The real history behind Game of Thrones

  • 7 years ago
Game of Thrones: Five Real-Life Historical Influences The series of battles throughout 15th century England between the feuding York and Lancaster families, known as the War of the Roses, is the inspiration for the war between the Starks and the Lannisters. The shocking Red Wedding scene in GOT is based on two historical events from Scotland, 'The Black Dinner' of 1440 and the Glencoe Massacre of 1692. In both historical events, guests were murdered despite the "rules of hospitality" promising them no harm. The horse-riding Dothraki are inspired by the Mongols; a military power from the far east who conquered parts of Europe between 1240-1502. The Wall that defends the people of Westeros from the wildlings is inspired by Hadrian' wall, which Emperor Hadrian built in A.D. 122 to defend Roman Britain from Scottish barbarians. And the Greyjoys who rule over the Iron Islands are notorious for pillaging across Westeros, much like the Vikings who raided Europe from the 8th to 11th centuries.