Would Littlefinger Still Hold His Titles If the Lannisters Were Dethroned?
In the immersive world of A Song of Ice and Fire and its adaptation, Game of Thrones, the character Petyr Baelish, known as Littlefinger, holds significant power through his titles. As Lord of the Vale and Lord Paramount of the Riverlands, his position is a testament to his strategic acumen. However, what would happen to these titles if the Lannisters were to be dethroned?
Political Dynamics and Alliances
Littlefinger's titles are highly dependent on the existing political landscape and his strategic alliances. His power as Lord of the Vale is more secure due to his relationships with the Arryn family and other lords. This alliance forms a solid foundation for his rule, making it more resilient to potential challenges.
On the other hand, his title of Lord Paramount of the Riverlands, granted by the Lannisters, carries a significant weight. The Riverlands are a coveted prize, and a new monarch might be inclined to reward loyal followers by conferring titles and lands to individuals who have supported them. This suggests that Littlefinger's hold on this title is not as secure as his status as Lord of the Vale.
The Lannister's Reign and Littlefinger's Future
It's worth noting that even with the Baratheon line, specifically Tommen, technically ruling the Iron Throne, Littlefinger's titles would still be contingent on the whims of the current rulers. If the Lannisters were to be dethroned, the new regime would look for ways to consolidate power, including redistributing titles and lands.
Littlefinger would likely retain his titles unless a new monarch wanted to revoke them. However, the new ruler might consider the strategic benefit of giving Harrenhal and other significant titles to loyal supporters, rather than to someone as potentially oppositional as Littlefinger.
Risking His Titles: Why Littlefinger Might Lose Them
Given the political stakes, Littlefinger would be smart to anticipate the potential loss of his titles. His position as Lord Protector of the Vale is essentially a proxy governance, holding the region until the rightful heir, Robin Arryn, comes of age. A new monarch might see this as an opportunity to install a loyal vassal, step by step undermining Littlefinger's power.
Additionally, if the new rulers have strong objections to Littlefinger, they might devise ways to strip him of his titles and possibly even charge him with crimes that would make him a pariah. This demonstrates that Littlefinger's titles are not necessarily guaranteed even if the Lannisters are dethroned.
Conclusion
While Littlefinger's titles would face challenges if the Lannisters were dethroned, the extent of these challenges depends on the newly established regime and their strategic interests. His ability to hold onto his titles and maintain his power will largely be determined by his ability to navigate the new political landscape, adapt to changes, and retain the support of key political figures.
Ultimately, the future of Littlefinger's titles is uncertain and contingent on the actions and decisions of the new rulers on the Iron Throne.