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'''The Great Ranging''' is an expedition organised by the 997th [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch|Lord Commander]] of the [[Night's Watch]], [[Jeor Mormont]], which took place in the year {{Date|299}}. Lord Commander Mormont led three hundred sworn brothers of the Night's Watch north [[Beyond the Wall]], two hundred from [[Castle Black]] and another hundred from the [[Shadow Tower]]. It was the biggest ranging in living memory, near a third of the [[Night's Watch]]'s strength.
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[[File:Great Ranging Jeor Mormont HBO.jpg|thumb|350px|Lord Commander [[Jeor Mormont]] leading the ranging in ''[[Game of Thrones]]'']]
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The '''great ranging''' is an expedition organized by [[Jeor Mormont]], the 997th [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch]], in {{Date|299}}. Lord Commander Mormont leads three hundred sworn brothers of the [[Night's Watch]] north [[beyond the Wall]]. It includes two hundred men from [[Castle Black]] and another hundred from the [[Shadow Tower]]. It is the biggest ranging in living memory, consisting of near a third of the Night's Watch's strength.
  
 
==Goals==
 
==Goals==
They were meant to discover why the wildlings who lived close to the [[Wall]] were leaving their villages and learn more about the so called [[King-Beyond-The-Wall]] [[Mance Rayder]]. Find First Ranger [[Benjen Stark]], Ser [[Waymar Royce]], and the other rangers who'd disappeared during in previous rangings{{Ref|aGoT|Prologue}}{{Ref|aGoT|19}} and to discover further information on what caused the corpses of [[Jafer Flowers]] and [[Othor]] to rise from the dead.{{Ref|aGoT|52}}
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The great ranging's goals are:
 +
*To discover why the [[wildlings]] who lived close to the [[Wall]] were leaving their villages;
 +
*Learn more about the so-called [[King-Beyond-the-Wall]], [[Mance Rayder]];
 +
*Find First Ranger [[Benjen Stark]], Ser [[Waymar Royce]], and the other rangers who have recently disappeared;{{Ref|aGoT|Prologue}}{{Ref|aGoT|19}}  
 +
*To discover further information on what caused the corpses of [[Jafer Flowers]] and [[Othor]] to [[Wight|rise from the dead]].{{Ref|aGoT|52}}
  
 
==Expedition North and New Discoveries==
 
==Expedition North and New Discoveries==
The expedition has passed seven deserted wildling villages before arriving at [[Craster's Keep]], the fourth of which was [[Whitetree]]. The expedition camps for the night at Craster's Keep before they leave. There they learn that the villages are empty, because Mance is gathering his people in the [[Frostfangs]], intent to strike south at the Wall, as the wildlings have done in the past. The most recent invasion was led by [[Raymun Redbeard]].{{Ref|aCoK|23}}
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[[File: Matt_Olson_Whitetree.jpg|The [[Night's Watch]] inspecting the [[heart tree]] at the deserted wildling village [[Whitetree]] - by  Matt Olson ©|thumb|450px|right]]
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The expedition passes seven deserted wildling villages, the fourth of which is [[Whitetree]], before arriving at [[Craster's Keep]], where the expedition camps for the night. There they learn that the villages are empty because [[Mance Rayder]] is gathering all the [[free folk]] in the [[Frostfangs]] with the intent to strike at the Wall as the wildling chieftains have done in the past. It is the stated that the most recent invasion was led by [[Raymun Redbeard]].{{Ref|aCoK|23}}
  
Lord Commander Mormont decides they will camp at the [[Fist of the First Men‎]] and await Qhorin and the men from the [[Shadow Tower]]. Qhorin and his men were late after they ran into a wildling scouting party led by [[Alfyn Crowkiller]], on the way to the rendezvous. They where victorious at the cost of four men and a dozen wounded. A prisoner taken in the battle revealed that Mance Rayder was searching for some magic to bring down the Wall.  
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Lord Commander Mormont decides they will camp at the [[Fist of the First Men‎]] and await [[Qhorin Halfhand]] and the men from the [[Shadow Tower]]. Qhorin's party arrives late after running into a wildling scouting party led by [[Alfyn Crowkiller]]. They were successful in stopping the wildlings from reporting back to Mance, at the cost of four men and a dozen wounded. A prisoner taken in the battle revealed that Mance is searching for some [[magic]] to bring down the Wall.  
  
After Qhorin finally made it to the rendezvous point, it is decided to send three scouting parties into the Frostfangs mountains to discover what Mance is looking for, led by [[Jarmen Buckwell]], [[Thoren Smallwood]], and [[Qhorin Halfhand]].
+
After Qhorin finally makes it to the rendezvous point, it is decided to send three scouting parties into the Frostfang mountains to discover the size of the host and what Mance is looking for, led by [[Jarmen Buckwell]], [[Thoren Smallwood]], and Qhorin.
  
 
==Disaster at the Fist and Retreat==
 
==Disaster at the Fist and Retreat==
:{{Main|Battle of the Fist of the First Men}}
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:{{Main|Fight at the Fist}}
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 +
Shortly after the return of Thoren Smallwood's team, the expedition is attacked at the Fist of the First Men‎ by [[wights]].{{Ref|aSoS|Prologue}} After an unsuccessful counterattack, due to being caught unaware and ill-prepared to fight an unfamiliar foe, Lord Commander Mormont rallies about fifty brothers onto horseback to break out of the Fist in a tactical retreat. It is assumed that the brothers who were unable to form up with Mormont's retreat were all slaughtered by the wights.
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 +
As the horses become more tired and the weather worsens, the Lord Commander organizes the injured to be put on horseback and sets the able men walking with torches to guard the flanks and rear. Fortunately the wights do not give an effective pursuit, only nibbling at the stragglers. It is during this march south that the Watch rediscovers the effect of [[dragonglass]] on the Others; [[Samwell Tarly]], [[Small Paul]], and [[Grenn]] are among the stragglers and in self defense, Samwell stabs an Other by mistake, causing the creature to dissolve.{{Ref|aSoS|18}}  
  
The Night's watch are attacked at the Fist of the First Men‎ by the Wights.{{Ref|aSoS|Prologue}} suffering grievous losses. Commander Mormont was able to form up about fifty Brothers to break out of the Fist. It's unknown how many more survived. Commander Mormont organized the walkers and riders and set men with torches to guard the flanks and rear. luckily the Wights did not give an effective pursuit, only nibbling at the stragglers. During the march south the watch rediscovers the effect of [[Dragonglass]] on the Others, after [[Samwell Tarly]] stubbed an Other by mistake causes the entire creature to dissolve. {{Ref|aSoS|18}}  
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==Mutiny at Craster's Keep==
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:{{Main|Mutiny at Craster's Keep}}
  
Forty-four Brothers, twelve of them seriously injured, survived to reach Craster's Keep. Morale was low and food scarce. Craster offers them some food but a group of Brothers blame Craster's for holding out food on them, eventually drawing weapons and killing him. Commander [[Jeor Mormont]] who tries to intervene is killed as well, which leads to a fight between the mutineers - amongst them Karl, Dirk, Garth of Greenaway, Rolley and Ollo - and loyalists.{{Ref|aSoS|33}} About a dozen loyalists survive and manage to return to [[Castle Black]];{{Ref|aSoS|48}} Samwell and his protegé [[Gilly]] also escape, but do not find their way to Castle Black at first.{{Ref|aSoS|46}}
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Forty-four brothers, twelve of them seriously injured, survive the wight and Other attacks and are able to reach Craster's Keep. However, morale is low and food is scarce. Although [[Craster]] offers them some food, many of the disgruntled members of the group claim Craster is holding out on them, and they eventually draw their weapons. Craster tries to fight them but is killed by [[Dirk]]. Lord Commander [[Jeor Mormont]], who tries to intervene, is killed as well by [[Ollo Lophand]], which leads to a brawl between the mutineers and the loyalists.{{Ref|aSoS|33}} About a dozen loyalists decide to retreat and manage to return to [[Castle Black]];{{Ref|aSoS|48}} [[Samwell Tarly]] and [[Gilly]] also manage to escape.{{Ref|aSoS|46}}
  
 
==Aftermath==
 
==Aftermath==
Nearly a third of the Night's Watch's strength, most of its command and experienced fighting force was lost, with less than fifty Brothers to return to the Wall after the disaster at the Fist of the First Men.  With tens of thousands of wildlings still marching on the wall, this may prove to be the demise of the Night's Watch, since they are now not in a position to hold and patrol the whole length of the wall.
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Nearly a third of the Night's Watch's strength, including most of its command and experienced fighting force, are lost. With less than thirty brothers to return to the [[Wall]] after the disaster at the Fist of the First Men, the mission is considered a failure.  With tens of thousands of wildlings still marching on the Wall, the depleted force must rely on ingenuity and new leadership to survive any further engagements with hostiles [[beyond the Wall]].
  
 
==Known Members==
 
==Known Members==
 
===Command===
 
===Command===
{{Columns|2|
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{{Columns|2|}}
 
* Lord Commander [[Jeor Mormont]].
 
* Lord Commander [[Jeor Mormont]].
* [[Thoren Smallwood]], Head of the Rangers.
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* [[Thoren Smallwood]], commander of the rangers
* [[Jarmen Buckwell]], Head of the Scouts.
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* [[Jarmen Buckwell]], commander of the scouts
* Ser [[Ottyn Wythers]], Head of the Rearguard.
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* Ser [[Mallador Locke]], commander of the baggage
* Ser [[Mallador Locke]], Head of the Baggage.
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* Ser [[Ottyn Wythers]], commander of the rearguard
* [[Qhorin Halfhand]], Head of the Brothers from Shadow Tower.
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* [[Qhorin Halfhand]], commander of the brothers from the Shadow Tower
* [[Blane]], Qhorin's Second-in-Command.
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* [[Blane]], Qhorin's second-in-command.
}}
 
  
 
===Rangers/Scouts===
 
===Rangers/Scouts===
[[Dalbridge|Squire Dalbridge]], [[Eggon]], [[Stonesnake]], [[Byam Flint]], [[Dywen]], [[Dirk]], [[Softfoot]], [[Grenn]], [[Bedwyck]] known as Giant, [[Ollo Lophand]], [[Grubbs]], [[Bernarr|Brown Bernarr]], [[Bernarr (Black)|Black Bernarr]], [[Tim Stone]], [[Ulmer|Ulmer of the Kingswood]], [[Garth Greyfeather]], [[Garth (Greenaway)|Garth Greenaway]], [[Garth|Garth of Oldtown]], [[Alan of Rosby]], [[Ronnel Harclay]], [[Aethan]], [[Ryles]], [[Mawney]], [[Bannen]], [[Kedge Whiteye]], [[Tumberjon]], [[Fornio]], [[Goady]]
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{{Columns|3|
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* [[Dalbridge|Squire Dalbridge]]
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* [[Ebben]]
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* [[Stonesnake]]
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* [[Byam Flint]]
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* [[Dywen]]
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* [[Dirk]]
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* [[Softfoot]]
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* [[Grenn]]
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* [[Bedwyck]], known as Giant
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* [[Ollo Lophand]]
 +
* [[Grubbs]]
 +
* [[Brown Bernarr]]
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* [[Black Bernarr]]
 +
* [[Tim Stone]]
 +
* [[Ulmer|Ulmer of the Kingswood]]
 +
* [[Lark|Lark the Sisterman]]
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* [[Garth Greyfeather]]
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* [[Garth of Greenaway]]
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* [[Garth of Oldtown]]
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* [[Alan of Rosby]]
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* [[Ronnel Harclay]]
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* [[Aethan]]
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* [[Ryles]]  
 +
* [[Mawney]]
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* [[Bannen]]
 +
* [[Kedge Whiteye]]
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* [[Tumberjon]]
 +
* [[Fornio]]
 +
* [[Goady]]
 +
}}
  
 
===Stewards===
 
===Stewards===
 
{{Columns|2|
 
{{Columns|2|
* [[Jon Snow]], Lord Commander [[Jeor Mormont|Mormont]]'s Steward & Squire.
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* [[Jon Snow]], Lord Commander [[Jeor Mormont]]'s steward and squire
* Sweet [[Donnel Hill]], Mallador Locke's Steward & Squire.
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* [[Donnel Hill|Sweet Donnel Hill]], Mallador Locke's steward and squire
* [[Hake]], Steward & Cook.
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* [[Hake]], steward and cook
* [[Chett]], Keeper of the Hounds.
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* [[Chett]], keeper of the hounds
* [[Samwell Tarly]], Keeper of the Ravens.
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* [[Samwell Tarly]], keeper of the ravens
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* [[Eddison Tollett]]
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* [[Rolley of Sisterton]]
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* [[Clubfoot Karl]]
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* [[Maslyn]]
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* [[Small Paul]]
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* [[Sawwood]]
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* [[Left Hand Lew]]
 +
* [[Orphan Oss]]
 +
* [[Muttering Bill]]
 
}}
 
}}
* [[Eddison Tollett]], [[Lark]], [[Rolley|Rolley of Sisterton]], [[Karl|Clubfoot Karl]], [[Maslyn]], [[Paul|Small Paul]], [[Sawwood]], [[Lew (Left Hand)|Left Hand Lew]], [[Orphan Oss]], [[Bill|Muttering Bill]].
 
  
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===Confirmed survivors===
 +
The following men are known to have survived the great ranging:
  
{{Template:Conflict Beyond the Wall|state=uncollapsed}}
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{{Columns|3|
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* [[Samwell Tarly]]
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* [[Eddison Tollett]]
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* [[Grenn]]
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* [[Dywen]]
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* [[Bedwyck]], known as Giant
 +
* [[Black Bernarr]]
 +
* [[Tim Stone]]
 +
* [[Ulmer]] of the Kingswood
 +
* [[Garth Greyfeather]]
 +
* [[Ronnel Harclay]]
 +
* [[Kedge Whiteye]]
 +
* [[Goady]]
 +
* [[Donnel Hill|Sweet Donnel Hill]]
 +
* [[Left Hand Lew]]
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* [[Jon Snow]], independently makes his way back to the Wall
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* [[Jarman Buckwell]] and his scouting party, perhaps five men including himself. 
 +
}}
  
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==References==
 +
{{References|2}}
  
==References and Notes==
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{{Conflict Beyond the Wall|state=uncollapsed}}
{{References|2}}
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[[Category:Conflict beyond the Wall]]
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[[Category:Events]]
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[[Category:Night's Watch]]
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[[es:Gran Exploración]]
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[[nl:Grote Expeditie]]
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[[ru:Поход Ночного Дозора за Стену]]
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[[zh:游骑兵远征]]

Latest revision as of 21:01, 7 November 2022

Lord Commander Jeor Mormont leading the ranging in Game of Thrones

The great ranging is an expedition organized by Jeor Mormont, the 997th Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, in 299 AC. Lord Commander Mormont leads three hundred sworn brothers of the Night's Watch north beyond the Wall. It includes two hundred men from Castle Black and another hundred from the Shadow Tower. It is the biggest ranging in living memory, consisting of near a third of the Night's Watch's strength.

Goals

The great ranging's goals are:

Expedition North and New Discoveries

The Night's Watch inspecting the heart tree at the deserted wildling village Whitetree - by Matt Olson ©

The expedition passes seven deserted wildling villages, the fourth of which is Whitetree, before arriving at Craster's Keep, where the expedition camps for the night. There they learn that the villages are empty because Mance Rayder is gathering all the free folk in the Frostfangs with the intent to strike at the Wall as the wildling chieftains have done in the past. It is the stated that the most recent invasion was led by Raymun Redbeard.[4]

Lord Commander Mormont decides they will camp at the Fist of the First Men‎ and await Qhorin Halfhand and the men from the Shadow Tower. Qhorin's party arrives late after running into a wildling scouting party led by Alfyn Crowkiller. They were successful in stopping the wildlings from reporting back to Mance, at the cost of four men and a dozen wounded. A prisoner taken in the battle revealed that Mance is searching for some magic to bring down the Wall.

After Qhorin finally makes it to the rendezvous point, it is decided to send three scouting parties into the Frostfang mountains to discover the size of the host and what Mance is looking for, led by Jarmen Buckwell, Thoren Smallwood, and Qhorin.

Disaster at the Fist and Retreat

Shortly after the return of Thoren Smallwood's team, the expedition is attacked at the Fist of the First Men‎ by wights.[5] After an unsuccessful counterattack, due to being caught unaware and ill-prepared to fight an unfamiliar foe, Lord Commander Mormont rallies about fifty brothers onto horseback to break out of the Fist in a tactical retreat. It is assumed that the brothers who were unable to form up with Mormont's retreat were all slaughtered by the wights.

As the horses become more tired and the weather worsens, the Lord Commander organizes the injured to be put on horseback and sets the able men walking with torches to guard the flanks and rear. Fortunately the wights do not give an effective pursuit, only nibbling at the stragglers. It is during this march south that the Watch rediscovers the effect of dragonglass on the Others; Samwell Tarly, Small Paul, and Grenn are among the stragglers and in self defense, Samwell stabs an Other by mistake, causing the creature to dissolve.[6]

Mutiny at Craster's Keep

Forty-four brothers, twelve of them seriously injured, survive the wight and Other attacks and are able to reach Craster's Keep. However, morale is low and food is scarce. Although Craster offers them some food, many of the disgruntled members of the group claim Craster is holding out on them, and they eventually draw their weapons. Craster tries to fight them but is killed by Dirk. Lord Commander Jeor Mormont, who tries to intervene, is killed as well by Ollo Lophand, which leads to a brawl between the mutineers and the loyalists.[7] About a dozen loyalists decide to retreat and manage to return to Castle Black;[8] Samwell Tarly and Gilly also manage to escape.[9]

Aftermath

Nearly a third of the Night's Watch's strength, including most of its command and experienced fighting force, are lost. With less than thirty brothers to return to the Wall after the disaster at the Fist of the First Men, the mission is considered a failure. With tens of thousands of wildlings still marching on the Wall, the depleted force must rely on ingenuity and new leadership to survive any further engagements with hostiles beyond the Wall.

Known Members

Command

Rangers/Scouts

Stewards

Confirmed survivors

The following men are known to have survived the great ranging:

References