#smallfolk

[sansa-stark-is-me]

I genuinely think people who hate the smallfolk for attacking unhinged Aerion, or who drag my baby Fossoway for telling the truth about the Targaryens being tyrants should stop watching the show. This story is explicitly about the smallfolk. It’s a lowborn POV on purpose. Aerion is a walking example of why the smallfolk snapping is not only understandable but inevitable. He abuses them and threatens them. If someone comes out of AKOTSK hating the smallfolk, they genuinely need to stop and rethink what they just read or watched because that’s a fundamental misread of the story.

The smallfolk aren’t a background mob this time they’re the moral barometer. Their fear, anger, and desperation are responses to noble violence, not some random cruelty. Aerion isn’t a “tragic misunderstood prince” he’s an example of exactly why unchecked nobility is dangerous. The fact that the smallfolk turn on him isn’t savagery it’s consequence.

Dunk & Egg shows us a world where nobility is already morally hollow where common people are crushed under the consequences of decisions made by dragonlords long dead. Dunk exists to show how unjust that system is from the ground up. Egg grows up with the smallfolk watching this and realizes that kingship without justice is meaningless, which is why his reign later tries and ultimately fails to reform the system peacefully.

Baelor is crucial here too he respects the smallfolk, treats them fairly, and is willing to fight for Dunk and for truth even against his own brother. That’s the moral line GRRM wants you to see. Fire & Blood shows the cruelty of the Targaryens. Dunk & Egg shows the aftermath and the people who had to live in the wreckage. If your takeaway is “wow the peasants are awful,” you missed the point so hard you’re basically rooting for the boot that’s on their neck.

[ewanmitchellclub]

Stills of Ewan Mitchell and Tom Glynn-Carney as Prince Regent Aemond Targaryen and King Aegon II Targaryen in “House of the Dragon” Season 2 Episode 6.

[myrish-lace-and-sandsilk]

Tanselle Too Tall Performing as Jonquil, Valentino SS26

[censoredceci]

What Would the Smallfolk Eat in a Day in King's Landing?

for @goodqueenkaro! thank you for this request 😊 it was so much fun to do and your oc sounds really interesting, i'd love to hear more about him!

i think there is a very common misconception about the lower classes during medieval times, especially regarding their diet. i promise it was all not grub or bowl of brown, although perpetual stew is one of the oldest dishes we can trace back. in fact, some of the most beloved and expensive dishes of our time originated from the lower class, as they had to find creative ways to either avoid or incorporate certain ingredients. paella, polenta, ratatouille, and oysters are all great examples!

now back to the real matter at hand, the smallfolk of king's kanding. it's hard to pinpoint direct references to peasant food from the ASOIAF books beyond a bowl of brown, and the only smallfolk character to receive a POV is ser duncan; whose diet is less comprised of flea bottom dishes and more ones fitting that of a hedge knight. despite this, we can draw from historical and geographical evidence to figure out what the smallfolk might have eaten. for daily life, there would not be set-in-stone differences between the meals of the day, but rather an emphasis on eating whenever or whatever one can at that time. street and tavern food would be the most popular amongst the masses, as well as pieces that can be stretched out over a long period of time, i.e., a lot of stew and ale.

for morning meals: wheat-based porridge, horsebread, pine jam, and ale.

for evening meals: dried fish, bowl of brown stew, beans with garlic and onions, stewed eel, and ale.

for street food: hard oatcakes, dried salt beef, horsebread, and small raised pork pies (fun fact: pork pies are considered one of the earliest forms of fast food!).

following the provisions brought by the tyrells, there would be greater access to perishable items, such as cream, eggs, and fresh meat. as for special occasions, that access may be more of an indulgence, and the simple joys for the smallfolk might come from eating for enjoyment rather than nutritional value. because highgarden is known to be a popular trading spot, i like to imagine that, alongside proper supplies, the tyrells might have brought some spices as well!

for special occasion meals: fiddlehead and mushroom soup, raised pigeon or pork and egg pie, spiced vegetable pottage, and mushroom and dried pork egg quiche.

for special occasion street food: jam-filled oatcakes, spiced wafers, and honeyed cryppys.

[awkward-sultana]

(Almost) Every Costume Per Episode + Alicent Hightower's green gown with gold trim in 2x06

[fandom-confessional]

It annoys me when people say it’s misogynistic to dislike Sansa Stark. There are valid reasons not to like her character. I don’t like how she looks down on commoners and anyone she deems beneath her. After four books, she’s still turning up her nose at bastards and nonconventional women. She still has very little regard for the smallfolk. It has nothing to do with Sansa being feminine. Margaery, Dany, Missandei, and Arianne are all “soft” girls who are great characters.

Confession #47

[nanshe-of-nina]

Tertiary Characters GIF Sets → Willow Heddle

The common room was crawling with children. Brienne tried to count them, but they would not stand still even for an instant, so she counted some of them twice or thrice and others not at all, until she finally gave it up. They had pushed the tables together in three long rows, and the older boys were wrestling benches from the back. Older here meant ten or twelve. Gendry was the closest thing to a man grown, but it was Willow shouting all the orders, as if she were a queen in her castle and the other children were no more than servants. If she were highborn, command would come naturally to her, and deference to them. Brienne wondered whether Willow might be more than she appeared. The girl was too young and too plain to be Sansa Stark, but she was of the right age to be the younger sister, and even Lady Catelyn had said that Arya lacked her sister’s beauty.

[hotdaemondtargaryen]

2.01, 2.06 — THE GREENS