Battle in the Whispering Wood

From A Wiki of Ice and Fire
Revision as of 20:11, 19 January 2012 by Kenh99 (talk | contribs)
Jump to: navigation, search
Battle of the Whispering Wood
Conflict War of the Five Kings
Date 298 AC
Place area surrounding Riverrun
Result Stark victory
Combatants
House Lannister House Stark
Commanders
Ser Jaime Lannister Robb Stark
Strength
14-15, 000, (12, 000 foot in three camps, 2-3,000 horse) roughly 5,000
Casualties
unknown dead
Jaime Lannister captured
Eddard Karstark
Torrhen Karstark
Daryn Hornwood

The Battle of the Whispering Wood was a pivotal battle during the War of the Five Kings. It relieved Riverrun while shattering one of the Lannister armies in the Riverlands.[1]

Prelude

Robb Stark Having split his cavalry from his main force prior to the Battle of the Green Fork, Robb Stark forged an alliance with House Frey, which allows him to cross the river with his cavalry. he was joined by additional soldiers of House Frey and House Mallister from Seagard, he moved on Riverrun in an attempt to outflank the unexpected Lannister forces and relive the besieged forces at Riverrun. In an effort to keep his march secret, he had Ser Brynden Tully shoot down all of the Lannister ravens and any outriders screening the camps.

The Lannister army was made up of roughly 2-3,000 horse and 12,000 infantry split into three camps, which was needed due to Riverrun unique position.

The Battle

Battle of the Whispering Wood[2][3][4][5][6]

In an effort to draw Ser Jaime from his camp, Robb Stark sent a small force of a few hundred men carrying Tully colors to raid his camp and lure him out. When Ser Jaime came out, the raiders would fall back to a point where the rest of the Stark force would be waiting.

Forces of Lady Mormont sounded horns to signal the trap had been sprung. Greatjon Umber, Lord Rickard Karstark, the Freys and Mallisters all had subordinate commands. When Ser Jaime saw the battle lost, he rallied his retainers and attempted to cut his way through the host to slay Robb Stark in single combat. He was halted, but not before some of Robb Stark's personal guard were slain.

The outcome of the battle was a complete success for House Stark. Ser Jaime was captured, though at the loss of Daryn Hornwood, Eddard and Torrhen Karstark. Lord Westerling, Lord Banefort, Ser Garth Greenfield, Lord Estren, Ser Tytos Brax, Mallor the Dornishman and three Lannisters were captured alongside Ser Jaime.[1]

Aftermath

The capture of Ser Jaime left the Lannister army surrounding Riverrun leaderless and led to its disintegration at the Battle of the Camps. Additionally having Ser Jaime as a hostage, gives the starks a bargaining chip allowing them to call hostage exchange or even negotiate peace terms.

References and Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 63, Catelyn X.
  2. Chapter 63: To the left (which probably corresponds with West) Robb Stark's force.
  3. Chapter 63: Maege Mormont's warhorn, a long low blast that rolled down the valley from the east.
  4. Chapter 63: To east and west, the trumpets of the Mallisters and Freys blew vengeance
  5. Chapter 63: North, where the valley narrowed and bent like a cocked elbow, Lord Karstark
  6. Chapter 63: Across the valley to the far ridge, she (Catelyn Tully) saw the Greatjon's riders emerge from the darkness beneath the trees.