Small council

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King Robert Baratheon's small council - by Thomas Denmark. © FFG
The small council chamber flanked by a pair of Valyrian sphinxes. © FFG

The small council is a small group of advisers which advises the King of the Seven Kingdoms on matters of policy and their areas of expertise. Aegon I Targaryen relied on councillors after being crowned, but it was not until the reign of King Jaehaerys I Targaryen that the small council was formalized.[1]

The council is headed by the king, the only one who can make the council's decisions into law. In his absence the role falls to the Hand of the King or the regent if the king is too young.

Some council members are called "lords" even if not members of nobility.[2] They are appointed and dismissed by the king as he wills, a right freely used during times of war and strife. However, it seems that traditionally the council consists of seven permanent members, after the Andal traditions and the Faith of the Seven, with reserved positions for:

Small council headed by Eddard Stark (Game of Thrones)

Although a council seems to always have these seven members, it may include additional members as advisors.

Small council members

Under Aegon I Targaryen

Although the official small council would only be formed during the reign of Aegon's grandson Jaehaerys I, Aegon had established his councillors early on. The following men are known to have filled the various offices:

Office Duration Name Notes
Hand of the King 1 AC - 7 AC[3][4] Lord Orys Baratheon  
7 AC - 9 AC[5] Lord Edmyn Tully  
Unknown - 34 AC[6] Ser Osmund Strong Although the start of his office as Hand is unknown, Ser Osmund is known to have been Aegon's Hand when Aegon ordered the construction of the walls around King’s Landing in 19 AC.[1]
34 AC/35 AC37 AC[6] Lord Alyn Stokeworth Ser Osmund Strong died in 34 AC,[6] but it is currently unknown whether Alyn succeeded him in the office of Hand the same year, or the next. By 35 AC, however, he is known to have been Hand.[6]
Grand Maester Unknown - 37 AC Gawen Although the date of Gawen taking office as Grand Maester is unknown, it is known that Gawen was already Grand Maester when Aegon ordered the construction of the walls around King’s Landing in 19 AC.[1] Additionally, it is known that Gawen was still the Grand Maester during Aenys I's reign.[7]
Master of coin 1 AC - Unknown Lord Crispian Celtigar[3]  
Master of laws 1 AC - Unknown Lord Triston Massey[3]  
Lord admiral and master of ships Aegon's Conquest Lord Daemon Velaryon[3]  
Unknown Aethan Velaryon Although it is unknown when exactly Aethan served in the office, he is known to have been Aegon’s master of ships by 22 AC,[6] when his daughter married Aenys.[7] He held the office at least until 30 AC.[6]
Lord Commander of the Kingsguard 10 AC - Unknown Ser Corlys Velaryon[1]  

Under Aenys I Targaryen

Office Duration Name Notes
Hand of the King 37 AC - 37 AC[7][6] Lord Alyn Stokeworth  
37 AC - 39 AC[7][6] Prince Maegor Targaryen  
39 AC - 41 AC Septon Murmison  
Grand Maester 37 AC - 42 AC Gawen  
Master of coin      
Master of laws      
Master of ships      
Lord Commander of the Kingsguard      

Under Maegor I Targaryen

King Maegor I Targaryen is the first Targaryen monarch to have been known to have a spymistress in his employment.

Office Duration Name Notes
Hand of the King 43 AC - 44 AC[6][N 1] Lord Lucas Harroway  
44 AC - 48 AC[6] Lord Edwell Celtigar Lord Edwell resigned in 48 AC, shortly before the end of Maegor's reign.[6]
Grand Maester 42 AC - 42 AC Gawen Personally executed by Maegor.[6][8]
42 AC - 42 AC Myres Personally executed by Maegor.[6]
42 AC - 44 AC Desmond Personally executed by Maegor.[6]
Unknown - 48 AC Benifer Known to have been in office by 47 AC.[6]
Admiral of the king's fleet Unknown - 48 AC[8] Lord Daemon Velaryon  
Mistress of whisperers 42 AC - 48 AC[6][N 2] Tyanna of the Tower  
Master of coin Unknown - 48 AC Alton Butterwell Known to have been in office by 47 AC.[6]
Lord Commander of the Kingsguard   Unknown  

Under Jaehaerys I Targaryen

King Jaehaerys I Targaryen officially established the small council. Lord Lyman Beesbury is known to have served in the small council of Jaehaerys I,[9] although it is unknown what office he held and during which period he served.

Office Duration Name Notes
Regent 48 AC - 50 AC Dowager Queen Alyssa Velaryon[4]  
Hand of the King 48 AC - Unknown Lord Robar Baratheon[4]  
59 AC - 99 AC Septon Barth[10][11]  
99 AC - 100 AC Ser Ryam Redwyne[11]  
100 AC - 101 AC Prince Baelon Targaryen[11]  
101 AC - 103 AC Ser Otto Hightower[12]  
Master of coin      
Lord Commander of the Kingsguard Unknown - 103 AC Ser Ryam Redwyne[11]  

Under Viserys I Targaryen

The small council of King Viserys I Targaryen had the following members:

Office Duration Name Notes
Hand of the King 103 AC - 109 AC Ser Otto Hightower  
109 AC - 120 AC Lord Lyonel Strong  
120 AC - 129 AC Ser Otto Hightower  
Grand Maester Unknown - 112 AC[11] Runciter Although it is unknown when Runciter started in the office, he is known to have been in office by 105 AC.[11]
112 AC - 127 AC[11][13] Mellos  
127 AC - 129 AC[11][13] Orwyle  
Master of coin 103 AC - 104 AC[11] Prince Daemon Targaryen  
Unknown - 129 AC Lord Lyman Beesbury Lord Lyman Beesbury had served on the small council under King Jaehaerys I Targaryen for an unknown period of time, and the entire reign of King Viserys I Targaryen.[9] It is unknown which office Lord Lyman held prior to becoming master of coin, or when he first sat in the office.
Master of laws 104 AC - 104 AC Prince Daemon Targaryen  
105 AC - 109 AC Lord Lyonel Strong  
Unknown - 129 AC Lord Jasper Wylde  
Master of ships Unknown - 129 AC Ser Tyland Lannister  
Master of whisperers Unknown - 129 AC Lord Larys Strong  
Lord Commander of the Kingsguard 103 AC - 105 AC Ser Ryam Redwyne  
105 AC - 112 AC Ser Harrold Westerling  
112 AC - 129 AC Ser Criston Cole  

Under Aegon II Targaryen

During the reign of King Aegon II Targaryen (called the "green council" in opposition to Rhaenyra Targaryen's black council), the small council held the following members:

Office Duration Name Notes
Hand of the King 129 AC - 129 AC Ser Otto Hightower  
129 AC - 130 AC Ser Criston Cole Ser Criston Cole held the office of Lord Commander of the Kingsguard at the same time.[9]
Grand Maester 129 AC - Unknown Orwyle Orwyle was arrested by Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen's forces when she took King's Landing in 130 AC and placed in the black cells.[9] It is unknown when Orwyle was executed.
Master of coin 129 AC - 131 AC Ser Tyland Lannister  
Master of laws 129 AC - 130 AC Lord Jasper Wylde  
Master of whisperers 129 AC - 131 AC Lord Larys Strong  
Lord Commander of the Kingsguard 129 AC - 130 AC Ser Criston Cole  

Under Aegon IV Targaryen

During the reign of King Aegon IV Targaryen known as Aegon the Unworthy

Under Aerys II Targaryen

During the reign of Aerys II Targaryen, the Mad King. The council composition was:

Under Robert I Baratheon

During the reign of King Robert I Baratheon. Robert often does not attend the meetings and passes the responsibility to his Hand. Toward the end of his reign, the council composition is:

Under Joffrey I Baratheon

After Robert I Baratheon's death and ascension to the throne of Joffrey I Baratheon, Queen Cersei Lannister assumes regency over her son and Tywin Lannister is named Hand of the King. He sends Tyrion Lannister to serve in his stead while he is campaigning in the riverlands. The council composition is:

  • Note that Tyrion removes Janos Slynt and Grand Maester Pycelle from the council.


After the Battle of the Blackwater, Tywin Lannister re-assumes his duties as the Hand, reinstates Pycelle and dismisses his daughter Cersei from the council. The council composition is:

Under Tommen I Baratheon

After the death of Tywin, Cersei re-assumes regency over her younger son, King Tommen Baratheon, and reorganizes the council with Lannister loyalists.[15] Also called the "smallest council" due to the low prestige of its members. The council composition is:

  • Queen Regent - Queen Cersei Lannister
  • Hand of the King - Ser Harys Swyft, the Knight of Cornfield, though he is later demoted and replaced by Orton Merryweather.
  • Grand Maester - Pycelle
  • Master of laws and justiciar - Lord Orton Merryweather, until promoted to Hand of the King
  • Master of coin and lord treasurer - Lord Gyles Rosby, until his death, then Harys Swyft
  • Master of ships and grand admiral - Aurane Waters
  • Master of whisperers - Varys, until Tyrion's escape, then Qyburn
  • Lord Commander of the Kingsguard - Ser Jaime Lannister

After the arrest of Cersei, several of Cersei's councillors flee King's Landing, Ser Kevan Lannister assumes the regency. The council composition is:

  • Lord Regent - Ser Kevan Lannister, Protector of the Realm
  • Hand of the King - Lord Mace Tyrell
  • Grand Maester - Pycelle
  • Master of laws and justiciar - Lord Randyll Tarly
  • Master of coin and lord treasurer - Ser Harys Swyft
  • Master of ships and grand admiral - Lord Paxter Redwyne
  • Lord Commander of the Kingsguard - Ser Jaime Lannister
  • Advisor - Nymeria Sand (acting in place of Doran Martell)

Notes

  1. Earlier prints of The World of Ice & Fire accidentally state that Lucas died in 48 AC, which has been corrected in later prints
  2. Tyanna was executed after the death of Jeyne Westerling in childbirth. Jeyne was married to Maegor in 47 AC; Her pregnancy was announced six months after the wedding, very early on in the pregnancy itself (her belly had not yet begun to swell). She went into labor after six months of pregnancy, placing about a year between Tyanna's death and the wedding.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I.
  2. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 18, Catelyn IV.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 The World of Ice & Fire, The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 The World of Ice & Fire, The Stormlands: House Baratheon.
  5. The World of Ice & Fire, The Riverlands: House Tully.
  6. 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 6.11 6.12 6.13 6.14 6.15 6.16 The Sons of the Dragon.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I.
  8. 8.0 8.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I.
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 The Princess and the Queen.
  10. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 54, Davos V.
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 11.6 11.7 11.8 The Rogue Prince.
  12. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I.
  13. 13.0 13.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I.
  14. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 19, Tyrion III.
  15. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 17, Cersei IV.