Well, keep in mind, no one would predict Renly’s rebellion at the time of Robert’s. But yes, having Rhaenys be married off, either to Joffrey or to Renly would work.. 

Elia would probably be kept at a convent.

It’s important to divide the Red Wedding from Jeyne Westerling – Roose didn’t care about the wedding, he wanted the North. And Roose did far more damage than Walder did, when you add up the losses from Duskendale and the Ruby Ford. 

However, there is an issue of timing here. As best as we can tell, Robb died the last week or so of 299 AC. Things were already looking up for Robb with Balon’s death and the withdrawal of much of the Ironborn from the North.

If Robb can survive another week, Joffrey’s dead. 

If he can survive another month, Tywin’s dead.

And after that, a number of things start cropping up that would make it very difficult for the Iron Throne to bring their full weight to bear on Robb Stark. First, Euron’s invasion of the Reach is going to draw large numbers of Tyrell troops away from the Riverlands. Second, once Cersei starts feuding with Margaery, she’s not going to have the Tyrell troops 100% at her command. Third, there’s still going to be the need to occupy the Riverlands and besiege Riverrun and Dragonstone and Storm’s End – which spreads out the forces she does have. Fourth, Connington and the Golden Company will land in the Stormlands. 

So I think the numbers are less telling than they first appear. 

Ultimately, I think it would come down to how much punishment Dorne was willing to take, and what outcomes each side was willing to settle for. 

On the first hand, I think we under-estimate how much damage was endured, even by successful guerrilla campaigns – remember the whole thing about the 50,000 spears of Dorne being actually 25,000? I think the Dornish lost a lot of manpower, sufficient to actually cause long-term gender imbalances and lower birth rates. After all, given Daeron’s military prowess, I doubt the 50,000 Westerosi lost in Dorne were the more numerous, and Dorne suffered civilian losses on top of that. So…how much punishment were the Dornish willing to take? A lot, clearly, but not an infinite amount, given their willingness to seek peace later. 

Regarding the peace outcomes, I wonder what would have happened had Daeron I offered something like Daeron II’s deal. And Dareon I was still unmarried…

I was more referring to what she did when she took King’s Landing. 

Tricky question. We know the minimum is around 1,000, from the text. The Florents have 2,000, the Karstarks around 2,700, the Pipers and Vances together have 4,000, etc – so 2,000 is more common. The Freys are notably powerful as a lesser House at around 4,000. 

In terms of absolute maximum, I think the Hightowers probably are the biggest lesser House, as they have a massive city to draw from as well as numerous important vassal houses. I estimate their numbers anywhere from 12-18,000 men. 

It happens with older castles – your original motte-and-bailey castles were all wood. Stone castles are hella expensive, and take a long time to build, whereas wooden castles can be made from materials close at hand, they require less skilled labor to build, etc. 

The Blackwoods I’m guessing initially built a wooden bailey and then built a stone wall around it later on when they were richer and could afford to. 

Maybe, it’s a good point.