Battle for Whiterun

**Outcome**| **Imperial victory*** Whiterun remains part of the Empire
* City walls are partially destroyed
* The Gildergreen's white decorative structure damaged, and parts of it destroyed
* Forts Neugrad, Sungard, Snowhawk and Hraggstad replaced with Imperial Soldiers
* Fort Greymoor seized by the Empire from the Bandits

## **First Side**

### Commanders

Varian Empire
Marcella Varian
Balgruuf the Greater
Freydis Strong-Blade
Legate Quentin Cipius
Legate Rikke
Imperial Generals
Imperial Field Legates

### Casualties

Whiterun Guard
Whiterun Imperial Garrison
Heavy

## **Second Side**

### Commanders

Stormcloaks
Galmar Stone-Fist
Stormcloak Generals
Stormcloak Field Commanders

### Casualties

Stormcloak Soldiers
Heavy

*For a Quest, see The Battle for Whiterun.*

*"A new day is dawning and the sun rises over Whiterun."*
―Ulfric Stormcloak[src]
The **Battle for Whiterun**, sometime referred as the **Battle of Whiterun**, was a major battle that took place in 4E 201 during the Skyrim Civil War.

## Background

Whiterun Hold had been neutral territory during the Skyrim Civil War, with skirmishes on both sides taking place in the Hold and Fort Greymoor switching hands between the Empire and Stormcloaks on a regular basis. Jarl Balgruuf refused the Legion's right to garrison troops in Whiterun city, on the other hand he also refused to acknowledge Ulfric's claim. After an unknown period of time, Ulfric started planning an attack on Whiterun. Shortly after Balgruuf got to know of this news, he declared his allegiance to the Empire, previously wishing to stay out of the war whenever possible.

Jarl Balgruuf, after getting a message from General Tullius in which some of Ulfric's plans were recorded, decided to send Ulfric his axe. Ulfric decided to send the axe back, which meant they would go to war, which is the response that Balgruuf expected.

## The battle

*"This is it men! This is an important day for the Empire and for the Legion. And for all of Skyrim. This is the day we send a message to Ulfric Stormcloak and the rebel Jarls who support him."*
―Legate Rikke[src]
The Legionnaires sent by Marcella Varian and General Tullius arrived just in time to fight against the Stormcloaks and catapults were stationed in the city to ward off the invasion. The Stormcloaks however, had also brought catapults with them and intended to rain large fireballs on the city. Although the siege kept the frail city walls intact, the soldiers were forced to fight in the flames. The Imperial Legion had set up water brigades to mitigate the danger of fighting in an inferno and prevent the fires from getting out of control. Marcella led the Imperials had blocked the first passage going into the wind district, and had set up various barricades in the city. Victory in the battle depended on if the Imperials could prevent the Stormcloaks from dropping the drawbridge, which was integral for keeping Whiterun from being overrun.

## Aftermath

After the battle, Balgruuf the Greater delivered a speech to both the legionnaires and the city townguardsman. The Stormcloaks and the Empire had suffered huge losses, however the Rebels have a demonstrating weakness of the rebels' cause.

## Notes

1. ↑ Imperial Generals and Imperial Field Legates only appear if the Stormcloaks are sided with, likewise, Legate Rikke only appears if the Empire is sided with.
2. ↑ Stormcloak Generals and Stormcloak Field Commanders only appear if the Empire is sided with, likewise, Galmar Stone-Fist only appears if the Stormcloaks are sided with.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Dialogue with Balgruuf the Greater
2. ↑ Dialogue with Captain Aldis
3. ↑ Dialogue with Agnis
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Dialogue between Legate Rikke and General Tullius
5. ↑ Dialogue between Balgruuf the Greater, Proventus Avenicci and Irileth
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Events of The Battle for Whiterun
7. ↑ Dialogue with Ulfric Stormcloak
8. ↑ Dialogue between an Imperial Soldier and Legate Quentin Cipius