Smallfolk
Smallfolk are the common people of Westeros, akin to peasants. They are at the bottom of the 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.
Contents
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 use roads which are crooked muddy tracks that do not appear on parchment maps.[2] They use staffs as weapons.[3] They often name their daughters after flowers and herbs.[4] They are far removed from the major players of the game of thrones, but are affected by those decisions, good or bad.
Rise in social status
Even though they are born in the lowest social status in Westeros, it is possible for small folk to rise up in social status, by the means of their profession. Below are some examples:
- Knighthood. Hedge knights were usually born as smallfolk, though higher positions are also possible. For example, Ser Duncan the Tall, who even rose to the position of Lord Commander of the Kingsguard of King Aegon V Targaryen.
- Guards. It is possible for smallfolk to join the City Watch in King's Landing or the Night's Watch with the possibility to occupy a commanding position.
- Smallfolk are also allowed to join the Citadel of Oldtown, to study to become a maester.
- The Faith of the Seven allows all to become Septons or Septa's.
- The Poor Fellows, a military order of the Faith Militant, accept members regardlessly of their inheritance or their sex.
Some characters popular with the smallfolk
- King Jaehaerys I Targaryen
- Good Queen Alysanne
- King Daeron II Targaryen
- Queen Alicent Hightower
- Serwyn of the Mirror shield [5]
- Prince Aemon the Dragonknight [5]
- King Baelor I Targaryen
- King Aegon V Targaryen
- Prince Rhaegar Targaryen
- Renly Baratheon [6]
- Margaery Tyrell
- Loras Tyrell
- Barristan the Bold[5]
- Beric Dondarrion
- Simon Toyne
- Arthur Dayne
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.[8]
- Gyldayn
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.[9]
- Jorah Mormont to Daenerys Targaryen
That was the way of war. The smallfolk were slaughtered, while the highborn were held for ransom.[10]
- thoughts of Tyrion Lannister
Fools love a fool.[6]
- Stannis Baratheon on hearing the smallfolk grieve for Renly Baratheon
They are born, they live, they love, they die.[2]
- Meribald to Brienne of Tarth
If we mingle with the commons, they will love us better.[3]
- Tommen Baratheon to Cersei Lannister
It is being common-born that is dangerous, when the great lords play their game of thrones.[11]
References and Notes
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 26, Samwell III.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 25, Brienne V.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 28, Cersei VI.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 2, Catelyn I.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 3, Tyrion I.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 42, Davos II.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 41, Tyrion IX.
- ↑ The Princess and the Queen.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 23, Daenerys III.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 20, Tyrion V.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 37, Brienne VII.