Winter is Coming: Symbols and Hidden Meanings in A Game of Thrones (10 page)
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Authors: Valerie Estelle Frankel
Tags: #FICTION/Fantasy/Contemporary
Medieval chroniclers insisted that a lady’s place was in the castle, assisting her husband in his rule. However, such ladies were permitted and even encouraged to take arms to defend their lands on behalf of an underaged son or incapacitated husband. Catelyn Stark rousing her bannermen and leading them off to battle, or negotiating on her son’s behalf, would not have been a great surprise in medieval Europe.
In 1342, Jeanne of Flanders, Countess of Montfort, fought in the names of her captured husband and young son. Chronicles of the time describe her admiringly:
The countess of Montfort was there in full armour, mounted on a swift horse and riding through the town, street by street, urging the people to defend the town well. She made the women of the town, ladies and others, dismantle the carriageways and carry the stones to the battlements for throwing at their enemies. And she had bombards and pots full of quick lime brought to keep the enemy busy.
53
She was not a knight, but a proper lady defending her homeland.
Lady Mormont of Bear Island and her many daughters do the same, in full armor and brandishing arms—her brother is commanding the Wall, and her nephew has fled to the east—she and her girls are the only Mormonts remaining, irrespective of gender.
Christine de Pizan insists a proper lady requires knowledge of law, accounting, warfare, agriculture, and textile production, adding:
Pirate QueenThe lady who lives on her estates must be wise and must have the courage of a man…She must know the laws of warfare so that she can command her men and defend her lands if they are attacked.
54
Asha Greyjoy (called Yara on the show to avoid confusion with the wildling Osha) is a pirate captain, commanding thirty longships and conquering the Northern castle of Deepwood Motte. Of course, back home she’s the lady of the Iron Islands, possibly her father’s heir (though Ironmen expect a male lord so her position is precarious).
Historically, other female landowners led armies on the sea. Jeanne de Clisson, the “Lioness of Brittany” bought three warships, called the Black Fleet. (Yara’s own ship is the Black Wind.) From 1343 to 1356, she harried the ships of King Philip VI. Likewise, the Irish “Pirate Queen” Grace O’Malley was another landowner-pirate, leading raids on the enemy English. She led hundreds of men in her fleet and proved herself “a master mariner, a brilliant strategist, and, above all, successful.” Throughout her career Grace called the type of piracy she practiced “maintenance by land and sea,” a type of protection racket.
55
While sailors were reluctant to sail
with
women, they sailed
under
highborn ladies on multiple occasions, in another example of the women fighting on behalf of their homelands.
Brienne and Maege Mormont, Lord Commander Mormont’s sister, are the only heirs of their households, like many fighting women in history—they are the only ones who can gather their soldiers and lead them to war. By contrast, Arya is not the last heir of her household or even a warleader on behalf of her family. In fact, her father candidly tells her she will be married off like Sansa. However, Arya’s brother Jon gives her a sword and her father arranges for dueling lessons, both historical anachronisms. Likewise, Meera Reed has a brother, but she is the better warrior with a long bronze knife, old iron greathelm, and wicked frog spear. This is another unlikely scenario, though her dressing in boys’ clothes for safety of travel (as Arya does) is more realistic. Both girls have indulgent fathers, as Brienne does, and both are free to choose a boy’s path.
Arya learns dueling from Syrio Forel of Braavos, another anachronism. Of the few known female duelists, most only fought as curiosities and performers when the real age of dueling had long passed. In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, several woman-on-woman duels were recorded, usually over a man. Doña Ana Lezama de Urinza and Doña Eustaquia de Sonza, known as the Valiant Ladies of Potosí, snuck out at night dressed as a pair of caballeros (knights) to engage in street duels.
56
Dona Catalina de Erauso of Spain likewise became a soldier of fortune in Peru, dueling with sword, knife, and pistol.
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18th Century duelists included Mademoiselle La Maupin, Mademoiselle de Guignes, Mademoiselle d’Aiguillon, Mademoiselle Leverrier, Lady Almeria Braddock, Mrs. Elphinstone, Comptesse de Polignac and Marquise de Nesle. But on the streets of medieval Venice (the inspiration for Braavos), only male duelists were seen. Their famed assassins, a counterpart of Martin’s Faceless Men were likewise male.
Martin’s characters range from anachronisms like Arya to the real fighting ladies who rode to battle or took to the seas. In history and in fantasy, political pawns sold in marriage often gained extraordinary power as the regents and rulers of their worlds, though always with a male figurehead. The question remains whether Daenerys can hold the Iron Throne.
T
he series is continuing, with season four of the show renewed and uncounted seasons to follow. Martin has promised the saga will be finished in two more books,
The Winds of Winter
and
A Dream of Spring
. In April 2013, Martin reported he was about a quarter of the way through
The Winds of Winter,
a few chapters of which he’s read at conventions. Martin tells fans, “I have many many more pages to do, but I have some great stuff planned for it: a lot of blood and fire and death and devastation and ravens coming home to roost.”
58
As he puts it, they’ll be “Two BIG books. 1500 manuscript pages each - that’s 3000 pages. I think I have a good shot. And you know, if I really get pressed, I’ve already established that red comet. I can just have it hit Westeros and wipe out all life.”
59
He adds that he knows the ending “in broad strokes,” commenting, “I don’t know every little twist and turn that will get me there, and I don’t know the ending of every secondary character. But the ending and the main characters, yeah. And [
Game of Thrones
producers] David Benioff and Dan Weiss know some of that too, which the fans are very worried about in case I get hit by a truck.”
60
In a panel on season three, Benioff and Weiss admitted that they know who ends up on the Iron Throne. “There’ll be a few people sitting on it before the end,” Martin teases.
61
Of course, much more story is waiting to unfold on the show. Book three and thus seasons three and four contain, by Martin’s count:
Four weddings,
two
funerals, and a wake. Four trials as well. And three dragons, four bears, many mammoths, an unkindness of ravens, and a turtle of unusual size. More battles, swordfights, and deaths than I can count, but two births as well, just to remind us all that life goes on.
62
There’s much more adventure to come…
A Song of Ice and Fire Novels
A Game of Thrones,
Bantam Books, 1996
A Clash of Kings,
Bantam Books, 1999
A Storm of Swords,
Bantam Books, 2000
A Feast for Crows,
Bantam Books, 2005
A Dance with Dragons,
Bantam Books, 2011
The Winds of Winter,
forthcoming/Bantam Books
A Dream of Spring
, forthcoming/Bantam Books
A Song of Ice and Fire Short Stories
Dunk and Egg:
“The Hedge Knight” (1998) available in George R.R. Martin,
Dreamsongs: Volume I
(Bantam Books, 2012)
“The Sworn Sword” (2003) available in George R.R. Martin,
Dreamsongs: Volume II
(Bantam Books, 2012)
“The Mystery Knight” (2010) available in
Warriors
, edited by George R.R. Martin and Gardner Dozois. Tor Books, 2010.
“The She-Wolves of Winterfell” Planned for inclusion in
Dangerous Women
, now delayed and instead intended for a forthcoming Dunk and Egg collection.
Other
“The Princess and the Queen,” (novella about the Targaryen Civil War called “The Dance of the Dragons”)
Dangerous Women
, edited by George R.R. Martin and Gardner Dozois. Tor Books, 2013.
A Song of Ice and Fire Adaptations
A Game of Thrones: The Graphic Novel Series by Daniel Abraham (Adapter), George R.R. Martin (Author) and Tommy Patterson (Illustrator). Bantam Books. Ongoing.
The World of Ice and Fire: The Official History of Westeros and The World of A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin, Elio Garcia, and, Linda Antonsson. Bantam Books, 2013
The Lands of Ice and Fire (Poster Map) George R.R. Martin 2012
1
John Birmingham, “A Conversation with Game of Thrones Author George RR Martin,”
The Sydney Morning Herald
. Aug 1, 2011.
http://www.smh.com.au/technology/blogs/the-geek/a-conversation-with-game-of-thrones-author-george-rr-martin-20110801-1i6wj.html
.
2
“A Very Long Interview with George R.R. Martin,”
Oh No They Didn’t.com
, Oct 10 2012.
http://ohnotheydidnt.livejournal.com/72570529.html
.
3
Robert Frost, “Fire and Ice,” PoemHunter.com, 2003.
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/fire-and-ice
.
4
“Correspondence with Fans,” The Citadel: So Spake Martin, Aug 15 2001.
http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Category/C91/P90
.
5
Ibid.
6
Martin, George R. R. “The Hedge Knight,”
Dreamsongs II
(USA: Bantam Books, 2012), 607.
7
“Interview in Barcelona.”
Asshai.com
, July 28, 2012.
http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Asshai.com_Interview_in_Barcelona
.
8
“Correspondence with Fans,” The Citadel: So Spake Martin, Aug May 27, 1999.
http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Category/C91/P240
.
9
Ibid.
10
“Correspondence with Fans,” The Citadel: So Spake Martin, July 30 1999.
http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Category/C91/P225
.
11
“Correspondence with Fans,” The Citadel: So Spake Martin, Nov 16 2000.
http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/1261.
12
Ibid.
13
“Correspondence with Fans,” The Citadel: So Spake Martin, Aug 15 2001.
http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Category/C91/P90
.
14
Ibid.
15
Jesse Scoble, “A Sword without a Hilt: The Dangers of Magic in (and to) Westeros,”
Beyond the Wall: Exploring George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire, From A Game of Thrones to A Dance with Dragons
. (USA: BenBella Books, Inc., 2012). Kindle Edition, Kindle Locations 2056-2060.
16
Valerie Estelle Frankel,
From Girl to Goddess: The Heroine’s Journey through Myth and Legend
(Jefferson, NC: McFarland and Co., 2010), 124.
17
Correspondence with Fans,” The Citadel: So Spake Martin, June 3 2000.
http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Category/C91/P180
.
18
Correspondence with Fans,” The Citadel: So Spake Martin, Mar 26 2002.
http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Category/C91/P60
).
19
John King,
The Celtic Druids’ Year
(USA: Sterling Publishing Co., 1994), 20-21.
20
P.W. Joyce,
A Social History of Ancient Ireland
(London, 1903), i. 236; MacCulloch,
The Religion of the Ancient Celts
, (Edinburgh: T. and T. Clark, 1911), 201.
21
J. A. MacCulloch,
The Religion of the Ancient Celts
, 198.
22
P.W. Joyce, “The Man-Wolves of Ossory,”
The Wonders of Ireland
(1911).
http://www.libraryireland.com/Wonders/Man-Wolves.php
.
23
Correspondence with Fans,” The Citadel: So Spake Martin, Feb 12 2001.
http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Category/C91/P120
.
24
MacCulloch,
The Religion of the Ancient Celts
, 309-310.
25
Ibid. 178.
26
Correspondence with Fans,” The Citadel: So Spake Martin, June 3 2000.
http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Category/C91/P180/
27
MacCulloch,
The Religion of the Ancient Celts
, 203-204.
28
O. Nigosian,
The Zoroastrian Faith: Tradition and Modern Research
(Canada: McGill-Queens University Press, 2003), 21.
29
Mary Boyce,
Zoroastrians: Their Religious Beliefs and Practices
(London: Routledge & Kegan, 1979), 14.
30
King,
The Celtic Druids’ Year
, 21.
31
Nigosian,
The Zoroastrian Faith
, 8.
32
Paul Carus,
History of the Devil
(USA: Open Court, 1900), 58.
The Sacred Texts Archive
.
http://www.sacred-texts.com/evil/hod/index.htm
.
33
“Correspondence with Fans,” The Citadel: So Spake Martin, Aug 15 2001.
http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Category/C91/P90
34
Bale’s Chronicle
, qtd. in Helen Castor,
She-Wolves: The Women Who Ruled England before Elizabeth
(New York: Harper, 2011), 345.
35
“Correspondence with Fans,” The Citadel: So Spake Martin, Aug 15 2001.
http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Category/C91/P90
36
Josh Roberts, “Game of Thrones’ Exclusive! George R.R. Martin Talks Season Two, ‘The Winds of Winter,’ and Real-World Influences for ‘A Song of Ice and Fire,’”
Smarter Travel
, April 1, 2012.
http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/today-in-travel/game-of-thrones-exclusive-george-martin-talks-season-the-winds-of-winter-and-real-world-influences-for-song-of-ice-and-fire.html?id=10593041
.
37
“A Very Long Interview with George R.R. Martin.”
38
Ibid.
39
Christine de Pizan,
Le Livre des Trois Vertus
, trans. Garay and Jeay (Paris: H. Champion, 1989), 139-147.
http://mw.mcmaster.ca/scriptorium/cdpizan2.html
.
40
Cyte of Ladyes
sig. ff iv, qtd. in Diane Bornstein,
The Lady in the Tower: Medieval Courtesy Literature for Women
(Hamden, Connecticut; Archon Books, 1983), 69.
41
John Carmi Parsons “The Queen’s Intercession in Thirteenth-Century England,”
Power of the Weak: Studies on Medieval Women
, eds. Jennifer Carpenter and Sally-Beth MacLean (Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 1995), 147.
42
“Louise Labé”
Encyclopedia of Women in the Renaissance: Italy, France, and England
, eds. Diana Maury Robin, Anne R. Larsen, and Carole Levin (USA: ABC-CLEO, 2007), 195-198.
43
“A Very Long Interview with George R.R. Martin.”
44
Ashmole, Elias.
The Institutions, Laws, & Ceremonies of the Most Noble Order of the Garter
(London, by J. Macock, for Nathanael Brooke, 1672), Ch. 3, sect. 3.
45
H. E. Cardinale,
Orders of Knighthood, Awards and the Holy See
(UK: Van Duren, 1983), 214-215.
46
Castor,
She-Wolves
31.
47
Ibid., 28.
48
Ibid., 127.
49
“A Very Long Interview with George R.R. Martin.”
50
Ibid.
51
Ralph of Diceto qtd. in Castor,
She-Wolves
195.
52
Eleanor of Aquitaine, qtd in Castor,
She-Wolves
209.
53
Jean Froissart,
Chroniques: Livre I, Le manuscrit d’Amiens, Bibliothèque municipale no. 486
, ed. George T. Diller, trans. Helen Nicholson (1999).
http://freespace.virgin.net/nigel.nicholson/wom5.htm
.
54
Christine de Pizan,
Le Livre des Trois Vertus
, qtd in Bornstein, Diane.
The Lady in the Tower: Medieval Courtesy Literature for Women
. Hamden, Connecticut; Archon Books, 1983. 106.)
55
Judith Cook,
Pirate Queen: The Life of Grace O’Malley, 1530-1603
(USA: Mercier Press Ltd, 2004), 35.
56
Jessica Amanda Salmonson,
The Encyclopedia of Amazons
(New York: Paragon House, 1991), 258.
57
Ibid., 258.
58
Laura Prudom, “Game Of Thrones’ Season 3: George R. R. Martin On Writing ‘The Bear And The Maiden Fair’ And ‘The Winds Of Winter,’”
Huffington Post
, Mar 20 2013.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/20/game-of-thrones-season-3-george-r-r-martin_n_2915069.html
59
“George R. R. Martin Webchat Transcript.”
Empire Magazine
.
http://www.empireonline.com/interviews/interview.asp?IID=1496
60
James Hibberd, “EW Interview: George R.R. Martin talks ‘A Dance With Dragons,’”
EW.com
, July 12 2011.
http://shelf-life.ew.com/2011/07/12/george-martin-talks-a-dance-with-dragons
.
61
Prudom, “Game Of Thrones’ Season 3.”
62
Correspondence with Fans,” The Citadel: So Spake Martin, June 3 2000.
http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Category/C91/P180
.