Robb Stark's death in A Song of Ice & Fire novels by George R.R. Martin, which depicts Robb as a boy of 15 forced to lead his country to war on behalf of his imprisoned father. Robb became a fan favorite in both the TV series and the books, as he's the only one who manages to pull off victories against the seemingly unstoppable Lannisters.
Robb's efforts prove to be for nothing when the Starks are massacred at the wedding between Edmure Tully and Roslin Frey, held at the Twins. This event, famously known as the Red Wedding, is one of the most iconic moments in television history, seen by fans and TV lovers as the defining betrayal plot twist. However, for those paying attention, there are clues about what will happen, including the constant mistakes Robb makes beginning in season 1. He's constantly faced with impossible choices, and while he handles many of them well, some are simply unwinnable.
8 Robb Stark Agreed To With Walder Frey
Walder Frey Is Not A Man To Make An Alliance With
Robb Stark's initial goal in the war is to travel south as quickly as possible, presenting a threat to the Lannisters, forcing them to return Eddard Stark and Robb's sisters. Because of this initial desperation to help Ned quickly, Robb is forced to make a decision without considering the consequences. The Twins are a castle that lay on the river connecting the North to the Riverlands, and Robb means to get his forces to Riverrun to lift Jaime Lannister's siege.
Unfortunately, the trade-off was Robb being forced to cut a deal with Walder Frey, swearing himself to him in a marriage agreement.
Catelyn immediately warns Robb that Walder Frey is not a man to be trusted, but Robb knows continuing south along the Kingsroad will mean facing Tywin Lannister's forces instead of Jaime's. It proves to be a worthwhile tactical decision, earning him extra Frey soldiers for his troops, bringing the Tully forces over to his side, and resulting in the capture of Jaime Lannister. Unfortunately, the trade-off was Robb being forced to cut a deal with Walder Frey, swearing himself to him in a marriage agreement.
7 Robb Stark Executed Rickard Karstark
Sparing Rickard Karstark Would Have Saved Robb His Troops
Rickard Karstark is a respected Northern lord and one of the first to proclaim Robb Stark as King in the North. However, things go awry when Jaime Lannister kills his two sons in the battle in Whispering Wood. This happens off-screen in season 1, and it's not really addressed for a while afterward, but Rickard is vengeful and demands blood in return for his dead sons. Robb refuses to execute Jaime, so Rickard sneaks in and murders Willem and Martyn Lannister at Riverrun.
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In response to this betrayal, Robb Stark executes Rickard Karstark despite being advised against it. Edmure suggests that Robb take Rickard as a hostage, declaring to his men that their lord won't be harmed as long as they continue to follow him in war. However, Robb believes it is his duty to execute Lord Rickard and does so. Because of this, the Karstark soldiers march home, leaving Robb without enough troops, resulting in him turning to Walder Frey for more men.
6 Robb Put Too Much Trust In Theon Greyjoy
Theon Cost Robb Winterfell
Theon Greyjoy is another character Robb places a significant amount of trust in, which eventually becomes a detriment to his cause. Theon was raised at Winterfell and grew up with Robb, making them close to being brothers. However, Theon has always suffered from conflicted feelings about what it means to be a Greyjoy and Ironborn, all of which come back to him when he returns to Pyke to meet with his father. Robb intended to offer Balon Greyjoy the title of King, but Balon wished to pay the iron price for it.
By the time Theon arrives at Pyke, Balon has already planned his invasion of the North. For that part, Robb nor Theon can be blamed. Still, by trusting Theon, Robb loses control of Winterfell, which was never part of Balon's plan. Theon returning to the Iron Islands leads him down the path that results in Robb losing his castle and the respect of his men. It also leads him to believe his younger brothers are dead, which is why he sleeps with Jeyne Westerling in the books.
Talisa Stark is an original character created for the TV series to replace Jeyne Westerling.
5 Robb Shouldn't Have Trusted Roose Bolton
Roose Bolton Had Way Too Much Responsibility
Like with Walder Frey, Roose Bolton is one of those guys that no one should put much trust in. House Bolton is the second most powerful in the North, meaning Robb needs them on his side, but that they'll always be a risk to his house. Eddard Stark was known to distrust and dislike Roose, particularly for his methods of torturing prisoners and outlaws. Still, Robb trusts Roose as one of his main commanders, and the Bolton lord shows his treachery when he lets Jaime Lannister escape.
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Robb lets Roose handle some major situations for him in the TV series, such as governing Harrenhal after he captures it and sending Ramsay Snow to deal with the Greyjoy situation in Winterfell. Ramsay retakes Winterfell but doesn't return it to the Starks. Finally, Roose Bolton is the one to drive the knife through Robb's heart at the Red Wedding, killing him.
4 The North Should've Waited Until The War Was Over To Make Robb King
Robb Lost Out On Allies By Becoming A King
Proclaiming Robb Stark as king in the middle of the war helps unite the Northern men, but it also creates a grave risk. Catelyn manages to get Renly Baratheon to agree to an alliance, but he's quickly killed. Stannis, the man Ned Stark vouched for to be king, sees Robb as a foe for proclaiming himself as king, preventing the possibility of a major alliance. This is also what stirs up Balon Greyjoy, giving him the idea to make himself the fifth king.
Robb taking the North as an independent kingdom could have waited until the end of the war when they were back in the region to defend it. During the days of the Kings of Winter, the North withstood invasions from all foes until Aegon Targaryen arrived. Even if they hadn't defeated the Lannisters, they could have retreated to the North and likely withstood invasions from Southern forces forever, using Moat Cailin as the primary fortress.
3 Robb Sent Grey Wind Away Because Of Jeyne's Family
Robb Should Have Trusted Grey Wind's Instincts
Animals in the Game of Thrones world have vital symbolism beyond just being awesome and imaginative companions. This component will mostly focus on an element from the book A Storm of Swords, which isn't in the TV series. When Robb begins growing infatuated with Jeyne Westerling, he starts to send his direwolf, Grey Wind, away more often. Grey Wind was beginning to act unruly about the company Robb was keeping, so Robb would send him away to make Jeyne and her family feel comfortable.
Similarly, Robb keeps Grey Wind in a cage outside when he enters the Twins for the Red Wedding. The direwolves seem to have a supernatural connection with their Stark companions, and Robb ignores Grey Wind's pleas. The loyal beast knew that Robb was in trouble and making decisions that would lead to his death, but Robb wasn't wise enough to listen to him. It's similar to how Daenerys begins to crumble when she chains up her dragons in Meereen.
2 Robb Believed Walder Frey Would Forgive Him
Walder Frey Was Never Going To Let Him Get Away With His Betrayal
What's worse than Robb thinking he could trust Walder Frey, to begin with, is believing that Walder Frey might forgive him. He dishonored the Lord of the Crossing in one of the worst ways possible in Westerosi society, then thought he could make peace by offering up his uncle to take the burden for him. Not only that, but Robb brings Talisa to the Red Wedding. Walder Frey has already put his plans into action at this point, but Robb bringing her rubs salt in the wound.
Believing that he could gain Walder Frey's army back with an apology and the marriage of an uncle from a rival house is pretty crazy. Walder Frey had everything to gain from betraying Robb and nothing to lose but honor, which he had already sacrificed long ago. Like Ned, Robb failed to consider the worst-case scenario of how other families might act, and his enemies predict this nativity all too easily. Robb should have known that his desperation would be easy to spot and that he couldn't rely on anyone at this point.
1 Robb Betrayed His Marriage Vows By Marrying Talisa/Jeyne Westerling
Robb Should Have Married Roslin Frey Like He Agreed To
Talisa Stark is an original character in the TV series based on Jeyne Westerling, a Westerosi noblewoman from the books with whom Robb falls in love. In the show, Robb is struck by Talisa's empathy and desire to help the wounded, as well as by her beauty. They end up having ionate sex, and Robb marries her soon after, breaking his vow with Walder Frey. Of course, Lord Walder takes this as a great insult to his honor and betrays Robb in collaboration with Roose Bolton and Tywin Lannister.
Betraying this marriage vow is inarguably Robb's biggest mistake in Game of Thrones, and it shows that, no matter how strong-willed he is, he's still a boy. Honor and integrity are Ned's primary virtues, and by betraying the virtues he was raised by, Robb shoots himself in the leg in the war. He underestimated the consequences that would befall him for marrying Talisa, and doing so put his heart above his duty as king.
Based on George R. R. Martin's ongoing A Song of Ice and Fire novel series, Game of Thrones is a fantasy drama set in the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos. It follows noble families like the Starks, Lannisters, and Targaryen vying for control of the Iron Throne while a rising threat from the undead looms in the North. The series received significant critical success and amassed a loyal fan base due to its high production values, sprawling sets, iconic characters, and shocking twists.
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