Lord Petyr ("Littlefinger") Baelish

• Individual Picture Notes
  • Aidan Gillen as Petyr Baelish in HBO Game of Thrones

• General Notes
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    A handsome, short, slender man, Lord Petyr Baelish -- nicknamed "Littlefinger" -- served as Master of Coin (treasurer) of the Seven Kingdoms. Though a lord, his ancestral holding is an extremely small and poor island.  Littlefinger is everyone’s friend, quick with a witticism.  A courtier through and through, he’s always fashionable and never, ever caught out.
    
    Lord Petyr Baelish has had the byname "Littlefinger" since he was a child, when he was fostered by Lord Tully in Riverrun and became acquainted with the Tully children, Edmure, Catelyn and Lysa.  At one time, Littlefinger developed an unrequited (and not returned) passion for Catelyn Tully; he even challenged her betrothed, Brandon Stark, for her hand in marriage. The duel ended badly, and Littlefinger nearly died.
    
    Lysa Tully was in love with Petyr, who got her pregnant.  When Lord Hoster Tully learned of their relationship, he banished Petyr from Riverrun in disgrace, and had Lysa drink a potion to abort the pregnancy.  Petyr returned home to the Fingers in the Vale of Arryn, where his father was the smallest of small lords.
    
    Petyr's cleverness and connection to Catelyn’s sister, Lysa Tully, helped lead him up from his low beginnings. He proved exceptionally capable at collecting taxes and helping to finance Lord Arryn’s desires -- so much so that he was brought to King’s Landing to do the same for Robert Baratheon and the Lannisters on the Iron Throne.  Within three years, he had become Master of Coin—the King’s treasurer—and joined the Small Council.  He held this office for some ten years, during which time he masterminded much of the political turmoil that occurred in the Kingdoms, such as the assassination of Jon Arryn.
    
    For recruiting House Tyrell to the Lannister's side, Petyr  Baelish was awarded Harrenhal, the largest castle in the realm.  In this position, he had nominal authority over the war-torn Riverlands, which technically made him a high lord.  His new status allowed him to marry the widowed Lysa Arryn, who still loved him.  After marrying Lysa, he murdered her and took control of the Vale of Arryn.
    
    Petyr is also responsible for smuggling Sansa Stark out of Kings Landing after Joffrey Baratheon's murder. He brought  Sansa to the Vale, disguised as his bastard daughter.  He has also expressed his love for her, saying she resembles her mother, and states he has plans to help Sansa regain the North.
    

Wife's Pictures

• Picture Notes
  • Kate Dickie as Lysa Tully in HBO Game of Thrones