The small council is a small group of advisers which advises the king of the Seven Kingdoms on matters of policy and their areas of expertise. Aegon I Targaryen relied on councillors after being crowned, but it was not until the reign of King Jaehaerys I Targaryen that the small council was formalized.
The council is headed by the king, the only one who can make the council's decisions into law. In his absence the role falls to the Hand of the King or the regent if the king is too young.
Some council members are called "lords" even if not members of nobility. They are appointed and dismissed by the king as he wills once he reaches the age of majority. The council may be divided by faction, however, such as the three-three tie between Lannister and Tyrell representatives during the reign of King Tommen I Baratheon, or by region, such as the "Dorne's seat"—once filled by Oberyn Martell—to which Doran Martell appoints Nymeria Sand, who will break the Lannister-Tyrell tie.
Traditionally the council consists of seven permanent members, after the Andal traditions and the Faith of the Seven, with reserved positions for:
- The Hand of the King
- The Grand Maester: the head adviser on matters of lore and wisdom.
- The master of coin: head of the treasury and finances of the kingdom.
- The master of laws: overseer of the law and justice for the kingdom.
- The master of ships: overseer of the royal navy.
- The master of whisperers: the spymaster and the head of intelligence.
- The Lord Commander of the Kingsguard: chief bodyguard of the king and adviser in martial matters.
Although a council seems to always have these seven members, it may include additional members as advisors.