War of the Five Kings

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The War of the Five Kings is a war that takes place after the death of King Robert Baratheon. It resulted from three people, Joffrey Baratheon, Stannis Baratheon, and Renly Baratheon, claiming the Iron Throne, and two people, Robb Stark and Balon Greyjoy, attempting to secede their lands from the Seven Kingdoms.

Causes

The death of Jon Arryn, Robert's first Hand of the King, is arguably the first significant development. Arryn took sick unexpectedly and died within a few days. Stannis Baratheon fled King’s Landing fearing for his family’s safety and believing Jon was murdered for knowing the truth: that the royal children were, in fact, bastard children of an incestuous union between Queen Cersei and her brother Jaime. Robert traveled north to Winterfell to ask his friend Eddard Stark to become his new Hand. Lysa Arryn sent a coded letter to her sister Catelyn, Eddard's wife, claiming that the Lannisters had her husband murdered. Catelyn convinced her husband to go south and investigate as Hand. During the King's trip to Winterfell, Bran Stark, Eddard and Catelyn's son, had seen the queen and her brother having sex while climbing the walls of the castle. Jaime Lannister threw the child from the tower to ensure that the secret died with him, but the boy survived, lingering in a coma. Some days after the King and Hand had left, a hired assassin came to kill the still-comatose lad, but was prevented from doing so by the boy's pet direwolf. Lady Catelyn elected to go south to inform her husband of the attack.

When she arrived in King's Landing, she was met by her old friend, Petyr Baelish, who told her that the hired assassin's dagger had belonged to Tyrion Lannister, another brother of the queen. This was a lie, but neither Catelyn nor Eddard suspected it. Eddard told his wife to return home. While on the return journey, she encountered Tyrion at a roadside inn, and had him arrested for the attack on Bran. She took him to her sister in the Vale, where Tyrion faced trial by combat for his alleged crimes. He won his freedom, but the mere fact of his arrest had inflamed tensions with house Lannister. Eddard also investigated Jon Arryn's death and found out the truth about Cersei's children. Eddard revealed his knowledge to the queen, ordering her to go into exile with her children. Instead, Cersei had Robert given unusually potent wine, while he was on a hunt. While in this inebriated state, he was mauled by a boar. The dying king ordered that Eddard serve as his regent until Joffrey came of age, but Eddard sent a letter offering Stannis the throne, as Stannis was the rightful heir. The queen learned of Eddard's plot and had him arrested and imprisoned. Sensing a power struggle, Renly Baratheon and Loras Tyrell fled King’s Landing. Learning of Eddard's arrest, his son and heir Robb Stark called his father's armies together and marched south. Although there was only one king in the realm, the newly-crowned King Joffrey, the War of the Five Kings had begun.

Battles of Lannister, Tully and Stark

  • Battle of Golden Tooth. Jaime Lannister led some 15,000 men against the defensive encampment of 4,000 men east of Golden Tooth, under the command of Lord Vance and Lord Clement Piper. Jaime’s host won an easy victory. Lord Vance and Lord Darry were killed while Lord Piper led the survivors back to Riverrun. The new Lord Karyl Vance also led some survivors away to attack the Lannister supply lines.
  • Battle of Riverrun. Edmure Tully was training an army of some 16,000 levies near Riverrun, when Jaime Lannister’s host attacked. Jaime won another easy victory. Edmure was captured along with many of his bannermen and Lord Tytos Blackwood led the survivors into Riverrun as Jaime’s host besieged the castle.
  • Battle of Mummer's Ford and the Brotherhood without Banners.* Tywin Lannister had Gregor Clegane ravage some of the countryside in the Riverlands. At the request of Ser Marq Piper and Ser Karyl Vance, Eddard agreed to send a force to deal with Clegane and bring him to justice. However, Ned's leg was broken by an altercation with Jaime Lannister and he could not lead himself. Tywin was hoping for an ambush that would give him Ned so he could trade him for Tyrion. Ned namedBeric Dondarrion to lead the force and sent Thoros of Myr, Lord Raymun Darry, Ser Gladden Wylde and Lord Lothar Mallory along with Alyn of Winterfell from his own guard to fight alongside him. The force numbered 120 not including Piper and Vance's men. Once word reached them of the Battle of Golden Tooth, Piper and Vance left on their own to attack the Lannister supply lines and help break the siege of Riverrun. Sometime after the beginning of the siege, Tywin brought his forces numbering 20,000 into the Riverlands. As Beric crossed the Mummer's Ford, Tywin and Gregor attacked from all sides, killing Gladden Wylde and Lothar Mallory. Gregor himself killed Raymun and mortally wounded Beric. Thoros and Alyn rallied the survivors and escaped. Thoros inadvertinty ressurected Beric while performing burial services for him. Beric and Thoros continued to lead the remaining men against Gregor and the Lannisters. After the death of Eddard, the group became an outlaw organization called the Brotherhood Without Banners.
  • Conquering the Riverlands. Tywin Lannister led an army of 20,000 men north from the Golden Road to travel across the Trident conquering the Riverlord’s holdfasts of all but the Twins, Riverrun and Seaguard. Tywin took Ravenhall, as Lord Tytos Blackwood was trapped in Riverrun. Lady Shella Whent yields Harrenhal as she had no soldiers to defend it. Gregor Clegane led attacks that burnt out the Pipers and Brackens. In this campaign Ser Cedric Payne was killed, therefore leaving Podrick Payne, his squire with Ser Lorimer the Belly. Kevan Lannister had Lorimer hanged for stealing from the camp supplies and had Podrick transferred over to be Tyrion's squire.
  • Battle of the Green Fork. Lord Tywin’s army met its first real opposition as House Stark entered the war on behalf of House Tully. Roose Bolton planned a night attack, leading roughly 16,000 men, however Addam Marbrand’s outriders saw them coming and roused Tywin’s army in time to prepare for battle. Tywin’s host won a bloody victory but realized the battle was only a diversion, as Robb Stark, having won House Frey to his cause, split his forces, crossing the river with his cavalry. Lord Halys Hornwood and Ser Pate of the Blue Fork were killed, Lord Medgar Cerwyn was captured but died later from a wound taken, other captives taken were Harrion Karstark, Ser Wylis Manderly, Ser Donnel Locke, Ser Jared Frey, Ser Hosteen Frey, Ser Danwell Frey and Ronel Rivers.
  • Battle of the Whispering Wood. Having split his cavalry from his main force prior to the Battle of the Green Fork, Robb Stark forged an alliance with House Frey in order to cross the river and gain fresh troops. Resupplied, he brought these forces to bear against those besieging Riverrun, first attacking the northernmost camp led by Jaime Lannister in a surprise night raid. As Jaime and his forces were caught asleep and completely off guard, the battle quickly became a slaughter. Seeing the battle was lost, Jaime attempted to cut his way to Robb Stark, hoping that the death of the northern leader would create chaos and confusion in the northmen. He slew many in the attempt, including several members of Robb's personal bodyguard, but was captured before he could succeed.
  • Battle of the Camps. The night after the Whispering Wood, Brynden Tully led a force against the sleeping, leaderless north camp at Riverrun and quickly defeated them. Lord Andros Brax led his men in the west camp to cross the river, however most of their rafts were destroy by the defenders of Riverrun. Those that reached the northern side were easily defeated by Ser Bryden. Robb then attacked the west camp with the remainder of his men. Seeing Robb’s attack, Lord Tytos Blackwood also attacked the west camp. Ser Forley Prester led the remaining south camp back to Golden Tooth.

The crowning of kings

During this time in the war, various men began crowning themselves kings. First was Renly Baratheon, who was declared King of the Seven Kingdoms the by his bannermen of the Stormlands and House Tyrell after his wedding to Margaery Tyrell, believing he was better suited to the Iron Throne than either his nephew Joffrey or elder brother Stannis. Next was Robb Stark, who was declared King of the North and the Riverlands by his bannermen and House Tully, who did not want to submit to a Lannister-backed reign. The third king was Stannis Baratheon, who was declared king by his few bannermen, feeling it was his duty to take the Iron Throne as King Robert’s closest relative, given the illegitimacy of Robert's children. Last was Balon Greyjoy, who declared himself King of the Isles by his bannermen in an attempt to secede from the Seven Kingdoms and ravage the mainland.

  • Reclaiming the Trident. King Robb gave his Riverlords leave to reclaim their lands. Tytos Blackwood reclaimed Raventree as the Lannister men fled and scorched the land. Jonos Bracken reclaimed Stone Hedge after a fierce battle costing the life of his nephew and heir Hendry. Darry bannermen also reclaimed Darry for their young Lord Lyman Darry. Karyl Vance and Marq Piper took riding parties to attack Lannister foragers. Much later, the other bannermen were also able to reclaim their holdfasts as the Lannisters retreated.
  • Sack of Darry Gregor Clegane attacked the castle with his fierce company. After his victory over the garrison, he had the entire household put to the sword, including the young Lord Lyman.
  • Battle of Moat Cailin. Victarion Greyjoy led the entire Iron Fleet of a hundred ships up the Saltspear Bay to descend upon the 400 men left to defend the North in the Neck. Attacking from the north, the natural defenses of the keep were useless and the Northmen were easily defeated by the ironmen.
  • Battle of Deepwood Motte. Asha Greyjoy led a dozen ships around Sea Dragon’s Point in the far north to attack the small wooden keep of House Glover located just off the coast. The keep was easily overrun by the ironmen, making captives of Sybell Glover, her young children Gawen and Erena, and Larence Snow, the ward of Galbert Glover.
  • Battle of Stony Shore. Theon Greyjoy led eight ships in raiding along the Stony Shore. Benfred Tallhart led an undisciplined company he had dubbed the Young Hares to deal with the raiders. Theon ambushed this company, killing them all, while the only ironmen casualty was Todric, killed by Theon after the battle.
  • Battle of Torrhen’s Square. Dagmar Cleftjaw was commanded to besiege the small keep by Theon in a ruse to draw out Rodrik Cassel and the guards of Winterfell. Rodrik arrived as planned to lift the siege, easily defeating the ironmen, only to hear that Winterfell had fallen in his absence.
  • Battle of Winterfell. Theon Greyjoy descended on the few remaining guards with only twenty men, storming the castle at night and conquering the mighty castle with ease. Theon declared himself the Prince of Winterfell and took Ramsay Bolton, in the disguise of "Reek", as a retainer. Bran Stark, Rickon Stark, Little Walder Frey, Big Walder Frey, Meera Reed, Jojen Reed and Beth Cassel were all kept as hostages. However, Brandon, Rickon, Jojen and Meera escaped. To avoid embarrassment, Theon had Ramsay kill two boys in place of the Starks and announced to the world that they were dead.
  • Battle of Oxcross. Stafford Lannister was charged to raise a new Lannister army after the defeat at Riverrun. Having no fear of being attacked in the Westlands, he posted few sentries. One night during their training, Brynden Tully quietly killed the sentries, and Robb’s army took the host by surprise, winning Robb an easy victory and badly bleeding the Lannister host. Stafford was killed by Rickard Karstark and Rupert Brax was also killed. Lymond Vikary and Antario Jast as well as Martyn Lannister were captured. There was a report that Lord Crakehall was killed but this seems inaccurate as Lord Roland Crakehall appears alive after the Battle of the Blackwater. On the North’s side, Stevron Frey was wounded and died three days later.
  • Battle of Ashmark. After Oxcross, King Robb’s army fell on the nearby keep of House Marbrand. The keep was easily sacked and the castellan was killed.
  • Siege of Storm’s End. Stannis Baratheon, realizing he did not have the strength to sack King’s Landing, besieged his brother’s castle with his 5,000 men. Hearing of this, Renly marched his mounted forces of 20,000 from Bitterbridge to deal with his brother. After a failed parlay where neither would yield, Stannis offered his younger brother the night to reconsider before fighting the battle at dawn. While preparing for battle, Renly was killed by a shadow, ending the battle before it began. Many of Renly’s bannermen now swore allegiance to Stannis; however, Cortnay Penrose refused to yield the Storm's End, partially because the safety of his ward, Edric Storm, a bastard son of Robert Baratheon, could not be guaranteed. Loras Tyrell, Randyll Tarly, Mathis Rowan, and Arwyn Oakheart refused to give allegiance and fled to Bitterbridge. Late one night, Davos Seaworth rowed Melisandre past the castle walls, where she summoned a shadow that went forth to kill Cortnay. After his death, the castle submitted to Stannis.
  • Battle of the Fords. Tywin Lannister, hearing of King Robb’s victories in the Westerlands, marched his armies from Harrenhal, intent on reclaiming his lands. Edmure Tully, not wanting Tywin to cross the Trident un-bloodied, placed an army of 13,000 men along key fords of the Red Fork. After sending many small forces trying to test the defenses, Tywin had his men attack in force at a dozen places. The most heated battle was at Stone Mill, where Edmure turned back Gregor Clegane’s men. Gregor was wounded from a dozen arrows and Leo Lefford drowned. The other Lannister forces were also defeated and Robert Brax was killed. Lyle Crakehall, called the Strongboar, was captured.
  • Sack of Harrenhal. Roose Bolton was ordered to take Harrenhal after Tywin, who went marching west, left Amory Lorch as castellan of 200 men. After joining with Halman Tallhart’s company from the Twins, Bolton's host marched down toward the castle. Vargo Hoat, the commander of the Brave Companions, reportedly gave battle to Roose’s vanguard at the Ruby Ford, capturing its commander Robett Glover, Aenys Frey and 100 lesser prisoners. However, the Northmen were quickly freed by Arya Stark with the help of Jaqen H'ghar, Rorge and Biter. At the same time, the Brave Companions turned on the Lorch men and let Roose Bolton's men into the castle. Amory was captured and later killed for sport in a bear pit. Vargo was rewarded for joining the North with the Lordship of Harrenhal.
  • At Bitterbridge. Garlan Tyrell, commanding the remaining 60,000 men of Renly’s army, was joined by the returning bannermen from Storm’s End as well as Mace Tyrell’s host of 10,000 men from Highgarden. Stannis sent Parmen Crane and Erren Florent with the hope of winning the armies there. After the news went through the camps, several fights broke out between those that wanted to aid Stannis and those who remained loyal to Renly. Many returned to their homes, while some quickly traveled to join Stannis’ host as he marched toward King’s Landing. Parmen and Erren were taken prisoner by House Tyrell. Soon after, Petyr Baelish, representing the Iron Throne, won the allegiance of House Tyrell, and riders were sent north to warn Tywin Lannister of the danger to the capital. Tywin joined his near-20,000 men to Mace Tyrell's remaining 50,000 men to march against Stannis.

Battles ending the war

The War of Five Kings was near its end after two major battles were fought, effectively winning the war for King Joffrey.

  • Battle of the Blackwater. Tyrion Lannister, acting Hand, had won the loyalty of Dorne by the betrothal of Myrcella Baratheon to Trystane Martell and sent her south with much of the Royal Fleet. Cersei Lannister arranged for the creation of vast amounts of wildfire, to be used in the defense of King's Landing, and Tyrion had a long metal chain prepared across the Blackwater. Imry Florent, commander of Stannis’s fleet, led nearly all of Stannis's ships into Blackwater Rush to engage the remainder of the Royal Fleet. However, Joffrey's ships were unmanned and filled with wildfire. The ships were set ablaze while the chain was raised to cut off any retreat. Trapped in a river of fire, some of Stannis' ships managed to transport the remainder of his 20,000 troops across the river, where they met the city's defenses of 5,000 Goldcloaks. Despite his many setbacks, Stannis took two of the city gates and was near victory when his rearguard was attacked by the combined Lannister-Tyrell host of 70,000 men. Tywin's vanguard was led by Garlan Tyrell, wearing Renly Baratheon's armor, leading many to think Renly himself had risen from the dead. Stannis's men were quickly routed and many changed sides. Stannis and many of his most loyal men were able to retreat on the ships left out in Blackwater Bay.
  • Sack of Winterfell. Rodrik Cassel returned to besiege Winterfell with Leobald Tallhart, Cley Cerwyn, and knights of White Harbour, totaling 2,000 men. By threatening Rodrik's daughter Beth, Theon delayed the northmen's attack until Ramsay Bolton returned with 400 men from the Dreadfort. Believing them to be allies, Rodrik's men were taken completely by surprise when they attacked. Rodrik, Leobald and Cley were killed and the leaderless northern host was routed by the Bolton men, who lost only 20 of their own. Theon allowed Ramsay's men into the castle, where he quickly turned on the ironmen as well, killing them all except Theon. The castle was put to the torch and many of the Stark household were killed, including Maester Luwin. Theon, Little Walder Frey, Big Walder Frey, Kyra, Old Nan and Beth Cassel were all taken back to the Dreadfort as captives.
  • Sack of Torrhen’s Square. Dagmar Cleftjaw returned to the keep after Rodrik and Leobald departed for Winterfell. The sparsely defended keep was easily stormed by the ironmen. They killed the castellan and took Berena Tallhart, her children Brandon and Beren, and heiress Eddara Tallhart captive.
  • Battle of the Crag. Robb’s army then fell on the Westerlings' keep, conquering it with ease. In the battle, Robb was wounded and needed some time to recover. When news reached him of Theon's murder of his brothers, he sought comfort in the arms of Jeyne Westerling. Shortly after, to avoid shaming her honor, they were wed despite his promise to marry a girl of House Frey. Lord Walder Frey withdrew his support of Robb in protest.
  • Battle of Duskendale. Robett Glover was given command of 3,000 loyal northmen to take the town of Duskendale and its keep Dun Fort. This command was falsely given, however, as Roose Bolton had heard news of Tywin’s great victory at the Battle of the Blackwater and switched sides to join King Joffrey. Robett arrived at Duskendale to find Randyll Tarly’s larger force waiting, and was easily defeated. Robett led the survivors back towards Harrenhal and encountered another army led by Gregor Clegane. Robett and Harrion Karstark were captured, while Helman Tallhart was killed.
  • Clegane retakes Harrenhal Roose Bolton decided to switch his allegiance to the Lannisters and left the castle to its new lord, Vargo Hoat. Under orders from Tywin, Gregor Clegane and his men retake Harrenhal. Most of the Brave Companions garrison fled before he arrived, allowing Gregor to retake the castle easily. Gregor then butchered Vargo Hoat.
  • Battle of the Ruby Ford. Roose Bolton marched his forces slowly from Harrenhal. This calculated move allowed Gregor Clegane time to attack his rearguard, 2,000 loyal northmen led by Wylis Manderly. Gregor won an easy victory, taking Wylis captive. To defend the ford, Roose left some 600 loyal northmen led by Kyle Condon and Ronnel Stout.
  • Beheading of Rickard Karstark. Lord Rickard Karstark took out his revenge against the Lannisters by murdering the captives Willem Lannister and Tion Frey. Robb Stark held Rickard and a handful of his men responsible and had his men hanged. Robb beheaded Rickard himself for the crime of murdering prisoners. This act drives the Karstark force away from Robb's army, leading them to act against him in later incidents.
  • The Red Wedding. Robb Stark, hearing of Balon Greyjoy’s sudden death and how many ironmen had returned to their isles to choose a new king, planned to quickly retake the North. However, Lothar Frey sent him word that Lord Walder Frey would reconcile with him if Robb would apologize in person and marry Edmure Tully to Roslin Frey. Robb marched his army to the Twins for the wedding feast, where he was soon joined by Roose Bolton and his remaining 3,500 men. After the bride and groom were brought to their bedchamber, the musicians in the castle started playing "The Rains of Castamere". At that sign, the Frey and Bolton men turned on the Stark soldiers. The specially-rigged feast tents were collapsed and set aflame during the slaughter. In the main hall, many of Robb's bannermen were killed by Freys, including his mother Catelyn. Roose Bolton personally killed Robb. The Northern armies were, in one surprise attack, virtually annihilated. In addition, most of the Lords of the Trident yielded except Tully, Mallister and Blackwood. This victory was regarded as the end of major conflicts in the War of Five Kings, with King Joffrey the victor.

Ongoing conflicts

Joffrey’s victory did not last long, as he was murdered at his own wedding to Margaery Tyrell. Shortly after, Tywin Lannister was murdered by his son Tyrion. The young Prince Tommen was crowned and married Margaery in his brother’s place. While most of the major players of the War of the Five Kings were dead, conflicts continued to occur as aftereffects of the war.

  • Attacks of Lady Stoneheart . After the Red Wedding, Beric Dondarrion discovered Catelyn Stark's corpse and sacrificed his life to ressurect her. The mutilated Catelyn took control of the Brotherhood as "Lady Stoneheart" and led them on an even more aggresive vendetta against the Freys and Lannisters. The band kidnapped and executed several Freys present at the Red Wedding.
  • Siege of Seagard. Black Walder Frey led a host to besiege Jason Mallister's forces. However at the threat of his son and heir Patrik’s hanging, he quickly conceded. The two became prisoners of their own keep.
  • Battle of the Shields. The newly elected King Euron Greyjoy of the Iron Islands began a campaign to conquer all of the Seven Kingdoms and began by sailing 1,000 ships to attack the Shield Islands, where a fleet guarded access to the mainland of the Reach. Sending two ships up the Mander River to draw away most of the fleet, the remaining ships found themselves vastly outnumbered as Victarion Greyjoy led an attack. Euron stormed Hewett Castle on Oakenshield. Ser Harris Harlaw was given Grimstone after defeating seven knights of house Grim in single combat on the Isle of Greyshield. The other Islands of Greenshield and Southshield were also taken. Ser Talbert Serry was killed by Victarion and Lord Moribald Chester was also killed. Garlan Tyrell broke off his plans to take Brightwater Keep and marched to Highgarden to defend the Reach should the ironmen sail upriver.
  • Battle at the Wall. The conflict between the Night's Watch and the wildling host led by Mance Rayder gained became a factor in the War of the Five Kings when Stannis marched his armies to the Wall in hopes of gaining support for his rule in the North. Stannis arrived just in time to surprise attack the wildlings on the brink of victory and rout it. Stannis took up temporary residence at Castle Black and offered Jon Snow lordship over Winterfell in return for Jon's support, but Jon refused and remained in the Night's Watch.
  • Siege of Dragonstone. Loras Tyrell pledged to take command of the siege after hearing of the Battle of the Shields. In return, Cersei Lannister allowed the Redwynes' fleet to sail west and defend the Reach. Upon arrival at Dragonstone, Loras launched an immediate attack. After suffering many losses, the Tyrell army forced the defenders to retreat to the inner keep. Loras again led a fierce attack and successfully captured the keep, but at a high cost. Loras himself was reportedly burned with boiling oil and severely wounded during the battle.
  • Siege of Riverrun. Brynden Tully held the castle of Riverrun in defiance of a large host of Frey and Lannister men camped outside. Edmure Tully was displayed on a gibbet, but Bryden did not surrender and exposed the display as an empty threat. The lords outside bickered and could make no progress. Jaime Lannister was sent to the castle to expidite the fall of Riverrun. Jaime released Edmure Tully and threatened that if he, as heir to Riverrun, did not yield the castle, then Jaime would sack it and kill Edmure's unborn child. Edmure surrendered the castle but not until after he aided his uncle in escaping capture. The castle was left in the care of its new lord, Emmon Frey, with 300 guards.
  • Siege of Storm’s End. Mace Tyrell was commanded to take the castle. After a lengthy siege, he heard of Magaery's imprisonment at the Great Sept of Baelor. He broke off the siege to march on King's Landing after ordering Randyll Tarly to march south and join him there.
  • Siege of Raventree. Lord Jonos Bracken was commanded to besiege the castle of his nemesis, House Blackwood. Jonos had only sided with the Lannisters in the first place because the Blackwoods had stayed loyal to King Robb. Fighting is fierce at the castle and neither side has triumphed.