“Game of Thrones” is popular now that it’s a successful TV series, and I’ve seen that a lot of fans have questions about the backstory. The problem is that going onto the A Song of Ice and Fire websites risks spoiling the many twists and turns of the plot. Since I’ve been been a fan of the series for mumblemumble years, I’m going to do my best to answer!
[Editor: While we’re trying to avoiding spoiling anyone, beware that these answers might spoil you if you’re not up to date on the series! Proceed with caution. -Pamela]
View Spoiler »What happened to Ned Stark’s brother and father?Bad stuff. The “Mad King” (father to Viserys and Daenerys, the blond ones) killed them. He burned them as traitors, but I won’t give specifics until Jaime says more about it on the show.
What happened to Ned Stark’s sister, Lyanna? Why does Robert mope over her?
Robert was supposed to marry Lyanna. She disappeared, presumably abducted by Prince Rheagar Targaryen (Viserys and Daenerys’s older brother). Robert fought a war over her, killed the crown prince, but she died. Then he had to marry Cersei instead, so you can see it’s a downgrade.
Did Jaime Lannister kill the previous king?
Yes, Jaime Lannister killed the “Mad King.” Since he’s in the Kingsguard–a group of knights devoted to protecting the king–this was viewed as a particularly heinous oath-breaking (something Ned Stark can’t abide). It earned him the nickname “Kingslayer.”
So… how did Viserys and Daenerys escape the fate of their brother and father?
The “Mad King” was very suspicious of everyone. His pregnant wife and younger son were held at a different Targaryen stronghold. The Queen gave birth (and died doing so), then Viserys and his infant sister were spirited away into exile by Targaryen loyalists. Poor Daenerys was left to be raised by Viserys alone; sucks for her.
Umm… The incest thing? Is that normal?
Much like some real-life dynasties the Targaryens often intermarried. Daenerys expected she would wed Viserys. Among “normal” people it is not; the Faith of the Seven views it as a sin. It would be very bad if Jaime and Cersei’s relationship got out, hence the need to push little boys out of windows.
Did Catelyn say she worshiped different gods than the Starks?
Yes. There were three “invasions” of Westeros. The first was by the aptly named “First Men” who integrated with the natives. They worship the “Old Gods” and pray in “godswoods.” The second invasion was by the Andals, who worship deities called “The Seven.” (Seven aspects of one god: Father, Mother, Maiden, Crone, Warrior, Smith/worker and Stranger/death.) The Old Gods are sort of pagan-like and the Faith of Seven is more like the Catholic Church–except that the “High Septon” doesn’t have the power of a medieval Pope. The third would be the invasion of the Targaryens, who made the Seven Kingdoms into one realm. They are outsiders to both faiths.
Of course, not everyone is faithful to their gods. I think that goes almost without saying.
What does “Winter” mean in the context of the series?
Seasons are not “regularly scheduled” in Westeros. For example, on the show, they have said that this Summer has lasted nine years. No one knows how long they will last. This is obviously bad for planning your harvest, but there is an added “magical” danger in the “White Walkers” (also known as “The Others” in the book series). It’s unclear if Winter brings the Others or if the Others bring Winter, but they come together. And the longer the Winter, the stronger the supernatural threat.
What are the “White Walkers”? Zombies?
Yes and no. The White Walkers themselves are some unknown mystical evil force. They have the power to raise cold, dead things (human and animal, called “Wights”) to their cause. (This was seen in the first episode when the young Wildling girl was zombiefied.) They are the true reason the First Men built the Wall and started the Night’s Watch, but the White Walkers have not been seen for centuries–the Winters have not been long enough–and the Watch has fallen into disrepair.
What are “Wildlings”?
Wildlings is the name Westerosi people have given to the people who live beyond the Wall. (They call themselves the “Free Folk” since they don’t swear allegiance to any king.)
Changing the name of “The Others” to “The White Walkers” (presumably due to Lost) has the unfortunate side effect of making it easy to confuse the two Ws. But the Wildlings are just people. And like all people, they can be either good or bad. Or both.
Who is Jon Snow’s mother?
HA! The internet will supply you with plenty of answers to this question, but they are all speculation. For now it is Ned’s secret. « Hide Spoiler
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