sincere question about UK in the Middle Ages

[steve2470]

I'm binge watching Game of Thrones, and it's partially based on the medieval UK according to Wiki:

The novels and their adaptation derive aspects of their settings, characters, and plot from various events of European history.[12] A principal inspiration for the novels is the English Wars of the Roses[13] (1455–85) between the houses of Lancaster and York, reflected in Martin's houses of Lannister and Stark. Most of Westeros is reminiscent of High Medieval Western Europe, with its castles and knightly tournaments. The scheming Cersei, for instance, calls to mind Isabella, the "she-wolf of France" (1295–1358).[12] She and her family inspired Martin, as depicted in Maurice Druon's historical novel series The Accursed Kings, in particular.[14] Other historical inspirations for elements of the series include Hadrian's Wall (which became Martin's great Wall), the legend of Atlantis (ancient Valyria), Byzantine "Greek fire" ("wildfire&quot , Icelandic sagas of the Viking Age (the Ironborn), the Mongol hordes (the Dothraki), and elements from the Hundred Years' War (1337–1453) and the Italian Renaissance (c. 1400–1500).[12] The series' great popularity has been attributed in part to Martin's skill at fusing these disparate elements into a seamless whole that appears credible on its own terms as an alternative history.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_of_Thrones

Does it really bear any similarities to UK history, or is this Wiki article totally wrong ?

Thank you for your time again from a sincere Anglophile, Steve

[Ghost Dog]

1. Well, the history referenced is authentic,

and UK has always been but one (small) offshore part of Europe, as Europe has always been one (small) part of the larger world.

The material you quote appears to recognise this.

[T_i_B]

2. It's a hodge-podge of a lot of historical things....

....with a few dragons thrown in for good measure. The main historical inspiration would appear to be The Wars Of The Roses, but there's a lot based on other history, such as the Glencoe Massacre.

I got into Game Of Thrones in an odd way. I found the first book of the series underneath a seat on a train to Peterborough in 2006 and got into it from there. I really loved the first few TV seasons of the TV adaption.

[Bad Dog]

3. And the Borgias.

Don't forget them.

There's also events prior to the Wars of the Roses, like the Harrowing of the North.

[T_i_B]

5. Yes, lots of stuff before & after the Wars Of The Roses

I mentioned Glencoe because it inspired one particularly notorious event in "A Song Of Ice & Fire".

[Bad Dog]

6. Some people still haven't got over it.

[T_i_B]

7. Me included!

[Bad Dog]

8. What really galls is that despite their treachery

They made an absolute fortune from tinned soup.

[Bad Dog]

4. Shakespeare's History plays might help.

Richard II deals with a weak corrupt and narcissistic king who is eventually overthrown by Henry IV. Then there's all the minor rebellions in Henry IV parts 1 and 2. You've got Henry V unifying the country with a war against France. Then in Henry VI you've got another weak king and lots of rebellions. And Jack Cade who bears some similarity with the high sparrow.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Cade