The Dance of the Dragons saw a series of wars and small wars between factions. The North was a large and important region in Westeros and was involved in this battle. Among the northern forces, the Winter Wolves were most noticeable with Lord Cregan Stark at their helm, Winterfell. Discover what the Winter Wolves brought to the conflict in this article. 

Who Were the Winter Wolves?

The Winter Wolves were veterans of the armies coming from the Northern kingdoms of Westeros. They backed Rhaenyra Targaryen’s usurpation and sided with Cregan Stark, Lord of Winterfell. These warriors were led by Lord Roderick Dustin known as Roddy the Ruin, they were all experienced fighters who were called ‘greybeards’. There were approximately two thousand of them armed with old mail and worn out skins, riding moorish northern horses. With axes, mauls, spiked maces, and iron swords from the Stone Age, they upheld a custom by which old men had to leave their home in winter so that the younger members of the families could have enough food. Realizing that their voyage might be a suicide mission, these men craved fame, thrills, and riches.

The Winter Wolves in the Dance of the Dragons

Thus, under the leadership of Roddy the Ruin, the Winter Wolves participated in three major battles to show their might and courage.

1. Battle of the Lakeshore: They fought alongside the Frey’s forces commanded by Lord Forrest Frey and Red Robb Rivers. The Winter Wolves asked for the opportunity to engage the Lannister spearmen first, and they charged five times. Despite the fact that two-thirds of them died, they achieved a victory for the Black forces.
2. Butcher’s Ball: After Ser Criston Cole was killed by Red Robb Rivers’ longbowmen, the Winter Wolves and river knights attacked Criston’s force and crushed the Greens.
3. First Battle of Tumbleton: Berserking in their last stand, the Winter Wolves, guided by Roddy the Ruin, charged forth, screaming the battle cries of the north. Roddy died after he killed Ormund Hightower and his cousin Ser Bryndon Hightower. The Black forces were sold by Ser Hugh Hammer and Ser Ulf White subsequently killing the rest of Winter Wolves.

The death and legacy of the Winter Wolves

When the last Winter Wolves fell, Cregan Stark pledged to assemble ten thousand younger and stronger Northmen. But the Dance of the Dragons was not yet over and Rhaenyra was later captured and killed at Dragonstone by king Aegon II Targaryen.