Lickspittle

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Lickspittle in Westeros refers to people who behave obsequiously to those in power. They are also refer to as "sheep"[1][2] or "cronies".[3]

Lickspittles flater and agree with people they seek favors from. They usually give self-interest and bad counsel to their supperiors instead of honest ones.[4][5]

History

The Faith Militant mockingly dubbed the High Septon "the High Lickspittle" for he never spoke out against Maegor the Cruel's actions towards the pious during their uprising.[6]

Maegor's fourteen-year-old nephew, Prince Jaehaerys, succeeded him as King Jaehaerys I Targaryen. Various lords visited Jaehaerys on Dragonstone during his minority to plead forgiveness for having supported Maegor and to curry favor with the young king. This angered Jaehaerys's Hand, Lord Rogar Baratheon, who refer to them as "lords lickspittle".[7] Those lords were:


When the question of inheritance for King Aegon II Targaryen was raised by his council of regents, lickspittles showed interest to Aegon's sisters and presumed heirs, Princesses Baela and Rhaena Targaryen.[8]

King Aegon IV Targaryen is regarded as one of the worst kings in the history of Westeros, a corrupt and weak ruler. He filled his court with men who had the ability to amuse and flatter him.[9] It took more than a year for his successor, King Daeron II Targaryen, to clean house in court and in the City Watch, and repair the damages his father's misrule did.[10]

During the final years of the reign of King Aerys II Targaryen, the royal court divided itself into two factions; one supporting Aerys and the other supporting the crown prince, Rhaegar Targaryen. Whereas people generally supported Rhaegar out of friendship and his charisma, Aerys's supporters mainly did it for their own interests. Among Aerys's lickspittles were:[4][5][11]

Recent Events

A Clash of Kings

Stannis Baratheon values the counsel of his onion knight, Ser Davos Seaworth, as Davos always tells him the truth unlike his own bannermen.[12][13]

A Feast for Crows

Cersei Lannister considers Paxter Redwyne, Lord of the Arbor, and Mathis Rowan, Lord of Goldengrove, to be Mace Tyrell's lickspittles.[3][14]

Harys Swyft, the Knight of Cornfield, Ser Emmon Frey, and Grand Maester Pycelle are Tywin Lannister's lickspittles.[15][16][4]

Quotes

Jaime might have lost Riverrun, but it angered him to hear his brother slandered by the likes of Swyft, a shameless lickspittle whose greatest accomplishment was marrying his equally chinless daughter to Ser Kevan, and thereby attaching himself to the Lannisters.[15]

Tyrion Lannister's thoughts on Harys Swyft

He had no taste for the company of the lickspittles and fools who surrounded Cersei.[17]

Jaime Lannister's thoughts

He was also vain, proud, and changeable, traits that made him easy prey for flatterers and lickspittles, but these flaws were not immediately apparent to most at the time of his ascension.[4]

Gyldayn's writtings on Aerys II Targaryen

References

  1. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 6, Sansa I.
  2. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 19, Tyrion III.
  3. 3.0 3.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 3, Cersei I.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II.
  5. 5.0 5.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Fall of the Dragons: The Year of the False Spring.
  6. Fire & Blood, The Sons of the Dragon.
  7. Fire & Blood, A Surfeit of Rulers.
  8. Fire & Blood, Under the Regents - The Hooded Hand.
  9. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV.
  10. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Daeron II.
  11. The World of Ice & Fire, The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons.
  12. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 42, Davos II.
  13. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 36, Davos IV.
  14. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 12, Cersei III.
  15. 15.0 15.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 69, Tyrion IX.
  16. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 33, Jaime V.
  17. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 27, Jaime III.