First Battle of Tumbleton

The First Battle of Tumbleton was a major altercation during the Targaryen civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons. It is most famously remembered for the defections of Ser Hugh Hammer and Ser Ulf the White from the sides of the blacks to the greens. It wzs fought between the blacks, led by lord Roderick Dustin, and the greens, led by Lord Ormund Hightower. It ended in a win for the greens. 
==Before the Battle==
Lord Ormund Hightower was leading the troops that he had gathered along the Mander and towards King's Landing, which was currently held by Rhaenyra Targaryen. Rhaenyra sent two of the dragonspawn, Hugh Hammer and Ulf White, with their dragons Vermithor and Silverwing, to the thriving town of Tumbleton, the last loyal supporter of Rhaenyra between the advancing army and the capital. Tumbleton was defended by 9000 men, including troops from Bitterbridge, Longtable, The Riverlands and the Winter Wolves, led by Roderick Dustin. They were greatly outnumbered and the greens smuggle soldiers into the town dressed as refugees. 
==The Battle==
Initially th blacks sent out 6000 men to engage the advancing army, but these were thinned by the enemy archers and were beaten into a retreat by the heavy cavalry. Roderick Dustin then led the famous Winter Wolves out of a postern gate and struck at the forces of House Hightower. Roderick was killed in the fighting, but managed to kill Lord Ormund and his cousin, Ser Bryndon Hightower before this happened. 
The defenders of Tumbleton thought that they may have won with the opposing commander dead, but their dragon riders betrayed them and launched Silverwing and Vemithor into an attack on the town. Thousands were killed as it was burned to ashes, and more drowned whilst trying to flee across the Mander. The garrison of Lord Footly surrendered, but they were all executed anyway. Girls as young as eight were raped in the ensuing sack of the town. 
==After the Battle==
Dowager Queen Alicent Hightower supposedly laughed upon hearing of the events of Tumbleton, promising that "all they have sown, they shall now reap". King's Landing went into a panic as many thought the same would happn to them when the forces arrived, but Rhaenyra had the Gold Cloaks close the gates. Ser Hobert Hightower took command of the Hightower forces stationed at Tumbleton.
Category:Events
Category:Historical
Category:Battles
Category:House Footly
Category:House Hightower
Category:House Dustin