Fall of Moat Cailin

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Fall of Moat Cailin
Conflict War of the Five Kings
Date 299 AC
Place Moat Cailin, the North
Result Greyjoy victory
Combatants
House Stark House Greyjoy
Commanders
unknown Victarion Greyjoy
Strength
400[1] most of the Iron Fleet
Casualties
unknown unknown

The fall of Moat Cailin[2] or seizure of Moat Cailin[3] is a pivotal battle during the War of the Five Kings. Planned in secret by Balon Greyjoy, the battle, along with the capture of Winterfell, changes the tactical ambitions of the King in the North, Robb Stark, and directly affects the outcome of the war.

Prelude

Robb Stark, seeking allies, sends Theon Greyjoy as an envoy to his father to offer an alliance between the North and the Iron Islands. Lord Balon Greyjoy rejects the offer from the King in the North and instead intends to strike at the North, which is weakly defended with the northern forces fighting in the Riverlands and the Westerlands. Balon sends his son Theon, his brother Aeron Greyjoy, and Dagmer Cleftjaw to harry the Stony Shore in hopes that the remaining northern lords would march from their castles. Balon sends his daughter Asha Greyjoy to seize Deepwood Motte and his brother Victarion Greyjoy with the majority of the Iron Fleet to seize Moat Cailin and prevent the northern lords in the south from returning to their seats.[4]

Battle

Victarion and the Iron Fleet sail up the Saltspear and the Fever River to its headwaters, from which Moat Cailin is less than twenty miles away.[4] The Victarion-led ironborn seize the ruined fortifications,[5] which are held by a small northern force of mostly archers.[1] Other captains with Victarion include Red Ralf Stonehouse, Ralf Kenning, and Ralf the Limper.[6]

Aftermath

After raiding the Stony Shore, Theon changes Balon's plan and captures Winterfell. The news of the seizures of Winterfell and Moat Cailin changes Robb's plans and forces him to return to the North. Moat Cailin is eventually besieged by northmen after Victarion brings most of his men back to the Iron Islands for the kingsmoot.[6][7]

References and Notes