Dragons may be fictional, but the struggle for the throne, influence and legitimacy in House of the Dragons has roots in conflicts that shaped real history.

Long before the fictional Westeros, women across Europe and Asia faced rival claimants, political factions and systems designed to keep them from power.

Like Rhaenys Targaryen, Alicent Hightower and other powerful women in the series, they learned to navigate court, forge alliances, manage public opinion and fight for their place in the political order. Here are four of the real women who inspired the characters in the TV series.

1. Rhaenyra Targaryen and Empress Matilda (1102–1167)

Like the real Empress Matilda in England, the fictional Rhaenyra Targaryen (played by Emma D’Arcy) faces criticism from her contemporaries and rivals for qualities that often earn the admiration of male rulers – including determination, pride and political ambition. While both women came close to achieving their goals and nearly retained power, neither held it for long.

They both faced determined opposition from rival claimants. Matilda entered London in 1141 and was recognised as England’s ruler, but was driven out before being crowned.

Matilda’s claim to the kingdom was contested by her cousin Stephen of Blois, whose seizure of the English throne triggered the civil war known as the anarchy.

Similarly, in House of the Dragon, Rhaenyra’s claim was challenged by her half-brother Aegon II, despite her father’s clear designation of her as heir. Aegon’s coronation divides Westeros and plunges it into conflict.

In both cases, crises emerge because powerful factions oppose a female ruler. The author of the Game of Thrones book series that inspired the show, George R.R. Martin, has cited England’s 12th-century anarchy as inspiration for Westeros’s struggles.

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2. Rhaenys Targaryen and Eleanor of Aquitaine (c. 1124-1204)

Like Rhaenys Targaryen (played by Eve Best), Eleanor of Aquitaine held a position that gave her prestige and influence – queen of France and later England. Although neither became the principal ruler of their kingdom, both wield considerable political power through family ties, diplomacy and reputation.

Eleanor was respected for her political acumen and ability to navigate dynastic conflict, much like Rhaenys.

She played a key role in France and England, whereas Rhaenys is one of the experienced and level-headed voices within the Targaryen family. They share an understanding of succession and family alliances, shaping the political future of their descendants beyond their generation.

Eleanor of Aquitaine was a political figure who served as regent, negotiated alliances and directly governed the state. By contrast, Rhaenys exerts influence through counsel, family ties and her place in the Targaryen dynasty. Eleanor’s power spanned kingdoms and decades, while Rhaenys’s role is largely confined to the struggle between rival claimants to the iron throne – the seat of power in Westeros.

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3. Alicent Hightower and Catherine de’ Medici (1519–1589)

Like Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) in House of the Dragon, Queen Consort of France Catherine de’ Medici sought to secure her children’s future and strengthen her dynasty during political instability.

In the show, Alicent uses dynastic marriage alliances as political tools, viewing her children’s connections as vital to safeguarding her family’s future – just as Catherine did in real life.

Both women found themselves at the centre of affairs in times of crisis: Alicent during the dance of the dragons (a catastrophic civil war of succession), Catherine during the French wars of religion (eight significant civil conflicts fought between French Catholics and Calvinist Protestants).

Though devoted to their children’s futures, both women ultimately witnessed dynastic tragedy. Catherine outlived several children, while in House of the Dragon, Alicent sees her family destroyed by civil war.

Following the death of Henry II in 1559, Catherine became a leading figure in French politics, serving as regent for her son Charles IX and later as chief adviser to some of the Valois kings, a branch of the Capetian dynasty that ruled France from 1328 to 1589.

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By contrast, Alicent exerts influence through her status as queen, the king’s mother and a member of the Hightower family. She is devoted to the Faith of the Seven, the dominant religion of Westeros, and justifies her actions with religious rhetoric. Catherine, though Catholic, adopted a pragmatic approach, prioritising dynastic stability and the interests of the French crown over confessional loyalty.

4. Helaena Targaryen and Zinaida Volkonskaya (1792–1862)

Not all influential women through history have sought power directly. Like Helaena Targaryen (Phia Saban) in House of the Dragon, the Russian princess Zinaida Volkonskaya belonged to high echelons but remained removed from politics.

In the TV show, Helaena is known as the “dreamer of House Targaryen”, set apart from the rest of her family by prophetic visions. Volkonskaya, meanwhile, was known for her intellectual and artistic interests. Like Helaena, who is beloved in the capital city of Westeros, King’s Landing, she inspired admiration beyond her circles. Volkonskaya’s salons attracted Tsar Alexander I.

The key difference between Volkonskaya and the fictional Helaena lies in how they expressed their talents. Helaena has remained on the sidelines of public life, rarely turning her visions or ideas into political action. By contrast, Volkonskaya transformed her intellectual and artistic interests into cultural influence.

As well as hosting salons in Moscow and Rome, she wrote poetry, composed music, performed in private theatres and became a patron of the arts. Whereas Helaena’s influence is personal and symbolic, Volkonskaya’s was active, public and cultural, exercised through the networks she created.

The real historical women whose stories can be found in the heroines of House of the Dragon exercised power in very different ways. Empress Matilda fought for a throne that many believed a woman should never have inherited. Eleanor of Aquitaine shaped the politics of kingdoms through diplomacy, family alliances and her own experiences.

Catherine de’ Medici sought to preserve her dynasty during one of the most turbulent periods in French history. And Zinaida Volkonskaya demonstrated that influence can be wielded through culture, patronage and social networks, rather than solely through official political office.

Their stories are a reminder that female power has never been confined to a single model. Some women ruled; others advised, negotiated, engaged in patronage, or inspired. But they are united by their ability to shape the world around them, despite the constraints imposed upon them.

Mohinder Kaur Mahal died after a stroke at Royal Derby Hospital 12 days after she received her vaccination for coronavirus

A Derby grandmother who used to bang her pans in appreciation for the NHS has died just days after getting her Covid-19 booster vaccine.

Mohinder Kaur Mahal, 85, struggled to speak a week after having the vaccine and a flu jab in Derby before she had to be taken to hospital. Twelve days after getting vaccinated, the widow died after a stroke at Royal Derby Hospital on October 31, 2022, an inquest into her death heard on Monday, June 22.

The woman’s family later expressed their concerns about a possible link between the Covid jab and her stroke. Baldev Mahal, Mrs Mahal’s son, who was her principal carer, told the inquest at Leicester Coroner’s Court on Monday: “When I look back now, I’m convinced, in my own opinion, there’s some kind of a trigger.

“Something’s jolted my mum’s system to send her down that road. I respectfully say to anyone, it’s not trying to put a downer on the vaccine… it’s what happened in my mum’s circumstances.”

The inquest heard Mrs Mahal was “frightened of getting Covid” and refused the vaccine a number of times before she eventually changed her mind. Mr Mahal told the inquest that he and his mother were not told during the appointment that she was being given a booster jab.

The son added they were given no leaflet about the Covid or flu vaccines and were told if she experienced any pain to take paracetamol. He said: “When you think of it from a clinical point of view, informed consent was not gained.

“For my mum’s academic level, it could have been put simply that this one isn’t for you… some kind of explanation to go along with it.”

Senior coroner Professor Catherine Mason asked: “At any point did your mum say ‘I don’t want a vaccine’?” Mr Mahal replied: “Those words weren’t spoken.”

He told the inquest that his mother had blurred vision, pain and confusion after the jab was administered. He said: “Certainly the same day she suffered quite a big headache, that afternoon, and decided to sleep it off.

“When it started being weakness in the legs and certainly blurred vision I just thought she’s probably got a migraine.” On October 26, Mr Mahal found his mother partly dressed on the bed.

He said: “Her jaw had locked. She could not speak, was murmuring. I could see from her eye movement she was very agitated.” Mr Mahal told the ambulance workers who came to her home that his mother had recently had two vaccinations.

She was taken to hospital, where she later died. Mr Mahal then spoke to a doctor at his mother’s GP surgery on November 23.

He said: “I told him my mum had died. He checked mum’s records and he said she should not have had that one (vaccination).” Mr Mahal said he then referred his mother’s death to the coroner.

Mr Mahal added: “It’s not about the vaccine. It’s about how it’s been administered to somebody like my mum with all these health conditions.” The inquest heard Mrs Mahal had diabetes and previously had a stroke in January 2021.

Dr James Scott, a stroke consultant at Royal Derby Hospital, told the coroner he does not think the vaccination played a part in Mrs Mahal’s stroke.

He said: “She had heart failure, she had an injury to the brain, to the other side, from her previous stroke. So she did not have a fair fight on her hands.”

In a pen portrait, one of Mrs Mahal’s other children Jaspal said: “My mum was frightened of the pandemic, Covid-19. She was isolated from her friends and family. This did have a massive impact on her. She would say she’s scared but we must bang our pans for all the doctors and nurses.

“She banged them so hard she broke the pans. I said ‘you cannot do it every day mum, it’s only Thursdays’.” One of Mrs Mahal’s other sons Jasvinder said in a written statement “family was everything” to her.

The inquest heard that proceedings were moved to Leicester from Derby because Baldev Mahal alleged the previous coroner was “biased”, which she has denied. The inquest continues.

Harry Brook (Yorkshire, Captain), Rehan Ahmed (Leicestershire), Jofra Archer (Sussex), Sonny Baker (Hampshire), Tom Banton (Somerset), Jacob Bethell (Warwickshire), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), James Coles (Sussex), Jordan Cox (Essex), Sam Curran (Surrey), Liam Dawson (Hampshire), Will Jacks (Surrey), Saqib Mahmood (Lancashire), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Phil Salt (Lancashire), Josh Tongue (Nottinghamshire), Luke Wood (Lancashire)

Fixtures:

Wednesday 1 July – Banks Homes Riverside, Chester-le-Street

Saturday 4 July – Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester

Tuesday 7 July – Trent Bridge, Nottingham

Thursday 9 July – Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol

Saturday 11 July – Utilita Bowl, Southampton

The building has failed two sales, however a new bid could give it a new lease of life

A Grade II listed library in Cambridge, which has been left empty for several years, could be sold at the third attempt. The former Mill Road Library building has had two failed sales, however it could be set to get a new lease of life after receiving a bid to convert it into a community-led arts centre.

Cambridgeshire County Council papers said it had received a bid from the Mill Road Community Interest Company (CIC) by its January 2026 deadline.

If the sale goes through, the plans would see an auditorium with retractable seating, a mixed-use gallery and café space, creative work areas and facilities to support exhibitions, workshops, performances, film screenings, co-working and community outreach. The Grade II listed building has been owned by Cambridgeshire County Council since the 1970s.

The former library was registered as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) and was under a six-month moratorium period which ran until February 2026. This meant that it could only be sold to eligible community groups during this time.

The property can now be sold on the open market for a 12-month window before another moratorium can be triggered.

The first potential buyer, children’s charity Centre 33, was chosen in 2023. The charity later pulled out of the process due to the amount of work they said the building needed to make it fit for purpose.

In October 2024, the county council agreed to sell the building to a new bidder. However, the buyer later withdrew the offer due to a land ownership dispute, according to the former bidder.

Papers from council’s assets and procurement committee said that the centre would “operate daily as an inclusive hub for arts, culture, volunteering and social programmes, with partnerships already established with local organisations”.

The latest proposal represents a “significant improvement” on the group’s previous submissions, according to the council papers.

It said that the funding for the purchase has been confirmed and will come from “two private sources” and “any need for future converting of the building will be funded through a combination of grants and pledges, some of which have already been secured”.

The papers added: “The bidders have requested that the Council enter an option to buy until 15 February 2027 to allow time to complete the purchase. Should the option not be implemented within this period, the property will be remarketed.”

Following the library closure in 1996, the building was leased to an Indian Community and Cultural Association until 2019. It was then let on a temporary basis to Hill Group for office and welfare use until February 2023.

Nico O’Reilly might have enjoyed a breakthrough campaign for club and country but the Manchester City star has eyes on a new role.

The Blues ace believes his future lies in midfield, raising the prospect of O’Reilly potentially forming a partnership with prospective new Blues signing Elliot Anderson.

City are working on a deal for the Nottingham Forest midfielder and the prospect of O’Reilly and Anderson together in the middle of midfield would be an attractive pairing, particularly with long-term uncertainty around Rodri’s future.

While that may create a vacancy at left-back, a position which O’Reilly has made his own for club and country, the Manchester native believes he will return to midfield, where he played throughout his time in the City academy, in due course.

“I think in the future I will be back in midfield,” he said. “My profile, everything fits there and maybe a box to box midfielder but left-back I have been enjoying it and it has got me here now to a World Cup.

“Playing at left-back I have been playing in the middle for most of it anyway so it’s not like I am playing as a traditional left-back, even in England, I am still coming inside and allowed to drift in and drift out wide so it is a bit more relaxed.”

O’Reilly started for England in the 4-2 win over Croatia last week and is in line to do so again against Ghana on Tuesday.

There he will likely come up against clubmate Antoine Semenyo, a key player for the Black Stars who also began their World Cup campaign with a victory.

And O’Reilly knows just what to expect from a player he has been impressed by since his January move to the Etihad.

“Antoine is a very good player. I’ve seen it first hand in training and playing with him,” O’Reilly said. “I know Ghana are going to be very physical. If we play our game, we do what we did towards the end of the last game, I think we should be okay.

“He’s very strong. He’s always in the gym! He’s a big lad but he can’t win the game by himself so if we double up on him, we’ll see.

“We’ve got a physical squad ourselves. Set pieces were a threat in the last game and I’m sure they’ll be looking at that.”

A police officer described the man’s actions as “serious criminal conduct”

Peterborough City Council has stripped a man of his licence to sell alcohol following requests to do so by police. During a meeting at Sand Martin House on Friday, June 19, the council’s Licensing Sub-committee approved a request made by Cambridgeshire Constabulary to revoke David Cattermoul’s personal licence.

The meeting heard that Mr Cattermoul was issued with an alcohol personal licence on November 17, 2025. However, Cambridgeshire Constabulary requested a review of Mr Cattermoul’s licence in May after he was convicted of driving a motor vehicle with excess alcohol at Cambridge Crown Court on March 26, 2025.

According to the council’s Licensing Regulatory Officer, Darren Dolby, Mr Cattermoul was arrested for drink driving on February 5, 2026, when he “blew 57 on the evidential breath machine in custody, the legal limit being 35.”

Mr Dolby went on to explain that being in charge of a motor vehicle while over the prescribed alcohol limit is a ‘relevant offence’ under the Licensing Act (2003), meaning Mr Cattermoul’s personal licence can be reviewed.

In addition, a report put before the meeting said Mr Cattermoul was also convicted of dangerous driving and destroying or damaging property. As a result, he was disqualified from driving for 29 months and sentenced to 14 months in prison. The meeting heard that the court did not consider Mr Cattermoul’s alcohol personal licence at the time of sentencing

Cambridgeshire Constabulary was represented at the meeting by PC Paul Hawkins. Describing Mr Cattermoul’s actions as “serious criminal conduct,” PC Hawkins said it was right to seek revocation of Mr Cattermoul’s licence as “drink driving at a high reading [and] dangerous driving resulting in imprisonment” made him a “clear risk to the public.”

Summarising, PC Hawkins said: “Given the seriousness of the offending, and the associated risk, Cambridgeshire Constabulary requests that revocation is a proportionate and appropriate outcome in this case.”

The Licensing Sub-committee agreed unanimously to revoke Mr Cattermoul’s licence.

Former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova has been banned for four years for refusing an anti-doping test.

Vondrousova, 26, was charged by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) after denying a doping control officer entry to her home to conduct the test in December 2025.

The Czech player said in April she feared for her safety when the officer called and said they failed to follow “protocol”.

But a tribunal determined Vondrousova, who became the first unseeded player to win the Wimbledon women’s singles title in 2023, provided “no compelling justification” for refusing a test.

Vondrousova’s suspension will end on 21 June 2030, but she has a right to appeal against the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas).

“I have never doped, I have never had a positive test. Throughout my entire career I have undergone countless anti-doping controls and have always stepped on to the court with a clear conscience,” Vondrousova wrote in a statement.

Also a French Open finalist in 2019, former world number six Vondrousova has not played competitively since January and dropped to 122nd in the rankings.

“I cannot say what comes next,” she added. “For the first time in my life I do not have a plan.”

During the hearing, Vondrousova explained stress and poor mental health had affected her decision-making, in addition to her safety concerns.

ITIA chief executive officer Karen Moorhouse said while the agency understands the testing process is “uncomfortable” and also acknowledges the additional burden it can carry for players competing, “it is essential to protect fair competition”.

Vondrousova said she felt scared when the officer approached her door late at night without properly identifying themselves or following protocol, adding: “In that moment it was about feeling safe, not about avoiding anything.”

The ITIA said Vondrousova told the doping control officer she would not take the test and signed a refusal form when she went outside to walk her dog shortly afterwards.

Speaking to a small group of journalists after the decision was announced on Monday, Moorhouse said it was “extremely rare” for a player to refuse a doping test.

In 2024, Russian player Vladislav Ivanov also received a four-year ban for refusing to take a test during competition.

A train driver was killed in the crash

The railway line where a fatal train crash took place on Friday, June 19, is set to be closed for the rest of the week. The crash involved two East Midlands Railway (EMR) services, with one colliding with the rear of the other on the same line shortly after 5pm.

The 4.40pm service from Corby to London St Pancras struck the stationary 3.50pm service from Nottingham to St Pancras. Emergency services were on the scene within minutes.

The East of England Ambulance Service confirmed the train driver had been killed, with 11 people sustaining “very serious” injuries and a further 22 seriously hurt. Shaun Burton, 60, was named as the train driver who died in the Bedford train crash.

Transport secretary Heidi Alexander MP paid tribute to him in Parliament. She said: “Madam Deputy Speaker, it deeply saddens me to confirm to the House that the driver of the Corby to London St Pancras train died in the collision. His family have asked for privacy at this horrendously difficult time, but I am sure I speak for the whole House when I offer them our deepest condolences.”

She also said that the Rail Accident Investigation Branch has already begun an investigation into what took place to cause the crash. She said: “The Rail Accident Investigation Branch – whose inspectors were on the scene within hours – have already launched an independent investigation and they have confirmed there will be an update in the coming days.

“They, and they alone, will identify the cause and will make recommendations which I will consider with the utmost care and due diligence. Meanwhile, I urge everyone to await their findings and to hold off on speculation.”

It was also heard that the line will likely remain closed for the rest of the week. Ms Alexander added: “This will be a complex operation involving lifting and removing damaged trains, repairing the rails and removing and replacing overhead lines. That is why the railway is expected to remain closed between Bedford and Luton for the rest of the week.

“There will, however, be services running between Luton and London St Pancras. Rail replacement services were already in place along the Midland Main line, due to planned engineering works over the weekend. Those works were cancelled, but the replacement services continue to offer passengers alternative routes to travel.

“I’ve also instructed train operators to accept tickets from customers using alternative routes. However, my message to passengers who would normally use this route is that if your travel is not essential, please make alternative arrangements.”

A man armed with a knife and a man using crutches fled from the scene

A female moped rider was left badly shaken after being attacked by a knifeman during an attempted hi-jacking in Dunmurry this morning.

The incident took place in the Cutts area, opposite Eaton Park, at around 5.15am on Monday, June 22, when a man in dark clothing with his face covered armed with a knife pushed a moped rider over onto the road and attacked her, trying to take her keys.

After members of the public arrived, he ran in the direction of McKinstry Road with another man who was using crutches.

Police are asking anyone with any information regarding the incident to contact them.

Detective Sergeant Walker said: “A woman was travelling on a moped in The Cutts area, opposite Eaton Park, at around 5.15am when a man dressed in dark coloured clothing, including a face covering, brandishing a knife, was reported to have pushed the female rider over onto the road and begin to punch her, before attempting to take the keys of the moped. “The victim’s helmet was also forcibly struck a number of times during the altercation. Her assailant ran off in the direction of McKinstry Road, accompanied by a second male, once a number of members of the public arrived at the scene. “The second male was reported to have been using crutches, and was wearing a dark coloured support on his right leg. “The woman was not injured during the incident, but was left shaken.” Detective Sergeant Walker continued: “Our enquiries are ongoing, and we are appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time, or who might have any dash cam or mobile footage, to get in touch. “The number to call is 101, quoting reference number 199 of 22/06/26. “Alternatively, you can also submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form at http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/.”

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Event brought together Provost Kenneth Duffy, local veterans, elected members, the Lanarkshire Lieutenancy and North Lanarkshire’s Armed Forces Champion, Councillor Bob Burgess, as the official Armed Forces Day flag was raised.

North Lanarkshire has paid tribute to the Armed Forces community ahead of Armed Forces Day 2026 with a ceremonial flag-raising at the council headquarters in Motherwell.

The event brought together Provost Kenneth Duffy, local veterans, elected members, the Lanarkshire Lieutenancy and North Lanarkshire’s Armed Forces Champion, Councillor Bob Burgess, as the official Armed Forces Day flag was raised.

The ceremony recognised the contribution and commitment of serving personnel, veterans, reservists, cadets and military families, while giving the local community an opportunity to reflect and show their support.

Provost Duffy said: “Today is our chance as a community to say thank you to everyone who serves our country, whether they’re serving overseas, based here at home, or have served in years gone by.

“Our Armed Forces continue to make a difference every day, and behind every person in uniform is a family offering support at home.

“Raising the flag is a simple but heartfelt way for North Lanarkshire to show its appreciation.”

Armed Forces Champion Councillor Bob Burgess added: “It’s a real privilege to be part of occasions like this, where we come together and show our respect for those who’ve served, and continue to serve, in our Armed Forces.

“Armed Forces Day is about recognising the people who’ve put themselves on the line for our country and thanking everyone who helps keep that spirit of service alive in our communities.”

The flag-raising forms part of a wider UK campaign leading up to Armed Forces Day on Saturday, June 27, which celebrates the work and dedication of the Armed Forces community.

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