The Parallel Reigns: Robb Stark and Edward IV
The article parallels Game of Thrones (GoT) characters and historical figures from English history.
It suggests that the younger Edward IV may have inspired Robb Stark. In comparison, the older Edward IV may have influenced Robert Baratheon. Both Robb and Edward IV face challenging leadership roles after their fathers’ deaths and navigate complex situations. The article highlights similarities in family tragedies, leadership styles, strategic brilliance, and their marriages for love. It explores how both characters, despite not necessarily seeking the throne, are thrust into leadership positions and face significant challenges in their quests for justice and power.
In Game of Thrones (GoT), two characters may have been inspired by Edward IV: Robb Stark may be an incarnation of the younger Edward IV. In comparison, the older Edward IV may have inspired Robert Baratheon.
Let’s remember Robb Stark. The character had no easy task. He wakes up practically overnight after his father’s death as head of the family and leader of House Stark. Robb is constantly put in situations that test his skills and courage to assume leadership. Nothing is too much for him. Not putting the mischievous Arya, who teases Sansa to task, not encouraging Bran after his accident, and not acting like a true Lord of Winterfell. Besides, to save his father from the dungeon Cersei Lannister has thrown him into, Robb makes decisions that endanger his own life and that of his family and those who follow him.
Well, the existence of young Edward IV, the royal king in English history, was not unlike that of Robb Stark. He was born to be heir to a wealthy duke and grew up in his own castle with his brothers Edmund, George, and Richard. Yet despite his rank, wealth, and privilege, Edward’s life was far from happy. He found himself leader of the House of York soon after his father was murdered. This meant that Edward had to take on enormous responsibility and risk at only 18.
Both Edward IV and Robb Stark had fathers who died in humiliating circumstances. Eddard Stark was forced to admit to a crime he had not committed, hoping to put his daughters’ lives at risk (he did not).
As for Edward IV’s father, Richard, Duke of York, he met his end in equally humiliating circumstances. During the Battle of Wakefield, Richard was killed, and Edward’s 17-year-old brother Edmund was wounded and then executed by one John Clifford, later nicknamed ‘the butcher,’ precisely because he had stabbed young Edmund. Lancastrian forces then carried the bloodied heads of Richard Duke of York and his son Edmund up to the York City gate to rot there, a fate that only criminals and traitors suffered. Moreover, Lancastrian forces placed a paper crown on the duke’s head in mockery of his claim to the English throne (legitimate claims, though, it must be said).
So Edward felt entitled to take revenge, both for the disrespectful treatment of his father’s corpse and for the brutal execution of his brother. But revenge was not the only motive behind Edward’s actions; he also wanted to save his family because, in those days, anyone who laid claim to the throne risked being killed by his opponents.
Like Edward IV, Robb Stark was embroiled in a massive conflict after his father’s capture. We remember that in the first episode of GoT, King Robert Baratheon asks Ned to accept the Hand position, i.e., he asks Ned to be the power behind the throne. It was the Hand who really ruled the kingdom, the king having many other, more or less orthodox, duties. Ned accepts, despite his wife’s protests (we remember that dialogue between Catelyn and Ned Stark).
After Robert Baratheon’s death, under more than dubious circumstances, the Lannisters send Ned Stark to prison and take Sansa (and apparently Arya) hostage. Therefore, Robb has no choice but to become the leader of House Stark and his father’s men. The young man has no military experience but seems willing to risk his life and the lives of his followers to save his sisters and bring his father’s body to Winterfell.
You remember the speech Robb Stark gave to his men after they captured Jaime Lannister:
One victory does not make us conquerors. Did we free my father? Did we rescue my sisters from the queen? Did we free the North from those who want us on our knees? This war is far from over.
It wasn’t just Robb who was good at inspirational speeches. Edward IV was excellent, too. Moreover, their words were not mere words. Both Robb and Edward believed very strongly in what they were saying.
“I sent 2000 men to their graves today” (Robb Stark)
“The bards will sing songs of their sacrifice” (Theon Greyjoy)
“Aye, but the dead won’t hear them (Robb Stark).
Like Robb, Edward was probably chased by the soldiers he sent to the grave so he could become king. Let’s not forget that about one percent of the then population of England lost their lives in the Battle of Towton. This may be why Edward was not inclined towards war and tended to avoid bloodshed as much as possible. Not once did he pardon traitors and allow soldiers to escape by running away at the end of a battle.
Remember that Lannister Scout was brought before Robb by his men? Much to their surprise, Robb allowed the scout to leave, but not before telling him:
My father understands mercy when there is room for it. And, he understands honor and courage.
On the other hand, Robb indeed used the scout to mislead the Lannisters about his strategic intentions (strategic thinking).
Like Robb Stark, Edward IV was an excellent strategist and was never defeated on the battlefield. Even Tywin Lannister gave him credit:
We’ve underestimated the Stark boy for too long. He has a good mind for warfare. His men worship him. (…) You’ve been waiting for him to fail. He is not going to fail — not without our help.
It’s not clear whether Edward and Robb wanted the throne. Instead, they both faced a situation they had to manage from a leadership position.
Like Robb, Edward also had the support of the North, but unlike the younger Stark, he was not considered a Northerner himself. Edward’s support came from his relationship with Richard Neville, Duke of Warwick, his cousin. Like Edward’s mother, Warwick (nicknamed the “Kingmaker” for reasons I will detail in another article) came from a wealthy northern family and brought solid military support. But Edward was never proclaimed King of the North. Although he was part of the York family, his family did not spend that much time in York. That changed with the arrival of his brother Richard III, who not only had the support of the North but also spent time there.
Another significant similarity between Robb and Edward is that they married for love. But we’ll tell you more about that.
Copyright © 2024 Mihaela Răileanu, mihaelaraileanu.com.
All rights reserved.
