Smallfolk

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Smallfolk are the common people of Westeros, akin to peasants. They are at the bottom of the Westerosi social ladder. Most 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 the smallfolk.

About

Most smallfolk are poor, illiterate, and live very provincial, humble, simple lives. They do not have surnames. They dress in raw wool and dull brown roughspun. [1] They often name their daughters after flowers and herbs. [2] They are far removed from the major players of the game of thrones, but are of course affected by those decisions, good or bad.

Septon Meribald to Brienne, speaking of the smallfolk:

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

Ser Jorah Mormont put it thusly to Daenerys 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. [3]

Some characters popular with the smallfolk

Some characters unpopular with the smallfolk

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.[7]


That was the way of war. The smallfolk were slaughtered, while the highborn were held for ransom. [8]


Fools love a fool [5]

- Stannis's reply on hearing the smallfolk grieve for his dead brother

References and Notes

  1. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 26, Samwell III, p 476.
  2. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 2, Catelyn I, p 29.
  3. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 23, Daenerys
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 3, Tyrion I, p 60.
  5. 5.0 5.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 42, Davos II, p 612.
  6. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 41, Tyrion IX, p 601.
  7. The Princess and the Queen
  8. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 20, Tyrion V, p 230.