At the novel's beginning, the majority of Westeros is united under the rule of a single king, though his direct rule is generally limited to the area known as The Crownlands, surrounding the capital city of King's Landing, with each of the other regions functionally controlled by a different major noble house, who all wield significant power in their own lands. Martin here drew inspiration from medieval European history, in particular the Hundred Years' War, the Crusades, the Albigensian Crusade, and the Wars of the Roses.