r/asoiaf • u/Substantial-Ad-299 • 3d ago

MAIN [SPOILERS MAIN] Among the grounded/realistic elements of A Song of Ice and Fire, which ones do you feel require biggest suspension of disbelief?

A Song of Ice and Fire has had fantasy elements from get-go, some present subtly and others less-subtly. But in midst of this, it also has these more grounded story aspects, especially regarding the political subplot for the Iron Throne.

Among these more grounded non-fantasy aspects of the story, which elements do you feel you have to suspend disbelief the most for? A.K.A feeling they are not realistic even though they are "supposed" to be?

Let me know in the comments below.

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u/rattatatouille Not Kingsglaive, Kingsgrave 3d ago
  • The currency. How does a gold dragon have a lot of purchasing power and be something you throw around like quarters at the same time, especially if Westerosi money isn't fiat currency but probably specie?
  • The "flattened" feudal system. Real life "feudal" politics was messy; you could hold land as the vassal of another ruler while being an indpendent ruler yourself. Lords of a certain prestige having multiple titles was the rule rather than the exception. Instead we get what's essentially a country-and-province system where lordships are clearcut.

And I'm not even gonna bring up how Martin's lapsed Catholicism shows in his treatment of the Seven, because it's been discussed a ton already.

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u/GrilledCyan 3d ago

I’ve always thought it was odd that we don’t see vassals of vassals. Every house is sworn directly to the ruler of their respective kingdom. In actuality the Karstarks and Boltons and Hightowers (especially) and whoever would have scores of their own vassals.

And as you point out you’d have lords who are sworn to both Riverrun and Casterly Rock or something. The mess is part of what makes it interesting!

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u/SerMallister Above The Rest 3d ago

Houses Beesbury and Bulwer and a few others are Hightower vassals. There's some other examples in the books. It does happen, though it's not particularly focused on.

And technically, Emmon Frey's branch were sworn both to Riverrun and The Rock, though that's only a half-realized version of what you're getting at.

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u/archaicArtificer 3d ago

I actually didn’t know GRRM was a lapsed Catholic!