Difference between revisions of "Battle of the Bells"

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| battle_name = Battle of the Bells
 
| battle_name = Battle of the Bells
 
| conflict = [[Robert's Rebellion]]
 
| conflict = [[Robert's Rebellion]]
| date = {{Date|283}}
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| date = {{Date|283}}<ref>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Events#Robert's Rebellion/War of the Usurper|Robert's Rebellion/War of the Usurper]] calculation''</ref>
 
| place = [[Stoney Sept]]
 
| place = [[Stoney Sept]]
| result = Rebel victory
+
| result = rebel victory
| combatant1 = Rebel army of <br> [[The North]] <br> [[The Riverlands]] <br> [[The Vale]] <br> [[The Stormlands]]
+
| combatant1 = [[File:House Baratheon.svg|30px]] Rebels:
| combatant2 = Royal army of [[King's Landing]]  
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*Army of the [[north]]
| commander1 = Lord [[Robert Baratheon]] of [[Storm's End]] <br> Lord [[Eddard Stark]] of [[Winterfell]] <br> Lord [[Hoster Tully]] of [[Riverrun]]
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*Army of the [[riverlands]]
| commander2 = Lord [[Jon Connington]], [[Hand of the King]]
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*Army of the [[Vale of Arryn|Vale]]
 +
| combatant2 = [[File:House Targaryen.svg|30px]] Royalist army
 +
| commander1 = [[File:House Stark.svg|20px]] Lord [[Eddard Stark]]<br>[[File:House Tully.svg|20px]] Lord [[Hoster Tully]]<br>[[File:House Baratheon.svg|20px]] Lord [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]]
 +
| commander2 = [[File:House Connington.svg|20px]] Lord [[Jon Connington]]
 
| strength1 = unknown
 
| strength1 = unknown
 
| strength2 = unknown
 
| strength2 = unknown
| casualties1 = unknown,<br> Ser [[Denys Arryn]]
+
| casualties1 = unknown<br>Ser [[Denys Arryn]]
| casualties2 = Unknown but larger than the Rebel's<br>[[Myles Mooton]]
+
| casualties2 = unknown<br>Ser [[Myles Mooton]]
 
}}
 
}}
  
The '''Battle of the Bells''' was a battle fought during [[Robert's Rebellion]] between royal and rebel forces at [[Stoney Sept]]. The battle is called ''Battle of the Bells'' because at the beginning of the battle the sept tolled the city bells to warn the citizens of the battle and to persuade them to stay inside their houses. The battle was won by the rebel army although the royals were able to retreat in good order.  
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The '''Battle of the Bells''' was a battle fought during [[Robert's Rebellion]] between royalist and rebel forces at [[Stoney Sept]] in the southwestern [[riverlands]]. It is so-named because at the beginning of the battle the town's sept tolled its bells to warn the citizens of the battle and to persuade them to stay inside their houses. The battle was won by the rebel army, although the royalists were able to retreat in good order.  
  
 
==Prelude==
 
==Prelude==
After the Defeat in the [[Battle of Ashford]], on the Stormland/Reach border, [[Robert Baratheon]] turned north. Most likely, he was trying to link up to his allies, the Starks, Tullys and Arryns. It is unknown what happened between Ashford and [[Stoney Sept]] but during the journey Robert was wounded and he hid in the Sept from pursuers just before the battle began.
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After being defeated by Lord [[Randyll Tarly]] in the [[Battle of Ashford]],{{ref|ASOS|78}} near the border between the [[stormlands]] and the [[Reach]], Lord [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]] turned north to rejoin his friend, Lord [[Eddard Stark]]. Robert's wounds were tended to by friends in [[Stoney Sept]].{{ref|ASOS|29}}
 +
 
 +
When the glory-seeking [[Hand of the King]],{{ref|ADWD|61}} Lord [[Jon Connington]], occupied Stoney Sept with a mighty force,{{ref|ASOS|29}} he ordered his soldiers to begin searching the town, even its sewers,{{ref|ADWD|61}} for Robert. Jon offered pardons and rewards, and kept hostages in [[crow cage]]s, but Robert remained hidden in various places by the townspeople.{{ref|ADWD|61}} His last hiding place was the [[Peach]],{{ref|ADWD|24}} where Robert is said to have fathered [[Bella]].{{ref|ASOS|29}}
  
 
==Battle==
 
==Battle==
When Jon Connington occupied the town he ordered his soldiers to begin searching the houses looking for Robert Baratheon. They had not found him when the combined Tully-Stark army reached Stoney Sept. The rebels stormed the city's walls and attacked the army of Connington who responded by fighting back fiercely. He wounded [[Hoster Tully]] and killed Jon Arryn's cousin and heir, [[Denys Arryn]]. At the same time the two armies were battling all around them in the streets and in the alleys, even on some of the rooftops.
+
The royalists had not found Robert when the forces of Lords [[Eddard Stark]] and [[Hoster Tully]] reached Stoney Sept.{{ref|ASOS|29}} The town's septons rang bronze and silver bells to warn the [[smallfolk]] to remain indoors.{{ref|ADWD|24}} The rebels stormed Stoney Sept's walls and attacked [[Jon Connington]]'s army, who responded by fighting back fiercely in streets, in alleys, and on rooftops. Jon wounded Hoster{{ref|ASOS|29}} and killed Lord [[Jon Arryn]]'s gallant cousin and heir,{{ref|ASOS|2}} Ser [[Denys Arryn]], with an axe.{{ref|AFFC|41}}
At this point Robert came out (probably with his followers) and led the counterattack. Robert slew Rhaegars friend and former squire [[Myles Mooton]]. Although this seemed to have turned the tide of the battle, Robert himself later maintained that [[Eddard Stark]] won it for him. Jon Connington realized the battle was lost and was able to retreat in good order.{{Ref|aSoS|29}}
 
  
Connington later regrets he did not burn the town in stead of ordering the search. He thinks that it would have killed Robert Baratheon. As this would have decided the rebellion it would have been worth the town's population who would have perished with Baratheon.{{ref|aDwD|61}}
+
Emerging from the [[Peach]] when the bells began ringing, Robert slew six men, including Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]]'s friend and former squire, Ser [[Myles Mooton]].{{ref|ASOS|29}} Robert and Jon did not meet on the battlefield according to [[Harwin]],{{ref|ASOS|29}} while Jon recalled that he was nearly slain by Robert on the steps of the town's sept.{{ref|ADWD|61}} Jon realized the battle was lost and retreated.{{Ref|aSoS|29}} Robert later maintained that Eddard won the battle for him.{{ref|ASOS|29}}
  
 
==Aftermath==
 
==Aftermath==
The retreat by Jon Connington seems quite a feat due to the fierce fighting and the location (town, house to house fighting) would make it hard to hold the army together. Nevertheless it did not impress King [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys]] who had Connington exiled and seized his lands for his failure to deal with rebels. However, this defeat forced King Aerys to realize that Robert was no mere outlaw lord to be crushed at whim, but the greatest threat [[House Targaryen]] had faced since [[Daemon Blackfyre]].{{Ref|aSoS|37}}
+
The Battle of the Bells forced King [[Aerys II Targaryen]] to take [[Robert's Rebellion]] seriously.{{ref|aSoS|37}} He seized the lands of Lord [[Jon Connington]] for his failure to deal with rebels, and Jon, who for years insisted he was not responsible for the defeat,{{ref|ADWD|61}} is said to have drank himself to death in exile.{{ref|AFFC|27}} The king sent Ser [[Jonothor Darry]] and Ser [[Barristan Selmy]] to [[Stoney Sept]] to rally what they could of the loyalist forces.{{ref|aSoS|37}} Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] returned from the [[tower of joy]] and advised his father to seek assistance from Lord [[Tywin Lannister]].{{ref|ASOS|37}} Aerys instead trusted in Lords [[Qarlton Chelsted]] and [[Rossart]].{{ref|ADWD|Epilogue}} Having survived Stoney Sept, [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]] eventually slew Rhaegar in the [[Battle of the Trident]] and was crowned after Aerys's death in the [[Sack of King's Landing]].{{ref|ADWD|61}}
  
At the Battle of the Trident the rebels were on the North bank. Robert was fleeing North when trapped in Stoney Sept.  
+
==Recent Events==
 +
===''A Storm of Swords''===
 +
When they arrive at [[Stoney Sept]], [[Harwin]] tells [[Arya Stark]] about the victory of her father, Lord [[Eddard Stark]], in the Battle of the Bells.{{Ref|ASOS|29}}
  
After the battle King Aerys sent [[Jonothor Darry]] and [[Barristan Selmy]] to [[Stoney Sept]] to rally what they could of the loyalist forces.
+
===''A Dance with Dragons''===
 +
Lord [[Jon Connington]], who had not died of drink but instead allowed that story to be spread so he could help educate [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Young Griff]] in secret, is still haunted by the Battle of the Bells and its outcome.{{ref|ADWD|24}} Following the [[taking of Griffin's Roost]], he recalls a conversation with the late Ser [[Myles Toyne]] from his first year of exile, in which Jon explained he could not have done more at Stoney Sept. Myles responded that Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] would have burned down the town and brought an immediate end to [[Robert's Rebellion]], as Robert's death would have led to Eddard and Lord [[Hoster Tully]] accepting pardons. With his failure at Stoney Sept in mind, Jon now intends to assure the victory of Young Griff, who is claimed to be Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon Targaryen]], the son of Jon's late friend [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaegar]].{{ref|aDwD|61}}
  
==References and Notes==
+
==Quotes==
 +
{{Quote|[[Jon Connington|Connington]] wounded [[Hoster Tully|your grandfather Tully]] sore, though, and killed Ser [[Denys Arryn]], the darling of the [[Vale of Arryn|Vale]]. But when he saw the day was lost, he flew off as fast as the [[griffin]]s on his shield. The Battle of the Bells, they called it after. [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert]] always said [[Eddard Stark|your father]] won it, not him.{{ref|asos|29}}|[[Harwin]] to [[Arya Stark]]}}
 +
 
 +
{{quote|I'm named Bella. For the battle. I bet I could ring your bell, too.{{ref|ASOS|29}}|[[Bella]] to [[Gendry]]}}
 +
 
 +
{{quote|After [[Jon Connington|dancing griffins]] lost the Battle of the Bells, [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys]] exiled him. He had finally realized that [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert]] was no mere [[outlaw]] lord to be crushed at whim, but the greatest threat [[House Targaryen]] had faced since [[Daemon I Blackfyre|Daemon Blackfyre]].{{ref|ASOS|37}}|[[Jaime Lannister]] to [[Brienne Tarth]]}}
 +
 
 +
{{quote|Last night he'd dreamt of Stoney Sept again. Alone, with sword in hand, he ran from house to house, smashing down doors, racing up stairs, leaping from roof to roof, as his ears rang to the sound of distant bells. Deep bronze booms and silver chiming pounded through his skull, a maddening cacophony of noise that grew ever louder until it seemed as if his head would explode.<br>
 +
<br>
 +
Seventeen years had come and gone since the Battle of the Bells, yet the sound of bells ringing still tied a knot in his guts. Others might claim that the realm was lost when Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaegar]] fell to [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert's]] warhammer on the [[Trident]], but the [[Battle of the Trident]] would never have been fought if [[House Connington|the griffin]] had only slain [[House Baratheon|the stag]] there in [[Stoney Sept]]. The bells tolled for all of us that day. For [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys]] and [[Rhaella Targaryen|his queen]], for [[Elia Martell|Elia of Dorne]] and [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Rhaegar)|her little daughter]], for every true man and honest woman in the [[Seven Kingdoms]]. And for [[Rhaegar Targaryen|my silver prince]].{{ref|ADWD|24}}|thoughts of [[Jon Connington]]}}
 +
 
 +
{{quote|I wanted the glory of slaying [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert]] in single combat, and I did not want the name of butcher. So Robert escaped me and cut down [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaegar]] on the [[Battle of the Trident|Trident]].{{ref|ADWD|61}}|thoughts of [[Jon Connington]]}}
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 +
==References==
 
{{references|2}}
 
{{references|2}}
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 +
{{Robert's Rebellion}}
 +
  
 
[[Category:Battles|Bells]]
 
[[Category:Battles|Bells]]
[[fr:Bataille des Cloches]][[ru:Колокольная Битва]][[zh:&#40483;&#38047;&#20043;&#24441;]]
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[[Category:House Arryn battles|Bells]]
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[[Category:House Baratheon battles|Bells]]
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[[Category:House Connington battles|Bells]]
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[[Category:House Mooton battles|Bells]]
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[[Category:House Targaryen battles|Bells]]
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[[Category:House Stark battles|Bells]]
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[[Category:House Tully battles|Bells]]
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[[Category:Robert's Rebellion]]
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[[Category:Stoney Sept]]
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[[es:Batalla de las Campanas]]
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[[fr:Bataille des Cloches]]
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[[ru:Колокольная Битва]]
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[[zh:&#40483;&#38047;&#20043;&#24441;]]

Latest revision as of 02:18, 3 July 2023

Battle of the Bells
Battle of the Bells2.jpg
The sept tolled the city bells to warn the citizens
Conflict Robert's Rebellion
Date 283 AC[1]
Place Stoney Sept
Result rebel victory
Combatants
House Baratheon.svg Rebels: House Targaryen.svg Royalist army
Commanders
House Stark.svg Lord Eddard Stark
House Tully.svg Lord Hoster Tully
House Baratheon.svg Lord Robert Baratheon
House Connington.svg Lord Jon Connington
Strength
unknown unknown
Casualties
unknown
Ser Denys Arryn
unknown
Ser Myles Mooton

The Battle of the Bells was a battle fought during Robert's Rebellion between royalist and rebel forces at Stoney Sept in the southwestern riverlands. It is so-named because at the beginning of the battle the town's sept tolled its bells to warn the citizens of the battle and to persuade them to stay inside their houses. The battle was won by the rebel army, although the royalists were able to retreat in good order.

Prelude

After being defeated by Lord Randyll Tarly in the Battle of Ashford,[2] near the border between the stormlands and the Reach, Lord Robert Baratheon turned north to rejoin his friend, Lord Eddard Stark. Robert's wounds were tended to by friends in Stoney Sept.[3]

When the glory-seeking Hand of the King,[4] Lord Jon Connington, occupied Stoney Sept with a mighty force,[3] he ordered his soldiers to begin searching the town, even its sewers,[4] for Robert. Jon offered pardons and rewards, and kept hostages in crow cages, but Robert remained hidden in various places by the townspeople.[4] His last hiding place was the Peach,[5] where Robert is said to have fathered Bella.[3]

Battle

The royalists had not found Robert when the forces of Lords Eddard Stark and Hoster Tully reached Stoney Sept.[3] The town's septons rang bronze and silver bells to warn the smallfolk to remain indoors.[5] The rebels stormed Stoney Sept's walls and attacked Jon Connington's army, who responded by fighting back fiercely in streets, in alleys, and on rooftops. Jon wounded Hoster[3] and killed Lord Jon Arryn's gallant cousin and heir,[6] Ser Denys Arryn, with an axe.[7]

Emerging from the Peach when the bells began ringing, Robert slew six men, including Prince Rhaegar Targaryen's friend and former squire, Ser Myles Mooton.[3] Robert and Jon did not meet on the battlefield according to Harwin,[3] while Jon recalled that he was nearly slain by Robert on the steps of the town's sept.[4] Jon realized the battle was lost and retreated.[3] Robert later maintained that Eddard won the battle for him.[3]

Aftermath

The Battle of the Bells forced King Aerys II Targaryen to take Robert's Rebellion seriously.[8] He seized the lands of Lord Jon Connington for his failure to deal with rebels, and Jon, who for years insisted he was not responsible for the defeat,[4] is said to have drank himself to death in exile.[9] The king sent Ser Jonothor Darry and Ser Barristan Selmy to Stoney Sept to rally what they could of the loyalist forces.[8] Prince Rhaegar Targaryen returned from the tower of joy and advised his father to seek assistance from Lord Tywin Lannister.[8] Aerys instead trusted in Lords Qarlton Chelsted and Rossart.[10] Having survived Stoney Sept, Robert Baratheon eventually slew Rhaegar in the Battle of the Trident and was crowned after Aerys's death in the Sack of King's Landing.[4]

Recent Events

A Storm of Swords

When they arrive at Stoney Sept, Harwin tells Arya Stark about the victory of her father, Lord Eddard Stark, in the Battle of the Bells.[3]

A Dance with Dragons

Lord Jon Connington, who had not died of drink but instead allowed that story to be spread so he could help educate Young Griff in secret, is still haunted by the Battle of the Bells and its outcome.[5] Following the taking of Griffin's Roost, he recalls a conversation with the late Ser Myles Toyne from his first year of exile, in which Jon explained he could not have done more at Stoney Sept. Myles responded that Lord Tywin Lannister would have burned down the town and brought an immediate end to Robert's Rebellion, as Robert's death would have led to Eddard and Lord Hoster Tully accepting pardons. With his failure at Stoney Sept in mind, Jon now intends to assure the victory of Young Griff, who is claimed to be Prince Aegon Targaryen, the son of Jon's late friend Rhaegar.[4]

Quotes

Connington wounded your grandfather Tully sore, though, and killed Ser Denys Arryn, the darling of the Vale. But when he saw the day was lost, he flew off as fast as the griffins on his shield. The Battle of the Bells, they called it after. Robert always said your father won it, not him.[3]

I'm named Bella. For the battle. I bet I could ring your bell, too.[3]

After dancing griffins lost the Battle of the Bells, Aerys exiled him. He had finally realized that Robert was no mere outlaw lord to be crushed at whim, but the greatest threat House Targaryen had faced since Daemon Blackfyre.[8]

Last night he'd dreamt of Stoney Sept again. Alone, with sword in hand, he ran from house to house, smashing down doors, racing up stairs, leaping from roof to roof, as his ears rang to the sound of distant bells. Deep bronze booms and silver chiming pounded through his skull, a maddening cacophony of noise that grew ever louder until it seemed as if his head would explode.


Seventeen years had come and gone since the Battle of the Bells, yet the sound of bells ringing still tied a knot in his guts. Others might claim that the realm was lost when Prince Rhaegar fell to Robert's warhammer on the Trident, but the Battle of the Trident would never have been fought if the griffin had only slain the stag there in Stoney Sept. The bells tolled for all of us that day. For Aerys and his queen, for Elia of Dorne and her little daughter, for every true man and honest woman in the Seven Kingdoms. And for my silver prince.[5]

—thoughts of Jon Connington

I wanted the glory of slaying Robert in single combat, and I did not want the name of butcher. So Robert escaped me and cut down Rhaegar on the Trident.[4]

—thoughts of Jon Connington

References