You're probably still reeling over the grisly death from the latest "Game of Thrones" episode.
(Spoiler alert if you haven't seen "Game of Thrones" Season 4, Episode 8 "The Mountain and The Viper.")
The June 1 episode featured Tyrion's second trial by combat, and one of the most horrific endings, with The Mountain gauging Oberyn's eyes out until his head literally exploded into pieces. While this may just seem like highly graphic, sensationalized television, the fight itself alludes to many historical events from the medieval ages.
George R.R. Martin has said before that he takes a lot of inspiration for his "A Song of Ice and Fire" series from history. For one, the Red Wedding came from two events in Scottish history -- the 15th century Black Dinner and the 17th century Glencoe Massacre. However, it appears that the epic battle between The Mountain and The Viper also parallels history.
In a recent essay, Dr. Steven Isaac, professor of medieval history at Longwood University, recounted the historical inspirations behind the "Game of Thrones" fight scene. From the 12th century records of a Flemish notary to French epic poems, the battle of The Mountain and The Viper was inspired by an assortment of both history and medieval literature.
Stephen of Massy vs. Monks of Saint-Germain-des-Pres, 1150s
There's no denying that the last minute of Sunday's "Game of Thrones" was the most brutal display of death yet. However, Martin didn't come up with that gory eye-gouging tactic on his own. Dr. Isaac points out one historical judicial battle ordered by King Louis VII of France, which was recounted in medieval documents from the mid-1150s. The duel was ended when an anonymous man, fighting on behalf of the monks, won by "gouging out the eye of his opponent," the champion fighting for Stephen of Massy. That's a pretty terrible way to go, but at least the guy's head didn't explode (we hope).
CLICK HERE TO SEE NSFW GIF OF OBERYN'S DEATH
Iron Herman vs. Guy of Steenvoorde, 1127-28
In Dr. Isaac's essay, he draws parallels between Martin's fight scene and a 12th century trial by combat recorded by Flemish notary, Galbert of Bruges. When Guy of Steenvoorde was accused of murder by Iron Herman, the two duked it out in an exhausting fight. Guy was winning the brawl, just like Oberyn, as he knocked Herman to the ground and was about to deliver the final death blow. However, Isaac explains that, similar to The Mountain, Herman reclaimed victory and "reached up and grabbed Guy’s testicles, and then shoved Guy aside without loosening his grip." Guy then admitted defeat and was thus found guilty and hanged hours later.
Thierry vs. Pinabel, "The Song of Roland" 12th century poem
The brains-splattered-everywhere part of the "GoT" fight also calls to mind a fictional combat from history. In the 11th-12th century French heroic poem "The Song of Roland," which is loosely based on the 778 Battle of Roncevaux, a trial by combat held after the battle ends as horrifically as a "GoT" episode. In the poem, Thierry is nearly killed by Pinabel, but then strikes his head, breaking his "iron helmet in two and dashing out Pinabel’s brain." Even if Oberyn was wearing a helmet, it clearly wouldn't have helped much.
CLICK HERE TO SEE NSFW GIF OF OBERYN AND THE MOUNTAIN
Bernier vs. Gautier, 12th-13th Century
The essay notes another gruesome fight that may have inspired Martin, a fictional duel from the 12th-13th century French epic poem "Raoul de Cambrai." In it, characters Bernier and Gautier engage in a brutal combat in which Gautier stabs his opponent in the side with a spear yet, like The Mountain, Bernier doesn't give up and continues to fight with the wound. However, the fight ends rather grisly with Gauiter slashing off six inches from the other man's shoulder, including his ear.
"Game of Thrones" airs on Sundays at 9 p.m. EDT on HBO.
CORRECTION: A previous version of this article stated that Stephen of Massy's eye was gouged out in combat. However, it was Stephen of Massy's anonymous champion who was fighting on his behalf. Language has also been added to clarify the sequence of events described in the "Song of Roland."
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.