The series “House of the Dragon” takes place in the world of Westeros, a place where dragons, giants and white walkers are real beings. Although the story is fiction, “Fire and Blood” author George RR Martin, who tells the origin story of Rhaenyra Targaryen, revealed that it was inspired by a true event.
‘House of the Dragon’ and its connection to real history: The Civil War of Anarchy
To understand the inspiration, we need to travel back in time to medieval England. During the 12th century, England fell into a period of conflict known as the Anarchy Civil War. Two powerful factions faced each other: the supporters of Stephen of Blois and the supporters of Matilda of England.
Matilda, also known as Empress Matilda, was the daughter of King Henry I and the rightful heir to the throne. However, his uncle Stephen proclaimed himself king after Henry’s death. The struggle for power has raged for decades, with battles, intrigues and shifting alliances.
Matilda was a central figure in this war. Her determination, intelligence and political skills made her a formidable leader. Like Rhaenyra Targaryen, Matilda defied gender expectations and fought for her right to the throne. Rhaenyra had been designated heir by her father Viserys, but her half-brother Aegon II was declared king of Westeros, which started the Dance of the Dragons, the war between them.
The conflict between Stephen of Blois and Matilda of England lasted from 1138 to 1153, a total of more than fifteen years, with several bloody battles. At the end of the Anarchy Civil War a year later, Henry II, Matilda’s son, took over as king after Stephen’s death.
Differences between Empress Matilda and Rhaenyra Targaryen
Unfortunately, although in real life Matilda gained in some ways by seeing her heir take the throne, Rhaenyra’s fate is very different, as her most powerful allies end up dead and she herself is burned by a dragon under Aegon’s orders. II was arrested.
George RR Martin expressed in an interview with the portal “Entertainment Weekly” how this and other historical events helped him create some of the most popular literary narratives of the last decade.
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Source: univision
Camila Luna is a writer at Gossipify, where she covers the latest movies and television series. With a passion for all things entertainment, Camila brings her unique perspective to her writing and offers readers an inside look at the industry. Camila is a graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a degree in English and is also a avid movie watcher.
