Small Council

The **Small Council** is the body which advises the King of the Seven Kingdoms, and institutes policy at his command. It is the inner (thus "small") council of the king, essentially forming the "government cabinet" of the Seven Kingdoms. Members are appointed to their position by the King; theoretically they can be dismissed at will by the king, however in practice this might lead to undesirable political fallout.

The king serves as the head of the council and takes note of its recommendations, but only the king can make the council's decisions into law. The Hand of the King is the leading advisor on the council and serves as the king's proxy when he is not present, in which case the Hand chairs the meeting. If the king is a minor, then by default the appointed regent will act in place of the king on the council.

## Composition

### Hand of the King

The **Hand of the King** or **Hand of the Queen**, in cases of a ruling female monarch, or simply the **King's Hand** or **Queen's Hand**, is the most powerful appointed position in the Seven Kingdoms, second only to the monarch in authority and responsibility. The Hand is the monarch's closest advisor, appointed and authorized to make decisions in their name. The Hand is the highest-ranking member of the Small Council, and leads meetings of the council as proxy for the monarch when they are absent.

### Grand Maester

**Grand Maester** is an important position in the government of the Seven Kingdoms. The Grand Maester is the personal maester to the Iron Throne and the Red Keep, and is considered a senior member of the Order of Maesters. He is a learned man wise in history, science and medicine who also provides counsel. The Grand Maester sits on the King's Small Council, which oversees the day-to-day operations of the realm in the name of the King.

### Master of Laws

**Master of Laws** is an important position in the government of the Seven Kingdoms. The holder is a member of the monarch's Small Council, the inner cabinet of the realm. The Master of Laws is responsible for advising the king on legal matters, managing the dungeons, and supervising the King's Justice.

### Master of Coin

**Master of Coin** is a royal official in the government of the Seven Kingdoms. The holder is a member of the monarch's Small Council, the inner cabinet of the realm. The Master of Coin is in charge of the royal treasury, advises the monarch on financial matters, and is responsible for raising money to meet the Crown's needs.

### Master of Whisperers

The **Master of Whisperers** is the adviser in matters of intelligence and espionage to the King of the Andals and the First Men and holds a seat on the Small Council.

### Master of Ships

**Master of Ships** is an important position in the government of the Seven Kingdoms. The holder is a member of the monarch's Small Council, the inner cabinet of the realm. The Master of Ships is charged with commanding the royal fleet and is a member of the Small Council in King's Landing. Duties of the master of ships include arranging for the building and maintenance of warships, obtaining crews for the warships, and commanding naval operations.

### Lord Commander of the Kingsguard

The **Lord Commander of the Kingsguard** is the head of the Kingsguard, appointed by the king himself. In the case of a female sovereign (and thus a Queensguard rather than a Kingsguard), the title is **Lord Commander of the Queensguard**.

### Lord Commander of the City Watch

The **City Watch of King's Landing** is a law-enforcement and military institution responsible for the security of the capital city of the Seven Kingdoms. Men of the Watch are more colloquially known as "**Gold Cloaks**" because of the gold-colored capes they wear. The Crown pays the City Watch salaries, but unlike other organizations in the Seven Kingdoms, these soldiers swear no allegiance, except to the king.

## Members

### Under Aegon IV Targaryen

The positions and members of the King's Small Council under Aegon IV Targaryen included:

* The Hand of the King: Prince Daeron Targaryen
* The Grand Maester: *Vacant*
* The Master of Laws: *Vacant*
* The Master of Coin: *Vacant*
* The Master of Whisperers: *Vacant*
* The Master of Ships: *Vacant*
* The Lord Commander of the Kingsguard: Prince Aemon Targaryen
* The Lord Commander of the City Watch: *Vacant*