Technically, yes, but that was still less than half of what Eddard had. The fact that war in the North drags on and on as lords mobilize more and more men proves it, and doesn't even show signs of exhaustion yet.Vympel wrote:House Umber is in the north of the North (heh), so no, it wasn't just the southern part.
Ironborn actually have something resembling modern arms and leadership, though.TheHammer wrote:Moat Cailin is only impregnable when attacking from the south. Its vulnerable from the north to any decent sized force, that's why the Ironborn could take it.
Nope, it's the wildlings who have no counter to anyone in metal armor besides attrition, not to mention heavy cavalry. Even if most levies are just peasants, they are peasants with massive force multiplier, NCO corps and experienced officers.TheHammer wrote:Based on what we saw as far as wildling combat effectiveness, the idea that the Starks could stop a wildling army this large that was already south of the wall is fucking laughable. They couldn't field the numbers, and I have no idea how they would counter the giants aside from sheer attrition. One Giant alone killed 5 of the nights watch with his bare hands after having already taken several arrows and tearing through a metal gate.
Giants? I bet dozen poisoned crossbows or armored knight with decent long lance can bring down one. Armies in real life dealt with elephants, it can't be much harder.