Hierarchy and Succession of Westeros Explained

It seems like they have it all figured out. I am sure this society doesn’t have any fighting since they have it all worked out.

I’m sorry I have to say it but some more explanation was needed when it comes to talking hierarchies and succession in the Seven Kingdoms. When it comes to hierarchies all lords are considered nobility but the nobility is divided into different ranks. First there are the Great Houses which answer directly to the Crown and rule over one of the kingdoms. THEN there are the vassal houses which are also lords but they are sworn to the great house of their region. Also wealthier vassal houses such as the Hightowers, Manderlys and Velaryons are actually higher on the hierarchy than poorer vassal houses like the Momonts or Umbers. After the vassal lords are landed knights which hold land for their lords such as the House Clegane or House Seaworth. Landed knights are above other kinds of knights such as household knights or hedge knights such as Ser Duncan the Tall. As it regards to succession, there are actually three different succession rules. As explained, Dorne uses equal primogeniture so I won’t go over it again. Cognatic primogeniture is used as the succession rule for lordships in the other kingdoms where sons (and their children) come before daughters (and their children). What was not stated however is when it comes to the Iron Throne, succession is actually based on agnatic primogeniture in that all males of the royal family are placed ahead of females and only when House Targaryen has no male-line descendants left could anyone claim the throne through descent from the female line, this was what the Great Council of 101 AC had decided when it chose Viserys over Rhaenys and was Viserys violation of this rule that led to the Dance of Dragons. Ordinarily the succession rules would place Viserys sons with Alicent at the head of the line followed by Rhaenyra’s 2 sons with Daemon. In contrast Rhaenyra’s 3 sons with Laenor (or Harwin, since we're being honest here) would be placed at back of the succession line behind their younger half-brothers because of this same rule.

Shouldn’t there be an equestrian class below minor lords? There are plenty of knights who enjoy greater status than small folk, but do not own land themselves and instead pledge service to a particular lord.

Love ❤️ the video can do one were you rake each kingdom in terms of strengths and weaknesses and soldier quality?

I do think that the hand of the king is more powerful than the high lords, you can see that when Ned orders Tywin to court. Everybody basically told him that it was a stupid decision but nobody questions his authority to do so, like Pycell said that it was better to wait for the king for this decision but not that the hand could not make the decision.

Now the big question is: Does the Iron Throne follow the male only or the male preference primogeniture?

Simple answer House Blackfyre The True Royal Family is on top. Great video as always.

Isnt it first born son, then their sons, then second born son and their sons and so on

The Iron Islands tho follows elective succession

daugther > brother? Wasn't this the plot of dance of dragons?

So basically Danny has more of a claim than Jon