Foot_Of_The_King

Do you mean overrated in or out of universe?

He could never suffer such a stain on the the Lannister name. If violence was his only option in stopping the whole ordeal, then he wouldn’t hesitate.

Bran being pushed out the window. That brought out attempted child murder and royal insect in one moment. I definitely knew these books were “different” after that.

Best answer I’ve read so far. Plus the powerful alliance would keep the Lannister’s in check.

My feelings exactly.

You’re all right. My bad.

Nailed it with the first reply.

Very good points. You’ve changed my mind.

This is part of what I meant in the OP. I just can’t imagine any great lord that would tolerate a large group of people living in complete autonomy on their lands. That’s not even mentioning that they occasionally raid villages and are notorious for assaulting travelers. I understand it’s difficult to defeat a resistance force using Guerrilla tactics on their own land, but it seems that over the course of time, someone would have eventually put an end to it. Either by assimilation or annihilation.

I honestly think if GRRM knew the full scope of what the series would eventually become, he would’ve altered or omitted the Mountain clans. It’s not that I don’t enjoy their contributions to the story. It’s just that it seems very “out of place” that in the middle of Westeros, there is a small nation of people who do not fallunder any sort of subjugation of the Crown or any great/lesser lord (and as far as I know never have). When you compare them with the “free folk” we meet later in the series, it just seems odder to me that the Clans were included at all. Like I said, I chalk it up to it being the first book. Sorry I couldn’t articulate this as well as I would have liked, but does anyone else understand what I’m trying to say?

This.

Ned seemed to think that Robert would’ve killed them all.

The Lannisters aren’t the enemy Stannis is concerned with.

That OP was a ride....

I definitely agree with you but I think his frustration in that particular moment (a king should act boldly) is a lot of things hitting him at once. Namely how incompetent Cersei is. This is something he’s probably known for years but has been in denial about it. Similar to him thinking Jaime will be the heir to the Rock. It’s shortly after this we hear Tywin lay out his plans to marry Cersei off and get her away from Tommen.