The King In The North: House Stark And Yorkist Kings
Looking at Robb Stark, it’s hard not to see the parallels between him and King Edward IV of England, during the The Wars of the Roses.
During A Clash of Kings / A Storm of Swords (Season 2 / 3), Robb Stark (Richard Madden) quickly becomes a fan favourite, much to the viewers’ own detriment. When Ned Stark (Sean Bean) is imprisoned for “treason”, Robb rallies his father’s bannermen and makes war against the Lannisters. His grief on hearing of his father’s death by execution is a coming-of-age, as a man and head of his house. He’s consistently put into situations that test his ability to lead his house and his family. From telling Bran he will never walk again to executing Rickard Karstark; whether he was right or not is up to us to decide. The pressure of taking up his father’s mantle forced him to grow up.
In hope of saving his father after his imprisonment Robb assumes leadership of House Stark, making decisions that will not only endanger his own life, but those of his bannermen and their vassals. Many questioned his decisions and his ability to lead, including Rickard Karstark (John Stahl) and Robb’s direct rival in The North Roose Bolton (Michael McElhatton). He is advised at every corner on how to play Westerosi politics. But Robb is his father’s son, honour before everything else, unable to play the ruthless game of do or die required.
In comparison, Edward IV (néé Edward of York) was born in France to the richest duke in England, Richard of York in 1442. But he was raised in Ludlow Castle, Shropshire, with his brother Edmund. However, despite being raised in grandeur and affluence, Edward had to fight for all that he held most dear.
Whilst Ned Stark was killed in humiliation on the steps at Baelor, Richard was killed in The Battle of Wakefield, by a butcher, John Clifford, a no one. Edmund was also killed in this battle. Thrust into leading his house after his father and brother were killed can be compared to Ned leading House Stark after the death of his father and brother, Rickard and Brandon (at the hands of Mad King Aerys), one of the catalysts that sparked Robert’s Rebellion. Thus teaming up with his friend Robert Baratheon and mentor Jon Arryn. The Lancastrians put Richard and Edmund’s heads on spikes at the gates of York City, decorating Richard’s with a paper crown on Queen Margaret’s orders. Is this where Cersei’s affinity for “mounting heads on spikes” comes from?
Edward was humiliated and embarrassed by the disrespectful treatment of his father’s body. Both acts fuelled a lust for vengeance. Ned’s head on the spikes of King’s Landing’s gates by the orders of Joffrey… the coincidence is suspect. Robb Stark going to war with the Lannisters would become part of the War of the Five Kings, which would include four more quests for the throne by Stannis ‘The Mannis’ Baratheon (Stephen Dillane), Renly Baratheon (Gethin Anthony), Baelon Greyjoy (Patrick Malahide) and the ruling king, “the pretender” Joffrey (Jack Gleeson). Edward would lead a crusade against the Lancastrians, started by his father but continued by the son. What would become known as the Wars of the Roses or sometimes, The Cousins’ War.
Not long into A Game of Thrones (Season 1), King Robert Baratheon (Mark Addy) requests Ned be the new Hand of the King after the death of Jon Arryn. Soon after he dies under dubious circumstances whilst on hunting trip (like Edward). The Lannisters don’t waste any time in imprisoning Ned. Sansa is then taken hostage. Arya is in the wind. Bran and Rickon are in The North, seemingly taken hostage by Theon Greyjoy (Alfie Allen). Meanwhile, Lady Catelyn (Michelle Fairley) has taken Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) hostage on the way to the Eyrie in The Vale. Robb has responsibility thrust upon him before he is ready, like Edward. Despite their young age and lack of experience, they were out there in the field with their men. Both kept winning battles. Their supporters worshipped them and as long as they kept winning, morale was high. And both were known for inspirational battle speeches.
Robb Stark’s speeches reflects Edward’s dilemma on becoming leader of his house. Edward knew how to give a damn good speech. However, this was more than poetry. They weren’t just for morale. Both these characters took their vows and words seriously. They felt the weight of their actions, driven by honour, justice, integrity, both even married for love rather than politics, and “beneath them” at that (commoners, rather than ladies of high standing).
Robb cared for his men and their families; he’s deeply troubled when they’re dying for him and they have nothing to show for it, more so when his mother Catelyn (Fairley) released their only hostage of value, a bargaining chip, the Kingslayer Jaime Lannister (Nickolaj Coster-Waldau).
Similarly, Edward may have been emotionally compromised when it came to bloodshed, only engaging in it because he had to. At the Battle of Towton, it’s said that 1% of the male population lost their lives. This was around 28,000 men. He wasn’t very enthusiastic about war, often forgiving traitors and issuing orders to let the common soldiers escape at the end of battles.
This trait could be likened to that of Tytos Lannister, father to Tywin (Charles Dance). He was over-forgiving and mocked, often negligent when lending money. When it came to repaying loans, he did not care. When he died, Tywin took charge and we all know the story of House Reyne of Castamere. Even early on in the series, a Lannister scout is found snooping only to be allowed to leave with his life, much to the dismay of Theon, Lord ‘Greatjon’ Umber (Clive Andrew Mantle) and Lady Catelyn.
Robb’s kindness and leniency were like Edward’s. In this case, Robb uses the scout to trick the Lannisters into making a blunder of troop distribution. He came up with this scheme to avoid killing the scout. Robb and Edward were brilliant strategists and never defeated on the battlefield.
“We’ve underestimated the Stark boy for too long. He has a good mind for warfare. His men worship him. As long as he keeps winning battles, they’ll keep believing he is King In The North.”
Tywin Lannister
Unlike Robb, Edward wanted to be King. Robb only wanted to save his family and rule the North. Both of these figures had their hands tied through their father’s actions, even if their father’s doings were honourable and just.
Additionally, Edward was not seen as a northerner by the powers that be. Edward was born in France and his northern backing came from his kin, his cousin Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick. His mother, Cecily Neville, and Richard Neville came from great northern families. With this nobility came great military support. I do not believe that Edward was called “King in the North” despite being of House of York. And in this way, perhaps Edward is more like Jon Snow — born in Dorne but still as much a Stark.
In this respect, is Roose Bolton mirroring Richard Neville? A man who is also reminiscent of Littlefinger. He betrayed Edward (Rob Stark / young Robert Baratheon) for Margaret D’Anjou (Cersei) by triggering a coup, in hope to put Edward’s brother George Duke of Clarence (Renly) on the throne. He (George) was then executed for treason, drowned in wine (Melisandre’s demon) at his choosing (thought it would be funny). Lord Bolton and Warwick were slippery and untrustworthy. Neville was described as being cold and emotionless, using his daughters as bargaining chips in Middle England politics.
“On Roose Bolton’s face, rage and joy looked much the same.”
Reek II, A Dance With Dragons
And in the end, they both died young, Robb at his uncle Edmure’s wedding (The Red Wedding likely based on the Glencoe Massacre / Black Dinner) and Edward out hunting in a dubious hunting accident (like Robert Baratheon).
Robb Stark and young Robert Baratheon have traits of Edward as young man, as the Earl of Warwick has traits of Petyr Baelish and Roose Bolton. However, Robb may be his father’s son but one look at Stark history shows you they’re just as brutal as the Lannisters and every other house in the Seven Kingdoms.
