Photo: Map of Westeros, c. Tunghoe

Well, the final episode ever of Game of Thrones has arrived. But don’t worry - this post doesn't contain spoilers! Regardless of what you think of this season’s turn of events, it can’t be denied that the cultural impact of HBO’s fantasy series has been huge. Discussions about the Seven Kingdoms have dominated cafes and water coolers since the show’s first episode aired back in 2011, and even before then, George R.R. Martin’s books were widely beloved amongst fantasy fans.

There’s something about epic fantasy tales that has the capacity to captivate the world over. Perhaps it’s the fact that they’re often inspired by myths and legends that stretch way back in history—Celtic lore, Arthurian legend, Greek mythology, Arabian tales and more. Perhaps it’s the universal concepts they explore - good vs. evil, power and politics, romance and adventure. Whatever the reason, Game of Thrones certainly wasn’t the first fantasy franchise to bewitch the world, and nor will it be the last.

Here at Dragonspace, we love these pop cultural tales just as much as we love old mythology and ancient legend. From King's Landing to the Shire, here are some selected treasures we've got in store from our favourite fantasy worlds. 

The Game of Thrones Collection

A Feast of Ice and Fire: The Official Companion Cookbook

You’ll probably be missing the world of Westeros, so why not throw a commiseration feast, using the Official Companion Cookbook from the series? This unique cookbook is endorsed by George R.R. Martin himself, and features recipes like the comfort foods of the frozen North and medieval delicacies of King’s Landing. Not only is this a wonderful way to connect with the worlds of the books, it’s an intriguing look into well-researched cultural fare from throughout history. Sounds delicious!

The Canterbury Goblet

This beautiful pewter goblet is the same make as as featured throughout Game of Thrones, clutched in the hands of some of your favourite characters. The A.E. Williams family have been making pewter since 1779, so you can be assured this is a well-crafted and unique piece. Perfect for a glass of mead or blood-red wine!

Hand of the King Wax Seal Kit

With no modern technology in Westeros, important messages must be sent via tightly-sealed scroll. Play the part of the all-important Hand of the King with your very own wax seal in the official design. Whether you’re sending fate-deciding secrets, or simply catching up with a friend overseas, this traditional seal-and-scroll kit will make you feel like you live in another world, if only for a little while!

The Harry Potter Collection

The Unofficial Guide to Crafting the World of Harry Potter

This is the perfect idea for the creative Harry Potter fan. From jewellry to homewares, this bewitching book contains 30 unique craft ideas inspired by the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Examples of crafts found in the book include Butterbeer lip balm, Golden Snitch necklaces and Pygmy Puff bath fizzies. Who needs a visit to Diagon Alley when you can make your own treasures?

Harry Potter Mini-Kits

These adorable mini-kits are the ideal gift idea for Potterheads that won’t break the bank. Whether it’s colouring, stickering or prop replicas, these compact kits are a lovely little token of the magic of the wizarding world - including the new world of the Fantastic Beasts film series! Golden Snitches, Bowtruckles, Hogwarts castles, wands and more - these are sure to delight.

Harry Potter: A History of Magic

Unless you've recently been to London, chances are you haven’t been able to visit the Harry Potter: A History of Magic exhibition at the British Library. But never fear - this beautiful book is the official companion to the exhibition, containing all the collection's wonders in paper form. The collection not only includes artefacts from the franchise - such as old manuscripts, sketches and more - but is a fascinating look at the real-life history and mythology that inspired J.K. Rowling. Whether you’re a die-hard Harry Potter fan or simply a mythology geek or bibliophile, you’ll find something to appreciate in this fascinating tome.

The Lord of The Rings Collection

Elven Ring of Power

Before the Iron Throne, there were the Rings of Power from Tolkien’s fantasy world of Middle-earth. This Elven version is a bit less sinister than the One Ring - it’s inscribed with the sentence "To encircle all without beginning or end" in Tolkien’s beautiful Elvish language. Made from sterling silver with a smooth thick set, this is a meaningful and lasting trinket for all Lord of the Rings fans.

Lord of the Rings Character Swords

Tolkien’s tales of Middle-earth are filled with danger and battle, so weapons are integral to the stories. Here’s your chance to wield the blades of Tolkien’s heros, from Arwen’s elegant sword Hadhafang to Legolas’s awesome fighting knives and Frodo's dainty but fierce Sting. With no orcs to fight in the real world, these decorative swords and daggers are sure to impress when displayed in pride of place on your walls.

David Day’s Tolkien Companion Books

David Day is a Tolkien scholar who has dedicated years to intricately understanding the world of Middle-earth. His Tolkien companion books - The Battles of Tolkien, The Heroes of Tolkien, An Atlas of Tolkien, and A Dictionary of Tolkien - explore different layers of Tolkien’s world, accompanied by insightful commentary by David. With vivid flexibound covers, these books are a beautiful addition to any Tolkien fan’s library.

The richness of well-imagined fantasy worlds means that we can spend years and years exploring them and never get bored! Hopefully some of these tomes and treasures help feed your appetite for more Westeros, Middle-earth and wizardry.

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Wizards, dragons, goblin kings, magical gemstones, yellow brick roads...there’s nothing better than a good fantasy film, is there? With their sweeping landscapes and wonderful costumes, fantasy movies are a real feast for the eyes and for the soul! They’re a chance to get lost in another world for a little while, and to get swept up in the danger and adventure alongside our favourite heroes and heroines.

While there are so many amazing fantasy films to choose from out there, we’ve picked five of our Dragonspace favourites to shine a spotlight on this week:

#1 THE LORD OF THE RINGS TRILOGY (2001 - 2003)

It’s always hard to adapt a beloved book series onto the screen, but Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy did Tolkien’s fantasy masterpiece undeniable justice. The film trilogy isn’t just adored by fantasy fans—it’s a true legend of the film world in general. The third installment in the series, The Return of the King, was the first fantasy film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture, and it currently holds the record for the highest Oscars sweep. So who says that fantasy films are niche?

There’s so much about The Lord of the Rings trilogy to love. The films are visually stunning, thanks to the epic New Zealand landscapes that were used to bring Middle-earth to life. The superstar cast—including Sir Ian McKellan, Viggo Mortensen, Elijah Wood, Andy Serkis and Cate Blanchett—deliver stellar performances. And the visual effects of the films still manage to hold up, even decades later. Yep, as fantasy movies go, The Lord of the Rings is as good as they come, and is yet to be de-throned in our opinion!

(If you're a fan of Tolkien and Middle-earth, check out our range of Tolkien books here!)

#2 LABYRINTH (1986)

Fantasies and musicals are two film genres that aren’t often combined, but if anyone’s going to pull such a trick off, of course it would be Jim Henson, George Lucas, Brian Froud and David Bowie! Joined by Jennifer Connelly as the film’s heroic lead, this team created Labyrinth, the 1986 musical-fantasy classic. With Henson as director, Lucas as exec-producer, Froud as costume designer, and Bowie playing the Goblin King, Labyrinth brought us a world like no other. Goblins dance and sing, monsters become friends, and staircases turn upside-down in this wild adventure, in which protagonist Sarah must navigate a mystical labyrinth to rescue her baby brother from the dark Goblin King.

The thing that makes this film so unique is its fantastical puppetry. With the exception of Connelly and Bowie’s characters, the rest of the characters in the film are puppets created by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop (best known for The Muppets). The distinctive puppetry of Labyrinth gives the film an eerie surreal aesthetic, which still stands out in an age when most fantasy is heavy CGI. And of course, Labyrinth delivers some great singalongs, courtesy of the late great Bowie. A lot of fantasy films tend to be quite serious, so Labyrinth is a refreshingly quirky and comical addition to the genre.

#3 THE DARK CRYSTAL (1982)

But before there was Labyrinth, there was The Dark Crystal. This 1982 fantasy adventure classic is also the creation of Jim Henson and Brian Froud, along with famous puppeteer Frank Oz. Like Labyrinth, The Dark Crystal, relies heavily on puppetry and animatronics to bring the fantasy characters of the film to life. As Jen, the ‘Gelfling’ hero of the story, undertakes a quest to restore a powerful gemstone, he traverses a weird and wonderful world that’s now become iconic.

The Dark Crystal was actually the first live-action film without any human beings on screen. Perhaps due to its ground-breaking and unprecedented nature, the film received mixed reviews when it was first released. It was much darker than Jim Henson’s Muppet work, so people didn’t quite know what to think. Now, however, The Dark Crystal is a firm fantasy favourite! And good news for all fans of the movie—there’s actually going to be a prequel produced in association with Netflix, so we all get to explore the surreal world of The Dark Crystal even further.

(If you're a fan of Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal, check out our full range of Brian Froud books here, featuring his distinctive and imaginative artwork.)

#4 THE WIZARD OF OZ (1939)

Technicolor musical The Wizard of Oz isn’t just one of the greatest fantasy films of all time—it’s one of the greatest films of all time in general. Released in 1939, The Wizard of Oz was one of the first examples of a film shot in colour, and it definitely used vivid Technicolor to its advantage, from the bright Yellow Brick Road to the glittering Emerald City.

Based on the children’s classic The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, the film follows the adventures of Dorothy (played by Judy Garland) and her little dog Toto as they enter an incredible fantasyland via a tornado. The friends Dorothy makes along the way—the Tin Man, the Scarecrow and the Cowardly Lion—are iconic, as are the dazzling show-tunes that pepper the story. The Wizard of Oz won Academy Awards for Best Music - Original Score, and Original Song for Over The Rainbow, which is now a classic. From the munchkins to the Wicked Witch of the West to Dorothy’s ruby slippers, The Wizard of Oz made a lasting legacy that hasn’t faded even eighty years later!

#5 THE HARRY POTTER SERIES (2001 - 2011)

J.K Rowling’s Harry Potter franchise created a world-wide fantasy mania that had never been seen before. And it wasn’t just the books that had fans lining up for midnight releases—the movies caused just as much of a stir! The film series ended up stretching over ten years, and viewers saw the young cast—with British actors Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint at the helm—literally grow up on screen.

Including film legends like Dame Maggie Smith, Alan Rickman, Robbie Coltrane, Kenneth Branagh and dozens of others, the cast of the Harry Potter films are one of its main strengths. But they’re also very visually impressive, with incredible set design, costuming, props and visual effects. When you watch these films, you truly feel like you’re inhabiting the wizarding world and joining in the adventures and trials of Harry and his comrades. Which is what all good fantasy films should make you feel!

(If you love Harry Potter, check out our new range of Harry Potter & Fantastic Beasts mini activity kits here!)

It doesn’t have to be a diamond to be romantic. Gifting jewelry as a token of love and commitment has been tradition for centuries in cultures all over the world. One of the most popular romantic jewelry items we get asked about here at Dragonspace is the Claddagh ring, so we thought we’d share the history of this famous love ring, and a few other pieces of romantic jewelry from our glittering cases!

The Claddagh Ring

Are you familiar with the above image? This symbolic ring—featuring a heart held by two hands and topped with a crown—is known as a 'Claddagh' ring and is a popular Irish icon.

Claddagh rings have been around since the 17th-century, and are said to have originated in the Irish village of Galway. The symbols on the ring represent love (the heart), friendship (the hands) and loyalty (the crown). So it's no surprise that Claddagh rings are popularly used as engagement, wedding and commitment rings.

What you might not know is that the way you wear the Claddagh ring is important. Many people believe that the positioning of a Claddagh ring is a statement of the wearer’s relationship status, as follows:

1. Right hand, point of the heart facing away from the wearer: you’re single and looking
2. Right hand, point of the heart facing towards the wearer: you’re in a relationship
3. Left ring finger, point of the heart facing away from the wearer: you’re engaged
4. Left ring finger, point of the heart facing toward the wearer: you’re married

While Claddagh rings are popular among Irish people and those of Irish descent, anyone can wear them! They might also be given as a gift of friendship, or even love among family members. The Claddagh symbol can also feature on other types of jewelry, such as earrings and bracelets.

Claddagh rings are certainly a popular piece of romantic jewelry, but they’re not the only kind. If you’re in the market for a symbolic trinket to gift your partner—or even pop the question!—we’ve got a few different options:

Celtic Knots

Celtic knots are a well-known type of Celtic artwork. These intricate knots feature in art, architecture and fashion all over the world, and are heavy in symbolism. Celtic knots signify the interconnectedness of the world and as many of the knots are ‘infinite’ or ‘endless’, they can be strong symbols of eternity.  Therefore, gifting your partner with a piece of jewelry featuring a Celtic knot is a powerful way to declare your spiritual connection, and to make a promise of forever.

There’s also a special selection of Celtic knots that are ‘threefold’—such as the triskele and the triquetra—that symbolise the ‘threefold’ nature of our world. For Christians, this represents the Holy Trinity of God, Jesus and The Holy Spirit. But for Pagans, this indicated the three stages of womanhood: the maiden, the mother and the crone. Trinity knots are also popular wedding ring symbols as they’re a bold statement of being loyal to your partner through all stages of life.

Elven Love Rings

Most people are familiar with the famous ‘One Ring’ from Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy. But while that ring has a fairly ominous story behind it, there’s a more romantic version! This Elven Love Ring is inspired by the unique Elvish language that Tolkien himself famously created. Stamped upon the ring in Elvish is the inscription, ‘One ring to seal our love and forever to entwine us’, both on the inside and outside of the ring. What a perfect gift for the Middle-earth romantic!

Dragons and Fairies

In our modern times, many people are rejecting the traditional notions of ‘masculine’ and ‘feminine’ identities. A better non-gender specific way of describing different energies is that of ‘moon’ and ‘sun’ energies, or ‘dragon’ and ‘fairy’ energies. Dragon energies tend to be fierce, zealous and assertive. While fairy energies tend to be delicate, intuitive and sensitive.

If you’re not one for tradition, you might like to wear a matching dragon and fairy ring pairing with your partner. You’ll be the dragon to their fairy, and vice versa! This is a unique way of declaring your love for each other that’s far from traditional.

As you can see, there a few creative ways you can express your love to your partner, friend or family member in jewelry form. You might be guided by your cultural heritage or your spiritual interests—either way, your declaration of love can be just as unique as your bond is! Let us know in the comments what your favourite piece of romantic jewelry is, or what you’ve been inspired by.

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