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A TELEVISION bloodbath that shocked millions of viewers around the world was based on two of Scotland’s bloodiest moments.

Two of Game of Thrones’ main characters were killed off on Sky Atlantic on Monday.

The sickening scenes in HBO’s sword-and-sorcery serial provoked a storm on the internet after the episode – The Rains of Castamere – was shown in the US on Sunday.

Author George RR Martin, whose books the show is based on, revealed the blood-soaked wedding feast was inspired by the Black Dinner hosted by King James II in 1440 and the 17th century Glencoe Massacre.

The American writer said: “No matter how much I make up, there’s stuff in history that’s just as bad, or worse.

“One was a case called the Black Dinner. The king of Scotland was fighting the Black Douglas clan. He reached out to make peace.

“He offered the young Earl of Douglas safe passage. He came to the king's castle and had a great feast.

“Then at the end of the feast, the king’s men started pounding on a single drum.

“They brought out a covered plate and put it in front of the earl and revealed it was the head of a black bull – the symbol of death.

“They dragged them out and put them to death in the courtyard.”

The episode was also inspired by the Glencoe Massacre of 1692, where Clan MacDonald were slaughtered by Clan Campbell.

The American author said: “The larger instance was the Glencoe Massacre. Clan MacDonald let the Campbell clan stay overnight and the laws of hospitality supposedly applied.

“But the Campbells arose and started butchering every MacDonald they could get their hands on.”

King of the North Robb Stark – played by Renfrewshire-born Richard Madden – is savagely slain in the episode.

His mother Catelyn, played by Northern Irish actress Michelle Fairley, also dies in the penultimate episode of series three.

The show is well known for astonishing plot twists, with key characters always at risk as they vie for the crown of the kingdom of Westeros.