Did the Men of Bear Island Fight for Robb Stark, and Why Didn’t They Know About His Death at the Red Wedding When Jon Snow and Sansa Arrived at Bear Island?

One of the many intriguing aspects of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series is the political and military alliances formed between different houses. A common question that arises among fans concerns the men of Bear Island and their relationship with Robb Stark, particularly regarding their knowledge of his death at the Red Wedding.

Did They Fight for Robb Stark?

Yes, the men of Bear Island did fight for Robb Stark. Several accounts in the series mention the strong military history of House Mormont, with numerous members serving in Robb's army. This is evident from the events described in A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, and A Storm of Swords.

One example is Dacey Mormont, the heir to Bear Island, who served as one of Robb’s personal bodyguards and was killed during the Red Wedding. This highlights the depth of Bear Island's commitment to Robb Stark's cause.

Why Didn’t They Know About Robb’s Death?

The events surrounding Robb's death at the Red Wedding were indeed a significant and critical moment. This was a crucial turning point in the broader conflict, and it's reasonable to question why the men of Bear Island were unaware of this pivotal event when Jon Snow and Sansa Stark arrived at Bear Island.

It's important to note that the Red Wedding was a highly secretive and dangerous event, involving much betrayal and deception. The deployment of throat-cutting daggers and the ambush by the Freys and Boltons created a meticulously planned and executed attack.

Given the magnitude of the event, it's logical to assume that not all members of the Stark loyalists were in the right place at the right time. Some might have been away on other missions or in a position where they didn't receive crucial information about the events leading up to the Red Wedding.

Erroneous Beliefs About Lyanna

It's worth addressing the assertion that Lyanna did not know about Robb's death. While the series doesn't explicitly mention Lyanna's knowledge about the Red Wedding, it is true that the Red Wedding took place over a year before Robb's death was confirmed to his mother and sister. Lyanna's death was tragically premature, and many characters, including Sansa, remained unaware of Robb's fate for a significant period.

However, Sansa, as mentioned, was indeed up to date enough to know that she was married to Ramsay Bolton. This indicates that critical information was passed through the Stark loyalists, but not necessarily to the extent of knowing every detail about the Red Wedding.

Conclusion

The men of Bear Island, including members of House Mormont, did fight for Robb Stark. Their commitment is evident through the sacrifice of Dacey Mormont and other accounts. Yet the lack of knowledge about Robb's death at the Red Wedding can be attributed to the secretive nature of the event and the limited information available to them, especially given the extensive loyalty network required to keep such a massive betrayal hidden.

Their lack of immediate knowledge also reflects the broader complexities of maintaining an extensive and effective intelligence network in such a tumultuous and violent era.