Varför använde Roose Bolton denna taktik?

Eftersom det inte har varit (från Dance with Dragons) några Roose PoV-kapitel eller något kapitel där han pratade om denna kamp, kan vi bara spekulera på hans resonemang.

Denna artikel spekulerar med olika mängder bevis för att Bolton, som inte exakt var allierad med Lannisters sedan början, verkligen var disloyal mot Starks, försökte fördjupa sina egna ambitioner medan han underminerade styrkan hos sin lordherre och hans lojala bannmän.

När det gäller den här specifika striden kan vi se två intressanta citat från boken som visar att Boltons styrkor inte har drabbats så mycket i detta nederlag:

He glimpsed the bull moose of the Hornwoods, the Karstark sunburst, Lord Cerwyn’s battle-axe, and the mailed fist of the Glovers ... and the twin towers of Frey. (AGOT, Tyrion VIII)

och

“My liege, we have taken some of their commanders. Lord Cerwyn, Ser Wylis Manderly, Harrion Karstark, four Freys. Lord Hornwood is dead, and I fear Roose Bolton has escaped us.” (AGOT, Tyrion VIII)

Detta har inte varit sista gången som Roose Boltons styrkor hade skildats från de återstående bannermenna, till deras förlust. Vid slaget vid Duskendale, som var Roose Boltons idé (som han inte begått några styrkor), hade han på samma sätt offrat sina "allierades" liv i motsats till sina egna:

“Tell him to put the captives to the sword and the castle to the torch, by command of the king. Then he is to join forces with Robett Glover and strike east toward Duskendale. Those are rich lands, and hardly touched by the fighting. It is time they had a taste. Glover has lost a castle, and Tallhart a son. Let them take their vengeance on Duskendale.” (ACOK, Arya X)

och

"As for Stark, the boy is still in the west, but a large force of northmen under Helman Tallhart and Robett Glover are descending toward Duskendale. I’ve sent Lord Tarly to meet them, while Ser Gregor drives up the kingsroad to cut off their retreat. Tallhart and Glover will be caught between them, with a third of Stark’s strength.” “Duskendale?” There was nothing at Duskendale worth such a risk. Had the Young Wolf finally blundered? (ASOS, Tyrion I)

Resultatet var ett stort nederlag för norr:

The eunuch smiled a silken smile. “I have such delicious tidings for you all, my lords. Yesterday at dawn our brave Lord Randyll caught Robett Glover outside Duskendale and trapped him against the sea. Losses were heavy on both sides, but in the end our loyal men prevailed. Ser Helman Tallhart is reported dead, with a thousand others. Robett Glover leads the survivors back toward Harrenhal in bloody disarray, little dreaming he will find valiant Ser Gregor and his stalwarts athwart his path.” (ASOS, Tyrion III)

och

When they brought him word of the battle at Duskendale, where Lord Randyll Tarly had shattered Robett Glover and Ser Helman Tallhart, he might have been expected to rage. Instead he’d stared in dumb disbelief and said, “Duskendale, on the narrow sea? Why would they go to Duskendale?” He’d shook his head, bewildered. “A third of my foot, lost for Duskendale?” (ASOS, Catelyn IV)

Inte bara det, när Roose Bolton lämnade Harrenhall för att återkomma till Starks, föll mer lojala bannermen:

Two-thirds of my strength was on the north side when the Lannisters attacked those still waiting to cross. Norrey, Locke, and Burley men chiefly, with Ser Wylis Manderly and his White Harbor knights as rear guard. I was on the wrong side of the Trident, powerless to help them. Ser Wylis rallied our men as best he could, but Gregor Clegane attacked with heavy horse and drove them into the river. As many drowned as were cut down. More fled, and the rest were taken captive.” (ASOS, Catelyn VI)

Roose Boltons försiktighet har bevisats i alla dessa interaktioner. Det som ska ifrågasättas är hans lojalitet. Som händelsen av det röda bröllopet har bevisat.