There is a rich heritage in the world of art and history that can serve as inspiration for epic works like Game of Thrones. In this study, we will dive into the world of prototypes that formed the basis of this popular fantasy work. From historical events to works of art, we will discover crimson tones permeating the structure and plot, creating a unique atmosphere for the magnificent saga.
Beyond Pages: Historical Parallels in Game of Thrones
In the grand tapestry of art history, echoes of the Game of Thrones resonate through the strokes of masterpieces, creating a captivating narrative that transcends time and canvas. As we delve into the intricate web of artistic evolution, we encounter characters whose essence mirrors the iconic figures from the beloved series.
Eddard Stark – Richard Plantagenet
Once upon a tumultuous time in medieval England, the intriguing tale of Richard Plantagenet unfolded, a narrative as twisted as the vines of the War of the Roses itself. Unbeknownst to many, this scion of the 1st Duke of York initially faced the harsh winds of misfortune, growing up as an orphan marked by disgrace. Yet, in the serendipitous year of 1426, when Richard was but a mere 15 springs old, the tides of fate shifted. Henry VI, perhaps feeling a twinge of magnanimity or political cunning, restored the title to young Richard, propelling him from the shadows into the dazzling arena of power.
At the tender age of 24, Richard found himself at the helm of English troops in the tumultuous fields of France, a precursor to the grand tapestry of his career. His ascent continued as he ascended to the position of the governor of Ireland, earning him the moniker "Guardian of the North." In the king's hour of infirmity, Richard became the regent of England, wielding authority as the sovereign's right hand. The tables were set for a drama that would rival the political machinations of Westeros.
In a stark departure from the noble Eddard Stark, Richard of York didn't merely swear fealty; he dared to lay claim to the coveted Iron Throne, igniting the flames of the infamous War of the Roses. His destiny met a fateful end at the Battle of Wakefield, where his lifeblood mingled with the soil, but his tale did not conclude there. Even in death, Richard's fate mirrored the macabre, as his head, like a morbid trophy, adorned the public stage.
The echoes of Lancaster versus York and Lannister against Stark reverberate not only through history but in the very phonetics of their names, hinting at the intertwined destinies of these houses. In the annals of time, the Yorks faced a fate akin to the Starks, as Richard's heirs traversed a brief yet dynamic social and political existence. Edward IV, the torchbearer of the York dynasty, ascended to the throne, becoming the first of his line. Remarkably, he met a seemingly peaceful end, succumbing not to the sword but, as legend whispers, to the intoxicating embrace of spirits.
Yet, the specter of tragedy haunted the House of York. The Duke of Clarence found his demise in a gruesome barrel of wine, a chilling precursor to the dark undercurrents that ran through the family. Richard's own grandchildren, Edward V and Richard Shrewsbury, Duke of York, were enshrouded in mystery, likely meeting their end through the silent suffocation of a pillow within the confines of the Tower. The saga of the Yorks unfolded like a riveting drama, where each twist and turn left an indelible mark on the pages of history.
Alfred Walter Bays, The Fall of the Duke of York at Wakefield, 1866
Paul Delaroche, "King Edward V and the Duke of York in the Tower"
Cersei Lannister – Margaret of Anjou
In the grand tapestry of medieval machinations, Margaret of Anjou emerges as a formidable counterpart to Cersei Lannister, deftly navigating the corridors of power with a finesse that would make even the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms nod in approval. Married to the intermittently mad King Henry VI, Margaret wielded more than just the scepter of a queen consort; she was the puppeteer pulling the strings behind the throne, steering the destiny of England through the stormy seas of political turmoil.
As her husband's sanity waned like a flickering candle, Margaret stepped into the void, assuming the de facto role of ruler. When the Duke of York's influence cast an ominous shadow over the royal court, Margaret orchestrated his expulsion from the council, setting the stage for Richard's audacious claim to the throne. The War of the Roses erupted, with Margaret at the helm of the Lancastrian faction, a lioness defending her pride.
Yet, it's not only in her strategic clashes with the king's right hand that Margaret mirrors Cersei; the echoes of scandal and whispers of illegitimate paternity surround her like the shadows in the Red Keep. Tales abounded that Margaret's son, the future Edward IV (forever immortalized in Edmund Blair Leighton's "Vox Populi"), may not be the fruit of King Henry VI's loins but rather a secret offspring of her alliance with Edmund Beaufort, the Duke of Somerset. However, if Beaufort was indeed Margaret's brother in arms, their alliance was forged not in familial ties but in the crucible of warfare.
The parallel narratives of Cersei and Margaret intertwine, blending the lines between ambition, power, and the tantalizing allure of whispered scandals. As history unfolds, the women who dared challenge the norms of their time leave indelible marks, proving that in the game of thrones, gender is no barrier to wielding influence and reshaping the course of kingdoms.
Daenerys Targaryen – Henry VII
In the intricate dance for power, Henry Tudor embarked on a quest to claim the English throne that seemed more fantastical than a dragon's tale. With no coffers overflowing with gold, no influential patrons to sing his praises, and, alas, no mythical dragon eggs in sight, Henry faced a seemingly insurmountable challenge. His claim to the throne was shrouded in dubious legality, with his grandfather Owen Tudor's union with Catherine Valois raising eyebrows and skepticism among many. Yet, undeterred, Henry orchestrated a symphony of ambition, systematically assembling an army, recruiting mercenaries, and forging alliances that would tip the scales of fate in his favor.
In a dramatic crescendo on the battlefield, Henry VII emerged victorious over King Richard, his coronation a testament to the triumph of strategic prowess over seemingly insurmountable odds. However, Henry, ever the shrewd ruler, sought to rewrite the narrative of his ascent. His post-victory efforts involved delicate diplomatic maneuvers and legal acrobatics, crafting a narrative that painted him not as a conqueror but as the rightful heir of the Lancastrians.
Henry VII's reign bore the hallmarks of sagacity, a stark departure from the blood-soaked annals of his predecessors. The dawn of the Tudor era ushered in an English Renaissance, a testament to Henry's enlightened rule and, perhaps, the symbolic dragon on his coat of arms pointing towards a realm of cultural and intellectual awakening. In the intricate tapestry of parallels, Henry Tudor emerges as a likely prototype for Daenerys, the Mother of Dragons. Both leaders share not only a penchant for strategic thinking but also the weight of crazy ancestors haunting their family trees. Daenerys, the Daughter of the Mad King Aerys, and Henry, the great-grandson of Charles VI the Mad, each bore the burdens of lineage marked by episodes veiled in madness, be it the fiery wrath of dragons or the enigmatic "Ball of the Flames."
As we navigate our enlightened times, where gender transformations elicit not shock but acceptance, it's worth noting that history, like the whims of dragons, can take unexpected turns. In this light, if Henry Tudor were to metamorphose into a woman, perhaps it would be merely another fascinating chapter in the annals of the ever-evolving human story.
Tyrion Lannister – Richard III
In the captivating tapestry of historical inspiration, George Martin wove the character of Tyrion Lannister with threads drawn from the enigmatic figure of Richard III. A king whose destiny collided with that of Henry Tudor, diverging from the alliances we see between Daenerys and Tyrion in the world of Westeros.
For ages, Richard III stood as the quintessential anti-hero in the annals of English history, victimized by the Tudors' skillful black PR campaign. Literature and art cast him as a malevolent, hunchbacked dwarf, etching an indelible image of cruelty and tyranny. Yet, a remarkable twist of fate occurred in 2013 when Richard's long-buried remains underwent meticulous scrutiny. The narrative crumbled like a medieval castle under siege - the "dwarf" was revealed to stand at 173 cm, and the supposed "hump" was nothing more than scoliosis. The smear campaign against Richard extended to his character, and modern historians now question the once-unquestioned assertion that he was responsible for the infamous demise of his imprisoned nephews, those tragic figures immortalized by Paul Delaroche's brush within the Tower.
In a serendipitous twist of historical rehabilitation, Richard III emerges as a figure more akin to Tyrion Lannister than the biased narratives of yore would have us believe. Like the sharp-witted Hand of the Queen, Richard possessed a remarkable mind, courage in the face of adversity, and endured the relentless machinations of slanderers. The parallels between Richard and Tyrion extend beyond the surface, transcending the medieval fog of misinformation that shrouded their stories.
As the pages of history turn, the rehabilitation of Richard III stands as a testament to the ever-evolving nature of our understanding of the past. Just as Tyrion Lannister navigates the political intricacies of the Game of Thrones, Richard III's legacy undergoes a reevaluation, shedding the cloak of villainy to reveal a more nuanced, resilient, and unfairly maligned figure in the grand tapestry of time.
Joffrey Baratheon – Edward Lancaster – Don Carlos
In the riveting tapestry of historical inspiration for Game of Thrones, enthusiasts often draw parallels between the monstrous Joffrey Baratheon and Edward of Westminster, the son of the indomitable Margaret of Anjou. The murky origins of the heir, coupled with shared character traits, create an intriguing historical echo. Edward's early years were marred by profound psychological trauma, a plight exacerbated by Parliament's peculiar decision to appoint Richard Plantagenet as regent, sidelining the mere one-year-old prince and drastically reducing his retinue to a mere 39 attendants. This tumultuous start perhaps laid the foundation for Edward's descent into cruelty, relishing in the macabre spectacle of executions and readily imposing death sentences.
The echoes of Joffrey's demise at the Battle of Tewkesbury resonate with the real-life tragedy of Edward of Westminster, hinting at the relentless grip of history on the fabric of George Martin's narrative. While Martin frequently mined the rich veins of English history, the world at large teems with bloodthirsty characters fit for inspiration beyond the English Channel.
Take, for instance, the infamous Don Carlos, Prince of Asturias, the son of the Spanish King Philip II. Described in reports from the Venetian ambassador to the Spanish court as being "born with teeth" and uttering his first word as a defiant "no," Carlos' childhood portended a dark trajectory. In his teenage years, he displayed a penchant for mutilating horses and roasting live rabbits during his hunting escapades. As he matured, his cruel proclivities extended to castrating his subjects, with compensation bills issued to the victims (a peculiar nod to the Lannister mantra of always paying their debts). Carlos, in a twist of poetic justice reminiscent of Joffrey's demise, suffered a tragic fall down the stairs while pursuing another victim, resulting in a head injury, a craniotomy, and the irreversible loss of his sanity. Much like Joffrey, the symptoms of Carlos' final ailment mirrored those of poisoning, and he spent the rest of his life in custody under his father's watchful gaze until succumbing to a malaria attack.
As the tendrils of history intertwine with the fantasy realm of Game of Thrones, the real-life narratives of Edward of Westminster and Don Carlos provide glimpses into the dark recesses of human nature, offering a morbid reflection that transcends both time and fiction.
Ramsay Bolton – William the Conqueror
The notion that Ramsay Bolton found inspiration in Duke William II of Normandy, later known as King William I, may at first glance appear speculative, but the threads connecting these characters are undeniably fascinating.
Our beloved antagonist, initially introduced to viewers as Ramsay Snow, shares a peculiar parallel with his supposed historical counterpart, once known as Guillaume the Bastard before ascending to the throne as William I. Born as the only illegitimate son of the ruler of Normandy, Robert II the Magnificent (affectionately known as Robert the Devil), Guillaume's maternal lineage led back to a furrier, a trade eerily reminiscent of the Bolton family's infamous expertise in leatherwork and their macabre penchant for skinning.
The early chapters of William's life unfolded in a tumultuous dance for legitimacy. Following Robert's death, young Guillaume found himself embroiled in constant struggles to assert his rightful claim. A defining moment in his rise to power saw him besieging Alençon Castle in Maine, where the townspeople scorned the authority of "some furrier." Legend has it that after capturing the castle, William mercilessly flayed the mockers alive. However, historical researchers debate the veracity of such tales, suggesting that he might have resorted to less gruesome methods, such as severing the limbs of the offenders.
William's conquests didn't stop at asserting his dominion over Normandy. As King William I, he embarked on a campaign known as the "Desolation of the North," leaving a trail of devastation through Yorkshire and other northern counties. The king's demise, however, came not on the battlefield but in a freak accident that transcends the brutal image associated with both Ramsay Bolton and William I. In 1087, the plump and clumsy 60-year-old monarch suffered a catastrophic fall from his horse, the saddle delivering a fatal blow to his stomach.
As we unravel the historical inspirations behind our favorite Game of Thrones characters, the story of Ramsay Bolton and the historical echoes of William I paint a vivid portrait of power, brutality, and the peculiar twists of fate that bind them across the centuries.
Petyr Baelish – Thomas Cromwell
Thomas Cromwell's ascent from the humble origins of an innkeeper's son to the hallowed halls of the Privy Council under King Henry VIII reads like a tale plucked from the pages of a riveting historical drama. From the shadowy alleys of his youth, where he once roamed as a self-proclaimed "young thug," Cromwell carved a path to become one of the most formidable figures in English politics.
The saga of Thomas Cromwell's meteoric rise found its genesis amidst the chaos of war, as he deserted the ranks of the French army, where he had served as a mercenary, and sought refuge in the opulent streets of Florence. Here, amidst the whispers of intrigue, Cromwell delved into the world of banking, forging close financial ties with the Holy See. His return to England marked the commencement of a calculated ascent, as he deftly navigated the currents of the Reformation to his advantage, leveraging his newfound political weight to secure the coveted position of Chancellor of the Exchequer, earning him the moniker "Master of Coin."
Yet, Cromwell's ambitions knew no bounds. As he ascended the echelons of power, he wielded influence as State Secretary and Chief Minister, his political acumen matched only by his Machiavellian cunning. A devotee of Machiavelli's treatises on statecraft, Cromwell proved himself a virtuoso of intrigue, orchestrating maneuvers that would make even Petyr Baelish pause in admiration.
While Baelish, known as "Littlefinger" for his diminutive stature, earned his sobriquet for physical reasons, the diminution of Cromwell's stature came in a more literal sense. Following his arrest for treason, Cromwell's once towering presence was cut short by the executioner's blade, a grim fate that underscored the precarious nature of power and influence in the treacherous landscape of Tudor England.
In the annals of history, Thomas Cromwell's tale serves as a poignant reminder of the transient nature of power, a narrative where ambition and intrigue collide against the backdrop of royal courts and political machinations.
Tywin Lannister – Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick
The tale of Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, unfolds like a captivating epic, weaving together threads of power, ambition, and the intricate dance of politics. From the tender age of seven, when he entered into a politically charged marriage that would shape his destiny, to his meteoric rise as the most influential figure of his time, Neville's journey is a testament to the relentless pursuit of power.
Much like the formidable Tywin Lannister, Neville's influence stretched far and wide, his financial backing determining the outcomes of military campaigns and the intricate web of palace intrigues. Yet, unlike those who coveted the Iron Throne, Neville preferred to rule from the shadows, pulling the strings of power with deft precision. Akin to Tywin's mastery as Hand of the King under Targaryen and Baratheon rule, Neville's hand guided the turbulent currents of the Wars of the Roses, where allegiances shifted like shadows in the moonlight.
Neville's strategic maneuvers left an indelible mark on the tapestry of English history. Initially aligning with the Yorks, he played a pivotal role in their victory over Henry VI, only to later pivot towards the Lancastrians, orchestrating schemes to overthrow Edward IV and reinstall the deposed Henry VI upon the throne. Shakespeare immortalized him as "the maker and destroyer of kings," a moniker that encapsulated the essence of his power and influence.
Indeed, Neville's epithet, "the kingmaker," transcended the confines of his era, becoming a political term that spoke to his unparalleled ability to shape the destiny of nations with a mere flick of his hand. In the annals of history, Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, stands as a colossus, his legacy etched in the annals of power and ambition, a testament to the enduring allure of those who dare to grasp the reins of destiny.
In conclusion, the study of the prototypes of the Game of Thrones in history and painting allowed us to better understand and appreciate the complexity and versatility of this epic saga. Through consideration of historical analogies and relationships with works of art, we revealed the crimson tones that permeate the plot and symbolism of the work. Historical events, images and fiction form the basis for creating the world of Game of Thrones, emphasizing its deep roots in culture and history. This analysis not only lifted the veil of mystery behind the sources of inspiration for Georg R. R. Martin, but also emphasized the importance of art and history in shaping the world's best-selling books and cultural phenomena. Thus, studying the prototypes of "Game of Thrones" becomes not only a fascinating journey into the past, but also an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of modern literature and cultural trends.
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