Game of Thrones..... coolthentic?

[Simon Atford]

After all Westeros doesn't exist andd therefore who knows whar armour they would wear or weapons they would wield. .

Or, indeed, what form their indiginous edible tubers might take.

For the record my comment about potatoes was merely intended as trainspottery observation. I just find it interesting what fantasy authors choose to include and not include in the worlds they create. I suppose on face of it anyway spuds are unlikely to change the course of history in the way that gunpowder would. The irony is that gunpowder appeared in Europe centuries before potoatoes. Truth stranger than fiction?

[Medicus Matt]

For the record my comment about potatoes was merely intended as trainspottery observation.

I know, I'm just bored.

I just find it interesting what fantasy authors choose to include and not include in the worlds they create.

But all modern fantasy authors (especially those whose worldmaking follows a vague 'olden times' model) are influenced by JRRT, who wrote about spuds in LOTR (although they many not have been indiginous and may have originally been brought over from Valinor in the First Age by the elves....Telperion and Laurelin being really, really big potato plants....as ani fule no).

[Simon Atford]

But all modern fantasy authors (especially those whose worldmaking follows a vague 'olden times' model) are influenced by JRRT, who wrote about spuds in LOTR (although they many not have been indiginous and may have originally been brought over from Valinor in the First Age by the elves....Telperion and Laurelin being really, really big potato plants....as ani fule no).

As well spuds Tolkien also writes about tobbaco (pipe weed) which appears to be idigenous to the Shire. The Hobbits of Middle Earth have always struck me as being very advanced in many ways. Tolkien also mentions postmen and they live in quite comfortable houses. Probbally down to the lack of warfare. Compare and contrast the Shire with Rohan with its mead halls and burial mounds.

[ForTheMarshal]

Tangent: Thats a point - he doesn't mention hobbit funeral rites, does he? Just thought about it as you mentioned the Rohirrim burial mounds, and there's reference to Gondorian customs (and Numenorian) elsewhere in his work.

[Dave B]

I find Robin Hood-Prince of Theives great fun.

I don't. I think it's awful.

Not because of the history, because of that awful Bryan Adams song that was on the radio almost non stop for most of 91.

On the bright side it contributed to my general knowledge by turning me away from music radio to Radio 4.

[Simon Atford]

Tangent: Thats a point - he doesn't mention hobbit funeral rites, does he? Just thought about it as you mentioned the Rohirrim burial mounds, and there's reference to Gondorian customs (and Numenorian) elsewhere in his work.

They've probbally got a little cemetary somewhere. Something like a country church yard.

I find Robin Hood-Prince of Theives great fun.

I don't. I think it's awful.

Not because of the history, because of that awful Bryan Adams song that was on the radio almost non stop for most of 91.

On the bright side it contributed to my general knowledge by turning me away from music radio to Radio 4.

I had to go the cinema twice to see all of it as the first time some silly sod phoned a bomb scare into the "Irish" pub next door to the cinema (The old Cannon in Bath)

[Medicus Matt]

They've probbally got a little cemetary somewhere. Something like a country church yard.

Handed over to the Gamgees for mulching into the allotments I reckon.
Although the 19 that died in the Battle of Bywater were "layed together in a grave on the hill-side, where later a great stone was set up with a garden around it".
Whereas the 70 dead ruffians were tossed into a nearby sand-pit.

I had to go the cinema twice to see all of it

Because what you saw first time around was good enough for you to want to go back for the rest?

[Marcus Woodhouse]

Dave. I cannot be standing that fecking song either. Still in life you have to take the rough with the smooth.

[Brendan C]

Have read all the books, and am increasingly annoyed at the fact that I cannot afford to subscribe to Sky Atlantic to watch series 2

And already HBO have announced that there will be a third series

Brendan C

[gregory23b]

"After all Westeros doesn't exist andd therefore who knows whar armour they would wear or weapons they would wield. "

That is not the point, if you use use language that we generally agree means a certain thing, then you mislead by accident or intent. A brigandine is a brigandine, as a horse is a horse, we would not debate his meaning of what a horse is would we? Thing is, he evidently does not know what a brig is (by way of example) and thinks that studded leather is somehow useful - fine, but coincidentally so do many people who have 'knowledge' of the middle ages etc.

I enjoyed the books immensely, but had to stop gagging at the pseudo medieval stuff as it simply panders to the stereotypical view, all the other mystical stuff and shagging is great stuff, I lapped it up, bring on the dragons and iron throne I say. Maybe it draws too much on the perceived middle ages, rather than going the full hog I guess.

MInd, the above is nothing compared to a book about the Mongols and the potatoes in the stew ----- historic fiction based on real events, wow.

[Simon Atford]

They've probbally got a little cemetary somewhere. Something like a country church yard.

Handed over to the Gamgees for mulching into the allotments I reckon.
Although the 19 that died in the Battle of Bywater were "layed together in a grave on the hill-side, where later a great stone was set up with a garden around it".
Whereas the 70 dead ruffians were tossed into a nearby sand-pit.

And serves 'em right too Although Tolkien does mention funeral rites he gives no details of the 'religions' of Middle Earth. Something to do with his deeply held Catholic faith and also the reason he talked about "sub-creation" with regards to his wrld. Only God can truly create you see.

I had to go the cinema twice to see all of it

Because what you saw first time around was good enough for you to want to go back for the rest?

Well I had to see the end didn't I? In my defence I was only 15 and wouldn't start re-enacting for another couple of years.

"After all Westeros doesn't exist andd therefore who knows whar armour they would wear or weapons they would wield. "

That is not the point, if you use use language that we generally agree means a certain thing, then you mislead by accident or intent. A brigandine is a brigandine, as a horse is a horse, we would not debate his meaning of what a horse is would we? Thing is, he evidently does not know what a brig is (by way of example) and thinks that studded leather is somehow useful - fine, but coincidentally so do many people who have 'knowledge' of the middle ages etc.

Sounds like he did alot of his research in old D&D manuals to me

I enjoyed the books immensely, but had to stop gagging at the pseudo medieval stuff as it simply panders to the stereotypical view, all the other mystical stuff and shagging is great stuff, I lapped it up, bring on the dragons and iron throne I say. Maybe it draws too much on the perceived middle ages, rather than going the full hog I guess.

At least he's trying for a medieval or pseudo medieval feel. Too much American fantasy is based on American history and myth except with swords instead six guns. Even Robert E. Howard lost me when he pitted Conan against Injuns disguised as Picts.

Agree about the mystical stuff and shagging

MInd, the above is nothing compared to a book about the Mongols and the potatoes in the stew ----- historic fiction based on real events, wow.

Unforgivable! Who wrote that then?

[gregory23b]

"Unforgivable! Who wrote that then?"

Recent publication, last couple of years. Part of a series, great read, but I choked on my tubers, didn't mar the story to be fair.

[Medicus Matt]

Conn Iggulden?

[Simon Atford]

Hope not. He should know better with Dangerous Book Boys etc. Every school boy knows that spuds and (and ciggies) were brought over from America by Walter Raliegh on his bicycle

[Simon Atford]

It occurs to me after this week's episode that any claiment of the various noble houses of Westeros want to secure their position they should try something really radical like conceiving an heir without resorting to incest or threesomes with the queen's brother

[Marcus Woodhouse]

You are both too conventional AND have no understanding of the history of Westeros!
For a thousand years incest was best for the Iron Throne. Why break with tradition?

[Simon Atford]

Exactly! That's why it would be radical.