By Jennifer Platt for The Times
The hit television series Game of Thrones sticks largely to the script originally penned by author George RR Martin, on whose books it’s based. But there’s one detail that’s bothered Martin for a while: the throne itself. He doesn’t like it.
Martin posted a blog called “The Real Iron Throne”, describing what the coveted seat of power looks like in his imagination. “Huge, hulking, black and twisted, with the steep iron stairs in front, the high seat from which the king looks down on everyone in the court… my throne is a hunched beast looming over the throne room, ugly and asymmetric.”
For Martin, the custom-designed chair that’s found on set in Belfast is not big enough. The TV throne, a massive, blackened seat made to look like it’s fashioned out swords – current occupant: the posterior of King Joffret Baratheon – depicts the apex of absolute power. It’s the throne of the king of the Seven Kingdoms, after all. But according to Martin, “It’s not the Iron Throne I see when I’m working on The Winds Of Winter. It’s not the Iron Throne I want my readers to see. The way the throne is described in the books.”
To help his readers, Martin posted a drawing by French artist Marc Simonetti, saying it was the closest anyone has come to getting the Iron Throne right. “From now on, this will be the reference I give to every other artist tackling a throne room scene,” Martin said.
“I know perfectly well that for millions of television viewers worldwide, the HBO Iron Throne is the Iron Throne,” Martin admitted. “And, hell, in some ways the HBO throne is more real than mine could ever be. They’ve actually made theirs.”
For fans who would like a replica of the throne on the show, life-size replicas are available on the HBO store website.
- Jennifer Platt @jenniferdplatt
Book details
- Game Of Thrones: A Song of Fire and Ice by George RR Martin
EAN: 9780007428540
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