Henry VIII

henryviii-robert-baratheon
Real Historical Figures, Tudors September 27, 2013

Traces of Henry VIII in Game of Thrones: Similarities Between Henry VIII and Robert Baratheon

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Initially, I resisted the idea of there being any similarity between Robert Baratheon and Henry VIII. (In  Robert Baratheon May Be Edward IV’s Older Half,  I compared Robert Baratheon to Edward IV but I did say I thought Robert Baratheon had a tinge of Tudor.) While getting my Tudor on this week – these days I’m more of a Plantagenet gal – I reread some of my old Tudor books and saw striking similarities between Henry VIII’s finer points and…

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Historical Periods, Tudors September 26, 2013

The Chase: Henry VIII and Robert Baratheon

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George RR Martin appears to base the deadly King’s Landing politics on the cut-throat world of  Henry VIII’s court. One of the reasons faction arose in Henry VIII’s reign is because he was often away hunting, which required him to delegate power and this, in turn, gave courtiers the idea they could get more power. Like Henry VIII, Robert Baratheon was noted for his love of hunting. Where was Robert when his children were born? Hunting of course. And, how…

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Real Events, Tudors September 25, 2013

The Defence of a Dynasty or the Wrath of a Mad King?

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I am not so blind that I cannot see the shadow of the axe when it is hanging over my own neck. — Robert Baratheon to Ned Stark (Game of Thrones Chapter 33) Ned Stark baulked at the idea of assassinating a pregnant young girl. But then it was Ned’s political naivete coupled with his sense of honour that brought about his downfall. Daenerys Targaryen was a true threat to Robert’s throne, and Daenerys with an heir, especially a son, even more so….

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Real Historical Figures, Tudors, War of the Roses September 24, 2013

Henry VIII, the Game of Medieval Politics, and Game of Thrones

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At the heart of Game of Thrones is the game of medieval politics. George RR Martin worded the title of this novel very careful: it is no coincidence the first word is game. Henry VIII’s one-time Lord Chancellor, and later victim, Sir Thomas More described the court politics as “a king’s game, and for the more part played on scaffolds.” Since Henry VIII presided over the greatest political game of all, it seems fitting that George RR Martin should base…

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Real Historical Figures, Tudors September 23, 2013

Henry VIII Week

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Last week, Olga Hughes published a fantastic interview on Nerdalicious with historian John Matusiak, who just released a new book, Henry VIII: The Life and Rule of England’s Nero. The interview and, heck, even the title of this book make it pretty clear that Matsuiak will be less than complementary towards old King Hal. And, frankly, rightly so. I haven’t read the book yet, but I do agree with the refreshing perspective. I loved this interview and it inspired me…

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Episode Recap May 19, 2013

Game of Thrones Recap: Season 3, Episode 8

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Tonight’s episode of Game of Thrones (Season 3, Episode 8 “Second Sons”) had three major events: Gendry’s disgusting leeching, Daenerys’ near assassination by the dashing sellsword Dario Naharis, and Sansa’s marriage to Tyrion. For the purpose of peering into the history behind this Game of Thrones episode, this post focuses on the Tyrion’s marriage. Tyrion’s noble behavior at the wedding feast reveals how he towers over the peers who laughed at him hours earlier as he struggled to put the…

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Historical Periods May 14, 2013

The Seriousness of Arranged Marriages: No Jane Austen Novel

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Episodes: “The Bear and the Maiden Fair,” Season 3, Episode 7 As Season 3 winds up, arranged marriages are becoming an incredibly important theme. Tywin Lannister wants to marry Tyrion to Sansa Stark and prevent the Tyrells from becoming Lord in the North. Robb Stark pleaded with his uncle to marry Lord Frey’s daughter so he can regain the lord’s military support. In the HBO interactive features from this week’s Game of Thrones, George RR Martin talks about the political importance…

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Characters, Tudors, War of the Roses April 22, 2013

Daenerys as Henry VII

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After seeing the phenomenal ending of this week’s Game of Thrones episode (“And Now His Watch is Ended” Season 3, Episode 4), I find myself wondering once again if Daenerys Targaryen is an incarnation of Henry VII? Henry VII, founder of the Tudor dynasty and father of Henry VIII, was the unlikeliest conqueror when his soldiers slew Richard III and Henry overthrew the Yorkist dynasty. Through his Lancastrian mother, Henry Tudor had a watery claim to the throne. After somebody, possibly…

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Characters March 27, 2013

Robert Baratheon May Be Edward IV’s Older Half

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The Game of Thrones character, King Robert Baratheon, may have been inspired by an older Edward IV with maybe a touch of Edward IV’s grandson, Henry VIII. In fact, George RR Martin has admitted “If Robert is modelled on anyone, it is more Edward IV of England… though as usual, I rang in some changes1 .” Robert Baratheon may have looked more like Edward IV’s grandson (Henry VIII, right) than Edward IV (left). Did a tinge of Tudor creep in…

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Historical Periods March 24, 2013

An Easy Intro to the Wars of the Roses

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The Wars of the Roses (~1455-~1485+) was a thirty-year period of civil wars filled with bloodshed and betrayal; it marked some of the most violent and dramatic events in English history. There were four different kings on the throne – all except one of whom had overthrown another king in violent battle or subterfuge. However, even if you don’t like war or military history – I didn’t before – the period captures the imagination. Plus the period is a kissing cousin…

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