Such is the brilliance of Game Of Thrones that even its opening credits are exceptional. Think about it. Can you recall a single other series where you’ll actually tolerate, nay, enjoy, those first 30 seconds of each episode? No? We thought not. And it’s not just the epic, rousing theme tune (although, damn, that’s a catchy set of chords). What’s so clever about this particular title sequence is the way that viewers are given a precise look at the Game Of Thrones map – a lay of the Westerosi land and beyond, if you will.
Each episode brings a slightly different vantage point to the Game Of Thrones world, from The Wall in the North and King’s Landing in the Crownlands to Daenerys’ dusty cities across the Narrow Sea, all contributing to our broader understanding of what’s happening where and when. A map is an essential accompaniment if you want to get to grips with the game of geopolitics, but the credits are over before you’ve even got your head around it all. It’s near impossible to to have watched all seven series and not, at least once, had to google “Game Of Thrones map”.
Luckily for you, then, we’ve commissioned our very own exclusive set of Game Of Thrones maps, just in time for series eight to air. Take a look at our illustrator Elliot Byrne’s rendering of the known world (aka a zoomed-out look at George RR Martin’s universe), including all the specific Westeros locations you need to know for this season, with two close-up looks at the places the action will play out in the great wars to come.
© Elliot Byrne
Just as viewers scour the opening credits, anyone who’s actually read the* A Song of Ice & Fire* books will also recall the inordinate amount of time spent flicking back to the front page, to scrupulously examine the illustrated map of Westeros. Sure, we all know the Wall and Winterfell are in the North, but it gets pretty difficult to visualise where places like Casterly Rock, the Citadel and Dragonstone are in relation to one another, and Martin’s characters move around a lot. This broad overview is also a handy tool for tracking the army of the dead’s advancement south, and where they look set to pass on route to King’s Landing, as well as Jaime Lannister’s journey up the King’s Road to join Jon Snow and his cohorts. Finally, note the Iron Islands. We know from Euron Greyjoy’s departing words that they might be one of the only safe places in Westeros, now that the Night King’s on the wrong side of the wall, if only because wights can’t swim.
Map of the North
© Elliot Byrne
It’s safe to say that much of the action in the first few series eight episodes will take place in the North, from the Night King’s march south to the great battle for Winterfell. Pay special attention to White Harbour, where Jon Snow and Daenerys are sailing to from Dragonstone (remember the discussion in the last episode of series seven about whether Khaleesi should travel by dragon or with Snow, so that the North would see her as an ally?), before riding to the Stark’s ancestral home.
Map of King’s Landing
© Elliot Byrne
The beating heart of Westeros is its capital, and if Daenerys’ visions of a snowy throne room, plus the trailer itself, are anything to go by, you can bet your bottom dollar that the army of the dead is going to get that far. Quite what this will mean for Cersei Lannister remains to be seen, but a wight invasion certainly doesn’t bode well for the one million King’s Landing residents. Note the city’s seven gates, the dragon pit and the red keep in particular.
Map of the known world
© Elliot Byrne
Finally, a broad overview of the known world, from Westeros in the west, to Essos in the east. Observe the Dragon Queen’s territories, including the great city of Mereen, as well as the Dothraki heartlands and Old Valyria. Braavos – the free city where Arya spent much of series five and six training to be one of the faceless men – and Volantis, the epicentre of the faith of the Lord of the Light, from where Melisandre and the other Red Priests hail, will likely figure in the show’s denouement (particularly if the Prince That Was Promised prophecy proves to be true).
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