If you're a history buff, you already know that there's plenty of real-world parallels in 'Game Of Thrones' from European history.
For example, the Starks and the Lannisters were based partially on the Yorks and the Lancasters and their civil wars in England, collectively known as the War of the Roses. The Red Wedding was based in part on the Black Dinner, a key event in Scottish history that saw the 6th Earl of Douglas and his younger brother beheaded in a mock trial following a dinner at a castle.
One prevailing theory, however, is that 'Game Of Thrones' isn't really about any of these things, but is actually a cautionary tale on climate change. The White Walkers are the embodiment of climate disaster and the warring between the different houses is a distraction against something that's going to destroy them all equally.
In an interview with the New York Times, George RR Martin spoke about the theory and has admitted that it's definitely been on his mind. "It's kind of ironic because I started writing Game of Thrones all the way back in 1991, long before anybody was talking about climate change," said Martin."
"But there is - in a very broad sense - there's a certain parallel there. And the people in Westeros are fighting their individual battles over power and status and wealth. And those are so distracting them that they're ignoring the threat of 'winter is coming,' which has the potential to destroy all of them and to destroy their world."
Well, that's comforting.
