Social Structure

## Nobility, Knighthood and the Commonfolk in the Seven Kingdoms

The Seven Kingdoms of Westeros operate on the principles of **feudalism**, reminiscent of medieval Europe. This socio-political system dictates the relationships between **kings**, **lords**, **knights** and the **peasantry**.

1. **Hierarchy:** At the top is the king, followed by lords, knights, and finally, the common smallfolk or peasants.
2. **Land & Service:** Lords grant lands to their vassals (or bannermen) in exchange for military service and loyalty. These vassals, in turn, are responsible for protecting and overseeing the peasants who work the lands.

**Vassal-Liege Dynamics**

1. Reciprocal Responsibilities: Vassals swear fealty to their liege lords, pledging military service and allegiance. In return, the liege lord provides protection and the rights to the land.
2. Loyalty: A vassal's loyalty primarily lies with their immediate liege, superseding loyalty to other lords.

**Feudalism's Historical Roots**

Feudalism isn't a product of Aegon's Conquest but existed in Westeros before that. Aegon I Targaryen, after uniting the Seven Kingdoms, reaffirmed the existing feudal system.

### Understanding Highborn vs. Lowborn

1. **Highborn:** Those born into noble families are considered highborn. This status is immutable.
	* Society assumes distinct behaviors, attire, speech, names, and even experiences for the highborn. They have special surnames, they rarely mix with hedge knights, and they are more likely to be ransomed in wartime.
	* Many desire highborn status for its privileges and prestige.
2. **Lowborn or Smallfolk:** Those who aren't born into nobility. Even if they achieve a noble status, they can still be perceived and treated as lowborn. For most, ascension from lowborn status is a distant dream.

**Advancement & Mobility**

The rigid feudal system offers limited avenues for upward mobility. While exceptions exist, these are rare. Most lowborn individuals remain in their status throughout their lives, with only a few achieving higher titles through exceptional deeds or services rendered to influential lords or knight

## King of the Seven Kingdoms

*Main Article: King of the Seven Kingdom*

Supreme ruler with ultimate political authority.

* **Title Variants:** King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men; King of All Westeros, etc.
* **Seat: T**he Iron Throne in the Red Keep of King's Landing.
* **Duties:** Oversee diplomacy, claim ownership of lands, maintain stability, justice, ensure subjects' well-being.
* **Constraints:** Navigating court intrigue, respecting traditions and customs.
* **Traditions:** Male-preference primogeniture for inheritance; regional variations in titles and practices.

## Lords & Ladies

*Main article: Lords, Ladies & Duty*

Regional rulers and key figures in the governance of the Seven Kingdoms.

* **Key Characteristics:** Possess authority and hereditary titles; may also have courtesy titles without land.
* **Duties:** Govern their territories, uphold peace, ensure king's will, enforce laws, collect taxes, defend lands.
* **Hierarchy:** From Lords of the Great Houses to Petty Lords; unique titles for certain houses (e.g., "Lord Reaper of Pyke").
* **Vassalage:** Have lower lords, knights, and peasants sworn to serve them in a feudal chain.
* **Special Positions:** Stewards for castle/domain management, administrative lords for specific roles.

## Knights

*Main article: Knights*

Military leaders and defenders of the realm, closely tied to the Faith of the Seven.

* **Key Characteristics:** Live by a chivalric code, can earn honor, lands, and prestige; can also be bestowed as a mark of respect.
* **Duties:** Owe fealty to liege lords, protect the realm, uphold chivalry, participate in tournaments, manage land, train new knights.
* **Privileges:** Right to bear arms, display sigil, command in war, titled as 'Ser', own land.
* **Limitations:** Must obey liege lords, cannot deliver high justice, reputation-based influence.
* **Types:** Landed knights, hedge knights, household knights, knights inquisitor, religious knights.

## Commoners or Smallfolk

*Main article: Smallfolk*

* **Role:** Bottom of the social hierarchy, mostly peasants living under local lords.
* **Key Characteristics:** Lead simple lives, typically impoverished and illiterate, lack surnames.
* **Lifestyle:** Use basic roads, tools, and wear raw wool and roughspun; specific cultural nuances in naming, attire, and lifestyle.
* **Beliefs:** Possess various superstitions and misconceptions about the world and the nobility.
* **Advancement Opportunities:** Can become hedge knights, merchants, join City Guards, the Citadel, the Faith, etc.
* **Rights:** Recognized as independent entities, can seek justice, entitled to fair treatment and protection against abuse.