Smallfolk

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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.[1][2]

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.[3] Instead of castle-forged steel or lances,[4] they are more likely to use staffs as weapons.[5] In Westeros, they often name their daughters after flowers and herbs, like Violet or Tansy,[6] and peasant girls are more likely to bleed from losing their maidenhead on wedding nights, as it is uncommon for them to ride horses.[5] 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.[7][8][9][1]

In Westeros the smallfolk often dress in raw wool and dull brown roughspun, while nobles wear colored velvets, silks, and samites.[10] The opposite is true in Braavos, where nobles dress in dark hues while bravos are brightly colored.[10] The people of Lys, both noble and smallfolk, resemble the Valyrians of old.[11]

Beliefs

Smallfolk are less educated than the noble class and can be superstitious people. They are eager to believe the worst of their lords.[12] Beliefs commonly shared among the smallfolk include:

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

Artisan

  • Tanner[23]
  • Weaver[23]
  • Woodworker[41]
  • }}

    Artist

    Noble household

    Merchant

    Transport

    Advancement

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

    Popularity with the smallfolk

    Popular characters

    Unpopular characters

    History

    During the Century of Blood, many smallfolk in Essos fled before the Dothraki.[96]

    Harren Hoare beggared lords and smallfolk during the construction of Harrenhal.[87]

    Queen Rhaenys Targaryen was concerned for smallfolk and aided her brother, King Aegon I Targaryen, in gaining their allegiance.[70] Smallfolk turned against their son, Aenys I Targaryen, after he wed his children, Princess Rhaena and Prince Aegon to each other.[88]

    Tens of thousands of smallfolk died during the Dance of the Dragons.[97] King Aegon III Targaryen tried to feed the hungry and entertain the smallfolk.[98]

    Smallfolk loved King Baelor I Targaryen, although his generosity alarmed the nobility.[82]

    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.[83]

    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.[91]

    —writings of Gyldayn

    A man has his pride, no matter how lowborn he may be.[1]

    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.[99]

    That was the way of war. The smallfolk were slaughtered, while the highborn were held for ransom.[95]

    —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.[84]

    I'm too bloody lowborn to be kin to m'lady high.[100]

    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.[101]

    They are born, they live, they love, they die.[3]

    If we mingle with the commons, they will love us better.[5]

    It is being common-born that is dangerous, when the great lords play their game of thrones.[102]

    References

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    2. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 46, Bran VI.
    3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 25, Brienne V.
    4. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 2, Sansa I.
    5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 28, Cersei VI.
    6. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 2, Catelyn I.
    7. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 24, Theon II.
    8. 8.0 8.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 33, Samwell II.
    9. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 37, The Prince of Winterfell.
    10. 10.0 10.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 26, Samwell III.
    11. The World of Ice & Fire, The Free Cities: The Quarrelsome Daughters: Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh.
    12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 15, Tyrion III.
    13. Fire & Blood, Under the Regents - The Hooded Hand.
    14. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 31, Brienne VI.
    15. So Spake Martin: Trade with Asshai (August 26, 2000)
    16. 16.0 16.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 25, Eddard V.
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    18. The World of Ice & Fire, The Reach: Oldtown.
    19. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 30, Arya VII.
    20. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 22, Arya IV.
    21. "Interview with the Dragon" © 2003 Robert Shaw
    22. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 7, Cersei II.
    23. 23.00 23.01 23.02 23.03 23.04 23.05 23.06 23.07 23.08 23.09 23.10 23.11 23.12 23.13 23.14 23.15 23.16 23.17 23.18 Fire & Blood, Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies.
    24. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 39, Arya VII.
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    26. 26.0 26.1 26.2 26.3 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 19, Jon III.
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    29. Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - A Son for a Son.
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    34. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 8, Tyrion II.
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    36. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 35, Jon VII.
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    38. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 28, Sansa III.
    39. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 16, Bran II.
    40. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 27, Eddard VI.
    41. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 18, Catelyn IV.
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    44. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 32, Cersei VII.
    45. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 5, Tyrion II.
    46. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 8, Bran II.
    47. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 11, Theon I.
    48. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 44, Tyrion X.
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    50. A Clash of Kings, Appendix.
    51. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 4, Eddard I.
    52. A Game of Thrones, Appendix.
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    54. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 38, Tyrion V.
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    57. 57.0 57.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 24, Cersei V.
    58. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 17, Tyrion IV.
    59. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 41, Jon V.
    60. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I.
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    63. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 67, Jaime VIII.
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    65. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 19, Tyrion III.
    66. 66.0 66.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 57, Sansa V.
    67. 67.0 67.1 Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant.
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    69. Fire & Blood, The Sons of the Dragon.
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    71. 71.0 71.1 Fire & Blood, The Sons of the Dragons.
    72. 72.0 72.1 72.2 Fire & Blood, The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC.
    73. 73.0 73.1 Fire & Blood, A Surfeit of Rulers.
    74. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I.
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    78. Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens.
    79. Fire & Blood, Under the Regents - War and Peace and Cattle Shows.
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    85. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 12, Tyrion II.
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