When George Rr. Martin Began writing a book series called a song of ice and fire nearly 20 years ago
He had no idea it would be adapted into one of the most popular TV series ever made
And when you read or watch this incredible contents all the battles the characters and the complex storylines
You can't help but wonder where he found his inspiration
Here we took a five game of thrones characters who may be loosely based around real-life historical figures and although George Rr
Martin doesn't say much on the subject and has never confirmed these fan made links
it's not hard to find similarities between the two
As always sit back and enjoy the video
King Joffrey and Edward of Lancaster
Joffrey Baratheon
Prince of the seven kingdoms and eventually becoming king after Robert Baratheon's death is the eldest child of Cersei
Lannister and believes his father is King Robert
Although it is known to us that his real father is his mother's twin brother. Jaime lannister as is the case with his other siblings
Joffrey is an incredibly cruel arrogant and vicious character who enjoys the torturing and killing of innocent animals and people
Although is a coward when he is in any kind of real danger and does while avoiding this mostly by his name and position
Either lies flees or orders people to sort things for him and of course. There's his mother behind the scenes
Ensuring her son faces no harm or consequences. (Cersei)Where is Joffrey ?
the battlements with Lord Tyrion
[c] Bring him back inside at once
You're grace! [c] What?
Kings presence is good for morale [C] Bring him back to his Chambers now
not here? [C] with the women and children? you want him to be mocked of the coward for the rest of his life?no
But..I [C] NOW!
When Joffrey is eventually declared King his behavior only worsens
And he becomes even more sadistic all making him one of the most hated characters in the game of thrones series
Season 4 his death was met mostly with jubilation although despair from others had such the loss of an entertaining character
So could the almost Psychotic Joffrey actually be based on a real-life ruler?
While seemingly he is and that person is edward of Westminster
also known as Edward of Lancaster and
Edward Prince of wales who was the only son of King Henry the fourth and Margaret of Anjou
He was conceived eight years after his parents marriage
During one of the kings periods of mental illness and it was rumored that King Henry was not his real father
Given the circumstances people suspected margaret of sleeping with one of her close friends in order to conceive
Although this cannot be proved or disproved
But it does sound strikingly similar to the situation of Joffrey Baratheon lineage
And how his mother cersei would fool her husband king Robert in his drunken states by finishing him off in other ways
[C] In the rare event that Robert leaves his whores for long enough to stumble drunk into my bed
I finish him off in other ways in the morning He doesn't remember [E] you've always hated him
It never crossed either Kings mind
that their ends may not have been theirs and
It would seem neither did Joffrey or Edward question that their fathers may have been someone else
But why would they as this would have made them illegitimate causing a great scandal
after King Henry was captured in 1460
Seven-year-Old edwards Fled with his mother to france
Where it's said the very young prince developed an obsession with cutting off heads and making war
the ambassador of the Duchy of Milan
once wrote to the Court of France in
1467
this boy the only 13 years of age already talks of nothing but of cutting off heads or making wars as
If he had everything in his hands or was the god of battle or the peaceful occupant of that throne
It sounds familiar
Although it's said Edward at least didn't lack courage whereas his counterpart Joffrey would only show Authority
When it came to punishing people and not when it came to fighting in wars
in game of thrones in an attempt to secure an alliance with the north
Joffrey is engaged to Sansa stark the eldest daughter of the traitor Eddard stark and
Sister of Robb stark who is leading a rebellion against him
after the deaths of both Eddard and Robb Stark Joffrey's Mother Cersei
Advises him to cast sansa aside as she is no longer a useful alliance
And he is swiftly engaged and married to margaery Tyrell who is widow of Renly baratheon
Joffrey's Uncle
Due to this margaery and her family were also considered as traitors as they had supported renly's claim to the throne rather than Joffrey's
but house Baratheon or Rather house Lannister
Agree to this alliance as they needed troops gold and wheat all of which house Tyrell could supply
this all bares yet another likingness to the historical basis Edward of Westminster
who after several years in Exile his mother agrees to an alliance with Richard neville the Earl of Warwick an
Old enemy he would lately become disillusioned with the york king Edward the four and had switched to support the house of lancaster
Prince Edward was also married to his youngest daughter anne neville in December1470
to secured this alliance to proceed with a battle against Edward the forth
His marriage Anna was short and some doubt it was ever consummated
We know Joffrey definitely didn't consummate his marriage as he was murdered before he got the chance
Edward the fourth defeated and killed the Earl of Warwick at the battle of Barnet and Prince Edward
Bravely decided to lead his father-in-law's army to meet edward the fourth in the battle of Tewkesbury
But was defeated and Edward was killed in 1471
There are conflicting reports of how edward eventually met his death with some believing
He was captured and beheaded on a makeshift block while other states. He was cut down in the aftermath of the battle
However, it happened. Just like Joffrey he was said to be very cruel at a young age
Married to secure an alliance and much like Joffrey didn't see his 18th birthday
theon Greyjoy and George Plantagenet
theon Greyjoy the last living son of Balon Greyjoy of the Iron Islands
has been a main character in Game of Thrones since season 1
at 10 years old he was sent to live with eddard stark and became his ward after his father Lord
Balon Greyjoy Rebelled against King Robert
Later in the series after the execution of Eddard stark and his son Robb stark is named King in the north
Theon finally meets again with his father to discuss aiding Robb stark in destroying his enemies
But when Balin Greyjoy refuses to support the starks
Theon is torn between the two and in what many interpretated to be an effort to plead his father
Theon Betrays his friend Robb stark by invading the North and names himself the Prince of Winterfell
However, this is short-lived and he's consequently betrayed by his own men and left to be tortured at the hands of Ramsay snow
Who Torments mutilates and starves Theon
With all that has happened to this character. It's hard to believe that he could possibly be inspired by a real person
But apparently so l and his real-life counterpart is George Plantagenet
Plantagenet was an English Nobleman with the title of Duke of Clarence born in
1449 and much like the life events of theon Greyjoy war-separated George from his father Richard of York
When he rebelled against Henry the sixth and lost the battle of wakefield in
1460 although at age 11 a year older than his counterpart, theon
in Later Years George Plantagenet was also known for his arrogance and betrayal of his brother King Edward the fourth
Similar the Theon's Betrayal of Robb stark who although wasn't any relation was considered a brother to him
shortly after George's brother Edward Became King in March 1461
George's appointed Lord lieutenant of Ireland and came under the influence of Richard neville the Earl of Warwick and a pair secretly
Supported an armed uprising in Northern England a resemblance to theon's invasion of the north
The King his brother was captured and warwick attempted to govern the country in the King's name
However this proved disastrous and warwick was forced to release the king in 1469
Remarkably Edward did not seek revenge on his brother or warwick
it wasn't until George betrayed the king again by launching another rebellion that the king finally took action against him and
in 1478 George was found guilty of plotting against the king and was locked up in the tower of London before being executed
it's long been believed by historians that rather than being beheaded George was drowned in a Butt of Malmsey wine
and many are wondering if a similar fate is on the cards or theon
He is from the iron Islands after all and sacrificial drowning is a traditional method of execution for the iron men
Daenerys Targaryen and Henry tudor
Daenerys Targaryen is one of game of thrones' most popular characters
she is the daughter of the mad King and his sister wife queen Rhaella
and is one of the last members of the Targaryen Dynasty
His father was killed by a member of his own kingsguard sir
Jaime Lannister during Robert's Rebellion before she was born and her mother died shortly after giving birth.
She was raised in exile with a brother viserys
Never staying long in one place as it was suspected king Robert had sent an assassin after them to ensure. No targaryen heirs remain
Early in the series she is married off to Khal drogo of the dothraki by her brother viserys
in exchange for an army to aiding in invading Westeros and taking back the crown
Although when viserys assaults her and her unborn child with Khal drogo
Drogo Kills Vissarion's by Pouring Molten Gold onto his
leaving Daenerys as the Rightful heir to the iron throne as
The series progresses her husband khal drogo dies and Daenerys hatches three petrified Dragon eggs
The only known dragons alive in the world earning her the title mother of dragons
She then goes on to acquire a very large army and following on a quest to take back. What is rightfully hers the iron throne
Her character his thoughts have been inspired by the life of Henry tudor the seventh
Henry was born in
1457 in Pembroke Wales
His father Edmund too died before he was born and his mother margaret was just thirteen when she gave birth to him
Margaret was also a descendant of Edward the third which resented Henry with the remote claims of the throne?
But much like daenerys because Henry had a viable claim to the throne he lived most of his life in exile across the English channel
when the yorkist edward the fourth reclaimed crown
Who much like Robert Baratheon who would love to have had Daenerys killed to eliminate the rivals?
Edward would have considered this for Henry had he not been out of the country posing no real threat
However when Edward died in 1483 his brother Richard claimed a throne over the kings 12 year son Edward the fifth
making Himself Richard the third
also, bearing a resemblance to another storyline in game of thrones
Surrounding King Robert's death and his brothers stannis and renly both claiming themselves as king over Robert son
By this time henry tudor was a leading lancastrian and challenged his claim to the English crown
He promised his supporters that if he became king he would marry Edward the fourth daughter
Elizabeth of York a move that would unite the warring houses of York and lancaster
the opposing sides in the wars of the roses
bringing Peace and unity a
Move we know Daenerys plans when she takes back Westeros
[D] If I'm going to rule in Westeros, I need to make alliances
The best way to make alliances is with marriage
in 1485 Henry for the Battle of Bosworth and Richard the third was killed leaving Henry to be crowned King Henry the seventh
Much like fans are hoping daenerys will defeat Cersei and be crowned queen in the next series
Henry went on to Marry Elizabeth of York as promised and United the Lancashire's and the York's
He then accepted the tudor Rose which symbolized the start of the tudor Era with both dynasties united
The final link to Daenerys is that Henry also flew a dragon as his banner?
Direwolves as direwolves
although not exactly characters direwolves are one of the coolest appearances in game of thrones and
Somewhat resemble a Modern-day wolf although they are much larger
Described as being as large as a small horse and strong enough to rip a man's arm through its socket
They were originally thought to be extinct in westeros and only found north of the wall until
Ned stark found a deceased mother died wall with her six orphaned pups south of the wall
one Pup was given to each of the stark children and the runt of the litter an albino to Jon snow as
The storyline progresses they become fierce protectors and companions to their owners
Each sharing a unique bond and playing an important role in the overall story
Although much the fans disappointment only two out of the six remain at this point in the series
So although they are of course based on a wolf
Was there ever a wolf species as large as a dire wolf from game of thrones?
There actually was although not as large as the dire wolves in the show
The real-life dialogue is an extinct North American Prehistoric Carnivore, but lived
125 thousand to ten thousand years ago
But was not named as a species until 1858 a few years after the first ever specimen was found
They were roughly the same size of a large Modern-day gray wolf weighing around 150 pounds
But their teeth were larger and they had a much greater bite Force the strongest of any known Canine species
Their prey would have included bison horses camels and giant ground sloths and much like modern wolves they would have hunted in packs
However their short legs and heavier bodies meant they would have been much slower than the modern-day wolf. As thought they were much less intelligent
unlike this shows representation of the wolves
So perhaps the name and powerful bite force of these prehistoric carnivores was the only thing George Rr. Martin took for his inspiration
nevertheless an impressive amount of dire wolf skulls have been excavated from the La brea tar pits in Southern California and
Nearly 400 of them are in display in the page Museum
So game of thrones dire wolves are somewhat a real thing and you may one day be able to own one
The American Alsatian Breeders association has been combining various dog breeds in an attempt to replicate the look of the prehistoric
Dire Wolf and although they have not perfected the breed as of yet a puppy can be bought for $4,000
Petyr Baelish and Oliver Cromwell
Petyr Baelish or littlefinger as he's commonly known is initially considered powerless as he is from a very minor house with
no distinguished lineage
Significant land holdings or armies and is a friendly harmless characte.r or so it would seem
Really he is an incredibly intelligent and ambitious man and paired along with his cunning manipulative and deceitful nature
He's taken himself from lowborn ward at Riverrun to X Master of coin on the small Council
Lord of Harrenhal and Lord Protector of the Vale
on top of that he is able for heavily influenced a young Lord Robin, Arryn
Who is the new Lord Paramount Of the Vale and befriends Sansa stark
Gaining her loyalty and trust somewhat as her name is valuable, and she is his key to control in the north
Not to mention he also owns upscale brothels to both acquire intelligence on political Rivals and acquire vast wealth
All in which she only achieves through lies deception marriage and murder yet. No one really suspects him
However many characters have grown wise to his games and do not trust him
Considering him to be a very dangerous man
[S] Only a fool would trust littlefinger
Littlefinger's life has been linked to a few different historical figures although. It's most likely thought to echo that of the legendary Oliver cromwell
Cromwell was born in 1599 and similar to littlefinger was considered a member of the lesser gentry
his parents were puritans a protestant sect has sought major reforms in the church of England and
Cromwell was educated by a puritan minister
After leaving Cambridge University he married, Elizabeth bowsher and had nine children
He was the most successful military and political leader of the Civil Wars
Eventually becoming the first lord protector of the commonwealth of England including wales at the time Scotland and Ireland
in 1640 tensions Began between Parliament and king Charles first of arriving taxes and Charles's proximity to catholicism
resulted in the Outbreak of the English Civil war
In which cromwell raised his own army and after a number of victories over the Kings forces?
The King was eventually defeated by Cromwell's Army
after the kings execution cromwell became the most dominant political figure in Britain
Following a series of brutal battles in Scotland and Ireland in which thousands of innocent people were massacred
cromwell Forcibly dissolved the house of commons and in 1653 was named Lord protector of the British Republican
and had the full power of King
Although he declined to actually take the crown on Several occasions
Something fans highly doubt would be the case if the crown was offered to littlefinger
So the real liking us between the two is their rise from nothing and a knack for
strategically getting what they want although in very different ways and very different reasons for doing so
Later in life cromwell became a bitter possibly depressed man, and it's believed he died of natural causes in 1658
However when the monarchy was reinstated in 1660 cromwell body was dug up from his grave beheaded and publicly hanged
Perhaps when the people of Westeros discover that littlefinger was a driving force behind the state citizen now
He too will be publicly made an example on
So thsts five game of thrones figures that It would seem have been based on real people and a prehistoric animal
I hope you've enjoyed the video and we will be doing another video like this soon
But on events battles and other features in the show where it would seem George used stages in medieval history as his inspiration
Thanks for watching and as always. I'll see you in the next video