Which French literary saga greatly inspired George RR Martin to write the “Game of Thrones” novels?
When it comes to Game of Thrones, many sources of inspiration are obvious. To imagine the fantasy universe of his novels, the writer George RR Martin was inspired by the writings of JRR Tolkien (The Lord of the Rings) and other key authors of fantasy literature, but also by authentic facts and historical persons.
But many people are unaware that the American author was also inspired by French writers! If he places Alexandre Dumas (The Three Musketeers) in his personal pantheon of the best writers of historical fiction, George RR Martin also cites The Cursed Kings by Maurice Druon as the main source of inspiration for the writing of the Game of Thrones novels.
What are the Cursed Kings about?
A true pillar of French popular literature, The Cursed Kings is a saga in seven volumes, published between 1955 and 1977. The plot is inspired by the true story of the supposedly cursed Capet lineage. The novels begin in the last years of the reign of Philip the Fair, nicknamed the Iron King, then of his heirs.
In forty years, no less than seven kings have succeeded one another on the throne of France. Many contenders also rose to prominence for the crown, including Edward III, King of England and grandson of Philip the Fair. We understand better how this “war for the throne” inspired George RR Martin to write his own Game of Thrones!
The novels feature many characters, and the narration is divided into chapters focused on the point of view of these various protagonists. But there is no doubt that the most emblematic character of the Cursed Kings is Robert of Artois, a lord described as an overpowering colossus, but also as an outstanding strategist to serve his personal ambitions.
A true bestseller since its publication, Les Rois Maudits has enjoyed unprecedented success with French readers, but also in many foreign countries. Sales of the seven novels in the saga have thus far exceeded the millions of copies sold throughout the world.
A series adaptation from 1972
But Cursed Kings also owes its popularity to the success of its television adaptations, and more particularly that of the first series broadcast in 1972. This version, which takes up the codes of filmed theater, met with immense audience success, bringing together for each of its six episodes millions of viewers. Since then, the series has been the subject of frequent rebroadcasts on television.
Perrau, Norbert / INA Jean Piat delivers a brilliant performance as Robert d’Artois
This program directed by the legendary Claude Barma notably features Jean Piat in the role of Robert d’Artois, Hélène Duc in the role of her aunt Mahaut d’Artois, but also George Marchal as Philippe Le Bel and Geneviève Casile as Isabelle of France. Jean Desailly narrated the program.
Thirty years and some later, another legend of the small screen – in this case Josée Dayan – set about producing a second adaptation of The Cursed Kings. Supported by a larger budget, this version notably brought together Philippe Torreton, Jeanne Moreau, Tchéky Karyo and Julie Gayet in its cast.
The second series was also successful!
Although less popular than the first series, this new adaptation of The Cursed Kings also met with success when it was broadcast on France 2 in the fall of 2005. Both thus contributed to perpetuating in the collective imagination the work of Maurice Druon.
France 2
And among the fans of the Cursed Kings is a certain George RR Martin! On his blog, the latter devoted several articles to the glory of the French writer. And in particular a text written on the occasion of his death (in 2009), where the creator of Game of Thrones described himself as a huge fan of the late Maurice Druon.
Author of a preface in the English edition of The Iron King (the first volume of the Cursed Kings), George RR Martin went so far as to describe Druon’s novel as “the original Game of Thrones” (the quote is also included on the cover of the book). We cannot therefore blame the American writer for not citing his sources of inspiration.
The two series adapted from The Cursed Kings are available in DVD box sets, or on video-on-demand platforms.