Difference between revisions of "Battle on the Green Fork"

From A Wiki of Ice and Fire
Jump to: navigation, search
m
(15 intermediate revisions by 6 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
{{Template:Battlebox
 
{{Template:Battlebox
 
| image      = [[File:Tomasz JedruszekBattle of the Green Fork.jpg|325px]]
 
| image      = [[File:Tomasz JedruszekBattle of the Green Fork.jpg|325px]]
| caption    = Battle on the Green Fork by Tomasz Jedruszek. © FFG
+
| caption    = Battle on the Green Fork by Tomasz Jedruszek © Fantasy Flight Games
 
| battle_name = Battle on the Green Fork
 
| battle_name = Battle on the Green Fork
 
| conflict    = [[War of the Five Kings]]
 
| 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>
+
| date        = {{Date|299}}<ref>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Events#The War of the Five Kings|War of the Five Kings]] calculations.''</ref>
 
| place      = Eastern bank of the [[Green Fork]], between the [[Twins]] and the [[inn at the crossroads]]
 
| place      = Eastern bank of the [[Green Fork]], between the [[Twins]] and the [[inn at the crossroads]]
 
| result      = [[House Lannister|Lannister]] victory   
 
| result      = [[House Lannister|Lannister]] victory   
 
| colour_scheme =
 
| colour_scheme =
| combatant1  = [[File:Joffrey sigil coat.png|33px]] '''[[Iron Throne]]'''/ [[House Baratheon of King's Landing]]:<br>
+
| combatant1  = [[File:House Baratheon (King's Landing).svg|33px]] '''[[Iron Throne]]'''/ [[House Baratheon of King's Landing]]:<br>
  
[[File:House Lannister.svg|30px]] [[Westerlands]], led by [[House Lannister]]
+
[[File:House Lannister.svg|30px]] [[Westerlands]], led by [[House Lannister]]{{refn|group="N"|name=Leaving Harrenhal|The banners of Houses [[Banefort|Banefort]], [[House Bettley|Bettley]], [[House Falwell|Falwell]], [[House Ferren|Ferren]], [[House Foote|Foote]], [[House Kenning of Kayce|Kenning of Kayce]], [[House Myatt|Myatt]], [[House Peckledon|Peckledon]], [[House Prester|Prester]], [[House Sarsfield|Sarsfield]], and [[House Stackspear|Stackspear]] are spotted by [[Arya Stark]] as [[Tywin Lannister]]'s host leaves [[Harrenhal]] in ''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 38|Arya VIII]].{{ref|ACOK|38}} Men from these Houses may have been in battles involving Tywin's host, such as on the Green Fork, but their participation has not been confirmed.}}{{refn|group="N"|name=Corpse|The banners of Houses [[House Hamell|Hamell]], [[House Moreland|Moreland]], [[House Turnberry|Turnberry]], and [[House Yarwyck|Yarwyck]] are present during the escorting of the corpse of [[Tywin Lannister]] from [[King's Landing]] back to [[Casterly Rock]] in ''[[A Feast for Crows]]'', [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 16|Jaime II]].{{ref|AFFC|16}} Men from these Houses may have been in battles involving Tywin's host, such as on the Green Fork, but their participation has not been confirmed.}}{{refn|group="N"|name=Lorch|[[Tywin Lannister]] gives orders for [[Amory Lorch]] to participate in the burning of the [[riverlands]] in ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 69|Tyrion IX]]{{ref|AGOT|69}} so [[House Lorch]] may have recently fought on the Green Fork.}}{{refn|group=N|name=FindingJaime|In ''[[A Storm of Swords]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 62|Jaime VII]], the brothers Plumm are mentioned as having been sent by [[Tywin Lannister]] to find [[Jaime Lannister]] following his release from [[Riverrun]],{{ref|ASOS|62}} so [[House Plumm]] may have fought on the Green Fork.}}
*[[House Banefort]]{{refn|group="N"|name=Leaving Harrenhal|Houses Banefort, Bettley, Falwell, Ferren, Foote, Kenning of Kayce, Myatt, Peckledon, Prester, Sarsfield & Stackspear are not directly mentioned at this battle. However, the colours of these houses banners are spotted by Arya in [[A Clash of Kings]] as Tywin's host leaves Harrenhal in order to [[Battle of the Fords|cross into the Westerlands]].{{ref|ACOK|38}} This strongly suggests that men from these houses were present at previous battles involving Tywin's host, including at the Green Fork.}}
+
*[[File:House Brax.svg|15px]] [[House Brax]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[House Bettley]]{{refn|group="N"|name=Leaving Harrenhal}}
+
*[[File:House Clegane.svg|15px]] [[House Clegane]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[House Brax]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
+
*[[File:House Crakehall.svg|15px]] [[House Crakehall]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[House Clegane]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
+
*[[File:None.svg|15px]] [[House Lannister of Lannisport]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[House Crakehall]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
+
*[[File:House Lefford.svg|15px]] [[House Lefford]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[House Falwell]]{{refn|group="N"|name=Leaving Harrenhal}}
+
*[[File:House Lydden.svg|15px]] [[House Lydden]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[House Ferren]]{{refn|group="N"|name=Leaving Harrenhal}}
+
*[[File:House Moreland.svg|15px]] [[House Marbrand]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[House Foote]]{{refn|group="N"|name=Leaving Harrenhal}}
+
*[[File:House Serrett.svg|15px]] [[House Serrett]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[House Hamell]]{{refn|group="N"|name=Corpse|Houses Hamell, Moreland, Turnberry & Yarwyck are not directly mentioned at this battle. However the banners of these houses are present during the escorting of the corpse of Tywin Lannister back to Casterly Rock{{ref|AFFC|16}}, which suggests that these houses were loyal to Tywin and were likely to have contributed men to Tywin's host. Therefore the men of these houses were likely present at the Green Fork.}}
+
*[[File:House Swyft.svg|15px]] [[House Swyft]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[House Kenning of Kayce]]{{refn|group="N"|name=Leaving Harrenhal}}
 
*[[House Lannister of Lannisport]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
 
*[[House Lefford]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
 
*[[House Lorch]]{{refn|group="N"|name=Lorch|Ser Amory Lorch is mentioned as being present in the Riverlands throughout Tywin's invasion, and is ordered to burn lands shortly following the victory of Robb Stark at the Whispering Woods and the Camps.{{ref|AGOT|69}} Therefore it is very likely that Lorch men were present at the Green Fork.}}
 
*[[House Lydden]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
 
*[[House Marbrand]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
 
*[[House Moreland]]{{refn|group="N"|name=Corpse}}
 
*[[House Myatt]]{{refn|group="N"|name=Leaving Harrenhal}}
 
*[[House Payne]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
 
*[[House Peckledon]]{{refn|group="N"|name=Leaving Harrenhal}}
 
*[[House Plumm]]{{refn|group=N|name=FindingJaime|House Plumm is not directly mentioned at this battle. However in [[A Storm of Swords]] the brothers Plumm were sent to find Jaime following his release, which takes place after this battle.{{ref|ASOS|62}} This suggests that House Plumm is a part of Tywin's host, and therefore took part in battles involving the host, including at the Green Fork.}}
 
*[[House Prester]]{{refn|group="N"|name=Leaving Harrenhal}}
 
*[[House Sarsfield]]{{refn|group="N"|name=Leaving Harrenhal}}
 
*[[House Serrett]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
 
*[[House Stackspear]]{{refn|group="N"|name=Leaving Harrenhal}}
 
*[[House Swyft]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
 
*[[House Turnberry]]{{refn|group="N"|name=Corpse}}
 
*[[House Yarwyck]]{{refn|group="N"|name=Corpse}}
 
  
 
[[Vale mountain clans]]
 
[[Vale mountain clans]]
*[[Black Ears]]
+
*[[File:Black Ears.svg|15px]] [[Black Ears]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[Burned Men]]
+
*[[File:Burned Men.svg|15px]] [[Burned Men]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[Moon Brothers]]
+
*[[File:Moon Brothers.svg|15px]] [[Moon Brothers]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[Stone Crows]]
+
*[[File:Stone Crows.svg|15px]] [[Stone Crows]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
| combatant2  = '''Roose Bolton's Host:'''<br>
+
| combatant2  = '''Roose Bolton's host:'''<br>
  
[[File:House Stark.svg|30px]][[File:Bolton.png|30px]] [[North|The North]], led by [[House Stark]] & [[House Bolton]]
+
[[File:House Stark.svg|30px]] [[North]], led by [[House Stark]]{{refn|group=N|name=Burley, Norrey|Houses [[House Burley|Burley]] and [[House Norrey|Norrey]] are mentioned in ''[[A Storm of Swords]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 49|Catelyn VI]], as being part of [[Roose Bolton]]'s host that is attacked by the [[Mountain's men]] while [[Fighting at the fords of the Trident|crossing the Trident]].{{ref|ASOS|49}} Men from these clans may have been in earlier battles involving Rooses's host, such as on the Green Fork, but their participation has not been confirmed.}}{{refn|group=N|name=Dustin|In ''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 46|A Ghost in Winterfell]], [[Barbrey Dustin]] mentions that [[House Dustin]] had men die in the [[Red Wedding]].{{ref|ADWD|46}} Dustins may have been in earlier battles involving Rooses's host, such as on the Green Fork, but their participation has not been confirmed.}}{{refn|group=N|name=Condon, Ryswell, Stout|[[House Condon|Condon]], [[House Ryswell|Ryswell]], and [[House Stout|Stout]] men are mentioned in ''[[A Storm of Swords]]'' [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 49|Catelyn VI]], as being left behind by [[Roose Bolton]] to defend against incursions by the [[Mountain's men]], following the [[Fighting at the fords of the Trident|crossing of the Trident]] by the northmen.{{ref|ASOS|49}} Men from these Houses may have been in earlier battles involving Rooses's host, such as on the Green Fork, but their participation has not been confirmed.}}
*[[House Burley]]{{refn|group=N|name=Burley, Norrey|Burley & Norrey men are not directly mentioned at the Battle of the Green Fork but are later mentioned in [[A Storm of Swords]] as being part of Roose's host that is attacked by the [[Mountain's men]] whilst [[Fighting at the fords of the Trident|crossing the Trident]].{{ref|ASOS|49}} Therefore it can be assumed that the Burleys and Norreys were present at earlier battles involving Roose's host, including at the Green Fork.}}
+
*[[File:House Bolton.svg|15px]] [[House Bolton]]{{ref|AGOT|59}}
*[[House Cerwyn]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
+
*[[File:House Cerwyn.svg|15px]] [[House Cerwyn]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[House Condon]]{{refn|group=N|name=Condon, Ryswell, Stout|Condon, Ryswell & Stout men are not directly mentioned at the Battle of the Green Fork but are later mentioned in [[A Storm of Swords]] as being part of a force of men left behind by Roose at the Ruby Ford to defend against incursions by the [[Mountain's men]], following the [[Fighting at the fords of the Trident|crossing the Trident]] by the Northmen.{{ref|ASOS|49}} Therefore it can be assumed that the Condons, Ryswells and Stouts were present at earlier battles involving Roose's host, including at the Green Fork.}}
+
*[[File:House Glover.svg|15px]] [[House Glover]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[House Dustin]]{{refn|group=N|name=Dustin|Dustin men are not directly mentioned at the Battle of the Green Fork. However, during [[A Dance with Dragons]] Lady Dustin mentions that Dustin men died in the Red Wedding, which suggests that Dustin men were present during the Northmen campaigns in the Riverlands. As the Dustins are loyal to House Bolton, it is likely that they were a part of Roose's host, meaning that they took part in the battles between Roose's army and the Lannisters, including at the Green Fork.}}
+
*[[File:House Hornwood.svg|15px]] [[House Hornwood]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[House Glover]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
+
*[[File:House Karstark.svg|15px]] [[House Karstark]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[House Hornwood]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
+
*[[File:House Locke.PNG|15px]] [[House Locke]]{{ref|ACOK|25}}
*[[House Karstark]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
+
*[[File:House Manderly.svg|15px]] [[House Manderly]]{{ref|AGOT|55}}
*[[House Locke]]{{refn|group=N|name=Locke|Ser Donnel Locke is captured following the Battle on the Green Fork.{{ref|ACOK|25}} Therefore, Locke men must have been present at the Green Fork.}}
 
*[[House Manderly]]{{ref|AGOT|55}}
 
*[[House Norrey]]{{refn|group=N|name=Burley, Norrey}}
 
*[[House Ryswell]]{{refn|group=N|name=Condon, Ryswell, Stout}}
 
*[[House Stout]]{{refn|group=N|name=Condon, Ryswell, Stout}}
 
  
 
[[Riverlands]]
 
[[Riverlands]]
*[[House Frey]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
+
*[[File:House Frey.svg|15px]] [[House Frey]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
| commander1  = Lord [[Tywin Lannister]]
+
| commander1  = [[File:House Lannister.svg|15px]] Lord [[Tywin Lannister]]
* Ser [[Gregor Clegane]]
+
* [[File:House Clegane.svg|15px]] Ser [[Gregor Clegane]]
* Ser [[Kevan Lannister]]
+
* [[File:House Lannister.svg|15px]] Ser [[Kevan Lannister]]
* Ser [[Addam Marbrand]]
+
* [[File:House Marbrand.svg|15px]] Ser [[Addam Marbrand]]
| commander2  = Lord [[Roose Bolton]]
+
| commander2  = [[File:House Bolton.svg|15px]] Lord [[Roose Bolton]]
* Ser [[Wylis Manderly]] (POW)
+
* [[File:House Cerwyn.svg|15px]] Lord [[Medger Cerwyn]] (POW)
* Lord [[Medger Cerwyn]] (POW)
+
* [[File:House Hornwood.svg|15px]] Lord [[Halys Hornwood]]
* [[Harrion Karstark]]
+
* [[File:House Karstark.svg|15px]] [[Harrion Karstark]]
* Lord [[Halys Hornwood]]
+
* [[File:House Manderly.svg|15px]] Ser [[Wylis Manderly]] (POW)
 +
 
 
| strength1  = ~20,000
 
| strength1  = ~20,000
 
* ~7,500 horse, including ~300 mounted [[Vale mountain clans|mountain clansmen]]
 
* ~7,500 horse, including ~300 mounted [[Vale mountain clans|mountain clansmen]]
 
* ~12,500 foot
 
* ~12,500 foot
| strength2  = ~17,000<ref group="N">Robb's initial Northern force consists of 19,500 men (''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 55|Catelyn VII]]), with slightly more than 1/4 being heavy cavalry (''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 53|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>
+
| strength2  = ~17,800<ref group="N">[[Robb Stark]]'s initial northern force consists of 20,000 men (''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 55|Catelyn VII]]), with slightly more than 1/4 being heavy cavalry (''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 53|Bran VI]] gives the figures of 3,300-3,400 heavy cavalry out of an initial muster of 12,000). This would suggest ~15,000 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 24,000 soldiers (18,000 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]]), however we do not know the actual number left behind and so this estimate is non-applicable. By leaving the known 800 infantry behind at the Twins, this brings Robb's army to 23,200 men (17,200 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's host is about 17,800 troops in total (17,200 infantry, 600 heavy cavalry).</ref>
* 16,500 infantry
+
* 17.200 foot
* 600 heavy cavalry
+
* 600 horse
 
| casualties1 = Unknown casualties in the right, center, and reserve
 
| casualties1 = Unknown casualties in the right, center, and reserve
 
*~500 in the vanguard, including ~150 [[Vale mountain clans|mountain clansmen]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
 
*~500 in the vanguard, including ~150 [[Vale mountain clans|mountain clansmen]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
Line 82: Line 60:
 
*Several hundred die of their wounds during the subsequent march south{{ref|AGOT|69}}
 
*Several hundred die of their wounds during the subsequent march south{{ref|AGOT|69}}
 
| casualties2 =  
 
| 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]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 44|Jaime VI]]), for a total of 4,300 remaining soldiers (''[[A Storm of Swords]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 49|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]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 39|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]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 37|Jaime V]]). The 1,500 Frey soldiers (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 64|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]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 35|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]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 49|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>   
+
~5,000<Ref group="N">The casualties [[Roose Bolton]]'s forces take 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 (mostly [[House Bolton|Bolton]] men with some [[House Karstark|Karstarks]]) and another 600 guarding a ford, with 200 Bolton riders having previously been sent to escort [[Jaime Lannister]] to King's Landing under [[Walton]] (''[[A Storm of Swords]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 44|Jaime VI]]), for a total of 4,300 remaining soldiers (''[[A Storm of Swords]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 49|Catelyn VI]]). In chronological order from after the Green Fork, his host suffered the following major changes to its strength: 400 men [[Robb Stark]] originally left at the Twins joined it under [[Edmure Tully]]'s orders (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 39|Catelyn V]]). ~1,000 Karstark troops deserted him and took to the countryside following Robb's execution of [[Rickard Karstark]] according to Roose (''[[A Storm of Swords]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 37|Jaime V]]). The 1,500 Frey soldiers (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 64|Arya X]]) who were with [[Aenys Frey]] by the time Roose 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]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 35|Catelyn IV]]) where they were smashed. Finally, ~2,050 soldiers were left to die at the [[Fighting at the fords of the Trident|ruby ford]] (''[[A Storm of Swords]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 49|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]] (POW)
* [[Medger Cerwyn]] (POW)
+
* [[Halys Hornwood]]†
* [[Harrion Karstark]] (POW)  
+
* [[Harrion Karstark]] (POW)
 +
* Ser [[Donnel Locke]] (POW)
 
* Ser [[Wylis Manderly]] (POW)
 
* Ser [[Wylis Manderly]] (POW)
* Ser [[Donnel Locke]] (POW)
 
* 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]].
+
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 [[Trident]] in the [[riverlands]].
  
 
==Prelude==
 
==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.
+
War breaks out after the death of King [[Robert I Baratheon]] and the arrest of Lord [[Eddard Stark]] in [[King's Landing]].{{ref|AGOT|49}}{{ref|AGOT|55}} [[House Lannister]] invades the [[riverlands]], scattering the riverlords and placing [[Riverrun]] under siege. Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] occupies the [[crossroads]] near the [[ruby ford]] and waits to see how Houses [[House Arryn|Arryn]] and [[House Stark|Stark]] will respond. Tywin expects [[House Frey]], who control the crossing over the [[Green Fork]], to remain neutral.{{ref|AGOT|56}}
  
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.
+
[[Robb Stark]] calls the [[north]]ern banners and marches south from [[Winterfell]] to rescue his father.{{ref|AGOT|53}} When Ser [[Addam Marbrand]]'s outriders report that Robb is on the [[causeway]], Tywin orders for Addam to draw the northmen further south while Tywin leads his own host north on the [[kingsroad]] east of the Green Fork to meet them.{{ref|AGOT|56}}
 +
 
 +
Once south of the [[Neck]], Robb's mother, [[Catelyn Stark]], persuades Lord [[Walder Frey]] to ally with Robb, opening the way over the Green Fork at 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]] continue marching south on the kingsroad 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 Tywin's son, Ser [[Jaime Lannister]], unawares.{{ref|AGOT|55}}{{ref|AGOT|59}}
 +
 
 +
Addam's outriders inform Tywin that the Freys have joined the Starks and their combined host is marching south on the kingsroad.{{ref|AGOT|62}} Ser [[Brynden Tully]]'s men kill some of Addam's scouts, however, preventing the Lannisters from knowing that Robb's host split at the Twins.{{ref|AGOT|59}}
  
 
==Battle==
 
==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}}
+
When the [[westerlands|westermen]] think the [[north]]men are still a day's march away, the [[House Stark|Stark]] army, commanded by Lord [[Roose Bolton]], marches throughout the night in an effort to take the [[House Lannister|Lannister]] army by surprise, arriving before dawn.{{ref|AGOT|62}}
 +
 
 +
However, the Lannister army arrays itself in time to meet the northmen. The westermen's order of battle includes:
 +
* Ser [[Kevan Lannister]] commands ten thousand men in the center, with Lords [[Leo Lefford|Lefford]], [[Lewys Lydden|Lydden]] and [[House Serrett|Serrett]] at his side with three hundred heavy horse. His foot archers are arranged in three long lines east and west of the [[kingsroad]]. Between the archers are squares of pikemen, and behind them are ranks of [[men-at-arms]] wielding axes, swords, and spears.{{ref|AGOT|62}}
 +
* On the right, Ser [[Addam Marbrand]] commands four thousand knights and other heavy lancers, among them Ser [[Flement Brax]] and members of Houses [[House Crakehall|Crakehall]], [[House Swyft|Swyft]], and other families.{{ref|AGOT|62}}
 +
* Ser [[Gregor Clegane]] commands the vanguard on the left. At one thousand men, the van is entirely mounted, but consists of freeriders, [[sellswords]], and raw fieldhands and smallfolk from [[Lannisport]]. The van also includes [[Tyrion Lannister]], his sellsword [[Bronn]], and his three hundred [[Vale mountain clans]]men,{{ref|AGOT|62}} who are considered savages by the nobles.{{ref|AGOT|56}}
 +
* From the high ground of a hilltop, Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] commands the reserve of five thousand men, half mounted, half afoot.{{ref|AGOT|62}}
  
However, the Lannister army arrays itself in time to meet the northmen. The [[Westerlands|westermen's]] order of battle includes:
+
Unbeknownst to Tyrion, Tywin has placed 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, driving them into the Green Fork.{{ref|AGOT|62}} Before the fighting begins, Gregor orders Tyrion to hold the van's left, along the riverfront.{{ref|AGOT|62}}
* 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}}
+
Kevan's archers fire volleys of arrows from the kingsroad as the northmen march forward; Tyrion observes the banners of Houses [[House Cerwyn|Cerwyn]], [[House Frey|Frey]], [[House Glover|Glover]], [[House Hornwood|Hornwood]], [[House Karstark|Karstark]], and Stark. The armored veterans with Gregor break a shield wall of Karstark spearmen, and Tyrion's clansmen follow through the breach. Tyrion notices a volley of arrows land amongst the northmen and Lannister van, although he does not know from where they were fired. Tyrion kills a northern swordsman who attacks him, and then forces a northern knight to yield after the man becomes trapped beneath his horse.{{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}}
+
Meanwhile, Kevan sends in his pikemen to push the Stark lines against the hills behind them, and Kevan's archers fire against the northmen behind shield walls. Tywin leads his reserve behind the van, along the river, to break the remnants of the Stark line.{{ref|AGOT|62}} Tywin feels the northmen were led cautiously during the battle, which he did not expect from young Robb.{{ref|AGOT|62}}
  
 
==Aftermath==
 
==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 Bolton]]'s host loses several thousand men in the battle, including Lord [[Halys Hornwood]].{{ref|AGOT|62}} Captives taken include Lord [[Medger Cerwyn]], [[Harrion Karstark]], Ser [[Wylis Manderly]], Ser [[Donnel Locke]], Ser [[Jared Frey]], Ser [[Hosteen Frey]], Ser [[Danwell Frey]], and [[Ronel Rivers]].{{ref|ACOK|Appendix}}
 +
 
 +
[[Tyrion Lannister]] leaves the northern knight he captured in the care of [[Bronn]].{{ref|AGOT|62}} About half of Tyrion's [[Vale mountain clans|clansmen]] are killed in the fighting, with [[Conn]] of the [[Stone Crows]] and [[Ulf son of Umar|Ulf]] of the [[Moon Brothers]] among the slain.{{ref|AGOT|62}}
  
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}}
+
The Lannisters learn from their captives that the northern host had split at the [[Twins]], and that [[Robb Stark]] is rushing toward [[Riverrun]].{{ref|AGOT|62}} Instead of pursuing Roose's host as it retreats northward, Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] leads his own host on a forced march south to aid his son, Ser [[Jaime Lannister]].{{ref|AGOT|69}} Robb captures the Kingslayer at the [[battle in the Whispering Wood]],{{ref|AGOT|63}} however, and he then saves Riverrun with the [[Battle of the Camps]].{{ref|AGOT|69}}{{ref|AGOT|71}}  
  
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}}
+
After learning of Jaime's defeat while at the [[crossroads inn]], Tywin decides to march to [[Harrenhal]].{{ref|AGOT|69}} Three dozen captives from the Green Fork are housed in the [[Tower of Dread]], and Lord Cerwyn dies at Harrenhal from a wound taken on the Green Fork.{{ref|ACOK|30}}
  
==''Game of Thrones''==
+
Roose reforms his host at the mouth of the [[causeway]]{{ref|AGOT|71}} and returns to the [[Twins]].{{ref|ACOK|Appendix}} The deaths of Lord Hornwood at the Green Fork and his son [[Daryn Hornwood|Daryn]] in the Whispering Wood cause a [[Fighting in the Hornwood|succession crisis to Hornwood]] back in the north.{{ref|ACOK|16}}
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==
 
==Quotes==
{{quote|A fine victory. Your [[Vale mountain clans|wild men]] fought well.{{ref|AGOT|62}}}} - [[Kevan Lannister]] to [[Tyrion Lannister]]
+
{{Quote|The [[north]]erners would be exhausted after their long sleepless march. Tyrion wondered what [[Robb Stark|the boy]] had been thinking. Did he think to take them unawares while they slept? Small chance of that; whatever else might be said of him, [[Tywin Lannister]] was no man's fool.{{ref|AGOT|62}}|thoughts of [[Tyrion Lannister]]}}
  
 +
{{Quote|Tyrion watched [[Tywin Lannister|his father]] fly past, the crimson-and-gold banner of [[House Lannister|Lannister]] rippling over his head as he thundered across the field. Five hundred [[knight]]s surrounded him, sunlight flashing off the points of their lances. The remnants of the [[House Stark|Stark]] lines shattered like glass beneath the hammer of their charge.{{ref|AGOT|62}}|thoughts of [[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|A fine victory. Your [[Vale mountain clans|wild men]] fought well.{{ref|AGOT|62}}|[[Kevan Lannister]] to [[Tyrion Lannister]]}}
  
 +
{{Quote|[[Roose Bolton|Bolton]] does not concern me. He is a wary man, and we made him warier on the [[Green Fork]].{{ref|AGOT|69}}|[[Tywin Lannister]] to [[Kevan Lannister]]}}
  
{{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]]
+
{{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]]}}
 +
 
 +
==''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]].
  
 
==Notes==
 
==Notes==
Line 142: Line 133:
 
[[Category:House Cerwyn battles|Green Fork]]
 
[[Category:House Cerwyn battles|Green Fork]]
 
[[Category:House Clegane battles|Green Fork]]
 
[[Category:House Clegane battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Condon battles|Green Fork]]
 
 
[[Category:House Crakehall battles|Green Fork]]
 
[[Category:House Crakehall battles|Green Fork]]
 
[[Category:House Frey battles|Green Fork]]
 
[[Category:House Frey battles|Green Fork]]
Line 156: Line 146:
 
[[Category:House Serrett battles|Green Fork]]
 
[[Category:House Serrett battles|Green Fork]]
 
[[Category:House Stark battles|Green Fork]]
 
[[Category:House Stark battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Stout battles|Green Fork]]
 
 
[[Category:House Swyft battles|Green Fork]]
 
[[Category:House Swyft battles|Green Fork]]
 
[[Category:Riverlands]]
 
[[Category:Riverlands]]

Revision as of 15:45, 29 September 2022

Battle on the Green Fork
Tomasz JedruszekBattle of the Green Fork.jpg
Battle on the Green Fork by Tomasz Jedruszek © Fantasy Flight Games
Conflict War of the Five Kings
Date 299 AC[1]
Place Eastern bank of the Green Fork, between the Twins and the inn at the crossroads
Result Lannister victory
Combatants
House Baratheon of King's Landing.svg Iron Throne/ House Baratheon of King's Landing:

House Lannister.svg Westerlands, led by House Lannister[N 1][N 2][N 3][N 4]

Vale mountain clans

Roose Bolton's host:

House Stark.svg North, led by House Stark[N 5][N 6][N 7]

Riverlands

Commanders
House Lannister.svg Lord Tywin Lannister
  • House Clegane.svg Ser Gregor Clegane
  • House Lannister.svg Ser Kevan Lannister
  • House Marbrand.svg Ser Addam Marbrand
  • House Bolton.svg Lord Roose Bolton
    Strength
    ~20,000
  • ~7,500 horse, including ~300 mounted mountain clansmen
  • ~12,500 foot
  • ~17,800[N 8]
    • 17.200 foot
    • 600 horse
    Casualties
    Unknown casualties in the right, center, and reserve
  • ~500 in the vanguard, including ~150 mountain clansmen[6]
  • Vale clansmen Conn and Ulf
  • Several hundred die of their wounds during the subsequent march south[4]
  • ~5,000[N 9]

    The battle on the Green Fork[12][13] 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 Trident in the riverlands.

    Prelude

    War breaks out after the death of King Robert I Baratheon and the arrest of Lord Eddard Stark in King's Landing.[14][11] House Lannister invades the riverlands, scattering the riverlords and placing Riverrun under siege. Lord Tywin Lannister occupies the crossroads near the ruby ford and waits to see how Houses Arryn and Stark will respond. Tywin expects House Frey, who control the crossing over the Green Fork, to remain neutral.[15]

    Robb Stark calls the northern banners and marches south from Winterfell to rescue his father.[16] When Ser Addam Marbrand's outriders report that Robb is on the causeway, Tywin orders for Addam to draw the northmen further south while Tywin leads his own host north on the kingsroad east of the Green Fork to meet them.[15]

    Once south of the Neck, Robb's mother, Catelyn Stark, persuades Lord Walder Frey to ally with Robb, opening the way over the Green Fork at 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 continue marching south on the kingsroad 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 Tywin's son, Ser Jaime Lannister, unawares.[11][9]

    Addam's outriders inform Tywin that the Freys have joined the Starks and their combined host is marching south on the kingsroad.[6] Ser Brynden Tully's men kill some of Addam's scouts, however, preventing the Lannisters from knowing that Robb's host split at the Twins.[9]

    Battle

    When the westermen think the northmen are still a day's march away, the Stark army, commanded by Lord Roose Bolton, marches throughout the night in an effort to take the Lannister army by surprise, arriving before dawn.[6]

    However, the Lannister army arrays itself in time to meet the northmen. The westermen's order of battle includes:

    Unbeknownst to Tyrion, Tywin has placed 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, driving them into the Green Fork.[6] Before the fighting begins, Gregor orders Tyrion to hold the van's left, along the riverfront.[6]

    Kevan's archers fire volleys of arrows from the kingsroad as the northmen march forward; Tyrion observes the banners of Houses Cerwyn, Frey, Glover, Hornwood, Karstark, and Stark. The armored veterans with Gregor break a shield wall of Karstark spearmen, and Tyrion's clansmen follow through the breach. Tyrion notices a volley of arrows land amongst the northmen and Lannister van, although he does not know from where they were fired. Tyrion kills a northern swordsman who attacks him, and then forces a northern knight to yield after the man becomes trapped beneath his horse.[6]

    Meanwhile, Kevan sends in his pikemen to push the Stark lines against the hills behind them, and Kevan's archers fire against the northmen behind shield walls. Tywin leads his reserve behind the van, along the river, to break the remnants of the Stark line.[6] Tywin feels the northmen were led cautiously during the battle, which he did not expect from young Robb.[6]

    Aftermath

    Roose Bolton's host loses several thousand men in the battle, including Lord Halys Hornwood.[6] Captives taken include Lord Medger Cerwyn, Harrion Karstark, Ser Wylis Manderly, Ser Donnel Locke, Ser Jared Frey, Ser Hosteen Frey, Ser Danwell Frey, and Ronel Rivers.[17]

    Tyrion Lannister leaves the northern knight he captured in the care of Bronn.[6] About half of Tyrion's clansmen are killed in the fighting, with Conn of the Stone Crows and Ulf of the Moon Brothers among the slain.[6]

    The Lannisters learn from their captives that the northern host had split at the Twins, and that Robb Stark is rushing toward Riverrun.[6] Instead of pursuing Roose's host as it retreats northward, Lord Tywin Lannister leads his own host on a forced march south to aid his son, Ser Jaime Lannister.[4] Robb captures the Kingslayer at the battle in the Whispering Wood,[18] however, and he then saves Riverrun with the Battle of the Camps.[4][19]

    After learning of Jaime's defeat while at the crossroads inn, Tywin decides to march to Harrenhal.[4] Three dozen captives from the Green Fork are housed in the Tower of Dread, and Lord Cerwyn dies at Harrenhal from a wound taken on the Green Fork.[20]

    Roose reforms his host at the mouth of the causeway[19] and returns to the Twins.[17] The deaths of Lord Hornwood at the Green Fork and his son Daryn in the Whispering Wood cause a succession crisis to Hornwood back in the north.[21]

    Quotes

    The northerners would be exhausted after their long sleepless march. Tyrion wondered what the boy had been thinking. Did he think to take them unawares while they slept? Small chance of that; whatever else might be said of him, Tywin Lannister was no man's fool.[6]

    —thoughts of Tyrion Lannister

    Tyrion watched his father fly past, the crimson-and-gold banner of Lannister rippling over his head as he thundered across the field. Five hundred knights surrounded him, sunlight flashing off the points of their lances. The remnants of the Stark lines shattered like glass beneath the hammer of their charge.[6]

    —thoughts of Tyrion Lannister

    A fine victory. Your wild men fought well.[6]

    Bolton does not concern me. He is a wary man, and we made him warier on the Green Fork.[4]

    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.[22]

    Take the Battle of Green Fork. Had his night march taken Lord Tywin unawares and won the battle, he would have smashed the 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.[23]

    Game of Thrones

    The Battle of the Green Fork in the "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 Whispering Wood.

    Notes

    1. The banners of Houses Banefort, Bettley, Falwell, Ferren, Foote, Kenning of Kayce, Myatt, Peckledon, Prester, Sarsfield, and Stackspear are spotted by Arya Stark as Tywin Lannister's host leaves Harrenhal in A Clash of Kings, Arya VIII.[2] Men from these Houses may have been in battles involving Tywin's host, such as on the Green Fork, but their participation has not been confirmed.
    2. The banners of Houses Hamell, Moreland, Turnberry, and Yarwyck are present during the escorting of the corpse of Tywin Lannister from King's Landing back to Casterly Rock in A Feast for Crows, Jaime II.[3] Men from these Houses may have been in battles involving Tywin's host, such as on the Green Fork, but their participation has not been confirmed.
    3. Tywin Lannister gives orders for Amory Lorch to participate in the burning of the riverlands in A Game of Thrones, Tyrion IX[4] so House Lorch may have recently fought on the Green Fork.
    4. In A Storm of Swords, Jaime VII, the brothers Plumm are mentioned as having been sent by Tywin Lannister to find Jaime Lannister following his release from Riverrun,[5] so House Plumm may have fought on the Green Fork.
    5. Houses Burley and Norrey are mentioned in A Storm of Swords, Catelyn VI, as being part of Roose Bolton's host that is attacked by the Mountain's men while crossing the Trident.[7] Men from these clans may have been in earlier battles involving Rooses's host, such as on the Green Fork, but their participation has not been confirmed.
    6. In A Dance with Dragons, A Ghost in Winterfell, Barbrey Dustin mentions that House Dustin had men die in the Red Wedding.[8] Dustins may have been in earlier battles involving Rooses's host, such as on the Green Fork, but their participation has not been confirmed.
    7. Condon, Ryswell, and Stout men are mentioned in A Storm of Swords Catelyn VI, as being left behind by Roose Bolton to defend against incursions by the Mountain's men, following the crossing of the Trident by the northmen.[7] Men from these Houses may have been in earlier battles involving Rooses's host, such as on the Green Fork, but their participation has not been confirmed.
    8. Robb Stark's initial northern force consists of 20,000 men (A Game of Thrones, Catelyn VII), with slightly more than 1/4 being heavy cavalry (A Game of Thrones, Bran VI gives the figures of 3,300-3,400 heavy cavalry out of an initial muster of 12,000). This would suggest ~15,000 infantry and ~5,000 heavy cavalry in his northern host. He is joined by 4,000 men of House Frey (A Game of Thrones, Catelyn IX), whose forces have a heavy cavalry-to-infantry ratio of 1-to-4 (A Storm of Swords, Catelyn II). His total force after this therefore consists of 24,000 soldiers (18,000 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, Catelyn IX), and orders a small garrison, mostly archers, to be left at Moat Cailin (A Game of Thrones, 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, Eddard IV), however we do not know the actual number left behind and so this estimate is non-applicable. By leaving the known 800 infantry behind at the Twins, this brings Robb's army to 23,200 men (17,200 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, Catelyn IX). Thus, Roose's host is about 17,800 troops in total (17,200 infantry, 600 heavy cavalry).
    9. The casualties Roose Bolton's forces take 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 (mostly Bolton men with some Karstarks) and another 600 guarding a ford, with 200 Bolton riders having previously been sent to escort Jaime Lannister to King's Landing under Walton (A Storm of Swords, Jaime VI), for a total of 4,300 remaining soldiers (A Storm of Swords, Catelyn VI). In chronological order from after the Green Fork, his host suffered the following major changes to its strength: 400 men Robb Stark originally left at the Twins joined it under Edmure Tully's orders (A Clash of Kings, Catelyn V). ~1,000 Karstark troops deserted him and took to the countryside following Robb's execution of Rickard Karstark according to Roose (A Storm of Swords, Jaime V). The 1,500 Frey soldiers (A Clash of Kings, Arya X) who were with Aenys Frey by the time Roose 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 Duskendale (A Storm of Swords, Catelyn IV) where they were smashed. Finally, ~2,050 soldiers were left to die at the ruby ford (A Storm of Swords, 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.

    References