In the anarchic world of HBO's Game of Thrones the continent of Westeros is split into several different regions, each of them ruled over by a different family.

While the term "The Seven Kingdoms" is used in both the show and in creator George RR Martin's books, the land in question is actually divided into nine areas at the time the series is set (there were seven separate kingdoms before a unification took place, which explains why the phrase is still used).

Westeros has been controlled by a monarch from the Iron Throne of King's Landing for many years - save for the wild area beyond The Wall in the North.

Since invading the continent with the aid of their dragons, the monarch was always a member of the ruling Targaryen family but a rebellion ousted the last Targaryen king and replaced him with King Robert Baratheon (who died in season one) just before the series began.