The Young Wolf Goes South: King Robb's War for Westeros - Chapter 11: Interlude
…
Robb's behaviour and decision-making after the Battle near the Gods Eye has confounded many an acolyte seeking to forge their chain. It seemed very much to be the behaviour of a ruler who, having won two great victories and upended the realm, knew not what to do next and felt pulled in several different directions.
The strategic picture was, for the time being at least, firmly in his favour. Lord Tywin's army had been crushed. Only 7,000 men had escaped the chaotic retreat to reform in the Crownlands. They were incapable of further menacing the Trident, and indeed would soon be compelled to give up any notion of doing so by events further south. Ser Stafford Lannister had formed a new army of 12,000 men in the Westerlands, but there was very little prospect of a serious offensive from that direction.
In contrast, the Young Wolf had his own surviving army from the Gods Eye. Having taken 34,000 or so into the battle, there had been about 4-5,000 permanent casualties, leaving just under 30,000 men. There were also smaller garrison forces of friendly lords scattered across the Riverlands, the largest being 1,000 left at Riverrrun.
At first glance, it appears there would be a compelling case for further offensives, particularly towards the capital. Some have argued that Robb's decision to turn away from such a course proves that at this stage he was not seeking the Iron Throne. This is debatable, however. There were practical reasons not to opt for such a course. Many castles in the Riverlands still remained either occupied or in ruins. It was past time, as far as the Riverlords were considered, to reclaim all of these. The willingness of their men, a significant portion of the army, to march would be questionable if Robb were to insist on a new battle outside the Riverlands.
He wisely acceded to their demands. Most of the Rivermen departed to reclaim their holdfasts, or assist others in doing so. The isolated, demoralised and forgotten Lannister garrisons of Raventree Hall, Wayfarer's Rest and others died futile and lonely deaths far from their homes.
The forces available for his immediate use were mostly Northmen. Around 7,000 horse and 13,000 foot. Only some 2,000 infantry from the Riverlands remained, largely Mallister and Frey men.
Robb split the remaining army, attempting to gain the best possible strategic position from their window of military advantage. The Northern foot and 1,000 cavalry, 14,000 in all, were placed under Lord Rickard Karstark. Karstark was a proven and tested battle commander, whose clever command of the diversionary force had made the victory at Riverrun possible. He had also earned accolades for his able leadership of the right flank near the Gods Eye. His force marched west for the Golden Tooth, and the highly vulnerable Westerlands beyond.
Robb himself took the rest, 6,000 Northern horse and the remaining Rivermen, to reclaim Castle Darry. House Darry, extant since the coming of the Andals, was almost extinct in the male line. Lord Lyman Darry, a boy of nine, was restored to his seat and betrothed and Shirei Frey.
The decisions taken after the reclamation of that thrice-stormed, mostly ruined castle are the most peculiar. Robb split his force once more. The 2,000 Rivermen were led by Ser Walder Rivers to take Maidenpool. There is some evidence a move into the Vale was considered, but ultimately Maidenpool was a far more realistic ambition. This in itself was not strange. Maidenpool was of high strategic importance, and though Rivers was an unusual figure he was a capable warrior who had been honoured with a place in the new Kingsguard.
The movement of Robb's remaining force, now 6,000 pure cavalry, is more difficult to explain. At his direction, they moved to the south and encamped near the Stoney Sept. The simplest explanation is that he wished to guard the southern region of the Riverlands from some further incursion. Even so, it was an odd task for some of his best and most effective forces. There was no immediate or urgent threat to that region, and many of his lords were not shy in telling him so.
Most likely, Robb wished to be positioned such as to be able to move quickly and decisively to gain an advantage from any developments in the south. This would prove to be a great act of foresight, but that would not become clear for some time.
…
A Complete List of the Rulers of Westeros
…
Aerys II Targaryen, known as the Mad (262 – 283)
Robert Baratheon, known as the Storm, later the Fat (283 – 298)
Joffrey Baratheon, known as the Cruel, the Illborn (298 – 299)
Stannis Baratheon, known as the Sorcerer (299)
Shireen Baratheon, known as the Nine Day Queen (299)
Robb I Stark, known as the Conqueror (299 – ▇▇▇)
Willard I Stark, known as the Lawgiver (▇▇▇ – ▇▇▇)
…