Summary
By now, it should come as no surprise thatGeorge R.R.
Martinis a big history buff.
No one writes fantasy that good without dipping their toes into actual historical territory.
Image by Zanda Rice
That’s what happened in England between 1135 and 1154, in a period appropriately known asThe Anarchy.
Just like inHouse of the Dragon, this civil war started as a consequence of a succession crisis.
King Henry I had many children, but only two were legitimate: William and Matilda.
The reign of House Targaryen begins with this prequel to the popular HBO seriesGame of Thrones.Based on George R.R. Martin’sFire & Blood,House of the Dragonis set nearly 200 years beforeGame of Thrones, telling the story of the Targaryen civil war with King Viserys.
InHouse of the Dragon, the succession crisis takes place in Season 1.
InHouse of the Dragon, the whole context is more complex.
Even if Rhaenyra is the heir, Aegon is a trueborn son of Viserys.
House of the Dragon Isn’t the First Time That George R.R.
The wars lasted for 30 years, between 1455 and 1485.
So, as Martin says,Game of Thronesis only loosely based on real history.
Martinin a 2013 interview.
He often says he prefersmorally gray characters, and history is filled with those.
House of the Dragon’s Season 2 finale airs on Max this Sunday.
