Battle of Oxcross

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Battle of Oxcross
T Jedruszek BattleOfOxcross.jpg
© Fantasy Flight Games
Conflict War of the Five Kings
Date 299 AC
Place Oxcross, westerlands
Result Stark victory
Combatants
Kingdom of the North and the Trident/House Stark:
The North, led by House Stark

Riverlands, led by House Tully

Iron Throne/House Baratheon of King's Landing:
Westerlands, led by House Lannister
Commanders
King Robb Stark
Ser Brynden Tully
Ser Stafford Lannister
Lord Roland Crakehall
Lord Antario Jast
Strength
Possibly 6,000[1] Unknown
Casualties
Low
Ser Stevron Frey
Entire force killed, captured or scattered
Ser Stafford Lannister
Ser Rupert Brax
Ser Lymond Vikary (captured)
Lord Antario Jast (captured)
Lord Roland Crakehall (captured)
Martyn Lannister (captured)

The Battle of Oxcross[2] is a battle during the War of the Five Kings. The Stark army of King Robb Stark routs and scatters the Lannister army of Ser Stafford Lannister, who is killed.

Prelude

After the battle in the Whispering Wood and the Battle of the Camps, Robb Stark plans to send Theon Greyjoy to treat with his father, Lord Balon Greyjoy, for an alliance to assault the westerlands from both land and sea, in case the Lannisters refuse his offer of peace via Cleos Frey. After Robb chooses Theon to serve as envoy, Robb hears of another Lannister host forming in the west under command of Ser Stafford Lannister. With the main Lannister army in the riverlands, this new army could be used to attack Robb's host from two fronts. Robb marches to deal with the forming threat as Stafford trains his fresh recruits. As Robb marches west, he sends his mother, Catelyn Tully, to forge an alliance with King Renly Baratheon. This is done with the aim that Renly will pose Lord Tywin Lannister a more immediate threat, which will force him to leave Harrenhal.

Battle

Robb's host avoids the strong castles at the border and invades the westerlands through a previously unknown path, which is found by his direwolf, Grey Wind. Stafford trains the inexperienced recruits near the village of Oxcross, within three days ride from Lannisport. Thinking himself safe in his own lands, Stafford does not bother to set sentries. During the night, Robb sends men to cut the lines that hold Stafford's horses. When Robb sets loose Grey Wind, the horses are maddened by the scent and trample tents and men alike while trying to flee. With confusion sending Lannister men fleeing everywhere, Robb sends his own cavalry. The battle is more a rout then a real encounter, as the untrained and surprised Lannister army fail to put up much resistance.

Stafford is slain by Lord Rickard Karstark while running after his horse.[3] Ser Stevron Frey, Lord Walder Frey's eldest son and heir, suffers a minor wound during the battle, but dies shortly thereafter.[4] Among those reported dead, missing and wounded are Ser Lymond Vikary, Lord Roland Crakehall, and Lord Antario Jast. These men are actually captured by the Stark forces, along with Martyn Lannister, Lord Jast's sons, and half a hundred other highborn hostages.[3]

Aftermath

The remnants of the Lannister army fall back to Lannisport, where Stafford's son, Ser Daven Lannister, reforms them.[5][6] Robb Stark continues attacking the westerlands, capturing Ashemark, and marches on to take the Crag.[4] Galbart Glover and Rickard Karstark raid along the coast. Maege Mormont captures thousands of livestock and begins driving them back towards the riverlands. Greatjon Umber captures the gold mines at Nunn's Deep, Castamere, and in the Pendric Hills.[5]

Lord Tywin, having heard of the defeat at Oxcross, and feeling confident that Stannis Baratheon laying siege to Storm's End means a secure southern front, marches west to face Robb's host.

The singer Rymund the Rhymer composes a tune commemorating the northern victory, "Wolf in the Night".[7]

Quotes

Do not take Oxcross too much to heart, my lady. A battle is not a war, and my lord father is assuredly not my uncle Stafford.[3]

- Tyrion Lannister to Sansa Stark

References and Notes

  1. Robb has six thousand at the earlier Whispering Wood, according to A Game of Thrones, Chapter 63.
  2. A Storm of Swords, Appendix.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 32, Sansa III.
  4. 4.0 4.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 35, Bran V.
  5. 5.0 5.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 39, Catelyn V.
  6. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 19, Tyrion III.
  7. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 45, Catelyn VI.