Hi, I went back to AGoT and wondered about Ned’s guard. Would he have been within his rights to bring much more men to KL or would this be perceived as distrusting the king/taking over the city? Also, to your estimate, what would be the number of men to make a difference?

hedrigal:

harlawdecimalsystem:

racefortheironthrone:

Absolutely he was within his rights to bring as many men to the capitol as he wanted – as far as we can tell, there are no limitations on the size of retinues one can bring to King’s Landing. Moreover, as Hand of the King, Ned has military authority second only to the King; he could have brought or raised as many soldiers as he wanted.

In terms of how many it would have taken to make a difference, I think at a minimum you’d need a 3:1 advantage over Cersei’s Lannister guardsmen, so about 300-350 men. 

He definitely should have brought more men, not just his swords but also a few bannermen or heirs. Put a Manderly on the Council or at least have one sail to Dragonstone. A Karstark son now is in charge of the gold cloaks. Also invite some allies/non underlings to court as well like Edmure, Blackwoods and Royces. Bring as much of a precession as Oberyn did or stack the deck like the Lannisters and Tyrells do.

It also seems that he can just add on new seats to the small council if he desires to. Wylis Manderly, Robar Royce, and Edmure Tully could have literally just been given new seats on the council, with the legitimacy that they each represent the three kingdoms which put Robert on the throne in the first place not currently on the council.

Those are all good suggestions. And you’ll notice, all of these things – changing the composition of the Small Council, making lower-level royal appointments – are squarely within his purview as Hand of the King.