One thing I can answer is that they probably do not have a 12 month cycle as we would understand it. They don't have seasons the way that we do. The seasons drastically vary in length. The only real rule that they have is that the longer the summer, the longer the winter. The books start at the tail end of a 10 year summer and (as the catch phrase goes)"Winter is coming".
They may judge their 'year' by constellations or something. I can't remember that it's been mentioned but as they celebrate 'name day' (or rather their birthdays) they must have some system. Strange that I can't think of any mention of it since he's taken the time to detail at least 4 separate religions and even the world's 'ancient' history.
Just to clarify, though, Westeros is just one country. One that was made up of what were once seven different kingdoms. There are other countries/continent in the book. Much of Daenerys story takes place "Across the Narrow Sea" in the continent of Essos where there are the "Free Cities" (various city states) and places like the Dothraki Grass See, Qarth, The Red Waste (dessert), Pentos, Braavos, etc.
Meanwhile, there are people and beyond "The Wall" which is the northern boundary of Westeros. Beyond the Wall there are monsters are "The Wildlings" (which is what Westerosi refer to them as. They refer to themselves as "the free folk").
It's always fun to watch the show's opening credits map because the map keeps adding and changing locations based on the story: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7L2PVdrb_8
no subject
They may judge their 'year' by constellations or something. I can't remember that it's been mentioned but as they celebrate 'name day' (or rather their birthdays) they must have some system. Strange that I can't think of any mention of it since he's taken the time to detail at least 4 separate religions and even the world's 'ancient' history.
Just to clarify, though, Westeros is just one country. One that was made up of what were once seven different kingdoms. There are other countries/continent in the book. Much of Daenerys story takes place "Across the Narrow Sea" in the continent of Essos where there are the "Free Cities" (various city states) and places like the Dothraki Grass See, Qarth, The Red Waste (dessert), Pentos, Braavos, etc.
Meanwhile, there are people and beyond "The Wall" which is the northern boundary of Westeros. Beyond the Wall
there are monstersare "The Wildlings" (which is what Westerosi refer to them as. They refer to themselves as "the free folk").HBO's Interactive Map of Westeros and Essos:
http://viewers-guide.hbo.com/game-of-thrones/season2/#!/map/
It's always fun to watch the show's opening credits map because the map keeps adding and changing locations based on the story:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7L2PVdrb_8
HBO also has a good info page on the various houses involved:
http://viewers-guide.hbo.com/game-of-thrones/season2/#!/guide/houses/