The Most Devout are a council of the highest ranking clergy of the Faith of the Seven.
About
[edit]The Most Devout can be identified by their cloth-of-silver vestments and crystal coronals.[1] Although the High Septon is usually elected from among the Most Devout, this is not a requirement.[2] Membership might be limited to septons only,[N 1] though women did participate alongside men in the selection of Pater as High Septon.[4]
History
[edit]Before the arrival of the Targaryens, the seat of the Faith of the Seven was the ornate Starry Sept in Oldtown.[5] Many of the Most Devout were displeased when the High Septon advised Lord Manfred Hightower not to oppose King Aegon I Targaryen during Aegon's Conquest, as the Faith disapproved of the incest and polygamy practiced by House Targaryen.[4]
When King Maegor I Targaryen was approaching Oldtown during the Faith Militant uprising, Lord Martyn Hightower had his men force the Most Devout from their beds to quickly choose a new leader of the Faith after the sudden death of the High Septon. Pater was chosen as the new High Septon by the assembled wise men and women.[4]
Seventy-seven of the Most Devout escorted the High Septon to King's Landing in 49 AC.[6] The High Septon and the Most Devout were concerned about the orthodoxy of Septon Barth when he was appointed Hand of the King by Jaehaerys I Targaryen.[7] Barth regretted that corrupt Most Devout were easily manipulated by kings and lords.[8] Twoscore of the Most Devout died of the Shivers.[9]
Disregarding the Most Devout, a simple stonemason and a young boy were High Septons during the reign of King Baelor I Targaryen.[2] The High Septon and the Most Devout now convene in the Great Sept of Baelor in King's Landing.[1]
A third of the Most Devout died during the Great Spring Sickness.[10]
Recent Events
[edit]A Feast for Crows
[edit]Seven of the Most Devout attend the High Septon before the funeral for Lord Tywin Lannister.[11] Most Devout are among the hundreds of septons who come to mourn the late Hand of the King, with one of them growing faint from the body's appearance and smell.[1]
After the High Septon's death, the small council hears that Septons Torbert, Raynard, Ollidor, and Luceon are likely contenders to succeed him, with Qyburn reporting that Luceon hosted a dinner for thirty of the Most Devout.[12]
The Most Devout meet in the Great Sept of Baelor to choose the new High Septon. When Septon Luceon is nine votes away from being selected, sparrows armed with axes enter the Great Sept and force the Most Devout to choose the High Sparrow as the new High Septon.[2]
After being imprisoned by the Faith, Queen Regent Cersei Lannister is asked to confess her sins by Moelle and Unella,[13] septas of the Most Devout.[14]
Known members of the Most Devout
[edit]Historical Most Devout
[edit]- Septon Eustace[15]
- Septon Mattheus[6]
- The younger brother of Lord Donnel Hightower, later promoted to High Septon[16]
- One nephew of Lord Donnel Hightower[16]
- Two cousins of Lord Donnel Hightower[16]
Most Devout during A Song of Ice and Fire
[edit]- Septon Raynard[14]
- Septon Torbert[14]
- Septon Luceon[14]
- Septon Ollidor[14]
- Septa Moelle (possibly)[14][17]
- Septa Aglantine (possibly)[14][17]
- Septa Melicent (possibly)[14][17]
- Septa Unella (possibly)[14][17]
Quotes
[edit]The High Septon walked slowly, leaning on a weirwood staff topped by a crystal orb. Seven of the Most Devout attended him, shimmering in cloth-of-silver.[11]
—thoughts of Cersei Lannister
He is utterly mad. The Most Devout must have been mad as well, to elevate this creature ... mad, or terrified of the beggars at their doors.[2]
—thoughts of Cersei Lannister
Notes
[edit]- ↑ Regarding the inclusion of septas, Ran explained, "I'm inclined to think that the lack of evidence for them, other than the AFfC appendix which seems to have been corrected in ADwD, means no."[3]
References
[edit]- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 8, Jaime I.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 28, Cersei VI.
- ↑ asoiaf.westeros.org: The ASOIAF wiki thread – Comment by Ran, August 3, 2018
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Fire & Blood, The Sons of the Dragon.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, Aegon's Conquest.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Fire & Blood, The Year of The Three Brides - 49 AC.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, A Time of Tesitng - The Realm Remade.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Daeron II.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 7, Cersei II.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 17, Cersei IV.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 43, Cersei X.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 14.5 14.6 14.7 14.8 A Feast for Crows, Appendix.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Fire & Blood, Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 asoiaf.westeros.org: The ASOIAF wiki thread – Comment by Ran, August 2, 2018
- ↑ Fire & Blood, A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade.
| The Seven |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Holy books | ||
| Structural orders | ||
| Military orders |
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| Structures | ||
| Major septs | ||
| Septries & Motherhouses | ||
| Sects | ||