The Epic Showdown: Unraveling the Game of Thrones Battle of the Bastards

Lord Baelish arranges Sansa Stark's marriage to Ramsay Bolton, who is known for his psychotic tendencies, in Game of Thrones season 5. Initially hesitant, Sansa is convinced that marrying a Bolton is the means to seek vengeance for her family. Baelish, hoping that Sansa will eventually accept the plan, declares, "There is no justice in this world, unless we create it."

Although Sansa vehemently objects, citing Roose Bolton's involvement in the infamous Red Wedding massacre and the brutal murder of her brother Robb Stark, she eventually relents. Accompanied by Baelish, she embarks on a journey to Winterfell, where she hopes her union with Ramsay will give her the perfect opportunity to restore honor to House Stark.

Prelude to Battle

Sansa's marriage to Ramsay in Game of Thrones season 5, episode 6 "Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken," reveals his cruel, sadistic, and dishonorable nature, akin to his father. The marriage serves as a strategic maneuver to acquire Sansa Stark's name and solidify the Bolton family's power in the North. Ramsay indulges in his favorite pastime of inflicting pain upon Sansa. However, in Game of Thrones season 5, episode 10 "Mother's Mercy," Sansa is aided in her escape from Winterfell by Theon Greyjoy, who endured severe torture at Ramsay's hands as Ned Stark's ward. With the North in chaos, a battle between good and evil ensues, as Ramsay strives to strengthen his dominion as the new Lord of Winterfell and Sansa is determined to reclaim her ancestral home.

In "Mother's Mercy" of Game of Thrones, Ramsay prioritizes his attention towards addressing the threat posed by Stannis. Capitalizing on this distraction, Sansa and Theon seize the opportune moment to escape. As Ramsay's men and hounds diligently search for the fugitives, Brienne of Tarth and Podrick Payne come to their rescue. Meanwhile, Roose apprehensively anticipates the consequences of his rebellion against the crown to arrange Ramsay's marriage to Sansa. Expressing his concern, he reminds Ramsay, "We must face the impending reckoning in the North. The entire North shall be required, for they will not support us without Sansa Stark. Now that we have lost Sansa Stark, you have played your games recklessly. Not only did you toy with her, but also with the heir to the Iron Islands, and now both are no longer within our grasp."

Ramsay is aware that Sansa is on her way to visit her half-brother Jon Snow at Castle Black. Lord Karstark argues that the Bolton's reign over the North will always be challenged as long as a Stark remains. In a rash decision, Ramsay proposes killing Jon, the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, but Roose dismisses the idea. Ramsay takes matters into his own hands and murders his father to secure his own position of power and prevent any threat from his newborn brother, who is the legitimate heir. He has the Maester send messages to the Northern houses, falsely claiming that Roose was poisoned by their enemies. Ramsay also feeds Lady Walda and her infant son to his hounds. Meanwhile, Theon returns to the Iron Islands, and in Game of Thrones season 6, episode 4 "Book of the Stranger," Sansa is reunited with Jon, who has already declared his watch at Castle Black to be over.

Sansa apologizes to Jon for her previous mistreatment and, upon receiving forgiveness, expresses her desire to reclaim Winterfell. Jon is motivated to take action when he realizes that their safety is at stake if they don't regain control of the North. Jon reads aloud Ramsay's letter, which reveals that the Boltons have captured Rickon Stark. The letter also includes a threat to kill Jon and all the Wildlings at Castle Black if he fails to bring Sansa back. Ultimately, Jon, Sansa, and the Wildling Tormund Giantsbane strategize their next move. Sansa states that Ramsay commands an army of five thousand troops, while Tormund believes he can assemble an army of two thousand Wildlings. Sansa proposes seeking support from the Northern families, a plan to which Jon agrees in Game of Thrones' "Book of the Stranger."

Sansa And Jon Ask For Help

Ramsay depends on the loyalty and support of the Umbers and the Karstarks, despite the fact that both Houses were once fiercely loyal to House Stark. For centuries, House Umber stood by House Stark, and the Karstarks are connected to the Starks through blood. In the third episode of Game of Thrones season 6, titled "Oathbreaker," Smalljon Umber travels to Winterfell to form an alliance with the Boltons, expressing his disapproval of Jon Snow's decision to allow the Wildlings through the Wall. Being the northernmost house, Smalljon is skeptical that Jon and the Wildlings will take Winterfell. In an act of support, he hands over Ned's youngest son, Rickon, as well as Rickon's Direwolf, Shaggydog's head, and Osha the Wildling, to Ramsay. Sansa informs Jon and Ser Davos that her great-uncle, Brynden Tully, also known as the Blackfish, has reassembled the Tully army and recaptured Riverrun. However, Sansa conceals the truth about how she obtained this information, falsely claiming that Ramsay received a message before she fled Winterfell. In reality, it was Lord Baelish who provided her with the update during their meeting in Mole's Town. Sansa then orders Brienne to ride to Riverrun and seek the Blackfish's support against the Boltons. In the fifth episode of season 6, titled "The Door," Jon and Sansa embark on a journey to request support from the northern families.

In Game of Thrones season 6, episode 7 "The Broken Man," Jon, Tormund, and Davos pay a visit to the Wildling chieftains. Jon presents a warning to them regarding the imminent threat posed by Bolton, Karstark, and Umber. Eventually, Jon's call is answered by Wun Wun the giant. Although House Mormont stands by Jon's side, Lord Glover denies his support. To bolster their forces, Jon's army consists of two thousand Wildlings, two hundred Hornwoods, one hundred and forty-three Mazins, and sixty-two Mormonts. Realizing the need for additional troops, Sansa writes a letter to Baelish, who commands the Knights of the Vale. The Boltons face a long-awaited reckoning in Game of Thrones season 6, episode 9 "Battle of the Bastards" at the hands of someone who was once raised as "the Bastard of Winterfell."

The Battle Itself

Season 6, episode 9 of Game of Thrones centers around the intense confrontation between Jon and Ramsay's armies. Prior to the battle, the two factions come face to face outside of Winterfell, where Ramsay demands Jon's submission. In response, Jon proposes a one-on-one showdown instead. Ramsay, confident in his army of six thousand men, taunts Jon for lacking such numbers. The next morning, Jon's forces gather on the battlefield as Ramsay resorts to playing mind games. He brings Rickon to the forefront, frees him from his restraints, and instructs him to run towards Jon. Tragically, Ramsay aims his arrows at Rickon, killing him before Jon can reach him.

Furious and full of vengeance, Jon charges at the Bolton army, prompting Davos to order his men to prepare for battle. The Bolton archers ready their arrows and the Stark troops follow Jon into the fray. Jon is struck down, leading Karstark to command his cavalry to attack. Jon quickly retrieves his sword and a fierce battle commences, with Davos and the archers helplessly watching from the sidelines. The Boltons rain down a volley of arrows, but Jon skillfully evades them, inflicting significant casualties. The bodies pile up, creating the illusion of a small mountain, while horses fall and Davos leads the remaining Stark forces into the fight. Ramsay orders Smalljon to enter the battle, deploying soldiers with tall shields and spears to encircle Jon Snow and his men, with dead bodies closing the other half of the circle.

The Bolton formation mercilessly stabs the Stark soldiers, and Smalljon and his troops descend upon the remaining enemies, slaughtering them. Wun Wun, the giant, does his best to take down as many shield bearers as possible. Jon is trampled, and Smalljon repeatedly headbutts Tormund. Witnessing the dire situation, Ramsay sees victory within his grasp. However, just as Jon's side seems defeated, Littlefinger and Sansa arrive with the Knights of the Vale. They charge into the fray, cutting through the Bolton formation and ensuring the Starks' triumph. Shocked, Ramsay and Howland Quinn retreat to Winterfell, with Jon and his closest allies in pursuit. Despite sustaining injuries from a volley of arrows, Wun Wun manages to break down the castle's gate but succumbs to his wounds. Ramsay cunningly kills the last of the giants by striking him in the eye and proposes a one-on-one fight with Jon. Jon ruthlessly defeats Ramsay, only stopping when he sees Sansa approach. In the victorious Game of Thrones episode, the Stark banner is raised, and Jon instructs his men to bury Rickon in the crypt alongside Ned. Sansa bids Ramsay farewell by offering his torn-apart body to his loyal hounds in the kennels. Jon Snow emerges triumphant in the Battle of the Bastards, avenging House Stark.