One of the most rewarding aspects of being a historian is seeing academic research reach audiences far beyond the university. Over the past year, I have had the opportunity to work as a historical consultant on the third series of HBO's House of the Dragon, helping the production team develop aspects of the show's maritime world.

Although House of the Dragon is set in the fictional world of Westeros, its creators have always drawn heavily on medieval and early Tudor history. My role was to help ensure that the naval and maritime elements of the series reflected the realities of the period that inspired George R. R. Martin's world.

Much of my advice focused on medieval and Tudor seafaring. This included discussions about ships and navigation, how fleets were organised, the practicalities of naval warfare, and the realities of life at sea. We explored how medieval fleets were assembled, how ships manoeuvred during combat, the weapons that would have been available, and the challenges commanders faced when fighting on water rather than land.

Historical consulting is rarely about providing a single definitive answer. Instead, it is a collaborative process in which historians work alongside writers, directors, production designers and visual artists to develop ideas that feel authentic while serving the needs of the story. Throughout the project, I advised on a wide range of maritime issues, answered detailed historical questions, and helped translate academic research into material that could support the creative process.

The work extended beyond ships and naval combat. I also assisted with the development of maps and other visual materials that helped shape the geography and maritime setting of the series. These discussions often involved thinking carefully about how coastlines, ports, sea routes and strategic locations would have functioned, drawing on the same kinds of historical evidence that informs my academic research.

For me, one of the most satisfying aspects of the collaboration was seeing how historical scholarship can contribute to world-building. While viewers may never consciously notice the details of a harbour, the layout of a fleet, or the way a naval engagement unfolds, these elements help create a believable and immersive world.

The experience also reinforced the wider public value of historical research. Much of my own work focuses on medieval and early modern maritime Britain, reconstructing the movement of ships, merchants and people through thousands of archival records. The same knowledge that helps us understand Britain's maritime past can also inform television, film, museums and other forms of public engagement.

Working with the House of the Dragon team was both intellectually stimulating and enormously enjoyable. It was a privilege to contribute to one of the world's most successful television productions and to demonstrate how historical expertise can enrich creative storytelling.

As historians, we often spend our time uncovering the past from fragile manuscripts and archival documents. Occasionally, those discoveries find a second life on screen, helping millions of viewers experience worlds inspired by history in new and compelling ways.