World of A Song of Ice and Fire

Lore & Background

The first inhabitants of Westeros were the Children of the Forest, a nature-worshipping Stone Age species. Later, the First Men migrated from Essos via a land bridge, leading to a war settled by the Pact, beginning the Age of Heroes. Eight thousand years before the novels, the Others emerged from the far north during the Long Night, and the Children and First Men built the Wall to bar passage. Later, the Andals invaded from Essos, bringing the Faith of the Seven, and over time seven feudal kingdoms were forged. Three hundred years before the novels, Aegon the Conqueror and his sister-wives invaded with dragons, subduing six kingdoms and building the Iron Throne. House Targaryen ruled for almost three centuries until overthrown by Robert Baratheon in 283 AC.

Reader's Guide

The world of A Song of Ice and Fire is significant as the setting for George R. R. Martin's epic fantasy series, which has become a cultural phenomenon. Its detailed geography, political complexity, and history of conquest and rebellion provide a rich backdrop for the narrative. The world's erratic seasons and the presence of magic, though largely disbelieved by characters, create a unique atmosphere of uncertainty and impending doom. Martin drew inspiration from medieval European history, including the Hundred Years' War and the Wars of the Roses, to craft a realistic feudal society. The maps of the world, published in the books and as a set called The Lands of Ice and Fire, are intentionally vague about scale to discourage prediction of travel times.

Did You Know?

• The planet experiences erratic seasons of unpredictable duration that can last for many years.
• The Wall is a massive man-made ice wall 700 feet in height and spanning 300 miles from coast to coast.
• The name Westeros was taken from the Scottish region Wester Ross.