Small council

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King Robert Baratheon's small council - by Thomas Denmark. © FFG
File:Jonny Klein Small Council Chamber.jpg
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. It is not known when the first small council assembled, but it was in all likelihood during the reign of the Targaryen kings. 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.

The council members 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 (TV series)

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

Small council members

Under Aegon I Targaryen

During the reign of King Aegon I Targaryen.

Under Jaehaerys I Targaryen

During the reign of King Jaehaerys I

  • Hand of the King - Septon Barth, succeeded by Otto Hightower
  • Grand Maester - Unknown
  • Master of Coin - Lyman Beesbury
  • Master of Laws - Unknown
  • Master of Ships - Unknown
  • Master of Whisperers - Unknown
  • Lord Commander of the Kingsguard - Unknown

Under Viserys I Targaryen

During the reign of King Viserys I. Viserys also often had his daughter Princess Rhaenyra attend the council meetings to groom her as his heir.

Under Aegon II Targaryen

During the reign of King Aegon II

  • Hand of the King - Otto Hightower, succeeded by Criston Cole
  • Grand Maester - Orwyle
  • Master of Coin - Tyland Lannister
  • Master of Laws - Jasper Wylde
  • Master of Whisperers - Larys Strong
  • Lord Commander of the Kingsguard - Criston Cole

Under Robert Baratheon

During the reign of King Robert Baratheon. Robert often did not attend the meetings and passed the responsibility to his Hand. Toward the end of his reign, the council composition was:

Under Joffrey Baratheon

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

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


After the Battle of the Blackwater, Tywin Lannister re-assumed his duties as the Hand, reinstated Pycelle and dismissed his daughter Cersei from the council. The council composition was:

Under Tommen Baratheon

After the death of Tywin, Cersei re-assumed regency over her younger son, King Tommen Baratheon, and reorganized the council with Lannister loyalists.[1] Also called the "smallest council". The council composition was:

  • Queen Regent - Queen Cersei Lannister
  • Hand of the King - Ser Harys Swyft, the Knight of Cornfield, though he was later demoted and replaced by Orton Merryweather.
  • Grand Maester - Pycelle
  • Master of Coin and Lord Treasurer - Lord Gyles Rosby, Lord of Rosby, until his death, then Harys Swyft
  • Master of Laws and Justiciar - Lord Orton Merryweather, Lord of Long Table, until promoted to Hand of the King
  • Master of Ships and Grand Admiral - Aurane Waters, the Bastard of Driftmark
  • Master of Whisperers - Qyburn
  • Lord Commander of the Kingsguard - Ser Jaime Lannister

After the arrest of Cersei, Ser Kevan Lannister assumed the regency. The council composition was:

  • Lord Regent - Lord Kevan Lannister
  • Hand of the King - Lord Mace Tyrell
  • Grand Maester - Pycelle
  • Master of Laws and Justiciar - Lord Randyll Tarly, Lord of Horn Hill
  • Master of Coin and Lord Treasurer - Ser Harys Swyft
  • Master of Ships and Grand Admiral - Lord Paxter Redwyne, Lord of the Arbor
  • Lord Commander of the Kingsguard - Ser Jaime Lannister
  • Advisor - Nymeria Sand (acting in place of Doran Martell)

References and Notes