English Heritage is training an actual Night’s Watch to man Hadrian’s Wall

Sometimes fiction mirrors. Is there actually a Night’s Watch defending humanity from atop a towering Wall made of ice? No, but there were sentries who guarded Britannia from behind a wall built by the Roman emperor Hadrian made of stone and turf. And now, Hadrian’s Wall is manned again, not by soldiers but Game of Thrones fans eager to educate tourists.

RELATED PRODUCT

Philadelphia Phillies Bryce Harper Game Of Thrones Iron Throne Bobblehead

Buy Now!

Buy Now!

Drafted by the English Heritage association, these new watchers on the wall are trained to handle all tourist inquiries regarding both Hadrian’s Wall and Game of Thrones, and how the two relate; George R. R. Martin has said that the old Roman construction was the inspiration for the Wall from his Song of Ice and Fire books. The new watchers are dressed in black robes like all crows, and carry shields bearing the symbols of four major Game of Thrones houses: Stark, Lannister, Baratheon and Greyjoy.

The watchers have taken the Night’s Watch vow, though only in spirit, due to its strict lifelong requirements prohibiting marriage, family and land ownership. The new watchers will guard sections of the wall in both Northumberland and Cumbria until the TV show ends later this year.

The English Heritage association hopes the immense popularity of Game of Thrones will boost tourist visits to Hadrian’s Wall. “We would love it if the story and programme inspired more people to come and see the wall for themselves,” said a spokeswoman, adding that the Watchers “will be on hand to answer visitors’ questions about the series and sort the bloody fact from the even bloodier fiction.”

English Heritage’s curator for Hadrian’s Wall, Frances McIntosh, also weighed in: “Today it may not be supersized like George R.R. Martin’s colossal ice wall, but when it was built nearly 2,000 years ago, Hadrian’s Wall would have been a huge, hulking sign of Roman imperial strength, and standing on the precipice looking north, you can tell why Martin was inspired by this ancient monument.”

Hadrian’s Wall (Vallum Aelium in Latin) was constructed by the Romans to safeguard the Northernmost reaches of their Empire, mainly to stem annoying raids by the Picts in the north. The lengthy but fairly modest fortification was begun in AD 122 under the direction of the emperor Hadrian and eventually stretched for 80 Roman miles (73 modern miles) from sea to sea.

Martin’s ice Wall is a monumental structure100 leagues (300 miles) long and 700 feet high in places, built of solid ice reinforced by ancient magics. The defensive fortification is designed to protect Westeros from a White Walker invasion.

After centuries of neglect and decay (and generations of local sheep farmers collecting its stones to make their own walls) many parts of Hadrian’s wall and fortifications have now been restored to their original appearance. Hadrian’s wall was never colossal in aspect with the exception of it’s length, but the sheer scope of its ambition obviously deeply impressed Martin when he visited the ruins.

To stay up to date on everything Game of Thrones, follow our all-encompassing Facebook page and sign up for our exclusive newsletter.

Check out Game of Thrones swag at Entertainment Earth.

Watch Game of Thrones for FREE with a no-risk, 7-day free trial of Amazon Channels

h/t BBC News