Small council

The small council is a body which advises the King of the Seven Kingdoms and institutes policy at his command. The small council is effectively the government and parliament of the Seven Kingdoms, although it is a fairly small body made up of the King's appointees rather than elected by democratic means.

Members
The positions and members of the King's small council at the start of the series are:


 * The Hand of the King: Lord Jon Arryn.
 * The Grand Maester: Pycelle.
 * The Lord Commander of the Kingsguard: Ser Barristan Selmy.
 * Master of Coin: Lord Petyr Baelish, known as Littlefinger.
 * Master of Ships: Lord Stannis Baratheon.
 * Master of Whisperers: Lord Varys.
 * Master of Laws: Lord Renly Baratheon.

In the books
In the Song of Ice and Fire novels the small council was the creation of King Aegon I, a council put together to advise him and carry out policy.