Stranger Than Fiction: Cribbing From History

A column dedicated to pointing out interesting tidbits of history, some of which would be cool to see in a fantasy novel or two.

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Cribbing from history can be an excellent way to get some great plot and character ideas (you can't make up some of the things people have actually done).

This is a Ted-Ed video by Alex Gendler about the plot similarities between George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire books and the British War of the Roses.  Obviously the books don't follow the history exactly - where would the fun in that be? - but it does show how alliances changed quickly and often nonsensically, and how dangerous politics and kingmaking can be.

History is full of interesting periods that would make the great start to a fantasy (or other) series.