Hailed as one of the most popular TV shows of all time, Game of Thrones brought the fantasy genre into the mainstream with its depiction of a violent, continent-wide power struggle.
While many viewers tune in for the bloodshed, nudity and dragons – there are a lot of subtle intricacies that make the fictional world based on George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire novels feel like a living, breathing place.
With all the razor-sharp dialogue and thrilling swordplay to focus on, odds are you haven’t spent much time thinking about the economic landscape of Westeros. The way money flows through the Seven Kingdoms is a crucial pillar of the story; the amount of warring and feasting going on requires a substantial monetary investment!
Throughout the narrative, allegiances are born out of financial partnership as much as anything else – although, this being Game of Thrones, they never last for too long.
Although the world of HBO’s series is set in a medieval-style era populated by magic and mythical creatures, one way it mirrors our own very closely is in its depiction of a troubled financial ecosystem.
If you’re a fan of show or have read the book series, you’ll be well-aware that gold equals power. While this can seem relatively straightforward at a glance, there are numerous different factors at play. From trade and taxes to a staggering national debt, the economic ins and outs of Westeros will surprise even the most hardcore fan.
So, as we all wait impatiently for the final season of this epic saga to land in 2019 – let’s delve into the economy of the Seven Kingdoms, courtesy of this infographic from Money Guru, to see who is on the rich list, what issues face realm and how this affects everyone not lucky enough to be born into a noble family.
