10 Game Of Thrones Moments Ripped Off From History

3. The Wall Exists

Westeros is a sprawling land full of rolling countryside, major cities, hills, farms, mountains, and a substantial coastline. It has a politically-charged capital, and a 'Narrow Sea' separating it from foreign lands. It's Britain. If you need any more convincing that Westeros is based on our beloved island, take a look at Hadrian's Wall. Romans built the structure from sea to sea in order to keep the invading Scots away (have you noticed the amount of ginger wildlings, by the way?) Martin confirmed the inspiration: "Certainly the Wall comes from Hadrian's Wall, which I saw while visiting Scotland. I stood on Hadrian's Wall and tried to imagine what it would be like to be a Roman soldier sent here from Italy or Antioch. To stand here, to gaze off into the distance, not knowing what might emerge from the forest. "Of course fantasy is the stuff of bright colours and being larger than real life, so my Wall is bigger and considerably longer and more magical. And, of course, what lies beyond it has to be more than just Scots."