Game Of Thrones: Ranking Every Major Battle From Worst To Best

20. Sack Of Winterfell

Game of Thrones Sack of Winterfell — HBO

Following the fall of Winterfell into the hands of turncoat Theon Greyjoy, Roose Bolton commanded his bastard son, Ramsay Snow, to take the castle back on behalf of Robb Stark.

Notable for introducing us to someone who'd become one of the show's biggest and most sadistic villains, the sack itself is more straightforward than anyone could have anticipated. The Iron Born put up little resistance, instead turning Theon over - and there was, at the time, a great satisfaction in seeing him knocked out here - before things take a dark turn.

Going back on his word, Ramsay has the remaining Iron Born killed, and most shockingly puts Winterfell to the torch, marking another big turning point for the show, and Theon in particular.

[JH]

James Hunt

Contributor

NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far. A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.