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Message: <blockquote data-quote="billd91" data-source="post: 5615065" data-attributes="member: 3400">I find it interesting that the HBO series has made fairly explicit an implicit element in the books - the strength of the crown depends on the loyalty and unity of its vassals. Too much leeway for the vassals, as well as loyalty to the noble level of the hierarchy and not the crown, and the crown (or noble-led faction) weakens, touching off warfare that the crown can't put down.George R. R. Martin has mentioned that A Song of Ice and Fire was inspired by the War of the Roses. That dynastic struggle was undoubtedly exacerbated by idle standing armies under noble not central control left over from England's expulsion from France at the close of the 100 Years War.</blockquote>