Smallfolk

For the television episode, see Smallfolk (TV).

Smallfolk near the Red Keep in Game of Thrones

Smallfolk or lowborn are the common people of the known world. Most are peasants who have to obey their local lord, even though they may never catch a glimpse of him during their life. The nobility of Westeros have great power over their smallfolk, whom they are expected to protect.

About

Most smallfolk are poor, illiterate people living provincial, humble, and simple lives. Most do not have surnames. They use roads which are crooked muddy tracks that do not appear on parchment maps. Instead of castle-forged steel or lances, they are more likely to use staffs as weapons. In Westeros, they often name their daughters after flowers and herbs, like Violet or Tansy, and peasant girls are more likely to bleed from losing their maidenhead on wedding nights, as it is uncommon for them to ride horses. They are far removed from the major players of the game of thrones, but are affected by those decisions, good or bad. Bastards with a lowborn parent can be called baseborn.

In Westeros the smallfolk often dress in raw wool and dull brown roughspun, while nobles wear colored velvets, silks, and samites. The opposite is true in Braavos, where nobles dress in dark hues while bravos are brightly colored. The people of Lys, both noble and smallfolk, resemble the Valyrians of old.

Beliefs

Smallfolk are less educated than the noble class and can be superstitious people. They are eager to believe the worst of their lords. Beliefs commonly shared among the smallfolk include:

• If a woman eats rabbit while pregnant, her child will be born with long floppy ears. (False)
• The silent sisters are tongueless. (False, they took a vow of silence)
• The new gods are seven deities. (In reality, it is one god with seven different aspects)
• The world is flat. (False, wise men from around the world have determined it to be round)
• The last year of summer is always the hottest. (False, the records of the maesters have proven it to be wrong)
• A long summer means an even longer winter. (False)
• The Hightower in Oldtown just appeared one day. (Scholars still debate on the origin of the Hightower)
• Lord Tywin Lannister's talent to raise money is due to him shitting gold. (False)
• High Heart is still haunted by the dead children of the forest slained by King Erreg the Kinslayer.
• Dragonglass is made by dragons. (Maesters believe it to be formed by the "fires of the earth" (e.i. high heat and pressure under the earth), which was confirmed by George R. R. Martin)
• They often say "Send a knight to slay a knight and an archer to kill an archer".

Labor

Most smallfolk remain on the lower end of the social ladder all their lives. They usually learn their trade from their parents who have learned it from their parents and so forth. The labors mentioned in the books are:

Alimentation and Nature

• Baker
• Beekeeper
• Brewer
• Butcher
• Cheesemaker
• Crofter
• Dyer
• Farmer
• Farrier
• Felter
• Fieldhand
• Fisherman
• Forester
• Hunter
• Leech collector
• Miller
• Poacher
• Ratcatcher
• Sausage maker
• Sheepherder
• Swineherd
• Vintner
• Woodsman

Artisan

• Bricklayer
• Candlemaker
• Carpenter
• Carver
• Cobbler
• Cooper
• Cordwainer
• Glassblower
• Glazier
• Mason
  • Stonemason
• Miner
• Ropemaker
• Sailmender
• Seamstress
• Shipwright
• Smith
  • Blacksmith
  • Goldsmith
  • Master armorer
  • Silversmith
• Tanner
• Weaver
• Woodworker

Artist

• Fool
• Juggler
• Musician
• Mummer
• Playwright
• Puppeteer
• Poet
• Sculptor
• Singer

Noble household

• Barber
• Cook
  • Scullion
• Handmaid
• Kennelmaster
  • Kennel boys and girls
• Groom
  • Stableboy
  • Stablehand
• Guard
• Gaoler
  • Chief gaoler
  • Chief undergaoler
  • Turnkey
  • Undergaoler
• Master of horse
• Scribe
• Steward
• Tutor
• Wet nurse
• Whipping boy

Merchant

• Chandler
• Fishwife
• Greengrocer
• Innkeeper
• Merchant
• Prostitute
• Taverner
• Trader
• Wineseller

Transport

• Ferryman
• Oarsman
• Porter
• Sailor
• Wagonman

Advancement

Even though they are born in the lowest social status in Westeros, it is possible for smallfolk to rise in social status.

• Hedge knights are usually born as smallfolk, but they may rise to higher positions. For example, Ser Duncan the Tall became Lord Commander of the Kingsguard for King Aegon V Targaryen. Great service may also be rewarded with knighthood as exemplified by the smuggler Davos, who slipped through the naval blockade during the siege of Storm's End. This saved the castle garrison from starvation, and Davos was rewarded by Stannis Baratheon with land, keep, and knighthood, becoming a landed knight.
• Successful merchants can sometimes be ennobled, such as the founder of House Spicer, a wealthy merchant whose father was lowborn.
• It is possible for smallfolk to join city guards or the Night's Watch with the possibility of becoming a commander, like Janos Slynt, Commander of the City Watch of King's Landing, or being ennobled like Luthor Largent.
• Smallfolk are allowed to join the Citadel of Oldtown, where they study to become maesters.
• The Faith of the Seven allows all to become septons or septas.
• The Poor Fellows, an order of the Faith Militant, accepted members regardless of their status or their sex.

Popularity with the smallfolk

Popular characters

• King Aegon I Targaryen
• Prince Viserys Targaryen
• King Jaehaerys I Targaryen
• Queen Alysanne Targaryen
• Ser Willam Stafford
• Ser Harys Hogg
• Jonquil Darke
• Elissa Farman (on Fair Isle at least)
• Ser Lucamore Strong
• Lord Rodrik Arryn
• Prince Baelon Targaryen
• King Viserys I Targaryen
• Queen Alicent Hightower
• Lord Alyn Velaryon
• King Daeron II Targaryen
• Serwyn of the Mirror Shield
• Prince Aemon the Dragonknight
• King Baelor I Targaryen
• King Aegon V Targaryen
• Prince Rhaegar Targaryen
• Lord Renly Baratheon
• King Robert I Baratheon
• Queen Margaery Tyrell
• Ser Loras Tyrell
• Ser Barristan Selmy
• Lord Beric Dondarrion
• Simon Toyne
• Ser Arthur Dayne
• High Sparrow

Unpopular characters

• King Harren Hoare
• King Aenys I Targaryen (loved at the start of his reign but hated by the end of it)
• King Maegor I Targaryen
• Queen Rhaena Targaryen (feared by the smallfolk at the end of her life)
• Lord Rego Draz
• Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen (hailed as the "Realm's Delight" in her youth but hated at the end of her life)
• Lord Bartimos Celtigar
• Lord Brynden Rivers
• Lord Stannis Baratheon
• Lord Tywin Lannister
• Tyrion Lannister
• Queen Cersei Lannister
• The fat High Septon
• House Lannister

History

During the Century of Blood, many smallfolk in Essos fled before the Dothraki.

Harren Hoare beggared lords and smallfolk during the construction of Harrenhal.

Queen Rhaenys Targaryen was concerned for smallfolk and aided her brother, King Aegon I Targaryen, in gaining their allegiance. Smallfolk turned against their son, Aenys I Targaryen, after he wed his children, Princess Rhaena and Prince Aegon to each other.

Tens of thousands of smallfolk died during the Dance of the Dragons. King Aegon III Targaryen tried to feed the hungry and entertain the smallfolk.

Smallfolk loved King Baelor I Targaryen, although his generosity alarmed the nobility.

King Aegon V Targaryen was also beloved by the commoners, although most of his efforts to aid them with laws and reform were eventually reversed by the nobles.

Quotes

Thousands of smallfolk streamed out the city gates, carrying their children and worldly possessions on their backs, to seek safety in the countryside. Others dug pits and tunnels under their hovels, dark dank holes where they hoped to hide whilst the city burned.

—writings of Gyldayn

A man has his pride, no matter how lowborn he may be.

—Duncan the Tall to Aegon Targaryen

The common people pray for rain, healthy children, and a summer that never ends. It is no matter to them if the high lords play their game of thrones, so long as they are left in peace. They never are.

—Jorah Mormont to Daenerys Targaryen

That was the way of war. The smallfolk were slaughtered, while the highborn were held for ransom.

—thoughts of Tyrion Lannister

Stannis: What do the smallfolk say of Renly's death?

Davos: They grieve. Your brother was well loved.

Stannis: Fools love a fool, but I grieve for him as well.

—Stannis Baratheon and Davos Seaworth

I'm too bloody lowborn to be kin to m'lady high.

—Gendry to Arya Stark

Keep your eyes down and your tone respectful and say ser a lot, and most knights will never see you. They pay more mind to horses than to smallfolk.

—Sandor Clegane to Arya Stark

They are born, they live, they love, they die.

—Meribald to Brienne of Tarth

If we mingle with the commons, they will love us better.

—Tommen Baratheon to Cersei Lannister

It is being common-born that is dangerous, when the great lords play their game of thrones.

—Meribald to Hyle Hunt