Fun in Game of Thrones

[Brian G Turner]

I remember noticing a few things in Game of Thrones that suggested GRRM was having a little fun. Re-reading again a couple have already struck out as potential jokes outside of the text.

1. Blackadder

The shields displayed outside each tent heralded its occupant: the silver eagle of Seagard, Bryce Caron’s field of nightingales, a cluster of grapes for the Redwynes, brindled boar, red ox, burning tree, white ram, triple spiral, purple unicorn, dancing maiden, blackadder, twin towers, horned owl, and last the pure white blazons of the Kingsguard, shining like the dawn.

Blackadder? Is this really a major heraldic symbol? Even if we accept the argument that it might be, surely it would be spelled "black adder"?

It appears here that GRRM is plainly tipping his hat at the BBC period comedy, and shoves it into the middle of a list so it's easily overlooked.

2. Marillion

“My name is Marillion,” the singer said , plucking a string on his woodharp. “Doubtless you’ve heard me play somewhere?”

Well, perhaps on the radio? Or on TV? After all, Marillion is a very successful British rock group with chart-topping hits such as Kayleigh. It would be a remarkable coincidence if it isn't, though I remain uncertain what GRRM is trying to use this character to say, other than he finds Marillion very annoying.

 

[BetaWolf]

Hmm, the Blackadder. That would explain a few things. Maybe ASOIF is not really based on the War of the Roses, but on the (real) version portrayed on the first series of Blackadder.

Though a Rowan Atkinson cameo in the TV series would be nice.

 

[LilyDraken]

Though a Rowan Atkinson cameo in the TV series would be nice.

This would be epic. Of course, having just done a solid re-read through of the series, I immediate jump to Tycho of the Iron Bank of Braavos. Please let it be so!

 

[Boaz]

Brian, one of the noble families of Dorne is House Jordayne. Their seat is on the river Tor. The current patriarch is Lord Trebor. Trebor is Robert spelled backwards. Thus, Trebor Jordayne, Lord of the Tor, is a reference to Robert Jordan whose voluminous tale was published by you know who.

I suspect that House Jordayne has installed a mill house with a gigantic wheel that the Tor will never cease to turn...

 

[The Pointy End]

Don't know if it was intentional or not, but i think he also gave a nod to Monty Python in ADWD. In the scene with Qwentyn and his Dornish gang allied w/ the Sellsword Co about to fight at whatever city, the one where the city defenders placed the dead butcher king on the horse during the battle. I think it was one of the sellsword captains that mentions something about the quality of the right kind of fighting men and says something to the effect about men/boys who freeze/run if someone "farts in their general direction" which is straight from Monty Python and the Holy Grail when Arthur and troop appear at the castle wall and are refused entry just b4 the cows start flying over. Remember John Cleese's french accented "I fart in your general direction"

 

[ArstenWhitebeard]

Hahaha . A John Cleese cameo would also be approved. Hopefully a sellsword company will attempt to invade Meereen by building a giant, hollow wooden rabbit.