Unveiling the Spectacle: The Epic Battle of the Blackwater in Game of Thrones

Highlights

Stannis Baratheon lays claim to the Iron Throne after his brother Robert's death, but faces other major conflicts in Westeros.

Ned Stark endorses Stannis as the legitimate successor, but tragically meets his demise before being able to offer assistance. To bolster his forces, Stannis seeks the aid of a pirate.

With the intention to seize King's Landing and assume control of the city, Stannis encounters an unexpected setback: Tyrion strategically deploys wildfire to overcome his fleets and armies. As a result, the Lannisters and Tyrells emerge triumphant.

After the death of Robert Baratheon in season 1, episode 7 "You Win or You Die" of Game of Thrones, his brother Stannis asserts his claim to the Iron Throne. Since Robert did not have any legitimate children, Stannis is the rightful successor. However, Stannis' bid for the throne is just one of the five major simultaneous conflicts in the complex geopolitics of Westeros. This has led to widespread poverty on the continent, yet the Lannisters, led by the incompetent and illegitimate king Joffrey Baratheon, continue to maintain control over the throne with an iron grip.

Ned Stark, who serves as the Hand of the King and now the Lord Regent and Protector of the Realm as decreed by Robert, intends to support Stannis in his ascent to the Iron Throne after Robert's death, recognizing him as the rightful heir. Despite his loyalty to the Baratheon family, Ned dismisses the idea proposed by Robert and Stannis' younger brother, Renly Baratheon, which suggests separating Joffrey from his mother Cersei and taking the throne. In an effort to rally support for Stannis, Ned writes a letter declaring his allegiance and assigns one of his men with the task of personally delivering it to Stannis. Ned's ultimate goal is for Stannis to become the ruler of the Seven Kingdoms. However, his plans are thwarted when he is executed on the orders of Joffrey Baratheon in season 1, episode 9 "Baelor" of Game of Thrones.

Lead-Up to The Battle

In Game of Thrones season 2, episode 1, "The North Remembers," Stannis Baratheon makes his first appearance on Dragonstone. Accompanied by his loyalists, including Ser Davos and his son, Matthos, Stannis is advised by a priestess named Melisandre, who worships the Lord of Light. In a bold move, Melisandre burns the statues of the Seven, with Stannis allowing it to happen, believing that her powers will aid him in his quest for the Iron Throne. Later, Matthos writes a letter on Stannis' behalf, sending copies to all corners of the realm to declare his claim to the throne, based on the illegitimacy of his nephew and niece, Joffrey, Tommen, and Myrcella, who were born from an incestuous relationship between Cersei Lannister and her brother, Ser Jaime Lannister, also known as the Kingslayer. Stannis calls upon all true men to pledge their loyalty to his cause.

In Game of Thrones season 2, episode 2 "The Night Lands," Davos and Matthos strengthen Stannis' army by enlisting the help of a pirate named Salladhor Saan. Salladhor Saan agrees to sail all thirty of his ships with Stannis' fleet to Blackwater Bay, solidifying their forces. Recognizing that the Lannisters are their true enemy, Stannis' advisors devise plans for their impending war. In a shocking turn of events, Stannis orders the murder of his younger brother, Renly, using Melisandre's shadow assassin. Meanwhile, Tyrion, acting as the Hand, focuses on defending King's Landing. Through his cousin Lancel, Tyrion discovers that Cersei has commissioned the Alchemists' Guild to produce Wildfire, an extremely flammable substance. This Wildfire is intended to be launched from the city walls, targeting Stannis' ships and armies. To gather more information and assess the situation, Tyrion and the new Commander of the City Watch, Bronn, pay a visit to Wisdom Hallyne, the pyromancer. Surprisingly, they find out that there are nearly eight thousand Wildfire pots prepared to be hurled at the enemy.

The Battle

With the inclusion of Renly's former bannermen, excluding the Tyrells, Stannis' forces have significantly bolstered in number. This augmentation greatly enhances his likelihood of securing control over the Seven Kingdoms. Stannis discloses to Davos that once he successfully consolidates his troops, they will set sail for King's Landing without delay. The core premise of his strategy is straightforward:

We will swiftly eliminate the Lannisters' fleet and clear Blackwater Bay. Once this is done, we will transport our troops to their doorstep and seize control of the city.

In the Game of Thrones episode 6 of season 2, "The Old Gods and the New," Baelish pays a visit to Lord Tywin Lannister at Harrenhal. During their meeting, Baelish shares intriguing updates from King's Landing, informing Tywin that the Tyrells possess the third-largest army in the Seven Kingdoms. As they have not aligned with any of the remaining kings, Renly's assassination presents a golden opportunity to form an alliance with them. Essentially, Baelish's plan involves utilizing the Tyrells and the Lannisters as forces against Stannis.

Stannis' arrival at Blackwater Bay in Game of Thrones season 2, episode 9 "Blackwater" is imminent. Tyrion explicitly instructs Bronn to await the ships' position, ensuring they are "sufficiently deep" for his Wildfire scheme to commence. Despite Stannis' superior naval force and army, the defenders' stronghold remains impenetrable. Tyrion diligently stations his men to protect the walls, while Davos grows increasingly suspicious of the absence of ships. From the battlements, Joffrey engages in a heated debate with Tyrion regarding their strategic approach, but Tyrion dismisses him. Preparing his archers, Tyrion refrains from issuing the command to attack. Both Matthos, Davos, and even Joffrey are perplexed as to why only a solitary royal ship is visible.

Lannister-Tyrell Victory

Davos is taken aback when he becomes aware of the Wildfire seeping from a deceptive ship. Tyrion motioned for Bronn to shoot a flaming arrow into the Wildfire, triggering a colossal explosion. Amidst the chaos, Matthos is flung into the water, while Davos and Stannis manage to survive the initial attack. Some men resort to jumping into the water to evade the burning effects of the Wildfire, leaving Tyrion in a state of horrified disbelief. Undeterred, Stannis forges ahead and issues orders for his men to prepare for landing. The Baratheon fleet skillfully maneuver their boats towards the shore, leading Tyrion to direct the archers to rain fire upon them. Although the flaming arrows successfully strike Stannis' men, they manage to reach the base of the harbor wall. Despite the Lannister forces attempting to halt their progress by dropping rocks, Stannis' soldiers shield their heads and press on. Determined, Stannis commands his first and second squads to breach the Mud Gate.

The Blackwater ignites in flames as Sandor Clegane surrenders, just as more of Stannis' forces reach the shore. The Lannisters find themselves on the losing end of the battle, prompting Cersei to send Lancel to fetch Joffrey to safety within the Red Keep. Ignoring his army, Joffrey abandons them, allowing Stannis' soldiers to break through the River Gate with their battering ram. In a valiant effort, Tyrion leads a counter-attack that uplifts the spirits of the Lannister troops. Meanwhile, Cersei leaves the safety of Maegor's Holdfast and enters the throne room. Tyrion, however, is left in shock when a knight slices his cheek, causing him to lose consciousness. Seizing the opportunity, Cersei claims the Iron Throne, clutching a vial of poison, prepared to end her own life. At that moment, reinforcements from House Tyrell and Lannister arrive, forcing Stannis' men to retreat. Loras Tyrell strides into the throne room, followed by Tywin Lannister, who declares their victory. The Battle of the Blackwater Bay in Game of Thrones concludes with Stannis' defeat, leading to a significant upheaval in Joffrey's court.