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The Lannister-Stark relations worsen when Catelyn Stark takes Tywin Lannister’s youngest, Tyrion, as a prisoner to the Vale. Unworthy as Tyrion may be, Lord Tywin fears that the longer his son remains in captivity, the lesser the Great Houses of the realm will fear their family. This event marks the opening of hostilities and the beginning of the War of the Five Kings inGame of Thrones.
Ned’s banners raised their swords in response to his imprisonment on the so-called charges of treason inGame of Thrones. His heir, Robb, is fighting to freethe Kingdom of the Northunder the yoke of the South’s supremacy, while conflict has taken root in Catelyn Stark’s (née Tully) homeland. The Riverlands have become a battleground for the opposing forces, since the region has few physical boundaries, and is vulnerable to attacks.
Prelude To The Battle Of Oxcross
Robb’s host cuts deeper into the South, shocking proven battle commanders such as Tywin. After emerging victorious in the Battle of Whispering Wood,breaking the Lannister siege of Riverrun, and winning the Battle of the Camps, Tywin no longer thinks Robb is a boy who will run to the North with his tail between his legs. The young wolf, Robb, captures Tywin’s beloved son, Jaime, and scatters his troops in Whispering Wood. Tywin and his troops have garrisoned Harrenhal and the foolish king, Joffrey, has acted hastily and unjustly executed Ned Stark. Suing for peace is not an option and Tywin knows"madness"has taken over his grandson, Joffrey, and his daughter - Queen Regent Cersei. He admits to Tyrion:
You were right about Eddard Stark. If he were alive, we could’ve used him to broker a peace with Winterfell and Riverrun, which would have given us more time to deal with Robert’s brothers, but now? Madness! Madness and stupidity!
Robb has the upper hand in the initial phase of the war and by the end ofGame of Thronesseason 1, episode 10 “Fire and Blood,“the North has declared its independenceand proclaimed him as king. After three victories, Robb sends Ser Alton Lannister to King’s Landing to relay his peace terms to the Lannisters, knowing full well they are going to reject them:
First, your family must release my sisters. Second, my father’s bones must be returned to us, so he may rest beside his brother and sister in the crypts beneath Winterfell. And the remains of all those who died in his service must also be returned. Their families can honor them with proper funerals.
While the first two terms are honorable and acceptable, Robb’s third but most important term in the peace offer is that:
Joffrey and the Queen Regent must renounce all claim to dominion of the North. From this time till the end of time, we are a free and independent kingdom. Neither Joffrey nor any of his men shall set foot in our lands again. If he disregards this command, he shall suffer the same fate as my father. Only I don’t need a servant to do my beheading for me.
What Is The Battle Of Oxcross?
More Of A Route Than A Battle
ByGame of Thronesseason 2, episode 1 “The North Remembers,” Robb had fully assumed the role of North’s sovereign. He warns of littering the South with dead Lannisters and dispatches Ser Alton as his messenger. With Jaime captured, Tywin at Harrenhal, and Tyrion at the capital, Ser Stafford Lannister commands reinforcements at Oxcross, which is a village near Lannisport, on the border betweenthe Riverlands and the Westerlands. As seen inGame of Thronesseason 2, episode 4 “Garden of Bones,” Robb succeeds in scattering the Lannister army, yet another time. Ser Stafford Lannister’s death marks a collapse of authority on the battlefield.
What Does Grey Wind Do At Oxcross?
Robb’s giant direwolf, Grey Wind, plays a key role at Oxcross. His cavalry and pet attack the Lannister camp on a stormy night. First, the direwolf snarls and sneaks up on the guards, and kills them. The loud noises of this ambush frighten the Lannisters' horses and cause full-blown panic in the camp. Robb, who leads the charges proudlywatches Grey Wind in actionand his cavalry chant"The King in the North!”
Most of the route takes place off-screen, and the chaotic scenes from the next morning show the House Stark banners hoisted on the soil of Oxcross, the Silent Sisters tending to the injured and Robb taking stock of the situation. He walks alongside Lord Roose Bolton, who suggests they execute/ flay the prisoners of war:
Five Lannisters dead for every one of ours. We’ve nowhere to keep all these prisoners —barely enough food to feed our own.
But Robb is his father’s son, and therefore upfront about the kind of treatment the prisoners of war should receive. Ned outlawed flaying in the North, and the Young Wolf is strictly against torturing captives. Tywin and his high command are in disarray, and he realizes something has to be done about Robb:
We have underestimated the Stark boy for too long. He has a good mind for warfare, his men worship him. And as long as he keeps winning battles, they will keep believing he is King in the North.
Tywin alone charts the future course of the war inGame of Thrones, and Robb prepares to attack King’s Landing, awaiting an answer from Balon Greyjoyof the Iron Islands.
Game of Thrones
Game of Thrones, based on the Song of Ice and Fire book series by George R.R. Martin, tells the sprawling story of warring families in Westeros. This includes the Starks, the Lannisters, the Baratheons, and the Targaryens. Along with human conflicts, Westeros is also threatened by the re-emergence of dragons, and an undead enemy from beyond the Wall.
