Sansa arrives for the first court of King Joffrey's reign. Sansa has been given free reign of the castle, but she is always "escorted." The walls of the throne room have been stripped of Robert's hunting tapestries. Three kingsguard, Ser Mandon, Ser Meryn, and Ser Preston, stand at the foot of the throne and twenty or so lords wait for Joffrey to arrive, including Lord Gyles Rosby. Other attendees include Jalabhar Xho, Horas and Hobber Redwyne, Ser Aron Santagar, Ser Balon Swann, and Ser Dontos Hollard. Grand Maester Pycelle, Varys, and Petyr assume their seats on the small council and then Joffrey enters with Cersei, Ser Barristan, Ser Boros, and Ser Arys.

Joffrey has Grand Maester Pycelle read off a long list of those who must come to King's Landing to swear fealty to Joffrey or be named traitors. These include Stannis Baratheon and his wife and daughter,¹ Renly Baratheon, Nestor Royce and his son Albar, Yohn Royce and his sons Andar and Robar, Lysa and Robert Arryn, Mace Tyrell and his brothers, uncles, and sons,² Hoster, Brynden, and Edmure Tully, Beric Dondarrion and Thoros of Myr, Doran Martell, Bryce Caron, the great lords of the Riverlands (Jonos Bracken, Karyl Vance, Tytos Blackwood, Shella Whent, Walder Frey and his heir Ser Stevron, and Jason Mallister), and Robb, Catelyn, Brandon, Arya, and Rickon Stark. He names Lord Tywin the new Hand of the King and names Cersei to the small council as queen regent. Furthermore, he elevates Janos Slynt to lord of Harrenhal and elevates him to the small council. Lord Janos comes in at that point with his sons³ and takes his seat on the council.

Next, the queen relieves Ser Barristan as Lord Commander of the Kingsguard and names Jaime to the post. Barristan is stunned, as the oath is for life. He talks of how he had always dreamed to be a Kingsguard and joined in his twenty-third year. Ser Gerold Hightower heard his vows, and he served alongside the likes of Prince Lewyn Martell and Arthur Dayne, protecting three kings, Robert, Aerys II, and Aerys's father Jaehaerys II. Cersei offers him land near Lannisport, but Barristan refuses, saying he will die a knight and walks out after insulting the other Kingsguard and Joffrey. Joffrey orders Barristan seized for questioning after he leaves, and Lord Janos says he will see it done. Cersei names Sandor Clegane to replace Ser Barristan on the Kingsguard. He accepts, but refuses to take a knight's vows, becoming the first member not to be a knight. When the pronouncements are over, Sansa comes forward and begs for mercy for Eddard. Joffrey and Cersei relent and say his life may be spared if he confesses his crimes.