Gone Medieval – Game of Thrones: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

Podcast: Gone Medieval (History Hit)
Host: Matt Lewis with Dr. Eleanor Janega (co-host)
Guest Expert: Dr. Hugh Docherty, Lecturer in Medieval History and historical consultant for "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms"
Release Date: February 20, 2026

Episode Overview

This special episode of Gone Medieval dives into the newest Game of Thrones TV spinoff, "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms." Host Matt Lewis and historian Dr. Eleanor Janega explore how the world of Westeros draws upon late medieval history, especially its politics, social structures, and the age-old concept of chivalry. Later, Matt brings in Dr. Hugh Docherty, who served as a historical consultant for the show, to examine authenticity and the ways medieval reality and fantasy intersect. The panel also considers why "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" might be the most accurate medieval adaptation yet, even amidst dragons and magic.

Main Themes and Discussion Points

1. Game of Thrones and Real Medieval Foundations

• (03:16) Blending History and Fantasy:

  • Matt and Eleanor discuss how George R.R. Martin took inspiration from historical events, like the Wars of the Roses (for Game of Thrones) and the Anarchy (for House of the Dragon).
  • Matt: “It’s really clear to see where George R.R. Martin is wrapping these things up in Game of Thrones in the Wars of the Roses, for example.”
  • Characters and cultures in Westeros are often composites of real historic figures or societies (e.g., the Dothraki resemble Mongols).

• (04:47) Dragons and Medieval Symbolism:

  • Discussion of how dragons serve as both actual creatures and an allegory for royal power—linking them to historic symbolism (e.g., Henry VII’s Red Dragon).
  • Eleanor: “What is interesting here is how much medieval people would find that recognizable...the idea that there is more behind the power of a ruler than just the violence.”

2. Chivalry, Magic, and Medieval Worldviews

• (05:14) Medieval Views on Magic and Power:

  • The hosts delve into how medieval audiences would interpret the presence of magic—recognizing its double-edged nature and familiarity with stories of revenants, miracles, and demons.
  • Matt: “Medieval stories of revenants and things like that...would not be alien to a medieval audience.”

• (06:44) Westeros as a Mirror of Medieval Europe:

  • The structure of the Seven Kingdoms echoes medieval England’s regional divides.
  • The Iron Islands are likened to “recently devikingized” cultures.

3. Politics, Women, and Social Complexity

• (07:18, 08:07) Slow-Burn Politics & Female Agency:

  • Praise for the show’s commitment to "the long game" of medieval politics and the prominent role of women’s influence.
  • Eleanor: “The average person can deal with complexity, can deal with layered ways of thinking...The success of Game of Thrones really shows that people are willing to sit through political world-building.”

• (09:19) Historical Realism—Character Fate:

  • The show’s willingness to kill off key characters (e.g., Ned Stark) echoes the unpredictability of real history.
  • Matt: “You have no control over when those people manage to get themselves killed or die...That made me think, okay, this is something really different.”

4. Tournament Culture and Knightly Values

• (13:35; 16:18) The Setting of "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms":

  • The series is situated at a point analogous to late 14th/early 15th-century England—a stable but precarious society.
  • Tournaments serve as both spectacle and social leveler—a blend of chaos and ritual, evoking real medieval melees and pageantry.
  • Matt: “The way that they have those...rows of lists where knights are charging at each other...feels much more like a Tudor tournament, but a lot less organized.”

• (17:46) Parallels to William Marshal:

  • Ser Duncan the Tall’s journey mirrors real knights like William Marshal: physically imposing, of humble origins, skilled at forging alliances, and striving for fortune through tournaments.
  • Eleanor: “We've got the physicality, the tallness...He's just sort of rolling the dice and seeing where he can go.”

Historical Consultant’s Insights (w/ Dr. Hugh Docherty, 21:15–47:13)

1. Authenticity and Texture in Medieval Worlds

• (21:15–23:29)

  • Dr. Docherty praises the show’s attention to the “texture” of medieval life, noting the detailed portrayal of tournaments, the economics of knighthood, and chivalric values.
  • Dr. Docherty: “Knight of the Seven Kingdoms makes you think about the exercise of power, about knightly virtue, about tournaments...I think it’s never been done like this. That’s utterly gripping for me.”

• (23:29–26:35) Complex Values:

  • Explores the contradictions of chivalric culture: upholding noble ideals while compromising or acting hypocritically.
  • Real knights, like Geoffrey de Charny, were martyred by living those ideals to their literal end.

• (26:53–30:44) Would Real Medieval People Recognize Westeros?

  • Both knightly audiences and literary writers from the Middle Ages would, Docherty argues, recognize their world in HBO’s version: “...part of a conversation that’s been happening for a very long time.”

2. Behind the Scenes as a Consultant

• (31:07–34:25)

  • Docherty recounts being recruited for projects, and the importance of tact and understanding creative vision when advising directors and designers.
  • He’s consulted on films from “Snow White and the Huntsman” to “Maleficent” and even Marvel movies, usually with a focus on warfare, etiquette, and military logic.

• (34:40–36:32)

  • Most film sets will have a historical consultant, a military advisor, weapons experts, and horse masters. Collaboration is key to authenticity.
  • Anecdote: The “most accurate battle scene” was judged, by a weapons master, to be the street fight in "Bridget Jones's Diary" for its “two posh twits” realism.

3. The Realities of Medieval Violence and Culture

• (38:43–40:56)

  • Matt recalls how films like “The King” accurately depicted the chaos and fatigue of real combat—actors genuinely struggled during the muddy Agincourt scenes, echoing historical accounts.

• (41:08–43:11)

  • Docherty seeks to correct misconceptions: medieval society was not all violent bravado; etiquette, generosity, and women’s agency were vital parts of knightly culture.
  • Women often participated in tournaments—notably Alice Perrers, who led knights into the lists.

• (43:11–45:02)

  • Film and TV are powerful tools for reshaping our perception of the Middle Ages and inspiring new generations of historians, even if some purists object.

• (45:15–47:13)

  • Docherty reveals “Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” has rekindled his enthusiasm for onscreen medievalism, describing the series as “utterly gripping.”
  • He mentions the potential of the Hundred Years War for further adaptation, inspired by Jonathan Sumption’s work.

Final Reflections

Why Medievalists Love "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms"

(47:29–51:14)

• Eleanor:
  “If you are interested in medieval history, this is sort of the closest you can get to a big costume drama that is going to hit all of the notes that I expect to see in an actual medieval world. It's the level of detail that I really enjoy...how the costumes are made, how the tents look...And, okay, yeah, there are dragons. But I do think that this is also a good nod to the magicality that the ordinary medieval person has live in their heart right now.”

• Matt:
  “By setting it in a tournament, it kind of condenses this atmosphere in which all of the various layers of society are there...People like Ser Duncan is kind of moving between the highest and the lowest echelons within society all packed into this tournament environment.”

• Eleanor:
  “I do like that you get to see ordinary people. You get to see the sex workers, you get to see the blacksmiths...So it's nice to have attention paid to the fact that this is an inevitable part of any society and that it's not just Richtoffs hanging out in throne rooms drinking wine. You know, someone's doing all the work around here.”

• On Historical Fantasy vs. Historical Drama:

  • Both hosts emphasize that shows like "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" are sometimes more historically true-to-life than “historical” dramas, because they embrace fantasy but remain deeply informed by real history.
  • Eleanor: “If you want to know about the medieval period, I would rather that you watch Night of the Seven Kingdoms any day more than Braveheart because it's actually more accurate.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Eleanor (04:16):
  “The minute the Dothraki were introduced, and I was like, it's Mongols. It's Mongols!”

• Matt (09:19):
  “That made me think, okay, this is something really different…”

• Dr. Docherty (21:29):
  “I think texture is all. Knight of the Seven Kingdoms makes you think about the exercise of power, about knightly virtue, about tournaments, the business of tournaments. I think it's very thought provoking...”

• Dr. Docherty (43:11):
  “If it inspires, even in the smallest way, an interest in the long millennium that we inaccurately describe as the Middle Ages, I think that is a wonderful thing.”

• Eleanor (50:57):
  “It's actually, I think, more helpful a lot of times. If you want to know about the medieval period, I would rather that you watch Night of the Seven Kingdoms any day more than Braveheart because it's actually more accurate.”

Key Timestamps for Segments

• 03:08 – Start of historical discussion: Game of Thrones & real history
• 13:00 – Placing "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" in its medieval context
• 16:18 – Tournaments, chaos, and knightly society
• 21:15 – Interview with Dr. Hugh Docherty begins (consulting, authenticity, values)
• 26:53 – Would real medieval knights recognize Westeros?
• 34:40 – Behind-the-scenes anecdotes of historical consulting
• 38:43 – Cinema realism in depicting medieval violence
• 41:08 – Disputing medieval stereotypes and emphasizing women’s roles
• 47:29 – Final reflections and why the series is valuable to medievalists

Takeaways for Listeners

• "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" stands out for its authentic evocation of the medieval world—socially and culturally—even within a fantasy universe.
• The series presents nuanced depictions of both high-stakes politics and everyday medieval life, appealing to both medieval history buffs and fantasy fans.
• Consulting with medieval historians ensures that the world feels believable and immersive, from tournaments to etiquette to the complex values that shaped real medieval societies.
• Despite its dragons and magic, the series offers a truer sense of history than many traditional "historical" dramas.
• The continued popularity of Game of Thrones and its spinoffs is inspiring a new generation to engage with real medieval history, debunking old stereotypes and opening productive conversations.