Game of Thrones and the Medieval Art of War

George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire novels and HBO's Game of Thrones series depict a medieval world at war. But how accurate are they? The author, an historian and medieval martial arts expert, examines in detail how authentically Martin's fictional world reflects the arms and armor, fighting techniques and siege warfare of the Middle Ages. Along the way, he explores the concept of "medievalism"--modern pop culture's idea of the Middle Ages.

List of contents

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Timeline

Introduction

1.¿No True Knights: Chivalry in Myth and the Middle Ages

2.¿A Good Way to Survive a Battle: Armor in Westeros

3.¿Dragonsteel and Wildfire: Weapons in Westeros

4.¿"Stick them with the pointy end": Fighting Arts in Westeros and the Middle Ages

5.¿The Wager of Battle: War, Duels and Tournaments

6.¿Down and Out in Westeros: The Economics of Feudal Warfare

7.¿Women Warriors of Westeros

8.¿Words and Swords: Conquest and Culture

9.¿A Medieval Atrocity Sourcebook

Chapter Notes

Further Reading

Index

About the author

Historian, fencing master and jouster Ken Mondschein is the author of several books on medieval and Renaissance history and martial arts. He holds a PhD from Fordham University and lives in an 18th century house on a horse farm in New England.

Summary

The success of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire novels and HBO's Game of Thrones series underscores the perennial popularity of medieval history - or rather “medievalism”, the idea of the Middle Ages. This book, written by an historian and medieval martial arts expert, explains how Martin's fantasy world reflects real history.

Product details

• Authors: Ken Mondschein, Mondschein Ken
• Publisher: Ingram Publishers Services
• Languages: English
• Age Recommendation: from age 18
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 30.11.2017
• EAN: 9780786499700
• ISBN: 978-0-7864-9970-0
• No. of pages: 236
• Dimensions: 152 mm x 229 mm x 12 mm
• Weight: 299 g
• Illustrations: Raster,schwarz-weiss
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History > Contemporary history (1945 to 1989); Science Fiction, Fantasy, Television, LITERARY CRITICISM / Science Fiction & Fantasy, PERFORMING ARTS / Television / History & Criticism, HISTORY / Military / Medieval, Medieval History, Literary studies: general, Literary studies: fiction, novelists and prose writers, Television: styles and genres, History of Performing Arts, Medieval warfare (predating gunpowder warfare)