The Iron King by Maurice Druon

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France, 1314.

The Iron King is hailed as the original Game of Thrones by none other than George RR Martin himself. The series - known as The Accursed King series (Les Rois Maudits) - spans seven books, originally written in the French language. The series was written from 1955 to 1977 and is set in the 14th century in the court of Philip the Fair. 

The first book of The Accursed King series is The Iron King and centers around the intrigues and actions of the French monarchy and the court of Philip the Fair. 

The book has three primary plots

The first plot deals with the intrigues of the court. The capable king is surrounded by an equally impressive court and its internal politics become prominent as the king ages and increasingly relies on their judgment. Philip has waged a long, protracted battle with the Knights Templar and emerges victorious. The Templar Grand Master - Jacques de Molay - is burned at the stake, but before he perishes Molay curses his executors . This thread of the book illustrates the politics and intrigues of the king’s court.

Philip’s courtiers include his brother Charles (the Count of Valois), Guillaume de Nogaret (a self made man, Philip’s leading counsellor and Keeper of the Seal), and Enguerrand de Marigny (Philip’s Chamberlain) 

Another central plot of The Iron King deals with Philip's adulterous daughters-in-law (Marguerite & Blanche), who cuckold the princes. Their crime is exposed through the agency of Robert of Artois, whose sights are set on regaining his rightful inheritance from the princess’ mother (also his aunt) - Mahaut, Countess of Artois. Assisting Robert in exposing the princesses is Philip’s daughter and the queen of England - Isabella. 

The final thread that also binds the series is the ascent of Spinello Tolomei and his bank, and the adventures of the nephew Guccio Baglioni who is tasked with tasks of increasing importance. This thread chronicles the creeping rise of bankers and mercantilism set against the slow descent of royals and the class system. 

The Iron King is comparable to Game of Thrones to the extent that it has all the political intrigue without any of the magic and dragons. If contemporary fantasy doesn’t scratch the itch left behind by GRRM’s A Song of Ice & Fire, then The Accursed Kings series should be considered. 

Though Druon is a household name in France, his books are not part of TBR lists of most English language readers. GRRM’s championing of the series can be attributed to its resurgence, especially considering that the 7th and final book of the series hasn’t been translated into English till recently. Most impressive and testamentary to the author’s skill is the fact that the series is grounded in history and actual events (see Druon’s notes at the end of each book). 

Maurice Druon was an impressive man - he was a part of the French Resistance that fought the Nazis, and served under Charles de Gaulle. He was also a distinguished historian in addition to being the author of this series, and went on to lead the Acedemie Francaise which preserves the French language and has the final say on what words are allowed into the French language. The Accursed King series has been made into two television series, and the first 6 books of the series were translated into English. Vladimir Putin is another admirer of Druon.