A book newly acquired by the Thammasat University Library points to how popular television series can inspire students to learn more about history. Game of Thrones and the Medieval Art of War is shelved in the General Stacks of the Pridi Banomyong Library. It is about Game of Thrones, the American fantasy drama television series which has been called the most popular program in the world today. The series is set in medieval Europe. As TU students in the Faculty of History know, the medieval era in Europe, also known as the Middle Ages, is defined as being from the 400s CE to around 1400 CE. The Middle Ages separate ancient history from modern times. The TU Library owns several books about medieval history, culture, and thought.
These books are useful for understanding Game of Thrones, since George R.R. Martin, the author of the novels the series is based on, has explained that he was trying to create historical fiction more than fantasy. That means that Game of Thrones does not mainly feature magicians, but instead focuses on warfare and battles. The TU Library also owns DVDs of the series, as well as translations into Thai language of the original novels. The series may be viewed at the Rewat Buddhinan Media Center of the Pridi Banomyong Library, U2 level, Tha Prachan campus. Game of Thrones is set in the imaginary continents of Westeros and Essos. Many noble families fight with one another for power and influence. This means that the series is unusually violent, with many characters killed in each episode. According to one count, an average of 14 characters are murdered in each show, and some viewers have complained about the violence and other upsetting aspects of the show, which is not for people who like to watch calm and relaxing series. The Nation newspaper published an article last year explaining how extremely violent the show is:
One of the darkest and most controversial primetime series ever made, it has been the target of criticism over the years for senseless violence…
The author of Game of Thrones and the Medieval Art of War is Dr. Ken Mondschein. Dr. Mondschein earned a Ph.D. in history from Fordham University, New York, USA. Before then, he received an MA degree in history from Boston University, Massachusetts, and a BA degree in history and classics from the State University of New York at Buffalo. One of his specialities as a historian is historical fencing, also known as historical European martial arts (HEMA). Dr. Mondschein has translated several historical fencing treatises, including one originally published in the 1500s in Italy. It may be borrowed by interlibrary loan. He also teaches fencing privately in Massachusetts. This in-depth understanding of one of the basic elements of medieval warfare helps Dr. Mondschein to describe the events at battles many years ago. As athletic-minded TU students know, the Thammasat University Fencing Club is an active organization, winning six medals at the 45th Thailand University Games 2018 in January.
Among academic subjects dealt with in Game of Thrones and the Medieval Art of War are armour, weaponry, swordplay, economics, women fighters, and culture. There is also extensive discussion of chivalry, the medieval system of religious, moral, and social behavior for knights, noblemen, and horsemen. Students who are more familiar with the Japanese samurai code of Bushido may find it useful to compare it to chivalry as the knightly code of ethics in the West. The TU Library owns several books about what has been called the age of chivalry. Sometimes the expression the age of chivalry is used in a humorous way. For example, if friends are having a snack at home, one might comment:
Kriang Krai has left the last serving of Thot Man Khao Phot for Malivalaya to enjoy, instead of eating it himself. This must mean that the age of chivalry is not over.
Since Game of Thrones and the Medieval Art of War is a book of history by a responsible historian, there are also pages about the horrors of war. Describing the lives of medieval knights, Dr. Mondschein concludes that George R.R. Martin was fairly accurate in his descriptions of how awful their lives could be. There is also discussion about ancient weapons as seen in the Game of Thrones series and actual weapons used in European warfare. While this subject may not interest all readers, all Thais know that Krabi-Krabong, to cite one weapon-based martial art, was widespread during the time of HM King Naresuan (Sanphet II), ruler of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. Thais and farangs who are interested in learning more about Krabi-Krabong sometimes take classes in this martial art at Tiger Muay Thai Training Camp located at Moo 5, Soi Ta-iad, Ao Chalong, Muang Phuket.
In an article published online in 2013 on the website of the Society for Medieval Military History, Dr. Mondschein noted:
George R.R. Martin’s Westeros seems to have an unreasonably large number of battles compared to the real Middle Ages. In A Clash of Kings there are no less than five field actions [in one year]… In our world, though, these sorts of encounters were quite rare… Of course, all this fighting makes for more dramatic storytelling—no one wants to read thrilling tales about adventurous drinking and dicing in an army camped out for months around a castle wall, or the epic quest of the heroic protagonist to find new and exciting ways to keep his soldiers from dying of dysentery and/or knifing one another.
Thailand and Game of Thrones
Thai fans of Game of Thrones may be aware of the report from last year that HBO Asia has hired Thai actors to dub Game of Thrones season 7 into Thai language. They include singers and models as well as those mainly known as actors:
- Mario Maurer as Jon Snow
- Nantida Kaewbuasai as Cersei Lannister
- Namthip Jongrachatawiboon as Daenerys Targaryen
- Preeti Barameeanant as Tyrion Lannister
- Ploychompoo Jannine Weigel as Arya Stark
- Pleng Chontida Asavahame as Sansa Stark
In addition, two Thai fans, one male and one female, were given the opportunity to dub smaller roles for season 7. There is a discussion board about Game of Thrones on the Pantip.com website. There is also a Thai language Game of Thrones fansite for those who cannot get enough of the series.
(All images courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)