Petyr Baelish

A small man with a sharp mind who turns chaos into a ladder for power.

Petyr Baelish, nicknamed Littlefinger, is a central antagonist in the A Song of Ice and Fire series and Game of Thrones. Introduced in 1996's A Game of Thrones as Master of Coin on King Robert's small council, he grew up at Riverrun with Catelyn and Lysa Tully. Originally from a minor family with little wealth, he used manipulation, bribery, and connections secured at Riverrun to gain power in King's Landing. Portrayed by Irish actor Aidan Gillen, his character is defined by cunning and boundless ambition. His intrigues cause major events including the framing of Tyrion Lannister, the downfall of Eddard Stark, and the deaths of Jon Arryn and King Joffrey Baratheon, igniting the War of the Five Kings.

Quick Facts

Series

A Song of Ice and Fire character; Game of Thrones

Creator

George R. R. Martin

Adapted by

David Benioff; D. B. Weiss

First

Literature:
A Game of Thrones (1996)
Television:
"Lord Snow" (2011)

Last

Television:; "The Dragon and the Wolf" (2017)

Also known as

Littlefinger

Gender

Male

Portrayed by

Aidan Gillen

Lore & Background

Littlefinger is not a point-of-view character in the novels; his actions are witnessed through others like Ned Stark, Catelyn, Sansa, and Cersei. His background begins with a Braavosi sellsword father who served House Corbray before befriending Lord Hoster Tully during the War of the Ninepenny Kings. Taken as a ward to Riverrun, he was nicknamed 'Littlefinger' by Edmure Tully due to his short stature and family lands on the smallest peninsula called the Fingers. He lost his virginity to Lysa while delirious after losing a duel for Catelyn's hand against Brandon Stark. Following Lysa's forced abortion and his banishment, he rose as customs officer at Gulltown before Jon Arryn brought him to King's Landing as Master of Coin. In the books, his unnamed father died around this time, passing the 'Baelish Tower' to Petyr, making him a lord.

Reader's Guide

Petyr Baelish is an amoral opportunist whose methods include lies, treachery, and murder. He wears a silver mockingbird to fasten his cloak and has sharp features with laughing green eyes and threads of silver in his hair. His motivations are often interpreted as lingering love for Catelyn Stark (and Sansa in the show), though many, including Sansa, believe he serves only himself. In A Feast for Crows, he plans to marry Sansa to Harrold Hardyng so she can eventually reveal herself and use the Knights of the Vale to retake the North. For The Winds of Winter, he is set to hold a tournament where winners join the Brotherhood of Winged Nights to protect Robert Arryn, while planning for Sansa to wed his heir upon the sickly child's death.

Did You Know?

He conspired with Olenna Tyrell to poison King Joffrey Baratheon at his wedding feast, framing Tyrion Lannister for the murder.
Littlefinger is not a point-of-view character in the novels; all information about him comes through the perspectives of other characters.