George RR Martin’s series of novels A Song of Ice and Fire* had numerous fans even before the brilliant series adaptation Game of Thrones. One of the reasons: that the fictional world surrounding Westers felt so real and tangible. And that is no accident. For Game of Thrones and the spinoff House of the Dragon, George RR Martin and those responsible for the series got involved real, historical models oriented.
Here are 6 storylines from the Game of Thrones universe – and the real events that inspired them. Danger: spoiler for all seasons of Game of Thrones!
1. Real-life Game of Thrones storyline: The War of the 5 Kings and the Dance of the Dragons
Game of Thrones – Clip Conquest & Rebellion An Animated History of the Seven Kingdoms (English) HD
In a forum entry on westeros.org, George RR Martin cited the Wars of the Roses in England in the 15th century as a source of inspiration, along with other historical conflicts such as the Hundred Years’ War. The parallels can hardly be overlooked: in the conflict, which lasted from about 1455 to 1485, it was primarily the the English noble houses of York and Lancaster in a series of bloody civil wars for the crown.
In Game of Thrones they are mostly the rival Houses of Stark and Lannister, who fight each other and start the so-called “War of the 5 Kings” after the death of Robert Baratheon. But the infamous “Dance of the Dragons” featured in House of the Dragon is also inspired by the Wars of the Roses.
2. Real-Life Game of Thrones Storyline: The Red Wedding
That probably most infamous and shocking event within Game of Thrones is the Red Wedding. After Robb Stark (Richard Madden) changes his marriage to a daughter of Walder Frey in favor of another woman, the Frey allies with the Lannisters. They lure Robb, his pregnant wife Talisa (Oona Chaplin) and his mother Catelyn (Michelle Fairley) into a trap and brutally execute them. George RR Martin was inspired by the Glencoe Massacre of 1692 and the infamous “Black Dinner”.
In 1440, William, 6th Earl of Douglas and his younger brother, then a child, were invited to the court of King James II. The king, who was only ten years old, received the nobles, who were also still minors, at Edinburgh Castle for a feast. But the The invitation turned out to be a murderous intrigue. A black ox’s head was served to the guests, a clear sign of impending death at the time. The two boys were then beheaded.
3. Game of Thrones storyline based on real life: King Aegon I Targaryen
Game of Thrones – S06 E06 Clip Are You With Me (English) HD
Almost 300 years before Game of Thrones, Aegon I Targaryen launched his invasion of Westeros from his island of Dragonstone, succeeding, apart from Dorne, to subdue all of Westeros. Aegon was crowned High King and founded the Targaryen dynasty.
This turning point in the history of Westeros is very similar to the campaign of William the Conqueror, who launched an invasion of England from France. In the Battle of Hastings in 1066 he defeated the Anglo-Saxons ruling there and was crowned King of England. This event meant one A turning point in the history of England. William helped other Normans to influential positions and introduced hereditary succession to the throne in England. And all without dragons!
4. Game of Thrones storyline with a real role model: The Wall
One of the most famous locations of Game of Thrones is the huge ice wall in the north, designed to stop the wildlings and white walkers from invading the seven kingdoms. She is protected by the Night’s Watch, who also joins Jon Snow (Kit Harington) at the beginning of Game of Thrones.
The Great Wall has a clear historical model: Hadrian’s Wall, as George RR Martin confirmed in a blog post. Of the Hadrian’s Wall is a real border fortification, which was built between the years 122 and 128 AD under the Roman Emperor Hadrian in northern England. It served to prevent raids and migration of the tribes from the north, but also to better control trade and make it possible to collect tolls on the road.
5. Real-Life Game of Thrones Storyline: The Targaryens and Valyria
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First introduced to us in Game of Thrones by Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) and her brother Viserys (Harry Lloyd), the Targaryens have their roots in the ancient Free State of Valyria, which was once in Essos. The Free State rose to become a world power after shepherds succeeded Tame and ride dragons. However, the power and rule of the Valyrians ended abruptly when the “14 Flames” (a collection of volcanoes) erupted and completely destroyed the city of Valyria some 400 years before Game of Thrones. Among the few survivors of this cataclysm were House Targaryen, the last of the Dragon Riders.
George RR Martin has not confirmed any clear historical models here, but the Weddings of Valyria are like the rise of Rome. Just like Valyria, ancient Rome was founded between 509 and 27 BC. It was not ruled by a king but by a group of rich and old families who together formed the Roman Senate. The fall of Valyria, in turn, has clear parallels to the Roman city of Pompeii on the Gulf of Naples, which was destroyed in AD 79 by the eruption of Vesuvius.
6. Real-world Game of Thrones storyline: Nymeria’s 10,000 ships
One of the most intriguing legends in the world of Game of Thrones is that of Warrior Princess Nymeria. Seeing the sinking of her homeland at the hands of the Valyrians, she and her entourage fled west on what is said to be 10,000 ships. After much wandering, the Rhoynar finally reached Dorne, where Nymeria married into House Martell, uniting Dorne.
The history of Nymeria is very reminiscent of that Legend of the Phoenician Princess Dido (also called Elissa), who also fled her homeland with her entourage and a mighty fleet and, after a long odyssey, founded a new empire in the west: Carthage.
According to the Roman poet Virgil, Dido met the Trojan prince Aeneas there, who also had to flee his homeland. The two fall in love, but their happiness doesn’t last. As Aeneas moves on to eventually become the progenitor of the Romans, Dido kills himself out of lovesickness. A story that could also happen in Game of Thrones.
Podcast: Is House of the Dragon Doomed?
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In August we return to Westeros, because that’s when the new Game of Thrones series House of the Dragon starts. However, the question is whether the fantasy series can succeed at all. Because it is in the shadow of one of the biggest series ever. Jenny and Matthias discuss this question in the podcast. You explain, when the new GOT offshoot playswhat to make of the cast surrounding Emma D’Arcy and Matt Smith, and what House of the Dragon definitely needs to learn from Game of Thrones (and what it doesn’t).
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What other historical parallels do you see in Game of Thrones?