If you’ve been on the rollercoaster ride that is Game of Thrones, you may have noticed an occurring theme arise from day dot – women have played crucial roles in every major scene.
Following on from the Battle of Winterfell in the eighth season’s third episode, viewers were quick to pick up on the recurring pattern: the women of Westeros played the key role in securing the North’s victory. When presented with the worst blows from the army of the undead White Walkers, the women were the ones to give the army of the living their chances to come out on top.
As Glamour points out, men that were perceived soldiers – the Hound, Samwell Tarly to name a few – went running from the fight, while women like Lyanna Mormount and Brienne of Tarth were the ones who kept going in the face of fear. Then, who could forget Arya Stark’s defining moment, coming through with the fatal blow to end the battle.
But, it’s not just battle scenes that have seen women come out on top in the Seven Kingdoms. Since the very beginning of the series, women have continuously proved their dedication to the pursuit of family honour and the Iron Throne, even if it means sacrificing their life. Some, like Daenerys and Brienne, have fought around the men that haven’t had the courage, while others like Sansa, have quietly strategised to get ahead. Then there’s Cersei Lannister, who although hasn’t been a hero, but has proved a bigger threat than death itself.
The women of Westeros are finally getting their dues.
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Arya Stark saves Jaqen H’ghar (and others)
It seems only fitting to begin with Arya Stark. In season one, Arya meets Jaqen at King’s Landing, where they are both in a party heading North to Winterfell. Eventually, the two are taken prisoner and eventually attacked by Lannister forces. Arya frees Jaqen from a burning cage by handing him an axe amid the battle, and he reveals himself as a Faceless Man of Braavos and offers to teach her his ways. This would arguably become one of the most defining moments of the entire series, setting up Arya to become “no one.”
Daenerys Targaryen frees slaves in Essos
Along Daenerys’ journey to conquer the Iron Throne, she spends several seasons travelling Essos freeing slaves – something no other ruler had ever attempted to do. In some occasions, such as with the Unsullied in Mereen, the freed slaves ultimately pledge their loyalty to her.
Olenna Tyrell kills Joffrey Baratheon
There has been one mic drop line of the entire Game of Thrones season eight, and it was delivered by Tyrell matriarch Olenna Tyrell. Season after season we watched Joffrey Baratheon torture and kill several characters until his unexpected death at the Purple Wedding. Sansa Stark and Tyrion Lannister were blamed for the death but by season six we learn it was actually Olenna Tyrell. “I want her [Cersei] to know it was me,” she tells Jamie Lannister with her final breath. Boom.
Yara Greyjoy rescues Theon Greyjoy
“I’m going to find my little brother. And I’m going to bring him home.” This was Yara Greyjoy’s mission during the season five Assault on Dreadfort, in which she and a small crew of the Iron Born attempt to rescue Theon Greyjoy from Ramsay Bolton’s capture. It is Yara’s actions here, that define Theon’s ability to protect Bran Stark in the Battle of Winterfell in season eight.
Meera Reed brings Bran Stark back to Winterfell
Meera doesn’t come at all close to getting the credit she deserves. After pledging her service to protect Bran after the fall of Winterfell, and even losing her brother in the process, she single-handedly carries him out of White Walkers’ grasp beyond the wall while Hodor holds off the Walkers. Bran never thanks Meera, despite her heroic efforts.
Brienne saves Sansa and Theon from Ramsey Bolton
Season six began with an epic rescue, thanks to Brienne of Tarth (and her trusty squire Podrick). Sansa and Theon had just attempted to flee Winterfell but were being chased by Ramsay Bolton’s dogs. Brienne, being the badass hero that she is, stepped in to ward off his hunters and lead Sansa and Theon to safety, fulfilling her oath to Catelyn Stark.
Melissandre brings Jon Snow back to life
Yes, we’ll be the first to admit the Red Priestess had some very questionable moments when being called by the Lord of Light, but her actions, in this case, brought the true heir to the Iron Throne back to life.
Lyanna Mormont pledges to fight for the North
“I may be small. I may be a girl, but I won’t be knitting by the fire while I have men fight for me.” Her epic quote speaks for itself.
Sansa Stark sends for extra reinforcements before the Battle Of The Bastards
Upon her return to Winterfell, and rightful place as a Stark, Sansa secretly sends a raven to Peter Baelish requesting extra forces from the Vale. Knowing Jon wouldn’t approve, Sansa refrains from telling him. It is with these extra forces that Winterfell wins the Battle of the Bastards.
Arya Stark avenges her family
Who could forget the fateful Red Wedding, where several members of the Stark family were murdered at the hands of Walder Frey. Arya got her final revenge in season seven when she kills Frey’s sons and bakes them into a pie. She then appears as one of the sons to serve Frey the pie and then slits his throat.
Gilly discovers Jon Snow is the true heir to the Iron Throne
Samwell Tarly gets credit for discovering that Jon Snow is the true heir to the Iron Throne and not a bastard, but instead a Targaryen. However, that information originally came from Gilly who discovered the information when she was learning to read.
Sansa and Arya Stark sentence Littlefinger to death
Lord Baelish, or Littlefinger, was a continuous source of chaos from day one. Remember, Baelish was the one to set in motion the events that led to Ned Stark’s beheading and Sansa’s marriage to Ramsey Bolton, to name a few. In season seven Sansa and Arya conspire to put Baelish on trial, and Sansa gets the honour of delivering his sentence to death for treason while Arya slits his throat.
Lyanna Mormont makes the ultimate sacrifice
The youngest fighter in the Battle of Winterfell sacrificed herself to a giant White Walker, killing it and herself in the process.
Arya Stark kills the Night King
Daenerys failed to kill the Night King with fire and Jon Snow failed to get close enough to battle him. But, Arya killed him with her Valerian Dagger and years of training.
WATCH: ‘Game of Thrones’ Season 8 Episode 4 Trailer.
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