Help with Song v. War of the Roses?

[elliomc]

Martin obviously borrows heavily from England's geography, its families, and its conflicts (both internal, with Scotland, and with the mainland Europe) in constructing ASoIaF.

My question: Does anyone have links with additional reading for those interested in the extent to which parallels may be drawn? Martin has said in interviews that there is no 1-to-1 mapping of events and main characters, obviously, but surely some of the personalities and character traits have been borrowed? I did try a search, but did not find much, so apologies if this thread is a repeat!

A long time ago, I took a course on John of Gaunt and his impact on 14th century England. I am still somewhat familiar with the York, Lancastre, and Plantegenet (sp?) families. Same with the role of Protestantism, the Lollards, the Calvinists, etc. in English history. At the time, I found it only mildly interesting, but after getting really into ASoIaF I would like to read more! Thanks in advance.

 

[Boaz]

elliomc, In March, I read A Brief History of the War of the Roses by Desmond Seward. The UK title is A Brief History of the Wars of the Roses. The book appealed to me (and I think to Martin fans) because the entire book is told from a variety of POVs. Well, they are not actual first person points of view, but more of an assumed perspective of events from involved characters. Margaret Beaufort (Henry Tudor's mother), William Hastings (lesser noble promoted to peer of the realm), John Morton (clergyman and government official), Jane Shore (mistress to Edward IV), and John de Vere (Lancastrian general) are the five people whom Seward chooses to tell his third person story through.

I don't think I saw any one to one correlations between real fifteenth century English men and women and any of Martin's fictional characters. But I do believe I found some of Martin's inspirations for Tywin (Richard Neville and John de Vere), Shae (Jane Shore), Tyrion (Richard III), Eddard (Richard Plantagenet and Owen Tudor), Catelyn (Catherine of Valois), Olenna (Margaret Beaufort), Pycelle (John Morton), Jon, Robert (Henry IV and Henry V), Stannis and Renly (Edward IV, George Plantagent and Richard III), Cersei (Margaret of Anjou), Margaery (Elizabeth Woodville), Robert Arryn (Henry VI), Jaime (John Neville), House Lannister and House Stark (Lancaster and York), House Tyrell (Woodville), and more. Martin does a great job of fleshing out his characters, so it is impossible to say Tyrion is Richard III, in fact I see Richard III in Tyrion, Stannis, and Renly.

 

[Eulalia]

Impressive analysis, Boaz. Makes good sense in terms of Werthead's posting about GRRM's love of history, but wanting to keep fictional surprise!

I can imagine, seeing all the deliciously dramatic events in the Wars of the Roses, but not wanting to have all the story telling mess. The WOTR's is completely confusing and chaotic, (but then that is real life). Yet he takes some of the best events, dynamics and characters and makes a coherent story.

Imagine starting from Margaret of Anjou (The She Wolf of France!) who was married at a young age to a crazy husband, and may have had an illegitimate son. She was a troublemaker, ruthless, relentless and vindictive, but quite resourceful and good at raising armies that could win wars on the behalf of her husband and son. But Cersei is a great character all on her own.

Then, maybe instead of a hunchback, maybe go all out and have a dwarf! What could happen then?