In “ A Clash of Kings” this happens when the Tyrell army arrives at King’s Landing for the end of the Battle of Blackwater.įrom Constantinople, Martin uses the geography and technology of the Byzantine Empire.

Similar instances like this happened with another army from outside the city arrives to help and ultimately win the battle. The count of Paris rode out and returned with the King, lifting the siege. They advanced on Paris wanting to pass and take the city, but they were stopped by a series of bridges and the people of Paris. At the time, France was in turmoil which allowed the Danes to invade. The Siege of Paris happens in starts in 885 AD and is concluded the following year. Martin draws on various aspects of each of these battles. The main historical influences are the Siege of Paris and the Persian wars against Constantinople and the use of Greek fire. Martin draws from many sources and events from across history to create it, which causes a collapsing of temporalities. One of the largest and most critical battles in the War of the Five Armies, was the Battle of Blackwater Bay. The two armies facing off at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415. Each of these battles and many more affected politics on a larger scale such as determining who was king and the areas they controlled. There are some famous examples of this type of battle like the Battle of Agincourt, between the French and English during the Hundred Years’ War in 1415 and the Battle of Towton in 1461, which is part of the War of the Roses in England.

Medieval battles like this number in the hundreds and there are no direct comparisons. They make use of infantry, cavalry and archers. Many of the battles he is involved in are field battles between two armies. One of them is Robb Stark who is considered the King in the North. Throughout the Battle of the Five Kings, there are various perspectives that the readers and viewers are given. All the history leading up to these events and the action itself is loosely based on historic events. All these aspects are represented through the work of G.R.R Martin in “A Song of Ice and Fire.” The series focuses on the War of the Five Kings and its resulting aftermath. The end of the middle ages can be defined with the Battle of Bosworth Field though there are many other potential end dates. The reigns of kings are created and destroyed through battle. Warfare is a defining aspect of the medieval period.

War of the 5 kings