How Many Years Pass in Game of Thrones?
Game of Thrones is an epic fantasy series which, for eight seasons, has captivated television audiences around the world. Spanning multiple continents, countries, and characters, one of the most frequently asked questions about this beloved franchise is “How many years pass in Game of Thrones?”
A Long Time
The popular HBO show begins in the first year of the War of the Five Kings and concludes nearly ten years later. Although the timeline of the show is often difficult to keep track of with frequent jumps between characters and various events that occur, the years between the first episode and the series finale’s culmination pass in relative real-time.
In-Universe Calendar
In the universe of Game of Thrones, there are two calendars. The most commonly referred to is the “Common Era” which more or less follows the seasons, with the “long summer” lasting several years and culminating in the “long night” of winter:
- Year 1: War of the Five Kings begins
- Year 2: White Walkers rise in the North
- Year 3: Daenerys Targaryen arrives in Essos
- Year 4: The Battle of Blackwater Bay
- Year 5: Daenerys conquers much of Essos
- Year 6: The “long night” begins
- Year 7: A Song of Ice and Fire concludes
- Year 8: The Great War of Westeros comes to an end
Conclusion
In total, Game of Thrones spans 8 years of in-universe time. In our world, the series aired over 8 seasons, but the events on screen lasted for much longer. As a result, it is often difficult to track which events in the show occur in which year. However, with a bit of dedication, it is possible to follow along and appreciate the long and complex journey of the characters from start to finish.
