The Epic Battle in Game of Thrones: Unraveling the Secrets of the Frozen Tundra

Highlights

Stannis Baratheon's loyalists believe he is the true king of Westeros and continue to support him even after losing the Battle of the Blackwater.

Stannis, Davos, and Melisandre are resolute in their pursuit of victory in the war, resorting to sacrifices for the Lord of Light without hesitation, even if it means sacrificing the lives of the innocent.

In his strategy to seize Winterfell from the Boltons, Stannis employs the aid of the Wildlings to bolster his forces. However, he encounters several obstacles along the way, including adverse weather conditions and the issue of desertions.

Despite losing the Battle of the Blackwater, Stannis Baratheon's loyalists, including Ser Davos and the Red Woman, continue to believe that he is the one true king of Westeros. Throughout Game of Thrones season 3, Stannis spends his time recovering at Dragonstone, while his advisors maintain that the battle is far from over. In this battle, Stannis' fleet is destroyed by Wildfire, and at the insistence of Melisandre, he continues to sacrifice men in order to win. His primary targets are Joffrey Baratheon and Robb Stark, though Melisandre claims that more sacrifices are necessary for victory. To further Stannis' cause, she acquires Gendry, the illegitimate son of House Baratheon, from the Brotherhood Without Banners to be sacrificed to the Lord of Light.

Melisandre firmly believes that Stannis is destined to unite the world during the Long Night, a period of eternal darkness, and therefore must rule in order to save Westeros. However, Stannis is frustrated when Davos aids Gendry in escaping, revealing his growing obsession with Melisandre and his willingness to sacrifice more lives for personal gain. While Renly Baratheon dies prior to the Battle of the Blackwater, Robb Stark and his army are massacred at the Red Wedding in episode 9 of Game of Thrones season 3, titled "The Rains of Castamere." In season 4, Joffrey is killed at his wedding feast, leaving Stannis as the sole contender for the Iron Throne, as Balon Greyjoy seeks independence for the Iron Islands.

Stannis And Ser Davos Rebuild The Army

In Game of Thrones season 3, episode 10 "Mhysa," Ser Davos presents Stannis with Maester Aemon's scroll detailing the events beyond the Wall, including Lord Commander Jeor Mormont's expedition and demise. This confirms the imminent conflict beyond the Wall. Davos urges Stannis to regroup and assemble an army comprising mercenaries, pirates, and Westerosi lords to combat the White Walkers and the Undead. Melisandre supports Davos' argument, emphasizing the insignificance of the War of the Five Kings in comparison to the impending threat. Further rituals are performed to appease the Lord of Light. In Game of Thrones season 4, Stannis' trusted advisor, Davos, writes to the Iron Bank of Braavos, seeking their backing.

Meanwhile, Tommen Baratheon assumes the throne in Game of Thrones season 4, while Davos attempts to convince the Iron Bank to support Stannis in the war. Later, Davos meets with the pirate and sellsail, Salladhor Saan, who had previously allied with him in the Battle of the Blackwater, and compensates him with gold. Melisandre informs Stannis' wife, Selyse, that their daughter, Shireen Baratheon, must accompany them on their journey, hinting at the possibility of her sacrifice. Instead of targeting King's Landing, Stannis' cavalry finds themselves in the true North, battling through the Free Folk. In Game of Thrones season 4, episode 10 "The Children," they capture the King-Beyond-the-Wall, Mance Rayder. As a responsible leader, Stannis expresses concern for the threat of the Undead and is willing to hear Mance's perspective. He also encounters Jon Snow, a member of the Night's Watch, amidst the Wildlings, leading to a significant shift in his pursuit of the Iron Throne. Stannis now strives to become the savior of the realm and earn the title of king. Stannis, accompanied by the Red Woman and Davos, remains at Castle Black, spending time with Jon and Samwell Tarly to gain more insight into the true battle that lies ahead.

Stannis Wants To Take Winterfell

In Season 5, Episode 1 of Game of Thrones titled "The Wars to Come," Stannis encounters Jon Snow and shares his intentions of taking Winterfell from the Boltons. Stannis proposes using Jon to seek revenge against the traitors, offering to legitimize him in return. Jon respectfully declines, highlighting his allegiance to the Night's Watch. He further empathizes with the Wildlings, recognizing their circumstances beyond the Wall. Stannis desires to conquer the North and incorporate the Wildlings into his forces. He suggests granting them citizenship and land under the condition that their leader, Mance, submits to him. Mance refuses, leading Stannis to sentence him to the Lord of Light, but Jon ends his suffering mercifully by shooting an arrow through his heart.

As Season 5 progresses in Episode 3, titled "High Sparrow," the Northerners prepare for the impending winter. Stannis intends to march on Winterfell before the snowfall traps his army, realizing that any delay would benefit the Boltons. Departing from Castle Black in Episode 5, titled "Kill the Boy," Stannis loans his ships to Jon, allowing the Free Folk to be transported from Hardhome. Accompanying Stannis are Selyse, Melisandre, and Shireen, while Roose Bolton, the new Lord of Winterfell, organizes Ramsay's marriage to Sansa Stark to solidify his control over the North.

The Battle

In Game of Thrones season 5, episode 7, "The Gift," Stannis continues to suffer casualties among his troops and horses due to the unforgiving climate, yet he adamantly resists the notion of retreating. Davos insists that they should return to Castle Black to replenish their resources:

Our food reserves are depleting rapidly, and until the snow subsides, we are unable to establish a supply route. The Stormcrows departed under cover of darkness yesterday.

Five hundred sellswords abandon Stannis, prompting Davos to acknowledge the impracticality of marching to Winterfell. Despite the immense risk, Stannis places his trust in Melisandre, who urges him to sacrifice his daughter Shireen to the Lord of Light as the only means to secure victory. Melisandre's ultimate goal is for Stannis to become ruler of the Seven Kingdoms during the impending Long Night, and after much contemplation, Stannis reluctantly agrees to burn Shireen.

In the eighth episode of Game of Thrones' fifth season, titled "Hardhome," Roose's scouts relay the intelligence that Stannis commands an army of approximately six thousand men, half of which are mounted. The Boltons have taken the initiative to fortify Winterfell's walls, reinforce the gates, and stockpile enough provisions to last half a year. In essence, the Boltons possess the luxury of time, while Stannis does not. They can withstand a siege and await the inevitable freezing, starving, or mutiny among Stannis' forces. However, Ramsay has devised a plan that necessitates twenty skilled individuals, proposing to his father that Stannis' invasion offers the ideal opportunity to strike first and demonstrate the ruthless Bolton approach towards Southern intruders to the Northern Houses.

In Game of Thrones season 5, episode 9 "The Dance of Dragons," Ramsay's twenty good men are responsible for the fire that breaks out in Stannis' camp. This devastating incident results in the destruction of food stocks, siege weapons, and the death of many horses. Stannis realizes that he cannot attack the Boltons without a thaw, so he sends Davos to Castle Black to obtain food, supplies, and fresh horses. Additionally, Stannis makes the horrifying decision to have his daughter Shireen burned alive. Shortly after, his wife Selyse hangs herself, and a significant portion of Stannis' mounted sellswords desert. Despite these setbacks, Stannis sets off for Winterfell the following morning.

In Game of Thrones season 5, episode 10 "Mother's Mercy," Stannis finds himself facing Ramsay Bolton and his army outside Winterfell, with Melisandre absent from his side. As Stannis prepares his men to besiege the castle, the Bolton army unexpectedly arrives on horseback and easily overpowers his forces. Injured and defeated, Stannis collapses against a tree in a nearby forest. There, Brienne of Tarth, who previously served as a Kingsguard to Stannis' brother Renly Baratheon, executes Stannis for his role in killing Renly with blood magic.