Once united and peaceful, the island is ripped apart by noble rivalries and divided allegiances. The Seven Kingdoms of Westeros find an historical analogy in the Heptarchy of England. One shadowy chapter of English history receives a prominent nod.
Martin drew inspiration from many strands of history, from England’s War of the Roses to the Icelandic sagas and tales of Viking conquest. Millions have read his voluminous saga with many more gripped by the television adaptation. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire has left a powerful cultural imprint across the world.
