GOT characters based off

[DarthMaul]

Are any GOT characters based off anyone real?

[The hairy bear]

Well, one of A Song of Ice and Fire's main inspirations is the War of Roses, and the main factions are developed from the conflict. The Baratheons and the Starks would be inspired in the York side, while the Targaryens and Lannisters would come from the Lancaster side.

George confirmed that the Mad King Aerys was based on the Mad King Henry VI of house Lancaster. Both were young kings who showed promise at the begining of their reigns, but their madness paved the way of a rebellion that ended their lines. Both would be killed during the fall of their capital, but the wars would be decided by the death of their young sons and heirs (Edward and Rhaegar) at the deciding final battles of the conflict (Tewkesbury and the Trident)

The kings that took power afterwards, Edward IV of York and Robert Baratheon, are very similar too: both were promising and handsome warriors in his youth, and both were second cousins of a mad king that won the throne revolting against him. Once they became king both became gluttons, gained a lot of weight and did a poor job at ruling the kingdom. And after their deaths, their short-timed dynasty crumbled, with their younger brothers claiming that their offspring (including the two male heirs) were bastards.

From this point, the analogies become less obvious and the parallels are not so clear. But still, in English story, the two kids of Edward IV did not outlive his father for long (both Joffrey and Tommen died in the show in a short time), and the throne was claimed by Edwards youngest brother Richard III who claimed that the two kids were bastards. Richard III, though, was not as charismatic as Edward, and his attempt to gain the throne didn't last long. His figure, in this regard, is very similar to Stannis.

There are much more resemblances. Ned reminds of both Richard of York and William Hastings, Margaret Beaufort was a cruel and manipualtive blonde like Cersei whose son was reportedly cruel and vicious, ... and of course, the War of Roses was resolved by having a member of the deposed original dynasty born in exile crossing the sea and defeating all the rivals that had decimated themselves fighting among them.

[Angel Eyes]

There's a lot of them;

• Tywin Lannister is based off of Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, who was nicknamed "The Kingmaker" for his part in putting Edward IV and Henry VI on the throne. He also shares physical traits with Edward I of England (great height, Edward was known as "Longshanks" for his long legs) and Philip IV of France (blond hair) and both were cold and ruthless. Philip also sired Isabella, the "She-wolf" of France, an inspiration for Cersei Lannister.
• Cersei is also based off of Margaret of Anjou, who had a rivalry with Richard, Duke of York, who was an inspiration for Eddard Stark.
• Tyrion is based off the theatrical Richard III's rhetoric and the Roman emperor Claudius, who was overshadowed in his youth due to a deformity but proved to be a capable administrator.
• There are a couple of articles comparing Theon Greyjoy with George Plantagenet, Duke of Clarence.
• Robert Baratheon and Robb Stark are based off of Edward IV.
  • Robb is based off of Edward in his youth, who led a rebellion after the death of his father and became a king, then made a marriage by breaking a betrothal and were betrayed; Edward got lucky, Robb did not. 
  • Robert Baratheon is based off of Edward IV in his later years, a big, strong warrior king who is beset by schemers in his wife's family and his own lifestyle.
• Here is an article comparing Theon to George, Duke of Clarence, brother of Edward IV and Richard III, one of at least three. Theon was like a brother to Robb, much as George was full brother to Edward, but betrayed him while he was a king. Both also received sticky ends.

[MinscS2]

On 8/1/2018 at 8:06 PM, The hairy bear said:

... and of course, the War of Roses was resolved by having a member of the deposed original dynasty born in exile crossing the sea and defeating all the rivals that had decimated themselves fighting among them.

.... Heh. 
Don't forget that said exile also bridged an alliances with the Starks ...Yorkists by marrying one of them. 

[Jen'ari]

On 8/1/2018 at 7:06 PM, The hairy bear said:

 

There are much more resemblances. Ned reminds of both Richard of York and William Hastings, Margaret Beaufort was a cruel and manipualtive blonde like Cersei whose son was reportedly cruel and vicious, ... and of course, the War of Roses was resolved by having a member of the deposed original dynasty born in exile crossing the sea and defeating all the rivals that had decimated themselves fighting among them.

Now I’m kind of wondering if a little while down the line when the exile came back, how Tudor England would have dealt with a dragon invasion .