Fight at the Bridge of Skulls

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Battle of the Bridge of Skulls
Conflict Conflict Beyond the Wall
Date +/- 300 AC
Place Bridge of Skulls, the Gorge
Result Night's Watch victory
Combatants
Night's Watch Free folk
Commanders
Bowen Marsh The Weeper
Strength
at least 400[1] 300
Casualties
100
Ser Endrew Tarth+
Ser Aladale Wynch+
significant

The Battle of the Bridge of Skulls is a costly victory for the Night's Watch over wildlings. It is fought on the Bridge of Skulls in the Gorge.

Intro

Mance Rayder leads the gathered free folk south to attack the Wall. In order to draw away the defenders from Castle Black, sends raiding parties to attack several areas of the Wall to draw attention away from the main host. Bowen Marsh, the castellan of Castle Black, takes the bait and with the majority of the men at Castle Black, sets off after the raiding party that is attacking the Shadow Tower.

While the main strength is away from Castle Black, the gate beneath the Wall is lightly defended which would allow Mance to assault the gate and try to break through the Wall.

Battle

Bowen Marsh corners the Weeper and three hundred wildlings on the Bridge of Skulls. It is a bloody battle, with a hundred brothers of the Night's Watch slain in the engagement. It is unknown what the wildling casualties are.[2]

Aftermath

Bowen Marsh is seriously wounded in the battle and has to be carried to the Shadow Tower in a litter. Ser Endrew Tarth and Ser Aladale Wynch are slain in the battle. This delays the return of the garrison to Castle Black, which is under assault from the main wildling force.[2]

Known Participants

References and Notes

  1. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 48, Jon VI, Bowen Marsh takes all but 40 of of the roughly 430 post-ranging brothers at Castle Black, plus help sent from the 100 at the Shadow Tower.
  2. 2.0 2.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 69, Jon IX.