Fall of Moat Cailin

The Battle of Moat Cailin was a battle during the War of the Five Kings. It was part of the campaign orchestrated by Balon Greyjoy - who had crowned himself King of the Iron Islands - to conquer the North.

Balon dispatches the Iron Fleet through Blazewater Bay up the Saltspear to seize Moat Cailin, effectively cutting off the Northern army south of the Neck.

In the books
In the books, the attack on Moat Cailin also happens "offscreen". Victarion Greyjoy leads the attack to seize the ancient fortress.