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History programmes show that Game of Thrones isn't so OTT after all

For some telly-dons 'sexed up' will always mean 'dumbed down', but that doesn't mean a GoT-influenced view of medieval life is inaccurate

Ellen E. Jones
Friday 05 December 2014 01:00 GMT
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'Game of Thrones' writer George RR Martin has long acknowledged the debt he owes to medieval history
'Game of Thrones' writer George RR Martin has long acknowledged the debt he owes to medieval history

Old Sarum is the name of the site in Wiltshire where archeologists have found the remains of a huge royal palace, previously forgotten to history. For any Game of Thrones fan, it's near impossible to look at the artist's rendering of this 12th century structure and not think of the three-dimensional maps of castles, forts and cathedrals used in the HBO show’s title sequence. Writer George R. R. Martin has long acknowledged the debt of influence Game of Thrones owes to medieval history. It’s only more recently, however, that his series has begun to return the favour.

BBC2 is currently three episodes in to Secrets of The Castle, in which the costumed historian Ruth Goodman bears a passing resemblance to Catelyn Stark. On BBC4, Castles: Britain’s Fortified History will be hoping to benefit from the interest fictional locations like Winterfell, Harrenhal and Castle Black have generated in medieval military architecture and Britain’s Bloodiest Dynasty, the new Channel 5 series, is even more explicit about this connection. “The Plantagenet story is more shocking, more brutal and more astonishing than anything you’ll find in Game of Thrones,” boasts presenter Dan Jones.

Those who saw BBC2’s more staid series The Plantagenets earlier this year, will know that history programmes aren’t always eager to draw parallels with fiction - and with good reason. There’s a danger that the demand for exciting TV entertainment will supercede their duty to the historical truth. For some telly-dons ‘sexed up’ will always mean ‘dumbed down’, but does that mean a GoT-influenced view of medieval life is inaccurate? Not necessarily. In fact, these lives may have been more intrigue-filled than we’d previously realised. Only this week, scientists studying the DNA of the last Plantagenet king, Richard III, found evidence of illegitimate birth and infidelity in the line leading back to Edward III.

The fantasy drama Game of Thrones is no replacement for real history, of course, but if it helps to make programming about the past more accessible, that’s no bad thing. Especially since the drama of Game of Thrones can help us grasp the spirt of a different time in a way which documentary can’t. GoT is famous for its gruesome battle scenes, and as all the historians reiterate, the ever-present threat of violence and death was one of the defining features of the medieval period. The notorious ‘Red Wedding’ scene in series three is shocking, but it’s nothing compared to The Black Dinner (circa 1440), one of several real-life massacres which inspired it. So if you think GoT is OTT, it might be time to brush up on your history.

'Fast Show' star’s life of Brian rocks

Here’s a stocking filler for the TV comedy fan in your life: Comedy and Error, the surprisingly dark 2012 memoir by comedian Simon Day. Day is still best-known for his characters on The Fast Show (Essex eco-warrior Dave Angel was my favourite), so his return to our screens on BBC4 next week is occasion enough for a mini-retrospective.

After a troubled adolescence, featuring periods of homeless and a Borstal sentence for theft, Day got his big break when he took a job in fireplace shop. The premises above happened to be used as office space by comedians Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer, who soon recognised his talent. His work with them, and later on The Fast Show, led to the sadly under-watched gem that is Grass, a 2003 sitcom about south London pub-know-it-all who goes into witness protection. It’s been a while, but web-series turned rock mockumentary Brian Pern: A Life in Rock (BBC2, Tuesday, 10pm) is proof that Simon Day is at the top of his game.

CATCH UP

The Legacy

What, no murder mystery? For fans Scandanavia’s most famous TV exports the synopsis of Sky Arts’ new Danish drama The Legacy may sound unpromising: eccentric artist leaves adult children to fight it out over her will. But two episodes in and we’re already hooked on characters like Gro (played by Trine Dyrholm). Her jumpers aren’t bad either.

http://go.sky.com/

Honey I Bought The House

Watch’s new lifestyle show is Don’t Tell The Bride meets Location, Location, Location with spiced up by the current vogue for property price panic. First-time buyers, Charley and Chris will be given the deposit money for their home - but there’s a catch. Lackadaisical Chris must do all the viewing on his own, while type A organiser Charley can only sit back and watch.

http://watch.uktv.co.uk/shows/honey-i-bought-house/

The Fall, BBC iPlayer

Allan Cubitt’s serial killer drama often makes for uncomfortable viewing, but it’s never less than thrilling. This week’s episode combined these thrills with some more reflective scenes. We learnt more about what motivates Paul Spector (Jamie Dornan) to kill, while the mystery that is DSI Stella Gibson (Gillian Anderson) only deepened. What could she possible want with that handsome young detective?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0295tyq

Better Call Saul: No Parking, You Tube

Several teaser trailers for the Breaking Bad spin off Better Call Saul have already been released, but this is the first one which lasts longer than about 10 seconds. Ever wondered how lawyer Saul Goodman first encountered lovable P.I Mike Erhmantraut (Jonathan Banks)? It was during a road rage incident at a parking lot, apparently, and Saul definitely came off the worst.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4S_ArjuZUnU

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