George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire novels and HBO's Game of Thrones series depict a medieval world at war. But how accurate are they? The author, an historian and medieval martial arts expert, examines in detail how authentically Martin's fictional world reflects the arms and armor, fighting techniques and siege warfare of the Middle Ages. Along the way, he explores the concept of "medievalism"--modern pop culture's idea of the Middle Ages.

History professor, fencing master and jouster Ken Mondschein is the author of several books on medieval and Renaissance martial arts. He lives in Northampton, Massachusetts, and is a Visiting Fellow at the Massachusetts Center for Renaissance Studies.

Table of Contents


Acknowledgments

Timeline

Introduction

1.¿No True Knights: Chivalry in Myth and the Middle Ages

2.¿A Good Way to Survive a Battle: Armor in Westeros

3.¿Dragonsteel and Wildfire: Weapons in Westeros

4.¿"Stick them with the pointy end": Fighting Arts in Westeros and the Middle Ages

5.¿The Wager of Battle: War, Duels and Tournaments

6.¿Down and Out in Westeros: The Economics of Feudal Warfare

7.¿Women Warriors of Westeros

8.¿Words and Swords: Conquest and Culture

9.¿A Medieval Atrocity Sourcebook

Chapter Notes

Further Reading

Index