for riders out of Bitterbridge to reach him with word of Stannis's threat to King's Landing.{{Ref|ASOS|14}}

In preparation of the defense of King's Landing, [[Cersei Lannister]] has arranged for the production of vast amounts of [[wildfire]],{{Ref|ACOK|3}} while [[Tyrion Lannister]] has commissioned a great chain boom across the mouth of the [[Blackwater Rush]].{{Ref|ACOK|15}} The [[City Watch of King's Landing|City Watch]] is tripled in size,{{ref|acok|3}} sellswords are hired,{{ref|acok|8}} contingents of soldiers are send from [[Rosby]] and [[Stokeworth]],{{Ref|ACOK|49}}{{Ref|ACOK|57}} and hundreds of scorpions, spitfires, and catapults are constructed and placed on the walls.{{ref|acok|3}}{{ref|ACOK|31}} Tyrion further sends out his hundred and fifty [[Vale mountain clans]]men to harass Stannis' flanks and kill his scouts in the [[kingswood]].{{ref|acok|52}} Stannis's vanguard arrives at the city 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]].{{Ref|aCoK|52}}

Treacherous waters and inclement weather delay Stannis's fleet on its northward journey from Storm's End. A dozen ships are lost on the journey to [[Blackwater Bay]]. Stannis gives command of the fleet to Ser [[Imry Florent]], who commands from Stannis's [[ships|galley]], the ''[[Fury]]''. Stannis himself is on the south side of the Blackwater with his host, making them create arrows and rafts.{{Ref|aCoK|58}}

==The Battle==
[[File:King's Landing Map BattleoftheBlackwater.png|thumb|350px|Map of King's Landing during the Battle of the Blackwater 
'' '''I.''' The [[Red Keep]]; '''II.''' [[Great Sept of Baelor]] upon [[Visenya's Hill]]; '''III.''' [[Dragonpit]] upon [[Rhaenys's Hill]]; '''IV.''' Western baracks of the [[City Watch]]; '''V.''' Eastern baracks of the [[City Watch]] ''
 '''1.''' Stannis' fleet enters the river from Blackwater Bay; Only the ships of [[Salladhor Saan]] remain behind; '''2.''' Once the first lines have passed, the defenders of King's Landing begin raising the chain; By the time the entire fleet has passed, the chain has been raised completely; '''3.''' When Stannis' ships engage Joffrey's fleet, the ships are lit afire with [[wildfire]]; '''4.''' Skirmishes start in [[Flea Bottom]]; '''5.''' King [[Joffrey I Baratheon]] travels to the trebuchets ("the Whores") to launch the [[Antler Men]]; '''6.''' Survivors from Stannis' fleet land on the riverfront and take a ram to the King's Gate; 7. The burning and broken ships have pilled together, creating a bridge of ships allowing Stannis' vanguard to cross the river; '''8.''' An army of [[westermen]] and men from the [[Reach]] arrives to take the forces of Stannis Baratheon in the rear; '''9.''' Seeing the battle is lost, Salladhor Saan, who kept his ships in the bay, lands his ships, allowing Stannis and ~1500 men to retreat.]]
===Battle on the River===
The battle opens when Stannis's admiral, Ser [[Imry Florent]], leads Stannis' fleet up the river to engage Joffrey's ships. They enter visual range of the city in the late afternoon.{{Ref|ACOK|58}} 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 the [[Lysene]] galleys of [[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 are made up of war galleys belonging to the royal navy and the lords of the narrow sea. Behind them sails the smaller [[Myr]]ish contingent, who are 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.{{Ref|aCoK|58}} Ser [[Davos Seaworth]] realizes that the two watchtowers at the mouth of the Blackwater Rush are newly build, and he notices the chain in the water.{{ref|ACOK|58}} The fleet continues forward nonetheless. From within the city, pots of pitch are flung at the ships, and the trebuchets located within the city start to fling stones.{{Ref|ACOK|58}}
[[File:Battle of the Blackwater.jpg|400px|thumb|The wildfire burns the Blackwater - by Amok ©]]
[[Tyrion Lannister]] has ordered several of Joffrey's ships to be filled with wildfire. Stannis' fleet is lured further in the bay when Joffrey's pull back. When they engage the fleet of King's Landing, the ships and the river are soon afire. The wildfire destroys nearly every ship in both fleets. To their horror, the men on Stannis' ship discover that the great chain has been raised behind them, cutting off their retreat.{{Ref|ACOK|58}} However, as Ser Imry's first two battle lines had been well upstream of the fire when the hulks went up, some thirty or forty galleys are able to escape the inferno at first.{{Ref|ACOK|59}} Eight ships manage to land under the city walls and put men ashore, while many of the [[Myr]]men escape the flames by sailing for the south bank.{{Ref|ACOK|59}}

===Attack on King's Landing===
The city itself is defended by some five thousand seven hundred [[gold cloaks]],<ref group="N" name=goldcloaks/> leavened with eight hundred mercenaries and three hundred 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]].{{Ref|aCoK|49}}

At the start of the battle, some small skirmishes arise within the city when some drunkards in [[Flea Bottom]] smash doors and climb into houses. Lord [[Jacelyn Bywater]] sends his [[gold cloaks]] to deal with them.{{Ref|ACOK|60}} When rich merchants and such gather in the square before the [[Red Keep]], asking for refuge in the castle, Queen Regent Cersei Lannister commands the gates be kept close.{{Ref|ACOK|60}}

Tyrion tasks several groups of mounted men-at-arms, along with what few [[knight]]s 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. Tyrion and King [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I Baratheon]] look on from the Mud Gate how the fleet goes up in flames. After King Joffrey leaves to shoot the [[Antler Men]] from [[Whores|the trebuchets]], guarded by Ser [[Meryn Trant]] and Ser [[Osmund Kettleblack]], Tyrion learns of Stannis' men having landed on the tourney grounds, who are preparing to ram the King's Gate. He arrives at the Mud Gate where Sandor Clegane, who had already led three sorties in which he has lost half his men, refuses to go out again. The [[wildfire]] raging across the river has robbed Clegane of his courage, and his refusal to lead any more sorties threatens to break the morale of the defenders. As they need to hold the river at all costs, Tyrion decides to lead the next sortie himself. Shamed into action by the dwarf's display of courage, several defenders gather to Tyrion's side.{{Ref|AGOT|59}}

While Tyrion is leading the sortie at the King's Gate, the Mud Gate falls under attack as well.{{Ref|ACOK|60}} Queen Regent Cersei Lannister orders King Joffrey, who is still at the trebuchets near the gate, to be brought back to the castle.{{Ref|ACOK|60}} When the defenders see their 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.{{fact}} Tyrion manages to disperse the attackers at the [[King's Gate]] and makes for the [[Mud Gate]]. When Ser [[Balon Swann]] points out that the galleys on the river which had smashed into each other have tangled together, creating a bridge of ships, which is being used by Stannis' boldest knights to cross the river, they take the fight to the riverfront.{{Ref|aCoK|61}} Tyrion eventually finds himself on the bridge of ships, when it is about to collapse. He is severely wounded by Ser [[Mandon Moore]] of the [[Kingsguard]], who had been Tyrion's sworn shield throughout the battle.{{Ref|aCoK|61}} Moore is killed by Tyrion's squire, [[Podrick Payne]].{{Ref|acok|61}}{{Ref|acok|67}}

With the bridge breaking up and their Hand lost in battle, the defenders retreat within the city walls.{{Ref|aSoS|4}} At this point, after only a few hours of resistance, the battle seems to be lost to Tyrion, though at this time he also sees Stannis's army seemingly fighting itself on the other side of the river.

===Renly's ghost===
Having learned of Stannis' approaching attack on King's Landing and the alliance between then Iron Throne and [[House Lannister]], Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] has marched his host south. Near the headwaters of the [[Blackwater Rush]] he joins up with Lords [[Mathis Rowan]] and [[Randyll Tarly]], from where they force a march to [[Tumbler's Falls]], where they find Lord [[Mace Tyrell]] and his sons wait with their huge host and a fleet of barges. Together, the Lannisters and Tyrells float down the river to disembark half a day's ride from the capital.{{Ref|ASOS|14}} They arrive at the battle scene at dusk,{{Ref|acok|61}} taking Stannis' army from the rear. Lord Tywin leads the right wing on the north side of the river, while Randyll Tarly commands the center and Mace Tyrell the left.{{Ref|ACOK|62}} However, it is their vanguard, led by Ser [[Garlan Tyrell]],{{Ref|ASOS|67}} which plunges through Stannis' army. Dressed in the recognizable armor of the deceased [[Renly Baratheon]], his former supporters, convinced their dead lord has returned, abandon Stannis.{{Ref|ACOK|62}} "Renly's shade" kills Ser [[Guyard Morrigen]], who leads Stannis' van.{{Ref|ACOK|62}}
[[File:T Jedruszek DefendersOfKingsLanding.jpg|350px|thumb|right|Lannister soldiers defending King's Landing – by Tomasz Jedruszek. © Fantasy Flight Games]]
Seeing that the battle has turned bad, Salladhor Saan puts his ships, which had been kept out in the bay, in along the shore, taking as many people as will fit.{{Ref|asos|4}} [[Rolland Storm]] leads a rearguard action, allowing Stannis and several hundreds of his men, about half of Florents, to reach the ships.{{Ref|aSoS|54}} As Saan’s ship can only take a limited amount of men, thousands are left behind due to lack of space,{{Ref|adwd|66}} and towards the end, men begin to kill each other to get aboard and escape.{{Ref|asos|4}}

==Aftermath==
The Battle of the Blackwater is a major defeat for Stannis. He retreats to Dragonstone with only a fraction of his army, and only Saan’s ships.

Most of those captured during the battle bend the knee to Joffrey, including men sworn to Dragonstone. During a court session, Ser [[Garlan Tyrell]] publicly asks Joffrey to take his sister Margaery to bride, and Joffrey, as previously agreed upon, fakes unwillingness to break his betrothal to [[Sansa Stark]] until the High Septon and small council agree that he is allowed to do so. Multiple honors and rewards are given to the participants and survivors of the battle by King Joffrey and his small council:

* Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] is proclaimed ''"[[Savior of the City]]"'', and openly accepts the responsibility of the governance of the realm, officially resuming his office as [[Hand of the King]].{{Ref|acok|65}}
* Ser [[Loras Tyrell]] is given a place in the [[Kingsguard]], replacing Ser [[Mandon Moore]].
* Lord [[Mace Tyrell]] is granted a seat on the [[small council]],{{Ref|acok|65}} as [[master of ships]].{{ref|asos|appendix}}
* Ser [[Garlan Tyrell]], the titles, lands and incomes of [[House Florent]], including lordship of [[Brightwater Keep]].{{Ref|asos|19}}
* Lords [[Mathis Rowan]] and [[Paxter Redwyne]] seats on the small council as advisers.{{Ref|asos|19}}
* Ser [[Philip Foote]], the lands, rights and incomes of [[House Caron]], including Lordship of [[Nightsong]] as Lord Foote, for slaying Lord [[Bryce Caron]].{{Ref|acok|65}}
* [[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 Fossoway|Bryan]] and Ser [[Edwyd Fossoway]] after fighting past half a hundred Fossoway men-at-arms.{{Ref|acok|65}}
* [[Josmyn Peckledon]], a sword and suit of plate and a warhorse of the royal stables as well as a [[knight]]hood when coming of age, for killing two knights, wounding a third and capturing two more.{{Ref|acok|65}}
* Goodman [[Willit]], a [[House Swyft|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]].{{Ref|acok|65}}
* [[Wisdom]] [[Hallyne]], raised to lordship, albeit without lands or castle.{{Ref|acok|65}}
* Ser [[Lancel Lannister]], granted the lands, castle and rights of [[House Darry]] as Lord of [[Darry]].{{Ref|acok|65}}
* 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]].{{Ref|acok|65}}
* Surviving captains from Joffrey's warships ''[[River Arrow]]'', ''[[Wildwind]]'' and ''[[Prince Aemon]]'', and under officers from ''[[Godsgrace (ship)|Godsgrace]]'', ''[[Ramshead]]'', ''[[Lance]]'' and ''[[Lady of Silk]]'', honored by the crown.{{ref|ACOK|65}}
* More than six hundred men are knighted by the [[Kingsguard]],{{Ref|acok|65}} including sellsword [[Bronn]], raised to [[knight]]hood as Ser Bronn of the Blackwater, and [[Osfryd Kettleblack|Osfryd]] and [[Osney Kettleblack]].{{Ref|asos|4}}

==Hostages and casualties==
[[File:John_Picacio_Tyrion.jpg‎|[[Tyrion Lannister]] during the Battle of the Blackwater ‎- © 2012 John Picacio|thumb|250px|right]]
===Hostages===
{{Columns|2|
* Lord [[Ardrian Celtigar]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* Lord [[Alesander Staedmon]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* Lord [[Steffon Varner]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* Lord [[House Willum|Willum]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* Ser [[Eldon Estermont]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* Ser [[Mark Mullendore]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* Ser [[Tanton Fossoway]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* Ser [[Donnel Swann]], gets ransomed and bends the knee to Joffrey
* Ser [[Ronnet Connington]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* Ser [[Jon Fossoway]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* Ser [[Bonifer Hasty]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* Ser [[Dermot]] of the [[Rainwood]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* Ser [[Timon]], "the Scrapesword", bends the knee to Joffrey
* [[Josua Willum]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* [[Elyas Willum]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* [[Aurane Waters]], bends the knee to Joffrey
* A bastard of [[House Florent]], remains defiant and is executed{{ref|acok|65}}
* Ser [[Shadrich]] of the Shady Glen, ransoms himself
}}

===Notable Casualties===
====Lannister/Tyrell forces====
{{Columns|3|
* Ser [[Mandon Moore]]
* Ser [[Jacelyn Bywater]]
* Ser [[Ben Bushy]]
* Ser [[Richard Farrow]]
* Ser [[Will (Stork)|Will the Stork]]
}}
====Stannis' forces====
{{Columns|3|
* Ser [[Imry Florent]]
* Ser [[Guyard Morrigen]]
* Lord [[Monford Velaryon]]
* Lord [[Bryce Caron]]
* Lord [[House Chyttering|Chyttering]]
* Ser [[Bryan Fossoway]]
* Ser [[Edwyd Fossoway]]
* Ser [[Herbert Bolling]]
* [[Dale Seaworth]]
* [[Allard Seaworth]]
* [[Maric Seaworth]]
* [[Matthos Seaworth]]
}}

===Ships===  
====King Joffrey====
{{Columns|3|
* ''[[Kingslander]]''
* ''[[Godsgrace (ship)|Godsgrace]]''
* ''[[Prince Aemon]]''
* ''[[Lady of Silk]]''
* ''[[Lady's Shame]]''
* ''[[Wildwind]]''
* ''[[Lance]]''
* ''[[Seaflower]]''
* ''[[White Hart]]''
* ''[[Loyal Man]]''
* ''[[Queen Cersei]]''
* ''[[River Arrow]]''
* ''[[Ramshead]]''
}}
====King Stannis====
{{Columns|3|
*''[[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 (ship)|Valyrian]]''
}}

==Quotes==
{{quote|A wall of red-hot steel, blazing wood, and swirling [[wildfire|green flame]] stretched before him. The mouth of the [[Blackwater Rush]] had turned into the mouth of hell.{{ref|ACOK|58}}}} - [[Davos Seaworth]]'s thoughts

{{Quote|We're delivered, [[Sansa Stark|sweetling]]! They came up the [[roseroad]] and along the riverbank, through all the fields [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]] had burned, the ashes puffing up around their boots and turning all their armor grey, but oh! the '''banners''' must have been bright, the [[House Tyrell|golden rose]] and [[House Lannister|golden lion]] and all the others, the [[Marbrand]] tree and the [[Rowan]], [[Tarly]]'s huntsman and [[Redwyne]]'s grapes and Lady [[Oakheart]]'s leaf. All the [[westermen]], all the power of [[Highgarden]] and [[Casterly Rock]]! [[Tywin Lannister|Lord Tywin]] himself had their right wing on the north side of the river, with [[Randyll Tarly]] commanding the center and [[Mace Tyrell]] the left, but the vanguard won the fight. They plunged through Stannis like a lance through a pumpkin, every man of them howling like some demon in steel. And do you know who led the vanguard? Do you? Do you? '''Do you?''' It was '''[[Renly Baratheon|Lord Renly]]!''' Lord Renly in his green armor, with the fires 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!{{ref|acok|62}}}} – [[Dontos Hollard]], to [[Sansa Stark]]

{{Quote|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?{{Ref|aSoS|4}}}} – [[Tyrion Lannister]]'s thoughts

{{Quote|That chain of yours, that was cunning.{{Ref|aSoS|19}}}} [[Mace Tyrell]], to Tyrion Lannister

{{quote|Too many good men died that day.{{ref|ADWD|66}}}} – [[Tyrion Lannister]], to [[Kem]]

==See also==
:*[[:Category:Images of the Battle of the Blackwater|Images of the Battle of the Blackwater]]

==Notes==
{{Notes}}

==References==
{{references|2}}

{{War of the Five Kings}}

[[Category:Battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:War of the Five Kings|Blackwater]]
[[Category:Crownlands]]
[[Category:King's Landing]]
[[Category:House Bar Emmon battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Baratheon battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Brax battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Caron battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Celtigar battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Chyttering battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Connington battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Crakehall battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Errol battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Estermont battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Florent battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Foote battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Fossoway of Cider Hall battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Fossoway of New Barrel battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Hasty battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Horpe battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Lannister battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Lydden battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Marbrand battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Massey battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Morrigen battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Mullendore battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Oakheart battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Redwyne battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Rosby battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Rowan battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Seaworth battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Staedmon battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Stokeworth battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Tarly battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Tyrell battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Varner battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Velaryon battles|Blackwater]]

[[es:Batalla del Aguasnegras]]
[[fr:Bataille de la Néra]]
[[ru:Битва на Черноводной]]
[[zh:黑水河之役]]

Second siege of Meereen

2017-09-10T20:12:32Z

Nihlus:

{{Hatnote|Not to be confused with the [[siege of Meereen]], taking place in 299 AC}}
{{Template:Battlebox
| image = [[File:Mike Capprotti Ser Barristan.jpg|400px]]
| caption = Ser [[Barristan Selmy]] commands his Queen's forces as Hand of the Queen during the [[Battle of Slaver's Bay]] © FFG
| battle_name = Siege of Meereen II
| conflict =
| date = {{Date|300}}
| place = [[Meereen]], [[Essos]]
| result = Ongoing
| combatant1 = [[Daenerys Targaryen|House Targaryen]]
*[[Meereen]]
[[Sellsword]] companies:
*[[Windblown]]
*[[Stormcrows]]
----
[[House Greyjoy]]
*[[Iron Fleet]]
| combatant2 = Slaver Alliance
* [[New Ghis]]
* [[Yunkai]]
* [[Qarth]]
* [[Dothraki]]{{ref|adwd|30}}
* [[Tolos]]
* [[Elyria]]
* [[Mantarys]]
* [[Sellsword]] companies:
** [[Company of the Cat]]
** [[Long Lances]]
** [[Second Sons]]
| commander1 = [[House Targaryen]]
* [[Barristan Selmy]]: Hand of the Queen and leader of the ruling council of Meereen
* [[Skahaz mo Kandaq]]: Commander of the Brazen Beasts
* [[Grey Worm]]: Commander of the Unsullied
* [[Tattered Prince]]: Commander of the Windblown
* [[Widower]] & [[Jokin]]: Co-Commanders of the Stormcrows
* [[Symon Stripeback]]: Commander of the [[Free Brothers]] freedmen
* [[Marselen]]: Commander of the [[Mother's Men]] freedmen
* [[Tal Toraq]]: Commander of the [[Stalwart Shields]] freedmen
* [[Rakharo]]: Commander of the Dothraki
[[Windblown]]
*The [[Tattered Prince]]:
[[House Greyjoy]]
*[[Victarion Greyjoy]]: [[Lord Captain of the Iron Fleet]]
| commander2 = Slaver Alliance
* [[Wise Masters]]: Commanders of the Yunkish slave troops
* [[Bloodbeard]]: Commander of the Company of the Cat
* [[Gylo Rhegan]]: Commander of the Long Lances
* [[Ben Plumm]]: Commander of the Second Sons (defects)
| strength1 = House Targaryen: 22,000+
* ~10,600 [[Unsullied]]{{Ref|ASOS|27}} (2000 of whom have not yet completed training)
* 2,000 [[Windblown]]{{Ref|ADWD|25}} <ref group="N">Originally hired by Yunkai, the Windblown make a secret alliance with Barristan Selmy and turn on Yunkai and the slavers at the start of the battle</ref>
* ~8,000 [[Freedmen]] (divided into 4 companies){{Ref|asos|57}}
* 514 [[Second Sons]]{{Ref|ADWD|66}}<ref group="N" name=sons>Originally supporting Daenerys. Defect to Yunkai after the Fall of Astapor; defect back to Meereen during the Battle of Slaver's Bay)</ref>
* 500 [[Stormcrows]]{{Ref|adwd|50}}
* ~200 [[Pit Fighters]]<ref name=barristan2>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', Barristan II ([http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?/topic/81338-twow-spoilers-barristan/&do=findComment&comment=4122024 Notes from Boskone 2013 reading]]</ref>
* 26 squires of Ser Barristan
* ~20 Dothraki warriors<ref name=barristan1>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', Barristan I</ref>
* [[Viserion]]
* [[Rhaegal]]
* Unknown number of [[Brazen Beast]]s
[[House Greyjoy]]:
* 4,500+ reavers<ref group="N">It is stated that the ships of the Iron Fleet are the equals of the smaller war galleys of the Royal Fleet (''[[A Feast for Crows]]'', [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 32|Cersei VI]]), and that all of the crewmen of Ironborn ships (including oarsmen) are armored and armed reavers in contrast to the ship crews of other factions (''[[A Feast for Crows]]'', [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 29|The Reaver]]). The smaller war galleys of the Royal Fleet dip about 100 oars each (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 10|Davos I]]), putting the crews of Victarion's remaining ships at a minimum of 4,500+.</ref>
* 45 war galleys of the [[Iron Fleet]]{{ref|ADWD|56}}
* 17 captured slaver ships{{ref|ADWD|56}}
| strength2 = Slaver Alliance: 50,000+
[[New Ghis]]
* 36,000 men divided into 6 legions<ref name=barristan2/>
* 100 armored and towered war elephants
* 3 war galleys
[[Yunkai]]
* 40 Yunkai commanders each having "20 or 200 or 2,000" armed slaves{{ref|adwd|66}}
* [[Six sisters (trebuchets)|6 trebuchets]]
* 3,000 [[Company of the Cat]]{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
* 800 [[Long Lances]]{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
* 514 [[Second Sons]]{{Ref|ADWD|66}}(switches sides)<ref group="N" name=sons/>
[[Qarth]]
* [[Qartheen]] fleet
* Qartheen [[camel]] corps
[[Dothraki]]
*Large khalasar{{Ref|ADWD|30}}
Other
* 300 [[Elyria]]n Crossbowmen
* [[Tolos]]i slingers
| casualties1 = unknown
| casualties2 = [[Little Pigeon]] [[Pudding Face]]
}}

[[File: Marc Fishman SerBS GreatP.jpg| [[Barristan Selmy|Ser Barristan]] looks at a smouldering [[Meereen]] - by Marc Fishman © |thumb|400px|right]]
The '''second siege of Meereen''' takes place after [[Daenerys Targaryen]] has taken control of [[Meereen]]. A coalition of [[slavery|slavers]] besieges the city, in an attempt to restore slavery.

==Prelude==
Upon buying eight thousand six hundred trained [[Unsullied]], as well as five thousand boys who had not yet completed their training, [[Daenerys Targaryen]] [[Fall of Astapor|sacks]] [[Astapor]].{{Ref|ASOS|27}} Daenerys installs a council of three to rule the city, a healer, a scholar, and a priest.{{Ref|ASOS|49}} She marches her army to [[Yunkai]], where four thousand slave soldiers, as well as two sellsword companies, the [[Second Sons]] and the [[Stormcrows]], each consisting of five hundred men. Daenerys meets envoys from all three parties, and promises the Yunkai'i that they'll remain unharmed if they'd release their slaves. The Stormcrows defect to Daenerys prior to battle, and join Daenerys against the remaining Yunkai'i forces.{{Ref|ASOS|42}} Daenerys does not take the city, but instead marches her army, now greater than eighty thousand men, though less than a quarter are warriors.{{Ref|ASOS|57}}

Daenerys [[Siege of Meereen|conquers Meereen]] and installs herself as its Queen, taking the [[Great Pyramid]] as her seat.{{Ref|ASOS|71}} However, the council she had left to rule Astapor has been killed after a former slave, the butcher [[Cleon]], accused them of plotting to reinstall the [[Good Masters]], the former slavers. Following the deaths of the council members, Cleon names himself king and has all highborn boys in the city seized, to train them as Unsullied.{{Ref|ASOS|71}} Cleon sends an envoy, Lord [[Ghael]], to Meereen, to inform her of Cleon's reign. Cleon offers an alliance, to be sealed with marriage. Daenerys declines.{{Ref|ASOS|71}} Meanwhile, [[Yunkai]] return to slavery.{{Ref|ADWD|2}}

Even without Daenerys, Cleon marches his army out to meet Yunkai in the field. He is defeated during the [[Battle at the Horns of Hazzat]], and flees with his host back to Astapor.{{ref|ADWD|16}} The Yukai'i follow, and [[Siege of Astapor|besiege the Red City]].{{Ref|ADWD|23}} When Cleon orders his men to march out and fight, they kill him. His successor, [[Cleon the Second]], is slain eight days later, and the killer takes up the crown. The concubine of the first Cleon claims the crown as well, and the Astapori name them "King Cutthroat" and "Queen Whore".{{Ref|ADWD|23}} While Astapor starves, the King and Queen accuse one another of eating the slain.{{Ref|ADWD|30}} When the [[Green Grace]] of [[Astapor]] has a vision that the first Cleon will soon deliver the Astapori from the Yunkai'i,{{Ref|ADWD|30}} the Astapori make the decision to strap Cleon's corpse into his armor and onto his horse to lead the Unsullied in battle.{{Ref|ADWD|30}}{{Ref|ADWD|25}} When the dead King Cleon is slain once again, the Astapori break and attempt to flee, only to find the gates to the city closed. The battle itself is butchery.{{Ref|ADWD|25}}

Many of the survivors of the second fall of Astapor have the [[bloody flux]]. The Yunkai'i command their sellswords to hunt the survivors down and turn them, driving them back to Astapor or north to Meereen to prevent them from going near Yunkai.{{Ref|ADWD|25}} In [[Meereen]], Queen [[Daenerys Targaryen]] receives the news of the fall from three escaped Astapori, and, following the advice of her councillors, refuses to allow the other Astapori to settle in the city,{{Ref|ADWD|30}} but instead settles them outside the walls,{{Ref|ADWD|36}} to prevent the bloody flux from spreading into Meereen.

==Siege of Meereen==
===Initial siege===
With Astapor defeated, the Yunkai'i forces march on to Meereen.{{Ref|ADWD|25}}{{Ref|ADWD|36}} Ships from [[Qarth]], [[Tolos]], and [[New Ghis]] are shocking off the bay, aided by ships from the Meereenese fleet who had fled when Daenerys first arrived at the city.{{Ref|ADWD|30}} The Yunkai'i march their new slave soldiers up the coast road, accompanied by four sellsword companies, four [[Ghiscari legion]]s, a hundred elephants, [[Tolos]]i slingers, and a corps of [[Qarth]]een camelry, while another two legions from [[New Ghis]] are set to arrive by ship.{{Ref|ADWD|36}}

Following the death of the young girl [[Hazzea]] and the subsequent imprisonment of [[Viserion]] and [[Rhaegal]] and the escape of [[Drogon]], Daenerys refuses to use her dragons in battle.{{Ref|ADWD|30}} Following her refusal, [[Ben Plumm]] allies his [[Second Sons]] with Yunkai.{{Ref|ADWD|36}} The Yunkai'i are in contact with [[Hizdahr zo Loraq]], and inform him that they are willing to give Meereen peace, on the condition that the Yunkai'i can resume slaving. They insist that Astapor, once rebuild, will be a slaver city once again, and that Daenerys has to promise that she will not interfere. The agreements are to be sealed by Daenerys's marriage to Hizdahr.{{Ref|ADWD|36}} When the Yunkai'i lay siege to Meereen, they build catapults, scorpions, and tall trebuchets. Their aim is to weaken Meereen, until famine and disease brings the city to its knees.{{Ref|ADWD|43}} The bloody flux has by now already spread across Meereen;{{ref|ADWD|43}} However, it has also begun to spread among the Yunkish camps as well.{{Ref|ADWD|47}}

===Agreement of peace===
Following Daenerys's occupation of Meereen, Ghiscari descendants known as the [[Sons of the Harpy]] began to fight a [[shadow war]] against her, killing freedmen and [[Unsullied]], which leads to the formation of the [[Brazen Beasts]], Meereen's new city watch.{{Ref|ADWD|11}}{{Ref|ADWD|16}} However, the Harpy's Sons continue their killings, and the [[Green Grace]], [[Galazza Galare]], suggests to Daenerys that she should take a Meereenese nobleman as her husband and recommends [[Hizdahr zo Loraq]].{{Ref|ADWD|23}}

Daenerys follows the advice of Galazza and agrees to a pact with Hizdahr: if he is able to stop the Sons of the Harpy from killing for ninty days, Daenerys will marry Hizdahr.{{ref|ADWD|23}} Hizdahr discusses a peace treaty with the Yunkai'i, in which the marriage is an important aspect.{{Ref|ADWD|36}} Following ninety days of peace, Daenerys and Hizdahr are wed.{{ref|ADWD|43}}

Following the marriage, the peace between Meereen and the slavers is to be signed and sealed, and Meereen's fighting pits are to be opened once more.{{ref|ADWD|47}} Meereen's ports have already been opened following the wedding,{{ref|adwd|50}} and Hizdahr has invited the Yunkai'i commanders into the city to witness the opening of the fighting pits and sign the peace. Three Yunkish noblemen and the four commanders of the sellsword companies enter Meereen, and in return seven Meereenese hostages are sent to the camps of Yunkai.{{Ref|ADWD|50}} The following day, [[Daznak's Pit]] is opened. Daenerys and Hizdahr witness the matches from Hizdahr's box. Hizdahr urges Daenerys to try some honeyed locusts, but she declines them, letting [[Belwas]] eat them all. However, Daenerys feels more and more uneasy while watching the fights. During a fight where [[Barsena]] is slain by a boar, Daenerys stands to leave, when Belwas falls to his knees, and [[Drogon]] returns to the city. Drogon slays the boar and begins to eat Barsena and the animal. The gathered public panicks and attempts to flee. Daenerys rushes to Drogon's side and flies away from Meereen on his back.{{Ref|ADWD|52}}

Two hundred fourteen people died at Daznak's Pit, while three times as many were injured.{{Ref|ADWD|55}} After Daenerys's departure on Drogon, Hizdahr takes over the rule of Meereen and removes many of Daenerys's people from command. He places the command of the [[Brazen Beasts]] under the command of one of his cousins, and attempts to do the same with the Unsullied, which angers them, resulting in Hizdahr losing their support. [[Skahaz mo Kandaq]] contacts [[Barristan Selmy]] and informs him that Hizdahr's confectioner has confessed to having poisoned the locusts, from which Belwas had gotten sick, on behalf of the [[Sons of the Harpy]], who had threatened to kill his daughter. As Daenerys survived, the girl was killed. Skahaz has been gathering support against Hizdahr, but needs Barristan to bring the Unsullied to their side. Barristan agrees.{{Ref|ADWD|55}}

===The Battle of Slaver's Bay===
{{Warning|This section contains pieces of information which have thus far been only released in samples chapters for ''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', or which originate from notes taken at readings from unreleased chapters. Therefore, the section might therefore be considered to contain spoilers. Additionally, the information might not be in finalized form. Keep in mind that parts of the content as described below could still be subject to change.}}
One of the deaths at Daznak's Pit was the Yunkish Supreme Commander [[Yurkhaz zo Yunzak]]. Following his death, the Yunkai'i commanders rotate the leadership, with a new general commanding the army each day, starting at dawn.<ref name=tyrion2/> Because Yurkhaz died whilst inside Meereen, the Yunkai'i speak of a breach of the peace, and continue their siege. They present King Hizdahr with the severed head of one of the Meereenese hostages, [[Groleo]]. They also return three hostages - all family to Hizdahr - as a shown of good faith, while promising to return the other three after Hizdahr has slain the dragons.{{Ref|ADWD|59}} Barristan and Skahaz agree to imprison Hizdahr, as well as [[Reznak mo Reznak]], and rule Meereen by a council.{{Ref|ADWD|67}} However, in the meantime, Prince [[Quentyn Martell]] has contacted the [[Tattered Prince]] and enlisted his help in capturing Daenerys's dragons,.{{Ref|ADWD|60}} Barristan's and Skahaz's plan to arrest Hizdahr takes place on the same night as Quentyn's plan to steal the dragons. Quentyn's plan fails, resulting in his mortal injuries as well as the escape of both [[Viserion]] and [[Rhaegal]].{{Ref|ADWD|68}} While Barristan is confronting Hizdahr about his role in the poisoning attempt of Daenerys, a [[cupbearer]] informs them that the dragons have been loosened on the city.{{Ref|ADWD|67}}

Following Hizdahr's arrest, the [[Sons of the Harpy]] return to their nightly killings. Galazza Galare is send to the Yunkai'i to discuss terms, but upon her return informs Barristan that the they demand that Hizdahr is restored to his throne. Galazza had presented an offer from Barristan to the nobles from Yunkai, but they have refused. When Galazza has informed Barristan of this fact, he is informed that the Yunkai'i are now flinging corpses into [[Meereen]], using the trebuchets.{{Ref|ADWD|70}}

Meereen prepares for the Battle of Slaver’s Bay<ref name=smartertravel>[http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/today-in-travel/game-of-thrones-exclusive-george-martin-talks-season-the-winds-of-winter-and-real-world-influences-for-song-of-ice-and-fire.html?id=10593041 George R.R. Martin Talks Season Two, 'The Winds of Winter,' and Real-World Influences for 'A Song of Ice and Fire' (March 26, 2012)]</ref> during the night. At the western gate, five thousand Unsullied are lined up, along with the [[Stormcrows]] and several hundred [[pit fighters]]. Barristan rides on Daenerys's [[silver]], hoping it gives the soldiers courage. The [[Brazen Beasts]] have taken the city walls, and are to be Meereen's final stand against Yunkai, should all else fail. The [[Stalwart Shields]] have gathered by the eastern gate, the [[Mother's Men]] by the south gate, and the [[Free Brothers]] by the north gate. Meanwhile, the Yunkishmen have two Ghiscari legions to the north, across the [[Skahazadhan]], while their main camp is located to the west, with two of its six trebuchets located there; one beside the river, one opposed Meereen's main gates.<ref name=barristan1/> Yunkai has [[six sisters|six trebuchets]] in total: the Dragonbreaker, the Harridan, the Harpy's Daughter, the Wicked Sister, the Ghost of Astapor, and the Mazdhan's Fist.{{Ref|adwd|47}} Yunkai's numbers are larger than Meereen's, and the attack goes against all of [[Barristan Selmy]]'s instincts, but he knows the battle is necessary nonetheless.<ref name=barristan1/>

Barristan's plan is to destroy the trebuchet known as the Harridan, in order to distract the Yunkai'i long enough for the Unsullied to form up before the city. The battle itself begins shortly before dawn.<ref name=barristan1/> Barristan leads the charge on the Harridan with cavalry fighters, while the Unsullied form a shield wall. He manages to reach the trebuchet, where a [[Ghiscari legion]] has formed up, six thousand men strong. However, they are not the only defenders. Barristan targets the [[Paezhar zo Myraq]]'s [[Herons]], and his plan is succesful when the Yunkai'i fail to launge a counter-attack, and the Unsullied can take their position. [[Tumco Lho]] points Barristan's attention towards the bay, due to the large amount of ships. They identify the banners of [[House Greyjoy]], and Barristan is surprised to discover that the [[Ironborn]] are fighting on their side.<ref name=barristan2/>

Meanwhile, [[Tyrion Lannister]], who had been enslaved{{ref|adwd|47}} and had escaped to the [[Second Sons]],{{Ref|ADWD|57}} whom he has joined,{{ref|adwd|66}} has been trying to convince [[Ben Plumm]] to defect to Daenerys.<ref>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', Tyrion I (Notes from [http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?/topic/67929-twow-spoilers-miscon-reading-two-winds-of-winter-chapters/ Miscon reading: two Winds of Winter chapters (Victarion I and Tyrion I) (June 6, 2012)]</ref> When the [[Second Sons]] are commanded by a messenger from [[Gorzhak zo Eraz]], the slaver commanding the Yunkish armies that day, to give their aid against the ironborn, the mercenaries present refuse the order, citing [[Ben Plumm]]'s absence. Meanwhile, [[Viserion]] is snatching and devouring corpses in the air which are being thrown by the Wicked Sister, while [[Rhaegal]] flies over the bay and circles the clashing ships of the [[Iron Fleet]] and [[Qarth]].<ref name=Tyrion2>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', Tyrion II</ref> When Plumm returns, he informs his men that [[Malazza]], the Girl General, commands them to defend the [[Wicked Sister]], in case Barristan will turn to that trebuchet when the Harridan is down. However, Malazza's command had ended at dawn, and a new messenger arrives, informing the Second Sons that commander Gorzhak zo Eraz has been slain by the [[Tattered Prince]], and that the [[Windblown]] have declared their loyalty for Meereen. Command is now being held by [[Morghar zo Zherzyn]], who commands the Second Sons to give their aid to the [[Company of the Cat]] and the two [[Ghiscari legions]] defending the Harpy's Daughter, as the Targaryen Unsullied are marching for the trebuchet. When Tyrion makes a sarcastic comment, the messenger recognizes him for an escaped slave. [[Jorah Mormont]] kills the messenger, and the Second Sons declare they had been loyal to Daenerys all along and their defection had been no more than a ruse.<ref name=tyrion2>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', Tyrion II</ref>

==Quotes==
{{Quote|Dragons wheeled overhead, their shadows sweeping across the upturned faces of friend and foe alike.<ref name=tyrion2/>}}

{{Quote|'''Tyrion:''' "Do you hear that sound?" '''Penny:''' "What is it?" '''Tyrion: ''' "War. On either side of us and not a league away. That's slaughter, Penny. That's men stumbling through the mud with their entrails hanging out. That's severed limbs and broken bones and pools of blood. You know how the worms come out after a hard rain? I hear they do the same after a big battle if enough blood soaks into the ground. That's the [[Stranger]] coming, Penny. The [[Black Goat of Qohor|Black Goat]], the [[Pale Child]], [[Him of Many Faces]], call him what you will. That's death." <ref name=tyrion2/>}} – [[Tyrion Lannister]] and [[Penny]] at the start of battle

{{Quote|Whatever might befall us on the battlefield, remember, it has happened before, and to better men than you. I am an old man, an old knight, and I have seen more battles than most of you have years. Nothing is more terrible upon this earth, nothing more glorious, nothing more absurd. You may retch. You will not be the first. You may drop your sword, your shield, your lance. Others have done the same. Pick it up and go on fighting. You may foul your breeches. I did, in my first battle. No one will care. All battlefields smell of shit. You may cry out for your mother, pray to gods you thought you had forgotten, howl obscenities that you never dreamed could pass your lips. All this has happened too. Some men die in every battle. More survive. East or west, in every inn and wine sink, you will find greybeards endlessly refighting the wars of their youth. They survived their battles. So may you. This you can be certain of: the foe you see before you is just another man, and like as not he is as frightened as you. Hate him if you must, love him if you can, but lift your sword and bring it down, then ride on. Above all else, keep moving. We are too few to win the battle. We ride to make chaos, to buy the Unsullied time enough to make their spear wall, we—<ref name=barristan1/>}} – Barristan Selmy’s speech, until he is interrupted.

==Notes==
{{Notes}}

==References==
{{References|2}}

{{Targaryen campaign in Slavers Bay}}

[[Category:Battles|Meereen]]
[[Category:House Greyjoy battles|Meereen]]
[[Category:House Targaryen battles|Meereen 2]]
[[Category:Meereen]]
[[Category:Targaryen campaign in Slaver's Bay]]

[[es:Batalla de Meereen]]
[[fr:Siège de Meereen]]

Second siege of Meereen

2017-09-10T20:10:13Z

Nihlus:

{{Hatnote|Not to be confused with the [[siege of Meereen]], taking place in 299 AC}}
{{Template:Battlebox
| image = [[File:Mike Capprotti Ser Barristan.jpg|400px]]
| caption = Ser [[Barristan Selmy]] commands his Queen's forces as Hand of the Queen during the [[Battle of Slaver's Bay]] © FFG
| battle_name = Siege of Meereen II
| conflict =
| date = {{Date|300}}
| place = [[Meereen]], [[Essos]]
| result = Ongoing
| combatant1 = [[Daenerys Targaryen|House Targaryen]]
*[[Meereen]]
[[House Greyjoy]]
*[[Iron Fleet]]
| combatant2 = Slaver Alliance
* [[New Ghis]]
* [[Yunkai]]
* [[Qarth]]
* [[Dothraki]]{{ref|adwd|30}}
* [[Tolos]]
* [[Elyria]]
* [[Mantarys]]
* [[Sellsword]] companies:
** [[Company of the Cat]]
** [[Long Lances]]
** [[Second Sons]]
| commander1 = [[House Targaryen]]
* [[Barristan Selmy]]: Hand of the Queen and leader of the ruling council of Meereen
* [[Skahaz mo Kandaq]]: Commander of the Brazen Beasts
* [[Grey Worm]]: Commander of the Unsullied
* [[Tattered Prince]]: Commander of the Windblown
* [[Widower]] & [[Jokin]]: Co-Commanders of the Stormcrows
* [[Symon Stripeback]]: Commander of the [[Free Brothers]] freedmen
* [[Marselen]]: Commander of the [[Mother's Men]] freedmen
* [[Tal Toraq]]: Commander of the [[Stalwart Shields]] freedmen
* [[Rakharo]]: Commander of the Dothraki
[[Windblown]]
*The [[Tattered Prince]]:
[[House Greyjoy]]
*[[Victarion Greyjoy]]: [[Lord Captain of the Iron Fleet]]
| commander2 = Slaver Alliance
* [[Wise Masters]]: Commanders of the Yunkish slave troops
* [[Bloodbeard]]: Commander of the Company of the Cat
* [[Gylo Rhegan]]: Commander of the Long Lances
* [[Ben Plumm]]: Commander of the Second Sons (defects)
| strength1 = House Targaryen: 22,000+
* ~10,600 [[Unsullied]]{{Ref|ASOS|27}} (2000 of whom have not yet completed training)
* 2,000 [[Windblown]]{{Ref|ADWD|25}} <ref group="N">Originally hired by Yunkai, the Windblown make a secret alliance with Barristan Selmy and turn on Yunkai and the slavers at the start of the battle</ref>
* ~8,000 [[Freedmen]] (divided into 4 companies){{Ref|asos|57}}
* 514 [[Second Sons]]{{Ref|ADWD|66}}<ref group="N" name=sons>Originally supporting Daenerys. Defect to Yunkai after the Fall of Astapor; defect back to Meereen during the Battle of Slaver's Bay)</ref>
* 500 [[Stormcrows]]{{Ref|adwd|50}}
* ~200 [[Pit Fighters]]<ref name=barristan2>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', Barristan II ([http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?/topic/81338-twow-spoilers-barristan/&do=findComment&comment=4122024 Notes from Boskone 2013 reading]]</ref>
* 26 squires of Ser Barristan
* ~20 Dothraki warriors<ref name=barristan1>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', Barristan I</ref>
* [[Viserion]]
* [[Rhaegal]]
* Unknown number of [[Brazen Beast]]s
[[House Greyjoy]]:
* 4,500+ reavers<ref group="N">It is stated that the ships of the Iron Fleet are the equals of the smaller war galleys of the Royal Fleet (''[[A Feast for Crows]]'', [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 32|Cersei VI]]), and that all of the crewmen of Ironborn ships (including oarsmen) are armored and armed reavers in contrast to the ship crews of other factions (''[[A Feast for Crows]]'', [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 29|The Reaver]]). The smaller war galleys of the Royal Fleet dip about 100 oars each (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 10|Davos I]]), putting the crews of Victarion's remaining ships at a minimum of 4,500+.</ref>
* 45 war galleys of the [[Iron Fleet]]{{ref|ADWD|56}}
* 17 captured slaver ships{{ref|ADWD|56}}
| strength2 = Slaver Alliance: ~50,000
[[New Ghis]]
* 36,000 men divided into 6 legions<ref name=barristan2/>
* 100 armored and towered war elephants
* 3 war galleys
[[Yunkai]]
* 40 Yunkai commanders each having "20 or 200 or 2,000" armed slaves{{ref|adwd|66}}
* [[Six sisters (trebuchets)|6 trebuchets]]
* 3,000 [[Company of the Cat]]{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
* 800 [[Long Lances]]{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
* 514 [[Second Sons]]{{Ref|ADWD|66}}(switches sides)<ref group="N" name=sons/>
[[Qarth]]
* [[Qartheen]] fleet
* Qartheen [[camel]] corps
[[Dothraki]]
*Large khalasar{{Ref|ADWD|30}}
Other
* 300 [[Elyria]]n Crossbowmen
* [[Tolos]]i slingers
| casualties1 = unknown
| casualties2 = [[Little Pigeon]] [[Pudding Face]]
}}

[[File: Marc Fishman SerBS GreatP.jpg| [[Barristan Selmy|Ser Barristan]] looks at a smouldering [[Meereen]] - by Marc Fishman © |thumb|400px|right]]
The '''second siege of Meereen''' takes place after [[Daenerys Targaryen]] has taken control of [[Meereen]]. A coalition of [[slavery|slavers]] besieges the city, in an attempt to restore slavery.

==Prelude==
Upon buying eight thousand six hundred trained [[Unsullied]], as well as five thousand boys who had not yet completed their training, [[Daenerys Targaryen]] [[Fall of Astapor|sacks]] [[Astapor]].{{Ref|ASOS|27}} Daenerys installs a council of three to rule the city, a healer, a scholar, and a priest.{{Ref|ASOS|49}} She marches her army to [[Yunkai]], where four thousand slave soldiers, as well as two sellsword companies, the [[Second Sons]] and the [[Stormcrows]], each consisting of five hundred men. Daenerys meets envoys from all three parties, and promises the Yunkai'i that they'll remain unharmed if they'd release their slaves. The Stormcrows defect to Daenerys prior to battle, and join Daenerys against the remaining Yunkai'i forces.{{Ref|ASOS|42}} Daenerys does not take the city, but instead marches her army, now greater than eighty thousand men, though less than a quarter are warriors.{{Ref|ASOS|57}}

Daenerys [[Siege of Meereen|conquers Meereen]] and installs herself as its Queen, taking the [[Great Pyramid]] as her seat.{{Ref|ASOS|71}} However, the council she had left to rule Astapor has been killed after a former slave, the butcher [[Cleon]], accused them of plotting to reinstall the [[Good Masters]], the former slavers. Following the deaths of the council members, Cleon names himself king and has all highborn boys in the city seized, to train them as Unsullied.{{Ref|ASOS|71}} Cleon sends an envoy, Lord [[Ghael]], to Meereen, to inform her of Cleon's reign. Cleon offers an alliance, to be sealed with marriage. Daenerys declines.{{Ref|ASOS|71}} Meanwhile, [[Yunkai]] return to slavery.{{Ref|ADWD|2}}

Even without Daenerys, Cleon marches his army out to meet Yunkai in the field. He is defeated during the [[Battle at the Horns of Hazzat]], and flees with his host back to Astapor.{{ref|ADWD|16}} The Yukai'i follow, and [[Siege of Astapor|besiege the Red City]].{{Ref|ADWD|23}} When Cleon orders his men to march out and fight, they kill him. His successor, [[Cleon the Second]], is slain eight days later, and the killer takes up the crown. The concubine of the first Cleon claims the crown as well, and the Astapori name them "King Cutthroat" and "Queen Whore".{{Ref|ADWD|23}} While Astapor starves, the King and Queen accuse one another of eating the slain.{{Ref|ADWD|30}} When the [[Green Grace]] of [[Astapor]] has a vision that the first Cleon will soon deliver the Astapori from the Yunkai'i,{{Ref|ADWD|30}} the Astapori make the decision to strap Cleon's corpse into his armor and onto his horse to lead the Unsullied in battle.{{Ref|ADWD|30}}{{Ref|ADWD|25}} When the dead King Cleon is slain once again, the Astapori break and attempt to flee, only to find the gates to the city closed. The battle itself is butchery.{{Ref|ADWD|25}}

Many of the survivors of the second fall of Astapor have the [[bloody flux]]. The Yunkai'i command their sellswords to hunt the survivors down and turn them, driving them back to Astapor or north to Meereen to prevent them from going near Yunkai.{{Ref|ADWD|25}} In [[Meereen]], Queen [[Daenerys Targaryen]] receives the news of the fall from three escaped Astapori, and, following the advice of her councillors, refuses to allow the other Astapori to settle in the city,{{Ref|ADWD|30}} but instead settles them outside the walls,{{Ref|ADWD|36}} to prevent the bloody flux from spreading into Meereen.

==Siege of Meereen==
===Initial siege===
With Astapor defeated, the Yunkai'i forces march on to Meereen.{{Ref|ADWD|25}}{{Ref|ADWD|36}} Ships from [[Qarth]], [[Tolos]], and [[New Ghis]] are shocking off the bay, aided by ships from the Meereenese fleet who had fled when Daenerys first arrived at the city.{{Ref|ADWD|30}} The Yunkai'i march their new slave soldiers up the coast road, accompanied by four sellsword companies, four [[Ghiscari legion]]s, a hundred elephants, [[Tolos]]i slingers, and a corps of [[Qarth]]een camelry, while another two legions from [[New Ghis]] are set to arrive by ship.{{Ref|ADWD|36}}

Following the death of the young girl [[Hazzea]] and the subsequent imprisonment of [[Viserion]] and [[Rhaegal]] and the escape of [[Drogon]], Daenerys refuses to use her dragons in battle.{{Ref|ADWD|30}} Following her refusal, [[Ben Plumm]] allies his [[Second Sons]] with Yunkai.{{Ref|ADWD|36}} The Yunkai'i are in contact with [[Hizdahr zo Loraq]], and inform him that they are willing to give Meereen peace, on the condition that the Yunkai'i can resume slaving. They insist that Astapor, once rebuild, will be a slaver city once again, and that Daenerys has to promise that she will not interfere. The agreements are to be sealed by Daenerys's marriage to Hizdahr.{{Ref|ADWD|36}} When the Yunkai'i lay siege to Meereen, they build catapults, scorpions, and tall trebuchets. Their aim is to weaken Meereen, until famine and disease brings the city to its knees.{{Ref|ADWD|43}} The bloody flux has by now already spread across Meereen;{{ref|ADWD|43}} However, it has also begun to spread among the Yunkish camps as well.{{Ref|ADWD|47}}

===Agreement of peace===
Following Daenerys's occupation of Meereen, Ghiscari descendants known as the [[Sons of the Harpy]] began to fight a [[shadow war]] against her, killing freedmen and [[Unsullied]], which leads to the formation of the [[Brazen Beasts]], Meereen's new city watch.{{Ref|ADWD|11}}{{Ref|ADWD|16}} However, the Harpy's Sons continue their killings, and the [[Green Grace]], [[Galazza Galare]], suggests to Daenerys that she should take a Meereenese nobleman as her husband and recommends [[Hizdahr zo Loraq]].{{Ref|ADWD|23}}

Daenerys follows the advice of Galazza and agrees to a pact with Hizdahr: if he is able to stop the Sons of the Harpy from killing for ninty days, Daenerys will marry Hizdahr.{{ref|ADWD|23}} Hizdahr discusses a peace treaty with the Yunkai'i, in which the marriage is an important aspect.{{Ref|ADWD|36}} Following ninety days of peace, Daenerys and Hizdahr are wed.{{ref|ADWD|43}}

Following the marriage, the peace between Meereen and the slavers is to be signed and sealed, and Meereen's fighting pits are to be opened once more.{{ref|ADWD|47}} Meereen's ports have already been opened following the wedding,{{ref|adwd|50}} and Hizdahr has invited the Yunkai'i commanders into the city to witness the opening of the fighting pits and sign the peace. Three Yunkish noblemen and the four commanders of the sellsword companies enter Meereen, and in return seven Meereenese hostages are sent to the camps of Yunkai.{{Ref|ADWD|50}} The following day, [[Daznak's Pit]] is opened. Daenerys and Hizdahr witness the matches from Hizdahr's box. Hizdahr urges Daenerys to try some honeyed locusts, but she declines them, letting [[Belwas]] eat them all. However, Daenerys feels more and more uneasy while watching the fights. During a fight where [[Barsena]] is slain by a boar, Daenerys stands to leave, when Belwas falls to his knees, and [[Drogon]] returns to the city. Drogon slays the boar and begins to eat Barsena and the animal. The gathered public panicks and attempts to flee. Daenerys rushes to Drogon's side and flies away from Meereen on his back.{{Ref|ADWD|52}}

Two hundred fourteen people died at Daznak's Pit, while three times as many were injured.{{Ref|ADWD|55}} After Daenerys's departure on Drogon, Hizdahr takes over the rule of Meereen and removes many of Daenerys's people from command. He places the command of the [[Brazen Beasts]] under the command of one of his cousins, and attempts to do the same with the Unsullied, which angers them, resulting in Hizdahr losing their support. [[Skahaz mo Kandaq]] contacts [[Barristan Selmy]] and informs him that Hizdahr's confectioner has confessed to having poisoned the locusts, from which Belwas had gotten sick, on behalf of the [[Sons of the Harpy]], who had threatened to kill his daughter. As Daenerys survived, the girl was killed. Skahaz has been gathering support against Hizdahr, but needs Barristan to bring the Unsullied to their side. Barristan agrees.{{Ref|ADWD|55}}

===The Battle of Slaver's Bay===
{{Warning|This section contains pieces of information which have thus far been only released in samples chapters for ''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', or which originate from notes taken at readings from unreleased chapters. Therefore, the section might therefore be considered to contain spoilers. Additionally, the information might not be in finalized form. Keep in mind that parts of the content as described below could still be subject to change.}}
One of the deaths at Daznak's Pit was the Yunkish Supreme Commander [[Yurkhaz zo Yunzak]]. Following his death, the Yunkai'i commanders rotate the leadership, with a new general commanding the army each day, starting at dawn.<ref name=tyrion2/> Because Yurkhaz died whilst inside Meereen, the Yunkai'i speak of a breach of the peace, and continue their siege. They present King Hizdahr with the severed head of one of the Meereenese hostages, [[Groleo]]. They also return three hostages - all family to Hizdahr - as a shown of good faith, while promising to return the other three after Hizdahr has slain the dragons.{{Ref|ADWD|59}} Barristan and Skahaz agree to imprison Hizdahr, as well as [[Reznak mo Reznak]], and rule Meereen by a council.{{Ref|ADWD|67}} However, in the meantime, Prince [[Quentyn Martell]] has contacted the [[Tattered Prince]] and enlisted his help in capturing Daenerys's dragons,.{{Ref|ADWD|60}} Barristan's and Skahaz's plan to arrest Hizdahr takes place on the same night as Quentyn's plan to steal the dragons. Quentyn's plan fails, resulting in his mortal injuries as well as the escape of both [[Viserion]] and [[Rhaegal]].{{Ref|ADWD|68}} While Barristan is confronting Hizdahr about his role in the poisoning attempt of Daenerys, a [[cupbearer]] informs them that the dragons have been loosened on the city.{{Ref|ADWD|67}}

Following Hizdahr's arrest, the [[Sons of the Harpy]] return to their nightly killings. Galazza Galare is send to the Yunkai'i to discuss terms, but upon her return informs Barristan that the they demand that Hizdahr is restored to his throne. Galazza had presented an offer from Barristan to the nobles from Yunkai, but they have refused. When Galazza has informed Barristan of this fact, he is informed that the Yunkai'i are now flinging corpses into [[Meereen]], using the trebuchets.{{Ref|ADWD|70}}

Meereen prepares for the Battle of Slaver’s Bay<ref name=smartertravel>[http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/today-in-travel/game-of-thrones-exclusive-george-martin-talks-season-the-winds-of-winter-and-real-world-influences-for-song-of-ice-and-fire.html?id=10593041 George R.R. Martin Talks Season Two, 'The Winds of Winter,' and Real-World Influences for 'A Song of Ice and Fire' (March 26, 2012)]</ref> during the night. At the western gate, five thousand Unsullied are lined up, along with the [[Stormcrows]] and several hundred [[pit fighters]]. Barristan rides on Daenerys's [[silver]], hoping it gives the soldiers courage. The [[Brazen Beasts]] have taken the city walls, and are to be Meereen's final stand against Yunkai, should all else fail. The [[Stalwart Shields]] have gathered by the eastern gate, the [[Mother's Men]] by the south gate, and the [[Free Brothers]] by the north gate. Meanwhile, the Yunkishmen have two Ghiscari legions to the north, across the [[Skahazadhan]], while their main camp is located to the west, with two of its six trebuchets located there; one beside the river, one opposed Meereen's main gates.<ref name=barristan1/> Yunkai has [[six sisters|six trebuchets]] in total: the Dragonbreaker, the Harridan, the Harpy's Daughter, the Wicked Sister, the Ghost of Astapor, and the Mazdhan's Fist.{{Ref|adwd|47}} Yunkai's numbers are larger than Meereen's, and the attack goes against all of [[Barristan Selmy]]'s instincts, but he knows the battle is necessary nonetheless.<ref name=barristan1/>

Barristan's plan is to destroy the trebuchet known as the Harridan, in order to distract the Yunkai'i long enough for the Unsullied to form up before the city. The battle itself begins shortly before dawn.<ref name=barristan1/> Barristan leads the charge on the Harridan with cavalry fighters, while the Unsullied form a shield wall. He manages to reach the trebuchet, where a [[Ghiscari legion]] has formed up, six thousand men strong. However, they are not the only defenders. Barristan targets the [[Paezhar zo Myraq]]'s [[Herons]], and his plan is succesful when the Yunkai'i fail to launge a counter-attack, and the Unsullied can take their position. [[Tumco Lho]] points Barristan's attention towards the bay, due to the large amount of ships. They identify the banners of [[House Greyjoy]], and Barristan is surprised to discover that the [[Ironborn]] are fighting on their side.<ref name=barristan2/>

Meanwhile, [[Tyrion Lannister]], who had been enslaved{{ref|adwd|47}} and had escaped to the [[Second Sons]],{{Ref|ADWD|57}} whom he has joined,{{ref|adwd|66}} has been trying to convince [[Ben Plumm]] to defect to Daenerys.<ref>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', Tyrion I (Notes from [http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?/topic/67929-twow-spoilers-miscon-reading-two-winds-of-winter-chapters/ Miscon reading: two Winds of Winter chapters (Victarion I and Tyrion I) (June 6, 2012)]</ref> When the [[Second Sons]] are commanded by a messenger from [[Gorzhak zo Eraz]], the slaver commanding the Yunkish armies that day, to give their aid against the ironborn, the mercenaries present refuse the order, citing [[Ben Plumm]]'s absence. Meanwhile, [[Viserion]] is snatching and devouring corpses in the air which are being thrown by the Wicked Sister, while [[Rhaegal]] flies over the bay and circles the clashing ships of the [[Iron Fleet]] and [[Qarth]].<ref name=Tyrion2>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', Tyrion II</ref> When Plumm returns, he informs his men that [[Malazza]], the Girl General, commands them to defend the [[Wicked Sister]], in case Barristan will turn to that trebuchet when the Harridan is down. However, Malazza's command had ended at dawn, and a new messenger arrives, informing the Second Sons that commander Gorzhak zo Eraz has been slain by the [[Tattered Prince]], and that the [[Windblown]] have declared their loyalty for Meereen. Command is now being held by [[Morghar zo Zherzyn]], who commands the Second Sons to give their aid to the [[Company of the Cat]] and the two [[Ghiscari legions]] defending the Harpy's Daughter, as the Targaryen Unsullied are marching for the trebuchet. When Tyrion makes a sarcastic comment, the messenger recognizes him for an escaped slave. [[Jorah Mormont]] kills the messenger, and the Second Sons declare they had been loyal to Daenerys all along and their defection had been no more than a ruse.<ref name=tyrion2>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', Tyrion II</ref>

==Quotes==
{{Quote|Dragons wheeled overhead, their shadows sweeping across the upturned faces of friend and foe alike.<ref name=tyrion2/>}}

{{Quote|'''Tyrion:''' "Do you hear that sound?" '''Penny:''' "What is it?" '''Tyrion: ''' "War. On either side of us and not a league away. That's slaughter, Penny. That's men stumbling through the mud with their entrails hanging out. That's severed limbs and broken bones and pools of blood. You know how the worms come out after a hard rain? I hear they do the same after a big battle if enough blood soaks into the ground. That's the [[Stranger]] coming, Penny. The [[Black Goat of Qohor|Black Goat]], the [[Pale Child]], [[Him of Many Faces]], call him what you will. That's death." <ref name=tyrion2/>}} – [[Tyrion Lannister]] and [[Penny]] at the start of battle

{{Quote|Whatever might befall us on the battlefield, remember, it has happened before, and to better men than you. I am an old man, an old knight, and I have seen more battles than most of you have years. Nothing is more terrible upon this earth, nothing more glorious, nothing more absurd. You may retch. You will not be the first. You may drop your sword, your shield, your lance. Others have done the same. Pick it up and go on fighting. You may foul your breeches. I did, in my first battle. No one will care. All battlefields smell of shit. You may cry out for your mother, pray to gods you thought you had forgotten, howl obscenities that you never dreamed could pass your lips. All this has happened too. Some men die in every battle. More survive. East or west, in every inn and wine sink, you will find greybeards endlessly refighting the wars of their youth. They survived their battles. So may you. This you can be certain of: the foe you see before you is just another man, and like as not he is as frightened as you. Hate him if you must, love him if you can, but lift your sword and bring it down, then ride on. Above all else, keep moving. We are too few to win the battle. We ride to make chaos, to buy the Unsullied time enough to make their spear wall, we—<ref name=barristan1/>}} – Barristan Selmy’s speech, until he is interrupted.

==Notes==
{{Notes}}

==References==
{{References|2}}

{{Targaryen campaign in Slavers Bay}}

[[Category:Battles|Meereen]]
[[Category:House Greyjoy battles|Meereen]]
[[Category:House Targaryen battles|Meereen 2]]
[[Category:Meereen]]
[[Category:Targaryen campaign in Slaver's Bay]]

[[es:Batalla de Meereen]]
[[fr:Siège de Meereen]]

Second siege of Meereen

2017-09-09T23:03:54Z

Nihlus:

{{Hatnote|Not to be confused with the [[siege of Meereen]], taking place in 299 AC}}
{{Template:Battlebox
| image = [[File:Mike Capprotti Ser Barristan.jpg|400px]]
| caption = Ser [[Barristan Selmy]] commands his Queen's forces as Hand of the Queen during the [[Battle of Slaver's Bay]] © FFG
| battle_name = Siege of Meereen II
| conflict =
| date = {{Date|300}}
| place = [[Meereen]], [[Essos]]
| result = Ongoing
| combatant1 = [[Daenerys Targaryen|House Targaryen]]
*[[Meereen]]
[[House Greyjoy]]
*[[Iron Fleet]]
| combatant2 = Slaver Alliance
* [[New Ghis]]
* [[Yunkai]]
* [[Qarth]]
* [[Dothraki]]{{ref|adwd|30}}
* [[Tolos]]
* [[Elyria]]
* [[Mantarys]]
* [[Sellsword]] companies:
** [[Company of the Cat]]
** [[Long Lances]]
** [[Second Sons]]
| commander1 = [[House Targaryen]]
* [[Barristan Selmy]]: Hand of the Queen and leader of the ruling council of Meereen
* [[Skahaz mo Kandaq]]: Commander of the Brazen Beasts
* [[Grey Worm]]: Commander of the Unsullied
* [[Tattered Prince]]: Commander of the Windblown
* [[Widower]] & [[Jokin]]: Co-Commanders of the Stormcrows
* [[Symon Stripeback]]: Commander of the [[Free Brothers]] freedmen
* [[Marselen]]: Commander of the [[Mother's Men]] freedmen
* [[Tal Toraq]]: Commander of the [[Stalwart Shields]] freedmen
* [[Rakharo]]: Commander of the Dothraki
[[Windblown]]
*The [[Tattered Prince]]:
[[House Greyjoy]]
*[[Victarion Greyjoy]]: [[Lord Captain of the Iron Fleet]]
| commander2 = Slaver Alliance
* [[Wise Masters]]: Commanders of the Yunkish slave troops
* [[Bloodbeard]]: Commander of the Company of the Cat
* [[Gylo Rhegan]]: Commander of the Long Lances
* [[Ben Plumm]]: Commander of the Second Sons (defects)
| strength1 = House Targaryen: 22,000+
* ~10,600 [[Unsullied]], including 2000 who had not earned their spiked caps{{Ref|ASOS|27}}
* 2,000 [[Windblown]]{{Ref|ADWD|25}} (turned on the slavers at the beginning of the battle)
* ~8,000 [[Freedmen]] divided into 4 companies (considered near-useless){{Ref|asos|57}}
* 514 [[Second Sons]]{{Ref|ADWD|66}}<ref>(defects to Yunkai during after the Fall of Astpor; defects back to Meereen during the Battle of Slaver's Bay)</ref>
* 500 [[Stormcrows]]{{Ref|adwd|50}}
* ~200 [[Pit Fighters]]<ref name=barristan2>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', Barristan II ([http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?/topic/81338-twow-spoilers-barristan/&do=findComment&comment=4122024 Notes from Boskone 2013 reading]]</ref>
* 26 squires of Ser Barristan
* ~20 Dothraki warriors<ref name=barristan1>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', Barristan I</ref>
* [[Viserion]]?
* [[Rhaegal]]?
* Unknown additional number of [[Brazen Beast]] city watchmen
[[House Greyjoy]]: half of the [[Iron Fleet]]
* 4,500+ reavers<ref>It is stated that the ships of the Iron Fleet are the equals of the smaller war galleys of the Royal Fleet ([[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 32|AFFC Cersei VI]]), and that all of the crewmen of Ironborn ships (including oarsmen) are armored and armed reavers in contrast to the ship crews of other factions ([[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 29|The Reaver]]). The smaller war galleys of the Royal Fleet dip about 100 oars each ([[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 10|ACOK Davos I]]), putting the crews of Victarion's remaining ships at a minimum of 4,500+.</ref>
* 45 war galleys (of the original 93){{ref|ADWD|56}}
* 17 captured slaver ships{{ref|ADWD|56}}
| strength2 = Slaver Alliance: ~70,000
[[New Ghis]]
* 36,000 men divided into 6 legions<ref name=barristan2/>
* 100 armored and towered war elephants
* 3 war galleys
[[Yunkai]]
* 40 Yunkai commanders each having "20 or 200 or 2,000" armed slaves (considered near-useless)<ref>[[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 66|ADWD Tyrion XII]]</ref>
* [[Six sisters (trebuchets)|6 trebuchets]]
* 3,000 [[Company of the Cat]]{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
* 800 [[Long Lances]]{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
* 514 [[Second Sons]]{{Ref|ADWD|66}}<ref>Switches sides</ref>
[[Dothraki]]
*~20,000 mounted warriors<Ref>[[Qavo]] states to Tyrion that a Dothraki khalasar will fight on the side of the slavers.{{ref|adwd|22}} Ben Plumm further confirms this when he states that the Yunkish have sent riders to hire a Dothraki khalasar to help with the battle.{{Ref|ADWD|30}} It is heavily implied that this is the khalasar of Khal [[Jhaqo]], as Daenerys runs into him a short distance away from Meereen towards the end of ''A Dance With Dragons.''{{Ref|ADWD|71}} Jhaqo was earlier stated to command twenty thousand screamers.{{ref|AGOT|68}}</ref>
[[Qarth]]
* [[Qartheen]] fleet
* Qartheen [[camel]] corps
Other
* 300 [[Elyria]]n Crossbowmen
* [[Tolos]]i slingers
| casualties1 = unknown
| casualties2 = [[Little Pigeon]] † [[Pudding Face]] † [[Clanker Lords]] (possibly) Likely several thousands of slave-soldiers/Ghiscari/Qartheen
}}

[[File: Marc Fishman SerBS GreatP.jpg| [[Barristan Selmy|Ser Barristan]] looks at a smouldering [[Meereen]] - by Marc Fishman © |thumb|400px|right]]
The '''second siege of Meereen''' takes place after [[Daenerys Targaryen]] has taken control of [[Meereen]]. A coalition of [[slavery|slavers]] besieges the city, in an attempt to restore slavery.

==Prelude==
Upon buying eight thousand six hundred trained [[Unsullied]], as well as five thousand boys who had not yet completed their training, [[Daenerys Targaryen]] [[Fall of Astapor|sacks]] [[Astapor]].{{Ref|ASOS|27}} Daenerys installs a council of three to rule the city, a healer, a scholar, and a priest.{{Ref|ASOS|49}} She marches her army to [[Yunkai]], where four thousand slave soldiers, as well as two sellsword companies, the [[Second Sons]] and the [[Stormcrows]], each consisting of five hundred men. Daenerys meets envoys from all three parties, and promises the Yunkai'i that they'll remain unharmed if they'd release their slaves. The Stormcrows defect to Daenerys prior to battle, and join Daenerys against the remaining Yunkai'i forces.{{Ref|ASOS|42}} Daenerys does not take the city, but instead marches her army, now greater than eighty thousand men, though less than a quarter are warriors.{{Ref|ASOS|57}}

Daenerys [[Siege of Meereen|conquers Meereen]] and installs herself as its Queen, taking the [[Great Pyramid]] as her seat.{{Ref|ASOS|71}} However, the council she had left to rule Astapor has been killed after a former slave, the butcher [[Cleon]], accused them of plotting to reinstall the [[Good Masters]], the former slavers. Following the deaths of the council members, Cleon names himself king and has all highborn boys in the city seized, to train them as Unsullied.{{Ref|ASOS|71}} Cleon sends an envoy, Lord [[Ghael]], to Meereen, to inform her of Cleon's reign. Cleon offers an alliance, to be sealed with marriage. Daenerys declines.{{Ref|ASOS|71}} Meanwhile, [[Yunkai]] return to slavery.{{Ref|ADWD|2}}

Even without Daenerys, Cleon marches his army out to meet Yunkai in the field. He is defeated during the [[Battle at the Horns of Hazzat]], and flees with his host back to Astapor.{{ref|ADWD|16}} The Yukai'i follow, and [[Siege of Astapor|besiege the Red City]].{{Ref|ADWD|23}} When Cleon orders his men to march out and fight, they kill him. His successor, [[Cleon the Second]], is slain eight days later, and the killer takes up the crown. The concubine of the first Cleon claims the crown as well, and the Astapori name them "King Cutthroat" and "Queen Whore".{{Ref|ADWD|23}} While Astapor starves, the King and Queen accuse one another of eating the slain.{{Ref|ADWD|30}} When the [[Green Grace]] of [[Astapor]] has a vision that the first Cleon will soon deliver the Astapori from the Yunkai'i,{{Ref|ADWD|30}} the Astapori make the decision to strap Cleon's corpse into his armor and onto his horse to lead the Unsullied in battle.{{Ref|ADWD|30}}{{Ref|ADWD|25}} When the dead King Cleon is slain once again, the Astapori break and attempt to flee, only to find the gates to the city closed. The battle itself is butchery.{{Ref|ADWD|25}}

Many of the survivors of the second fall of Astapor have the [[bloody flux]]. The Yunkai'i command their sellswords to hunt the survivors down and turn them, driving them back to Astapor or north to Meereen to prevent them from going near Yunkai.{{Ref|ADWD|25}} In [[Meereen]], Queen [[Daenerys Targaryen]] receives the news of the fall from three escaped Astapori, and, following the advice of her councillors, refuses to allow the other Astapori to settle in the city,{{Ref|ADWD|30}} but instead settles them outside the walls,{{Ref|ADWD|36}} to prevent the bloody flux from spreading into Meereen.

==Siege of Meereen==
===Initial siege===
With Astapor defeated, the Yunkai'i forces march on to Meereen.{{Ref|ADWD|25}}{{Ref|ADWD|36}} Ships from [[Qarth]], [[Tolos]], and [[New Ghis]] are shocking off the bay, aided by ships from the Meereenese fleet who had fled when Daenerys first arrived at the city.{{Ref|ADWD|30}} The Yunkai'i march their new slave soldiers up the coast road, accompanied by four sellsword companies, four [[Ghiscari legion]]s, a hundred elephants, [[Tolos]]i slingers, and a corps of [[Qarth]]een camelry, while another two legions from [[New Ghis]] are set to arrive by ship.{{Ref|ADWD|36}}

Following the death of the young girl [[Hazzea]] and the subsequent imprisonment of [[Viserion]] and [[Rhaegal]] and the escape of [[Drogon]], Daenerys refuses to use her dragons in battle.{{Ref|ADWD|30}} Following her refusal, [[Ben Plumm]] allies his [[Second Sons]] with Yunkai.{{Ref|ADWD|36}} The Yunkai'i are in contact with [[Hizdahr zo Loraq]], and inform him that they are willing to give Meereen peace, on the condition that the Yunkai'i can resume slaving. They insist that Astapor, once rebuild, will be a slaver city once again, and that Daenerys has to promise that she will not interfere. The agreements are to be sealed by Daenerys's marriage to Hizdahr.{{Ref|ADWD|36}} When the Yunkai'i lay siege to Meereen, they build catapults, scorpions, and tall trebuchets. Their aim is to weaken Meereen, until famine and disease brings the city to its knees.{{Ref|ADWD|43}} The bloody flux has by now already spread across Meereen;{{ref|ADWD|43}} However, it has also begun to spread among the Yunkish camps as well.{{Ref|ADWD|47}}

===Agreement of peace===
Following Daenerys's occupation of Meereen, Ghiscari descendants known as the [[Sons of the Harpy]] began to fight a [[shadow war]] against her, killing freedmen and [[Unsullied]], which leads to the formation of the [[Brazen Beasts]], Meereen's new city watch.{{Ref|ADWD|11}}{{Ref|ADWD|16}} However, the Harpy's Sons continue their killings, and the [[Green Grace]], [[Galazza Galare]], suggests to Daenerys that she should take a Meereenese nobleman as her husband and recommends [[Hizdahr zo Loraq]].{{Ref|ADWD|23}}

Daenerys follows the advice of Galazza and agrees to a pact with Hizdahr: if he is able to stop the Sons of the Harpy from killing for ninty days, Daenerys will marry Hizdahr.{{ref|ADWD|23}} Hizdahr discusses a peace treaty with the Yunkai'i, in which the marriage is an important aspect.{{Ref|ADWD|36}} Following ninety days of peace, Daenerys and Hizdahr are wed.{{ref|ADWD|43}}

Following the marriage, the peace between Meereen and the slavers is to be signed and sealed, and Meereen's fighting pits are to be opened once more.{{ref|ADWD|47}} Meereen's ports have already been opened following the wedding,{{ref|adwd|50}} and Hizdahr has invited the Yunkai'i commanders into the city to witness the opening of the fighting pits and sign the peace. Three Yunkish noblemen and the four commanders of the sellsword companies enter Meereen, and in return seven Meereenese hostages are sent to the camps of Yunkai.{{Ref|ADWD|50}} The following day, [[Daznak's Pit]] is opened. Daenerys and Hizdahr witness the matches from Hizdahr's box. Hizdahr urges Daenerys to try some honeyed locusts, but she declines them, letting [[Belwas]] eat them all. However, Daenerys feels more and more uneasy while watching the fights. During a fight where [[Barsena]] is slain by a boar, Daenerys stands to leave, when Belwas falls to his knees, and [[Drogon]] returns to the city. Drogon slays the boar and begins to eat Barsena and the animal. The gathered public panicks and attempts to flee. Daenerys rushes to Drogon's side and flies away from Meereen on his back.{{Ref|ADWD|52}}

Two hundred fourteen people died at Daznak's Pit, while three times as many were injured.{{Ref|ADWD|55}} After Daenerys's departure on Drogon, Hizdahr takes over the rule of Meereen and removes many of Daenerys's people from command. He places the command of the [[Brazen Beasts]] under the command of one of his cousins, and attempts to do the same with the Unsullied, which angers them, resulting in Hizdahr losing their support. [[Skahaz mo Kandaq]] contacts [[Barristan Selmy]] and informs him that Hizdahr's confectioner has confessed to having poisoned the locusts, from which Belwas had gotten sick, on behalf of the [[Sons of the Harpy]], who had threatened to kill his daughter. As Daenerys survived, the girl was killed. Skahaz has been gathering support against Hizdahr, but needs Barristan to bring the Unsullied to their side. Barristan agrees.{{Ref|ADWD|55}}

===The Battle of Slaver's Bay===
{{Warning|This section contains pieces of information which have thus far been only released in samples chapters for ''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', or which originate from notes taken at readings from unreleased chapters. Therefore, the section might therefore be considered to contain spoilers. Additionally, the information might not be in finalized form. Keep in mind that parts of the content as described below could still be subject to change.}}
One of the deaths at Daznak's Pit was the Yunkish Supreme Commander [[Yurkhaz zo Yunzak]]. Following his death, the Yunkai'i commanders rotate the leadership, with a new general commanding the army each day, starting at dawn.<ref name=tyrion2/> Because Yurkhaz died whilst inside Meereen, the Yunkai'i speak of a breach of the peace, and continue their siege. They present King Hizdahr with the severed head of one of the Meereenese hostages, [[Groleo]]. They also return three hostages - all family to Hizdahr - as a shown of good faith, while promising to return the other three after Hizdahr has slain the dragons.{{Ref|ADWD|59}} Barristan and Skahaz agree to imprison Hizdahr, as well as [[Reznak mo Reznak]], and rule Meereen by a council.{{Ref|ADWD|67}} However, in the meantime, Prince [[Quentyn Martell]] has contacted the [[Tattered Prince]] and enlisted his help in capturing Daenerys's dragons,.{{Ref|ADWD|60}} Barristan's and Skahaz's plan to arrest Hizdahr takes place on the same night as Quentyn's plan to steal the dragons. Quentyn's plan fails, resulting in his mortal injuries as well as the escape of both [[Viserion]] and [[Rhaegal]].{{Ref|ADWD|68}} While Barristan is confronting Hizdahr about his role in the poisoning attempt of Daenerys, a [[cupbearer]] informs them that the dragons have been loosened on the city.{{Ref|ADWD|67}}

Following Hizdahr's arrest, the [[Sons of the Harpy]] return to their nightly killings. Galazza Galare is send to the Yunkai'i to discuss terms, but upon her return informs Barristan that the they demand that Hizdahr is restored to his throne. Galazza had presented an offer from Barristan to the nobles from Yunkai, but they have refused. When Galazza has informed Barristan of this fact, he is informed that the Yunkai'i are now flinging corpses into [[Meereen]], using the trebuchets.{{Ref|ADWD|70}}

Meereen prepares for the Battle of Slaver’s Bay<ref name=smartertravel>[http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/today-in-travel/game-of-thrones-exclusive-george-martin-talks-season-the-winds-of-winter-and-real-world-influences-for-song-of-ice-and-fire.html?id=10593041 George R.R. Martin Talks Season Two, 'The Winds of Winter,' and Real-World Influences for 'A Song of Ice and Fire' (March 26, 2012)]</ref> during the night. At the western gate, five thousand Unsullied are lined up, along with the [[Stormcrows]] and several hundred [[pit fighters]]. Barristan rides on Daenerys's [[silver]], hoping it gives the soldiers courage. The [[Brazen Beasts]] have taken the city walls, and are to be Meereen's final stand against Yunkai, should all else fail. The [[Stalwart Shields]] have gathered by the eastern gate, the [[Mother's Men]] by the south gate, and the [[Free Brothers]] by the north gate. Meanwhile, the Yunkishmen have two Ghiscari legions to the north, across the [[Skahazadhan]], while their main camp is located to the west, with two of its six trebuchets located there; one beside the river, one opposed Meereen's main gates.<ref name=barristan1/> Yunkai has [[six sisters|six trebuchets]] in total: the Dragonbreaker, the Harridan, the Harpy's Daughter, the Wicked Sister, the Ghost of Astapor, and the Mazdhan's Fist.{{Ref|adwd|47}} Yunkai's numbers are larger than Meereen's, and the attack goes against all of [[Barristan Selmy]]'s instincts, but he knows the battle is necessary nonetheless.<ref name=barristan1/>

Barristan's plan is to destroy the trebuchet known as the Harridan, in order to distract the Yunkai'i long enough for the Unsullied to form up before the city. The battle itself begins shortly before dawn.<ref name=barristan1/> Barristan leads the charge on the Harridan with cavalry fighters, while the Unsullied form a shield wall. He manages to reach the trebuchet, where a [[Ghiscari legion]] has formed up, six thousand men strong. However, they are not the only defenders. Barristan targets the [[Paezhar zo Myraq]]'s [[Herons]], and his plan is succesful when the Yunkai'i fail to launge a counter-attack, and the Unsullied can take their position. [[Tumco Lho]] points Barristan's attention towards the bay, due to the large amount of ships. They identify the banners of [[House Greyjoy]], and Barristan is surprised to discover that the [[Ironborn]] are fighting on their side.<ref name=barristan2/>

Meanwhile, [[Tyrion Lannister]], who had been enslaved{{ref|adwd|47}} and had escaped to the [[Second Sons]],{{Ref|ADWD|57}} whom he has joined,{{ref|adwd|66}} has been trying to convince [[Ben Plumm]] to defect to Daenerys.<ref>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', Tyrion I (Notes from [http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?/topic/67929-twow-spoilers-miscon-reading-two-winds-of-winter-chapters/ Miscon reading: two Winds of Winter chapters (Victarion I and Tyrion I) (June 6, 2012)]</ref> When the [[Second Sons]] are commanded by a messenger from [[Gorzhak zo Eraz]], the slaver commanding the Yunkish armies that day, to give their aid against the ironborn, the mercenaries present refuse the order, citing [[Ben Plumm]]'s absence. Meanwhile, [[Viserion]] is snatching and devouring corpses in the air which are being thrown by the Wicked Sister, while [[Rhaegal]] flies over the bay and circles the clashing ships of the [[Iron Fleet]] and [[Qarth]].<ref name=Tyrion2>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', Tyrion II</ref> When Plumm returns, he informs his men that [[Malazza]], the Girl General, commands them to defend the [[Wicked Sister]], in case Barristan will turn to that trebuchet when the Harridan is down. However, Malazza's command had ended at dawn, and a new messenger arrives, informing the Second Sons that commander Gorzhak zo Eraz has been slain by the [[Tattered Prince]], and that the [[Windblown]] have declared their loyalty for Meereen. Command is now being held by [[Morghar zo Zherzyn]], who commands the Second Sons to give their aid to the [[Company of the Cat]] and the two [[Ghiscari legions]] defending the Harpy's Daughter, as the Targaryen Unsullied are marching for the trebuchet. When Tyrion makes a sarcastic comment, the messenger recognizes him for an escaped slave. [[Jorah Mormont]] kills the messenger, and the Second Sons declare they had been loyal to Daenerys all along and their defection had been no more than a ruse.<ref name=tyrion2>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', Tyrion II</ref>

==Quotes==
{{Quote|Dragons wheeled overhead, their shadows sweeping across the upturned faces of friend and foe alike.<ref name=tyrion2/>}}

{{Quote|'''Tyrion:''' "Do you hear that sound?" '''Penny:''' "What is it?" '''Tyrion: ''' "War. On either side of us and not a league away. That's slaughter, Penny. That's men stumbling through the mud with their entrails hanging out. That's severed limbs and broken bones and pools of blood. You know how the worms come out after a hard rain? I hear they do the same after a big battle if enough blood soaks into the ground. That's the [[Stranger]] coming, Penny. The [[Black Goat of Qohor|Black Goat]], the [[Pale Child]], [[Him of Many Faces]], call him what you will. That's death." <ref name=tyrion2/>}} – [[Tyrion Lannister]] and [[Penny]] at the start of battle

{{Quote|Whatever might befall us on the battlefield, remember, it has happened before, and to better men than you. I am an old man, an old knight, and I have seen more battles than most of you have years. Nothing is more terrible upon this earth, nothing more glorious, nothing more absurd. You may retch. You will not be the first. You may drop your sword, your shield, your lance. Others have done the same. Pick it up and go on fighting. You may foul your breeches. I did, in my first battle. No one will care. All battlefields smell of shit. You may cry out for your mother, pray to gods you thought you had forgotten, howl obscenities that you never dreamed could pass your lips. All this has happened too. Some men die in every battle. More survive. East or west, in every inn and wine sink, you will find greybeards endlessly refighting the wars of their youth. They survived their battles. So may you. This you can be certain of: the foe you see before you is just another man, and like as not he is as frightened as you. Hate him if you must, love him if you can, but lift your sword and bring it down, then ride on. Above all else, keep moving. We are too few to win the battle. We ride to make chaos, to buy the Unsullied time enough to make their spear wall, we—<ref name=barristan1/>}} – Barristan Selmy’s speech, until he is interrupted.

==References and Notes==
{{References|2}}

{{Targaryen campaign in Slavers Bay}}

[[Category:Battles|Meereen]]
[[Category:House Greyjoy battles|Meereen]]
[[Category:House Targaryen battles|Meereen 2]]
[[Category:Meereen]]
[[Category:Targaryen campaign in Slaver's Bay]]

[[es:Batalla de Meereen]]
[[fr:Siège de Meereen]]

Second siege of Meereen

2017-09-09T23:03:15Z

Nihlus:

{{Hatnote|Not to be confused with the [[siege of Meereen]], taking place in 299 AC}}
{{Template:Battlebox
| image = [[File:Mike Capprotti Ser Barristan.jpg|400px]]
| caption = Ser [[Barristan Selmy]] commands his Queen's forces as Hand of the Queen during the [[Battle of Slaver's Bay]] © FFG
| battle_name = Siege of Meereen II
| conflict =
| date = {{Date|300}}
| place = [[Meereen]], [[Essos]]
| result = Ongoing
| combatant1 = [[Daenerys Targaryen|House Targaryen]]
*[[Meereen]]
[[House Greyjoy]]
*[[Iron Fleet]]
| combatant2 = Slaver Alliance
* [[New Ghis]]
* [[Yunkai]]
* [[Qarth]]
* [[Dothraki]]{{ref|adwd|30}}
* [[Tolos]]
* [[Elyria]]
* [[Mantarys]]
* [[Sellsword]] companies:
** [[Company of the Cat]]
** [[Long Lances]]
** [[Second Sons]]
| commander1 = [[House Targaryen]]
* [[Barristan Selmy]]: Hand of the Queen and leader of the ruling council of Meereen
* [[Skahaz mo Kandaq]]: Commander of the Brazen Beasts
* [[Grey Worm]]: Commander of the Unsullied
* [[Tattered Prince]]: Commander of the Windblown
* [[Widower]] & [[Jokin]]: Co-Commanders of the Stormcrows
* [[Symon Stripeback]]: Commander of the [[Free Brothers]] freedmen
* [[Marselen]]: Commander of the [[Mother's Men]] freedmen
* [[Tal Toraq]]: Commander of the [[Stalwart Shields]] freedmen
* [[Rakharo]]: Commander of the Dothraki
[[Windblown]]
*The [[Tattered Prince]]:
[[House Grejoy]]
*[[Victarion Greyjoy]]: [[Lord Captain of the Iron Fleet]]
| commander2 = Slaver Alliance
* [[Wise Masters]]: Commanders of the Yunkish slave troops
* [[Bloodbeard]]: Commander of the Company of the Cat
* [[Gylo Rhegan]]: Commander of the Long Lances
* [[Ben Plumm]]: Commander of the Second Sons (defects)
| strength1 = House Targaryen: 22,000+
* ~10,600 [[Unsullied]], including 2000 who had not earned their spiked caps{{Ref|ASOS|27}}
* 2,000 [[Windblown]]{{Ref|ADWD|25}} (turned on the slavers at the beginning of the battle)
* ~8,000 [[Freedmen]] divided into 4 companies (considered near-useless){{Ref|asos|57}}
* 514 [[Second Sons]]{{Ref|ADWD|66}}<ref>(defects to Yunkai during after the Fall of Astpor; defects back to Meereen during the Battle of Slaver's Bay)</ref>
* 500 [[Stormcrows]]{{Ref|adwd|50}}
* ~200 [[Pit Fighters]]<ref name=barristan2>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', Barristan II ([http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?/topic/81338-twow-spoilers-barristan/&do=findComment&comment=4122024 Notes from Boskone 2013 reading]]</ref>
* 26 squires of Ser Barristan
* ~20 Dothraki warriors<ref name=barristan1>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', Barristan I</ref>
* [[Viserion]]?
* [[Rhaegal]]?
* Unknown additional number of [[Brazen Beast]] city watchmen
[[House Greyjoy]]: half of the [[Iron Fleet]]
* 4,500+ reavers<ref>It is stated that the ships of the Iron Fleet are the equals of the smaller war galleys of the Royal Fleet ([[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 32|AFFC Cersei VI]]), and that all of the crewmen of Ironborn ships (including oarsmen) are armored and armed reavers in contrast to the ship crews of other factions ([[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 29|The Reaver]]). The smaller war galleys of the Royal Fleet dip about 100 oars each ([[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 10|ACOK Davos I]]), putting the crews of Victarion's remaining ships at a minimum of 4,500+.</ref>
* 45 war galleys (of the original 93){{ref|ADWD|56}}
* 17 captured slaver ships{{ref|ADWD|56}}
| strength2 = Slaver Alliance: ~70,000
[[New Ghis]]
* 36,000 men divided into 6 legions<ref name=barristan2/>
* 100 armored and towered war elephants
* 3 war galleys
[[Yunkai]]
* 40 Yunkai commanders each having "20 or 200 or 2,000" armed slaves (considered near-useless)<ref>[[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 66|ADWD Tyrion XII]]</ref>
* [[Six sisters (trebuchets)|6 trebuchets]]
* 3,000 [[Company of the Cat]]{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
* 800 [[Long Lances]]{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
* 514 [[Second Sons]]{{Ref|ADWD|66}}<ref>Switches sides</ref>
[[Dothraki]]
*~20,000 mounted warriors<Ref>[[Qavo]] states to Tyrion that a Dothraki khalasar will fight on the side of the slavers.{{ref|adwd|22}} Ben Plumm further confirms this when he states that the Yunkish have sent riders to hire a Dothraki khalasar to help with the battle.{{Ref|ADWD|30}} It is heavily implied that this is the khalasar of Khal [[Jhaqo]], as Daenerys runs into him a short distance away from Meereen towards the end of ''A Dance With Dragons.''{{Ref|ADWD|71}} Jhaqo was earlier stated to command twenty thousand screamers.{{ref|AGOT|68}}</ref>
[[Qarth]]
* [[Qartheen]] fleet
* Qartheen [[camel]] corps
Other
* 300 [[Elyria]]n Crossbowmen
* [[Tolos]]i slingers
| casualties1 = unknown
| casualties2 = [[Little Pigeon]] † [[Pudding Face]] † [[Clanker Lords]] (possibly) Likely several thousands of slave-soldiers/Ghiscari/Qartheen
}}

[[File: Marc Fishman SerBS GreatP.jpg| [[Barristan Selmy|Ser Barristan]] looks at a smouldering [[Meereen]] - by Marc Fishman © |thumb|400px|right]]
The '''second siege of Meereen''' takes place after [[Daenerys Targaryen]] has taken control of [[Meereen]]. A coalition of [[slavery|slavers]] besieges the city, in an attempt to restore slavery.

==Prelude==
Upon buying eight thousand six hundred trained [[Unsullied]], as well as five thousand boys who had not yet completed their training, [[Daenerys Targaryen]] [[Fall of Astapor|sacks]] [[Astapor]].{{Ref|ASOS|27}} Daenerys installs a council of three to rule the city, a healer, a scholar, and a priest.{{Ref|ASOS|49}} She marches her army to [[Yunkai]], where four thousand slave soldiers, as well as two sellsword companies, the [[Second Sons]] and the [[Stormcrows]], each consisting of five hundred men. Daenerys meets envoys from all three parties, and promises the Yunkai'i that they'll remain unharmed if they'd release their slaves. The Stormcrows defect to Daenerys prior to battle, and join Daenerys against the remaining Yunkai'i forces.{{Ref|ASOS|42}} Daenerys does not take the city, but instead marches her army, now greater than eighty thousand men, though less than a quarter are warriors.{{Ref|ASOS|57}}

Daenerys [[Siege of Meereen|conquers Meereen]] and installs herself as its Queen, taking the [[Great Pyramid]] as her seat.{{Ref|ASOS|71}} However, the council she had left to rule Astapor has been killed after a former slave, the butcher [[Cleon]], accused them of plotting to reinstall the [[Good Masters]], the former slavers. Following the deaths of the council members, Cleon names himself king and has all highborn boys in the city seized, to train them as Unsullied.{{Ref|ASOS|71}} Cleon sends an envoy, Lord [[Ghael]], to Meereen, to inform her of Cleon's reign. Cleon offers an alliance, to be sealed with marriage. Daenerys declines.{{Ref|ASOS|71}} Meanwhile, [[Yunkai]] return to slavery.{{Ref|ADWD|2}}

Even without Daenerys, Cleon marches his army out to meet Yunkai in the field. He is defeated during the [[Battle at the Horns of Hazzat]], and flees with his host back to Astapor.{{ref|ADWD|16}} The Yukai'i follow, and [[Siege of Astapor|besiege the Red City]].{{Ref|ADWD|23}} When Cleon orders his men to march out and fight, they kill him. His successor, [[Cleon the Second]], is slain eight days later, and the killer takes up the crown. The concubine of the first Cleon claims the crown as well, and the Astapori name them "King Cutthroat" and "Queen Whore".{{Ref|ADWD|23}} While Astapor starves, the King and Queen accuse one another of eating the slain.{{Ref|ADWD|30}} When the [[Green Grace]] of [[Astapor]] has a vision that the first Cleon will soon deliver the Astapori from the Yunkai'i,{{Ref|ADWD|30}} the Astapori make the decision to strap Cleon's corpse into his armor and onto his horse to lead the Unsullied in battle.{{Ref|ADWD|30}}{{Ref|ADWD|25}} When the dead King Cleon is slain once again, the Astapori break and attempt to flee, only to find the gates to the city closed. The battle itself is butchery.{{Ref|ADWD|25}}

Many of the survivors of the second fall of Astapor have the [[bloody flux]]. The Yunkai'i command their sellswords to hunt the survivors down and turn them, driving them back to Astapor or north to Meereen to prevent them from going near Yunkai.{{Ref|ADWD|25}} In [[Meereen]], Queen [[Daenerys Targaryen]] receives the news of the fall from three escaped Astapori, and, following the advice of her councillors, refuses to allow the other Astapori to settle in the city,{{Ref|ADWD|30}} but instead settles them outside the walls,{{Ref|ADWD|36}} to prevent the bloody flux from spreading into Meereen.

==Siege of Meereen==
===Initial siege===
With Astapor defeated, the Yunkai'i forces march on to Meereen.{{Ref|ADWD|25}}{{Ref|ADWD|36}} Ships from [[Qarth]], [[Tolos]], and [[New Ghis]] are shocking off the bay, aided by ships from the Meereenese fleet who had fled when Daenerys first arrived at the city.{{Ref|ADWD|30}} The Yunkai'i march their new slave soldiers up the coast road, accompanied by four sellsword companies, four [[Ghiscari legion]]s, a hundred elephants, [[Tolos]]i slingers, and a corps of [[Qarth]]een camelry, while another two legions from [[New Ghis]] are set to arrive by ship.{{Ref|ADWD|36}}

Following the death of the young girl [[Hazzea]] and the subsequent imprisonment of [[Viserion]] and [[Rhaegal]] and the escape of [[Drogon]], Daenerys refuses to use her dragons in battle.{{Ref|ADWD|30}} Following her refusal, [[Ben Plumm]] allies his [[Second Sons]] with Yunkai.{{Ref|ADWD|36}} The Yunkai'i are in contact with [[Hizdahr zo Loraq]], and inform him that they are willing to give Meereen peace, on the condition that the Yunkai'i can resume slaving. They insist that Astapor, once rebuild, will be a slaver city once again, and that Daenerys has to promise that she will not interfere. The agreements are to be sealed by Daenerys's marriage to Hizdahr.{{Ref|ADWD|36}} When the Yunkai'i lay siege to Meereen, they build catapults, scorpions, and tall trebuchets. Their aim is to weaken Meereen, until famine and disease brings the city to its knees.{{Ref|ADWD|43}} The bloody flux has by now already spread across Meereen;{{ref|ADWD|43}} However, it has also begun to spread among the Yunkish camps as well.{{Ref|ADWD|47}}

===Agreement of peace===
Following Daenerys's occupation of Meereen, Ghiscari descendants known as the [[Sons of the Harpy]] began to fight a [[shadow war]] against her, killing freedmen and [[Unsullied]], which leads to the formation of the [[Brazen Beasts]], Meereen's new city watch.{{Ref|ADWD|11}}{{Ref|ADWD|16}} However, the Harpy's Sons continue their killings, and the [[Green Grace]], [[Galazza Galare]], suggests to Daenerys that she should take a Meereenese nobleman as her husband and recommends [[Hizdahr zo Loraq]].{{Ref|ADWD|23}}

Daenerys follows the advice of Galazza and agrees to a pact with Hizdahr: if he is able to stop the Sons of the Harpy from killing for ninty days, Daenerys will marry Hizdahr.{{ref|ADWD|23}} Hizdahr discusses a peace treaty with the Yunkai'i, in which the marriage is an important aspect.{{Ref|ADWD|36}} Following ninety days of peace, Daenerys and Hizdahr are wed.{{ref|ADWD|43}}

Following the marriage, the peace between Meereen and the slavers is to be signed and sealed, and Meereen's fighting pits are to be opened once more.{{ref|ADWD|47}} Meereen's ports have already been opened following the wedding,{{ref|adwd|50}} and Hizdahr has invited the Yunkai'i commanders into the city to witness the opening of the fighting pits and sign the peace. Three Yunkish noblemen and the four commanders of the sellsword companies enter Meereen, and in return seven Meereenese hostages are sent to the camps of Yunkai.{{Ref|ADWD|50}} The following day, [[Daznak's Pit]] is opened. Daenerys and Hizdahr witness the matches from Hizdahr's box. Hizdahr urges Daenerys to try some honeyed locusts, but she declines them, letting [[Belwas]] eat them all. However, Daenerys feels more and more uneasy while watching the fights. During a fight where [[Barsena]] is slain by a boar, Daenerys stands to leave, when Belwas falls to his knees, and [[Drogon]] returns to the city. Drogon slays the boar and begins to eat Barsena and the animal. The gathered public panicks and attempts to flee. Daenerys rushes to Drogon's side and flies away from Meereen on his back.{{Ref|ADWD|52}}

Two hundred fourteen people died at Daznak's Pit, while three times as many were injured.{{Ref|ADWD|55}} After Daenerys's departure on Drogon, Hizdahr takes over the rule of Meereen and removes many of Daenerys's people from command. He places the command of the [[Brazen Beasts]] under the command of one of his cousins, and attempts to do the same with the Unsullied, which angers them, resulting in Hizdahr losing their support. [[Skahaz mo Kandaq]] contacts [[Barristan Selmy]] and informs him that Hizdahr's confectioner has confessed to having poisoned the locusts, from which Belwas had gotten sick, on behalf of the [[Sons of the Harpy]], who had threatened to kill his daughter. As Daenerys survived, the girl was killed. Skahaz has been gathering support against Hizdahr, but needs Barristan to bring the Unsullied to their side. Barristan agrees.{{Ref|ADWD|55}}

===The Battle of Slaver's Bay===
{{Warning|This section contains pieces of information which have thus far been only released in samples chapters for ''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', or which originate from notes taken at readings from unreleased chapters. Therefore, the section might therefore be considered to contain spoilers. Additionally, the information might not be in finalized form. Keep in mind that parts of the content as described below could still be subject to change.}}
One of the deaths at Daznak's Pit was the Yunkish Supreme Commander [[Yurkhaz zo Yunzak]]. Following his death, the Yunkai'i commanders rotate the leadership, with a new general commanding the army each day, starting at dawn.<ref name=tyrion2/> Because Yurkhaz died whilst inside Meereen, the Yunkai'i speak of a breach of the peace, and continue their siege. They present King Hizdahr with the severed head of one of the Meereenese hostages, [[Groleo]]. They also return three hostages - all family to Hizdahr - as a shown of good faith, while promising to return the other three after Hizdahr has slain the dragons.{{Ref|ADWD|59}} Barristan and Skahaz agree to imprison Hizdahr, as well as [[Reznak mo Reznak]], and rule Meereen by a council.{{Ref|ADWD|67}} However, in the meantime, Prince [[Quentyn Martell]] has contacted the [[Tattered Prince]] and enlisted his help in capturing Daenerys's dragons,.{{Ref|ADWD|60}} Barristan's and Skahaz's plan to arrest Hizdahr takes place on the same night as Quentyn's plan to steal the dragons. Quentyn's plan fails, resulting in his mortal injuries as well as the escape of both [[Viserion]] and [[Rhaegal]].{{Ref|ADWD|68}} While Barristan is confronting Hizdahr about his role in the poisoning attempt of Daenerys, a [[cupbearer]] informs them that the dragons have been loosened on the city.{{Ref|ADWD|67}}

Following Hizdahr's arrest, the [[Sons of the Harpy]] return to their nightly killings. Galazza Galare is send to the Yunkai'i to discuss terms, but upon her return informs Barristan that the they demand that Hizdahr is restored to his throne. Galazza had presented an offer from Barristan to the nobles from Yunkai, but they have refused. When Galazza has informed Barristan of this fact, he is informed that the Yunkai'i are now flinging corpses into [[Meereen]], using the trebuchets.{{Ref|ADWD|70}}

Meereen prepares for the Battle of Slaver’s Bay<ref name=smartertravel>[http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/today-in-travel/game-of-thrones-exclusive-george-martin-talks-season-the-winds-of-winter-and-real-world-influences-for-song-of-ice-and-fire.html?id=10593041 George R.R. Martin Talks Season Two, 'The Winds of Winter,' and Real-World Influences for 'A Song of Ice and Fire' (March 26, 2012)]</ref> during the night. At the western gate, five thousand Unsullied are lined up, along with the [[Stormcrows]] and several hundred [[pit fighters]]. Barristan rides on Daenerys's [[silver]], hoping it gives the soldiers courage. The [[Brazen Beasts]] have taken the city walls, and are to be Meereen's final stand against Yunkai, should all else fail. The [[Stalwart Shields]] have gathered by the eastern gate, the [[Mother's Men]] by the south gate, and the [[Free Brothers]] by the north gate. Meanwhile, the Yunkishmen have two Ghiscari legions to the north, across the [[Skahazadhan]], while their main camp is located to the west, with two of its six trebuchets located there; one beside the river, one opposed Meereen's main gates.<ref name=barristan1/> Yunkai has [[six sisters|six trebuchets]] in total: the Dragonbreaker, the Harridan, the Harpy's Daughter, the Wicked Sister, the Ghost of Astapor, and the Mazdhan's Fist.{{Ref|adwd|47}} Yunkai's numbers are larger than Meereen's, and the attack goes against all of [[Barristan Selmy]]'s instincts, but he knows the battle is necessary nonetheless.<ref name=barristan1/>

Barristan's plan is to destroy the trebuchet known as the Harridan, in order to distract the Yunkai'i long enough for the Unsullied to form up before the city. The battle itself begins shortly before dawn.<ref name=barristan1/> Barristan leads the charge on the Harridan with cavalry fighters, while the Unsullied form a shield wall. He manages to reach the trebuchet, where a [[Ghiscari legion]] has formed up, six thousand men strong. However, they are not the only defenders. Barristan targets the [[Paezhar zo Myraq]]'s [[Herons]], and his plan is succesful when the Yunkai'i fail to launge a counter-attack, and the Unsullied can take their position. [[Tumco Lho]] points Barristan's attention towards the bay, due to the large amount of ships. They identify the banners of [[House Greyjoy]], and Barristan is surprised to discover that the [[Ironborn]] are fighting on their side.<ref name=barristan2/>

Meanwhile, [[Tyrion Lannister]], who had been enslaved{{ref|adwd|47}} and had escaped to the [[Second Sons]],{{Ref|ADWD|57}} whom he has joined,{{ref|adwd|66}} has been trying to convince [[Ben Plumm]] to defect to Daenerys.<ref>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', Tyrion I (Notes from [http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?/topic/67929-twow-spoilers-miscon-reading-two-winds-of-winter-chapters/ Miscon reading: two Winds of Winter chapters (Victarion I and Tyrion I) (June 6, 2012)]</ref> When the [[Second Sons]] are commanded by a messenger from [[Gorzhak zo Eraz]], the slaver commanding the Yunkish armies that day, to give their aid against the ironborn, the mercenaries present refuse the order, citing [[Ben Plumm]]'s absence. Meanwhile, [[Viserion]] is snatching and devouring corpses in the air which are being thrown by the Wicked Sister, while [[Rhaegal]] flies over the bay and circles the clashing ships of the [[Iron Fleet]] and [[Qarth]].<ref name=Tyrion2>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', Tyrion II</ref> When Plumm returns, he informs his men that [[Malazza]], the Girl General, commands them to defend the [[Wicked Sister]], in case Barristan will turn to that trebuchet when the Harridan is down. However, Malazza's command had ended at dawn, and a new messenger arrives, informing the Second Sons that commander Gorzhak zo Eraz has been slain by the [[Tattered Prince]], and that the [[Windblown]] have declared their loyalty for Meereen. Command is now being held by [[Morghar zo Zherzyn]], who commands the Second Sons to give their aid to the [[Company of the Cat]] and the two [[Ghiscari legions]] defending the Harpy's Daughter, as the Targaryen Unsullied are marching for the trebuchet. When Tyrion makes a sarcastic comment, the messenger recognizes him for an escaped slave. [[Jorah Mormont]] kills the messenger, and the Second Sons declare they had been loyal to Daenerys all along and their defection had been no more than a ruse.<ref name=tyrion2>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', Tyrion II</ref>

==Quotes==
{{Quote|Dragons wheeled overhead, their shadows sweeping across the upturned faces of friend and foe alike.<ref name=tyrion2/>}}

{{Quote|'''Tyrion:''' "Do you hear that sound?" '''Penny:''' "What is it?" '''Tyrion: ''' "War. On either side of us and not a league away. That's slaughter, Penny. That's men stumbling through the mud with their entrails hanging out. That's severed limbs and broken bones and pools of blood. You know how the worms come out after a hard rain? I hear they do the same after a big battle if enough blood soaks into the ground. That's the [[Stranger]] coming, Penny. The [[Black Goat of Qohor|Black Goat]], the [[Pale Child]], [[Him of Many Faces]], call him what you will. That's death." <ref name=tyrion2/>}} – [[Tyrion Lannister]] and [[Penny]] at the start of battle

{{Quote|Whatever might befall us on the battlefield, remember, it has happened before, and to better men than you. I am an old man, an old knight, and I have seen more battles than most of you have years. Nothing is more terrible upon this earth, nothing more glorious, nothing more absurd. You may retch. You will not be the first. You may drop your sword, your shield, your lance. Others have done the same. Pick it up and go on fighting. You may foul your breeches. I did, in my first battle. No one will care. All battlefields smell of shit. You may cry out for your mother, pray to gods you thought you had forgotten, howl obscenities that you never dreamed could pass your lips. All this has happened too. Some men die in every battle. More survive. East or west, in every inn and wine sink, you will find greybeards endlessly refighting the wars of their youth. They survived their battles. So may you. This you can be certain of: the foe you see before you is just another man, and like as not he is as frightened as you. Hate him if you must, love him if you can, but lift your sword and bring it down, then ride on. Above all else, keep moving. We are too few to win the battle. We ride to make chaos, to buy the Unsullied time enough to make their spear wall, we—<ref name=barristan1/>}} – Barristan Selmy’s speech, until he is interrupted.

==References and Notes==
{{References|2}}

{{Targaryen campaign in Slavers Bay}}

[[Category:Battles|Meereen]]
[[Category:House Greyjoy battles|Meereen]]
[[Category:House Targaryen battles|Meereen 2]]
[[Category:Meereen]]
[[Category:Targaryen campaign in Slaver's Bay]]

[[es:Batalla de Meereen]]
[[fr:Siège de Meereen]]

Second siege of Meereen

2017-09-09T23:02:05Z

Nihlus:

{{Hatnote|Not to be confused with the [[siege of Meereen]], taking place in 299 AC}}
{{Template:Battlebox
| image = [[File:Mike Capprotti Ser Barristan.jpg|400px]]
| caption = Ser [[Barristan Selmy]] commands his Queen's forces as Hand of the Queen during the [[Battle of Slaver's Bay]] © FFG
| battle_name = Siege of Meereen II
| conflict =
| date = {{Date|300}}
| place = [[Meereen]], [[Essos]]
| result = Ongoing
| combatant1 = [[Daenerys Targaryen|House Targaryen]]
*[[Meereen]]
[[House Greyjoy]]
*[[Iron Fleet]]
| combatant2 = Slaver Alliance
* [[New Ghis]]
* [[Yunkai]]
* [[Qarth]]
* [[Dothraki]]{{ref|adwd|30}}
* [[Tolos]]
* [[Elyria]]
* [[Mantarys]]
* [[Sellsword]] companies:
** [[Company of the Cat]]
** [[Long Lances]]
** [[Second Sons]]
| commander1 = [[Meereen]]
* [[Barristan Selmy]]: Hand of the Queen and leader of the ruling council of Meereen
* [[Skahaz mo Kandaq]]: Commander of the Brazen Beasts
* [[Grey Worm]]: Commander of the Unsullied
* [[Tattered Prince]]: Commander of the Windblown
* [[Widower]] & [[Jokin]]: Co-Commanders of the Stormcrows
* [[Symon Stripeback]]: Commander of the [[Free Brothers]] freedmen
* [[Marselen]]: Commander of the [[Mother's Men]] freedmen
* [[Tal Toraq]]: Commander of the [[Stalwart Shields]] freedmen
* [[Rakharo]]: Commander of the Dothraki
[[Windblown]]
*The [[Tattered Prince]]:
[[Ironborn]]
*[[Victarion Greyjoy]]: [[Lord Captain of the Iron Fleet]]
| commander2 = Slaver Alliance
* [[Wise Masters]]: Commanders of the Yunkish slave troops
* [[Bloodbeard]]: Commander of the Company of the Cat
* [[Gylo Rhegan]]: Commander of the Long Lances
* [[Ben Plumm]]: Commander of the Second Sons (defects)
| strength1 = House Targaryen: 22,000+
* ~10,600 [[Unsullied]], including 2000 who had not earned their spiked caps{{Ref|ASOS|27}}
* 2,000 [[Windblown]]{{Ref|ADWD|25}} (turned on the slavers at the beginning of the battle)
* ~8,000 [[Freedmen]] divided into 4 companies (considered near-useless){{Ref|asos|57}}
* 514 [[Second Sons]]{{Ref|ADWD|66}}<ref>(defects to Yunkai during after the Fall of Astpor; defects back to Meereen during the Battle of Slaver's Bay)</ref>
* 500 [[Stormcrows]]{{Ref|adwd|50}}
* ~200 [[Pit Fighters]]<ref name=barristan2>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', Barristan II ([http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?/topic/81338-twow-spoilers-barristan/&do=findComment&comment=4122024 Notes from Boskone 2013 reading]]</ref>
* 26 squires of Ser Barristan
* ~20 Dothraki warriors<ref name=barristan1>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', Barristan I</ref>
* [[Viserion]]?
* [[Rhaegal]]?
* Unknown additional number of [[Brazen Beast]] city watchmen
[[House Greyjoy]]: half of the [[Iron Fleet]]
* 4,500+ reavers<ref>It is stated that the ships of the Iron Fleet are the equals of the smaller war galleys of the Royal Fleet ([[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 32|AFFC Cersei VI]]), and that all of the crewmen of Ironborn ships (including oarsmen) are armored and armed reavers in contrast to the ship crews of other factions ([[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 29|The Reaver]]). The smaller war galleys of the Royal Fleet dip about 100 oars each ([[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 10|ACOK Davos I]]), putting the crews of Victarion's remaining ships at a minimum of 4,500+.</ref>
* 45 war galleys (of the original 93){{ref|ADWD|56}}
* 17 captured slaver ships{{ref|ADWD|56}}
| strength2 = Slaver Alliance: ~70,000
[[New Ghis]]
* 36,000 men divided into 6 legions<ref name=barristan2/>
* 100 armored and towered war elephants
* 3 war galleys
[[Yunkai]]
* 40 Yunkai commanders each having "20 or 200 or 2,000" armed slaves (considered near-useless)<ref>[[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 66|ADWD Tyrion XII]]</ref>
* [[Six sisters (trebuchets)|6 trebuchets]]
* 3,000 [[Company of the Cat]]{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
* 800 [[Long Lances]]{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
* 514 [[Second Sons]]{{Ref|ADWD|66}}<ref>Switches sides</ref>
[[Dothraki]]
*~20,000 mounted warriors<Ref>[[Qavo]] states to Tyrion that a Dothraki khalasar will fight on the side of the slavers.{{ref|adwd|22}} Ben Plumm further confirms this when he states that the Yunkish have sent riders to hire a Dothraki khalasar to help with the battle.{{Ref|ADWD|30}} It is heavily implied that this is the khalasar of Khal [[Jhaqo]], as Daenerys runs into him a short distance away from Meereen towards the end of ''A Dance With Dragons.''{{Ref|ADWD|71}} Jhaqo was earlier stated to command twenty thousand screamers.{{ref|AGOT|68}}</ref>
[[Qarth]]
* [[Qartheen]] fleet
* Qartheen [[camel]] corps
Other
* 300 [[Elyria]]n Crossbowmen
* [[Tolos]]i slingers
| casualties1 = unknown
| casualties2 = [[Little Pigeon]] † [[Pudding Face]] † [[Clanker Lords]] (possibly) Likely several thousands of slave-soldiers/Ghiscari/Qartheen
}}

[[File: Marc Fishman SerBS GreatP.jpg| [[Barristan Selmy|Ser Barristan]] looks at a smouldering [[Meereen]] - by Marc Fishman © |thumb|400px|right]]
The '''second siege of Meereen''' takes place after [[Daenerys Targaryen]] has taken control of [[Meereen]]. A coalition of [[slavery|slavers]] besieges the city, in an attempt to restore slavery.

==Prelude==
Upon buying eight thousand six hundred trained [[Unsullied]], as well as five thousand boys who had not yet completed their training, [[Daenerys Targaryen]] [[Fall of Astapor|sacks]] [[Astapor]].{{Ref|ASOS|27}} Daenerys installs a council of three to rule the city, a healer, a scholar, and a priest.{{Ref|ASOS|49}} She marches her army to [[Yunkai]], where four thousand slave soldiers, as well as two sellsword companies, the [[Second Sons]] and the [[Stormcrows]], each consisting of five hundred men. Daenerys meets envoys from all three parties, and promises the Yunkai'i that they'll remain unharmed if they'd release their slaves. The Stormcrows defect to Daenerys prior to battle, and join Daenerys against the remaining Yunkai'i forces.{{Ref|ASOS|42}} Daenerys does not take the city, but instead marches her army, now greater than eighty thousand men, though less than a quarter are warriors.{{Ref|ASOS|57}}

Daenerys [[Siege of Meereen|conquers Meereen]] and installs herself as its Queen, taking the [[Great Pyramid]] as her seat.{{Ref|ASOS|71}} However, the council she had left to rule Astapor has been killed after a former slave, the butcher [[Cleon]], accused them of plotting to reinstall the [[Good Masters]], the former slavers. Following the deaths of the council members, Cleon names himself king and has all highborn boys in the city seized, to train them as Unsullied.{{Ref|ASOS|71}} Cleon sends an envoy, Lord [[Ghael]], to Meereen, to inform her of Cleon's reign. Cleon offers an alliance, to be sealed with marriage. Daenerys declines.{{Ref|ASOS|71}} Meanwhile, [[Yunkai]] return to slavery.{{Ref|ADWD|2}}

Even without Daenerys, Cleon marches his army out to meet Yunkai in the field. He is defeated during the [[Battle at the Horns of Hazzat]], and flees with his host back to Astapor.{{ref|ADWD|16}} The Yukai'i follow, and [[Siege of Astapor|besiege the Red City]].{{Ref|ADWD|23}} When Cleon orders his men to march out and fight, they kill him. His successor, [[Cleon the Second]], is slain eight days later, and the killer takes up the crown. The concubine of the first Cleon claims the crown as well, and the Astapori name them "King Cutthroat" and "Queen Whore".{{Ref|ADWD|23}} While Astapor starves, the King and Queen accuse one another of eating the slain.{{Ref|ADWD|30}} When the [[Green Grace]] of [[Astapor]] has a vision that the first Cleon will soon deliver the Astapori from the Yunkai'i,{{Ref|ADWD|30}} the Astapori make the decision to strap Cleon's corpse into his armor and onto his horse to lead the Unsullied in battle.{{Ref|ADWD|30}}{{Ref|ADWD|25}} When the dead King Cleon is slain once again, the Astapori break and attempt to flee, only to find the gates to the city closed. The battle itself is butchery.{{Ref|ADWD|25}}

Many of the survivors of the second fall of Astapor have the [[bloody flux]]. The Yunkai'i command their sellswords to hunt the survivors down and turn them, driving them back to Astapor or north to Meereen to prevent them from going near Yunkai.{{Ref|ADWD|25}} In [[Meereen]], Queen [[Daenerys Targaryen]] receives the news of the fall from three escaped Astapori, and, following the advice of her councillors, refuses to allow the other Astapori to settle in the city,{{Ref|ADWD|30}} but instead settles them outside the walls,{{Ref|ADWD|36}} to prevent the bloody flux from spreading into Meereen.

==Siege of Meereen==
===Initial siege===
With Astapor defeated, the Yunkai'i forces march on to Meereen.{{Ref|ADWD|25}}{{Ref|ADWD|36}} Ships from [[Qarth]], [[Tolos]], and [[New Ghis]] are shocking off the bay, aided by ships from the Meereenese fleet who had fled when Daenerys first arrived at the city.{{Ref|ADWD|30}} The Yunkai'i march their new slave soldiers up the coast road, accompanied by four sellsword companies, four [[Ghiscari legion]]s, a hundred elephants, [[Tolos]]i slingers, and a corps of [[Qarth]]een camelry, while another two legions from [[New Ghis]] are set to arrive by ship.{{Ref|ADWD|36}}

Following the death of the young girl [[Hazzea]] and the subsequent imprisonment of [[Viserion]] and [[Rhaegal]] and the escape of [[Drogon]], Daenerys refuses to use her dragons in battle.{{Ref|ADWD|30}} Following her refusal, [[Ben Plumm]] allies his [[Second Sons]] with Yunkai.{{Ref|ADWD|36}} The Yunkai'i are in contact with [[Hizdahr zo Loraq]], and inform him that they are willing to give Meereen peace, on the condition that the Yunkai'i can resume slaving. They insist that Astapor, once rebuild, will be a slaver city once again, and that Daenerys has to promise that she will not interfere. The agreements are to be sealed by Daenerys's marriage to Hizdahr.{{Ref|ADWD|36}} When the Yunkai'i lay siege to Meereen, they build catapults, scorpions, and tall trebuchets. Their aim is to weaken Meereen, until famine and disease brings the city to its knees.{{Ref|ADWD|43}} The bloody flux has by now already spread across Meereen;{{ref|ADWD|43}} However, it has also begun to spread among the Yunkish camps as well.{{Ref|ADWD|47}}

===Agreement of peace===
Following Daenerys's occupation of Meereen, Ghiscari descendants known as the [[Sons of the Harpy]] began to fight a [[shadow war]] against her, killing freedmen and [[Unsullied]], which leads to the formation of the [[Brazen Beasts]], Meereen's new city watch.{{Ref|ADWD|11}}{{Ref|ADWD|16}} However, the Harpy's Sons continue their killings, and the [[Green Grace]], [[Galazza Galare]], suggests to Daenerys that she should take a Meereenese nobleman as her husband and recommends [[Hizdahr zo Loraq]].{{Ref|ADWD|23}}

Daenerys follows the advice of Galazza and agrees to a pact with Hizdahr: if he is able to stop the Sons of the Harpy from killing for ninty days, Daenerys will marry Hizdahr.{{ref|ADWD|23}} Hizdahr discusses a peace treaty with the Yunkai'i, in which the marriage is an important aspect.{{Ref|ADWD|36}} Following ninety days of peace, Daenerys and Hizdahr are wed.{{ref|ADWD|43}}

Following the marriage, the peace between Meereen and the slavers is to be signed and sealed, and Meereen's fighting pits are to be opened once more.{{ref|ADWD|47}} Meereen's ports have already been opened following the wedding,{{ref|adwd|50}} and Hizdahr has invited the Yunkai'i commanders into the city to witness the opening of the fighting pits and sign the peace. Three Yunkish noblemen and the four commanders of the sellsword companies enter Meereen, and in return seven Meereenese hostages are sent to the camps of Yunkai.{{Ref|ADWD|50}} The following day, [[Daznak's Pit]] is opened. Daenerys and Hizdahr witness the matches from Hizdahr's box. Hizdahr urges Daenerys to try some honeyed locusts, but she declines them, letting [[Belwas]] eat them all. However, Daenerys feels more and more uneasy while watching the fights. During a fight where [[Barsena]] is slain by a boar, Daenerys stands to leave, when Belwas falls to his knees, and [[Drogon]] returns to the city. Drogon slays the boar and begins to eat Barsena and the animal. The gathered public panicks and attempts to flee. Daenerys rushes to Drogon's side and flies away from Meereen on his back.{{Ref|ADWD|52}}

Two hundred fourteen people died at Daznak's Pit, while three times as many were injured.{{Ref|ADWD|55}} After Daenerys's departure on Drogon, Hizdahr takes over the rule of Meereen and removes many of Daenerys's people from command. He places the command of the [[Brazen Beasts]] under the command of one of his cousins, and attempts to do the same with the Unsullied, which angers them, resulting in Hizdahr losing their support. [[Skahaz mo Kandaq]] contacts [[Barristan Selmy]] and informs him that Hizdahr's confectioner has confessed to having poisoned the locusts, from which Belwas had gotten sick, on behalf of the [[Sons of the Harpy]], who had threatened to kill his daughter. As Daenerys survived, the girl was killed. Skahaz has been gathering support against Hizdahr, but needs Barristan to bring the Unsullied to their side. Barristan agrees.{{Ref|ADWD|55}}

===The Battle of Slaver's Bay===
{{Warning|This section contains pieces of information which have thus far been only released in samples chapters for ''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', or which originate from notes taken at readings from unreleased chapters. Therefore, the section might therefore be considered to contain spoilers. Additionally, the information might not be in finalized form. Keep in mind that parts of the content as described below could still be subject to change.}}
One of the deaths at Daznak's Pit was the Yunkish Supreme Commander [[Yurkhaz zo Yunzak]]. Following his death, the Yunkai'i commanders rotate the leadership, with a new general commanding the army each day, starting at dawn.<ref name=tyrion2/> Because Yurkhaz died whilst inside Meereen, the Yunkai'i speak of a breach of the peace, and continue their siege. They present King Hizdahr with the severed head of one of the Meereenese hostages, [[Groleo]]. They also return three hostages - all family to Hizdahr - as a shown of good faith, while promising to return the other three after Hizdahr has slain the dragons.{{Ref|ADWD|59}} Barristan and Skahaz agree to imprison Hizdahr, as well as [[Reznak mo Reznak]], and rule Meereen by a council.{{Ref|ADWD|67}} However, in the meantime, Prince [[Quentyn Martell]] has contacted the [[Tattered Prince]] and enlisted his help in capturing Daenerys's dragons,.{{Ref|ADWD|60}} Barristan's and Skahaz's plan to arrest Hizdahr takes place on the same night as Quentyn's plan to steal the dragons. Quentyn's plan fails, resulting in his mortal injuries as well as the escape of both [[Viserion]] and [[Rhaegal]].{{Ref|ADWD|68}} While Barristan is confronting Hizdahr about his role in the poisoning attempt of Daenerys, a [[cupbearer]] informs them that the dragons have been loosened on the city.{{Ref|ADWD|67}}

Following Hizdahr's arrest, the [[Sons of the Harpy]] return to their nightly killings. Galazza Galare is send to the Yunkai'i to discuss terms, but upon her return informs Barristan that the they demand that Hizdahr is restored to his throne. Galazza had presented an offer from Barristan to the nobles from Yunkai, but they have refused. When Galazza has informed Barristan of this fact, he is informed that the Yunkai'i are now flinging corpses into [[Meereen]], using the trebuchets.{{Ref|ADWD|70}}

Meereen prepares for the Battle of Slaver’s Bay<ref name=smartertravel>[http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/today-in-travel/game-of-thrones-exclusive-george-martin-talks-season-the-winds-of-winter-and-real-world-influences-for-song-of-ice-and-fire.html?id=10593041 George R.R. Martin Talks Season Two, 'The Winds of Winter,' and Real-World Influences for 'A Song of Ice and Fire' (March 26, 2012)]</ref> during the night. At the western gate, five thousand Unsullied are lined up, along with the [[Stormcrows]] and several hundred [[pit fighters]]. Barristan rides on Daenerys's [[silver]], hoping it gives the soldiers courage. The [[Brazen Beasts]] have taken the city walls, and are to be Meereen's final stand against Yunkai, should all else fail. The [[Stalwart Shields]] have gathered by the eastern gate, the [[Mother's Men]] by the south gate, and the [[Free Brothers]] by the north gate. Meanwhile, the Yunkishmen have two Ghiscari legions to the north, across the [[Skahazadhan]], while their main camp is located to the west, with two of its six trebuchets located there; one beside the river, one opposed Meereen's main gates.<ref name=barristan1/> Yunkai has [[six sisters|six trebuchets]] in total: the Dragonbreaker, the Harridan, the Harpy's Daughter, the Wicked Sister, the Ghost of Astapor, and the Mazdhan's Fist.{{Ref|adwd|47}} Yunkai's numbers are larger than Meereen's, and the attack goes against all of [[Barristan Selmy]]'s instincts, but he knows the battle is necessary nonetheless.<ref name=barristan1/>

Barristan's plan is to destroy the trebuchet known as the Harridan, in order to distract the Yunkai'i long enough for the Unsullied to form up before the city. The battle itself begins shortly before dawn.<ref name=barristan1/> Barristan leads the charge on the Harridan with cavalry fighters, while the Unsullied form a shield wall. He manages to reach the trebuchet, where a [[Ghiscari legion]] has formed up, six thousand men strong. However, they are not the only defenders. Barristan targets the [[Paezhar zo Myraq]]'s [[Herons]], and his plan is succesful when the Yunkai'i fail to launge a counter-attack, and the Unsullied can take their position. [[Tumco Lho]] points Barristan's attention towards the bay, due to the large amount of ships. They identify the banners of [[House Greyjoy]], and Barristan is surprised to discover that the [[Ironborn]] are fighting on their side.<ref name=barristan2/>

Meanwhile, [[Tyrion Lannister]], who had been enslaved{{ref|adwd|47}} and had escaped to the [[Second Sons]],{{Ref|ADWD|57}} whom he has joined,{{ref|adwd|66}} has been trying to convince [[Ben Plumm]] to defect to Daenerys.<ref>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', Tyrion I (Notes from [http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?/topic/67929-twow-spoilers-miscon-reading-two-winds-of-winter-chapters/ Miscon reading: two Winds of Winter chapters (Victarion I and Tyrion I) (June 6, 2012)]</ref> When the [[Second Sons]] are commanded by a messenger from [[Gorzhak zo Eraz]], the slaver commanding the Yunkish armies that day, to give their aid against the ironborn, the mercenaries present refuse the order, citing [[Ben Plumm]]'s absence. Meanwhile, [[Viserion]] is snatching and devouring corpses in the air which are being thrown by the Wicked Sister, while [[Rhaegal]] flies over the bay and circles the clashing ships of the [[Iron Fleet]] and [[Qarth]].<ref name=Tyrion2>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', Tyrion II</ref> When Plumm returns, he informs his men that [[Malazza]], the Girl General, commands them to defend the [[Wicked Sister]], in case Barristan will turn to that trebuchet when the Harridan is down. However, Malazza's command had ended at dawn, and a new messenger arrives, informing the Second Sons that commander Gorzhak zo Eraz has been slain by the [[Tattered Prince]], and that the [[Windblown]] have declared their loyalty for Meereen. Command is now being held by [[Morghar zo Zherzyn]], who commands the Second Sons to give their aid to the [[Company of the Cat]] and the two [[Ghiscari legions]] defending the Harpy's Daughter, as the Targaryen Unsullied are marching for the trebuchet. When Tyrion makes a sarcastic comment, the messenger recognizes him for an escaped slave. [[Jorah Mormont]] kills the messenger, and the Second Sons declare they had been loyal to Daenerys all along and their defection had been no more than a ruse.<ref name=tyrion2>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', Tyrion II</ref>

==Quotes==
{{Quote|Dragons wheeled overhead, their shadows sweeping across the upturned faces of friend and foe alike.<ref name=tyrion2/>}}

{{Quote|'''Tyrion:''' "Do you hear that sound?" '''Penny:''' "What is it?" '''Tyrion: ''' "War. On either side of us and not a league away. That's slaughter, Penny. That's men stumbling through the mud with their entrails hanging out. That's severed limbs and broken bones and pools of blood. You know how the worms come out after a hard rain? I hear they do the same after a big battle if enough blood soaks into the ground. That's the [[Stranger]] coming, Penny. The [[Black Goat of Qohor|Black Goat]], the [[Pale Child]], [[Him of Many Faces]], call him what you will. That's death." <ref name=tyrion2/>}} – [[Tyrion Lannister]] and [[Penny]] at the start of battle

{{Quote|Whatever might befall us on the battlefield, remember, it has happened before, and to better men than you. I am an old man, an old knight, and I have seen more battles than most of you have years. Nothing is more terrible upon this earth, nothing more glorious, nothing more absurd. You may retch. You will not be the first. You may drop your sword, your shield, your lance. Others have done the same. Pick it up and go on fighting. You may foul your breeches. I did, in my first battle. No one will care. All battlefields smell of shit. You may cry out for your mother, pray to gods you thought you had forgotten, howl obscenities that you never dreamed could pass your lips. All this has happened too. Some men die in every battle. More survive. East or west, in every inn and wine sink, you will find greybeards endlessly refighting the wars of their youth. They survived their battles. So may you. This you can be certain of: the foe you see before you is just another man, and like as not he is as frightened as you. Hate him if you must, love him if you can, but lift your sword and bring it down, then ride on. Above all else, keep moving. We are too few to win the battle. We ride to make chaos, to buy the Unsullied time enough to make their spear wall, we—<ref name=barristan1/>}} – Barristan Selmy’s speech, until he is interrupted.

==References and Notes==
{{References|2}}

{{Targaryen campaign in Slavers Bay}}

[[Category:Battles|Meereen]]
[[Category:House Greyjoy battles|Meereen]]
[[Category:House Targaryen battles|Meereen 2]]
[[Category:Meereen]]
[[Category:Targaryen campaign in Slaver's Bay]]

[[es:Batalla de Meereen]]
[[fr:Siège de Meereen]]

Battle in the ice

2017-09-07T09:37:48Z

Nihlus: Distinguishing the forces. The force fighting Stannis at the crofter's village is just the Freys, Manderlys, Karstarks, and an unknown but likely small number of troops under Ramsay. Not the whole host.

{{Template:Battlebox
| image =
| caption =
| battle_name = Battle in the ice
| conflict = [[War of the Five Kings]]
| date = {{Date|300}}
| place = Between the [[crofter's village]] and [[Winterfell]]
| result =
| colour_scheme =
| combatant1 = '''[[House Baratheon of Dragonstone]]:''' [[Southron]] army
* [[House Bar Emmon]]
* [[House Farring]]
* [[House Florent]]
* [[House Velaryon]]
[[North|Northern]] [[House Stark|Stark]] loyalists
* [[Northern mountain clans]]
** [[House Burley]]
** [[House Flint]]
** [[House Harclay]]
** [[House Liddle]]
** [[House Norrey]]
** [[House Wull]]
* [[House Mormont]]
* [[House Glover]]
** [[House Bole]]
** [[House Branch]]
** [[House Woods]]
* [[House Umber]], led by [[Mors Umber]]
* [[House Hornwood|Hornwood]], [[House Cerwyn|Cerwyn]], and [[House Tallhart|Tallhart]] survivors from the [[battle at Winterfell]]
* Men from the [[Stony Shore]]
| combatant2 = '''[[Iron Throne]]'''/[[House Baratheon of King's Landing]]:
[[North|The North]], led by [[House Bolton]]
* [[House Cerwyn]]
* [[House Dustin]]
* [[House Hornwood]]
* [[House Karstark]]
* [[House Locke]]
* [[House Manderly]] (nominally)
* [[House Ryswell]]
* [[House Slate]]
* [[House Stout]]
* [[House Umber]], led by [[Hother Umber]]

[[Riverlands]]
*[[House Frey]]
| commander1 = King [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis I Baratheon]] Ser [[Richard Horpe]] Castellan [[Mors Umber]] Lord [[Hugo Wull]] Ser [[Godry Farring]]
| commander2 = Lord [[Roose Bolton]] Lord [[Ramsay Bolton]] Ser [[Aenys Frey]]† Ser [[Hosteen Frey]] [[Hother Umber]]
| strength1 =
{{Columns|1|5,400 soldiers:

Main host: 5,000
*~1,400 southron men-at-arms and knights<ref group="N">Stannis had come north with no more than fifteen hundred men from the south (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 19|Davos III]]), men-at-arms and knights from the remnants of his troops who had fought on the Blackwater. He left eighty-three southron men-at-arms at the Wall (fifty at Castle Black to guard Melisandre, twelve at Castle Black to guard Queen Selyse and Princess Shireen, ten at Icemark, and ten at Greyguard, and Ser Axell Florent) (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 44|Jon IX]]), and lost a small amount of men in the Battle at Castle Black, putting his southron knights and men-at-arms at around fourteen hundred. In contrast to his enemies, Stannis's army has little to no cavalry; his southrons started with eight hundred horses, but all but a few dozen of them died or were eaten during the [[March on Winterfell]] ([[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 62|The Sacrifice]]).</ref>
*~3,600 northmen (soldiers and mountain clansmen)<ref group="N">When marching on Winterfell, Stannis has an army of five thousand men strong (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 35|Jon VII]] and [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 41|The Turncloak]]). He had come north with no more than fifteen hundred men from the south (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 19|Davos III]]). He left eighty-three southron men-at-arms at the Wall (fifty at Castle Black to guard Melisandre, twelve at Castle Black to guard Queen Selyse and Princess Shireen, ten at Icemark, and ten at Greyguard, and Ser Axell Florent), and had lost a small amount of men in the Battle at Castle Black (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 44|Jon IX]]), putting his southron knights and men-at-arms at around fourteen hundred. The remainder of his force is made up of the mountain clans, [[House Mormont]], [[House Glover]], men once sworn to Houses [[House Hornwood|Hornwood]], [[House Cerwyn|Cerwyn]], and [[House Tallhart|Tallhart]], and [[smallfolk]] who had fled from the [[ironborn]] (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 35|Jon VII]]). According to Jon Snow, the mountain clans would provide 2,000 to 3,000 men (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 17|Jon IV]]) clad in animal hides and mostly wielding sticks and slings, indicating that the other 600 to 1,600 men have been provided by the Houses Mormont, Glover, Hornwood, Cerwyn, and Tallhart, and smallfolk.</ref>
Vanguard: 400
*~400 [[House Umber|Umber]] men (vanguard)<ref group="N">It is said that [[Hother Umber]] has half of the remaining strength of [[House Umber]] with him at the side of the [[House Bolton|Boltons]], while [[Mors Umber]] has the other half with him on the side of [[Stannis Baratheon]] (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 35|Jon VII]]). Hother is known to have brought four hundred men with him to the [[siege of Moat Cailin]] (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 28|Davos II]]), meaning that Mors has about four hundred men with him.</ref>}}
| strength2 = {{Columns|1|7,150+ soldiers:

Vanguard: 2,750+
*~2,000 Frey troops{{ref|AFFC|16}}{{ref|ADWD|20}}<ref group="N">Described by Cersei Lannister as a force of two thousand strong (''[[A Feast for Crows]]'', [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 16|Jaime II]]), while judged by Theon Greyjoy to consist of four hundred knights, with "at least a thousand, maybe more" foot soldiers (including bowmen and spearmen) and light cavalry (including freeriders and mounted bowmen), supported by another hundred knights (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 20|Reek II]]).</ref> (includes 500 knights)
*300 Manderly troops{{Ref|ADWD|46}} (100 knights, 200 mounted men-at-arms)
*456 Karstark troops (400 spearmen, 40 archers, and 16 mounted lancers)<ref group="N">[[Arnolf Karstark]] had brought four hundred and fifty men with him ("a son, three grandsons, four hundred spears, two score archers, and a dozen mounted lances") to Stannis's host in collaboration with Roose, with the intention of turning on Stannis's host in favor of Roose as soon as the battle begins. Upon learning of Arnolf's planned treachery, Stannis has Arnolf and his family members arrested, and his men disarmed. However, he believes the soldiers likely did not know of the plan, and as such might decide to use them in battle.</ref>
Winterfell garrison: 4,400+
*~4,000 Northern troops{{Ref|ADWD|20}} (mainly Bolton men)
*400 Umber troops{{Ref|ADWD|15}} (300 spearmen, 100 archers)
*Houses Dustin, Tallhart, Cerwyn, Hornwood, Locke with unknown number of soldiers}}
| casualties1 =
| casualties2 = [[Aenys Frey]] 450 Karstark troops captured and disarmed
}}
{{Warning|This information has thus far been released in a sample chapter for ''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', and might therefore not be in finalized form. Keep in mind that the content as described below is still subject to change.}}

The '''battle in the ice''' is an upcoming battle between the forces of [[Stannis Baratheon]] and the forces of [[Ramsay Snow|Ramsay Bolton]]. It is set to take place at the start of ''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', the as-yet-unpublished sixth book of ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]''.<ref name=smartertravel>[http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/today-in-travel/game-of-thrones-exclusive-george-martin-talks-season-the-winds-of-winter-and-real-world-influences-for-song-of-ice-and-fire.html?id=10593041 George R.R. Martin Talks Season Two, 'The Winds of Winter,' and Real-World Influences for 'A Song of Ice and Fire' (March 26, 2012)]</ref>

==Prelude==
At [[Castle Black]], [[Stannis Baratheon]] secures the support of [[Arnolf Karstark]], the castellan of [[Karhold]], but finds himself unable to convince others to join their strength to his.{{Ref|ADWD|3}} When Arnolf informs him that only fifty men remain at the [[Dreadfort]], the seat of [[House Bolton]], he considers marching on the Bolton castle. However, [[Jon Snow]], [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch]], counsels against it.{{Ref|ADWD|17}} Unbeknownst to Stannis, Arnolf's loyalty is a pretense; In reality, he is loyal to Lord [[Roose Bolton]], and was attempting to lure Stannis to the Dreadfort to trap him.{{Ref|ADWD|32}}

Lord Bolton arrives in the [[north]] with a girl he claims to be [[Arya Stark]], the youngest daughter of the late Lord [[Eddard Stark]] of [[Winterfell]]. In reality, however, the girl is [[Jeyne Poole]], the daughter of [[Vayon Poole]], the former steward of Winterfell.{{Ref|ADWD|20}} Roose marries the fake Arya to his [[bastardy|bastard son]], the recently legitimized [[Ramsay Snow|Ramsay Bolton]] at [[Winterfell]].{{Ref|ADWD|37}} Their presence at Winterfell is meant to force Stannis to march on them,{{Ref|ADWD|32}} and indeed, after following the advice of Jon Snow, thereby securing the support of the [[northern mountain clans]], and [[fight by Deepwood Motte|retaking Deepwood Motte]] from the [[ironborn]]—resulting in the capture of [[Asha Greyjoy]]{{Ref|ADWD|26}}—Stannis leads his army from [[Deepwood Motte]] through the [[wolfswood]] to [[Winterfell]]. Although the southron knights and lords oppose the march, the northern lords insist that Roose must be removed from Winterfell and "the Ned's" daughter rescued from Ramsay. The [[march on Winterfell]] is a hundred leagues long, and is estimated to take fifteen days. However, snows begin on the fourth day, and the harsh weather slow the army down significantly. After thirty-three days, they arrive at a [[crofters' village]], located three days from Winterfell, but find themselves snowed in. After eleven days, Arnolf Karstark arrives with four hundred and fifty men.{{Ref|ADWD|62}}

At Winterfell, the forces Roose Bolton has gathered—consisting of Houses [[House Ryswell|Ryswell]], [[House Dustin|Dustin]], [[House Frey|Frey]], [[House Cerwyn|Cerwyn]], [[House Hornwood|Hornwood]], [[House Manderly|Manderly]], and part of [[House Umber]]—suffer from divided loyalties, infighting, and a series of mysterious murders, which cause tension in the castle between the Freys, Boltons, Manderlys, and other northern houses. At first, [[Theon Greyjoy]] is suspected to be the murderer, but that idea is quickly dismissed by Roose, who declares Theon to be too broken and weak to have carried out the deeds.{{ref|ADWD|46}}

At [[Castle Black]], the [[red priest]]ess [[Melisandre]] sees a grey girl on a dying horse in her flames. Bbelieving the girl to be Arya Stark, Lord Commander Jon Snow's younger half-sister, she enlists the help of [[Mance Rayder]], the former [[King-beyond-the-Wall]], to rescue the girl.{{Ref|ADWD|31}} The girl eventually arrives at Castle Black, but she turns out to be [[Alys Karstark]], who informs Jon Snow that her uncle Arnolf is plotting to betray Stannis.{{Ref|ADWD|44}} Jon sends ravens to [[Deepwood Motte]] in an attempt to warn Stannis.{{ref|ADWD|49}} At Winterfell, the tensions among the army finally erupt into a brawl (in which Lord [[Wyman Manderly]] becomes injured) after [[Walder Frey (son of Merrett)|Little Walder Frey]] is found dead. In response, Roose sends out the forces of House Frey and House Manderly, to engage Stannis into battle at the crofters' village.{{Ref|ADWD|51}}

Theon and Jeyne—believed by Roose's host to be Arya—leap from Winterfell shortly before the Freys and Manderlys leave Winterfell, and the pair are found by [[Mors Umber]] beneath the walls of the castle. By [[Tycho Nestoris]], a [[Braavosi]] [[Iron Bank of Braavos|banker]] searching for Stannis, they are brought to the village where Stannis and his army remain. Stannis is informed of Arnolf's planned treachery, and arrests him, his son [[Arthor Karstark|Arthor]], and his three grandsons.<ref name=Theon>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', [[Theon I (The Winds of Winter)|Theon I]]</ref>

==Battle==
Because it has been snowing severely, the men on the battlefields of Winterfell cannot see anyone beneath the walls, giving [[Mors Umber]] and his green boys the chance to dig pits outside the gates. Next, they blow their horns to lure their enemies out.<ref name=Theon/> [[Roose Bolton]] sends out the [[House Frey|Freys]] from the main gates and the [[House Manderly|Manderlys]] from the eastern gates.{{Ref|ADWD|51}} The Frey men fall into the snow-covered pits placed by Mors, and Ser [[Aenys Frey]] breaks his neck.<ref name=Theon/>

==Aftermath==
At [[Castle Black]], [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch|Lord Commander]] [[Jon Snow]] receives [[Bastard Letter|a letter]], supposedly written by [[Ramsay Snow|Ramsay Bolton]], which claims that [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]] is dead and his army is broken. Though it is unknown if the letter's contents are true or if it was indeed written by Ramsay, it galvanizes Lord Commander Snow into breaking with tradition of the [[Night's Watch]] and forming an army of volunteers—black brothers and [[free folk]] alike—to march on Winterfell and defeat the Boltons. Jon is attacked in the [[mutiny at Castle Black]], however.{{ref|ADWD|69}}

==Notes==
{{Notes}}

==References==
{{References|2}}

{{War of the Five Kings}}

[[Category:Battles]]
[[Category:House Baratheon battles]]
[[Category:House Bolton battles]]
[[Category:House Frey battles]]
[[Category:House Manderly battles]]
[[Category:House Umber battles]]
[[Category:War of the Five Kings]]
[[Category:Winterfell]]

Battle on the Green Fork

2017-09-04T06:47:34Z

Nihlus:

{{Template:Battlebox
| image = [[File:Tomasz JedruszekBattle of the Green Fork.jpg|325px]]
| caption = Battle on the Green Fork by Tomasz Jedruszek. © FFG
| battle_name = Battle on the Green Fork
| conflict = [[War of the Five Kings]]
| date = {{Date|299}}<ref>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Events#The War of the Five Kings|The War of the Five Kings]] calculations.''</ref>
| place = Eastern bank of the [[Green Fork]], between the [[Twins]] and the [[inn at the crossroads]]
| result = [[House Lannister|Lannister]] victory
| colour_scheme =
| combatant1 = '''[[Iron Throne]]'''/[[House Baratheon of King's Landing]]: 

[[Westerlands]], led by [[House Lannister]]
*[[House Banefort]]
*[[House Bettley]]
*[[House Brax]]
*[[House Clegane]]
*[[House Crakehall]]
*[[House Falwell]]
*[[House Ferren]]
*[[House Foote]]
*[[House Hamell]]
*[[House Kenning of Kayce]]
*[[House Lannister of Lannisport]]
*[[House Lefford]]
*[[House Lorch]]
*[[House Lydden]]
*[[House Marbrand]]
*[[House Moreland]]
*[[House Myatt]]
*[[House Payne]]
*[[House Peckledon]]
*[[House Plumm]]
*[[House Prester]]
*[[House Sarsfield]]
*[[House Serrett]]
*[[House Stackspear]]
*[[House Swyft]]
*[[House Turnberry]]
*[[House Yarwyck]]

[[Vale mountain clans]]
*[[Black Ears]]
*[[Burned Men]]
*[[Moon Brothers]]
*[[Stone Crows]]
| combatant2 = '''Roose Bolton's Host:''' 

[[North|The North]], led by [[House Stark]] & [[House Bolton]]
*[[House Burley]]
*[[House Cerwyn]]
*[[House Condon]]
*[[House Dustin]]
*[[House Glover]]
*[[House Hornwood]]
*[[House Karstark]]
*[[House Locke]]
*[[House Manderly]]
*[[House Norrey]]
*[[House Ryswell]]
*[[House Stout]]

[[Riverlands]]
*[[House Frey]]
| commander1 = Lord [[Tywin Lannister]]
* Ser [[Gregor Clegane]]
* Ser [[Kevan Lannister]]
* Ser [[Addam Marbrand]]
| commander2 = Lord [[Roose Bolton]]
* Ser [[Wylis Manderly]] (POW)
* Lord [[Medger Cerwyn]] (POW)
* [[Harrion Karstark]]
* Lord [[Halys Hornwood]]†
| strength1 = ~20,000
* ~7,500 horse, including ~300 mounted [[Vale mountain clans|mountain clansmen]]
* ~12,500 foot
| strength2 = ~17,000<ref group="N">Robb's initial Northern force consists of 19,500 men ([[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 55|Catelyn VII]]), with slightly more than 1/4 being heavy cavalry ([[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 53|AGOT Bran VI]] gives the figures of 3,300-3,400 heavy cavalry out of an initial muster of 12,000). This would suggest ~14,500 infantry and ~5,000 heavy cavalry in his Northern host. He is joined by 4,000 men of House Frey (''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 59|Catelyn IX]]), whose forces have a heavy cavalry-to-infantry ratio of 1-to-4 (''[[A Storm of Swords]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 14|Catelyn II]]). His total force after this therefore consists of 23,500 soldiers (17,500 infantry, 6,000 heavy cavalry). He leaves 400 Frey infantry and 400 Northern infantry at the Twins with a mix of swordsmen/spearmen and archers (''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 59|Catelyn IX]]), and orders a small garrison, mostly archers, to be left at [[Moat Cailin]] (''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 55|Catelyn VII]]). Earlier, Eddard Stark had stated that ''"two hundred determined archers [at Moat Cailin] can hold the Neck against an army."'' (''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 20|Eddard IV]]). By leaving these 1,000 infantry behind in garrisons, this brings Robb's army back to 22,500 men (16,500 infantry, 6,000 heavy cavalry). Robb then splits his army, leaving all of the infantry and one-tenth of the heavy cavalry (~600) under the command of Roose Bolton, and taking the rest of the heavy cavalry (~5,400) under his personal command to the [[Whispering Wood]] (''[[A Game of Thrones]]'',[[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 59|Catelyn IX]]). Thus, Roose Bolton's host is about 17,100 troops in total (16,500 infantry, 600 heavy cavalry).</ref>
* 16,500 infantry
* 600 heavy cavalry
| casualties1 = Unknown casualties in the right, center, and reserve
*~500 in the vanguard, including ~150 [[Vale mountain clans|mountain clansmen]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*Vale clansmen [[Conn]] and [[Ulf son of Umar|Ulf]]
*Several hundred die of their wounds during the subsequent march south{{ref|AGOT|69}}
| casualties2 =
~5,000<Ref group="N">The casualties Roose's forces took on the Green Fork can be calculated by going backwards from what he ends with at the [[Red Wedding]]. There, he claims to have 3,500 men with him (almost entirely Bolton men) and another 600 guarding a ford, with 200 Bolton riders having previously been sent to escort Jaime to King's Landing under Steelshanks ([[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 44|ASOS Jaime VI]]), for a total of 4,300 remaining soldiers ([[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 49|ASOS Catelyn VI]]). In chronological order from after the Green Fork, his host suffered the following major changes to its strength: 400 men Robb originally left at the Twins joined it under Edmure's orders ([[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 39|ACOK Catelyn V]]). ~1,000 Karstark troops deserted him and took to the countryside following Robb's execution of their lord according to Roose ([[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 37|ASOS Jaime V]]). The 1,500 Frey soldiers ([[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 64|ACOK Arya X]]) who were with Roose by the time he took Harrenhal pulled out like the rest of the Frey men due to the Stark-Frey marriage pact being broken. ~3,000 soldiers (said to be 1/3 of Roose's remaining infantry at the time) were sent to [[Battle at Duskendale|Duskendale]] ([[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 35|ASOS Catelyn IV]]) where they were smashed. Finally, ~2,050 soldiers were left to die at [[Fighting at the fords of the Trident|Ruby Ford]] ([[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 49|ASOS Catelyn VI]]). This would mean Roose's host underwent a net loss of ~7,200 troops between the aftermath of the Green Fork and the Red Wedding, where he had 4,300 troops left. Therefore Roose's host had ~11,500 troops before any of these events, meaning losses on the Green Fork could not have exceeded ~5,600 men. Note that this is an upper ceiling rather than a concrete figure for this losses in the battle, as possible losses to Roose's from various small skirmishes and sieges in the Riverlands must also be considered.</ref>
* [[Halys Hornwood]] †
* [[Medger Cerwyn]] (captured)
* [[Harrion Karstark]] (captured)
* Ser [[Wylis Manderly]] (captured)
* Ser [[Pate of the Blue Fork]] †
}}

The '''battle on the Green Fork'''{{ref|ACOK|7}}{{ref|ASOS|58}} is an early battle in the [[War of the Five Kings]] and is the first to involve forces of [[House Stark]]. The battle occurs along the [[Green Fork]] of the River [[Trident]] in the [[riverlands]].

==Prelude==
With the [[riverlands]] forces scattered, most of their land under [[House Lannister|Lannister]] control, and [[Riverrun]] besieged by Ser [[Jaime Lannister]]'s host, his father, Lord [[Tywin Lannister]], occupies the [[ruby ford]] over the [[Trident]]. He plans to intercept the [[House Stark|Stark]] host at the only crossing available to them over the Trident, other than the [[Twins]], where Lord [[Walder Frey]] remains neutral in the conflict and is thought unlikely to join them.

However, [[Catelyn Stark]] persuades the [[House Frey|Freys]] to join her son [[Robb Stark|Robb]], opening the way over the Twins. Robb, who does not wish to stake everything on one battle with Tywin, splits his host in two. The foot and one tenth of the horse under Lord [[Roose Bolton]] march down the [[kingsroad]] east of the [[Green Fork]] to engage Tywin, while Robb himself commands the rest of the cavalry and crosses west of the river, in the hope of lifting the siege of Riverrun by taking Jaime unawares.

==Battle==
The Stark army, commanded by Lord [[Roose Bolton]], marches throughout the night in an effort to take the Lannister army by surprise. They arrive in the early morning and launch their attack. [[Tyrion Lannister]] observes the banners of Houses [[House Hornwood|Hornwood]], [[House Karstark|Karstark]], [[House Cerwyn|Cerwyn]], [[House Glover|Glover]], [[House Frey|Frey]], and Stark.{{ref|AGOT|62}}

However, the Lannister army arrays itself in time to meet the northmen. The [[Westerlands|westermen's]] order of battle includes:
* The center: Ser [[Kevan Lannister]] commands 10,000 men, with Lords [[Leo Lefford|Lefford]], [[Lewys Lydden|Lydden]] and [[House Serrett|Serrett]] at his side with 300 heavy horse. The rest of the center is a mixed infantry force including pikemen, archers, axemen, swordsmen, and spearmen.
* The right: Ser [[Addam Marbrand]] commands 4,000 knights and other heavy lancers, among them Ser [[Flement Brax]] and members of Houses [[House Crakehall|Crakehall]] and [[House Swyft|Swyft]].
* The left/van: Ser [[Gregor Clegane]] commanding. At 1,000 men, the vanguard is entirely mounted, but consists of Tyrion and his [[Vale mountain clans|clansmen]], freeriders, [[sellswords]], and raw fieldhands and smallfolk from [[Lannisport]].
* The reserve: Personally commanded by Lord [[Tywin Lannister]]. 5,000 men, half mounted, half afoot.

Tywin places his undisciplined men on the left to tempt the Stark commander, whom Tywin believes is the untested [[Robb Stark]], to overcommit there. Tywin hopes the Lannister van will rout and the Starks will plunge into the gap, eager to flank him. Tywin then intends for Kevan and the center to wheel to the left and take the northerners in the flank.{{ref|AGOT|62}}

Perhaps owing to the northerners' exhaustion following their night march, the Lannister van, led by Gregor, defeats the forces arrayed in front of it. Fighting in the van, Tyrion hides beneath his shield when arrows fall on northmen and westermen alike. Kevan then brings up the center in support of the left, and pushes the Stark lines against the hills behind them. Tywin leads his reserve behind the van, along the river, to break the remnants of the Stark line. The Stark forces are routed and flee to the mouth of the [[causeway]] where Roose reforms them.{{Ref|aGoT|62}}

==Aftermath==
Although [[Roose Bolton]] is defeated, his march down the Green Fork, prior to the battle, distracts the Lannister army long enough to give [[Robb Stark]] the chance to fall upon Ser [[Jaime Lannister]]'s force unmolested in the [[battle in the Whispering Wood]].

Roose's host loses several thousand men in the battle. Roose, [[Robett Glover]], [[Ronnel Stout]], Ser [[Kyle Condon]], Ser [[Aenys Frey]], [[Elmar Frey]] and the remainder of the army are able to escape because Lord [[Tywin Lannister]], on account of his desire to help Jaime, fails to give chase. During the battle, Lord [[Halys Hornwood]] and Ser [[Pate of the Blue Fork]] are killed. Lord [[Medger Cerwyn]] is captured and dies later at [[Harrenhal]] from a wound taken in the fighting. Other captives taken are [[Harrion Karstark]], Ser [[Wylis Manderly]], Ser [[Donnel Locke]], Ser [[Jared Frey]], Ser [[Hosteen Frey]], Ser [[Danwell Frey]], and [[Ronel Rivers]].{{ref|ACOK|Appendix}} The deaths of Lord Hornwood at the Green Fork and his son [[Daryn Hornwood|Daryn]] in the Whispering Wood cause a succession crisis to [[Hornwood]].{{ref|ACOK|16}}

Tyrion leaves a captured northern knight in the care of [[Bronn]].{{ref|AGOT|62}} Two of Tyrion's clan leaders, [[Conn]] and [[Ulf son of Umar]], are among the slain.{{ref|AGOT|62}}

==''Game of Thrones''==
The Battle of the Green Fork in the "[[Baelor (TV)|Baelor]]" episode of the television adaptation ''[[Game of Thrones]]'' is altered, with [[Robb Stark]] sending a diversionary force of two thousand bannermen—instead of the larger host commanded by [[Roose Bolton]] (who is absent)—against the much larger Lannister army of 30,000. The battle is not explicitly shown, though it is a complete massacre of the northern army. No Stark leaders or nobles are present in the army either. Later in the same episode, Robb laments his decision to sacrifice two thousand of his men to capture [[Jaime Lannister]] at the [[battle in the Whispering Wood|Whispering Wood]].

==Quotes==
{{quote|A fine victory. Your [[Vale mountain clans|wild men]] fought well.{{ref|AGOT|62}}}} - [[Kevan Lannister]] to [[Tyrion Lannister]]

{{Quote|We fought between [[Green Fork|a river]] and [[kingsroad|a road]]. When I saw [[Tywin Lannister|my father's]] host deploy, I remember thinking how beautiful it was. Like a flower opening its petals to the sun. A crimson rose with iron thorns. And my father, ah, he had never looked so resplendent. He wore crimson armor, with this huge greatcloak made of cloth-of-gold. A pair of golden lions on his shoulders, another on his helm. His stallion was magnificent. His lordship watched the whole battle from atop that horse and never got within a hundred yards of any foe. He never moved, never smiled, never broke a sweat, whilst thousands died below him.{{ref|twow||[[Tyrion II (The Winds of Winter)|Tyrion]]}}}} - [[Tyrion Lannister]] to [[Penny]]

{{quote|Take the Battle of Green Fork. Had his night march taken Lord [[Tywin Lannister|Tywin]] unawares and won the battle, he would have smashed the [[House Lannister|Lannisters]] and become the hero of the hour. While if it failed... well, you see what happened. The only way he could lose there would be if were captured or slain himself, and he did his best to minimize the chances of that.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Roose_Bolton Roose Bolton], February 02, 2001</ref>}} - [[George R. R. Martin]] regarding [[Roose Bolton]]

==Notes==
{{Notes}}

==References==
{{references|2}}

{{War of the Five Kings}}

[[Category:Battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Bolton battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Cerwyn battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Clegane battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Condon battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Crakehall battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Frey battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Glover battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Hornwood battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Karstark battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Lannister battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Lefford battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Locke battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Lydden battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Manderly battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Marbrand battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Serrett battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Stark battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Stout battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Swyft battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:Riverlands]]
[[Category:War of the Five Kings|Green Fork]]

[[es:Batalla del Forca Verde]]
[[fr:Bataille de la Verfurque]]
[[ru:Битва на Зелёном Зубце]]
[[zh:绿叉河之战]]

Battle on the Green Fork

2017-09-04T06:46:08Z

Nihlus: As the article itself notes, extrapolating from Roose having 10k later is iffy for many reasons, such as Edmure's wording being unclear (e.g.is he counting Freys?), and the possibility he sent men away. Calculating from his known losses is more concrete.

{{Template:Battlebox
| image = [[File:Tomasz JedruszekBattle of the Green Fork.jpg|325px]]
| caption = Battle on the Green Fork by Tomasz Jedruszek. © FFG
| battle_name = Battle on the Green Fork
| conflict = [[War of the Five Kings]]
| date = {{Date|299}}<ref>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Events#The War of the Five Kings|The War of the Five Kings]] calculations.''</ref>
| place = Eastern bank of the [[Green Fork]], between the [[Twins]] and the [[inn at the crossroads]]
| result = [[House Lannister|Lannister]] victory
| colour_scheme =
| combatant1 = '''[[Iron Throne]]'''/[[House Baratheon of King's Landing]]: 

[[Westerlands]], led by [[House Lannister]]
*[[House Banefort]]
*[[House Bettley]]
*[[House Brax]]
*[[House Clegane]]
*[[House Crakehall]]
*[[House Falwell]]
*[[House Ferren]]
*[[House Foote]]
*[[House Hamell]]
*[[House Kenning of Kayce]]
*[[House Lannister of Lannisport]]
*[[House Lefford]]
*[[House Lorch]]
*[[House Lydden]]
*[[House Marbrand]]
*[[House Moreland]]
*[[House Myatt]]
*[[House Payne]]
*[[House Peckledon]]
*[[House Plumm]]
*[[House Prester]]
*[[House Sarsfield]]
*[[House Serrett]]
*[[House Stackspear]]
*[[House Swyft]]
*[[House Turnberry]]
*[[House Yarwyck]]

[[Vale mountain clans]]
*[[Black Ears]]
*[[Burned Men]]
*[[Moon Brothers]]
*[[Stone Crows]]
| combatant2 = '''Roose Bolton's Host:''' 

[[North|The North]], led by [[House Stark]] & [[House Bolton]]
*[[House Burley]]
*[[House Cerwyn]]
*[[House Condon]]
*[[House Dustin]]
*[[House Glover]]
*[[House Hornwood]]
*[[House Karstark]]
*[[House Locke]]
*[[House Manderly]]
*[[House Norrey]]
*[[House Ryswell]]
*[[House Stout]]

[[Riverlands]]
*[[House Frey]]
| commander1 = Lord [[Tywin Lannister]]
* Ser [[Gregor Clegane]]
* Ser [[Kevan Lannister]]
* Ser [[Addam Marbrand]]
| commander2 = Lord [[Roose Bolton]]
* Ser [[Wylis Manderly]] (POW)
* Lord [[Medger Cerwyn]] (POW)
* [[Harrion Karstark]]
* Lord [[Halys Hornwood]]†
| strength1 = ~20,000
* ~7,500 horse, including ~300 mounted [[Vale mountain clans|mountain clansmen]]
* ~12,500 foot
| strength2 = ~17,000<ref group="N">Robb's initial Northern force consists of 19,500 men ([[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 55|Catelyn VII]]), with slightly more than 1/4 being heavy cavalry ([[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 53|AGOT Bran VI]] gives the figures of 3,300-3,400 heavy cavalry out of an initial muster of 12,000). This would suggest ~14,500 infantry and ~5,000 heavy cavalry in his Northern host. He is joined by 4,000 men of House Frey (''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 59|Catelyn IX]]), whose forces have a heavy cavalry-to-infantry ratio of 1-to-4 (''[[A Storm of Swords]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 14|Catelyn II]]). His total force after this therefore consists of 23,500 soldiers (17,500 infantry, 6,000 heavy cavalry). He leaves 400 Frey infantry and 400 Northern infantry at the Twins with a mix of swordsmen/spearmen and archers (''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 59|Catelyn IX]]), and orders a small garrison, mostly archers, to be left at [[Moat Cailin]] (''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 55|Catelyn VII]]). Earlier, Eddard Stark had stated that ''"two hundred determined archers [at Moat Cailin] can hold the Neck against an army."'' (''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 20|Eddard IV]]). By leaving these 1,000 infantry behind in garrisons, this brings Robb's army back to 22,500 men (16,500 infantry, 6,000 heavy cavalry). Robb then splits his army, leaving all of the infantry and one-tenth of the heavy cavalry (~600) under the command of Roose Bolton, and taking the rest of the heavy cavalry (~5,400) under his personal command to the [[Whispering Wood]] (''[[A Game of Thrones]]'',[[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 59|Catelyn IX]]). Thus, Roose Bolton's host is about 17,100 troops in total (16,500 infantry, 600 heavy cavalry).</ref>
* 16,500 infantry
* 600 heavy cavalry
| casualties1 = Unknown casualties in the right, center, and reserve
*~500 in the vanguard, including ~150 [[Vale mountain clans|mountain clansmen]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*Vale clansmen [[Conn]] and [[Ulf son of Umar|Ulf]]
*Several hundred die of their wounds during the subsequent march south{{ref|AGOT|69}}
| casualties2 =
~5,000<Ref group="N">The casualties Roose's forces took on the Green Fork can be calculated by going backwards from what he ends with at the [[Red Wedding]]. There, he claims to have 3,500 men with him (almost entirely Bolton men) and another 600 guarding a ford, with 200 Bolton riders having previously been sent to escort Jaime to King's Landing under Steelshanks ([[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 44|ASOS Jaime VI]]), for a total of 4,300 remaining soldiers ([[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 49|ASOS Catelyn VI]]). In chronological order from after the Green Fork, his host suffered the following major changes to its strength: 400 men Robb originally left at the Twins joined it under Edmure's orders (A Clash of Kings-Chapter 39|ACOK Catelyn V]]). ~1,000 Karstark troops deserted him and took to the countryside following Robb's execution of their lord according to Roose ([[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 37|ASOS Jaime V]]). The 1,500 Frey soldiers ([[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 64|ACOK Arya X]]) who were with Roose by the time he took Harrenhal pulled out like the rest of the Frey men due to the Stark-Frey marriage pact being broken. ~3,000 soldiers (said to be 1/3 of Roose's remaining infantry at the time) were sent to [[Battle at Duskendale|Duskendale]] ([[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 35|ASOS Catelyn IV]]) where they were smashed. Finally, ~2,050 soldiers were left to die at [[Fighting at the fords of the Trident|Ruby Ford]] ([[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 49|ASOS Catelyn VI]]). This would mean Roose's host underwent a net loss of ~7,200 troops between the aftermath of the Green Fork and the Red Wedding, where he had 4,300 troops left. Therefore Roose's host had ~11,500 troops before any of these events, meaning losses on the Green Fork could not have exceeded ~5,600 men. Note that this is an upper ceiling rather than a concrete figure for this losses in the battle, as possible losses to Roose's from various small skirmishes and sieges in the Riverlands must also be considered.</ref>
* [[Halys Hornwood]] †
* [[Medger Cerwyn]] (captured)
* [[Harrion Karstark]] (captured)
* Ser [[Wylis Manderly]] (captured)
* Ser [[Pate of the Blue Fork]] †
}}

The '''battle on the Green Fork'''{{ref|ACOK|7}}{{ref|ASOS|58}} is an early battle in the [[War of the Five Kings]] and is the first to involve forces of [[House Stark]]. The battle occurs along the [[Green Fork]] of the River [[Trident]] in the [[riverlands]].

==Prelude==
With the [[riverlands]] forces scattered, most of their land under [[House Lannister|Lannister]] control, and [[Riverrun]] besieged by Ser [[Jaime Lannister]]'s host, his father, Lord [[Tywin Lannister]], occupies the [[ruby ford]] over the [[Trident]]. He plans to intercept the [[House Stark|Stark]] host at the only crossing available to them over the Trident, other than the [[Twins]], where Lord [[Walder Frey]] remains neutral in the conflict and is thought unlikely to join them.

However, [[Catelyn Stark]] persuades the [[House Frey|Freys]] to join her son [[Robb Stark|Robb]], opening the way over the Twins. Robb, who does not wish to stake everything on one battle with Tywin, splits his host in two. The foot and one tenth of the horse under Lord [[Roose Bolton]] march down the [[kingsroad]] east of the [[Green Fork]] to engage Tywin, while Robb himself commands the rest of the cavalry and crosses west of the river, in the hope of lifting the siege of Riverrun by taking Jaime unawares.

==Battle==
The Stark army, commanded by Lord [[Roose Bolton]], marches throughout the night in an effort to take the Lannister army by surprise. They arrive in the early morning and launch their attack. [[Tyrion Lannister]] observes the banners of Houses [[House Hornwood|Hornwood]], [[House Karstark|Karstark]], [[House Cerwyn|Cerwyn]], [[House Glover|Glover]], [[House Frey|Frey]], and Stark.{{ref|AGOT|62}}

However, the Lannister army arrays itself in time to meet the northmen. The [[Westerlands|westermen's]] order of battle includes:
* The center: Ser [[Kevan Lannister]] commands 10,000 men, with Lords [[Leo Lefford|Lefford]], [[Lewys Lydden|Lydden]] and [[House Serrett|Serrett]] at his side with 300 heavy horse. The rest of the center is a mixed infantry force including pikemen, archers, axemen, swordsmen, and spearmen.
* The right: Ser [[Addam Marbrand]] commands 4,000 knights and other heavy lancers, among them Ser [[Flement Brax]] and members of Houses [[House Crakehall|Crakehall]] and [[House Swyft|Swyft]].
* The left/van: Ser [[Gregor Clegane]] commanding. At 1,000 men, the vanguard is entirely mounted, but consists of Tyrion and his [[Vale mountain clans|clansmen]], freeriders, [[sellswords]], and raw fieldhands and smallfolk from [[Lannisport]].
* The reserve: Personally commanded by Lord [[Tywin Lannister]]. 5,000 men, half mounted, half afoot.

Tywin places his undisciplined men on the left to tempt the Stark commander, whom Tywin believes is the untested [[Robb Stark]], to overcommit there. Tywin hopes the Lannister van will rout and the Starks will plunge into the gap, eager to flank him. Tywin then intends for Kevan and the center to wheel to the left and take the northerners in the flank.{{ref|AGOT|62}}

Perhaps owing to the northerners' exhaustion following their night march, the Lannister van, led by Gregor, defeats the forces arrayed in front of it. Fighting in the van, Tyrion hides beneath his shield when arrows fall on northmen and westermen alike. Kevan then brings up the center in support of the left, and pushes the Stark lines against the hills behind them. Tywin leads his reserve behind the van, along the river, to break the remnants of the Stark line. The Stark forces are routed and flee to the mouth of the [[causeway]] where Roose reforms them.{{Ref|aGoT|62}}

==Aftermath==
Although [[Roose Bolton]] is defeated, his march down the Green Fork, prior to the battle, distracts the Lannister army long enough to give [[Robb Stark]] the chance to fall upon Ser [[Jaime Lannister]]'s force unmolested in the [[battle in the Whispering Wood]].

Roose's host loses several thousand men in the battle. Roose, [[Robett Glover]], [[Ronnel Stout]], Ser [[Kyle Condon]], Ser [[Aenys Frey]], [[Elmar Frey]] and the remainder of the army are able to escape because Lord [[Tywin Lannister]], on account of his desire to help Jaime, fails to give chase. During the battle, Lord [[Halys Hornwood]] and Ser [[Pate of the Blue Fork]] are killed. Lord [[Medger Cerwyn]] is captured and dies later at [[Harrenhal]] from a wound taken in the fighting. Other captives taken are [[Harrion Karstark]], Ser [[Wylis Manderly]], Ser [[Donnel Locke]], Ser [[Jared Frey]], Ser [[Hosteen Frey]], Ser [[Danwell Frey]], and [[Ronel Rivers]].{{ref|ACOK|Appendix}} The deaths of Lord Hornwood at the Green Fork and his son [[Daryn Hornwood|Daryn]] in the Whispering Wood cause a succession crisis to [[Hornwood]].{{ref|ACOK|16}}

Tyrion leaves a captured northern knight in the care of [[Bronn]].{{ref|AGOT|62}} Two of Tyrion's clan leaders, [[Conn]] and [[Ulf son of Umar]], are among the slain.{{ref|AGOT|62}}

==''Game of Thrones''==
The Battle of the Green Fork in the "[[Baelor (TV)|Baelor]]" episode of the television adaptation ''[[Game of Thrones]]'' is altered, with [[Robb Stark]] sending a diversionary force of two thousand bannermen—instead of the larger host commanded by [[Roose Bolton]] (who is absent)—against the much larger Lannister army of 30,000. The battle is not explicitly shown, though it is a complete massacre of the northern army. No Stark leaders or nobles are present in the army either. Later in the same episode, Robb laments his decision to sacrifice two thousand of his men to capture [[Jaime Lannister]] at the [[battle in the Whispering Wood|Whispering Wood]].

==Quotes==
{{quote|A fine victory. Your [[Vale mountain clans|wild men]] fought well.{{ref|AGOT|62}}}} - [[Kevan Lannister]] to [[Tyrion Lannister]]

{{Quote|We fought between [[Green Fork|a river]] and [[kingsroad|a road]]. When I saw [[Tywin Lannister|my father's]] host deploy, I remember thinking how beautiful it was. Like a flower opening its petals to the sun. A crimson rose with iron thorns. And my father, ah, he had never looked so resplendent. He wore crimson armor, with this huge greatcloak made of cloth-of-gold. A pair of golden lions on his shoulders, another on his helm. His stallion was magnificent. His lordship watched the whole battle from atop that horse and never got within a hundred yards of any foe. He never moved, never smiled, never broke a sweat, whilst thousands died below him.{{ref|twow||[[Tyrion II (The Winds of Winter)|Tyrion]]}}}} - [[Tyrion Lannister]] to [[Penny]]

{{quote|Take the Battle of Green Fork. Had his night march taken Lord [[Tywin Lannister|Tywin]] unawares and won the battle, he would have smashed the [[House Lannister|Lannisters]] and become the hero of the hour. While if it failed... well, you see what happened. The only way he could lose there would be if were captured or slain himself, and he did his best to minimize the chances of that.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Roose_Bolton Roose Bolton], February 02, 2001</ref>}} - [[George R. R. Martin]] regarding [[Roose Bolton]]

==Notes==
{{Notes}}

==References==
{{references|2}}

{{War of the Five Kings}}

[[Category:Battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Bolton battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Cerwyn battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Clegane battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Condon battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Crakehall battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Frey battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Glover battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Hornwood battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Karstark battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Lannister battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Lefford battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Locke battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Lydden battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Manderly battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Marbrand battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Serrett battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Stark battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Stout battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Swyft battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:Riverlands]]
[[Category:War of the Five Kings|Green Fork]]

[[es:Batalla del Forca Verde]]
[[fr:Bataille de la Verfurque]]
[[ru:Битва на Зелёном Зубце]]
[[zh:绿叉河之战]]

Battle on the Green Fork

2017-09-04T06:33:53Z

Nihlus:

{{Template:Battlebox
| image = [[File:Tomasz JedruszekBattle of the Green Fork.jpg|325px]]
| caption = Battle on the Green Fork by Tomasz Jedruszek. © FFG
| battle_name = Battle on the Green Fork
| conflict = [[War of the Five Kings]]
| date = {{Date|299}}<ref>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Events#The War of the Five Kings|The War of the Five Kings]] calculations.''</ref>
| place = Eastern bank of the [[Green Fork]], between the [[Twins]] and the [[inn at the crossroads]]
| result = [[House Lannister|Lannister]] victory
| colour_scheme =
| combatant1 = '''[[Iron Throne]]'''/[[House Baratheon of King's Landing]]: 

[[Westerlands]], led by [[House Lannister]]
*[[House Banefort]]
*[[House Bettley]]
*[[House Brax]]
*[[House Clegane]]
*[[House Crakehall]]
*[[House Falwell]]
*[[House Ferren]]
*[[House Foote]]
*[[House Hamell]]
*[[House Kenning of Kayce]]
*[[House Lannister of Lannisport]]
*[[House Lefford]]
*[[House Lorch]]
*[[House Lydden]]
*[[House Marbrand]]
*[[House Moreland]]
*[[House Myatt]]
*[[House Payne]]
*[[House Peckledon]]
*[[House Plumm]]
*[[House Prester]]
*[[House Sarsfield]]
*[[House Serrett]]
*[[House Stackspear]]
*[[House Swyft]]
*[[House Turnberry]]
*[[House Yarwyck]]

[[Vale mountain clans]]
*[[Black Ears]]
*[[Burned Men]]
*[[Moon Brothers]]
*[[Stone Crows]]
| combatant2 = '''Roose Bolton's Host:''' 

[[North|The North]], led by [[House Stark]] & [[House Bolton]]
*[[House Burley]]
*[[House Cerwyn]]
*[[House Condon]]
*[[House Dustin]]
*[[House Glover]]
*[[House Hornwood]]
*[[House Karstark]]
*[[House Locke]]
*[[House Manderly]]
*[[House Norrey]]
*[[House Ryswell]]
*[[House Stout]]

[[Riverlands]]
*[[House Frey]]
| commander1 = Lord [[Tywin Lannister]]
* Ser [[Gregor Clegane]]
* Ser [[Kevan Lannister]]
* Ser [[Addam Marbrand]]
| commander2 = Lord [[Roose Bolton]]
* Ser [[Wylis Manderly]] (POW)
* Lord [[Medger Cerwyn]] (POW)
* [[Harrion Karstark]]
* Lord [[Halys Hornwood]]†
| strength1 = ~20,000
* ~7,500 horse, including ~300 mounted [[Vale mountain clans|mountain clansmen]]
* ~12,500 foot
| strength2 = ~17,000<ref group="N">Robb's initial Northern force consists of 19,500 men ([[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 55|Catelyn VII]]), with slightly more than 1/4 being heavy cavalry ([[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 53|AGOT Bran VI]] gives the figures of 3,300-3,400 heavy cavalry out of an initial muster of 12,000). This would suggest ~14,500 infantry and ~5,000 heavy cavalry in his Northern host. He is joined by 4,000 men of House Frey (''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 59|Catelyn IX]]), whose forces have a heavy cavalry-to-infantry ratio of 1-to-4 (''[[A Storm of Swords]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 14|Catelyn II]]). His total force after this therefore consists of 23,500 soldiers (17,500 infantry, 6,000 heavy cavalry). He leaves 400 Frey infantry and 400 Northern infantry at the Twins with a mix of swordsmen/spearmen and archers (''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 59|Catelyn IX]]), and orders a small garrison, mostly archers, to be left at [[Moat Cailin]] (''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 55|Catelyn VII]]). Earlier, Eddard Stark had stated that ''"two hundred determined archers [at Moat Cailin] can hold the Neck against an army."'' (''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 20|Eddard IV]]). By leaving these 1,000 infantry behind in garrisons, this brings Robb's army back to 22,500 men (16,500 infantry, 6,000 heavy cavalry). Robb then splits his army, leaving all of the infantry and one-tenth of the heavy cavalry (~600) under the command of Roose Bolton, and taking the rest of the heavy cavalry (~5,400) under his personal command to the [[Whispering Wood]] (''[[A Game of Thrones]]'',[[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 59|Catelyn IX]]). Thus, Roose Bolton's host is about 17,100 troops in total (16,500 infantry, 600 heavy cavalry).</ref>
* 16,500 infantry
* 600 heavy cavalry
| casualties1 = Unknown casualties in the right, center, and reserve
*~500 in the vanguard, including ~150 [[Vale mountain clans|mountain clansmen]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*Vale clansmen [[Conn]] and [[Ulf son of Umar|Ulf]]
*Several hundred die of their wounds during the subsequent march south{{ref|AGOT|69}}
| casualties2 =
Unknown<Ref group="N">Following his defeat, Roose retreats to the Twins, after which he marches again. When Roose takes the ruby ford and the crossing, he has 10,000 men (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 39|Catelyn V]]), indicating that at most he lost ~7,100 men, although it is possible that his host took casualties in between, during various skirmishes and sieges in the riverlands, or that some of his men were sent elsewhere.</ref>
* [[Halys Hornwood]] †
* [[Medger Cerwyn]] (captured)
* [[Harrion Karstark]] (captured)
* Ser [[Wylis Manderly]] (captured)
* Ser [[Pate of the Blue Fork]] †
}}

The '''battle on the Green Fork'''{{ref|ACOK|7}}{{ref|ASOS|58}} is an early battle in the [[War of the Five Kings]] and is the first to involve forces of [[House Stark]]. The battle occurs along the [[Green Fork]] of the River [[Trident]] in the [[riverlands]].

==Prelude==
With the [[riverlands]] forces scattered, most of their land under [[House Lannister|Lannister]] control, and [[Riverrun]] besieged by Ser [[Jaime Lannister]]'s host, his father, Lord [[Tywin Lannister]], occupies the [[ruby ford]] over the [[Trident]]. He plans to intercept the [[House Stark|Stark]] host at the only crossing available to them over the Trident, other than the [[Twins]], where Lord [[Walder Frey]] remains neutral in the conflict and is thought unlikely to join them.

However, [[Catelyn Stark]] persuades the [[House Frey|Freys]] to join her son [[Robb Stark|Robb]], opening the way over the Twins. Robb, who does not wish to stake everything on one battle with Tywin, splits his host in two. The foot and one tenth of the horse under Lord [[Roose Bolton]] march down the [[kingsroad]] east of the [[Green Fork]] to engage Tywin, while Robb himself commands the rest of the cavalry and crosses west of the river, in the hope of lifting the siege of Riverrun by taking Jaime unawares.

==Battle==
The Stark army, commanded by Lord [[Roose Bolton]], marches throughout the night in an effort to take the Lannister army by surprise. They arrive in the early morning and launch their attack. [[Tyrion Lannister]] observes the banners of Houses [[House Hornwood|Hornwood]], [[House Karstark|Karstark]], [[House Cerwyn|Cerwyn]], [[House Glover|Glover]], [[House Frey|Frey]], and Stark.{{ref|AGOT|62}}

However, the Lannister army arrays itself in time to meet the northmen. The [[Westerlands|westermen's]] order of battle includes:
* The center: Ser [[Kevan Lannister]] commands 10,000 men, with Lords [[Leo Lefford|Lefford]], [[Lewys Lydden|Lydden]] and [[House Serrett|Serrett]] at his side with 300 heavy horse. The rest of the center is a mixed infantry force including pikemen, archers, axemen, swordsmen, and spearmen.
* The right: Ser [[Addam Marbrand]] commands 4,000 knights and other heavy lancers, among them Ser [[Flement Brax]] and members of Houses [[House Crakehall|Crakehall]] and [[House Swyft|Swyft]].
* The left/van: Ser [[Gregor Clegane]] commanding. At 1,000 men, the vanguard is entirely mounted, but consists of Tyrion and his [[Vale mountain clans|clansmen]], freeriders, [[sellswords]], and raw fieldhands and smallfolk from [[Lannisport]].
* The reserve: Personally commanded by Lord [[Tywin Lannister]]. 5,000 men, half mounted, half afoot.

Tywin places his undisciplined men on the left to tempt the Stark commander, whom Tywin believes is the untested [[Robb Stark]], to overcommit there. Tywin hopes the Lannister van will rout and the Starks will plunge into the gap, eager to flank him. Tywin then intends for Kevan and the center to wheel to the left and take the northerners in the flank.{{ref|AGOT|62}}

Perhaps owing to the northerners' exhaustion following their night march, the Lannister van, led by Gregor, defeats the forces arrayed in front of it. Fighting in the van, Tyrion hides beneath his shield when arrows fall on northmen and westermen alike. Kevan then brings up the center in support of the left, and pushes the Stark lines against the hills behind them. Tywin leads his reserve behind the van, along the river, to break the remnants of the Stark line. The Stark forces are routed and flee to the mouth of the [[causeway]] where Roose reforms them.{{Ref|aGoT|62}}

==Aftermath==
Although [[Roose Bolton]] is defeated, his march down the Green Fork, prior to the battle, distracts the Lannister army long enough to give [[Robb Stark]] the chance to fall upon Ser [[Jaime Lannister]]'s force unmolested in the [[battle in the Whispering Wood]].

Roose's host loses several thousand men in the battle. Roose, [[Robett Glover]], [[Ronnel Stout]], Ser [[Kyle Condon]], Ser [[Aenys Frey]], [[Elmar Frey]] and the remainder of the army are able to escape because Lord [[Tywin Lannister]], on account of his desire to help Jaime, fails to give chase. During the battle, Lord [[Halys Hornwood]] and Ser [[Pate of the Blue Fork]] are killed. Lord [[Medger Cerwyn]] is captured and dies later at [[Harrenhal]] from a wound taken in the fighting. Other captives taken are [[Harrion Karstark]], Ser [[Wylis Manderly]], Ser [[Donnel Locke]], Ser [[Jared Frey]], Ser [[Hosteen Frey]], Ser [[Danwell Frey]], and [[Ronel Rivers]].{{ref|ACOK|Appendix}} The deaths of Lord Hornwood at the Green Fork and his son [[Daryn Hornwood|Daryn]] in the Whispering Wood cause a succession crisis to [[Hornwood]].{{ref|ACOK|16}}

Tyrion leaves a captured northern knight in the care of [[Bronn]].{{ref|AGOT|62}} Two of Tyrion's clan leaders, [[Conn]] and [[Ulf son of Umar]], are among the slain.{{ref|AGOT|62}}

==''Game of Thrones''==
The Battle of the Green Fork in the "[[Baelor (TV)|Baelor]]" episode of the television adaptation ''[[Game of Thrones]]'' is altered, with [[Robb Stark]] sending a diversionary force of two thousand bannermen—instead of the larger host commanded by [[Roose Bolton]] (who is absent)—against the much larger Lannister army of 30,000. The battle is not explicitly shown, though it is a complete massacre of the northern army. No Stark leaders or nobles are present in the army either. Later in the same episode, Robb laments his decision to sacrifice two thousand of his men to capture [[Jaime Lannister]] at the [[battle in the Whispering Wood|Whispering Wood]].

==Quotes==
{{quote|A fine victory. Your [[Vale mountain clans|wild men]] fought well.{{ref|AGOT|62}}}} - [[Kevan Lannister]] to [[Tyrion Lannister]]

{{Quote|We fought between [[Green Fork|a river]] and [[kingsroad|a road]]. When I saw [[Tywin Lannister|my father's]] host deploy, I remember thinking how beautiful it was. Like a flower opening its petals to the sun. A crimson rose with iron thorns. And my father, ah, he had never looked so resplendent. He wore crimson armor, with this huge greatcloak made of cloth-of-gold. A pair of golden lions on his shoulders, another on his helm. His stallion was magnificent. His lordship watched the whole battle from atop that horse and never got within a hundred yards of any foe. He never moved, never smiled, never broke a sweat, whilst thousands died below him.{{ref|twow||[[Tyrion II (The Winds of Winter)|Tyrion]]}}}} - [[Tyrion Lannister]] to [[Penny]]

{{quote|Take the Battle of Green Fork. Had his night march taken Lord [[Tywin Lannister|Tywin]] unawares and won the battle, he would have smashed the [[House Lannister|Lannisters]] and become the hero of the hour. While if it failed... well, you see what happened. The only way he could lose there would be if were captured or slain himself, and he did his best to minimize the chances of that.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Roose_Bolton Roose Bolton], February 02, 2001</ref>}} - [[George R. R. Martin]] regarding [[Roose Bolton]]

==Notes==
{{Notes}}

==References==
{{references|2}}

{{War of the Five Kings}}

[[Category:Battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Bolton battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Cerwyn battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Clegane battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Condon battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Crakehall battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Frey battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Glover battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Hornwood battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Karstark battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Lannister battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Lefford battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Locke battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Lydden battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Manderly battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Marbrand battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Serrett battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Stark battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Stout battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Swyft battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:Riverlands]]
[[Category:War of the Five Kings|Green Fork]]

[[es:Batalla del Forca Verde]]
[[fr:Bataille de la Verfurque]]
[[ru:Битва на Зелёном Зубце]]
[[zh:绿叉河之战]]

Battle on the Green Fork

2017-09-04T06:33:24Z

Nihlus: The figure of ~3,350 is not given for the whole army, it refers to those in the initial muster of 12,000. That would point to a ~1/4 H:F ratio. The article is assuming no more cavalry arrived when the army increased to 19,500 when we're told otherwise.

{{Template:Battlebox
| image = [[File:Tomasz JedruszekBattle of the Green Fork.jpg|325px]]
| caption = Battle on the Green Fork by Tomasz Jedruszek. © FFG
| battle_name = Battle on the Green Fork
| conflict = [[War of the Five Kings]]
| date = {{Date|299}}<ref>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Events#The War of the Five Kings|The War of the Five Kings]] calculations.''</ref>
| place = Eastern bank of the [[Green Fork]], between the [[Twins]] and the [[inn at the crossroads]]
| result = [[House Lannister|Lannister]] victory
| colour_scheme =
| combatant1 = '''[[Iron Throne]]'''/[[House Baratheon of King's Landing]]: 

[[Westerlands]], led by [[House Lannister]]
*[[House Banefort]]
*[[House Bettley]]
*[[House Brax]]
*[[House Clegane]]
*[[House Crakehall]]
*[[House Falwell]]
*[[House Ferren]]
*[[House Foote]]
*[[House Hamell]]
*[[House Kenning of Kayce]]
*[[House Lannister of Lannisport]]
*[[House Lefford]]
*[[House Lorch]]
*[[House Lydden]]
*[[House Marbrand]]
*[[House Moreland]]
*[[House Myatt]]
*[[House Payne]]
*[[House Peckledon]]
*[[House Plumm]]
*[[House Prester]]
*[[House Sarsfield]]
*[[House Serrett]]
*[[House Stackspear]]
*[[House Swyft]]
*[[House Turnberry]]
*[[House Yarwyck]]

[[Vale mountain clans]]
*[[Black Ears]]
*[[Burned Men]]
*[[Moon Brothers]]
*[[Stone Crows]]
| combatant2 = '''Roose Bolton's Host:''' 

[[North|The North]], led by [[House Stark]] & [[House Bolton]]
*[[House Burley]]
*[[House Cerwyn]]
*[[House Condon]]
*[[House Dustin]]
*[[House Glover]]
*[[House Hornwood]]
*[[House Karstark]]
*[[House Locke]]
*[[House Manderly]]
*[[House Norrey]]
*[[House Ryswell]]
*[[House Stout]]

[[Riverlands]]
*[[House Frey]]
| commander1 = Lord [[Tywin Lannister]]
* Ser [[Gregor Clegane]]
* Ser [[Kevan Lannister]]
* Ser [[Addam Marbrand]]
| commander2 = Lord [[Roose Bolton]]
* Ser [[Wylis Manderly]] (POW)
* Lord [[Medger Cerwyn]] (POW)
* [[Harrion Karstark]]
* Lord [[Halys Hornwood]]†
| strength1 = ~20,000
* ~7,500 horse, including ~300 mounted [[Vale mountain clans|mountain clansmen]]
* ~12,500 foot
| strength2 = ~18,405<ref group="N">Robb's initial Northern force consists of 19,500 men ([[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 55|Catelyn VII]]), with slightly more than 1/4 being heavy cavalry ([[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 53|AGOT Bran VI]] gives the figures of 3,300-3,400 heavy cavalry out of an initial muster of 12,000). This would suggest ~14,500 infantry and ~5,000 heavy cavalry in his Northern host. He is joined by 4,000 men of House Frey (''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 59|Catelyn IX]]), whose forces have a heavy cavalry-to-infantry ratio of 1-to-4 (''[[A Storm of Swords]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 14|Catelyn II]]). His total force after this therefore consists of 23,500 soldiers (17,500 infantry, 6,000 heavy cavalry). He leaves 400 Frey infantry and 400 Northern infantry at the Twins with a mix of swordsmen/spearmen and archers (''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 59|Catelyn IX]]), and orders a small garrison, mostly archers, to be left at [[Moat Cailin]] (''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 55|Catelyn VII]]). Earlier, Eddard Stark had stated that ''"two hundred determined archers [at Moat Cailin] can hold the Neck against an army."'' (''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 20|Eddard IV]]). By leaving these 1,000 infantry behind in garrisons, this brings Robb's army back to 22,500 men (16,500 infantry, 6,000 heavy cavalry). Robb then splits his army, leaving all of the infantry and one-tenth of the heavy cavalry (~600) under the command of Roose Bolton, and taking the rest of the heavy cavalry (~5,400) under his personal command to the [[Whispering Wood]] (''[[A Game of Thrones]]'',[[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 59|Catelyn IX]]). Thus, Roose Bolton's host is about 17,100 troops in total (16,500 infantry, 600 heavy cavalry).</ref>
* 17,950 infantry
* 455 heavy cavalry
| casualties1 = Unknown casualties in the right, center, and reserve
*~500 in the vanguard, including ~150 [[Vale mountain clans|mountain clansmen]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*Vale clansmen [[Conn]] and [[Ulf son of Umar|Ulf]]
*Several hundred die of their wounds during the subsequent march south{{ref|AGOT|69}}
| casualties2 =
Unknown<Ref group="N">Following his defeat, Roose retreats to the Twins, after which he marches again. When Roose takes the ruby ford and the crossing, he has 10,000 men (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 39|Catelyn V]]), indicating that at most he lost ~7,100 men, although it is possible that his host took casualties in between, during various skirmishes and sieges in the riverlands, or that some of his men were sent elsewhere.</ref>
* [[Halys Hornwood]] †
* [[Medger Cerwyn]] (captured)
* [[Harrion Karstark]] (captured)
* Ser [[Wylis Manderly]] (captured)
* Ser [[Pate of the Blue Fork]] †
}}

The '''battle on the Green Fork'''{{ref|ACOK|7}}{{ref|ASOS|58}} is an early battle in the [[War of the Five Kings]] and is the first to involve forces of [[House Stark]]. The battle occurs along the [[Green Fork]] of the River [[Trident]] in the [[riverlands]].

==Prelude==
With the [[riverlands]] forces scattered, most of their land under [[House Lannister|Lannister]] control, and [[Riverrun]] besieged by Ser [[Jaime Lannister]]'s host, his father, Lord [[Tywin Lannister]], occupies the [[ruby ford]] over the [[Trident]]. He plans to intercept the [[House Stark|Stark]] host at the only crossing available to them over the Trident, other than the [[Twins]], where Lord [[Walder Frey]] remains neutral in the conflict and is thought unlikely to join them.

However, [[Catelyn Stark]] persuades the [[House Frey|Freys]] to join her son [[Robb Stark|Robb]], opening the way over the Twins. Robb, who does not wish to stake everything on one battle with Tywin, splits his host in two. The foot and one tenth of the horse under Lord [[Roose Bolton]] march down the [[kingsroad]] east of the [[Green Fork]] to engage Tywin, while Robb himself commands the rest of the cavalry and crosses west of the river, in the hope of lifting the siege of Riverrun by taking Jaime unawares.

==Battle==
The Stark army, commanded by Lord [[Roose Bolton]], marches throughout the night in an effort to take the Lannister army by surprise. They arrive in the early morning and launch their attack. [[Tyrion Lannister]] observes the banners of Houses [[House Hornwood|Hornwood]], [[House Karstark|Karstark]], [[House Cerwyn|Cerwyn]], [[House Glover|Glover]], [[House Frey|Frey]], and Stark.{{ref|AGOT|62}}

However, the Lannister army arrays itself in time to meet the northmen. The [[Westerlands|westermen's]] order of battle includes:
* The center: Ser [[Kevan Lannister]] commands 10,000 men, with Lords [[Leo Lefford|Lefford]], [[Lewys Lydden|Lydden]] and [[House Serrett|Serrett]] at his side with 300 heavy horse. The rest of the center is a mixed infantry force including pikemen, archers, axemen, swordsmen, and spearmen.
* The right: Ser [[Addam Marbrand]] commands 4,000 knights and other heavy lancers, among them Ser [[Flement Brax]] and members of Houses [[House Crakehall|Crakehall]] and [[House Swyft|Swyft]].
* The left/van: Ser [[Gregor Clegane]] commanding. At 1,000 men, the vanguard is entirely mounted, but consists of Tyrion and his [[Vale mountain clans|clansmen]], freeriders, [[sellswords]], and raw fieldhands and smallfolk from [[Lannisport]].
* The reserve: Personally commanded by Lord [[Tywin Lannister]]. 5,000 men, half mounted, half afoot.

Tywin places his undisciplined men on the left to tempt the Stark commander, whom Tywin believes is the untested [[Robb Stark]], to overcommit there. Tywin hopes the Lannister van will rout and the Starks will plunge into the gap, eager to flank him. Tywin then intends for Kevan and the center to wheel to the left and take the northerners in the flank.{{ref|AGOT|62}}

Perhaps owing to the northerners' exhaustion following their night march, the Lannister van, led by Gregor, defeats the forces arrayed in front of it. Fighting in the van, Tyrion hides beneath his shield when arrows fall on northmen and westermen alike. Kevan then brings up the center in support of the left, and pushes the Stark lines against the hills behind them. Tywin leads his reserve behind the van, along the river, to break the remnants of the Stark line. The Stark forces are routed and flee to the mouth of the [[causeway]] where Roose reforms them.{{Ref|aGoT|62}}

==Aftermath==
Although [[Roose Bolton]] is defeated, his march down the Green Fork, prior to the battle, distracts the Lannister army long enough to give [[Robb Stark]] the chance to fall upon Ser [[Jaime Lannister]]'s force unmolested in the [[battle in the Whispering Wood]].

Roose's host loses several thousand men in the battle. Roose, [[Robett Glover]], [[Ronnel Stout]], Ser [[Kyle Condon]], Ser [[Aenys Frey]], [[Elmar Frey]] and the remainder of the army are able to escape because Lord [[Tywin Lannister]], on account of his desire to help Jaime, fails to give chase. During the battle, Lord [[Halys Hornwood]] and Ser [[Pate of the Blue Fork]] are killed. Lord [[Medger Cerwyn]] is captured and dies later at [[Harrenhal]] from a wound taken in the fighting. Other captives taken are [[Harrion Karstark]], Ser [[Wylis Manderly]], Ser [[Donnel Locke]], Ser [[Jared Frey]], Ser [[Hosteen Frey]], Ser [[Danwell Frey]], and [[Ronel Rivers]].{{ref|ACOK|Appendix}} The deaths of Lord Hornwood at the Green Fork and his son [[Daryn Hornwood|Daryn]] in the Whispering Wood cause a succession crisis to [[Hornwood]].{{ref|ACOK|16}}

Tyrion leaves a captured northern knight in the care of [[Bronn]].{{ref|AGOT|62}} Two of Tyrion's clan leaders, [[Conn]] and [[Ulf son of Umar]], are among the slain.{{ref|AGOT|62}}

==''Game of Thrones''==
The Battle of the Green Fork in the "[[Baelor (TV)|Baelor]]" episode of the television adaptation ''[[Game of Thrones]]'' is altered, with [[Robb Stark]] sending a diversionary force of two thousand bannermen—instead of the larger host commanded by [[Roose Bolton]] (who is absent)—against the much larger Lannister army of 30,000. The battle is not explicitly shown, though it is a complete massacre of the northern army. No Stark leaders or nobles are present in the army either. Later in the same episode, Robb laments his decision to sacrifice two thousand of his men to capture [[Jaime Lannister]] at the [[battle in the Whispering Wood|Whispering Wood]].

==Quotes==
{{quote|A fine victory. Your [[Vale mountain clans|wild men]] fought well.{{ref|AGOT|62}}}} - [[Kevan Lannister]] to [[Tyrion Lannister]]

{{Quote|We fought between [[Green Fork|a river]] and [[kingsroad|a road]]. When I saw [[Tywin Lannister|my father's]] host deploy, I remember thinking how beautiful it was. Like a flower opening its petals to the sun. A crimson rose with iron thorns. And my father, ah, he had never looked so resplendent. He wore crimson armor, with this huge greatcloak made of cloth-of-gold. A pair of golden lions on his shoulders, another on his helm. His stallion was magnificent. His lordship watched the whole battle from atop that horse and never got within a hundred yards of any foe. He never moved, never smiled, never broke a sweat, whilst thousands died below him.{{ref|twow||[[Tyrion II (The Winds of Winter)|Tyrion]]}}}} - [[Tyrion Lannister]] to [[Penny]]

{{quote|Take the Battle of Green Fork. Had his night march taken Lord [[Tywin Lannister|Tywin]] unawares and won the battle, he would have smashed the [[House Lannister|Lannisters]] and become the hero of the hour. While if it failed... well, you see what happened. The only way he could lose there would be if were captured or slain himself, and he did his best to minimize the chances of that.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Roose_Bolton Roose Bolton], February 02, 2001</ref>}} - [[George R. R. Martin]] regarding [[Roose Bolton]]

==Notes==
{{Notes}}

==References==
{{references|2}}

{{War of the Five Kings}}

[[Category:Battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Bolton battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Cerwyn battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Clegane battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Condon battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Crakehall battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Frey battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Glover battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Hornwood battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Karstark battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Lannister battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Lefford battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Locke battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Lydden battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Manderly battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Marbrand battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Serrett battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Stark battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Stout battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Swyft battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:Riverlands]]
[[Category:War of the Five Kings|Green Fork]]

[[es:Batalla del Forca Verde]]
[[fr:Bataille de la Verfurque]]
[[ru:Битва на Зелёном Зубце]]
[[zh:绿叉河之战]]

Battle on the Green Fork

2017-09-03T03:53:35Z

Nihlus:

{{Template:Battlebox
| image = [[File:Tomasz JedruszekBattle of the Green Fork.jpg|325px]]
| caption = Battle on the Green Fork by Tomasz Jedruszek. © FFG
| battle_name = Battle on the Green Fork
| conflict = [[War of the Five Kings]]
| date = {{Date|299}}<ref>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Events#The War of the Five Kings|The War of the Five Kings]] calculations.''</ref>
| place = Eastern bank of the [[Green Fork]], between the [[Twins]] and the [[inn at the crossroads]]
| result = [[House Lannister|Lannister]] victory
| colour_scheme =
| combatant1 = '''[[Iron Throne]]'''/[[House Baratheon of King's Landing]]: 

[[Westerlands]], led by [[House Lannister]]
*[[House Banefort]]
*[[House Bettley]]
*[[House Brax]]
*[[House Clegane]]
*[[House Crakehall]]
*[[House Falwell]]
*[[House Ferren]]
*[[House Foote]]
*[[House Hamell]]
*[[House Kenning of Kayce]]
*[[House Lannister of Lannisport]]
*[[House Lefford]]
*[[House Lorch]]
*[[House Lydden]]
*[[House Marbrand]]
*[[House Moreland]]
*[[House Myatt]]
*[[House Payne]]
*[[House Peckledon]]
*[[House Plumm]]
*[[House Prester]]
*[[House Sarsfield]]
*[[House Serrett]]
*[[House Stackspear]]
*[[House Swyft]]
*[[House Turnberry]]
*[[House Yarwyck]]

[[Vale mountain clans]]
*[[Black Ears]]
*[[Burned Men]]
*[[Moon Brothers]]
*[[Stone Crows]]
| combatant2 = '''Roose Bolton's Host:''' 

[[North|The North]], led by [[House Stark]] & [[House Bolton]]
*[[House Burley]]
*[[House Cerwyn]]
*[[House Condon]]
*[[House Dustin]]
*[[House Glover]]
*[[House Hornwood]]
*[[House Karstark]]
*[[House Locke]]
*[[House Manderly]]
*[[House Norrey]]
*[[House Ryswell]]
*[[House Stout]]

[[Riverlands]]
*[[House Frey]]
| commander1 = Lord [[Tywin Lannister]]
* Ser [[Gregor Clegane]]
* Ser [[Kevan Lannister]]
* Ser [[Addam Marbrand]]
| commander2 = Lord [[Roose Bolton]]
* Ser [[Wylis Manderly]] (POW)
* Lord [[Medger Cerwyn]] (POW)
* [[Harrion Karstark]]
* Lord [[Halys Hornwood]]†
| strength1 = ~20,000
* ~7,500 horse, including ~300 mounted [[Vale mountain clans|mountain clansmen]]
* ~12,500 foot
| strength2 = 16,000
* 15,500 infantry
* 500 heavy cavalry<ref>Robb's initial Northern muster consists of 18,000 men ([[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 55|Catelyn VII]]), with about 1/4 being heavy cavalry ([[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 53|AGOT Bran VI]]). He is joined by the Freys' 4,000 men, who also have 1/4 of their troops as heavy cavalry ([[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 59|AGOT Catelyn IX]]). His total force after this therefore consists of 22,000 soldiers (16,500 infantry, 5,500 heavy cavalry). He leaves 400 Frey infantry and 400 Northern infantry at the Twins with a mix of swordsmen/spearmen and archers ([[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 59|AGOT Catelyn IX]]), and orders a strong garrison of archers to be left at [[Moat Cailin]] ([[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 55|Catelyn VII]]), which Ned earlier stated should be garrisoned with at least 200 archers ([[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 20|Eddard IV]]). This would leave his army with 21,000 men (15,500 infantry, 5,500 heavy cavalry). Robb then splits his army, leaving all of the infantry and 1/10 of the heavy cavalry under the command of Roose Bolton, and taking the rest of the heavy cavalry under his personal command to the [[Whispering Wood]] ([[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 59|AGOT Catelyn IX]]). This would leave Roose Bolton's host with about 16,000 troops total (15,500 infantry, 500 heavy cavalry).</ref>
| casualties1 = Unknown casualties in the right, center, and reserve
*~500 in the vanguard, including ~150 [[Vale mountain clans|mountain clansmen]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*Vale clansmen [[Conn]] and [[Ulf son of Umar|Ulf]]
*Several hundred die of their wounds during the subsequent march south{{ref|AGOT|69}}
| casualties2 = ~4,500<Ref>The casualties Roose's forces took on the Green Fork can be calculated by going backwards from what he ends with at the [[Red Wedding]]. There, he claims to have 3,500 men with him (almost entirely Bolton men) and another 600 guarding a ford, for a total of 4,100 remaining soldiers ([[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 49|ASOS Catelyn VI]]). In chronological order from after the Green Fork, his host suffered the following major changes to its strength: 400 men Robb originally left at the Twins joined it under Edmure's orders (A Clash of Kings-Chapter 39|ACOK Catelyn V]]). ~1,000 Karstark troops deserted him and took to the countryside following Robb's execution of their lord according to Roose ([[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 37|ASOS Jaime V]]). The 1,500 Frey soldiers ([[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 64|ACOK Arya X]]) who were with Roose by the time he took Harrenhal pulled out like the rest of the Frey men due to the Stark-Frey marriage pact being broken. ~3,200 soldiers (1/3 of his remaining infantry at the time) were sent to [[Battle at Duskendale|Duskendale]] ([[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 35|ASOS Catelyn IV]]) where they were smashed. Finally, ~2,050 soldiers were left to die at [[Fighting at the fords of the Trident|Ruby Ford]] ([[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 49|ASOS Catelyn VI]]). This would mean Roose's host underwent a net loss of ~7,300 troops between the aftermath of the Green Fork and the Red Wedding, where he had 4,100 troops left. Therefore, Roose's host had ~11,400 troops soon after the Green Fork, meaning losses in the battle could not have exceeded ~4,600 men; note that this is a high-end figure, as it excludes possible losses Roose's host could have taken in the march back and during various skirmishes and sieges in the Riverlands, much like Tywin's host.</ref>
* [[Halys Hornwood]] †
* [[Medger Cerwyn]] (captured)
* [[Harrion Karstark]] (captured)
* Ser [[Wylis Manderly]] (captured)
* Ser [[Pate of the Blue Fork]] †
}}

The '''battle on the Green Fork'''{{ref|ACOK|7}}{{ref|ASOS|58}} is an early battle in the [[War of the Five Kings]] and is the first to involve forces of [[House Stark]]. The battle occurs along the [[Green Fork]] of the River [[Trident]] in the [[riverlands]].

==Prelude==
With the [[riverlands]] forces scattered, most of their land under [[House Lannister|Lannister]] control, and [[Riverrun]] besieged by Ser [[Jaime Lannister]]'s host, his father, Lord [[Tywin Lannister]], occupies the [[ruby ford]] over the [[Trident]]. He plans to intercept the [[House Stark|Stark]] host at the only crossing available to them over the Trident, other than the [[Twins]], where Lord [[Walder Frey]] remains neutral in the conflict and is thought unlikely to join them.

However, [[Catelyn Stark]] persuades the [[House Frey|Freys]] to join her son [[Robb Stark|Robb]], opening the way over the Twins. Robb, who does not wish to stake everything on one battle with Tywin, splits his host in two. The foot and one tenth of the horse under Lord [[Roose Bolton]] march down the [[kingsroad]] east of the [[Green Fork]] to engage Tywin, while Robb himself commands the rest of the cavalry and crosses west of the river, in the hope of lifting the siege of Riverrun by taking Jaime unawares.

==Battle==
The Stark army, commanded by Lord [[Roose Bolton]], marches throughout the night in an effort to take the Lannister army by surprise. They arrive in the early morning and launch their attack. [[Tyrion Lannister]] observes the banners of Houses [[House Hornwood|Hornwood]], [[House Karstark|Karstark]], [[House Cerwyn|Cerwyn]], [[House Glover|Glover]], [[House Frey|Frey]], and Stark.{{ref|AGOT|62}}

However, the Lannister army arrays itself in time to meet the northmen. The [[Westerlands|westermen's]] order of battle includes:
* The center: Ser [[Kevan Lannister]] commands 10,000 men, with Lords [[Leo Lefford|Lefford]], [[Lewys Lydden|Lydden]] and [[House Serrett|Serrett]] at his side with 300 heavy horse. The rest of the center is a mixed infantry force including pikemen, archers, axemen, swordsmen, and spearmen.
* The right: Ser [[Addam Marbrand]] commands 4,000 knights and other heavy lancers, among them Ser [[Flement Brax]] and members of Houses [[House Crakehall|Crakehall]] and [[House Swyft|Swyft]].
* The left/van: Ser [[Gregor Clegane]] commanding. At 1,000 men, the vanguard is entirely mounted, but consists of Tyrion and his [[Vale mountain clans|clansmen]], freeriders, [[sellswords]], and raw fieldhands and smallfolk from [[Lannisport]].
* The reserve: Personally commanded by Lord [[Tywin Lannister]]. 5,000 men, half mounted, half afoot.

Tywin places his undisciplined men on the left to tempt the Stark commander, whom Tywin believes is the untested [[Robb Stark]], to overcommit there. Tywin hopes the Lannister van will rout and the Starks will plunge into the gap, eager to flank him. Tywin then intends for Kevan and the center to wheel to the left and take the northerners in the flank.{{ref|AGOT|62}}

Perhaps owing to the northerners' exhaustion following their night march, the Lannister van, led by Gregor, defeats the forces arrayed in front of it. Fighting in the van, Tyrion hides beneath his shield when arrows fall on northmen and westermen alike. Kevan then brings up the center in support of the left, and pushes the Stark lines against the hills behind them. Tywin leads his reserve behind the van, along the river, to break the remnants of the Stark line. The Stark forces are routed and flee to the mouth of the [[causeway]] where Roose reforms them.{{Ref|aGoT|62}}

==Aftermath==
Although [[Roose Bolton]] is defeated, his march down the Green Fork, prior to the battle, distracts the Lannister army long enough to give [[Robb Stark]] the chance to fall upon Ser [[Jaime Lannister]]'s force unmolested in the [[battle in the Whispering Wood]].

Roose's host loses several thousand men in the battle. Roose, [[Robett Glover]], [[Ronnel Stout]], Ser [[Kyle Condon]], Ser [[Aenys Frey]], [[Elmar Frey]] and the remainder of the army are able to escape because Lord [[Tywin Lannister]], on account of his desire to help Jaime, fails to give chase. During the battle, Lord [[Halys Hornwood]] and Ser [[Pate of the Blue Fork]] are killed. Lord [[Medger Cerwyn]] is captured and dies later at [[Harrenhal]] from a wound taken in the fighting. Other captives taken are [[Harrion Karstark]], Ser [[Wylis Manderly]], Ser [[Donnel Locke]], Ser [[Jared Frey]], Ser [[Hosteen Frey]], Ser [[Danwell Frey]], and [[Ronel Rivers]].{{ref|ACOK|Appendix}} The deaths of Lord Hornwood at the Green Fork and his son [[Daryn Hornwood|Daryn]] in the Whispering Wood cause a succession crisis to [[Hornwood]].{{ref|ACOK|16}}

Tyrion leaves a captured northern knight in the care of [[Bronn]].{{ref|AGOT|62}} Two of Tyrion's clan leaders, [[Conn]] and [[Ulf son of Umar]], are among the slain.{{ref|AGOT|62}}

==''Game of Thrones''==
The Battle of the Green Fork in the "[[Baelor (TV)|Baelor]]" episode of the television adaptation ''[[Game of Thrones]]'' is altered, with [[Robb Stark]] sending a diversionary force of two thousand bannermen—instead of the larger host commanded by [[Roose Bolton]] (who is absent)—against the much larger Lannister army of 30,000. The battle is not explicitly shown, though it is a complete massacre of the northern army. No Stark leaders or nobles are present in the army either. Later in the same episode, Robb laments his decision to sacrifice two thousand of his men to capture [[Jaime Lannister]] at the [[battle in the Whispering Wood|Whispering Wood]].

==Quotes==
{{quote|A fine victory. Your [[Vale mountain clans|wild men]] fought well.{{ref|AGOT|62}}}} - [[Kevan Lannister]] to [[Tyrion Lannister]]

{{Quote|We fought between [[Green Fork|a river]] and [[kingsroad|a road]]. When I saw [[Tywin Lannister|my father's]] host deploy, I remember thinking how beautiful it was. Like a flower opening its petals to the sun. A crimson rose with iron thorns. And my father, ah, he had never looked so resplendent. He wore crimson armor, with this huge greatcloak made of cloth-of-gold. A pair of golden lions on his shoulders, another on his helm. His stallion was magnificent. His lordship watched the whole battle from atop that horse and never got within a hundred yards of any foe. He never moved, never smiled, never broke a sweat, whilst thousands died below him.{{ref|twow||[[Tyrion II (The Winds of Winter)|Tyrion]]}}}} - [[Tyrion Lannister]] to [[Penny]]

{{quote|Take the Battle of Green Fork. Had his night march taken Lord [[Tywin Lannister|Tywin]] unawares and won the battle, he would have smashed the [[House Lannister|Lannisters]] and become the hero of the hour. While if it failed... well, you see what happened. The only way he could lose there would be if were captured or slain himself, and he did his best to minimize the chances of that.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Roose_Bolton Roose Bolton], February 02, 2001</ref>}} - [[George R. R. Martin]] regarding [[Roose Bolton]]

==References and Notes==
{{references|2}}

{{War of the Five Kings}}

[[Category:Battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Bolton battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Cerwyn battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Clegane battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Condon battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Crakehall battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Frey battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Glover battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Hornwood battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Karstark battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Lannister battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Lefford battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Locke battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Lydden battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Manderly battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Marbrand battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Serrett battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Stark battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Stout battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Swyft battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:Riverlands]]
[[Category:War of the Five Kings|Green Fork]]

[[es:Batalla del Forca Verde]]
[[fr:Bataille de la Verfurque]]
[[ru:Битва на Зелёном Зубце]]
[[zh:绿叉河之战]]

Battle on the Green Fork

2017-09-03T03:32:59Z

Nihlus: Frey numbers are known; Robb gives all but 400 of the infantry to Roose, and takes the heavy cavalry with him.

{{Template:Battlebox
| image = [[File:Tomasz JedruszekBattle of the Green Fork.jpg|325px]]
| caption = Battle on the Green Fork by Tomasz Jedruszek. © FFG
| battle_name = Battle on the Green Fork
| conflict = [[War of the Five Kings]]
| date = {{Date|299}}<ref>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Events#The War of the Five Kings|The War of the Five Kings]] calculations.''</ref>
| place = Eastern bank of the [[Green Fork]], between the [[Twins]] and the [[inn at the crossroads]]
| result = [[House Lannister|Lannister]] victory
| colour_scheme =
| combatant1 = '''[[Iron Throne]]'''/[[House Baratheon of King's Landing]]: 

[[Westerlands]], led by [[House Lannister]]
*[[House Banefort]]
*[[House Bettley]]
*[[House Brax]]
*[[House Clegane]]
*[[House Crakehall]]
*[[House Falwell]]
*[[House Ferren]]
*[[House Foote]]
*[[House Hamell]]
*[[House Kenning of Kayce]]
*[[House Lannister of Lannisport]]
*[[House Lefford]]
*[[House Lorch]]
*[[House Lydden]]
*[[House Marbrand]]
*[[House Moreland]]
*[[House Myatt]]
*[[House Payne]]
*[[House Peckledon]]
*[[House Plumm]]
*[[House Prester]]
*[[House Sarsfield]]
*[[House Serrett]]
*[[House Stackspear]]
*[[House Swyft]]
*[[House Turnberry]]
*[[House Yarwyck]]

[[Vale mountain clans]]
*[[Black Ears]]
*[[Burned Men]]
*[[Moon Brothers]]
*[[Stone Crows]]
| combatant2 = '''Roose Bolton's Host:''' 

[[North|The North]], led by [[House Stark]] & [[House Bolton]]
*[[House Burley]]
*[[House Cerwyn]]
*[[House Condon]]
*[[House Dustin]]
*[[House Glover]]
*[[House Hornwood]]
*[[House Karstark]]
*[[House Locke]]
*[[House Manderly]]
*[[House Norrey]]
*[[House Ryswell]]
*[[House Stout]]

[[Riverlands]]
*[[House Frey]]
| commander1 = Lord [[Tywin Lannister]]
* Ser [[Gregor Clegane]]
* Ser [[Kevan Lannister]]
* Ser [[Addam Marbrand]]
| commander2 = Lord [[Roose Bolton]]
* Ser [[Wylis Manderly]] (POW)
* Lord [[Medger Cerwyn]] (POW)
* [[Harrion Karstark]]
* Lord [[Halys Hornwood]]†
| strength1 = ~20,000
* ~7,500 horse, including ~300 mounted [[Vale mountain clans|mountain clansmen]]
* ~12,500 foot
| strength2 = 16,000
* 15,500 infantry
* 500 heavy cavalry<ref>Robb's initial Northern muster consists of 18,000 men ([[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 55|Catelyn VII]]), with about 1/4 being heavy cavalry ([[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 53|AGOT Bran VI]]). He is joined by the Freys' 4,000 men, who also have 1/4 of their troops as heavy cavalry ([[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 59|AGOT Catelyn IX]]). His total force after this therefore consists of 22,000 soldiers (16,500 infantry, 5,500 heavy cavalry). He leaves 400 Frey infantry and 400 Northern infantry at the Twins with a mix of swordsmen/spearmen and archers ([[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 59|AGOT Catelyn IX]]), and orders a strong garrison of archers to be left at [[Moat Cailin]] ([[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 55|Catelyn VII]]), which Ned earlier stated should be garrisoned with at least 200 archers ([[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 20|Eddard IV]]). This would leave his army with 21,000 men (15,500 infantry, 5,500 heavy cavalry). Robb then splits his army, leaving all of the infantry and 1/10 of the heavy cavalry under the command of Roose Bolton, and taking the rest of the heavy cavalry under his personal command to the [[Whispering Wood]] ([[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 59|AGOT Catelyn IX]]). This would leave Roose Bolton's host with about 16,000 troops total (15,500 infantry, 500 heavy cavalry).</ref>
| casualties1 = Unknown casualties in the right, center, and reserve
*~500 in the vanguard, including ~150 [[Vale mountain clans|mountain clansmen]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*Vale clansmen [[Conn]] and [[Ulf son of Umar|Ulf]]
*Several hundred die of their wounds during the subsequent march south{{ref|AGOT|69}}
| casualties2 = ~5,000
* [[Halys Hornwood]] †
* [[Medger Cerwyn]] (captured)
* [[Harrion Karstark]] (captured)
* Ser [[Wylis Manderly]] (captured)
* Ser [[Pate of the Blue Fork]] †
}}

The '''battle on the Green Fork'''{{ref|ACOK|7}}{{ref|ASOS|58}} is an early battle in the [[War of the Five Kings]] and is the first to involve forces of [[House Stark]]. The battle occurs along the [[Green Fork]] of the River [[Trident]] in the [[riverlands]].

==Prelude==
With the [[riverlands]] forces scattered, most of their land under [[House Lannister|Lannister]] control, and [[Riverrun]] besieged by Ser [[Jaime Lannister]]'s host, his father, Lord [[Tywin Lannister]], occupies the [[ruby ford]] over the [[Trident]]. He plans to intercept the [[House Stark|Stark]] host at the only crossing available to them over the Trident, other than the [[Twins]], where Lord [[Walder Frey]] remains neutral in the conflict and is thought unlikely to join them.

However, [[Catelyn Stark]] persuades the [[House Frey|Freys]] to join her son [[Robb Stark|Robb]], opening the way over the Twins. Robb, who does not wish to stake everything on one battle with Tywin, splits his host in two. The foot and one tenth of the horse under Lord [[Roose Bolton]] march down the [[kingsroad]] east of the [[Green Fork]] to engage Tywin, while Robb himself commands the rest of the cavalry and crosses west of the river, in the hope of lifting the siege of Riverrun by taking Jaime unawares.

==Battle==
The Stark army, commanded by Lord [[Roose Bolton]], marches throughout the night in an effort to take the Lannister army by surprise. They arrive in the early morning and launch their attack. [[Tyrion Lannister]] observes the banners of Houses [[House Hornwood|Hornwood]], [[House Karstark|Karstark]], [[House Cerwyn|Cerwyn]], [[House Glover|Glover]], [[House Frey|Frey]], and Stark.{{ref|AGOT|62}}

However, the Lannister army arrays itself in time to meet the northmen. The [[Westerlands|westermen's]] order of battle includes:
* The center: Ser [[Kevan Lannister]] commands 10,000 men, with Lords [[Leo Lefford|Lefford]], [[Lewys Lydden|Lydden]] and [[House Serrett|Serrett]] at his side with 300 heavy horse. The rest of the center is a mixed infantry force including pikemen, archers, axemen, swordsmen, and spearmen.
* The right: Ser [[Addam Marbrand]] commands 4,000 knights and other heavy lancers, among them Ser [[Flement Brax]] and members of Houses [[House Crakehall|Crakehall]] and [[House Swyft|Swyft]].
* The left/van: Ser [[Gregor Clegane]] commanding. At 1,000 men, the vanguard is entirely mounted, but consists of Tyrion and his [[Vale mountain clans|clansmen]], freeriders, [[sellswords]], and raw fieldhands and smallfolk from [[Lannisport]].
* The reserve: Personally commanded by Lord [[Tywin Lannister]]. 5,000 men, half mounted, half afoot.

Tywin places his undisciplined men on the left to tempt the Stark commander, whom Tywin believes is the untested [[Robb Stark]], to overcommit there. Tywin hopes the Lannister van will rout and the Starks will plunge into the gap, eager to flank him. Tywin then intends for Kevan and the center to wheel to the left and take the northerners in the flank.{{ref|AGOT|62}}

Perhaps owing to the northerners' exhaustion following their night march, the Lannister van, led by Gregor, defeats the forces arrayed in front of it. Fighting in the van, Tyrion hides beneath his shield when arrows fall on northmen and westermen alike. Kevan then brings up the center in support of the left, and pushes the Stark lines against the hills behind them. Tywin leads his reserve behind the van, along the river, to break the remnants of the Stark line. The Stark forces are routed and flee to the mouth of the [[causeway]] where Roose reforms them.{{Ref|aGoT|62}}

==Aftermath==
Although [[Roose Bolton]] is defeated, his march down the Green Fork, prior to the battle, distracts the Lannister army long enough to give [[Robb Stark]] the chance to fall upon Ser [[Jaime Lannister]]'s force unmolested in the [[battle in the Whispering Wood]].

Roose's host loses several thousand men in the battle. Roose, [[Robett Glover]], [[Ronnel Stout]], Ser [[Kyle Condon]], Ser [[Aenys Frey]], [[Elmar Frey]] and the remainder of the army are able to escape because Lord [[Tywin Lannister]], on account of his desire to help Jaime, fails to give chase. During the battle, Lord [[Halys Hornwood]] and Ser [[Pate of the Blue Fork]] are killed. Lord [[Medger Cerwyn]] is captured and dies later at [[Harrenhal]] from a wound taken in the fighting. Other captives taken are [[Harrion Karstark]], Ser [[Wylis Manderly]], Ser [[Donnel Locke]], Ser [[Jared Frey]], Ser [[Hosteen Frey]], Ser [[Danwell Frey]], and [[Ronel Rivers]].{{ref|ACOK|Appendix}} The deaths of Lord Hornwood at the Green Fork and his son [[Daryn Hornwood|Daryn]] in the Whispering Wood cause a succession crisis to [[Hornwood]].{{ref|ACOK|16}}

Tyrion leaves a captured northern knight in the care of [[Bronn]].{{ref|AGOT|62}} Two of Tyrion's clan leaders, [[Conn]] and [[Ulf son of Umar]], are among the slain.{{ref|AGOT|62}}

==''Game of Thrones''==
The Battle of the Green Fork in the "[[Baelor (TV)|Baelor]]" episode of the television adaptation ''[[Game of Thrones]]'' is altered, with [[Robb Stark]] sending a diversionary force of two thousand bannermen—instead of the larger host commanded by [[Roose Bolton]] (who is absent)—against the much larger Lannister army of 30,000. The battle is not explicitly shown, though it is a complete massacre of the northern army. No Stark leaders or nobles are present in the army either. Later in the same episode, Robb laments his decision to sacrifice two thousand of his men to capture [[Jaime Lannister]] at the [[battle in the Whispering Wood|Whispering Wood]].

==Quotes==
{{quote|A fine victory. Your [[Vale mountain clans|wild men]] fought well.{{ref|AGOT|62}}}} - [[Kevan Lannister]] to [[Tyrion Lannister]]

{{Quote|We fought between [[Green Fork|a river]] and [[kingsroad|a road]]. When I saw [[Tywin Lannister|my father's]] host deploy, I remember thinking how beautiful it was. Like a flower opening its petals to the sun. A crimson rose with iron thorns. And my father, ah, he had never looked so resplendent. He wore crimson armor, with this huge greatcloak made of cloth-of-gold. A pair of golden lions on his shoulders, another on his helm. His stallion was magnificent. His lordship watched the whole battle from atop that horse and never got within a hundred yards of any foe. He never moved, never smiled, never broke a sweat, whilst thousands died below him.{{ref|twow||[[Tyrion II (The Winds of Winter)|Tyrion]]}}}} - [[Tyrion Lannister]] to [[Penny]]

{{quote|Take the Battle of Green Fork. Had his night march taken Lord [[Tywin Lannister|Tywin]] unawares and won the battle, he would have smashed the [[House Lannister|Lannisters]] and become the hero of the hour. While if it failed... well, you see what happened. The only way he could lose there would be if were captured or slain himself, and he did his best to minimize the chances of that.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Roose_Bolton Roose Bolton], February 02, 2001</ref>}} - [[George R. R. Martin]] regarding [[Roose Bolton]]

==References and Notes==
{{references|2}}

{{War of the Five Kings}}

[[Category:Battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Bolton battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Cerwyn battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Clegane battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Condon battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Crakehall battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Frey battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Glover battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Hornwood battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Karstark battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Lannister battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Lefford battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Locke battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Lydden battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Manderly battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Marbrand battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Serrett battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Stark battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Stout battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Swyft battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:Riverlands]]
[[Category:War of the Five Kings|Green Fork]]

[[es:Batalla del Forca Verde]]
[[fr:Bataille de la Verfurque]]
[[ru:Битва на Зелёном Зубце]]
[[zh:绿叉河之战]]

Battle on the Green Fork

2017-09-02T21:29:55Z

Nihlus: Calculation for strength.

{{Template:Battlebox
| image = [[File:Tomasz JedruszekBattle of the Green Fork.jpg|325px]]
| caption = Battle on the Green Fork by Tomasz Jedruszek. © FFG
| battle_name = Battle on the Green Fork
| conflict = [[War of the Five Kings]]
| date = {{Date|299}}<ref>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Events#The War of the Five Kings|The War of the Five Kings]] calculations.''</ref>
| place = Eastern bank of the [[Green Fork]], between the [[Twins]] and the [[inn at the crossroads]]
| result = [[House Lannister|Lannister]] victory
| colour_scheme =
| combatant1 = '''[[Iron Throne]]'''/[[House Baratheon of King's Landing]]: 

[[Westerlands]], led by [[House Lannister]]
*[[House Banefort]]
*[[House Bettley]]
*[[House Brax]]
*[[House Clegane]]
*[[House Crakehall]]
*[[House Falwell]]
*[[House Ferren]]
*[[House Foote]]
*[[House Hamell]]
*[[House Kenning of Kayce]]
*[[House Lannister of Lannisport]]
*[[House Lefford]]
*[[House Lorch]]
*[[House Lydden]]
*[[House Marbrand]]
*[[House Moreland]]
*[[House Myatt]]
*[[House Payne]]
*[[House Peckledon]]
*[[House Plumm]]
*[[House Prester]]
*[[House Sarsfield]]
*[[House Serrett]]
*[[House Stackspear]]
*[[House Swyft]]
*[[House Turnberry]]
*[[House Yarwyck]]

[[Vale mountain clans]]
*[[Black Ears]]
*[[Burned Men]]
*[[Moon Brothers]]
*[[Stone Crows]]
| combatant2 = '''Roose Bolton's Host:''' 

[[North|The North]], led by [[House Stark]] & [[House Bolton]]
*[[House Burley]]
*[[House Cerwyn]]
*[[House Condon]]
*[[House Dustin]]
*[[House Glover]]
*[[House Hornwood]]
*[[House Karstark]]
*[[House Locke]]
*[[House Manderly]]
*[[House Norrey]]
*[[House Ryswell]]
*[[House Stout]]

[[Riverlands]]
*[[House Frey]]
| commander1 = Lord [[Tywin Lannister]]
* Ser [[Gregor Clegane]]
* Ser [[Kevan Lannister]]
* Ser [[Addam Marbrand]]
| commander2 = Lord [[Roose Bolton]]
* Ser [[Wylis Manderly]] (POW)
* Lord [[Medger Cerwyn]] (POW)
* [[Harrion Karstark]]
* Lord [[Halys Hornwood]]†
| strength1 = ~20,000
* ~7,500 horse, including ~300 mounted [[Vale mountain clans|mountain clansmen]]
* ~12,500 foot
| strength2 = 16,000
* 15,500 infantry
* 500 heavy cavalry<ref>Robb's initial Northern muster consists of 18,000 men ([[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 55|Catelyn VII]]), with about 1/4 being heavy cavalry ([[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 53|AGOT Bran VI]]). He is joined by the Freys' 4,000 men, who also have 1/4 of their troops as heavy cavalry ([[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 59|AGOT Catelyn IX]]). His total force after this therefore consists of 22,000 soldiers (16,500 infantry, 5,500 heavy cavalry). He leaves 400 Frey infantry and 400 Northern infantry at the Twins with a mix of swordsmen/spearmen and archers ([[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 59|AGOT Catelyn IX]]), and orders a strong garrison of archers to be left at [[Moat Cailin]] ([[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 55|Catelyn VII]]), which Ned earlier stated should be garrisoned with at least 200 archers ([[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 20|Eddard IV]]). This would leave his army with 21,000 men (15,500 infantry, 5,500 heavy cavalry). Robb then splits his army, leaving all of the infantry and 1/10 of the heavy cavalry under the command of Roose Bolton, and taking the rest of the heavy cavalry under his personal command to the [[Whispering Wood]] ([[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 59|AGOT Catelyn IX]]). This would leave Roose Bolton's host with about 16,000 troops total (15,500 infantry, 500 heavy cavalry).</ref>
Unknown number of Freys
| casualties1 = Unknown casualties in the right, center, and reserve
*~500 in the vanguard, including ~150 [[Vale mountain clans|mountain clansmen]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*Vale clansmen [[Conn]] and [[Ulf son of Umar|Ulf]]
*Several hundred die of their wounds during the subsequent march south{{ref|AGOT|69}}
| casualties2 = ~5,000
* [[Halys Hornwood]] †
* [[Medger Cerwyn]] (captured)
* [[Harrion Karstark]] (captured)
* Ser [[Wylis Manderly]] (captured)
* Ser [[Pate of the Blue Fork]] †
}}

The '''battle on the Green Fork'''{{ref|ACOK|7}}{{ref|ASOS|58}} is an early battle in the [[War of the Five Kings]] and is the first to involve forces of [[House Stark]]. The battle occurs along the [[Green Fork]] of the River [[Trident]] in the [[riverlands]].

==Prelude==
With the [[riverlands]] forces scattered, most of their land under [[House Lannister|Lannister]] control, and [[Riverrun]] besieged by Ser [[Jaime Lannister]]'s host, his father, Lord [[Tywin Lannister]], occupies the [[ruby ford]] over the [[Trident]]. He plans to intercept the [[House Stark|Stark]] host at the only crossing available to them over the Trident, other than the [[Twins]], where Lord [[Walder Frey]] remains neutral in the conflict and is thought unlikely to join them.

However, [[Catelyn Stark]] persuades the [[House Frey|Freys]] to join her son [[Robb Stark|Robb]], opening the way over the Twins. Robb, who does not wish to stake everything on one battle with Tywin, splits his host in two. The foot and one tenth of the horse under Lord [[Roose Bolton]] march down the [[kingsroad]] east of the [[Green Fork]] to engage Tywin, while Robb himself commands the rest of the cavalry and crosses west of the river, in the hope of lifting the siege of Riverrun by taking Jaime unawares.

==Battle==
The Stark army, commanded by Lord [[Roose Bolton]], marches throughout the night in an effort to take the Lannister army by surprise. They arrive in the early morning and launch their attack. [[Tyrion Lannister]] observes the banners of Houses [[House Hornwood|Hornwood]], [[House Karstark|Karstark]], [[House Cerwyn|Cerwyn]], [[House Glover|Glover]], [[House Frey|Frey]], and Stark.{{ref|AGOT|62}}

However, the Lannister army arrays itself in time to meet the northmen. The [[Westerlands|westermen's]] order of battle includes:
* The center: Ser [[Kevan Lannister]] commands 10,000 men, with Lords [[Leo Lefford|Lefford]], [[Lewys Lydden|Lydden]] and [[House Serrett|Serrett]] at his side with 300 heavy horse. The rest of the center is a mixed infantry force including pikemen, archers, axemen, swordsmen, and spearmen.
* The right: Ser [[Addam Marbrand]] commands 4,000 knights and other heavy lancers, among them Ser [[Flement Brax]] and members of Houses [[House Crakehall|Crakehall]] and [[House Swyft|Swyft]].
* The left/van: Ser [[Gregor Clegane]] commanding. At 1,000 men, the vanguard is entirely mounted, but consists of Tyrion and his [[Vale mountain clans|clansmen]], freeriders, [[sellswords]], and raw fieldhands and smallfolk from [[Lannisport]].
* The reserve: Personally commanded by Lord [[Tywin Lannister]]. 5,000 men, half mounted, half afoot.

Tywin places his undisciplined men on the left to tempt the Stark commander, whom Tywin believes is the untested [[Robb Stark]], to overcommit there. Tywin hopes the Lannister van will rout and the Starks will plunge into the gap, eager to flank him. Tywin then intends for Kevan and the center to wheel to the left and take the northerners in the flank.{{ref|AGOT|62}}

Perhaps owing to the northerners' exhaustion following their night march, the Lannister van, led by Gregor, defeats the forces arrayed in front of it. Fighting in the van, Tyrion hides beneath his shield when arrows fall on northmen and westermen alike. Kevan then brings up the center in support of the left, and pushes the Stark lines against the hills behind them. Tywin leads his reserve behind the van, along the river, to break the remnants of the Stark line. The Stark forces are routed and flee to the mouth of the [[causeway]] where Roose reforms them.{{Ref|aGoT|62}}

==Aftermath==
Although [[Roose Bolton]] is defeated, his march down the Green Fork, prior to the battle, distracts the Lannister army long enough to give [[Robb Stark]] the chance to fall upon Ser [[Jaime Lannister]]'s force unmolested in the [[battle in the Whispering Wood]].

Roose's host loses several thousand men in the battle. Roose, [[Robett Glover]], [[Ronnel Stout]], Ser [[Kyle Condon]], Ser [[Aenys Frey]], [[Elmar Frey]] and the remainder of the army are able to escape because Lord [[Tywin Lannister]], on account of his desire to help Jaime, fails to give chase. During the battle, Lord [[Halys Hornwood]] and Ser [[Pate of the Blue Fork]] are killed. Lord [[Medger Cerwyn]] is captured and dies later at [[Harrenhal]] from a wound taken in the fighting. Other captives taken are [[Harrion Karstark]], Ser [[Wylis Manderly]], Ser [[Donnel Locke]], Ser [[Jared Frey]], Ser [[Hosteen Frey]], Ser [[Danwell Frey]], and [[Ronel Rivers]].{{ref|ACOK|Appendix}} The deaths of Lord Hornwood at the Green Fork and his son [[Daryn Hornwood|Daryn]] in the Whispering Wood cause a succession crisis to [[Hornwood]].{{ref|ACOK|16}}

Tyrion leaves a captured northern knight in the care of [[Bronn]].{{ref|AGOT|62}} Two of Tyrion's clan leaders, [[Conn]] and [[Ulf son of Umar]], are among the slain.{{ref|AGOT|62}}

==''Game of Thrones''==
The Battle of the Green Fork in the "[[Baelor (TV)|Baelor]]" episode of the television adaptation ''[[Game of Thrones]]'' is altered, with [[Robb Stark]] sending a diversionary force of two thousand bannermen—instead of the larger host commanded by [[Roose Bolton]] (who is absent)—against the much larger Lannister army of 30,000. The battle is not explicitly shown, though it is a complete massacre of the northern army. No Stark leaders or nobles are present in the army either. Later in the same episode, Robb laments his decision to sacrifice two thousand of his men to capture [[Jaime Lannister]] at the [[battle in the Whispering Wood|Whispering Wood]].

==Quotes==
{{quote|A fine victory. Your [[Vale mountain clans|wild men]] fought well.{{ref|AGOT|62}}}} - [[Kevan Lannister]] to [[Tyrion Lannister]]

{{Quote|We fought between [[Green Fork|a river]] and [[kingsroad|a road]]. When I saw [[Tywin Lannister|my father's]] host deploy, I remember thinking how beautiful it was. Like a flower opening its petals to the sun. A crimson rose with iron thorns. And my father, ah, he had never looked so resplendent. He wore crimson armor, with this huge greatcloak made of cloth-of-gold. A pair of golden lions on his shoulders, another on his helm. His stallion was magnificent. His lordship watched the whole battle from atop that horse and never got within a hundred yards of any foe. He never moved, never smiled, never broke a sweat, whilst thousands died below him.{{ref|twow||[[Tyrion II (The Winds of Winter)|Tyrion]]}}}} - [[Tyrion Lannister]] to [[Penny]]

{{quote|Take the Battle of Green Fork. Had his night march taken Lord [[Tywin Lannister|Tywin]] unawares and won the battle, he would have smashed the [[House Lannister|Lannisters]] and become the hero of the hour. While if it failed... well, you see what happened. The only way he could lose there would be if were captured or slain himself, and he did his best to minimize the chances of that.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Roose_Bolton Roose Bolton], February 02, 2001</ref>}} - [[George R. R. Martin]] regarding [[Roose Bolton]]

==References and Notes==
{{references|2}}

{{War of the Five Kings}}

[[Category:Battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Bolton battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Cerwyn battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Clegane battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Condon battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Crakehall battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Frey battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Glover battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Hornwood battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Karstark battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Lannister battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Lefford battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Locke battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Lydden battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Manderly battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Marbrand battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Serrett battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Stark battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Stout battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Swyft battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:Riverlands]]
[[Category:War of the Five Kings|Green Fork]]

[[es:Batalla del Forca Verde]]
[[fr:Bataille de la Verfurque]]
[[ru:Битва на Зелёном Зубце]]
[[zh:绿叉河之战]]

Battle in the ice

2017-09-02T01:31:52Z

Nihlus:

{{Template:Battlebox
| image =
| caption =
| battle_name = Battle in the ice
| conflict = [[War of the Five Kings]]
| date = {{Date|300}}
| place = Between the [[crofter's village]] and [[Winterfell]]
| result =
| colour_scheme =
| combatant1 = '''[[House Baratheon of Dragonstone]]:''' [[Southron]] army
* [[House Bar Emmon]]
* [[House Farring]]
* [[House Florent]]
* [[House Velaryon]]
[[North|Northern]] [[House Stark|Stark]] loyalists
* [[Northern mountain clans]]
** [[House Burley]]
** [[House Flint]]
** [[House Harclay]]
** [[House Liddle]]
** [[House Norrey]]
** [[House Wull]]
* [[House Mormont]]
* [[House Glover]]
** [[House Bole]]
** [[House Branch]]
** [[House Woods]]
* [[House Umber]], led by [[Mors Umber]]
* [[House Hornwood|Hornwood]], [[House Cerwyn|Cerwyn]], and [[House Tallhart|Tallhart]] survivors from the [[battle at Winterfell]]
* Men from the [[Stony Shore]]
| combatant2 = '''[[Iron Throne]]'''/[[House Baratheon of King's Landing]]:
[[North|The North]], led by [[House Bolton]]
* [[House Cerwyn]]
* [[House Dustin]]
* [[House Hornwood]]
* [[House Karstark]]
* [[House Locke]]
* [[House Manderly]] (nominally)
* [[House Ryswell]]
* [[House Slate]]
* [[House Stout]]
* [[House Umber]], led by [[Hother Umber]]

[[Riverlands]]
*[[House Frey]]
| commander1 = King [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis I Baratheon]] Ser [[Richard Horpe]] Castellan [[Mors Umber]] Lord [[Hugo Wull]] Ser [[Godry Farring]]
| commander2 = Lord [[Roose Bolton]] Lord [[Ramsay Bolton]] Ser [[Aenys Frey]]† Ser [[Hosteen Frey]] [[Hother Umber]]
| strength1 =
{{Columns|1|5,400 soldiers:
*~1,400 southron men-at-arms and knights<ref group="N">Stannis had come north with no more than fifteen hundred men from the south (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 19|Davos III]]), men-at-arms and knights from the remnants of his troops who had fought on the Blackwater. He left eighty-three southron men-at-arms at the Wall (fifty at Castle Black to guard Melisandre, twelve at Castle Black to guard Queen Selyse and Princess Shireen, ten at Icemark, and ten at Greyguard, and Ser Axell Florent) (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 44|Jon IX]]), and lost a small amount of men in the Battle at Castle Black, putting his southron knights and men-at-arms at around fourteen hundred. In contrast to his enemies, Stannis's army has little to no cavalry; his southrons started with eight hundred horses, but all but a few dozen of them died or were eaten during the [[March on Winterfell]] ([[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 62|The Sacrifice]]).</ref>
*~2,500 mountain clansmen
*~1,100 northern soldiers<ref group="N">When marching on Winterfell, Stannis has an army of five thousand men strong (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 35|Jon VII]] and [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 41|The Turncloak]]). He had come north with no more than fifteen hundred men from the south (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 19|Davos III]]). He left eighty-three southron men-at-arms at the Wall (fifty at Castle Black to guard Melisandre, twelve at Castle Black to guard Queen Selyse and Princess Shireen, ten at Icemark, and ten at Greyguard, and Ser Axell Florent), and had lost a small amount of men in the Battle at Castle Black (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 44|Jon IX]]), putting his southron knights and men-at-arms at around fourteen hundred. The remainder of his force is made up of the mountain clans, [[House Mormont]], [[House Glover]], men once sworn to Houses [[House Hornwood|Hornwood]], [[House Cerwyn|Cerwyn]], and [[House Tallhart|Tallhart]], and [[smallfolk]] who had fled from the [[ironborn]] (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 35|Jon VII]]). According to Jon Snow, the mountain clans would provide 2,000 to 3,000 men (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 17|Jon IV]]) clad in animal hides and mostly wielding sticks and slings, indicating that the other 600 to 1,600 men have been provided by the Houses Mormont, Glover, Hornwood, Cerwyn, and Tallhart, and smallfolk.</ref>
*~400 [[House Umber|Umber]] men (vanguard)<ref group="N">It is said that [[Hother Umber]] has half of the remaining strength of [[House Umber]] with him at the side of the [[House Bolton|Boltons]], while [[Mors Umber]] has the other half with him on the side of [[Stannis Baratheon]] (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 35|Jon VII]]). Hother is known to have brought four hundred men with him to the [[siege of Moat Cailin]] (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 28|Davos II]]), meaning that Mors has about four hundred men with him.</ref>}}
| strength2 = {{Columns|1|7,150+ soldiers:
*~4,000 northern soldiers{{Ref|ADWD|20}} (Mainly Bolton men)
*~2,000 Freys{{ref|AFFC|16}}{{ref|ADWD|20}}<ref group="N">Described by Cersei Lannister as a force of two thousand strong (''[[A Feast for Crows]]'', [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 16|Jaime II]]), while judged by Theon Greyjoy to consist of four hundred knights, with "at least a thousand, maybe more" soldiers, supported by another hundred knights (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 20|Reek II]]).</ref> (Includes 500 knights)
*450 men from [[House Karstark]]<ref group="N">[[Arnolf Karstark]] had brought four hundred and fifty men with him to Stannis's host in collaboration with Roose, with the intention of turning on Stannis's host in favor of Roose as soon as the battle begins. Upon learning of Arnolf's planned treachery, Stannis has Arnolf and his family members arrested, and his men disarmed. However, he believes the soldiers likely did not know of the plan, and as such might decide to use them in battle.</ref>
*400 Umber troops{{Ref|ADWD|15}} (300 spearmen, 100 archers)
*300 Manderlys{{Ref|ADWD|46}} (100 knights, 200 mounted men-at-arms)
*Houses Dustin, Tallhart, Cerwyn, Hornwood, Locke with unknown number of soldiers}}
| casualties1 =
| casualties2 = [[Aenys Frey]] 450 Karstark troops captured and disarmed
}}
{{Warning|This information has thus far been released in a sample chapter for ''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', and might therefore not be in finalized form. Keep in mind that the content as described below is still subject to change.}}

The '''battle in the ice''' is an upcoming battle between the forces of [[Stannis Baratheon]] and the forces of [[Ramsay Snow|Ramsay Bolton]]. It is set to take place at the start of ''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', the as-yet-unpublished sixth book of ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]''.<ref name=smartertravel>[http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/today-in-travel/game-of-thrones-exclusive-george-martin-talks-season-the-winds-of-winter-and-real-world-influences-for-song-of-ice-and-fire.html?id=10593041 George R.R. Martin Talks Season Two, 'The Winds of Winter,' and Real-World Influences for 'A Song of Ice and Fire' (March 26, 2012)]</ref>

==Prelude==
At [[Castle Black]], [[Stannis Baratheon]] secures the support of [[Arnolf Karstark]], the castellan of [[Karhold]], but finds himself unable to convince others to join their strength to his.{{Ref|ADWD|3}} When Arnolf informs him that only fifty men remain at the [[Dreadfort]], the seat of [[House Bolton]], he considers marching on the Bolton castle. However, [[Jon Snow]], [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch]], counsels against it.{{Ref|ADWD|17}} Unbeknownst to Stannis, Arnolf's loyalty is a pretense; In reality, he is loyal to Lord [[Roose Bolton]], and was attempting to lure Stannis to the Dreadfort to trap him.{{Ref|ADWD|32}}

Lord Bolton arrives in the [[north]] with a girl he claims to be [[Arya Stark]], the youngest daughter of the late Lord [[Eddard Stark]] of [[Winterfell]]. In reality, however, the girl is [[Jeyne Poole]], the daughter of [[Vayon Poole]], the former steward of Winterfell.{{Ref|ADWD|20}} Roose marries the fake Arya to his [[bastardy|bastard son]], the recently legitimized [[Ramsay Snow|Ramsay Bolton]] at [[Winterfell]].{{Ref|ADWD|37}} Their presence at Winterfell is meant to force Stannis to march on them,{{Ref|ADWD|32}} and indeed, after following the advice of Jon Snow, thereby securing the support of the [[northern mountain clans]], and [[fight by Deepwood Motte|retaking Deepwood Motte]] from the [[ironborn]]—resulting in the capture of [[Asha Greyjoy]]{{Ref|ADWD|26}}—Stannis leads his army from [[Deepwood Motte]] through the [[wolfswood]] to [[Winterfell]]. Although the southron knights and lords oppose the march, the northern lords insist that Roose must be removed from Winterfell and "the Ned's" daughter rescued from Ramsay. The [[march on Winterfell]] is a hundred leagues long, and is estimated to take fifteen days. However, snows begin on the fourth day, and the harsh weather slow the army down significantly. After thirty-three days, they arrive at a [[crofters' village]], located three days from Winterfell, but find themselves snowed in. After eleven days, Arnolf Karstark arrives with four hundred and fifty men.{{Ref|ADWD|62}}

At Winterfell, the forces Roose Bolton has gathered—consisting of Houses [[House Ryswell|Ryswell]], [[House Dustin|Dustin]], [[House Frey|Frey]], [[House Cerwyn|Cerwyn]], [[House Hornwood|Hornwood]], [[House Manderly|Manderly]], and part of [[House Umber]]—suffer from divided loyalties, infighting, and a series of mysterious murders, which cause tension in the castle between the Freys, Boltons, Manderlys, and other northern houses. At first, [[Theon Greyjoy]] is suspected to be the murderer, but that idea is quickly dismissed by Roose, who declares Theon to be too broken and weak to have carried out the deeds.{{ref|ADWD|46}}

At [[Castle Black]], the [[red priest]]ess [[Melisandre]] sees a grey girl on a dying horse in her flames. Bbelieving the girl to be Arya Stark, Lord Commander Jon Snow's younger half-sister, she enlists the help of [[Mance Rayder]], the former [[King-beyond-the-Wall]], to rescue the girl.{{Ref|ADWD|31}} The girl eventually arrives at Castle Black, but she turns out to be [[Alys Karstark]], who informs Jon Snow that her uncle Arnolf is plotting to betray Stannis.{{Ref|ADWD|44}} Jon sends ravens to [[Deepwood Motte]] in an attempt to warn Stannis.{{ref|ADWD|49}} At Winterfell, the tensions among the army finally erupt into a brawl (in which Lord [[Wyman Manderly]] becomes injured) after [[Walder Frey (son of Merrett)|Little Walder Frey]] is found dead. In response, Roose sends out the forces of House Frey and House Manderly, to engage Stannis into battle at the crofters' village.{{Ref|ADWD|51}}

Theon and Jeyne—believed by Roose's host to be Arya—leap from Winterfell shortly before the Freys and Manderlys leave Winterfell, and the pair are found by [[Mors Umber]] beneath the walls of the castle. By [[Tycho Nestoris]], a [[Braavosi]] [[Iron Bank of Braavos|banker]] searching for Stannis, they are brought to the village where Stannis and his army remain. Stannis is informed of Arnolf's planned treachery, and arrests him, his son [[Arthor Karstark|Arthor]], and his three grandsons.<ref name=Theon>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', [[Theon I (The Winds of Winter)|Theon I]]</ref>

==Battle==
Because it has been snowing severely, the men on the battlefields of Winterfell cannot see anyone beneath the walls, giving [[Mors Umber]] and his green boys the chance to dig pits outside the gates. Next, they blow their horns to lure their enemies out.<ref name=Theon/> [[Roose Bolton]] sends out the [[House Frey|Freys]] from the main gates and the [[House Manderly|Manderlys]] from the eastern gates.{{Ref|ADWD|51}} The Frey men fall into the snow-covered pits placed by Mors, and Ser [[Aenys Frey]] breaks his neck.<ref name=Theon/>

==Aftermath==
At [[Castle Black]], [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch|Lord Commander]] [[Jon Snow]] receives [[Bastard Letter|a letter]], supposedly written by [[Ramsay Snow|Ramsay Bolton]], which claims that [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]] is dead and his army is broken. Though it is unknown if the letter's contents are true or if it was indeed written by Ramsay, it galvanizes Lord Commander Snow into breaking with tradition of the [[Night's Watch]] and forming an army of volunteers—black brothers and [[free folk]] alike—to march on Winterfell and defeat the Boltons. Jon is attacked in the [[mutiny at Castle Black]], however.{{ref|ADWD|69}}

==Notes==
{{Notes}}

==References==
{{References|2}}

{{War of the Five Kings}}

[[Category:Battles]]
[[Category:House Baratheon battles]]
[[Category:House Bolton battles]]
[[Category:House Frey battles]]
[[Category:House Manderly battles]]
[[Category:House Umber battles]]
[[Category:War of the Five Kings]]
[[Category:Winterfell]]

Winter town

2017-09-02T01:19:30Z

Nihlus:

{|
{{Location map| File:The North.png
| label = '''Winter town'''
| lat = 3
| long = -11
| position = right
| mark = Wolff2.PNG
| marksize = 9
| width = 350
| float = right
| caption = The [[North]] and the location of the winter town
| alt = The North and the location of the winter town
}}
|}

The '''winter town''' is a town located outside of [[Winterfell]], the seat of [[House Stark]] in the [[North]]. During autumn and winter it is one of the largest northern settlements, along with [[White Harbor]] and [[Barrowton]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The North}}

==Layout==
[[File:Ted Nasmith A Song of Ice and Fire Winterfell.jpg|thumb|350px|Winter town beneath the walls of Winterfell by [http://www.tednasmith.com/ Ted Nasmith] ©]]
The winter town has rows of small and neat houses built of log and undressed stone. Located at [[Winterfell]]'s main gatehouse, the market square has wooden stalls for produce and goods{{ref|AGOT|37}} and a well at its center.{{ref|ACOK|66}} The local alehouse is the [[Smoking Log]].{{ref|AGOT|37}} The [[kingsroad]] lies past the sprawl of castle and town,{{ref|AGOT|13}} while the [[wolfswood]] is two miles away.{{ref|AGOT|37}} Hunting parties from Winterfell can avoid the winter town by taking the Hunter's Gate instead of the main gate.{{ref|ACOK|50}}

Its streets are muddy during summer, when four fifths of the homes are left empty. During wintertime, however, the winter town becomes filled with northmen from throughout the region,{{ref|AGOT|37}} such as [[northern mountain clans|clansmen]] from the [[northern mountains]].{{ref|ADWD|49}} Some townfolk claim that Winterfell is warmed by a [[dragon]] which sleeps below the castle.{{ref|TWOIAF| Winterfell}} It is also full to bursting during autumn, during which its population rivals that of Barrowton.{{ref|TWOIAF| The North}}

Winter Town, when it is full, has a population of around 15,000.<Ref>Luwin states that Robb's initial army (which he claims numbers 12,000 men), when quartered in the settlement, were numerous enough that "the winter town is full to bursting." ([[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 53|AGOT Bran VI]]) Given that four fifths of Winter Town's housing would be available for the army with the last fifth being occupied by the civilians who normally live there ([[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 37|AGOT Bran V]]), that would mean the town can house 15,000 people at maximum capacity.</ref>
==Recent Events==
===''A Game of Thrones''===
[[Robb Stark]], [[Bran Stark]], and [[Theon Greyjoy]] ride through the winter town with the direwolves [[Grey Wind]] and [[Summer]] on their way to the [[wolfswood]].{{ref|AGOT|37}}

After receiving a frosty greeting from Robb in Winterfell, [[Tyrion Lannister]] decides to stay in an inn in the town, rather than in Winterfell.{{ref|AGOT|24}}

The winter town becomes full when Robb calls the northern banners in response to the [[Iron Throne]]'s imprisonment of Lord [[Eddard Stark]]. The townspeople cheer Robb when he leads the soldiers south along the [[kingsroad]].{{ref|AGOT|53}}

===''A Clash of Kings''===
Some [[smallfolk]] from the town attend the [[harvest feast]] in Winterfell.{{ref|ACOK|21}}

The area is eventually [[capture of Winterfell|occupied]] by Theon's [[ironborn]] during the [[War of the Five Kings]].{{ref|ACOK|46}} Theon unsuccessfully parleys with Ser [[Rodrik Cassel]] in the market square after Rodrik gathers an army of [[House Stark|Stark]] loyalists to retake Winterfell. The square is defended by Rodrik's men, including spearmen, archers atop the houses, and knights from [[White Harbor]].

Later that day, Rodrik's men are betrayed by the [[Dreadfort]] garrison brought by [[Ramsay Snow]]. The Stark men are unable to form up between the houses, which [[House Bolton|Boltons]] put to the torch.{{ref|ADWD|41}} Following the scattering of Rodrik's men in this [[battle at Winterfell]], Theon admits the Boltons into Winterfell, which they quickly [[sack of Winterfell|sack]].{{ref|ACOK|66}}

===''A Dance with Dragons''===
The remnants of the winter town are buried by the blizzard striking the North.{{ref|ADWD|41}}

==References and Notes==
{{references|2}}

{{Region North}}

[[Category:House Stark]]
[[Category:Places in the North]]
[[Category:Towns]]
[[Category:Winterfell]]
[[es:Las Inviernas]]
[[fr:Ville d'hiver]]
[[pt:Vila de Inverno]]
[[ru:Зимний городок]]

Winter town

2017-09-02T01:17:01Z

Nihlus:

{|
{{Location map| File:The North.png
| label = '''Winter town'''
| lat = 3
| long = -11
| position = right
| mark = Wolff2.PNG
| marksize = 9
| width = 350
| float = right
| caption = The [[North]] and the location of the winter town
| alt = The North and the location of the winter town
}}
|}

The '''winter town''' is a town located outside of [[Winterfell]], the seat of [[House Stark]] in the [[North]]. During autumn and winter it is one of the largest northern settlements, along with [[White Harbor]] and [[Barrowton]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The North}}

==Layout==
[[File:Ted Nasmith A Song of Ice and Fire Winterfell.jpg|thumb|350px|Winter town beneath the walls of Winterfell by [http://www.tednasmith.com/ Ted Nasmith] ©]]
The winter town has rows of small and neat houses built of log and undressed stone. Located at [[Winterfell]]'s main gatehouse, the market square has wooden stalls for produce and goods{{ref|AGOT|37}} and a well at its center.{{ref|ACOK|66}} The local alehouse is the [[Smoking Log]].{{ref|AGOT|37}} The [[kingsroad]] lies past the sprawl of castle and town,{{ref|AGOT|13}} while the [[wolfswood]] is two miles away.{{ref|AGOT|37}} Hunting parties from Winterfell can avoid the winter town by taking the Hunter's Gate instead of the main gate.{{ref|ACOK|50}}

Its streets are muddy during summer, when four fifths of the homes are left empty. During wintertime, however, the winter town becomes filled with northmen from throughout the region,{{ref|AGOT|37}} such as [[northern mountain clans|clansmen]] from the [[northern mountains]].{{ref|ADWD|49}} Some townfolk claim that Winterfell is warmed by a [[dragon]] which sleeps below the castle.{{ref|TWOIAF| Winterfell}}

Winter Town, when it is full, has a population of around 15,000.<Ref>Luwin states that Robb's initial army (which he claims numbers 12,000 men), when quartered in the settlement, were numerous enough that "the winter town is full to bursting." ([[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 53|AGOT Bran VI]]) Given that four fifths of Winter Town's housing would be available for the army with the last fifth being occupied by the civilians who normally live there ([[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 37|AGOT Bran V]]), that would mean the town can house 15,000 people at maximum capacity.</ref>
==Recent Events==
===''A Game of Thrones''===
[[Robb Stark]], [[Bran Stark]], and [[Theon Greyjoy]] ride through the winter town with the direwolves [[Grey Wind]] and [[Summer]] on their way to the [[wolfswood]].{{ref|AGOT|37}}

After receiving a frosty greeting from Robb in Winterfell, [[Tyrion Lannister]] decides to stay in an inn in the town, rather than in Winterfell.{{ref|AGOT|24}}

The winter town becomes full when Robb calls the northern banners in response to the [[Iron Throne]]'s imprisonment of Lord [[Eddard Stark]]. The townspeople cheer Robb when he leads the soldiers south along the [[kingsroad]].{{ref|AGOT|53}}

===''A Clash of Kings''===
Some [[smallfolk]] from the town attend the [[harvest feast]] in Winterfell.{{ref|ACOK|21}}

The area is eventually [[capture of Winterfell|occupied]] by Theon's [[ironborn]] during the [[War of the Five Kings]].{{ref|ACOK|46}} Theon unsuccessfully parleys with Ser [[Rodrik Cassel]] in the market square after Rodrik gathers an army of [[House Stark|Stark]] loyalists to retake Winterfell. The square is defended by Rodrik's men, including spearmen, archers atop the houses, and knights from [[White Harbor]].

Later that day, Rodrik's men are betrayed by the [[Dreadfort]] garrison brought by [[Ramsay Snow]]. The Stark men are unable to form up between the houses, which [[House Bolton|Boltons]] put to the torch.{{ref|ADWD|41}} Following the scattering of Rodrik's men in this [[battle at Winterfell]], Theon admits the Boltons into Winterfell, which they quickly [[sack of Winterfell|sack]].{{ref|ACOK|66}}

===''A Dance with Dragons''===
The remnants of the winter town are buried by the blizzard striking the North.{{ref|ADWD|41}}

==References and Notes==
{{references|2}}

{{Region North}}

[[Category:House Stark]]
[[Category:Places in the North]]
[[Category:Towns]]
[[Category:Winterfell]]
[[es:Las Inviernas]]
[[fr:Ville d'hiver]]
[[pt:Vila de Inverno]]
[[ru:Зимний городок]]

Battle in the ice

2017-09-02T01:06:15Z

Nihlus: Actually, yes, it's quite relevant to their quality. They're essentially untrained peasants wielding sticks and stones and not wearing any armor besides hides. It makes sense to classify them as a different group.

{{Template:Battlebox
| image =
| caption =
| battle_name = Battle in the ice
| conflict = [[War of the Five Kings]]
| date = {{Date|300}}
| place = Between the [[crofter's village]] and [[Winterfell]]
| result =
| colour_scheme =
| combatant1 = '''[[House Baratheon of Dragonstone]]:''' [[Southron]] army
* [[House Bar Emmon]]
* [[House Farring]]
* [[House Florent]]
* [[House Velaryon]]
[[North|Northern]] [[House Stark|Stark]] loyalists
* [[Northern mountain clans]]
** [[House Burley]]
** [[House Flint]]
** [[House Harclay]]
** [[House Liddle]]
** [[House Norrey]]
** [[House Wull]]
* [[House Mormont]]
* [[House Glover]]
** [[House Bole]]
** [[House Branch]]
** [[House Woods]]
* [[House Umber]], led by [[Mors Umber]]
* [[House Hornwood|Hornwood]], [[House Cerwyn|Cerwyn]], and [[House Tallhart|Tallhart]] survivors from the [[battle at Winterfell]]
* Men from the [[Stony Shore]]
| combatant2 = '''[[Iron Throne]]'''/[[House Baratheon of King's Landing]]:
[[North|The North]], led by [[House Bolton]]
* [[House Cerwyn]]
* [[House Dustin]]
* [[House Hornwood]]
* [[House Karstark]]
* [[House Locke]]
* [[House Manderly]] (nominally)
* [[House Ryswell]]
* [[House Slate]]
* [[House Stout]]
* [[House Umber]], led by [[Hother Umber]]

[[Riverlands]]
*[[House Frey]]
| commander1 = King [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis I Baratheon]] Ser [[Richard Horpe]] Castellan [[Mors Umber]] Lord [[Hugo Wull]] Ser [[Godry Farring]]
| commander2 = Lord [[Roose Bolton]] Lord [[Ramsay Bolton]] Ser [[Aenys Frey]]† Ser [[Hosteen Frey]] [[Hother Umber]]
| strength1 =
{{Columns|1|5,400 soldiers:
*~1,400 southron men-at-arms and knights<ref group="N">Stannis had come north with no more than fifteen hundred men from the south (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 19|Davos III]]), men-at-arms and knights from the remnants of his troops who had fought on the Blackwater. He left eighty-three southron men-at-arms at the Wall (fifty at Castle Black to guard Melisandre, twelve at Castle Black to guard Queen Selyse and Princess Shireen, ten at Icemark, and ten at Greyguard, and Ser Axell Florent) (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 44|Jon IX]]), and lost a small amount of men in the Battle at Castle Black, putting his southron knights and men-at-arms at around fourteen hundred.</ref>
*~2,500 mountain clansmen
*~1,100 northern soldiers<ref group="N">When marching on Winterfell, Stannis has an army of five thousand men strong (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 35|Jon VII]] and [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 41|The Turncloak]]). He had come north with no more than fifteen hundred men from the south (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 19|Davos III]]). He left eighty-three southron men-at-arms at the Wall (fifty at Castle Black to guard Melisandre, twelve at Castle Black to guard Queen Selyse and Princess Shireen, ten at Icemark, and ten at Greyguard, and Ser Axell Florent), and had lost a small amount of men in the Battle at Castle Black (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 44|Jon IX]]), putting his southron knights and men-at-arms at around fourteen hundred. The remainder of his force is made up of the mountain clans, [[House Mormont]], [[House Glover]], men once sworn to Houses [[House Hornwood|Hornwood]], [[House Cerwyn|Cerwyn]], and [[House Tallhart|Tallhart]], and [[smallfolk]] who had fled from the [[ironborn]] (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 35|Jon VII]]). According to Jon Snow, the mountain clans would provide 2,000 to 3,000 men (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 17|Jon IV]]) clad in animal hides and mostly wielding sticks and slings, indicating that the other 600 to 1,600 men have been provided by the Houses Mormont, Glover, Hornwood, Cerwyn, and Tallhart, and smallfolk.</ref>
*~400 [[House Umber|Umber]] men (vanguard)<ref group="N">It is said that [[Hother Umber]] has half of the remaining strength of [[House Umber]] with him at the side of the [[House Bolton|Boltons]], while [[Mors Umber]] has the other half with him on the side of [[Stannis Baratheon]] (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 35|Jon VII]]). Hother is known to have brought four hundred men with him to the [[siege of Moat Cailin]] (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 28|Davos II]]), meaning that Mors has about four hundred men with him.</ref>}}
| strength2 = {{Columns|1|7,150+ soldiers:
*~4,000 northern soldiers{{Ref|ADWD|20}} (Mainly Bolton men)
*~2,000 Freys{{ref|AFFC|16}}{{ref|ADWD|20}}<ref group="N">Described by Cersei Lannister as a force of two thousand strong (''[[A Feast for Crows]]'', [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 16|Jaime II]]), while judged by Theon Greyjoy to consist of four hundred knights, with "at least a thousand, maybe more" soldiers, supported by another hundred knights (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 20|Reek II]]).</ref> (Includes 500 knights)
*450 men from [[House Karstark]]<ref group="N">[[Arnolf Karstark]] had brought four hundred and fifty men with him to Stannis's host in collaboration with Roose, with the intention of turning on Stannis's host in favor of Roose as soon as the battle begins. Upon learning of Arnolf's planned treachery, Stannis has Arnolf and his family members arrested, and his men disarmed. However, he believes the soldiers likely did not know of the plan, and as such might decide to use them in battle.</ref>
*400 Umber troops{{Ref|ADWD|15}} (300 spearmen, 100 archers)
*300 Manderlys{{Ref|ADWD|46}} (100 knights, 200 mounted men-at-arms)
*Houses Dustin, Tallhart, Cerwyn, Hornwood, Locke with unknown number of soldiers}}
| casualties1 =
| casualties2 = [[Aenys Frey]] 450 Karstark troops captured and disarmed
}}
{{Warning|This information has thus far been released in a sample chapter for ''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', and might therefore not be in finalized form. Keep in mind that the content as described below is still subject to change.}}

The '''battle in the ice''' is an upcoming battle between the forces of [[Stannis Baratheon]] and the forces of [[Ramsay Snow|Ramsay Bolton]]. It is set to take place at the start of ''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', the as-yet-unpublished sixth book of ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]''.<ref name=smartertravel>[http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/today-in-travel/game-of-thrones-exclusive-george-martin-talks-season-the-winds-of-winter-and-real-world-influences-for-song-of-ice-and-fire.html?id=10593041 George R.R. Martin Talks Season Two, 'The Winds of Winter,' and Real-World Influences for 'A Song of Ice and Fire' (March 26, 2012)]</ref>

==Prelude==
At [[Castle Black]], [[Stannis Baratheon]] secures the support of [[Arnolf Karstark]], the castellan of [[Karhold]], but finds himself unable to convince others to join their strength to his.{{Ref|ADWD|3}} When Arnolf informs him that only fifty men remain at the [[Dreadfort]], the seat of [[House Bolton]], he considers marching on the Bolton castle. However, [[Jon Snow]], [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch]], counsels against it.{{Ref|ADWD|17}} Unbeknownst to Stannis, Arnolf's loyalty is a pretense; In reality, he is loyal to Lord [[Roose Bolton]], and was attempting to lure Stannis to the Dreadfort to trap him.{{Ref|ADWD|32}}

Lord Bolton arrives in the [[north]] with a girl he claims to be [[Arya Stark]], the youngest daughter of the late Lord [[Eddard Stark]] of [[Winterfell]]. In reality, however, the girl is [[Jeyne Poole]], the daughter of [[Vayon Poole]], the former steward of Winterfell.{{Ref|ADWD|20}} Roose marries the fake Arya to his [[bastardy|bastard son]], the recently legitimized [[Ramsay Snow|Ramsay Bolton]] at [[Winterfell]].{{Ref|ADWD|37}} Their presence at Winterfell is meant to force Stannis to march on them,{{Ref|ADWD|32}} and indeed, after following the advice of Jon Snow, thereby securing the support of the [[northern mountain clans]], and [[fight by Deepwood Motte|retaking Deepwood Motte]] from the [[ironborn]]—resulting in the capture of [[Asha Greyjoy]]{{Ref|ADWD|26}}—Stannis leads his army from [[Deepwood Motte]] through the [[wolfswood]] to [[Winterfell]]. Although the southron knights and lords oppose the march, the northern lords insist that Roose must be removed from Winterfell and "the Ned's" daughter rescued from Ramsay. The [[march on Winterfell]] is a hundred leagues long, and is estimated to take fifteen days. However, snows begin on the fourth day, and the harsh weather slow the army down significantly. After thirty-three days, they arrive at a [[crofters' village]], located three days from Winterfell, but find themselves snowed in. After eleven days, Arnolf Karstark arrives with four hundred and fifty men.{{Ref|ADWD|62}}

At Winterfell, the forces Roose Bolton has gathered—consisting of Houses [[House Ryswell|Ryswell]], [[House Dustin|Dustin]], [[House Frey|Frey]], [[House Cerwyn|Cerwyn]], [[House Hornwood|Hornwood]], [[House Manderly|Manderly]], and part of [[House Umber]]—suffer from divided loyalties, infighting, and a series of mysterious murders, which cause tension in the castle between the Freys, Boltons, Manderlys, and other northern houses. At first, [[Theon Greyjoy]] is suspected to be the murderer, but that idea is quickly dismissed by Roose, who declares Theon to be too broken and weak to have carried out the deeds.{{ref|ADWD|46}}

At [[Castle Black]], the [[red priest]]ess [[Melisandre]] sees a grey girl on a dying horse in her flames. Bbelieving the girl to be Arya Stark, Lord Commander Jon Snow's younger half-sister, she enlists the help of [[Mance Rayder]], the former [[King-beyond-the-Wall]], to rescue the girl.{{Ref|ADWD|31}} The girl eventually arrives at Castle Black, but she turns out to be [[Alys Karstark]], who informs Jon Snow that her uncle Arnolf is plotting to betray Stannis.{{Ref|ADWD|44}} Jon sends ravens to [[Deepwood Motte]] in an attempt to warn Stannis.{{ref|ADWD|49}} At Winterfell, the tensions among the army finally erupt into a brawl (in which Lord [[Wyman Manderly]] becomes injured) after [[Walder Frey (son of Merrett)|Little Walder Frey]] is found dead. In response, Roose sends out the forces of House Frey and House Manderly, to engage Stannis into battle at the crofters' village.{{Ref|ADWD|51}}

Theon and Jeyne—believed by Roose's host to be Arya—leap from Winterfell shortly before the Freys and Manderlys leave Winterfell, and the pair are found by [[Mors Umber]] beneath the walls of the castle. By [[Tycho Nestoris]], a [[Braavosi]] [[Iron Bank of Braavos|banker]] searching for Stannis, they are brought to the village where Stannis and his army remain. Stannis is informed of Arnolf's planned treachery, and arrests him, his son [[Arthor Karstark|Arthor]], and his three grandsons.<ref name=Theon>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', [[Theon I (The Winds of Winter)|Theon I]]</ref>

==Battle==
Because it has been snowing severely, the men on the battlefields of Winterfell cannot see anyone beneath the walls, giving [[Mors Umber]] and his green boys the chance to dig pits outside the gates. Next, they blow their horns to lure their enemies out.<ref name=Theon/> [[Roose Bolton]] sends out the [[House Frey|Freys]] from the main gates and the [[House Manderly|Manderlys]] from the eastern gates.{{Ref|ADWD|51}} The Frey men fall into the snow-covered pits placed by Mors, and Ser [[Aenys Frey]] breaks his neck.<ref name=Theon/>

==Aftermath==
At [[Castle Black]], [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch|Lord Commander]] [[Jon Snow]] receives [[Bastard Letter|a letter]], supposedly written by [[Ramsay Snow|Ramsay Bolton]], which claims that [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]] is dead and his army is broken. Though it is unknown if the letter's contents are true or if it was indeed written by Ramsay, it galvanizes Lord Commander Snow into breaking with tradition of the [[Night's Watch]] and forming an army of volunteers—black brothers and [[free folk]] alike—to march on Winterfell and defeat the Boltons. Jon is attacked in the [[mutiny at Castle Black]], however.{{ref|ADWD|69}}

==Notes==
{{Notes}}

==References==
{{References|2}}

{{War of the Five Kings}}

[[Category:Battles]]
[[Category:House Baratheon battles]]
[[Category:House Bolton battles]]
[[Category:House Frey battles]]
[[Category:House Manderly battles]]
[[Category:House Umber battles]]
[[Category:War of the Five Kings]]
[[Category:Winterfell]]

Battle in the ice

2017-08-30T02:26:44Z

Nihlus:

{{Template:Battlebox
| image =
| caption =
| battle_name = Battle in the ice
| conflict = [[War of the Five Kings]]
| date = {{Date|300}}
| place = Between the [[crofter's village]] and [[Winterfell]]
| result =
| colour_scheme =
| combatant1 = '''[[House Baratheon of Dragonstone]]:''' [[Southron]] army
* [[House Bar Emmon]]
* [[House Farring]]
* [[House Florent]]
* [[House Velaryon]]
[[North|Northern]] [[House Stark|Stark]] loyalists
* [[Northern mountain clans]]
** [[House Burley]]
** [[House Flint]]
** [[House Harclay]]
** [[House Liddle]]
** [[House Norrey]]
** [[House Wull]]
* [[House Mormont]]
* [[House Glover]]
** [[House Bole]]
** [[House Branch]]
** [[House Woods]]
* [[House Umber]], led by [[Mors Umber]]
* [[House Hornwood|Hornwood]], [[House Cerwyn|Cerwyn]], and [[House Tallhart|Tallhart]] survivors from the [[battle at Winterfell]]
* Men from the [[Stony Shore]]
| combatant2 = '''[[Iron Throne]]'''/[[House Baratheon of King's Landing]]:
[[North|The North]], led by [[House Bolton]]
* [[House Cerwyn]]
* [[House Dustin]]
* [[House Hornwood]]
* [[House Karstark]]
* [[House Locke]]
* [[House Manderly]] (nominally)
* [[House Ryswell]]
* [[House Slate]]
* [[House Stout]]
* [[House Umber]], led by [[Hother Umber]]

[[Riverlands]]
*[[House Frey]]
| commander1 = King [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis I Baratheon]] Ser [[Richard Horpe]] Castellan [[Mors Umber]] Lord [[Hugo Wull]] Ser [[Godry Farring]]
| commander2 = Lord [[Roose Bolton]] Lord [[Ramsay Bolton]] Ser [[Aenys Frey]]† Ser [[Hosteen Frey]] [[Hother Umber]]
| strength1 =
{{Columns|1|5,400 soldiers:
*~1,400 southron men-at-arms and knights{{Ref|adwd|19}}
*~2,500 mountain clansmen
*~1,100 northern soldiers<ref>When marching on Winterfell, Stannis has an army of five thousand men strong (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 35|Jon VII]] and [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 41|The Turncloak]]). He had come north with no more than fifteen hundred men from the south (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 19|Davos III]]), men-at-arms and knights ten the remnants of his troops who had fought on the Blackwater. Stannis left eighty-three southron men-at-arms at the Wall (fifty at Castle Black to guard Melisandre, twelve at Castle Black to guard Queen Selyse and Princess Shireen, 10 at Icemark, and ten at Greyguard, and Ser Axell Florent), and lost a small amount of men in the Battle at Castle Black, putting his southron knights and men-at-arms at around fourteen hundred ([[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 44|Jon IX]]). The remainder of his force is made up of the mountain clans, [[House Mormont]], [[House Glover]], men once sworn to Houses [[House Hornwood|Hornwood]], [[House Cerwyn|Cerwyn]], and [[House Tallhart|Tallhart]], and [[smallfolk]] who had fled from the [[ironborn]] (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 35|Jon VII]]). According to Jon Snow, the mountain clans would provide 2,000 to 3,000 men mostly clad in animal hides and wielding wooden spears and slings (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 17|Jon IV]]), indicating that the other 600 to 1,600 men have been provided by the Houses Mormont, Glover, Hornwood, Cerwyn, and Tallhart, and smallfolk.</ref>
*~400 [[House Umber|Umber]] men (vanguard)<ref group="N">It is said that [[Hother Umber]] has half of the remaining strength of [[House Umber]] with him at the side of the [[House Bolton|Boltons]], while [[Mors Umber]] has the other half with him on the side of [[Stannis Baratheon]] (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 35|Jon VII]]). Hother is known to have brought four hundred men with him to the [[siege of Moat Cailin]] (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 28|Davos II]]), meaning that Mors has about four hundred men with him.</ref>}}
| strength2 = {{Columns|1|7,150+ soldiers:
*~4,000 northern soldiers{{Ref|ADWD|20}} (Mainly Bolton men)
*~2,000 Freys{{ref|AFFC|16}}{{ref|ADWD|20}}<ref group="N">Described by Cersei Lannister as a force of two thousand strong (''[[A Feast for Crows]]'', [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 16|Jaime II]]), while judged by Theon Greyjoy to consist of four hundred knights, with "at least a thousand, maybe more" soldiers, supported by another hundred knights (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 20|Reek II]]).</ref> (Includes 500 knights)
*450 men from [[House Karstark]]<ref group="N">[[Arnolf Karstark]] had brought four hundred and fifty men with him to Stannis's host in collaboration with Roose, with the intention of turning on Stannis's host in favor of Roose as soon as the battle begins. Upon learning of Arnolf's planned treachery, Stannis has Arnolf and his family members arrested, and his men disarmed. However, he believes the soldiers likely did not know of the plan, and as such might decide to use them in battle.</ref>
*400 Umber troops{{Ref|ADWD|15}} (300 spearmen, 100 archers)
*300 Manderlys{{Ref|ADWD|46}} (100 knights, 200 mounted men-at-arms)
*Houses Dustin, Tallhart, Cerwyn, Hornwood, Locke with unknown number of soldiers}}
| casualties1 =
| casualties2 = [[Aenys Frey]] 450 Karstark troops captured and disarmed
}}
{{Warning|This information has thus far been released in a sample chapter for ''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', and might therefore not be in finalized form. Keep in mind that the content as described below is still subject to change.}}

The '''battle in the ice''' is an upcoming battle between the forces of [[Stannis Baratheon]] and the forces of [[Ramsay Snow|Ramsay Bolton]]. It is set to take place at the start of ''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', the as-yet-unpublished sixth book of ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]''.<ref name=smartertravel>[http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/today-in-travel/game-of-thrones-exclusive-george-martin-talks-season-the-winds-of-winter-and-real-world-influences-for-song-of-ice-and-fire.html?id=10593041 George R.R. Martin Talks Season Two, 'The Winds of Winter,' and Real-World Influences for 'A Song of Ice and Fire' (March 26, 2012)]</ref>

==Prelude==
At [[Castle Black]], [[Stannis Baratheon]] secures the support of [[Arnolf Karstark]], the castellan of [[Karhold]], but finds himself unable to convince others to join their strength to his.{{Ref|ADWD|3}} When Arnolf informs him that only fifty men remain at the [[Dreadfort]], the seat of [[House Bolton]], he considers marching on the Bolton castle. However, [[Jon Snow]], [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch]], counsels against it.{{Ref|ADWD|17}} Unbeknownst to Stannis, Arnolf's loyalty is a pretense; In reality, he is loyal to Lord [[Roose Bolton]], and was attempting to lure Stannis to the Dreadfort to trap him.{{Ref|ADWD|32}}

Lord Bolton arrives in the [[north]] with a girl he claims to be [[Arya Stark]], the youngest daughter of the late Lord [[Eddard Stark]] of [[Winterfell]]. In reality, however, the girl is [[Jeyne Poole]], the daughter of [[Vayon Poole]], the former steward of Winterfell.{{Ref|ADWD|20}} Roose marries the fake Arya to his [[bastardy|bastard son]], the recently legitimized [[Ramsay Snow|Ramsay Bolton]] at [[Winterfell]].{{Ref|ADWD|37}} Their presence at Winterfell is meant to force Stannis to march on them,{{Ref|ADWD|32}} and indeed, after following the advice of Jon Snow, thereby securing the support of the [[northern mountain clans]], and [[fight by Deepwood Motte|retaking Deepwood Motte]] from the [[ironborn]]—resulting in the capture of [[Asha Greyjoy]]{{Ref|ADWD|26}}—Stannis leads his army from [[Deepwood Motte]] through the [[wolfswood]] to [[Winterfell]]. Although the southron knights and lords oppose the march, the northern lords insist that Roose must be removed from Winterfell and "the Ned's" daughter rescued from Ramsay. The [[march on Winterfell]] is a hundred leagues long, and is estimated to take fifteen days. However, snows begin on the fourth day, and the harsh weather slow the army down significantly. After thirty-three days, they arrive at a [[crofters' village]], located three days from Winterfell, but find themselves snowed in. After eleven days, Arnolf Karstark arrives with four hundred and fifty men.{{Ref|ADWD|62}}

At Winterfell, the forces Roose Bolton has gathered—consisting of Houses [[House Ryswell|Ryswell]], [[House Dustin|Dustin]], [[House Frey|Frey]], [[House Cerwyn|Cerwyn]], [[House Hornwood|Hornwood]], [[House Manderly|Manderly]], and part of [[House Umber]]—suffer from divided loyalties, infighting, and a series of mysterious murders, which cause tension in the castle between the Freys, Boltons, Manderlys, and other northern houses. At first, [[Theon Greyjoy]] is suspected to be the murderer, but that idea is quickly dismissed by Roose, who declares Theon to be too broken and weak to have carried out the deeds.{{ref|ADWD|46}}

At [[Castle Black]], the [[red priest]]ess [[Melisandre]] sees a grey girl on a dying horse in her flames. Bbelieving the girl to be Arya Stark, Lord Commander Jon Snow's younger half-sister, she enlists the help of [[Mance Rayder]], the former [[King-beyond-the-Wall]], to rescue the girl.{{Ref|ADWD|31}} The girl eventually arrives at Castle Black, but she turns out to be [[Alys Karstark]], who informs Jon Snow that her uncle Arnolf is plotting to betray Stannis.{{Ref|ADWD|44}} Jon sends ravens to [[Deepwood Motte]] in an attempt to warn Stannis.{{ref|ADWD|49}} At Winterfell, the tensions among the army finally erupt into a brawl (in which Lord [[Wyman Manderly]] becomes injured) after [[Walder Frey (son of Merrett)|Little Walder Frey]] is found dead. In response, Roose sends out the forces of House Frey and House Manderly, to engage Stannis into battle at the crofters' village.{{Ref|ADWD|51}}

Theon and Jeyne—believed by Roose's host to be Arya—leap from Winterfell shortly before the Freys and Manderlys leave Winterfell, and the pair are found by [[Mors Umber]] beneath the walls of the castle. By [[Tycho Nestoris]], a [[Braavosi]] [[Iron Bank of Braavos|banker]] searching for Stannis, they are brought to the village where Stannis and his army remain. Stannis is informed of Arnolf's planned treachery, and arrests him, his son [[Arthor Karstark|Arthor]], and his three grandsons.<ref name=Theon>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', [[Theon I (The Winds of Winter)|Theon I]]</ref>

==Battle==
Because it has been snowing severely, the men on the battlefields of Winterfell cannot see anyone beneath the walls, giving [[Mors Umber]] and his green boys the chance to dig pits outside the gates. Next, they blow their horns to lure their enemies out.<ref name=Theon/> [[Roose Bolton]] sends out the [[House Frey|Freys]] from the main gates and the [[House Manderly|Manderlys]] from the eastern gates.{{Ref|ADWD|51}} The Frey men fall into the snow-covered pits placed by Mors, and Ser [[Aenys Frey]] breaks his neck.<ref name=Theon/>

==Aftermath==
At [[Castle Black]], [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch|Lord Commander]] [[Jon Snow]] receives [[Bastard Letter|a letter]], supposedly written by [[Ramsay Snow|Ramsay Bolton]], which claims that [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]] is dead and his army is broken. Though it is unknown if the letter's contents are true or if it was indeed written by Ramsay, it galvanizes Lord Commander Snow into breaking with tradition of the [[Night's Watch]] and forming an army of volunteers—black brothers and [[free folk]] alike—to march on Winterfell and defeat the Boltons. Jon is attacked in the [[mutiny at Castle Black]], however.{{ref|ADWD|69}}

==Notes==
{{Notes}}

==References==
{{References|2}}

{{War of the Five Kings}}

[[Category:Battles]]
[[Category:House Baratheon battles]]
[[Category:House Bolton battles]]
[[Category:House Frey battles]]
[[Category:House Manderly battles]]
[[Category:House Umber battles]]
[[Category:War of the Five Kings]]
[[Category:Winterfell]]

Battle in the ice

2017-08-30T02:25:52Z

Nihlus:

{{Template:Battlebox
| image =
| caption =
| battle_name = Battle in the ice
| conflict = [[War of the Five Kings]]
| date = {{Date|300}}
| place = Between the [[crofter's village]] and [[Winterfell]]
| result =
| colour_scheme =
| combatant1 = '''[[House Baratheon of Dragonstone]]:''' [[Southron]] army
* [[House Bar Emmon]]
* [[House Farring]]
* [[House Florent]]
* [[House Velaryon]]
[[North|Northern]] [[House Stark|Stark]] loyalists
* [[Northern mountain clans]]
** [[House Burley]]
** [[House Flint]]
** [[House Harclay]]
** [[House Liddle]]
** [[House Norrey]]
** [[House Wull]]
* [[House Mormont]]
* [[House Glover]]
** [[House Bole]]
** [[House Branch]]
** [[House Woods]]
* [[House Umber]], led by [[Mors Umber]]
* [[House Hornwood|Hornwood]], [[House Cerwyn|Cerwyn]], and [[House Tallhart|Tallhart]] survivors from the [[battle at Winterfell]]
* Men from the [[Stony Shore]]
| combatant2 = '''[[Iron Throne]]'''/[[House Baratheon of King's Landing]]:
[[North|The North]], led by [[House Bolton]]
* [[House Cerwyn]]
* [[House Dustin]]
* [[House Hornwood]]
* [[House Karstark]]
* [[House Locke]]
* [[House Manderly]] (nominally)
* [[House Ryswell]]
* [[House Slate]]
* [[House Stout]]
* [[House Umber]], led by [[Hother Umber]]

[[Riverlands]]
*[[House Frey]]
| commander1 = King [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis I Baratheon]] Ser [[Richard Horpe]] Castellan [[Mors Umber]] Lord [[Hugo Wull]] Ser [[Godry Farring]]
| commander2 = Lord [[Roose Bolton]] Lord [[Ramsay Bolton]] Ser [[Aenys Frey]]† Ser [[Hosteen Frey]] [[Hother Umber]]
| strength1 =
{{Columns|1|5,400 soldiers:
*~1,400 southron men-at-arms and knights{{Ref|adwd|19}}
*~2,500 mountain clansmen
*~1,100 northern soldiers<ref>When marching on Winterfell, Stannis has an army of five thousand men strong (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 35|Jon VII]] and [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 41|The Turncloak]]). He had come north with no more than fifteen hundred men from the south (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 19|Davos III]]), men-at-arms and knights ten the remnants of his troops who had fought on the Blackwater. Stannis left eighty-three southron men-at-arms at the Wall (fifty at Castle Black to guard Melisandre, twelve at Castle Black to guard Queen Selyse and Princess Shireen, 10 at Icemark, and ten at Greyguard, and Ser Axell Florent), and lost a small amount of men in the Battle at Castle Black, putting his southron knights and men-at-arms at around fourteen hundred.<ref>[[[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 44|Jon IX]]</ref> The remainder of his force is made up of the mountain clans, [[House Mormont]], [[House Glover]], men once sworn to Houses [[House Hornwood|Hornwood]], [[House Cerwyn|Cerwyn]], and [[House Tallhart|Tallhart]], and [[smallfolk]] who had fled from the [[ironborn]] (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 35|Jon VII]]). According to Jon Snow, the mountain clans would provide 2,000 to 3,000 men mostly clad in animal hides and wielding wooden spears and slings (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 17|Jon IV]]), indicating that the other 600 to 1,600 men have been provided by the Houses Mormont, Glover, Hornwood, Cerwyn, and Tallhart, and smallfolk.</ref>
*~400 [[House Umber|Umber]] men (vanguard)<ref group="N">It is said that [[Hother Umber]] has half of the remaining strength of [[House Umber]] with him at the side of the [[House Bolton|Boltons]], while [[Mors Umber]] has the other half with him on the side of [[Stannis Baratheon]] (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 35|Jon VII]]). Hother is known to have brought four hundred men with him to the [[siege of Moat Cailin]] (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 28|Davos II]]), meaning that Mors has about four hundred men with him.</ref>}}
| strength2 = {{Columns|1|7,150+ soldiers:
*~4,000 northern soldiers{{Ref|ADWD|20}} (Mainly Bolton men)
*~2,000 Freys{{ref|AFFC|16}}{{ref|ADWD|20}}<ref group="N">Described by Cersei Lannister as a force of two thousand strong (''[[A Feast for Crows]]'', [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 16|Jaime II]]), while judged by Theon Greyjoy to consist of four hundred knights, with "at least a thousand, maybe more" soldiers, supported by another hundred knights (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 20|Reek II]]).</ref> (Includes 500 knights)
*450 men from [[House Karstark]]<ref group="N">[[Arnolf Karstark]] had brought four hundred and fifty men with him to Stannis's host in collaboration with Roose, with the intention of turning on Stannis's host in favor of Roose as soon as the battle begins. Upon learning of Arnolf's planned treachery, Stannis has Arnolf and his family members arrested, and his men disarmed. However, he believes the soldiers likely did not know of the plan, and as such might decide to use them in battle.</ref>
*400 Umber troops{{Ref|ADWD|15}} (300 spearmen, 100 archers)
*300 Manderlys{{Ref|ADWD|46}} (100 knights, 200 mounted men-at-arms)
*Houses Dustin, Tallhart, Cerwyn, Hornwood, Locke with unknown number of soldiers}}
| casualties1 =
| casualties2 = [[Aenys Frey]] 450 Karstark troops captured and disarmed
}}
{{Warning|This information has thus far been released in a sample chapter for ''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', and might therefore not be in finalized form. Keep in mind that the content as described below is still subject to change.}}

The '''battle in the ice''' is an upcoming battle between the forces of [[Stannis Baratheon]] and the forces of [[Ramsay Snow|Ramsay Bolton]]. It is set to take place at the start of ''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', the as-yet-unpublished sixth book of ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]''.<ref name=smartertravel>[http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/today-in-travel/game-of-thrones-exclusive-george-martin-talks-season-the-winds-of-winter-and-real-world-influences-for-song-of-ice-and-fire.html?id=10593041 George R.R. Martin Talks Season Two, 'The Winds of Winter,' and Real-World Influences for 'A Song of Ice and Fire' (March 26, 2012)]</ref>

==Prelude==
At [[Castle Black]], [[Stannis Baratheon]] secures the support of [[Arnolf Karstark]], the castellan of [[Karhold]], but finds himself unable to convince others to join their strength to his.{{Ref|ADWD|3}} When Arnolf informs him that only fifty men remain at the [[Dreadfort]], the seat of [[House Bolton]], he considers marching on the Bolton castle. However, [[Jon Snow]], [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch]], counsels against it.{{Ref|ADWD|17}} Unbeknownst to Stannis, Arnolf's loyalty is a pretense; In reality, he is loyal to Lord [[Roose Bolton]], and was attempting to lure Stannis to the Dreadfort to trap him.{{Ref|ADWD|32}}

Lord Bolton arrives in the [[north]] with a girl he claims to be [[Arya Stark]], the youngest daughter of the late Lord [[Eddard Stark]] of [[Winterfell]]. In reality, however, the girl is [[Jeyne Poole]], the daughter of [[Vayon Poole]], the former steward of Winterfell.{{Ref|ADWD|20}} Roose marries the fake Arya to his [[bastardy|bastard son]], the recently legitimized [[Ramsay Snow|Ramsay Bolton]] at [[Winterfell]].{{Ref|ADWD|37}} Their presence at Winterfell is meant to force Stannis to march on them,{{Ref|ADWD|32}} and indeed, after following the advice of Jon Snow, thereby securing the support of the [[northern mountain clans]], and [[fight by Deepwood Motte|retaking Deepwood Motte]] from the [[ironborn]]—resulting in the capture of [[Asha Greyjoy]]{{Ref|ADWD|26}}—Stannis leads his army from [[Deepwood Motte]] through the [[wolfswood]] to [[Winterfell]]. Although the southron knights and lords oppose the march, the northern lords insist that Roose must be removed from Winterfell and "the Ned's" daughter rescued from Ramsay. The [[march on Winterfell]] is a hundred leagues long, and is estimated to take fifteen days. However, snows begin on the fourth day, and the harsh weather slow the army down significantly. After thirty-three days, they arrive at a [[crofters' village]], located three days from Winterfell, but find themselves snowed in. After eleven days, Arnolf Karstark arrives with four hundred and fifty men.{{Ref|ADWD|62}}

At Winterfell, the forces Roose Bolton has gathered—consisting of Houses [[House Ryswell|Ryswell]], [[House Dustin|Dustin]], [[House Frey|Frey]], [[House Cerwyn|Cerwyn]], [[House Hornwood|Hornwood]], [[House Manderly|Manderly]], and part of [[House Umber]]—suffer from divided loyalties, infighting, and a series of mysterious murders, which cause tension in the castle between the Freys, Boltons, Manderlys, and other northern houses. At first, [[Theon Greyjoy]] is suspected to be the murderer, but that idea is quickly dismissed by Roose, who declares Theon to be too broken and weak to have carried out the deeds.{{ref|ADWD|46}}

At [[Castle Black]], the [[red priest]]ess [[Melisandre]] sees a grey girl on a dying horse in her flames. Bbelieving the girl to be Arya Stark, Lord Commander Jon Snow's younger half-sister, she enlists the help of [[Mance Rayder]], the former [[King-beyond-the-Wall]], to rescue the girl.{{Ref|ADWD|31}} The girl eventually arrives at Castle Black, but she turns out to be [[Alys Karstark]], who informs Jon Snow that her uncle Arnolf is plotting to betray Stannis.{{Ref|ADWD|44}} Jon sends ravens to [[Deepwood Motte]] in an attempt to warn Stannis.{{ref|ADWD|49}} At Winterfell, the tensions among the army finally erupt into a brawl (in which Lord [[Wyman Manderly]] becomes injured) after [[Walder Frey (son of Merrett)|Little Walder Frey]] is found dead. In response, Roose sends out the forces of House Frey and House Manderly, to engage Stannis into battle at the crofters' village.{{Ref|ADWD|51}}

Theon and Jeyne—believed by Roose's host to be Arya—leap from Winterfell shortly before the Freys and Manderlys leave Winterfell, and the pair are found by [[Mors Umber]] beneath the walls of the castle. By [[Tycho Nestoris]], a [[Braavosi]] [[Iron Bank of Braavos|banker]] searching for Stannis, they are brought to the village where Stannis and his army remain. Stannis is informed of Arnolf's planned treachery, and arrests him, his son [[Arthor Karstark|Arthor]], and his three grandsons.<ref name=Theon>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', [[Theon I (The Winds of Winter)|Theon I]]</ref>

==Battle==
Because it has been snowing severely, the men on the battlefields of Winterfell cannot see anyone beneath the walls, giving [[Mors Umber]] and his green boys the chance to dig pits outside the gates. Next, they blow their horns to lure their enemies out.<ref name=Theon/> [[Roose Bolton]] sends out the [[House Frey|Freys]] from the main gates and the [[House Manderly|Manderlys]] from the eastern gates.{{Ref|ADWD|51}} The Frey men fall into the snow-covered pits placed by Mors, and Ser [[Aenys Frey]] breaks his neck.<ref name=Theon/>

==Aftermath==
At [[Castle Black]], [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch|Lord Commander]] [[Jon Snow]] receives [[Bastard Letter|a letter]], supposedly written by [[Ramsay Snow|Ramsay Bolton]], which claims that [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]] is dead and his army is broken. Though it is unknown if the letter's contents are true or if it was indeed written by Ramsay, it galvanizes Lord Commander Snow into breaking with tradition of the [[Night's Watch]] and forming an army of volunteers—black brothers and [[free folk]] alike—to march on Winterfell and defeat the Boltons. Jon is attacked in the [[mutiny at Castle Black]], however.{{ref|ADWD|69}}

==Notes==
{{Notes}}

==References==
{{References|2}}

{{War of the Five Kings}}

[[Category:Battles]]
[[Category:House Baratheon battles]]
[[Category:House Bolton battles]]
[[Category:House Frey battles]]
[[Category:House Manderly battles]]
[[Category:House Umber battles]]
[[Category:War of the Five Kings]]
[[Category:Winterfell]]

Battle in the ice

2017-08-30T02:25:13Z

Nihlus:

{{Template:Battlebox
| image =
| caption =
| battle_name = Battle in the ice
| conflict = [[War of the Five Kings]]
| date = {{Date|300}}
| place = Between the [[crofter's village]] and [[Winterfell]]
| result =
| colour_scheme =
| combatant1 = '''[[House Baratheon of Dragonstone]]:''' [[Southron]] army
* [[House Bar Emmon]]
* [[House Farring]]
* [[House Florent]]
* [[House Velaryon]]
[[North|Northern]] [[House Stark|Stark]] loyalists
* [[Northern mountain clans]]
** [[House Burley]]
** [[House Flint]]
** [[House Harclay]]
** [[House Liddle]]
** [[House Norrey]]
** [[House Wull]]
* [[House Mormont]]
* [[House Glover]]
** [[House Bole]]
** [[House Branch]]
** [[House Woods]]
* [[House Umber]], led by [[Mors Umber]]
* [[House Hornwood|Hornwood]], [[House Cerwyn|Cerwyn]], and [[House Tallhart|Tallhart]] survivors from the [[battle at Winterfell]]
* Men from the [[Stony Shore]]
| combatant2 = '''[[Iron Throne]]'''/[[House Baratheon of King's Landing]]:
[[North|The North]], led by [[House Bolton]]
* [[House Cerwyn]]
* [[House Dustin]]
* [[House Hornwood]]
* [[House Karstark]]
* [[House Locke]]
* [[House Manderly]] (nominally)
* [[House Ryswell]]
* [[House Slate]]
* [[House Stout]]
* [[House Umber]], led by [[Hother Umber]]

[[Riverlands]]
*[[House Frey]]
| commander1 = King [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis I Baratheon]] Ser [[Richard Horpe]] Castellan [[Mors Umber]] Lord [[Hugo Wull]] Ser [[Godry Farring]]
| commander2 = Lord [[Roose Bolton]] Lord [[Ramsay Bolton]] Ser [[Aenys Frey]]† Ser [[Hosteen Frey]] [[Hother Umber]]
| strength1 =
{{Columns|1|5,400 soldiers:
*~1,400 southron men-at-arms and knights{{Ref|adwd|19}}
*~2,500 mountain clansmen
*~1,100 northern soldiers<ref group="N">When marching on Winterfell, Stannis has an army of five thousand men strong (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 35|Jon VII]] and [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 41|The Turncloak]]). He had come north with no more than fifteen hundred men from the south (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 19|Davos III]]), men-at-arms and knights ten the remnants of his troops who had fought on the Blackwater. Stannis left eighty-three southron men-at-arms at the Wall (fifty at Castle Black to guard Melisandre, twelve at Castle Black to guard Queen Selyse and Princess Shireen, 10 at Icemark, and ten at Greyguard, and Ser Axell Florent), and lost a small amount of men in the Battle at Castle Black, putting his southron knights and men-at-arms at around fourteen hundred.<ref>[[[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 44|Jon IX]]</ref> The remainder of his force is made up of the mountain clans, [[House Mormont]], [[House Glover]], men once sworn to Houses [[House Hornwood|Hornwood]], [[House Cerwyn|Cerwyn]], and [[House Tallhart|Tallhart]], and [[smallfolk]] who had fled from the [[ironborn]] (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 35|Jon VII]]). According to Jon Snow, the mountain clans would provide 2,000 to 3,000 men mostly clad in animal hides and wielding wooden spears and slings (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 17|Jon IV]]), indicating that the other 600 to 1,600 men have been provided by the Houses Mormont, Glover, Hornwood, Cerwyn, and Tallhart, and smallfolk.</ref>
*~400 [[House Umber|Umber]] men (vanguard)<ref group="N">It is said that [[Hother Umber]] has half of the remaining strength of [[House Umber]] with him at the side of the [[House Bolton|Boltons]], while [[Mors Umber]] has the other half with him on the side of [[Stannis Baratheon]] (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 35|Jon VII]]). Hother is known to have brought four hundred men with him to the [[siege of Moat Cailin]] (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 28|Davos II]]), meaning that Mors has about four hundred men with him.</ref>}}
| strength2 = {{Columns|1|7,150+ soldiers:
*~4,000 northern soldiers{{Ref|ADWD|20}} (Mainly Bolton men)
*~2,000 Freys{{ref|AFFC|16}}{{ref|ADWD|20}}<ref group="N">Described by Cersei Lannister as a force of two thousand strong (''[[A Feast for Crows]]'', [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 16|Jaime II]]), while judged by Theon Greyjoy to consist of four hundred knights, with "at least a thousand, maybe more" soldiers, supported by another hundred knights (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 20|Reek II]]).</ref> (Includes 500 knights)
*450 men from [[House Karstark]]<ref group="N">[[Arnolf Karstark]] had brought four hundred and fifty men with him to Stannis's host in collaboration with Roose, with the intention of turning on Stannis's host in favor of Roose as soon as the battle begins. Upon learning of Arnolf's planned treachery, Stannis has Arnolf and his family members arrested, and his men disarmed. However, he believes the soldiers likely did not know of the plan, and as such might decide to use them in battle.</ref>
*400 Umber troops{{Ref|ADWD|15}} (300 spearmen, 100 archers)
*300 Manderlys{{Ref|ADWD|46}} (100 knights, 200 mounted men-at-arms)
*Houses Dustin, Tallhart, Cerwyn, Hornwood, Locke with unknown number of soldiers}}
| casualties1 =
| casualties2 = [[Aenys Frey]] 450 Karstark troops captured and disarmed
}}
{{Warning|This information has thus far been released in a sample chapter for ''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', and might therefore not be in finalized form. Keep in mind that the content as described below is still subject to change.}}

The '''battle in the ice''' is an upcoming battle between the forces of [[Stannis Baratheon]] and the forces of [[Ramsay Snow|Ramsay Bolton]]. It is set to take place at the start of ''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', the as-yet-unpublished sixth book of ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]''.<ref name=smartertravel>[http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/today-in-travel/game-of-thrones-exclusive-george-martin-talks-season-the-winds-of-winter-and-real-world-influences-for-song-of-ice-and-fire.html?id=10593041 George R.R. Martin Talks Season Two, 'The Winds of Winter,' and Real-World Influences for 'A Song of Ice and Fire' (March 26, 2012)]</ref>

==Prelude==
At [[Castle Black]], [[Stannis Baratheon]] secures the support of [[Arnolf Karstark]], the castellan of [[Karhold]], but finds himself unable to convince others to join their strength to his.{{Ref|ADWD|3}} When Arnolf informs him that only fifty men remain at the [[Dreadfort]], the seat of [[House Bolton]], he considers marching on the Bolton castle. However, [[Jon Snow]], [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch]], counsels against it.{{Ref|ADWD|17}} Unbeknownst to Stannis, Arnolf's loyalty is a pretense; In reality, he is loyal to Lord [[Roose Bolton]], and was attempting to lure Stannis to the Dreadfort to trap him.{{Ref|ADWD|32}}

Lord Bolton arrives in the [[north]] with a girl he claims to be [[Arya Stark]], the youngest daughter of the late Lord [[Eddard Stark]] of [[Winterfell]]. In reality, however, the girl is [[Jeyne Poole]], the daughter of [[Vayon Poole]], the former steward of Winterfell.{{Ref|ADWD|20}} Roose marries the fake Arya to his [[bastardy|bastard son]], the recently legitimized [[Ramsay Snow|Ramsay Bolton]] at [[Winterfell]].{{Ref|ADWD|37}} Their presence at Winterfell is meant to force Stannis to march on them,{{Ref|ADWD|32}} and indeed, after following the advice of Jon Snow, thereby securing the support of the [[northern mountain clans]], and [[fight by Deepwood Motte|retaking Deepwood Motte]] from the [[ironborn]]—resulting in the capture of [[Asha Greyjoy]]{{Ref|ADWD|26}}—Stannis leads his army from [[Deepwood Motte]] through the [[wolfswood]] to [[Winterfell]]. Although the southron knights and lords oppose the march, the northern lords insist that Roose must be removed from Winterfell and "the Ned's" daughter rescued from Ramsay. The [[march on Winterfell]] is a hundred leagues long, and is estimated to take fifteen days. However, snows begin on the fourth day, and the harsh weather slow the army down significantly. After thirty-three days, they arrive at a [[crofters' village]], located three days from Winterfell, but find themselves snowed in. After eleven days, Arnolf Karstark arrives with four hundred and fifty men.{{Ref|ADWD|62}}

At Winterfell, the forces Roose Bolton has gathered—consisting of Houses [[House Ryswell|Ryswell]], [[House Dustin|Dustin]], [[House Frey|Frey]], [[House Cerwyn|Cerwyn]], [[House Hornwood|Hornwood]], [[House Manderly|Manderly]], and part of [[House Umber]]—suffer from divided loyalties, infighting, and a series of mysterious murders, which cause tension in the castle between the Freys, Boltons, Manderlys, and other northern houses. At first, [[Theon Greyjoy]] is suspected to be the murderer, but that idea is quickly dismissed by Roose, who declares Theon to be too broken and weak to have carried out the deeds.{{ref|ADWD|46}}

At [[Castle Black]], the [[red priest]]ess [[Melisandre]] sees a grey girl on a dying horse in her flames. Bbelieving the girl to be Arya Stark, Lord Commander Jon Snow's younger half-sister, she enlists the help of [[Mance Rayder]], the former [[King-beyond-the-Wall]], to rescue the girl.{{Ref|ADWD|31}} The girl eventually arrives at Castle Black, but she turns out to be [[Alys Karstark]], who informs Jon Snow that her uncle Arnolf is plotting to betray Stannis.{{Ref|ADWD|44}} Jon sends ravens to [[Deepwood Motte]] in an attempt to warn Stannis.{{ref|ADWD|49}} At Winterfell, the tensions among the army finally erupt into a brawl (in which Lord [[Wyman Manderly]] becomes injured) after [[Walder Frey (son of Merrett)|Little Walder Frey]] is found dead. In response, Roose sends out the forces of House Frey and House Manderly, to engage Stannis into battle at the crofters' village.{{Ref|ADWD|51}}

Theon and Jeyne—believed by Roose's host to be Arya—leap from Winterfell shortly before the Freys and Manderlys leave Winterfell, and the pair are found by [[Mors Umber]] beneath the walls of the castle. By [[Tycho Nestoris]], a [[Braavosi]] [[Iron Bank of Braavos|banker]] searching for Stannis, they are brought to the village where Stannis and his army remain. Stannis is informed of Arnolf's planned treachery, and arrests him, his son [[Arthor Karstark|Arthor]], and his three grandsons.<ref name=Theon>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', [[Theon I (The Winds of Winter)|Theon I]]</ref>

==Battle==
Because it has been snowing severely, the men on the battlefields of Winterfell cannot see anyone beneath the walls, giving [[Mors Umber]] and his green boys the chance to dig pits outside the gates. Next, they blow their horns to lure their enemies out.<ref name=Theon/> [[Roose Bolton]] sends out the [[House Frey|Freys]] from the main gates and the [[House Manderly|Manderlys]] from the eastern gates.{{Ref|ADWD|51}} The Frey men fall into the snow-covered pits placed by Mors, and Ser [[Aenys Frey]] breaks his neck.<ref name=Theon/>

==Aftermath==
At [[Castle Black]], [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch|Lord Commander]] [[Jon Snow]] receives [[Bastard Letter|a letter]], supposedly written by [[Ramsay Snow|Ramsay Bolton]], which claims that [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]] is dead and his army is broken. Though it is unknown if the letter's contents are true or if it was indeed written by Ramsay, it galvanizes Lord Commander Snow into breaking with tradition of the [[Night's Watch]] and forming an army of volunteers—black brothers and [[free folk]] alike—to march on Winterfell and defeat the Boltons. Jon is attacked in the [[mutiny at Castle Black]], however.{{ref|ADWD|69}}

==Notes==
{{Notes}}

==References==
{{References|2}}

{{War of the Five Kings}}

[[Category:Battles]]
[[Category:House Baratheon battles]]
[[Category:House Bolton battles]]
[[Category:House Frey battles]]
[[Category:House Manderly battles]]
[[Category:House Umber battles]]
[[Category:War of the Five Kings]]
[[Category:Winterfell]]

Jaime Lannister

2017-08-26T04:50:43Z

Nihlus:

{{Hatnote|"Jaime" redirects here. For other characters named Jaime, see [[Jaime (disambiguation)]] "Kingslayer" redirects here. For the act of killing one's family member, see "[[kinslaying]]"}}
{{Infobox character
| Character_name = [[File:House Lannister.svg|50px|left]] '''Jaime Lannister''' [[File:Kingsguard.svg|50px|right]]
| image = [[File:MagaliVilleneuve JaimeLannister.jpg|350px]]
| image_caption = Jaime Lannister Art by Magali Villeneuve
| Alias = The [[Kingslayer]] The Lion of Lannister The Young Lion Cripple
| Title = [[Knight|Ser]] [[Lord Commander of the Kingsguard]] [[Warden of the East]] (formerly)
| Allegiance = [[House Lannister]] [[Kingsguard]]
| Race =
| Culture = [[Westerlands]]
| Spouse =
| Place_of_Birth = [[Casterly Rock]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}
| Date_of_Birth = {{Date|266}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons}}
| Place_of_Death =
| Date_of_Death =
| Books = ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'' (appears) ''[[A Clash of Kings]]'' (appears) ''[[A Storm of Swords]]'' (POV) ''[[A Feast for Crows]]'' (POV) ''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'' (POV)
| coat-of-arms =
| Played_by = [[w:Nikolaj Coster-Waldau|Nikolaj Coster-Waldau]]
| TV_series = [[Game of Thrones - Season 1|Season 1]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 2|Season 2]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 3|Season 3]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 4|Season 4]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 5|Season 5]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 6|Season 6]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 7|Season 7]]
}}

Ser '''Jaime Lannister''', also known as the '''Kingslayer''', is a [[knight]] from [[House Lannister]]. He is the second child and first-born son of Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] of [[Casterly Rock]] and his wife, Lady [[Joanna Lannister|Joanna]], also of House Lannister. He is the twin brother of Queen [[Cersei Lannister]].

Raised at the age of fifteen to the [[Kingsguard]] of the Mad King, [[Aerys II Targaryen]], Jaime became the youngest member in the history of the prestigious knightly order.{{Ref|aFfC|16}} He earned the derogatory nickname "[[Kingslayer]]" when he treasonously slew Aerys near the end of [[Robert's Rebellion]].{{Ref|aGoT|5}}{{Ref|aSoS|37}} In ''[[A Storm of Swords]]'', Jaime becomes a [[POV character]]. In the television adaptation ''[[Game of Thrones]]'' he is played by [[w:Nikolaj Coster-Waldau|Nikolaj Coster-Waldau]].<ref>HBO: Game of Thrones:[http://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones/index.html#/game-of-thrones/cast-and-crew/index.html Cast and Crew].</ref>

==Appearance and Character==
:''See also: [[:Category:Images of Jaime Lannister|Images of Jaime Lannister]]''
As young children, Jaime and his sister [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]] looked so much alike, that not even their father was able to keep them apart.{{ref|ACOK|60}} Jaime grew into a tall, handsome man, with curled hair the color of beaten gold.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}{{Ref|AGOT|4}}{{Ref|AFFC|3}} He has flashing cat-green{{ref|ACOK|55}} eyes, and a smile that cuts like a knife.{{Ref|AGOT|5}}{{Ref|AGOT|9}} [[Jon Snow]] thinks to himself that Jaime is "what a king should look like",{{Ref|aGoT|5}} and [[Bran Stark]] feels that Jaime looks like "more like the knights in the stories".{{Ref|AGOT|8}} He is muscular and extremely strong, musing at one point that he could only think of a few men in the Seven Kingdoms stronger than him.{{ref|ASOS|11}}

As a [[Kingsguard]] knight, Jaime wears a white armor and a white cloak.{{Ref|agot|58}} On occasion he wears golden armor decorated with the [[House Lannister|Lannister]] lion, with gilded longsword and ornate lion's helmet.{{Ref|AGOT|29}}{{Ref|AGOT|30}}{{ref|agot|35}} He slew the Mad King [[Aerys II Targaryen]] while wearing his white cloak over his golden armor.{{ref|AGOT|12}} Jaime alternatively wears a crimson silk tunic embroidered with a golden lion, along with black boots and a black cloak.{{ref|AGOT|5}} He also wears crimson cloaks{{ref|AGOT|63}} and a leather jack.{{ref|AFFC|38}} Jaime wields a lance of [[goldenheart|golden wood]].{{ref|AGOT|30}}

Jaime is a born warrior, with little interest in politics and court intrigue. He takes few things seriously.{{Ref|AGOT|9}} By his own admission, Jaime only feels truly alive when fighting or making love.{{Ref|ACOK|60}} He comes across as arrogant, amoral, and dishonorable.{{Ref|AGOT|34}}{{Ref|ASOS|21}}{{Ref|ASOS|37}}{{Ref|AFFC|38}} Because of the death of King Aerys, Jaime has earned such a bad reputation that everything he says is usually cast in the worst possible light.{{Ref|ASOS|31}} Jaime is rash, headstrong, and angers quickly.{{Ref|AGOT|38}}{{Ref|ASOS|68}} He is known to have little patience,{{Ref|AGOT|63}} and worries about the consequences of his actions only after committing the act.{{Ref|ACOK|54}} A great warrior,{{Ref|AFFC|4}} Jaime inspires loyalty in his men.{{Ref|AGOT|62}}{{Ref|ASOS|4}} He is bold,{{ref|acok|20}} and does not fear death.{{Ref|ASOS|1}}

==History==
===Early life===
Jaime was born in {{Date|266}}, as the first-born son of Ser [[Tywin Lannister]], the heir to [[Casterly Rock]], and his wife, Lady [[Joanna Lannister|Joanna]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons}} Jaime was born shortly after his twin sister [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]], while holding her foot.{{Ref|agot|45}}{{Ref|ASOS|66}} King [[Aerys II Targaryen]] sent both Jaime and Cersei their weight in gold as a nameday gift, and commanded Lord Tywin to bring the children to court when they were old enough to travel.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}} It is currently unknown whether this visit to King's Landing actually occured, as the royal court came to Casterly Rock following the death of [[Tytos Lannister]] in {{Date|276}}.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}} Jaime and Cersei did visit King's Landing in {{Date|272}}, when their mother brought them from [[Casterly Rock]] for the [[Anniversary Tourney]] held to celebrate the tenth year of King Aerys's reign.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}

Jaime and Cersei were inseparable in their early childhood.{{Ref|AFFC|32}} As children, they played together in bowels of [[Casterly Rock]], where the caged lions of his late grandfather, [[Tytos Lannister|Tytos]], were being kept. Jaime and Cersei would dare each other to climb into the cage.{{Ref|AFFC|7}} Cersei and Jaime slept together in the same bed when they were very young,{{Ref|AFFC|32}} and even went as far as to experiment together in a sexual manner at a young age.{{Ref|AGOT|45}} During one of these encounters, they were caught by a servant who informed their mother. Jaime's bedchamber was immediately moved to the other side of the castle, whilst a guard was placed near Cersei's bedchamber. The twins were told never to do anything like that ever again, as Joanna would otherwise be forced to tell their father.{{Ref|aSoS|21}}

Jaime's mother died not long thereafter,{{Ref|ASOS|21}} in {{Date|273}},{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons}} when giving birth to Jaime's younger brother, [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]].{{Ref|AGOT|5}} Even though Tyrion is a malformed [[dwarf]], and both his [[Tywin Lannister|father]] and [[Cersei Lannister|sister]] despise the young Lannister, Jaime developed an affection for his youngest sibling, and treated him with kindness and respect.{{Ref|aGoT|9}}{{Ref|AGOT|32}} Shortly after Joanna's death, the [[Princess of Dorne]] visited Casterly Rock with her two youngest children, [[Elia Martell|Elia]] and [[Oberyn Martell]]. When she eventually proposed a betrothel between Elia and Jaime, she was refused.{{Ref|ASOS|70}}

In {{Date|276}}, when Jaime was ten years old, Lord Tywin hosted a tourney to celebrate the birth of young Prince [[Viserys Targaryen]]. During this tourney, Tywin suggested to King Aerys that Jaime could squire for [[Rhaegar Targaryen]], [[Prince of Dragonstone]], but Aerys refused and named the sons of other lords to the position instead.{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}

Jaime went to [[Crakehall]] at the age of eleven, and spent four years squiring for Lord [[Sumner Crakehall]],{{Ref|ASOS|11}} alongside [[Merrett Frey]].{{Ref|ASOS|Epilogue}}{{Ref|AFFC|30}} He would occasionally visit Casterly Rock during this time,{{Ref|ACOK|36}} and raged when, in {{Date|278}}, his sister [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]] was brought to [[King's Landing]] by their father.{{Ref|affc|28}} At the age of thirteen, while still a squire, he won his first [[tourney]] melee.{{Ref|aSoS|11}}{{Ref|aFfC|30}} Whilst a squire to Lord Sumner, Jaime was sent to [[Riverrun]],{{Ref|AFFC|33}} as Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] and Lord [[Hoster Tully]] had been considering betrothing Jaime to Hoster's younger daughter, [[Lysa Arryn|Lysa]].{{Ref|AWOIAF| Jaime Lannister}}. According to Sumner, the message Jaime was to bring to Hoster could not be entrusted to a raven.{{Ref|AFFC|33}} He spent a fortnight at Riverrun, being seated next to Lysa during meals. Jaime ignored her, however, being more interested the stories of Hoster's younger brother, Ser [[Brynden Tully|Brynden]], a famous warrior who had fought in the [[War of the Ninepenny Kings]], and whom Jaime asked for stories about the war.{{Ref|AFFC|33}}

===Raised to Knighthood and to the Kingsguard===
[[File:Jaime Tourney.jpg|350px|thumb|Jaime winning a tourney melee - by Amok ©]]
At the age of fifteen, Jaime participated in the campaign against the [[Kingswood Brotherhood]], during which he saved Lord [[Sumner Crakehall]] from [[Big Belly Ben]] and crossed swords with the psychotic [[Smiling Knight]]. After the brotherhood had been defeated, Jaime was [[knight]]ed on the battlefield by Ser [[Arthur Dayne]], a member of the [[Kingsguard]] of King [[Aerys II Targaryen]].{{Ref|aSoS|11}}

Now a [[knight]], Jaime was to return to [[Casterly Rock]]. He decided to stop in [[King's Landing]] on route, to visit his sister, from whom he had been separated for years. There, Cersei informed him that Lord Tywin intended to betroth him to [[Lysa Arryn|Lysa Tully]], and had gone as far as inviting Lord Hoster to King's Landing, to discuss the dower. Cersei suggested that Jaime become a member of the [[Kingsguard]] instead, replacing the recently-deceased Ser [[Harlan Grandison]]. Though this would require Jaime to give up his claim to [[Casterly Rock]] and his position as Tywin's heir, it would allow him to be close to Cersei and free himself of the unwanted marriage to Lysa. After a night of passionate sex, he gave his consent to Cersei's plan. While the siblings expected Tywin to oppose it, Cersei claimed he could not openly object. She promised to do the rest, and a month later, Jaime received news at Casterly Rock that he had been chosen for the Kingsguard, and was to present himself to the king during the grand [[tourney at Harrenhal]], where he would say his vows and don his cloak.{{Ref|aSoS|11}} Jaime's and Cersei's plan did not entirely work as expected. Their father, furious about the king's decision, pleaded illness and resigned his position as [[Hand of the King]]. He returned to Casterly Rock, taking Cersei with him, which separated the siblings once more.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}{{Ref|ASOS|11}}

Jaime was raised to the Kingsguard by its [[Lord Commander of the Kingsguard|Lord Commander]], Ser [[Gerold Hightower]], in a ceremony at [[Harrenhal]] in {{Date|281}}, making him the youngest knight ever to be raised to the order.{{Ref|aFfC|16}}{{Ref|ASOS|44}}{{Ref|ASOS|24}} That night, however, King Aerys soured the honor by sending him back to King's Landing to guard Queen [[Rhaella Targaryen|Rhaella]] and Prince [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]], depriving Jaime of the chance to participate in Lord [[Walter Whent]]'s tourney. It was that moment during which Jaime realized that the king had only chosen him for the Kingsguard to slight Lord Tywin, of whom Aerys was insanely jealous, and to rob him of his heir.{{Ref|aSoS|44}} Jaime left for King's Landing at once. When a [[Knight of the Laughing Tree|mystery knight]] appeared at the tourney, King Aerys became convinced that it was Jaime, who had defied his orders and secretly returned.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Fall of the Dragons: The Year of the False Spring}} However, the mystery knight disappeared,{{Ref|ASOS|24}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Fall of the Dragons: The Year of the False Spring}} and nothing further came of the king's suspicions.

By being raised to the Kingsguard, Jaime gave up his claim to Casterly Rock.{{Ref|ASOS|4}} Nonetheless, Tywin continued to regard him as his true heir, and was always angry to see Jaime dressed all in white, instead of the red and gold of [[House Lannister]].{{Ref|AFFC|7}}

===Serving in the Kingsguard===
[[File:John_Picacio_Jaime_Lannister.jpg|thumb|250px|Ser Jaime Lannister ‎- © John Picacio]]
Raised to the knightly order in {{Date|281}}, Jaime would serve in King [[Aerys II Targaryen]]'s Kingsguard for two years. Jaime grew more and more disillusioned, witnessing the Mad King's growing insanity and tendency for burning men alive.{{Ref|AWOIAF| Jaime Lannister}} In {{Date|282}}, Jaime witnessed the executions of [[Brandon Stark|Brandon]] and Lord [[Rickard Stark]], standing at the foot of the [[Iron Throne]] as the two Starks were dying. Jaime coped by "going away inside", focusing on thoughts of Cersei instead of the events occurring in front of him. Afterwards, he was reminded by his Lord Commander, Ser [[Gerold Hightower]], that he swore a vow to guard the king, not to judge him.{{Ref|aCoK|55}} Jaime would later advise others to "go away inside" as a way to deal with a harsh reality and making an appalling task tolerable.{{ref|ASOS|31}}{{Ref|aFfC|8}}

===Robert's Rebellion===
Following the deaths of Brandon and Rickard Stark, [[Jon Arryn]] refused to obey [[Aerys II Targaryen]]'s order to send the heads of [[Eddard Stark]] and [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]], starting a rebellion that would become known as [[Robert's Rebellion]].{{Ref|agot|2}}{{ref|twoiaf| The Fall of the Dragons: Robert's Rebellion}} After the [[Battle of the Bells]], it became apparent to Aerys that Robert was a serious threat to the Targaryen rule. He devised a [[wildfire plot|plan]] with the help of his chief [[Alchemists' Guild|pyromancers]], which involved the placement of caches of [[wildfire]] all throughout the city. The plan was to burn the entire city to the ground rather than lose it to Robert. His new Hand, Lord [[Qarlton Chelsted]], who had been elevated to the position after the exile of the previous Hand, Lord [[Jon Connington]], following the Battle of the Bells, eventually confronted Aerys about his plan. Failing to convince Aerys to give up his plan, Chelsted resigned the office, flinging his chain of office to the floor. For that, Aerys burned him alive. As Aerys did not trust his newest addition to the Kingsguard, Jaime was kept close by, and therefore heard and saw it all.{{Ref|ASOS|37}}

Aerys grew aroused by burning people, and the night Chelsted was burned, Aerys visited the chambers of his wife. Jaime and his sworn brother, Ser [[Jonothor Darry]], stood guard outside Queen Rhaella's bedchamber while Aerys raped her, listening to her cries. When Jaime, feeling conflicted, eventually commented to Jonothor that they were sworn to protect the queen as well, Jon replied, "but not from him."{{Ref|aFfC|16}}

Shortly after, Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] left the [[Red Keep]] to face the rebels on the [[Trident]]. The day the prince left, Jaime begged Rhaegar to take him along, suggesting one of the other [[Kingsguard]] knights could remain at the king's side instead. Rhaegar refused the suggestion, admitting that King Aerys wanted to keep Jaime close as a hostage against his father, Lord Tywin. Rhaegar promised an angry and disappointed Jaime that changes would be made when he returned from the battlefield,{{Ref|affc|8}} and charged Jaime with keeping his [[Elia Martell|wife]] and children safe.{{Ref|asos|38}}

===Kingslayer===
[[File:Jaime Aerys Michael Komarck.jpg|300px|thumb|Jaime slays King [[Aerys II Targaryen]] - by Michael Komarck ©]]
While a rebel army led by Lord [[Eddard Stark]] raced towards [[King's Landing]] after Rhaegar's death at the [[Battle of the Trident|Trident]], Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] appeared first at the gates of the capital with twelve thousand men. His main concerns were that King [[Aerys II Targaryen]] would be capable of killing Jaime out of spite, as well as that Jaime himself could do something rash. Though Lord [[Varys]], the [[master of whisperers]], counseled Aerys against opening the gates, the king listened to Grand Maester [[Pycelle]], who told him that his old Hand, Tywin, had come to his defense. As such, the city gates were opened to Tywin and his army, but once inside, Tywin betrayed Aerys and began the [[Sack of King's Landing]].{{Ref|aSoS|37}}

As the sole Kingsguard remaining in King's Landing, the defense of the [[Red Keep]] became Jaime's responsibility. Knowing that he did not stand a chance to defend the castle, he sent a messenger to the king, asking for leave to make terms with the attackers. The messenger came back with the Aerys's order that Jaime should bring him Lord Tywin's head, to prove that he was no traitor. The messenger also informed him that [[Rossart]] was with the king, leading Jaime to believe that Aerys was about to command [[wildfire plot|the destruction of the city]].{{Ref|aSoS|37}}

Jaime killed Rossart, who was dressed as a common soldier and hurrying to a postern gate. When the king in the throne room saw the blood on Jaime's sword, he demanded to know whether it was Tywin's, renewing his command that Jaime should bring him his father's head, otherwise Jaime would burn with all the other traitors. When Jaime answered that it was Rossart's blood, the frightened Aerys ran towards the [[Iron Throne]]. Jaime hauled him off the steps, and killed his king with a single slash across the throat, thereby preventing him from giving the command to burn the city to some other pyromancer.{{Ref|aSoS|11}}{{Ref|aSoS|37}}

[[File:Kingslayer Michael Komarck.jpg|300px|thumb|Jaime sits on the Iron Throne - by Michael Komarck ©]]

Lord Tywin's men, led by Ser [[Elys Westerling]] and Lord [[Roland Crakehall (lord)|Roland Crakehall]], burst into the throne room in time to see that Jaime had killed the king, forestalling any chance for Jaime to steal away and let someone else claim responsibility. Jaime told them to advise all who were still fighting that the king was dead and to spare anyone who yielded. Lord Crakehall then asked whether a new king should be proclaimed as well, indicating that it could be Lord Tywin or [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]] or that even a new Targaryen king could be proclaimed. Jaime mused on the possibility of choosing [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]] or Rhaegar's son, [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon]], as the new king with Tywin as his Hand, but, realising that both boys shared the same blood as Aerys and thus the same propensity for [[Targaryen madness|madness]], Jaime declared to Lord Crakehall that it was all the same to him. He then seated himself on the Iron Throne, waiting to see who would come to claim it. He was found sitting there with his golden sword across his legs when Lord Stark rode into the hall with his men to claim the throne for Robert. Jaime gave up the throne to Eddard, proclaiming it to be an uncomfortable seat.{{Ref|aGoT|12}}{{Ref|aSoS|11}}

In the following days, Jaime secretly hunted down and killed the two other pyromancers involved in Aerys's wildfire plot, [[Belis]] and [[Garigus]].{{Ref|aSoS|37}} Although Eddard urged Robert to strip Jaime of the white cloak, arguing that he should at least be made to join the [[Night's Watch]], Robert listened to [[Jon Arryn]] instead. Jaime was pardoned by King Robert I, together with Varys and Pycelle,{{Ref|ACOK|55}} and continued to serve in the Kingsguard along with Ser [[Barristan Selmy]].{{Ref|ACOK|3}} Jaime was present at Robert's coronation feast, where Robert joked about the fact that Jaime was already being called "[[kingslayer]]".{{Ref|ASOS|37}}

Though reviled by the realm for his betrayal, Jaime considers the slaying of Aerys to be his finest act.{{Ref|ACOK|55}} His true motivation for killing King Aerys remains unknown to the masses.

===Reign of Robert I Baratheon===
Jaime was part of the honor guard that brought [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]] to King's Landing for her wedding to [[Robert I Baratheon]]. Cersei and Robert were married in {{Date|284}},<ref>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Events#Weddings|calculation for Cersei Lannister's wedding to Robert I Baratheon]]''</ref> with Jaime present.{{Ref|AFFC|28}} He won the tourney held to celebrate the wedding.{{Ref|ASOS|67}} Jaime and Cersei had sex on the morning of Cersei's wedding,{{Ref|ADWD|54}} and continued their illicit relationship after Cersei's wedding. Cersei refused to join her new husband on his hunting trips, as to be able to spend time with Jaime.{{Ref|AFFC|26}} Jaime accompanied Robert and Cersei to [[Greenstone]], when Robert went to visit his [[House Estermont|mother's family]]. Jaime dubbed the castle "Greenshit" when he first saw it, and convinced Cersei to do the same. They spent a fortnight with the Estermonts. During one of those nights, Jaime followed Robert on Cersei's request, to confirm her suspicion that Robert was sleeping with his cousin. Jaime and Cersei slept together that night, and Cersei likes to believe that their eldest son, [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey]], was conceived that night.{{Ref|AFFC|24}}

Jaime and Cersei would have three children: [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey]], born in {{Date|286}}, [[Myrcella Baratheon|Myrcella]], born in {{Date|289}}, and [[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen]], born in {{Date|290}}.<ref>''See the calculations for [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Ages (Continued)#Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey Baratheon]], [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Ages (Continued2)#Myrcella Baratheon|Myrcella Baratheon]], and [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Ages (Continued3)#Tommen Baratheon|Tommen Baratheon]]''</ref> Though believed by the realm to be Robert's children, Jaime is the father of all three, and was present for at least one of the births.{{Ref|ACOK|52}} While Cersei also became pregnant by Robert once, she had Jaime find a woman to cleanse her.{{Ref|AGOT|45}}

One day, Jaime and his brother [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]], thirteen years of age at the time, while on a nightly ride from [[Lannisport]] to [[Casterly Rock]], came upon a fourteen year old girl called [[Tysha]], who was being followed by outlaws. While Jaime pursued the men, Tyrion took the girl to an inn. The two ended up sleeping together, the first time for both. Tyrion fell in love and secretly married the orphaned daughter of a crofter. After a fortnight, however, Lord [[Tywin Lannister|Tywin]] learned about the marriage. He instructed Jaime to lie to Tyrion, and claim that he had staged the whole affair, including the outlaws, because he had thought his brother finally needed a woman. Jaime was further ordered to tell Tyrion that Tysha was in fact a whore, for whom Jaime had paid double because she was still a maiden. Lord Tywin advised Jaime that all Tysha wanted was the gold of the [[House Lannister|Lannisters]], which made her no better than a whore, so it would not even be a lie, predicting that Tyrion would thank his brother later in life. Jaime did as bid.{{Ref|ASOS|77}}{{Ref|AGOT|42}} It is currently unknown whether Jaime is aware of the punishment Tysha received from Tywin. However, the entire experience traumatized Tyrion, causing him to believe that no woman could ever love him for who he truly was.{{ref|acok|3}}{{Ref|ACOK|44}}{{Ref|ASOS|60}} Jaime kept the truth about Tysha from Tyrion, and later considered his role in ending his brother's marriage the sole instance when he was unkind to Tyrion.{{Ref|aSoS|62}}

Following [[Greyjoy's Rebellion]] in {{Date|289}}, Jaime took part in the [[tourney at Lannisport]], where he broke nine lances against Ser [[Jorah Mormont]]. Robert eventually rewarded the victory to Jorah.{{ref|ACOK|12}} In {{Date|296}}, Jaime gave Tyrion a mare for his brother's twenty-third birthday.{{Ref|AGOT|31}} Jaime has visited [[Oldtown]] at some point in his life.{{ref|ASOS|67}}

==Recent Events==
[[File:Jaime Lannister.jpg|thumb|200px|left‎|Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime in ''[[Game of Thrones]]''.]]
===''A Game of Thrones''===
After the death of their foster-father, [[Jon Arryn]], King [[Robert I Baratheon]] travels north to visit Lord [[Eddard Stark]] at [[Winterfell]] and persuade him to become Jon's successor as [[Hand of the King]]. Jaime is chosen by Robert as Jon's successor as [[Warden of the East]] rather than Jon's son, [[Robert Arryn]], who would have been the traditional appointee.{{ref|AGOT|12}} The king is accompanied by much of the court, among them Jaime, Queen [[Cersei Lannister]], and their brother [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]].{{Ref|aGoT|4}}

While at Winterfell, Jaime and Cersei attend the feast given by [[House Stark]]. Later, they are caught having sex by [[Bran Stark]]. Bran is shocked and almost falls from the tower. Jaime pulls him up and then throws him out of the window, intending to kill him to keep the affair a secret. Bran survives but falls into a coma.{{Ref|aGoT|8}}

Ned accepts Robert's invitation to be Hand, and in [[King's Landing]] he begins investigating the death of Jon Arryn.{{Ref|aGoT|6}}{{Ref|aGoT|25}} In this investigation he discovers Jaime and Cersei's secret relationship by piecing together the fact that every time in history a Lannister wedded a [[House Baratheon|Baratheon]], they produced raven-haired children. Instead Cersei's children [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey]], [[Myrcella Baratheon|Myrcella]], and [[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen]] are all fair-haired.{{Ref|aGoT|45}}

During the [[Hand's tourney]], Jaime wears his golden armor beneath his white cloak.{{ref|AGOT|29}} He defeats Ser [[Andar Royce]], Lord [[Bryce Caron]], and Ser [[Barristan Selmy]],{{ref|AGOT|29}} but is unhorsed by [[Sandor Clegane]].{{ref|AGOT|30}}

Meanwhile, [[Catelyn Stark]], Lady of Winterfell, captures Jaime's brother Tyrion on suspicion of involvement in a botched assassination attempt on Bran Stark.{{Ref|aGoT|28}} In retaliation for Tyrion's capture, but ostensibly to create an uprising, Jaime breaks Kingsguard neutrality by leading Lannister men in an attack on Ned and his [[north]]men in the streets of King's Landing, leading to numerous deaths on both sides.{{Ref|aGoT|35}} Jaime then flees from King's Landing and joins his father, Lord [[Tywin Lannister]], afield with his army to threaten Catelyn's home in the [[riverlands]].{{Ref|aGoT|39}} Lord Lannister appoints Jaime to command half the host of the [[westerlands]].

[[File:MathiaArkoniel Jaime capture.jpg|300px|thumb|Jaime is captured in the [[Whispering Wood]] - by Mathia Arkoniel ©]]
Jaime's army marches against the river lords, [[Battle in the hills below the Golden Tooth|smashing]] a small force beneath the [[Golden Tooth]], followed by [[Battle under the walls of Riverrun|another victory]] against Ser [[Edmure Tully]] that results in the capture of the Tully heir and the siege of [[Riverrun]].{{Ref|aGoT|55}} However, [[Robb Stark]]'s northern army steals a surprise march on Jaime, intent on relieving Riverrun. His men, flying [[House Tully|Tully]] colors, raid Jaime's camps to draw him out. Robb surprises the Lannister army in the [[battle in the Whispering Wood]]. Seeing the battle is lost, Jaime fights bravely to try and cut down Robb, managing to kill [[Daryn Hornwood]], [[Eddard Karstark]], and [[Torrhen Karstark]] before he is captured.{{Ref|aGoT|63}} Afterwards, the Stark-Tully forces are able to best Jaime's leaderless troops in the [[Battle of the Camps]], and Jaime is imprisoned in Riverrun. While there he is named [[Lord Commander of the Kingsguard]] after Ser [[Barristan Selmy]] is dismissed by his sister.{{Ref|aGoT|57}}

===''A Clash of Kings''===
When Lord Tywin appoints Tyrion as acting [[Hand of the King]], Tyrion promises to help free Jaime to gain Cersei's support.{{Ref|aCoK|3}} Tyrion's plan to free Jaime with [[House Lannister guards|disguised soldiers]] is unsuccessful. For breaking his word not to try to escape, Edmure transfers him to the dungeons. He is kept chained and malnourished.{{Ref|aCoK|39}} During this period Cersei takes their cousin [[Lancel Lannister]] as her lover.

While the [[War of the Five Kings]] rages around him, Jaime continues to be imprisoned in Riverrun. Negotiations for his release lead to nothing. Tyrion swears in open court to trade [[Sansa Stark|Sansa]] and [[Arya Stark]] for the return of his brother. However, Robb Stark, now [[King in the North]], declines this exchange. Distraught at the news of the alleged deaths of her sons [[Bran Stark|Bran]] and [[Rickon Stark]], Catelyn interrogates Jaime.{{Ref|aCoK|55}} He now has a shaggy beard, not having been allowed a razor, and his hair is unwashed and in tangles. Jaime's power and beauty are still apparent, however, and he resembles a magnificent yellow beast.{{ref|ACOK|55}}

===''A Storm of Swords''===
[[File:Mustamirri Jaime nohand.JPG|350px|thumb|Jaime after losing his hand - by mustamirri ©]]
In return for Lady [[Lysa Arryn]] marrying Lord [[Petyr Baelish]] and returning to the king's peace, Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] decides to return the title of [[Warden of the East]] to Lord [[Robert Arryn]] from Jaime.{{ref|ASOS|12}}

[[Catelyn Stark]], acting on her own, releases Jaime from [[Riverrun]] in an attempt to make an unofficial exchange for her daughters. Along with his cousin and fellow captive Ser [[Cleos Frey]], and Catelyn's sworn sword, [[Brienne of Tarth]], Jaime begins the journey towards [[King's Landing]]. Jaime shaves his head so his golden locks will not be recognized, although he keeps the beard. He thinks he looks five years older, with a paler and thinner face and hollows under his eyes.{{Ref|ASOS|1}}

The trio evade recapture by Ser [[Robin Ryger]] and his party from Riverrun, through Brienne's tactic of dropping boulders onto the chasing boat.{{Ref|aSoS|1}} Jaime approves of Brienne's decision to ignore the travel advice of the "[[Husband|innkeeper]]" at the [[Inn of the Kneeling Man]], suspecting he is in league with bandits.{{Ref|aSoS|11}} Later, on the road between [[Maidenpool]] and [[Duskendale]], Cleos is killed when the group is ambushed by bandits. Afterward, Jaime takes his sword and briefly duels Brienne in an attempt to escape, but both of them are caught unawares and captured by the [[Brave Companions]] led by [[Vargo Hoat]], who have betrayed Lord Tywin and shifted allegiance to Robb Stark.{{Ref|aSoS|21}}

Vargo suspects that his superior, Lord [[Roose Bolton]], is thinking about going over to the Lannisters after their victory over [[Stannis Baratheon]] in the [[Battle of the Blackwater]] and their new alliance with [[House Tyrell]]. To prevent this, Vargo orders [[Zollo]] to chop Jaime's sword hand off, thinking that the blame will fall on Bolton.{{Ref|aSoS|21}}{{ref|ASOS|37}} Vargo also hopes to give Jaime to Lord [[Rickard Karstark]], who seeks vengeance for Jaime having killed his sons Eddard and Torrhen.{{ref|ASOS|31}}

When the Brave Companions threaten to rape Brienne, Jaime advises her to "go away inside". For Jaime, the loss of his hand and with it his fighting ability destroys everything that he was. He falls into a deep depression and loses the will to live. Brienne reminds him that he has something to live for, namely, for his family and for revenge.{{ref|ASOS|31}}

While they are held at [[Harrenhal]] they share a bath in the bathhouse. Jaime divulges to Brienne the events surrounding the [[Sack of King's Landing]], including King [[Aerys II Targaryen]]'s [[wildfire plot]]. Brienne later remembers the incident as follows:
{{Quote|The bathhouse had been thick with the steam rising off the water, and Jaime had come walking through that mist naked as his [[name day]], looking half a corpse and half a god.{{Ref|aFfC|9}}}}

Later, at dinner, Roose hints that he will free Jaime as long as Jaime absolves him of the blame for the loss of his hand. Jaime agrees, and Lord Bolton orders [[Walton|Steelshanks Walton]] to escort him to King's Landing. Brienne is to remain behind as Lord Vargo's prize.{{Ref|aSoS|37}}

When Roose leaves Harrenhal to join King Robb at the [[Twins]], Jaime asks him to give Robb his regards. Walton begins the journey to King's Landing with Jaime and a disgraced maester, [[Qyburn]]. The latter's task is to keep Jaime healthy. When sleeping on a [[weirwood]] stump, Jaime has a dream about Brienne. Moved by this he goes back to [[Harrenhal]] and rescues Brienne from Vargo Hoat.{{Ref|aSoS|44}}
[[File:Marc Simonetti Bear Brienne Jaime.jpg|350px|thumb|Jaime rescues Brienne - by Marc Simonetti ©]]

During their travels Jaime and Brienne learn that Robb and Catelyn were killed in the [[Red Wedding]], which was plotted by his father Tywin, Roose Bolton, and [[Walder Frey]]. Unbeknownst to Jaime, Roose told Robb that Jaime sent his regards and then stabbed the king. Jaime also learns that his biological son, King [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I Baratheon]], died at his own [[Purple Wedding|wedding feast]].{{ref|ASOS|62}}

By the time Jaime arrives in [[King's Landing]], his hair has grown a bit, having become short and bristly.{{Ref|ASOS|62}}{{Ref|ASOS|77}} His face is still thin and hollow, however, and he now has lines under his eyes, still making him look older.{{Ref|ASOS|67}} As the party arrives at the Red Keep they encounter Ser [[Loras Tyrell]], now a brother of the [[Kingsguard]]. Loras accuses Brienne of murdering [[Renly Baratheon]]. Again Jaime comes to her rescue and has Brienne arrested rather than allowing Loras to kill her. He then proceeds to the castle sept to see Cersei. Cersei is mourning Joffrey, whose corpse is being prepared for its funeral. Undaunted by this, Cersei and Jaime have sex in front of Joffrey's corpse.{{Ref|aSoS|62}}

This turns out to be the last time that he and Cersei share intimate relations, as their relationship begins to fall apart. Jaime has been changed by his imprisonment and prolonged exposure to Brienne's stubborn adherence to a code of honour. Tywin gives him a [[Oathkeeper|Valyrian steel blade]], crafted out of [[Eddard Stark]]'s greatsword [[Ice]], but Jaime feels insulted by his father's gift of a sword when he knows how useless he his without his sword hand. He quarrels with his father and refuses to resign from the Kingsguard.{{Ref|aSoS|62}} He calls a meeting of the order in [[Red Keep#White Sword Tower|White Sword Tower]] to take the measure of his Sworn Brothers and to remind them of their true duties.{{Ref|aSoS|67}}

Jaime passes the Valyrian sword, now named [[Oathkeeper]], on to Brienne, tasking her to keep [[Sansa Stark]] safe from Cersei and noting the irony of her looking after Sansa with [[Eddard Stark]]'s own steel. Ensuring that she is equally well provisioned by providing her with gold, a horse and armor, he also provides a letter sealed and signed by King [[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen I Baratheon]], declaring she is about the king's business and not to be hindered. The shield she is given is the one he bore from Harrenhal.{{Ref|aSoS|72}}

Following Joffrey's death, Cersei accuses [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]] of his murder. When both trial by words and [[trial by battle]] fail Tyrion, Jaime still does not believe that Tyrion is the murderer. He forces Lord [[Varys]] to arrange Tyrion's escape. During the escape Jaime confesses to his brother an old sin. Years ago Jaime had told him that [[Tysha]], the girl Tyrion had secretly married, was a [[whore]] hired by Jaime. Their father Tywin had the girl raped by his soldiers and by Tyrion himself to teach them a lesson. However, Tysha was the crofter's daughter as she claimed to be and had loved Tyrion genuinely.

Incensed at this revelation, Tyrion hits Jaime, and, knowing that Joffrey was Jaime's son and not [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert's]], falsely claims responsibility for his murder. As a final revenge he reveals that the truth about Cersei's sexual escapades with Ser [[Lancel Lannister]] and Ser [[Osmund Kettleblack]].{{Ref|aSoS|77}} Tyrion storms off and, unknown to Jaime but with the aid of Varys and a secret passage, enters Tywin's private chambers and kills their father.{{Ref|aSoS|77}}

===''A Feast for Crows''===
Jaime lets his hair grow out again, as well as his beard,{{Ref|AFFC|7}} though some hairs are starting to turn grey.{{Ref|AFFC|27}} Following the murder of their father, Tywin, by their brother, Tyrion, Cersei offers Jaime the position of [[Hand of the King]]. He refuses stating, "A Hand without a hand? A bad jape, sister. Don't ask me to rule."{{Ref|aFfC|3}}

Jaime remains in [[King's Landing]] and stands vigil over Tywin. During the night Cersei visits him again, begging him to accept the office of Hand but once again he refuses. Cersei leaves angrily, stating she was a fool for ever having loved him. In the morning service, the sight of Lord Tywin's rotting body distresses the young King Tommen, who flees, causing Jaime to pursue and comfort him, suggesting he "go away inside" to cope. Jaime suggests that Tommen and [[Margaery Tyrell]] be married.{{Ref|aFfc|8}} When this occurs, Lord [[Mace Tyrell]] is released from his promise of not leaving King's Landing until Margaery's marriage.{{Ref|aFfC|12}} During his next few days at King's Landing, Jaime finds himself increasingly at odds with his uncle, Ser [[Kevan Lannister]], and his sister, Cersei. He attempts to give his best counsel to both, as well as to a [[Kingsguard]], Ser [[Loras Tyrell]].{{Ref|aFfC|16}}

Following the funeral of Tywin, Cersei commands Jaime to leave King's Landing with the intention of lifting the [[siege of Riverrun]]. Jaime accepts, on the condition that he is allowed to bring the King's Justice, Ser [[Ilyn Payne]]. Riverrun is held by Ser [[Brynden Tully]], and is one of the last strongholds still loyal to the late King [[Robb Stark]]. Before he departs the city Jaime has an armorer forge him a hand he can strap to his stump. The new hand, made of solid gold with mother of pearl fingernails, is sturdy and allows Jaime to clumsily strap a shield to his right hand.

[[File:Pojypojy GennaJaime.JPG|350px|thumb|Jaime with his Aunt [[Genna Lannister|Genna]] by Pojypojy ©]]

Jaime takes [[Lewys Piper]] and [[Garrett Paege]], who were made his squires as both of their families fought for [[House Stark]]. Lewys names Jaime's new horses [[Glory]] and [[Honor]], and they are bedecked in Lannister crimson and Kingsguard white, respectively.{{ref|AFFC|27}} [[Josmyn Peckledon]] becomes another squire for Jaime as a reward for his bravery in the [[Battle of the Blackwater]], and Jaime later encourages Peck to treat [[Pia]] well.{{ref|AFFC|33}}

During the journey, Jaime spars with Ilyn during the nights, in order to train himself to fight left-handed. Along the way he stops at [[Harrenhal]], where he installs Ser [[Bonifer Hasty]] as castellan and releases the [[north]]ern prisoners kept there, including Ser [[Wylis Manderly]]. He has an angry confrontation with Red [[Ronnet Connington]] when he insults [[Brienne of Tarth]].{{Ref|aFfC|27}} To rid himself of Ronnet and [[Gregor Clegane]]'s men-at-arms. Jaime charges them with escorting Wylis safely to [[Maidenpool]], where the northman will be put on a ship to his home of [[White Harbor]].

After departing Harrenhal Jaime stops at [[Darry]] where his cousin, Lancel, confesses to having slept with Cersei. {{Ref|aFfC|30}}

Jaime is met at Riverrun by his cousin, Ser [[Daven Lannister]], the new [[Warden of the West]]. He holds a parley with Ser Brynden Tully, but is unsuccessful in convincing him to release the castle. He then speaks with Brynden's nephew, [[Edmure Tully]], the current Lord of Riverrun, who is held prisoner by the besieging forces commanded by Jaime's uncle and Cleos's father, Ser [[Emmon Frey]]. Emmon has been halfheartedly threatening to hang Lord Edmure every day, but Brynden the Blackfish has remained unfazed.

Jaime, recognizing the need for a change in strategy, tells Edmure that he is to be released and returned to Riverrun. If he yields the castle, the garrison will be spared and all that wish to join the [[Night's Watch]] will be allowed to do so. If he does not surrender, the castle will be sacked and burned, and Jaime will return Edmure's child—by catapult—as soon as his wife [[Roslin Frey]] gives birth.{{Ref|aFfC|38}} Edmure decides to yield the castle and be taken to [[Casterly Rock]] as a prisoner, but not before allowing Brynden to escape by swimming under the Water Gate at night. Jaime is furious at this and sends some of his men to find him, but they are unsuccessful.{{Ref|aFfC|43}}

Soon after taking the castle, Jaime receives a letter from Cersei asking for help. She has been imprisoned by the [[High Sparrow|new High Septon]] and is to go on trial. Cersei requests Jaime as her champion in a potential trial by combat. Jaime does not reply to the letter and orders Peck to burn it.{{Ref|aFfC|43}}

===''A Dance with Dragons''===
Jaime arrives at [[Raventree Hall]], the last holdout of [[Robb Stark]]'s supporters. The castle is under [[Siege of Raventree|siege]] by Lord [[Jonos Bracken]]. Jaime finds the state of the siege to be dismal, and hopes to swiftly end it. His arrival is unexpected, and he strides into Bracken's tent while he is with [[Hildy|a whore]]. Jonos fills Jaime in on the situation at hand, and Jaime finds the scene rooted in the age-old feud between [[House Bracken|Bracken]] and [[House Blackwood|Blackwood]].

Jaimes then treats with Lord [[Tytos Blackwood]], who agrees to bend the knee to King [[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen]] and rescind his support of the [[House Stark|Stark]] and [[House Tully|Tully]] cause. In return, he must give up some of his lands to Jonos Bracken and send his son [[Hoster Blackwood|Hoster]] to the [[Red Keep]] as a hostage. Because of House Bracken's early support of Robb Stark, however, Jaime also requires Jonos to send one of his daughters to King's Landing as a hostage.

After settling matters at Raventree, Jaime and his men head back to [[Riverrun]]. They make camp at [[Pennytree]], where the locals are still wary of travelers and "king's men," and will not allow Jaime's men to enter the holdfast. Jaime decides not to follow the advice of Ser [[Kennos of Kayce]], who recommends that he storm the holdfast. While at Pennytree, Jaime receives an unexpected visit from [[Brienne of Tarth]]. She tells Jaime that she has found [[Sansa Stark|Sansa]], who is a day's ride away. She claims, however, that Jaime must go with her alone or else the [[Sandor Clegane|Hound]] will kill the girl.{{Ref|aDwD|48}}

==Quotes by Jaime==
{{Quote|The things I do for love.{{Ref|aGoT|8}}}}
– Jaime when pushing [[Bran Stark]]

{{Quote|There are no men like me. There's only me.{{Ref|aCoK|55}}}}
- Jaime to [[Catelyn Stark]]

{{Quote|I think it passing odd that I am loved by [[Tyrion Lannister|one]] for a kindness I never did, and reviled by so many for [[wildfire plot|my finest act]].{{Ref|aCoK|55}}}}
- Jaime to [[Catelyn Stark]]

{{Quote|It was that [[Kingsguard|white cloak]] that soiled me, not the other way around.{{ref|asos|11}}}}
– Jaime to [[Brienne of Tarth]]

{{Quote|Jaime had decided that he '''would''' return [[Sansa Stark|Sansa]], and the [[Arya Stark|younger girl]] as well if she could be found. It was not like to win him back his honor, but the notion of keeping faith when they all expected betrayal amused him more than he could say.{{ref|ASOS|21}}}}
– Jaime chooses to keep his oath to [[Catelyn Stark]]

{{Quote|'''Jaime:''' Ser, you've been remiss in teaching our new brothers their duties. 
'''Meryn:''' What duties? 
'''Jaime:''' Keeping the king alive. How many monarchs have you lost since I left the city? Two, is it?{{Ref|aSoS|62}}}}
– Jaime, to [[Meryn Trant]]

{{Quote|That boy had wanted to be Ser [[Arthur Dayne]], but someplace along the way he had become the [[Smiling Knight]] instead.{{Ref|aSoS|67}}}}
– Jaime's thoughts on himself

{{Quote|I learned from Ser [[Arthur Dayne]], the [[Sword of the Morning]], who could have slain all five of you with his left hand while he was taking a piss with the right.{{Ref|aSoS|67}}}}
– Jaime to [[Loras Tyrell]], [[Osmund Kettleblack]], [[Balon Swann]], [[Meryn Trant]], and [[Boros Blount]]

{{Quote|I've lost a hand, a [[Tywin Lannister|father]], a [[Joffrey Baratheon|son]], a [[Cersei Lannister|sister]], and a lover, and soon enough I will lose a [[Tyrion Lannister|brother]]. And yet they keep telling me [[House Lannister]] has won [[War of the Five Kings|this war]].{{Ref|asos|72}}}}
- thoughts of Jaime

{{quote|I have made kings and unmade them. [[Sansa Stark]] is my last chance for honor.{{ref|ASOS|72}}}}
- Jaime to [[Brienne of Tarth]]

{{quote|Make a habit of it, Lannister, and one day men might call you Goldenhand after all. Goldenhand the Just.{{ref|AFFC|27}}}} - thoughts of Jaime after hanging outlaws

==Quotes about Jaime==

{{Quote|They called him the Lion of Lannister to his face and whispered "[[Kingslayer]]" behind his back. Jon found it hard to look away from him. "This is what a king should look like", he thought to himself as he passed.{{Ref|aGoT|5}}}}
– [[Jon Snow]]'s first impression of Jaime

{{Quote|My brother is worth a hundred of your friend.{{Ref|aGoT|45}}}}
-[[Cersei Lannister]] to [[Eddard Stark]]

{{Quote|'''Robert:''' Why should I mistrust him? He has done everything I have ever asked of him. His sword helped win the throne I sit on. 
'''Eddard:''' He swore a vow to protect his king's life with his own. Then he opened that king's throat with a sword. 
'''Robert:''' Seven hells, '''someone''' had to kill [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys]]! if Jaime hadn't done it, it would have been left for you or me. 
'''Eddard:''' We were not Sworn Brothers of the [[Kingsguard]].{{Ref|aGoT|12}}}}
– [[Robert Baratheon]] and [[Eddard Stark]]

{{Quote|His brother never untied a knot when he could slash it in two with his sword.{{Ref|agot|38}}}}
– [[Tyrion Lannister]]'s thoughts on Jaime

{{Quote|Jaime and I are more than brother and sister. We are one person in two bodies. We shared a womb together. He came into this world holding my foot, our old maester said. When he is in me, I feel... whole.{{Ref|aGoT|45}}}}
– [[Cersei Lannister]], to [[Eddard Stark]]

{{Quote|The [[Kingslayer]] ... The false knight who profaned his blade with the blood of [[Aerys II Targaryen|the king]] he had sworn to defend.{{Ref|aGoT|57}}}}
– [[Barristan Selmy]], to [[Cersei Lannister]]

{{Quote|He was weak from imprisonment, and chained at the wrists. No knight in the [[Seven Kingdoms]] could have stood against him at his full strength, with no chains to hamper him. Jaime had done many wicked things, but the man could fight! His maiming had been monstrously cruel. It was one thing to slay a lion, another to hack his paw off and leave him broken and bewildered. {{Ref|aFfC|4}}}}
– [[Brienne of Tarth]] remembering her fight with Jaime prior to him losing his sword hand

{{Quote|'''Jaime:''' Are there any terms you will accept? 
'''Brynden:''' From you? No. 
'''Jaime:''' Why did you even come to treat with me? 
'''Brynden:''' [[Siege of Riverrun|A siege]] is deadly dull. I wanted to see this stump of yours and hear whatever excuses you cared to offer up for your latest enormities. They were feebler than I'd hoped. You always disappoint, Kingslayer.{{Ref|aFfC|27}}}}
– Jaime and [[Brynden Tully]]

{{Quote|My brother, Jaime, thirsts for battle, not for power. He's run from every chance he's had to rule.{{ref|aDwD|22}}}}
– [[Tyrion Lannister]] to [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon Targaryen]]

{{Quote|Selmy had never approved of Jaime's presence in his precious [[Kingsguard]]. Before [[Robert's Rebellion|the rebellion]], the old knight thought him too young and untried; afterward, he had been known to say that the Kingslayer should exchange that white cloak for [[Night's Watch|a black one]]. {{Ref|aDwD|57}}}}
– [[Tyrion Lannister]], musing on [[Barristan Selmy]]'s contempt for his brother

==Family==
{{Lannister tree}}

==References and Notes==
{{References|2}}

{{POV Characters|state=uncollapsed}}
{{Kingsguard}}
{{Kingsguard of Aerys II}}
{{Lord Commanders of the Kingsguard}}
{{Small council}}


[[Category:House Lannister]]
[[Category:Characters from the Westerlands|Lannister, Jaime]]
[[Category:Hostages of House Stark in the War of the Five Kings|Lannister, Jaime]]
[[Category:Lords Commander of the Kingsguard|Lannister, Jaime]]
[[Category:Members of the Kingsguard|Lannister, Jaime]]
[[Category:Members of Aerys II Targaryen's court|Lannister, Jaime]]
[[Category:Members of Robert Baratheon's court|Lannister, Jaime]]
[[Category:Members of Tommen Baratheon's court|Lannister, Jaime]]
[[Category:Nobles|Lannister, Jaime]]
[[Category:POV characters|Lannister, Jaime]]
[[Category:Royalists of Robert's Rebellion|Lannister, Jaime]]
[[Category:Squires|Lannister, Jamie]]
[[Category:Supporters of Joffrey Baratheon in the War of the Five Kings|Lannister, Jaime]]
[[Category:Supporters of Tommen Baratheon in the War of the Five Kings|Lannister, Jaime]]
[[Category:Turncloaks of Robert's Rebellion|Lannister, Jaime]]
[[Category:Wardens|Lannister, Jamie]]



[[es:Jaime Lannister]]
[[fa:جیمی لنیستر]]
[[fr:Jaime Lannister]]
[[pt:Jaime Lannister]]
[[ru:Джейме Ланнистер]]
[[tr:Jaime Lannister]]
[[zh:詹姆·兰尼斯特]]

Battle in the ice

2017-08-17T02:09:54Z

Nihlus: "Greybeard" and "Green Boy" are informal terms used offhandedly by characters, not objective or formal classifications of troops.

{{Template:Battlebox
| image =
| caption =
| battle_name = Battle in the ice
| conflict = [[War of the Five Kings]]
| date = {{Date|300}}
| place = Between the [[crofter's village]] and [[Winterfell]]
| result =
| colour_scheme =
| combatant1 = '''[[House Baratheon of Dragonstone]]:''' [[Southron]] army
* [[House Bar Emmon]]
* [[House Farring]]
* [[House Florent]]
* [[House Velaryon]]
[[North|Northern]] [[House Stark|Stark]] loyalists
* [[Northern mountain clans]]
** [[House Burley]]
** [[House Flint]]
** [[House Harclay]]
** [[House Liddle]]
** [[House Norrey]]
** [[House Wull]]
* [[House Mormont]]
* [[House Glover]]
** [[House Bole]]
** [[House Branch]]
** [[House Woods]]
* [[House Umber]], led by [[Mors Umber]]
* [[House Hornwood|Hornwood]], [[House Cerwyn|Cerwyn]], and [[House Tallhart|Tallhart]] survivors from the [[battle at Winterfell]]
* Men from the [[Stony Shore]]
| combatant2 = '''[[Iron Throne]]'''/[[House Baratheon of King's Landing]]:
[[North|The North]], led by [[House Bolton]]
* [[House Cerwyn]]
* [[House Dustin]]
* [[House Hornwood]]
* [[House Karstark]]
* [[House Locke]]
* [[House Manderly]] (nominally)
* [[House Ryswell]]
* [[House Slate]]
* [[House Stout]]
* [[House Umber]], led by [[Hother Umber]]

[[Riverlands]]
*[[House Frey]]
| commander1 = King [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis I Baratheon]] Ser [[Richard Horpe]] Castellan [[Mors Umber]] Lord [[Hugo Wull]] Ser [[Godry Farring]]
| commander2 = Lord [[Roose Bolton]] Lord [[Ramsay Bolton]] Ser [[Aenys Frey]]† Ser [[Hosteen Frey]] [[Hother Umber]]
| strength1 =
{{Columns|1|5,400 troops:
*~1,500 southron men-at-arms
*~1,500 northern soldiers
*~2,500 mountain clansmen{{Ref|ADWD|35}}{{Ref|ADWD|41}}<ref group="N">Stannis had come north with no more than fifteen hundred men from the south ([[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 19|''A Dance with Dragons'', Davos III]]), men-at-arms and knights from the remnants of his troops who had fought on the Blackwater, and has five thousand men in total after the mountain clans, [[House Mormont]], [[House Glover]], men once sworn to Houses [[House Hornwood|Hornwood]], [[House Cerwyn|Cerwyn]], and [[House Tallhart|Tallhart]], and [[smallfolk]] who had fled from the [[ironborn]] join him ([[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 35|''A Dance with Dragons'', Jon VII]]). Earlier Jon estimates that the Mountain Clans would contribute to Stannis 2,000 to 3,000 men, mostly poorly equipped men armed with wooden staffs/spears of mountain ash plus slings, and clad in animal hides.([[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 17|''A Dance with Dragons'', Jon IV]]).</ref>
*~400 [[House Umber|Umber]] troops(vanguard)<ref group="N">It is said that [[Hother Umber]] has half of the remaining strength of [[House Umber]] with him at the side of the [[House Bolton|Boltons]], while [[Mors Umber]] has the other half with him on the side of [[Stannis Baratheon]] (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 35|Jon VII]]). Hother is known to have brought four hundred men with him to the [[siege of Moat Cailin]] (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 28|Davos II]]), meaning that Mors has about four hundred men with him.</ref>}}
| strength2 = {{Columns|1|7,150+ troops:
*~4,000 northern soldiers{{Ref|ADWD|20}} (Mainly Bolton men)
*~2,000 Freys{{ref|AFFC|16}}{{ref|ADWD|20}}<ref group="N">Described by Cersei Lannister as a force of two thousand strong (''[[A Feast for Crows]]'', [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 16|Jaime II]]), while judged by Theon Greyjoy to consist of four hundred knights, with "at least a thousand, maybe more" soldiers, supported by another hundred knights (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 20|Reek II]]).</ref> (Includes 500 knights)
*450 men from [[House Karstark]]<ref group="N">[[Arnolf Karstark]] had brought four hundred and fifty men with him to Stannis's host in collaboration with Roose, with the intention of turning on Stannis's host in favor of Roose as soon as the battle begins. Upon learning of Arnolf's planned treachery, Stannis has Arnolf and his family members arrested, and his men disarmed. However, he believes the soldiers likely did not know of the plan, and as such might decide to use them in battle.</ref>
*400 Umber troops{{Ref|ADWD|15}} (300 spearmen, 100 archers)
*300 Manderlys{{Ref|ADWD|46}} (100 knights, 200 mounted men-at-arms)
*Houses Dustin, Tallhart, Cerwyn, Hornwood, Locke with unknown number of soldiers}}
| casualties1 =
| casualties2 = [[Aenys Frey]] 450 Karstark troops captured and disarmed
}}
{{Warning|This information has thus far been released in a sample chapter for ''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', and might therefore not be in finalized form. Keep in mind that the content as described below is still subject to change.}}

The '''battle in the ice''' is an upcoming battle between the forces of [[Stannis Baratheon]] and the forces of [[Ramsay Snow|Ramsay Bolton]]. It is set to take place at the start of ''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', the as-yet-unpublished sixth book of ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]''.<ref name=smartertravel>[http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/today-in-travel/game-of-thrones-exclusive-george-martin-talks-season-the-winds-of-winter-and-real-world-influences-for-song-of-ice-and-fire.html?id=10593041 George R.R. Martin Talks Season Two, 'The Winds of Winter,' and Real-World Influences for 'A Song of Ice and Fire' (March 26, 2012)]</ref>

==Prelude==
At [[Castle Black]], [[Stannis Baratheon]] secures the support of [[Arnolf Karstark]], the castellan of [[Karhold]], but finds himself unable to convince others to join their strength to his.{{Ref|ADWD|3}} When Arnolf informs him that only fifty men remain at the [[Dreadfort]], the seat of [[House Bolton]], he considers marching on the Bolton castle. However, [[Jon Snow]], [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch]], counsels against it.{{Ref|ADWD|17}} Unbeknownst to Stannis, Arnolf's loyalty is a pretense; In reality, he is loyal to Lord [[Roose Bolton]], and was attempting to lure Stannis to the Dreadfort to trap him.{{Ref|ADWD|32}}

Lord Bolton arrives in the [[north]] with a girl he claims to be [[Arya Stark]], the youngest daughter of the late Lord [[Eddard Stark]] of [[Winterfell]]. In reality, however, the girl is [[Jeyne Poole]], the daughter of [[Vayon Poole]], the former steward of Winterfell.{{Ref|ADWD|20}} Roose marries the fake Arya to his [[bastardy|bastard son]], the recently legitimized [[Ramsay Snow|Ramsay Bolton]] at [[Winterfell]].{{Ref|ADWD|37}} Their presence at Winterfell is meant to force Stannis to march on them,{{Ref|ADWD|32}} and indeed, after following the advice of Jon Snow, thereby securing the support of the [[northern mountain clans]], and [[fight by Deepwood Motte|retaking Deepwood Motte]] from the [[ironborn]]—resulting in the capture of [[Asha Greyjoy]]{{Ref|ADWD|26}}—Stannis leads his army from [[Deepwood Motte]] through the [[wolfswood]] to [[Winterfell]]. Although the southron knights and lords oppose the march, the northern lords insist that Roose must be removed from Winterfell and "the Ned's" daughter rescued from Ramsay. The [[march on Winterfell]] is a hundred leagues long, and is estimated to take fifteen days. However, snows begin on the fourth day, and the harsh weather slow the army down significantly. After thirty-three days, they arrive at a [[crofters' village]], located three days from Winterfell, but find themselves snowed in. After eleven days, Arnolf Karstark arrives with four hundred and fifty men.{{Ref|ADWD|62}}

At Winterfell, the forces Roose Bolton has gathered—consisting of Houses [[House Ryswell|Ryswell]], [[House Dustin|Dustin]], [[House Frey|Frey]], [[House Cerwyn|Cerwyn]], [[House Hornwood|Hornwood]], [[House Manderly|Manderly]], and part of [[House Umber]]—suffer from divided loyalties, infighting, and a series of mysterious murders, which cause tension in the castle between the Freys, Boltons, Manderlys, and other northern houses. At first, [[Theon Greyjoy]] is suspected to be the murderer, but that idea is quickly dismissed by Roose, who declares Theon to be too broken and weak to have carried out the deeds.{{ref|ADWD|46}}

At [[Castle Black]], the [[red priest]]ess [[Melisandre]] sees a grey girl on a dying horse in her flames. Bbelieving the girl to be Arya Stark, Lord Commander Jon Snow's younger half-sister, she enlists the help of [[Mance Rayder]], the former [[King-beyond-the-Wall]], to rescue the girl.{{Ref|ADWD|31}} The girl eventually arrives at Castle Black, but she turns out to be [[Alys Karstark]], who informs Jon Snow that her uncle Arnolf is plotting to betray Stannis.{{Ref|ADWD|44}} Jon sends ravens to [[Deepwood Motte]] in an attempt to warn Stannis.{{ref|ADWD|49}} At Winterfell, the tensions among the army finally erupt into a brawl (in which Lord [[Wyman Manderly]] becomes injured) after [[Walder Frey (son of Merrett)|Little Walder Frey]] is found dead. In response, Roose sends out the forces of House Frey and House Manderly, to engage Stannis into battle at the crofters' village.{{Ref|ADWD|51}}

Theon and Jeyne—believed by Roose's host to be Arya—leap from Winterfell shortly before the Freys and Manderlys leave Winterfell, and the pair are found by [[Mors Umber]] beneath the walls of the castle. By [[Tycho Nestoris]], a [[Braavosi]] [[Iron Bank of Braavos|banker]] searching for Stannis, they are brought to the village where Stannis and his army remain. Stannis is informed of Arnolf's planned treachery, and arrests him, his son [[Arthor Karstark|Arthor]], and his three grandsons.<ref name=Theon>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', [[Theon I (The Winds of Winter)|Theon I]]</ref>

==Battle==
Because it has been snowing severely, the men on the battlefields of Winterfell cannot see anyone beneath the walls, giving [[Mors Umber]] and his green boys the chance to dig pits outside the gates. Next, they blow their horns to lure their enemies out.<ref name=Theon/> [[Roose Bolton]] sends out the [[House Frey|Freys]] from the main gates and the [[House Manderly|Manderlys]] from the eastern gates.{{Ref|ADWD|51}} The Frey men fall into the snow-covered pits placed by Mors, and Ser [[Aenys Frey]] breaks his neck.<ref name=Theon/>

==Aftermath==
At [[Castle Black]], [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch|Lord Commander]] [[Jon Snow]] receives [[Bastard Letter|a letter]], supposedly written by [[Ramsay Snow|Ramsay Bolton]], which claims that [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]] is dead and his army is broken. Though it is unknown if the letter's contents are true or if it was indeed written by Ramsay, it galvanizes Lord Commander Snow into breaking with tradition of the [[Night's Watch]] and forming an army of volunteers—black brothers and [[free folk]] alike—to march on Winterfell and defeat the Boltons. Jon is attacked in the [[mutiny at Castle Black]], however.{{ref|ADWD|69}}

==Notes==
{{Notes}}

==References==
{{References|2}}

{{War of the Five Kings}}

[[Category:Battles]]
[[Category:House Baratheon battles]]
[[Category:House Bolton battles]]
[[Category:House Frey battles]]
[[Category:House Manderly battles]]
[[Category:House Umber battles]]
[[Category:War of the Five Kings]]
[[Category:Winterfell]]

Battle of the Blackwater

2017-08-12T11:24:15Z

Nihlus:

{{Battlebox collapsible
| image = [[File:T Jedruszek BattleoftheB ship.jpg|350px]]
| caption = by Tomasz Jedruszek. © Fantasy Flight Games
| battle_name = Battle of the Blackwater
| conflict = [[War of the Five Kings]]
| date = {{Date|299}}
| place = mouth of the [[Blackwater Rush]] and [[King's Landing]]
| result = Decisive victory for [[House Baratheon of King's Landing]]
| colour_scheme =
| combatant1 = '''[[House Baratheon of Dragonstone]]:''' [[Crownlands]]
*[[House Bar Emmon]]
*[[House Celtigar]]
*[[House Chyttering]]
*[[House Farring]]
*[[House Follard]]
*[[House Massey]]
*[[House Velaryon]]
[[Stormlands]]
*[[House Bolling]]
*[[House Buckler]]
*[[House Caron]]
*[[House Connington]]
*[[House Errol]]
*[[House Estermont]]
*[[House Fell]]
*[[House Gower]]
*[[House Grandison]]
*[[House Hasty]]
*[[House Horpe]]
*[[House Mertyns]]
*[[House Morrigen]]
*[[House Peasebury]]
*[[House Penrose]]
*[[House Selmy]]
*[[House Staedmon]]
*[[House Wensington]]
*[[House Wylde]]
[[Reach|The Reach]]
*[[House Florent]]
*[[House Fossoway of Cider Hall]]
*[[House Fossoway of New Barrel]]
*[[House Meadows]]
*[[House Mullendore]]
*[[House Varner]]
*[[House Willum]]
[[Lys]]ene pirates [[Myr]]ish sellsails
| combatant2 = '''[[Iron Throne]]'''/[[House Baratheon of King's Landing]]:
'''King's Landing garrison:'''
[[City Watch of King's Landing|Gold Cloaks]] 

[[Crownlands]]
*[[House Brune of Brownhollow]]{{ref|ACOK|65}}
*[[House Brune of the Dyre Den]]<ref group="N" name=CrowlandHouses>The Crownland Houses of Brune of the Dyre Den, Byrch, Hayford, Hogg, Rosby and Rykker are not directly mentioned at Blackwater but as they are sworn directly to the Iron Throne it is likely they took part in the Battle or provided men to the City Watch.</ref>
*[[House Byrch]]<ref group="N" name=CrowlandHouses/>
*[[House Bywater]]{{ref|ASOS|19}}
*[[House Harte]]{{ref|ASOS|67}}
*[[House Hayford]]<ref group="N" name=CrowlandHouses/>
*[[House Hogg]]<ref group="N" name=CrowlandHouses/>
*[[House Kettleblack]]{{ref|ACOK|59}}
*[[House Rosby]]<ref group="N" name=CrowlandHouses/>
*[[House Rykker]]<ref group="N" name=CrowlandHouses/>
*[[House Stokeworth]]{{ref|ACOK|57}}

[[Vale mountain clans]]
*[[Black Ears]]
*[[Burned Men]]
*[[Moon Brothers]]
*[[Stone Crows]]

'''Relief force (late battle):'''
[[Westerlands]], led by [[House Lannister]]
*[[House Banefort]]
*[[House Bettley]]
*[[House Brax]]{{ref|ACOK|65}}
*[[House Crakehall]]{{ref|ACOK|65}}
*[[House Falwell]]
*[[House Ferren]]
*[[House Foote]]{{ref|ACOK|65}}
*[[House Kenning of Kayce]]
*[[House Lannister of Lannisport]]
*[[House Lefford]]
*[[House Lydden]]{{ref|ACOK|65}}
*[[House Marbrand]]{{ref|ACOK|62}}{{ref|ACOK|65}}
*[[House Myatt]]
*[[House Payne]]{{ref|ACOK|61}}
*[[House Peckledon]]{{ref|ACOK|65}}
*[[House Plumm]]
*[[House Prester]]
*[[House Sarsfield]]
*[[House Serrett]]
*[[House Stackspear]]
*[[House Swyft]]
*[[House Turnberry]]
*[[House Yarwyck]]

[[Reach|The Reach]], led by [[House Tyrell]]
*[[House Ambrose]]
*[[House Beesbury]]
*[[House Blackbar]]
*[[House Bulwer]]
*[[House Bushy]]
*[[House Caswell]]
*[[House Costayne]]
*[[House Cuy]]
*[[House Dunn]]
*[[House Footly]]
*[[House Graceford]]
*[[House Hightower]]
*[[House Hunt]]
*[[House Inchfield]]
*[[House Leygood]]
*[[House Merryweather]]
*[[House Norcross]]
*[[House Oakheart]]
*[[House Peake]]
*[[House Redwyne]]
*[[House Rowan]]
*[[House Shermer]]
*[[House Tarly]]
*[[House Webber]]
*[[House Wythers]]
| commander1 = '''Force on land:''' ~20,000
*King [[Stannis Baratheon]]
*Ser [[Guyard Morrigen]]†
*Ser [[Rolland Storm]]
'''Fleet:'''
*Ser [[Imry Florent]]†
*Lord [[Salladhor Saan]]
| commander2 =
'''King's Landing garrison:'''
*Lord [[Tyrion Lannister]] (WIA)
*Lord [[Jacelyn Bywater]]†
*[[Sandor Clegane]]
'''Relief force:'''
*Lord [[Mace Tyrell]]
*Ser [[Garlan Tyrell]]
*Lord [[Randyll Tarly]]
*Lord [[Tywin Lannister]]
| strength1 = '''Force on land:'''
* 5,000 men of Stannis's original host, from the [[crownlands]], [[Lys]], and [[Myr]]{{Ref|ACOK|31}}
* ~15,000 cavalry mainly from the [[stormlands]], and some from the [[Reach]]<ref group="N">Stannis originally had an army of five thousand men, but he claims to have twenty thousand men after Renly's death has caused a large part of his men to join Stannis. According to Davos, Stannis has “nearly twenty thousand” men at the start of the battle (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 58|Davos III]])</ref>
'''Fleet:'''
~200 ships:<ref group="N">Stannis' fleet consists of ten battlelines of twenty ships (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 58|Davos III]]), bringing the total amount of ship to two hundred.</ref>
* 60 war galleys<ref group="N">The first three lines of twenty are made up of war galleys; Out of these sixty ships, at least nine are known to belong to the lords of the Narrow Sea (''[[Pride of Driftmark]]'', ''[[Bold Laughter]]'', ''[[Harridan]]'', and ''[[Seahorse]]'' from [[House Velaryon]]; ''[[Red Claw]]'' from [[House Celtigar]]. ''[[Swordfish]]'' from [[House Bar Emmon]]; ''[[Piety]]'', ''[[Prayer]]'', and ''[[Devotion]]'', commandeered from [[House Sunglass]])</ref>
* Myrish sellsails{{Ref|ACOK|17}}<ref group="N">Described as a smaller contingent "the smaller, slower Myrish contingent" (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 58|Davos III]]), indicating that the Myrmen definitely have less than sixty ships, possibly as few as twenty.</ref>
* sailed warships (carracks and lumbering great cogs){{Ref|ACOK|58}}
* 25 Lysene pirate galleys<ref group="N">The Lyseni Salladhor Saan commands his [[Valyrian]] and two dozen smaller galleys (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Prologue|Prologue]].</ref>
| strength2 = '''King's Landing garrison:''' 7,000-8,000
* 5,700 [[City Watch of King's Landing|gold cloaks]]<ref group="N" name=goldcloaks>The city watch contains six thousand men, although only two thousand of these, who had received their gold cloak from Robert, are seasoned men (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 49|Tyrion XI]]). Three hundred gold cloaks later escort Petyr Baelish to Bitterbridge (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 36|Tyrion VIII]]), leaving only five thousand seven hundred.</ref>
* ~800 sellswords{{Ref|acok|49}}
*[[Stokeworth]] and [[Rosby]] contingents{{Ref|ACOK|49}}{{Ref|ACOK|57}}
* 300 knights, squires and men-at-arms{{Ref|ACOK|49}}
* 150 mountain clansmen (harassed Stannis's army during the march)
* "Hundreds" of scorpions, catapaults, and ballistae manned by hundreds of engineers{{Ref|ACOK|17}}
'''Lannister navy:''' 57+ ships
* 45 war galleys of the [[royal fleet]]<ref group="N">Stannis has ten lines of twenty ships, bringing his total to ~200; Stannis has four times more ships than Joffrey, giving Joffrey ~50 ships of the royal fleet. (The Baratheon forces would have no information regarding the trading vessels seized on Tyrion's command). However, unbeknownst to Stannis and his men, five of these ships (''[[King Robert's Hammer]]'', ''[[Seaswift]]'', ''[[Lionstar]]'', ''[[Bold Wind]]'', and ''[[Lady Lyanna]]'') have departed King’s Landing long before to escort Myrcella to Braavos(''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 41|Tyrion IX]]). When the Battle of the Blackwater takes place, they have not yet returned (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 58|Davos III]])</ref>
* At least a dozen vessels taken from traders{{Ref|ACOK|49}}
'''Relief force:'''
* ~50,000-70,000 Tyrell men <ref group="N">The host of [[Renly Baratheon]] is said to number a hundred thousand (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 17|Tyrion IV]]). Renly himself claims to have eighty thousand with him at Bitterbridge, while another ten thousand are with Lord [[Mace Tyrell]] at Highgarden (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 22|Catelyn II]]). The forces of House Tyrell make up the majority of Renly's forces. Renly's cavalry, said by Catelyn Stark to number ten thousand (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 33|Catelyn IV]]), accompanies him to Storm's End to lift the siege, while his foot, according to Stannis near sixty thousand strong (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 42|Davos II]]), remains at Bitterbridge when Renly goes to lift the siege of Storm’s End. As Renly previously stated that the total of his men numbered eighty thousand, either Catelyn was incorrect in her statement and Renly's cavalry actually numbered ~twenty thousand, or Stannis was wrong and Renly's foot actually numbered ~seventy thousand, or Renly had been exaggerating by stating eighty thousand while he actually had only seventy thousand men. The first option seems most likely, as Stannis, who originally had five thousand men (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 31|Catelyn III]]), has twenty thousand men shortly after Renly's death (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 42|Davos II]]), indicating that ~15.000 men from Renly's army have joined him. As only one fifth of Renly's knights did not join Stannis (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 36|Tyrion IX]]), the total of Renly's cavalry numbered ~18.750 men, nearing twenty thousand. 
Of those who remain, some — chiefly those of [[House Florent]] — are put to death by Lord [[Randyll Tarly]] after Renly's death (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 42|Davos II]] and [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 44|Tyrion X]]). As House Florent can field two thousand men at best (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Prologue|Prologue]]), this would reduce Renly's foot to fifty-eight thousand at a minimum. A fifth of the knights that had accompanied Renly to Storm's End return to join the other forces from the Reach (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 36|Tyrion VIII]]), but how many of his ten (of fifteen) thousand cavalry had been knights is unknown. Mace Tyrell's additional ten thousand at Highgarden would bring the total to ~70,000 soldiers from House Tyrell.
 [[Petyr Baelish]] tells [[Joffrey Baratheon]]'s [[small council]] that Mace Tyrell can field fifty thousand swords (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 36|Tyrion VIII]]). According to Tyrion Lannister, some fifty to seventy thousand [[House Tyrell|Tyrell soldiers]] are in King's Landing vicinity after the Battle of the Blackwater (''[[A Storm of Swords]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 38|Tyrion V]]).</ref>
* ~20,000 Lannister men<ref group="N">Tywin's host originally is 20,000 men strong (''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 56|Tyrion VII]]). Despite desertions and insurgency in the riverlands, and many minor sieges and skirmishes, he still has about the same number before the [[Battle of the Fords]] (''[[A Storm of Swords]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 39|Catelyn V]]). Despite casualties during the battle, Tywin is later said to have twenty thousand swords in King's Landing (''[[A Storm of Swords]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 38|Tyrion V]]), suggesting he either gained men or did not lose a significant amount </ref>
| casualties1 = [[#Notable Casualties|See below]]
* 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's remaining fleet
* 47 Lesser lordlings killed{{Ref|ASOS|19}}
* 619 knights killed{{Ref|ASOS|19}}
* Several thousand men-at-arms killed{{Ref|ASOS|19}}
* Several thousand men-at-arms left behind for lack of space on Saan's fleet{{ref|adwd|66}}
* Most of the ~15,000 Stormlanders and Reachmen who had previously supported Renly abandoned Stannis{{Ref|ASOS|4}} by the hundreds{{Ref|ASOS|10}}
| casualties2 = [[#Notable Casualties|See below]]
'''King's Landing garrison:''' Heavy
* 1,600 gold cloaks killed or deserted<ref group="N">Following the deaths from and the desertions during the battle, the city watch only contains some forty-four hundred men (''[[A Storm of Swords]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 4|Tyrion I]]), where it had numbered six thousand before (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 49|Tyrion XI]]).</ref>
* Majority of the sellswords and knights/men-at-arms killed<ref group="N">Sandor Clegane loses half his knights and sellswords (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 59|Tyrion XIII]]). Tyrion Lannister leads another sally, which is nearly wiped out (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 61|Tyrion XIV]])</ref>
'''King's Landing navy:''' Heavy
* 39+ royal war galleys{{Ref|AFFC|17}} destroyed, associated crews and marines all killed
* All hulks, barges, skiffs, ferries, wherries, and rowboats destroyed
'''Relief force:''' Minimal
}}

The '''Battle of the Blackwater'''{{ref|ASOS|16}} is the largest battle in the [[War of the Five Kings]]. The battle is fought between the forces loyal to [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I Baratheon]], the King on the [[Iron Throne]], and those loyal to [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis I Baratheon]], the King in the [[Narrow Sea]]. After [[Siege of Storm's End (299)#Regicide|eliminating]] his younger brother [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]], a rival claimaint to the Iron Throne, Stannis gains the loyalty of nearly all of the [[Stormlands|Stormlords]] and advances on [[King's Landing]] by land and sea, intent on seizing the city and taking control of the Iron Trone.

==Prelude==
Convinced that Joffrey Baratheon is not King [[Robert I Baratheon]]'s son, Stannis believes his claim to the [[Iron Throne]] is the true one. However, he lacks the strength to attack King's Landing, as few [[House Baratheon of Dragonstone#Sworn to Dragonstone|Houses are sworn to Dragonstone]] and the rocky, volcanic islands surrounding Dragonstone have a sparse population, and the men of the [[stormlands]] have given their support to his younger brother [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]], the [[Lord of Storm's End]], who has proclaimed himself king as well. Additionally, Renly has taken [[Margaery Tyrell]] to wife, which has earned him the support of the men from the [[Reach]] as well.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} On Dragonstone, the red priestess [[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.{{Ref|ACOK|42}}

[[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]] arrives in the [[stormlands]] with his five thousand men and [[Siege of Storm's End (299)|lays siege]] to the coastal fortress [[Storm's End]], the seat of his younger brother, [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]].{{ref|ACOK|22}}{{Ref|ACOK|25}} Renly is at [[Bitterbridge]] with his army when news reaches his camp. He splits his forces and rides with some twenty thousand cavalry to Storm's End to break the siege.{{ref|ACOK|31}} After a failed parlay in which neither brother will yield, the battle is set at dawn.{{ref|ACOK|31}} However, that night Renly is killed by a [[shadow assassin]] summoned by [[Melisandre]].{{Ref|ACOK|33}} With Renly dead, the majority of the host that had accompanied him to Storm's End swears their allegiance to Stannis.{{ref|ACOK|36}} [[House Florent]] and both branches of [[House Fossoway]] also defect to Stannis, but a fifth of Renly’s knights returns to Bitterbridge with Ser [[Loras Tyrell]].{{ref|ACOK|36}} The siege continues, as Storm's End's castellan, Ser [[Cortnay Penrose]], refuses to yield the castle to Stannis{{ref|ACOK|36}} because he fears for the safety of King [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert]]'s [[bastard]] son [[Edric Storm]].{{Ref|ACOK|42}} To end the siege quickly, Ser [[Davos Seaworth]] smuggles Melisandre under the castle by boat, where she summons another shadow to assassinate Cortnay.{{ref|ACOK|42}} After Cortnay's death, the castle yields, leaving Stannis free to advance on [[King's Landing]].{{ref|ACOK|44}}{{Ref|ACOK|45}}

Sixty thousand men from Renly's army are still encamped at Bitterbridge, and when news of Renly's death reaches them,{{Ref|ACOK|42}} fighting breaks out between Stannis' supporters and Renly's loyalists led by the vengeful Loras Tyrell. [[Parmen Crane]] and [[Erren Florent]] – the two knights sent by Stannis to retrieve the army for him{{Ref|ACOK|42}} – are taken prisoner,{{Ref|ASOS|Appendix}} while Lord [[Randyll Tarly]] seizes the supplies and puts many men, mostly Florents, to death.{{ref|acok|44}} In [[King's Landing]], the [[small council]] of King Joffrey decides to attempt to make an alliance with [[House Tyrell]] by offering to marry Joffrey to Margaery. [[Petyr Baelish]], representing King Joffrey I,{{ref|ACOK|36}} travels to Bitterbridge and wins the allegiance of [[House Tyrell]]. Riders are sent north to warn Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] of Stannis's threat to the capital.{{ref|ASOS|14}}

Meanwhile, [[Robb Stark]] attacks the [[westerlands]], hoping to lure Lord Tywin Lannister, who had been residing at [[Harrenhal]] with his twenty thousand men, away from [[King's Landing]] while King Stannis attacks the city from the south. Stannis's victory would mean the end of King [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I]], Queen [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]], and acting [[Hand of the King|Hand]] [[Tyrion Lannister]], breaking Lannister power.{{Ref|ASOS|14}} Tywin begins his march west,{{Ref|ACOK|39}} but Lord [[Edmure Tully]], unaware of Robb's plan,{{Ref|ASOS|14}} refuses to allow the Lannisters to cross the [[Trident]] without [[Battle of the Fords|giving battle]] and places an army of eleven thousand men at the key fords along the [[Red Fork]].{{Ref|ACOK|39}} After several probing attacks, Lord Tywin attempts to force a crossing in a dozen places. Unable to cross the river, Tywin is forced to retreat.{{Ref|ACOK|45}} This delays Tywin just long enough for riders out of Bitterbridge to reach him with word of Stannis's threat to King's Landing.{{Ref|ASOS|14}}

In preparation of the defense of King's Landing, [[Cersei Lannister]] has arranged for the production of vast amounts of [[wildfire]],{{Ref|ACOK|3}} while [[Tyrion Lannister]] has commissioned a great chain boom across the mouth of the [[Blackwater Rush]].{{Ref|ACOK|15}} The [[City Watch of King's Landing|City Watch]] is tripled in size,{{ref|acok|3}} sellswords are hired,{{ref|acok|8}} contingents of soldiers are send from [[Rosby]] and [[Stokeworth]],{{Ref|ACOK|49}}{{Ref|ACOK|57}} and hundreds of scorpions, spitfires, and catapults are constructed and placed on the walls.{{ref|acok|3}}{{ref|ACOK|31}} Tyrion further sends out his hundred and fifty [[Vale mountain clans]]men to harass Stannis' flanks and kill his scouts in the [[kingswood]].{{ref|acok|52}} Stannis's vanguard arrives at the city 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]].{{Ref|aCoK|52}}

Treacherous waters and inclement weather delay Stannis's fleet on its northward journey from Storm's End. A dozen ships are lost on the journey to [[Blackwater Bay]]. Stannis gives command of the fleet to Ser [[Imry Florent]], who commands from Stannis's [[ships|galley]], the ''[[Fury]]''. Stannis himself is on the south side of the Blackwater with his host, making them create arrows and rafts.{{Ref|aCoK|58}}

==The Battle==
[[File:King's Landing Map BattleoftheBlackwater.png|thumb|350px|Map of King's Landing during the Battle of the Blackwater 
'' '''I.''' The [[Red Keep]]; '''II.''' [[Great Sept of Baelor]] upon [[Visenya's Hill]]; '''III.''' [[Dragonpit]] upon [[Rhaenys's Hill]]; '''IV.''' Western baracks of the [[City Watch]]; '''V.''' Eastern baracks of the [[City Watch]] ''
 '''1.''' Stannis' fleet enters the river from Blackwater Bay; Only the ships of [[Salladhor Saan]] remain behind; '''2.''' Once the first lines have passed, the defenders of King's Landing begin raising the chain; By the time the entire fleet has passed, the chain has been raised completely; '''3.''' When Stannis' ships engage Joffrey's fleet, the ships are lit afire with [[wildfire]]; '''4.''' Skirmishes start in [[Flea Bottom]]; '''5.''' King [[Joffrey I Baratheon]] travels to the trebuchets ("the Whores") to launch the [[Antler Men]]; '''6.''' Survivors from Stannis' fleet land on the riverfront and take a ram to the King's Gate; 7. The burning and broken ships have pilled together, creating a bridge of ships allowing Stannis' vanguard to cross the river; '''8.''' An army of [[westermen]] and men from the [[Reach]] arrives to take the forces of Stannis Baratheon in the rear; '''9.''' Seeing the battle is lost, Salladhor Saan, who kept his ships in the bay, lands his ships, allowing Stannis and ~1500 men to retreat.]]
===Battle on the River===
The battle opens when Stannis's admiral, Ser [[Imry Florent]], leads Stannis' fleet up the river to engage Joffrey's ships. They enter visual range of the city in the late afternoon.{{Ref|ACOK|58}} 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 the [[Lysene]] galleys of [[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 are made up of war galleys belonging to the royal navy and the lords of the narrow sea. Behind them sails the smaller [[Myr]]ish contingent, who are 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.{{Ref|aCoK|58}} Ser [[Davos Seaworth]] realizes that the two watchtowers at the mouth of the Blackwater Rush are newly build, and he notices the chain in the water.{{ref|ACOK|58}} The fleet continues forward nonetheless. From within the city, pots of pitch are flung at the ships, and the trebuchets located within the city start to fling stones.{{Ref|ACOK|58}}
[[File:Battle of the Blackwater.jpg|400px|thumb|The wildfire burns the Blackwater - by Amok ©]]
[[Tyrion Lannister]] has ordered several of Joffrey's ships to be filled with wildfire. Stannis' fleet is lured further in the bay when Joffrey's pull back. When they engage the fleet of King's Landing, the ships and the river are soon afire. The wildfire destroys nearly every ship in both fleets. To their horror, the men on Stannis' ship discover that the great chain has been raised behind them, cutting off their retreat.{{Ref|ACOK|58}} However, as Ser Imry's first two battle lines had been well upstream of the fire when the hulks went up, some thirty or forty galleys are able to escape the inferno at first.{{Ref|ACOK|59}} Eight ships manage to land under the city walls and put men ashore, while many of the [[Myr]]men escape the flames by sailing for the south bank.{{Ref|ACOK|59}}

===Attack on King's Landing===
The city itself is defended by some five thousand seven hundred [[gold cloaks]],<ref group="N" name=goldcloaks/> leavened with eight hundred mercenaries and three hundred 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]].{{Ref|aCoK|49}}

At the start of the battle, some small skirmishes arise within the city when some drunkards in [[Flea Bottom]] smash doors and climb into houses. Lord [[Jacelyn Bywater]] sends his [[gold cloaks]] to deal with them.{{Ref|ACOK|60}} When rich merchants and such gather in the square before the [[Red Keep]], asking for refuge in the castle, Queen Regent Cersei Lannister commands the gates be kept close.{{Ref|ACOK|60}}

Tyrion tasks several groups of mounted men-at-arms, along with what few [[knight]]s 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. Tyrion and King [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I Baratheon]] look on from the Mud Gate how the fleet goes up in flames. After King Joffrey leaves to shoot the [[Antler Men]] from [[Whores|the trebuchets]], guarded by Ser [[Meryn Trant]] and Ser [[Osmund Kettleblack]], Tyrion learns of Stannis' men having landed on the tourney grounds, who are preparing to ram the King's Gate. He arrives at the Mud Gate where Sandor Clegane, who had already led three sorties in which he has lost half his men, refuses to go out again. The [[wildfire]] raging across the river has robbed Clegane of his courage, and his refusal to lead any more sorties threatens to break the morale of the defenders. As they need to hold the river at all costs, Tyrion decides to lead the next sortie himself. Shamed into action by the dwarf's display of courage, several defenders gather to Tyrion's side.{{Ref|AGOT|59}}

While Tyrion is leading the sortie at the King's Gate, the Mud Gate falls under attack as well.{{Ref|ACOK|60}} Queen Regent Cersei Lannister orders King Joffrey, who is still at the trebuchets near the gate, to be brought back to the castle.{{Ref|ACOK|60}} When the defenders see their 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.{{fact}} Tyrion manages to disperse the attackers at the [[King's Gate]] and makes for the [[Mud Gate]]. When Ser [[Balon Swann]] points out that the galleys on the river which had smashed into each other have tangled together, creating a bridge of ships, which is being used by Stannis' boldest knights to cross the river, they take the fight to the riverfront.{{Ref|aCoK|61}} Tyrion eventually finds himself on the bridge of ships, when it is about to collapse. He is severely wounded by Ser [[Mandon Moore]] of the [[Kingsguard]], who had been Tyrion's sworn shield throughout the battle.{{Ref|aCoK|61}} Moore is killed by Tyrion's squire, [[Podrick Payne]].{{Ref|acok|61}}{{Ref|acok|67}}

With the bridge breaking up and their Hand lost in battle, the defenders retreat within the city walls.{{Ref|aSoS|4}} At this point, after only a few hours of resistance, the battle seems to be lost to Tyrion, though at this time he also sees Stannis's army seemingly fighting itself on the other side of the river.

===Renly's ghost===
Having learned of Stannis' approaching attack on King's Landing and the alliance between then Iron Throne and [[House Lannister]], Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] has marched his host south. Near the headwaters of the [[Blackwater Rush]] he joins up with Lords [[Mathis Rowan]] and [[Randyll Tarly]], from where they force a march to [[Tumbler's Falls]], where they find Lord [[Mace Tyrell]] and his sons wait with their huge host and a fleet of barges. Together, the Lannisters and Tyrells float down the river to disembark half a day's ride from the capital.{{Ref|ASOS|14}} They arrive at the battle scene at dusk,{{Ref|acok|61}} taking Stannis' army from the rear. Lord Tywin leads the right wing on the north side of the river, while Randyll Tarly commands the center and Mace Tyrell the left.{{Ref|ACOK|62}} However, it is their vanguard, led by Ser [[Garlan Tyrell]],{{Ref|ASOS|67}} which plunges through Stannis' army. Dressed in the recognizable armor of the deceased [[Renly Baratheon]], his former supporters, convinced their dead lord has returned, abandon Stannis.{{Ref|ACOK|62}} "Renly's shade" kills Ser [[Guyard Morrigen]], who leads Stannis' van.{{Ref|ACOK|62}}
[[File:T Jedruszek DefendersOfKingsLanding.jpg|350px|thumb|right|Lannister soldiers defending King's Landing – by Tomasz Jedruszek. © Fantasy Flight Games]]
Seeing that the battle has turned bad, Salladhor Saan puts his ships, which had been kept out in the bay, in along the shore, taking as many people as will fit.{{Ref|asos|4}} [[Rolland Storm]] leads a rearguard action, allowing Stannis and several hundreds of his men, about half of Florents, to reach the ships.{{Ref|aSoS|54}} As Saan’s ship can only take a limited amount of men, thousands are left behind due to lack of space,{{Ref|adwd|66}} and towards the end, men begin to kill each other to get aboard and escape.{{Ref|asos|4}}

==Aftermath==
The Battle of the Blackwater is a major defeat for Stannis. He retreats to Dragonstone with only a fraction of his army, and only Saan’s ships.

Most of those captured during the battle bend the knee to Joffrey, including men sworn to Dragonstone. During a court session, Ser [[Garlan Tyrell]] publicly asks Joffrey to take his sister Margaery to bride, and Joffrey, as previously agreed upon, fakes unwillingness to break his betrothal to [[Sansa Stark]] until the High Septon and small council agree that he is allowed to do so. Multiple honors and rewards are given to the participants and survivors of the battle by King Joffrey and his small council:

* Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] is proclaimed ''"[[Savior of the City]]"'', and openly accepts the responsibility of the governance of the realm, officially resuming his office as [[Hand of the King]].{{Ref|acok|65}}
* Ser [[Loras Tyrell]] is given a place in the [[Kingsguard]], replacing Ser [[Mandon Moore]].
* Lord [[Mace Tyrell]] is granted a seat on the [[small council]],{{Ref|acok|65}} as [[master of ships]].{{ref|asos|appendix}}
* Ser [[Garlan Tyrell]], the titles, lands and incomes of [[House Florent]], including lordship of [[Brightwater Keep]].{{Ref|asos|19}}
* Lords [[Mathis Rowan]] and [[Paxter Redwyne]] seats on the small council as advisers.{{Ref|asos|19}}
* Ser [[Philip Foote]], the lands, rights and incomes of [[House Caron]], including Lordship of [[Nightsong]] as Lord Foote, for slaying Lord [[Bryce Caron]].{{Ref|acok|65}}
* [[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 Fossoway|Bryan]] and Ser [[Edwyd Fossoway]] after fighting past half a hundred Fossoway men-at-arms.{{Ref|acok|65}}
* [[Josmyn Peckledon]], a sword and suit of plate and a warhorse of the royal stables as well as a [[knight]]hood when coming of age, for killing two knights, wounding a third and capturing two more.{{Ref|acok|65}}
* Goodman [[Willit]], a [[House Swyft|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]].{{Ref|acok|65}}
* [[Wisdom]] [[Hallyne]], raised to lordship, albeit without lands or castle.{{Ref|acok|65}}
* Ser [[Lancel Lannister]], granted the lands, castle and rights of [[House Darry]] as Lord of [[Darry]].{{Ref|acok|65}}
* 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]].{{Ref|acok|65}}
* Surviving captains from Joffrey's warships ''[[River Arrow]]'', ''[[Wildwind]]'' and ''[[Prince Aemon]]'', and under officers from ''[[Godsgrace (ship)|Godsgrace]]'', ''[[Ramshead]]'', ''[[Lance]]'' and ''[[Lady of Silk]]'', honored by the crown.{{ref|ACOK|65}}
* More than six hundred men are knighted by the [[Kingsguard]],{{Ref|acok|65}} including sellsword [[Bronn]], raised to [[knight]]hood as Ser Bronn of the Blackwater, and [[Osfryd Kettleblack|Osfryd]] and [[Osney Kettleblack]].{{Ref|asos|4}}

==Hostages and casualties==
[[File:John_Picacio_Tyrion.jpg‎|[[Tyrion Lannister]] during the Battle of the Blackwater ‎- © 2012 John Picacio|thumb|250px|right]]
===Highborn Hostages===
{{Columns|3|
* Lord [[Ardrian Celtigar]]
* Lord [[Alesander Staedmon]]
* Lord [[Steffon Varner]]
* Lord [[House Willum|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====
{{Columns|3|
* Ser [[Mandon Moore]]
* Ser [[Jacelyn Bywater]]
* Ser [[Ben Bushy]]
* Ser [[Richard Farrow]]
* Ser [[Will (Stork)|Will the Stork]]
}}
====Stannis' forces====
{{Columns|3|
* Ser [[Imry Florent]]
* Ser [[Guyard Morrigen]]
* Lord [[Monford Velaryon]]
* Lord [[Bryce Caron]]
* Lord [[House Chyttering|Chyttering]]
* Ser [[Bryan Fossoway]]
* Ser [[Edwyd Fossoway]]
* Ser [[Herbert Bolling]]
* [[Dale Seaworth]]
* [[Allard Seaworth]]
* [[Maric Seaworth]]
* [[Matthos Seaworth]]
}}

===Ships===  
====King Joffrey====
{{Columns|3|
* ''[[Kingslander]]''
* ''[[Godsgrace (ship)|Godsgrace]]''
* ''[[Prince Aemon]]''
* ''[[Lady of Silk]]''
* ''[[Lady's Shame]]''
* ''[[Wildwind]]''
* ''[[Lance]]''
* ''[[Seaflower]]''
* ''[[White Hart]]''
* ''[[Loyal Man]]''
* ''[[Queen Cersei]]''
* ''[[River Arrow]]''
* ''[[Ramshead]]''
}}
====King Stannis====
{{Columns|3|
*''[[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 (ship)|Valyrian]]''
}}

==Quotes==
{{quote|A wall of red-hot steel, blazing wood, and swirling [[wildfire|green flame]] stretched before him. The mouth of the [[Blackwater Rush]] had turned into the mouth of hell.{{ref|ACOK|58}}}} - [[Davos Seaworth]]'s thoughts

{{Quote|We're delivered, [[Sansa Stark|sweetling]]! They came up the [[roseroad]] and along the riverbank, through all the fields [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]] had burned, the ashes puffing up around their boots and turning all their armor grey, but oh! the '''banners''' must have been bright, the [[House Tyrell|golden rose]] and [[House Lannister|golden lion]] and all the others, the [[Marbrand]] tree and the [[Rowan]], [[Tarly]]'s huntsman and [[Redwyne]]'s grapes and Lady [[Oakheart]]'s leaf. All the [[westermen]], all the power of [[Highgarden]] and [[Casterly Rock]]! [[Tywin Lannister|Lord Tywin]] himself had their right wing on the north side of the river, with [[Randyll Tarly]] commanding the center and [[Mace Tyrell]] the left, but the vanguard won the fight. They plunged through Stannis like a lance through a pumpkin, every man of them howling like some demon in steel. And do you know who led the vanguard? Do you? Do you? '''Do you?''' It was '''[[Renly Baratheon|Lord Renly]]!''' Lord Renly in his green armor, with the fires 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!{{ref|acok|62}}}} – [[Dontos Hollard]], to [[Sansa Stark]]

{{Quote|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?{{Ref|aSoS|4}}}} – [[Tyrion Lannister]]'s thoughts

{{Quote|That chain of yours, that was cunning.{{Ref|aSoS|19}}}} [[Mace Tyrell]], to Tyrion Lannister

{{quote|Too many good men died that day.{{ref|ADWD|66}}}} – [[Tyrion Lannister]], to [[Kem]]

==See also==
:*[[:Category:Images of the Battle of the Blackwater|Images of the Battle of the Blackwater]]

==Notes==
{{Notes}}

==References==
{{references|2}}

{{War of the Five Kings}}

[[Category:Battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:War of the Five Kings|Blackwater]]
[[Category:Crownlands]]
[[Category:King's Landing]]
[[Category:House Bar Emmon battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Baratheon battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Brax battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Caron battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Celtigar battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Chyttering battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Connington battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Crakehall battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Errol battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Estermont battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Florent battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Foote battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Fossoway of Cider Hall battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Fossoway of New Barrel battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Hasty battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Horpe battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Lannister battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Lydden battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Marbrand battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Massey battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Morrigen battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Mullendore battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Oakheart battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Redwyne battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Rosby battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Rowan battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Seaworth battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Staedmon battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Stokeworth battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Tarly battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Tyrell battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Varner battles|Blackwater]]
[[Category:House Velaryon battles|Blackwater]]

[[es:Batalla del Aguasnegras]]
[[fr:Bataille de la Néra]]
[[ru:Битва на Черноводной]]
[[zh:黑水河之役]]

Battle in the ice

2017-06-19T02:40:33Z

Nihlus: The Karstark men were sent as part of the Bolton force with the intention of stabbing Stannis's force in the back, and at the moment are disarmed prisoners of war, not combatants on Stannis's side. Thus they should be listed as part of the opposing force.

{{Template:Battlebox
| image =
| caption =
| battle_name = Battle in the ice
| conflict = [[War of the Five Kings]]
| date = {{Date|300}}
| place = Between the [[crofter's village]] and [[Winterfell]]
| result =
| colour_scheme =
| combatant1 = '''[[House Baratheon of Dragonstone]]:''' [[Southron]] army
* [[House Bar Emmon]]
* [[House Farring]]
* [[House Florent]]
* [[House Velaryon]]
[[North|Northern]] [[House Stark|Stark]] loyalists
* [[Northern mountain clans]]
** [[House Burley]]
** [[House Flint]]
** [[House Harclay]]
** [[House Liddle]]
** [[House Norrey]]
** [[House Wull]]
* [[House Mormont]]
* [[House Glover]]
** [[House Bole]]
** [[House Branch]]
** [[House Woods]]
* [[House Umber]], led by [[Mors Umber]]
* [[House Hornwood|Hornwood]], [[House Cerwyn|Cerwyn]], and [[House Tallhart|Tallhart]] survivors from the [[battle at Winterfell]]
* Men from the [[Stony Shore]]
| combatant2 = '''[[Iron Throne]]'''/[[House Baratheon of King's Landing]]:
[[North|The North]], led by [[House Bolton]]
* [[House Cerwyn]]
* [[House Dustin]]
* [[House Hornwood]]
* [[House Karstark]]
* [[House Locke]]
* [[House Manderly]] (nominally)
* [[House Ryswell]]
* [[House Slate]]
* [[House Stout]]
* [[House Umber]], led by [[Hother Umber]]

[[Riverlands]]
*[[House Frey]]
| commander1 = King [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis I Baratheon]] Ser [[Richard Horpe]] Castellan [[Mors Umber]] Lord [[Hugo Wull]] Ser [[Godry Farring]]
| commander2 = Lord [[Roose Bolton]] Lord [[Ramsay Bolton]] Ser [[Aenys Frey]]† Ser [[Hosteen Frey]] [[Hother Umber]]
| strength1 =
{{Columns|1|5,400 men:
*5,000 main strength{{Ref|ADWD|35}}{{Ref|ADWD|41}}<ref group="N">Stannis had come north with no more than fifteen hundred men from the south ([[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 19|''A Dance with Dragons'', Davos III]]), and has five thousand men after the mountain clans, [[House Mormont]], men once sworn to Houses [[House Hornwood|Hornwood]], [[House Cerwyn|Cerwyn]], and [[House Tallhart|Tallhart]], and [[smallfolk]] who had fled from the [[ironborn]] join him ([[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 35|''A Dance with Dragons'', Jon VII]]).</ref>
*~400 [[House Umber|Umber]] green boys<ref group="N">It is said that [[Hother Umber]] has half of the remaining strength of [[House Umber]] with him at the side of the [[House Bolton|Boltons]], while [[Mors Umber]] has the other half with him on the side of [[Stannis Baratheon]] (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 35|Jon VII]]). Hother is known to have brought four hundred men with him to the [[siege of Moat Cailin]] (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 28|Davos II]]), meaning that Mors has about four hundred men with him.</ref>}}
| strength2 = {{Columns|1|7,150+ men:
*~4,000 mainly Bolton soldiers{{Ref|ADWD|20}}
*~2,000 Freys (includes 500 mounted lancers){{ref|AFFC|16}}{{ref|ADWD|20}}
*450 men from [[House Karstark]]<ref group="N">[[Arnolf Karstark]] had brought four hundred and fifty men with him to Stannis's host in collaboration with Roose, with the intention of turning on Stannis's host in favor of Roose as soon as the battle begins. Upon learning of Arnolf's planned treachery, Stannis has Arnolf and his family members arrested, and his men disarmed. However, he believes the soldiers likely did not know of the plan, and as such might decide to use them in battle.</ref>
*400 Umber greybeards (300 spearmen, 100 archers){{Ref|ADWD|15}}
*300 Manderlys (100 knights, 200 mounted men-at-arms){{Ref|ADWD|46}}
*Dustin, Tallhart, Cerwyn, Hornwood, Locke with unknown number of soldiers}}
| casualties1 =
| casualties2 = [[Aenys Frey]] 450 Karstark troops captured and disarmed
}}

The '''battle in the ice''' is an upcoming battle between the forces of [[Stannis Baratheon]] and the forces of [[Ramsay Snow|Ramsay Bolton]]. It is set to take place at the start of ''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', the as-yet-unpublished sixth book of ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]''.<ref name=smartertravel>[http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/today-in-travel/game-of-thrones-exclusive-george-martin-talks-season-the-winds-of-winter-and-real-world-influences-for-song-of-ice-and-fire.html?id=10593041 George R.R. Martin Talks Season Two, 'The Winds of Winter,' and Real-World Influences for 'A Song of Ice and Fire' (March 26, 2012)]</ref>

==Prelude==
At [[Castle Black]], [[Stannis Baratheon]] secures the support of [[Arnolf Karstark]], the castellan of [[Karhold]], but finds himself unable to convince others to join their strength to his.{{Ref|ADWD|3}} When Arnolf informs him that only fifty men remain at the [[Dreadfort]], the seat of [[House Bolton]], he considers marching on the Bolton castle. However, [[Jon Snow]], [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch]], counsels against it.{{Ref|ADWD|17}} Unbeknownst to Stannis, Arnolf's loyalty is a pretense; In reality, he is loyal to Lord [[Roose Bolton]], and was attempting to lure Stannis to the Dreadfort to trap him.{{Ref|ADWD|32}}

Lord Bolton arrives in the [[north]] with a girl he claims to be [[Arya Stark]], the youngest daughter of the late Lord [[Eddard Stark]] of [[Winterfell]]. In reality, however, the girl is [[Jeyne Poole]], the daughter of [[Vayon Poole]], the former steward of Winterfell.{{Ref|ADWD|20}} Roose marries the fake Arya to his [[bastardy|bastard son]], the recently legitimized [[Ramsay Snow|Ramsay Bolton]] at [[Winterfell]].{{Ref|ADWD|37}} Their presence at Winterfell is meant to force Stannis to march on them,{{Ref|ADWD|32}} and indeed, after following the advice of Jon Snow, thereby securing the support of the [[northern mountain clans]], and [[fight by Deepwood Motte|retaking Deepwood Motte]] from the [[ironborn]]—resulting in the capture of [[Asha Greyjoy]]{{Ref|ADWD|26}}—Stannis leads his army from [[Deepwood Motte]] through the [[wolfswood]] to [[Winterfell]]. Although the southron knights and lords oppose the march, the northern lords insist that Roose must be removed from Winterfell and "the Ned's" daughter rescued from Ramsay. The [[march on Winterfell]] is a hundred leagues long, and is estimated to take fifteen days. However, snows begin on the fourth day, and the harsh weather slow the army down significantly. After thirty-three days, they arrive at a [[crofters' village]], located three days from Winterfell, but find themselves snowed in. After eleven days, Arnolf Karstark arrives with four hundred and fifty men.{{Ref|ADWD|62}}

At Winterfell, the forces Roose Bolton has gathered—consisting of Houses [[House Ryswell|Ryswell]], [[House Dustin|Dustin]], [[House Frey|Frey]], [[House Cerwyn|Cerwyn]], [[House Hornwood|Hornwood]], [[House Manderly|Manderly]], and part of [[House Umber]]—suffer from divided loyalties, infighting, and a series of mysterious murders, which cause tension in the castle between the Freys, Boltons, Manderlys, and other northern houses. At first, [[Theon Greyjoy]] is suspected to be the murderer, but that idea is quickly dismissed by Roose, who declares Theon to be too broken and weak to have carried out the deeds.{{ref|ADWD|46}}

At [[Castle Black]], the [[red priest]]ess [[Melisandre]] sees a grey girl on a dying horse in her flames. Bbelieving the girl to be Arya Stark, Lord Commander Jon Snow's younger half-sister, she enlists the help of [[Mance Rayder]], the former [[King-beyond-the-Wall]], to rescue the girl.{{Ref|ADWD|31}} The girl eventually arrives at Castle Black, but she turns out to be [[Alys Karstark]], who informs Jon Snow that her uncle Arnolf is plotting to betray Stannis.{{Ref|ADWD|44}} Jon sends ravens to [[Deepwood Motte]] in an attempt to warn Stannis.{{ref|ADWD|49}} At Winterfell, the tensions among the army finally erupt into a brawl (in which Lord [[Wyman Manderly]] becomes injured) after [[Walder Frey (son of Merrett)|Little Walder Frey]] is found dead. In response, Roose sends out the forces of House Frey and House Manderly, to engage Stannis into battle at the crofters' village.{{Ref|ADWD|51}}

Theon and Jeyne—believed by Roose's host to be Arya—leap from Winterfell shortly before the Freys and Manderlys leave Winterfell, and the pair are found by [[Mors Umber]] beneath the walls of the castle. By [[Tycho Nestoris]], a [[Braavosi]] [[Iron Bank of Braavos|banker]] searching for Stannis, they are brought to the village where Stannis and his army remain. Stannis is informed of Arnolf's planned treachery, and arrests him, his son [[Arthor Karstark|Arthor]], and his three grandsons.<ref name=Theon>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', [[Theon I (The Winds of Winter)|Theon I]]</ref>

==Battle==
Because it has been snowing severely, the men on the battlefields of Winterfell cannot see anyone beneath the walls, giving [[Mors Umber]] and his green boys the chance to dig pits outside the gates. Next, they blow their horns to lure their enemies out.<ref name=Theon/> [[Roose Bolton]] sends out the [[House Frey|Freys]] from the main gates and the [[House Manderly|Manderlys]] from the eastern gates.{{Ref|ADWD|51}} The Frey men fall into the snow-covered pits placed by Mors, and Ser [[Aenys Frey]] breaks his neck.<ref name=Theon/>

==Aftermath==
At [[Castle Black]], [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch|Lord Commander]] [[Jon Snow]] receives [[Bastard Letter|a letter]], supposedly written by [[Ramsay Snow|Ramsay Bolton]], which claims that [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]] is dead and his army is broken. Though it is unknown if the letter's contents are true or if it was indeed written by Ramsay, it galvanizes Lord Commander Snow into breaking with tradition of the [[Night's Watch]] and forming an army of volunteers—black brothers and [[free folk]] alike—to march on Winterfell and defeat the Boltons. Jon is attacked in the [[mutiny at Castle Black]], however.{{ref|ADWD|69}}

==Notes==
{{Notes}}

==References==
{{References|2}}

{{War of the Five Kings}}

[[Category:Battles]]
[[Category:House Baratheon battles]]
[[Category:House Bolton battles]]
[[Category:House Frey battles]]
[[Category:House Manderly battles]]
[[Category:House Umber battles]]
[[Category:War of the Five Kings]]
[[Category:Winterfell]]

Battle in the ice

2017-06-19T02:35:52Z

Nihlus: Cersei speaks from a position of authority and with knowledge of deployments, while Theon can only guess from what he sees. It's plainly impossible for a regular man to differentiate between an army of 1,500 and an army of 2,000 anyway.

{{Template:Battlebox
| image =
| caption =
| battle_name = Battle in the ice
| conflict = [[War of the Five Kings]]
| date = {{Date|300}}
| place = Between the [[crofter's village]] and [[Winterfell]]
| result =
| colour_scheme =
| combatant1 = '''[[House Baratheon of Dragonstone]]:''' [[Southron]] army
* [[House Bar Emmon]]
* [[House Farring]]
* [[House Florent]]
* [[House Velaryon]]
[[North|Northern]] [[House Stark|Stark]] loyalists
* [[Northern mountain clans]]
** [[House Burley]]
** [[House Flint]]
** [[House Harclay]]
** [[House Liddle]]
** [[House Norrey]]
** [[House Wull]]
* [[House Mormont]]
* [[House Glover]]
** [[House Bole]]
** [[House Branch]]
** [[House Woods]]
* [[House Umber]], led by [[Mors Umber]]
* [[House Hornwood|Hornwood]], [[House Cerwyn|Cerwyn]], and [[House Tallhart|Tallhart]] survivors from the [[battle at Winterfell]]
* Men from the [[Stony Shore]]
| combatant2 = '''[[Iron Throne]]'''/[[House Baratheon of King's Landing]]:
[[North|The North]], led by [[House Bolton]]
* [[House Cerwyn]]
* [[House Dustin]]
* [[House Hornwood]]
* [[House Karstark]]
* [[House Locke]]
* [[House Manderly]] (nominally)
* [[House Ryswell]]
* [[House Slate]]
* [[House Stout]]
* [[House Umber]], led by [[Hother Umber]]

[[Riverlands]]
*[[House Frey]]
| commander1 = King [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis I Baratheon]] Ser [[Richard Horpe]] Castellan [[Mors Umber]] Lord [[Hugo Wull]] Ser [[Godry Farring]]
| commander2 = Lord [[Roose Bolton]] Lord [[Ramsay Bolton]] Ser [[Aenys Frey]]† Ser [[Hosteen Frey]] [[Hother Umber]]
| strength1 =
{{Columns|1|5,850 men:
*5,000 main strength{{Ref|ADWD|35}}{{Ref|ADWD|41}}<ref group="N">Stannis had come north with no more than fifteen hundred men from the south ([[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 19|''A Dance with Dragons'', Davos III]]), and has five thousand men after the mountain clans, [[House Mormont]], men once sworn to Houses [[House Hornwood|Hornwood]], [[House Cerwyn|Cerwyn]], and [[House Tallhart|Tallhart]], and [[smallfolk]] who had fled from the [[ironborn]] join him ([[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 35|''A Dance with Dragons'', Jon VII]]).</ref>
*450 men from [[House Karstark]]<ref group="N">[[Arnolf Karstark]] had brought four hundred and fifty men with him. Upon learning of Arnolf's planned treachery, Stannis has Arnolf and his family members arrested, and his men disarmed. However, he believes the soldiers likely did not know of the plan, and as such might decide to use them in battle.</ref>
*~400 [[House Umber|Umber]] green boys<ref group="N">It is said that [[Hother Umber]] has half of the remaining strength of [[House Umber]] with him at the side of the [[House Bolton|Boltons]], while [[Mors Umber]] has the other half with him on the side of [[Stannis Baratheon]] (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 35|Jon VII]]). Hother is known to have brought four hundred men with him to the [[siege of Moat Cailin]] (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 28|Davos II]]), meaning that Mors has about four hundred men with him.</ref>}}
| strength2 = {{Columns|1|6,700+ men:
*~4,000 mainly Bolton soldiers{{Ref|ADWD|20}}
*~2,000 Freys (includes 500 mounted lancers){{ref|AFFC|16}}{{ref|ADWD|20}}
*400 Umber greybeards (300 spearmen, 100 archers){{Ref|ADWD|15}}
*300 Manderlys (100 knights, 200 men-at-arms){{Ref|ADWD|46}}
*Dustin, Tallhart, Cerwyn, Hornwood, Locke with unknown number of soldiers}}
| casualties1 =
| casualties2 = [[Aenys Frey]]
}}

The '''battle in the ice''' is an upcoming battle between the forces of [[Stannis Baratheon]] and the forces of [[Ramsay Snow|Ramsay Bolton]]. It is set to take place at the start of ''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', the as-yet-unpublished sixth book of ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]''.<ref name=smartertravel>[http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/today-in-travel/game-of-thrones-exclusive-george-martin-talks-season-the-winds-of-winter-and-real-world-influences-for-song-of-ice-and-fire.html?id=10593041 George R.R. Martin Talks Season Two, 'The Winds of Winter,' and Real-World Influences for 'A Song of Ice and Fire' (March 26, 2012)]</ref>

==Prelude==
At [[Castle Black]], [[Stannis Baratheon]] secures the support of [[Arnolf Karstark]], the castellan of [[Karhold]], but finds himself unable to convince others to join their strength to his.{{Ref|ADWD|3}} When Arnolf informs him that only fifty men remain at the [[Dreadfort]], the seat of [[House Bolton]], he considers marching on the Bolton castle. However, [[Jon Snow]], [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch]], counsels against it.{{Ref|ADWD|17}} Unbeknownst to Stannis, Arnolf's loyalty is a pretense; In reality, he is loyal to Lord [[Roose Bolton]], and was attempting to lure Stannis to the Dreadfort to trap him.{{Ref|ADWD|32}}

Lord Bolton arrives in the [[north]] with a girl he claims to be [[Arya Stark]], the youngest daughter of the late Lord [[Eddard Stark]] of [[Winterfell]]. In reality, however, the girl is [[Jeyne Poole]], the daughter of [[Vayon Poole]], the former steward of Winterfell.{{Ref|ADWD|20}} Roose marries the fake Arya to his [[bastardy|bastard son]], the recently legitimized [[Ramsay Snow|Ramsay Bolton]] at [[Winterfell]].{{Ref|ADWD|37}} Their presence at Winterfell is meant to force Stannis to march on them,{{Ref|ADWD|32}} and indeed, after following the advice of Jon Snow, thereby securing the support of the [[northern mountain clans]], and [[fight by Deepwood Motte|retaking Deepwood Motte]] from the [[ironborn]]—resulting in the capture of [[Asha Greyjoy]]{{Ref|ADWD|26}}—Stannis leads his army from [[Deepwood Motte]] through the [[wolfswood]] to [[Winterfell]]. Although the southron knights and lords oppose the march, the northern lords insist that Roose must be removed from Winterfell and "the Ned's" daughter rescued from Ramsay. The [[march on Winterfell]] is a hundred leagues long, and is estimated to take fifteen days. However, snows begin on the fourth day, and the harsh weather slow the army down significantly. After thirty-three days, they arrive at a [[crofters' village]], located three days from Winterfell, but find themselves snowed in. After eleven days, Arnolf Karstark arrives with four hundred and fifty men.{{Ref|ADWD|62}}

At Winterfell, the forces Roose Bolton has gathered—consisting of Houses [[House Ryswell|Ryswell]], [[House Dustin|Dustin]], [[House Frey|Frey]], [[House Cerwyn|Cerwyn]], [[House Hornwood|Hornwood]], [[House Manderly|Manderly]], and part of [[House Umber]]—suffer from divided loyalties, infighting, and a series of mysterious murders, which cause tension in the castle between the Freys, Boltons, Manderlys, and other northern houses. At first, [[Theon Greyjoy]] is suspected to be the murderer, but that idea is quickly dismissed by Roose, who declares Theon to be too broken and weak to have carried out the deeds.{{ref|ADWD|46}}

At [[Castle Black]], the [[red priest]]ess [[Melisandre]] sees a grey girl on a dying horse in her flames. Bbelieving the girl to be Arya Stark, Lord Commander Jon Snow's younger half-sister, she enlists the help of [[Mance Rayder]], the former [[King-beyond-the-Wall]], to rescue the girl.{{Ref|ADWD|31}} The girl eventually arrives at Castle Black, but she turns out to be [[Alys Karstark]], who informs Jon Snow that her uncle Arnolf is plotting to betray Stannis.{{Ref|ADWD|44}} Jon sends ravens to [[Deepwood Motte]] in an attempt to warn Stannis.{{ref|ADWD|49}} At Winterfell, the tensions among the army finally erupt into a brawl (in which Lord [[Wyman Manderly]] becomes injured) after [[Walder Frey (son of Merrett)|Little Walder Frey]] is found dead. In response, Roose sends out the forces of House Frey and House Manderly, to engage Stannis into battle at the crofters' village.{{Ref|ADWD|51}}

Theon and Jeyne—believed by Roose's host to be Arya—leap from Winterfell shortly before the Freys and Manderlys leave Winterfell, and the pair are found by [[Mors Umber]] beneath the walls of the castle. By [[Tycho Nestoris]], a [[Braavosi]] [[Iron Bank of Braavos|banker]] searching for Stannis, they are brought to the village where Stannis and his army remain. Stannis is informed of Arnolf's planned treachery, and arrests him, his son [[Arthor Karstark|Arthor]], and his three grandsons.<ref name=Theon>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', [[Theon I (The Winds of Winter)|Theon I]]</ref>

==Battle==
Because it has been snowing severely, the men on the battlefields of Winterfell cannot see anyone beneath the walls, giving [[Mors Umber]] and his green boys the chance to dig pits outside the gates. Next, they blow their horns to lure their enemies out.<ref name=Theon/> [[Roose Bolton]] sends out the [[House Frey|Freys]] from the main gates and the [[House Manderly|Manderlys]] from the eastern gates.{{Ref|ADWD|51}} The Frey men fall into the snow-covered pits placed by Mors, and Ser [[Aenys Frey]] breaks his neck.<ref name=Theon/>

==Aftermath==
At [[Castle Black]], [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch|Lord Commander]] [[Jon Snow]] receives [[Bastard Letter|a letter]], supposedly written by [[Ramsay Snow|Ramsay Bolton]], which claims that [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]] is dead and his army is broken. Though it is unknown if the letter's contents are true or if it was indeed written by Ramsay, it galvanizes Lord Commander Snow into breaking with tradition of the [[Night's Watch]] and forming an army of volunteers—black brothers and [[free folk]] alike—to march on Winterfell and defeat the Boltons. Jon is attacked in the [[mutiny at Castle Black]], however.{{ref|ADWD|69}}

==Notes==
{{Notes}}

==References==
{{References|2}}

{{War of the Five Kings}}

[[Category:Battles]]
[[Category:House Baratheon battles]]
[[Category:House Bolton battles]]
[[Category:House Frey battles]]
[[Category:House Manderly battles]]
[[Category:House Umber battles]]
[[Category:War of the Five Kings]]
[[Category:Winterfell]]

Battle on the Green Fork

2015-09-13T08:13:33Z

Nihlus:

{{Template:Battlebox
| image = [[file:Battle of the Green Fork HBO.jpg|325px]]
| caption = Aftermath of the battle in ''[[Game of Thrones]]''
| battle_name = Battle on the Green Fork
| conflict = [[War of the Five Kings]]
| date = {{Date|299}}<ref>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Events#The War of the Five Kings|The War of the Five Kings]] calculations.''</ref>
| place = Eastern bank of the [[Green Fork]], between the [[Twins]] and the [[inn at the crossroads]]
| result = [[House Lannister|Lannister]] victory
| colour_scheme =
| combatant1 = [[House Lannister]]
| combatant2 = [[House Stark]]
| commander1 = Lord [[Tywin Lannister]]
* Ser [[Gregor Clegane]]
* Ser [[Kevan Lannister]]
* Ser [[Addam Marbrand]]
| commander2 = Lord [[Roose Bolton]]
* Ser [[Wylis Manderly]]
* Lord [[Medger Cerwyn]]†
* [[Harrion Karstark]]
* Lord [[Halys Hornwood]]†
| strength1 = ~20,000
* ~7,500 Horse.
** ~300 mounted [[mountain clans]]men.
* ~12,500 Foot.
| strength2 = 17,300
* 16,800, entire Stark foot.
* 500, 1/10th of the Stark horse.
| casualties1 = Unknown casualties in the right, center, and reserve.
* 500 in the vanguard
** ~150 [[mountain clans]]men.
*Several hundred died of their wounds during the subsequent death march
| casualties2 = ~5,000
* [[Halys Hornwood]]
* [[Medger Cerwyn]]
* [[Harrion Karstark]] (captured)
* Ser [[Wylis Manderly]] (captured)
* Ser [[Pate of the Blue Fork]]
}}

The '''battle on the Green Fork'''{{ref|ACOK|7}}{{ref|ASOS|58}} is an early battle in the [[War of the Five Kings]] and is the first to involve forces of [[House Stark]]. The battle occurs along the [[Green Fork]] of the River [[Trident]] in the [[riverlands]].

==Prelude==
With the [[riverlands]] forces scattered, most of their land under [[House Lannister|Lannister]] control, and [[Riverrun]] besieged by Ser [[Jaime Lannister]]'s host, Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] occupies the [[ruby ford]] over the [[Trident]]. He plans to intercept the Stark host at the only crossing available to them over the Trident, other than the [[Twins]], where Lord [[Walder Frey]] remains neutral in the conflict and is thought unlikely to join them.

However, [[Catelyn Tully]] persuades the [[House Frey|Freys]] to join [[Robb Stark]]'s side, opening the way over the Twins. Robb, who does not wish to stake everything on one battle with Tywin, splits his host in two. The foot and one tenth of the horse under Lord [[Roose Bolton]] march down the [[kingsroad]] east of the [[Green Fork]] to engage Tywin, while Robb himself commands the rest of the cavalry and crosses west of the river, in the hope of lifting the siege of [[Riverrun]] by taking Jaime unawares.

==Battle==
The Stark army, commanded by Lord [[Roose Bolton]], marches throughout the night in an effort to take the Lannister army by surprise. They arrive in the early morning and launch their attack. However, the Lannister army arrays itself in time to meet them.

The [[Westerlands|westermen]] order of battle:
* The center: Ser [[Kevan Lannister]] commands 10,000 men, with Lords [[Leo Lefford|Lefford]], [[Lewys Lydden|Lydden]] and [[House Serrett|Serrett]] at his side with 300 heavy horse. The rest of the center is a mixed infantry force including pikemen, archers, axemen, swordsmen, and spearmen.
* The right: Ser [[Addam Marbrand]] commands 4,000 knights and other heavy lancers, among them Ser [[Flement Brax]] and members of houses [[House Crakehall|Crakehall]] and [[House Swyft|Swyft]].
* The left/van: Ser [[Gregor Clegane]] commanding. At 1,000 men, the vanguard is entirely mounted, but consists of [[Tyrion Lannister]] and his [[Mountain clans|clansmen]], freeriders, sellswords, and raw recruits.
* The reserve: Personally commanded by Lord [[Tywin Lannister]]. 5,000 men, half mounted, half afoot.

Tywin places his undisciplined men on the left, to tempt the Stark commander, who Tywin believes is the untested [[Robb Stark]], to overcommit there. Tywin hopes the van will rout and the Starks will plunge into the gap, eager to flank him. Tywin then intends for Kevan and the center to wheel to the left and take the northerners in the flank. However, perhaps owing to the northerners' exhaustion following their night march, the van, led by Gregor, defeats the forces arrayed in front of it. Kevan then brings up the center in support of the left, and pushes the Stark lines against the hills behind them. Tywin leads his reserve behind the van, along the river, to break the remnants of the Stark line. The Stark forces are routed and flee to the mouth of the [[causeway]] where Roose reforms them.{{Ref|aGoT|62}}

==Aftermath==
Although [[Roose Bolton]] is defeated, his march down the Green Fork, prior to the battle, distracts the Lannister army long enough to give [[Robb Stark]] the chance to fall upon Ser [[Jaime Lannister]]'s force unmolested in the [[Battle of the Whispering Wood]].

Roose's host loses several thousand men in the battle; he, [[Robett Glover]], [[Ronnel Stout]], [[Kyle Condon]], Ser [[Aenys Frey]], [[Elmar Frey]] and the remainder of the army are able to escape because Lord [[Tywin Lannister]], on account of his desire to help Jaime, fails to give chase. During the battle, Lord [[Halys Hornwood]] and Ser [[Pate of the Blue Fork]] are killed. Lord [[Medger Cerwyn]] is captured and dies later at [[Harrenhal]] from a wound taken in the fighting. Other captives taken are [[Harrion Karstark]], Ser [[Wylis Manderly]], Ser [[Donnel Locke]], Ser [[Jared Frey]], Ser [[Hosteen Frey]], Ser [[Danwell Frey]] and [[Ronel Rivers]].

==''Game of Thrones''==
The Battle of the Green Fork in the television adaptation ''[[Game of Thrones]]'' is altered, with Robb Stark sending a diversionary force of two thousand bannermen — instead of the larger host commanded by Roose Bolton (who is absent himself) — against the much larger Lannister army of 30,000. The battle is not explicitly shown, though it is shown to be a complete massacre of the northern army. No Stark leaders or nobles are present in the army either. Later in the same episode, "[[Baelor]]", Robb laments his decision to sacrifice two thousand of his men to capture [[Jaime Lannister]] at the [[Battle of the Whispering Wood|Whispering Wood]].

==Quotes==
{{Quote|We fought between a river and a road. When I saw my father's host deploy, I remember thinking how beautiful it was. Like a flower opening its petals to the sun. A crimson rose with iron thorns. And my father, ah, he had never looked so resplendent. He wore crimson armor, with this huge greatcloak made of cloth-of-gold. A pair of golden lions on his shoulders, another on his helm. His stallion was magnificent. His lordship watched the whole battle from atop that horse and never got within a hundred yards of any foe. He never moved, never smiled, never broke a sweat, whilst thousands died below him.{{ref|twow||[[Tyrion II (The Winds of Winter)|Tyrion]]}}}} - [[Tyrion Lannister]], to [[Penny]]

==References and Notes==
{{references}}

{{Template:War of the Five Kings}}

[[Category:Battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:War of the Five Kings|Green Fork]]
[[Category:Riverlands]]
[[Category:House Bolton battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Cerwyn battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Clegane battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Condon battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Crakehall battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Frey battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Glover battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Hornwood battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Karstark battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Lannister battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Lefford battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Locke battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Lydden battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Manderly battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Marbrand battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Serrett battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Stark battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Stout battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Swyft battles|Green Fork]]

[[es:Batalla del Forca Verde]]
[[fr:Bataille de la Verfurque]]
[[ru:Битва на Зелёном Зубце]]
[[zh:绿叉河之战]]

Patrek of King's Mountain

2015-06-20T08:27:09Z

Nihlus:

{{Character
| Character_name = [[File:MiniPatrek.png|50px|left]] '''Patrek''' [[File:Baratheon DS.png|50px|right]]
| image = [[File:Ser Patrek of King's Mountain TheMico.jpg|250px]]
| image_caption =
| Alias = Patrek of King's Mountain
| Title = Ser
| Allegiance = [[House Baratheon of Dragonstone]] [[Queen's men]]
| Race =
| Culture =
| Spouse =
| Place_of_Birth =
| Date_of_Birth =
| Place_of_Death =[[The Wall]]
| Date_of_Death = {{date|300}}
| Books = '''[[A Dance with Dragons]]''' (Appears)
| coat-of-arms =
}}

Ser '''Patrek of King's Mountain''' is a knight from the [[stormlands]] in the service of King [[Stannis Baratheon]]. He is one of the [[queen's men]].

==Appearance==
:''See also: [[:Category:Images of Patrek of King's Mountain|Images of Patrek of King's Mountain]]''
Patrek is clean-shaven and windburnt. His knightly raiment are of white and blue and silver, his cloak a spatter of five-pointed stars.

==History==
Patrek's lands were lost to him when he went north with King Stannis.

==Recent Events==
===''A Dance with Dragons''===
Patrek stays with Queen [[Selyse Florent|Selyse]] at [[Eastwatch-by-the-Sea]] when [[Stannis Baratheon]] goes to [[Retaking of Deepwood Motte|take Deepwood Motte]]. When Selyse leaves Eastwatch to go to the [[Nightfort]], Patrek accompanies her to [[Castle Black]].{{Ref|aDwD|44}}. He commands the fifty knights and men-at-arms left behind to guard Queen Selyse and Princess [[Shireen Baratheon]]. He thinks he would have made a better husband for [[Alys Karstark]] than [[Sigorn]] and he is smitten by [[Val]]. When Selyse suggests that Patrek should marry Val, [[Jon Snow]] states that [[wildling]] women must be stolen, showing the man's strength, to which Patrek replies, "No man has ever had cause to question my courage. No woman ever will."{{ref|ADWD|69}} He is later slain at [[Hardin's Tower]], where Val is staying, killed by the [[giants|giant]], [[Wun Weg Wun Dar Wun]].

==Behind the Scenes==
Patrek of King's Mountain is named after a friend of [[George R. R. Martin]], Patrick St. Denis of Montreal. Patrick is a fan of the Dallas Cowboys football team (whose logo is a blue star), while George supports the New York Giants. <ref>[http://fantasyhotlist.blogspot.com/2012/09/ser-patrek-of-kings-mountain.html Ser Patrek of King's Mountain]</ref>

==References and Notes==
{{references}}

[[Category:Characters from the Stormlands]]
[[Category:Knights]]
[[Category:Members of the queen's men]]

[[es:Patrek de la Montaña del Rey]]
[[fr:Patrek of King's Mountain]]
[[ru:Патрек с Королевской Горы]]