History Main / TheGoodChancellor

* The ''WesternAnimation.RockyAndBullwinkle'' story centered on the Ruby Yacht of Omar Khayyam features a Grand Vizier who looks the part and schemes as much as any other, but he is in fact entirely loyal to the ruler of Jaipur and actually shows genuine concern for him. He's also not noticeably more bloodthirsty than the ruler himself, and only to the same people. (He also requires {{exposition}} about the titular Ruby Yacht early on, so maybe he's just new.)

* ''WebComic/GirlGenius'': Vanamonde von Mekkhan has, after taking up the mantle of seneschal to House Heterodyne from his grandfather, proven himself to be a capable administrator, organiser, spymaster and tactician, and completely devoted to the welfare of the House Heterodyne and the people of Mechanicsburg. His grandfather Carson served both Seamus Heterodyne and Seamus' sons Bill and Barry with similar skill and loyalty, but given the elder [[MadScientist Heterodyne's]] [[EvilOverlord character]] (not to mention Carson's youthful days as a volunteer in said elder Heterodyne's marauding horde) it's a bit unclear where on the Good-Evil axis he falls.

* In Creator/LFrankBaum's [[Literature/LandOfOz Oz books]], the Scarecrow takes up this position for Ozma.

* ''Literature/TheGiver'''s role in the Community is to advise them well based on the memories he's received.

* In one sample campaign in {{GURPS}} ''Arabian Nights'', there is an NPC whom everyone thinks is an EvilChancellor but is really a [[TheGoodChancellor Good Chancellor.]]

->''"This man has carried me since I was five years old. It's my turn."''

*** Prince Baelor Breakspear was a widely beloved and highly effective Hand for his father Daeron II, and would have made a good king. [[spoiler:Too bad he's accidentally killed by his brother during a trial by combat].

-->-- '''Emperor Gregor Vorbarra''' (regarding '''Aral Vorkosigan'''), ''Literature/VorkosiganSaga''

* Lord Admiral Aral Vorkosigan was appointed Regent for five year old Emperor Gregor in the Literature/VorkosiganSaga, serving loyally for fifteen years when most of his enemies thought he would make a grab for the throne. Upon Gregor's ascension to the throne, he stepped down and continued in the role as the Emperor's Prime Minister.

* [[Series/DoctorWho Borusa]] was this for one story (despite not legally being chancellor because there was no one around to actually appoint him). He did such a good job of it that by the time we next see him, he's President, but shortly after that he fits [[PresidentEvil another trope entirely]].

* Dan'l Baboon from ''KimbaTheWhiteLion''.

As the EvilChancellor is plotting to control the kingdom by usurping power, the Good Chancellor serves his kingdom or nation with utmost fervour. He follows the King's orders to the letter if the king is noble, and he tries to mitigate the suffering of his people if the king's intentions are of the bad kind. Rarely would he be seen actively opposing the King's actions, since as a LawfulGood person, he must not let ideas like rebellion or jealousy get in the way of running the kingdom in the king's name. This often does not sit well with some rebels, who see him as a moderate who must lose his head for being a supposed YesMan to the king they want on a pike.

** Kaliko was this to the Nome King for some time [[spoiler: until Ruggedo was dethroned and Kaliko OfferedTheCrown in his place.]] He was portrayed as much more competent than his boss and consistently had the best interests of his kingdom at hear, although aside from one PetTheDog moment towards Betsy, he was pretty neutral towards the heroes.

* ''WebComic/GirlGenius'': Vanamonde von Mekkhan has, after taking up the mantle of seneschal to House Heterodyne from his grandfather, proven himself to be a capable administrator, organiser, spymaster and tactician, and completely devoted to the welfare of the House Heterodyne and the people of Mechanicsburg. His grandfather Carson served both Seamus Heterodyne and Seamus' sons Bill and Barry with similar skill and loyalty, but given the elder [[MadScientist Heterodyne's]] [[EvilOverlord character]] (not to mention Carson's youthful days as a volunteer in said elder Heterodyne's marauding horde) it's a bit unclear where on the Good-Evil azis he falls.
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[[folder: Real Life ]]

*** Prince Baelor Breakspear was a widely beloved and highly effective Hand for his father Daeron II, and would have made a good king. [[spoiler:Too bad he's accidentally killed during a trial by combat by his brother]].

-->'''Tyrion Lannister:''' Viserys might only have reigned a year, but he ruled for fifteen, while Daeron warred and Baelor prayed."

*** Brynden "Bloodraven" Rivers ruled the Seven Kingdoms in the name of Aerys I as best he could during a time of drought and plague, but his police state apparatus and harsh methods, combined with his appearance, made him [[HeroWithBadPublicity unpopular]] with both the nobility and the people, and was even considered by some to be an EvilChancellor.

** Kevan Lannister is the loyal lieutenant to his ruthless brother [[EvilChancellor Tywin]], de facto ruler of the Seven Kingdoms. Unlike his brother, he is a good and honest man, though [[YesMan not very assertive]], and too willing to carry out Tywin's darker commands such as [[RapePillageAndBurn burning the Riverlands]]. However, in ''A Dance with Dragons'', he has to become regent for the underage King after every other viable Lannister candidate is dead, disgraced or otherwise unavailable, and he proves to be nearly as capable as Tywin and far more kind about it. He's ''so'' good, in fact, that he might be the one man who could keep the Lannister regime from falling apart. [[spoiler: Which is why Varys has him murdered, because Varys wants the realm to keep decaying until [[RightfulKingReturns the Targaryens can return to retake the throne]].]]
** In ''[[Literature/TalesOfDunkAndEgg The Hedge Knight]]'', Baelor Breakspear is a straight example.

* In the original ''Literature/ArabianNights'' stories, [[GrandVizierJafar Jafar]], vizier to the Caliph Harun al-Rashid, is portrayed as one of these.

** There's also a description of how to make a good vizier in the character creation section, but with a caveat that the Evil GrandVizier is an expected trope of the genre...

* [[TheChancellorsOfGermany Konrad Adenauer]], the BadassGrandpa chancellor of the [[WestGermany Federal Republic of Germany]] from 1949 to 1963. He led Germany through the postwar reconstruction, beat down both Fascist and Communist threats, brought Germany into world politics, and restored German prosperity in the Economic Miracle. He was freely and fairly elected Chancellor no less than ''four times''. Of course, in the political system of the Federal Republic of Germany, the chancellor is de-facto on top (the presidency was deliberately made weak, so as to avoid one of the pitfalls of the Weimar system), so it might not be this trope despite Adenauer literally being a good chancellor.

** The various Hands of the King all seem to be this. Jon Arryn and Ned Stark work very hard to support the rule of King Robert, while Tyrion and Tywin did the same for Joffrey. The only possible exception is the aforementioned Tywin, who helped depose the mad King Aerys, but only after he'd been sacked. Before that he was Aerys's best friend, leading Westeros through twenty years of peace and prosperity before Aerys got jealous and sacked him in anger.

* Felix Gaeta tried to be this during Gaius Baltar's "tyrannical" reign as a puppet of the Cylons on New Caprica, in ''Series/BattlestarGalacticaReimagined.''

* The various Hands of the King in ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire'' all seem to be this. Jon Arryn and Ned Stark work very hard to support the rule of King Robert, while Tyrion and Tywin did the same for Joffrey. The only possible exception is the aforementioned Tywin, who helped depose the mad King Aerys, but only after he'd been sacked. Before that he was Aerys's best friend, leading Westeros through twenty years of peace and prosperity before Aerys got jealous and sacked him in anger.

** A case could be made for Lord Varys from ASongOfIceAndFire. He may be a conniving, sneaky MagnificentBastard who is rightly distrusted by... well, ''everyone'' in Kings Landing. And yet, on the eve of Ned Stark's execution, Varys is his only visitor, brings him water and keeps him informed of the happenings in the court. When questioned by Ned about who he serves, his response is simply "the realm." [[spoiler: Of course, after A Dance with Dragons shows him to be somewhat less pure-hearted than previously believed, this applies a little less.]]

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[[folder: Film ]]

* The Grand Vizier in ''TheGoldenVoyageOfSinbad'' has taken over the running of the city since the death of the old caliph and wears a golden mask to hide a face hideously scarred by fire. He is also, however, brave, noble and wise, and a true companion to Sinbad throughout the adventure.
* General Afir in ''MomAndDadSaveTheWorld''. He is notable in that, while his evil boss (along with everyone else on the planet) is an idiot, he's reasonably competent ''and'' isn't all that interested in destroying the Earth.

* In ''TheLordOfTheRings'', the Stewards of Gondor have as their proudest boast that they never made themselves kings, and ruled the city strictly in the name of the King until an heir to the throne returned. Even Denethor, as crazy as he was, never tried to claim the throne.

** The Rivan Warders, always named Brand, are a deliberate homage to this in David Eddings's ''{{Belgariad}}''.

* The EnchantedForestChronicles: Willin the elf. He's perhaps overly fond of tradition and ceremonies--he insists on referring to the king as "Your Majesty" even in private, and his greatest pleasure is organizing elaborate formal occasions--but he's fiercely loyal and keeps the castle administration running smoothly.

* In Creator/RobertEHoward's King {{Kull}} stories, Kull's vizier Tu fits this trope, helping the mighty but savage warrior navigate the dangerous complexities of royal tradition and Valusia's DeadlyDecadentCourt.

* The various Hands of the King in ''ASongOfIceAndFire'' all seem to be this. Jon Arryn and Ned Stark work very hard to support the rule of King Robert, while Tyrion and Tywin did the same for Joffrey. The only possible exception is the aforementioned Tywin, who helped depose the mad King Aerys, but only after he'd been sacked. Before that he was Aerys's best friend, leading Westeros through twenty years of peace and prosperity before Aerys got jealous and sacked him in anger.

* Just about every First Counselor or person of equivalent rank is this in the ''{{Safehold}}'' series. Largely because the rulers of Safehold's kingdoms are typically smart enough to get good people into the position and both ruler and chancellor are concerned for their kingdom's well being.

* Magistrate Lasselle in ''StarOceanTillTheEndOfTime''. He's generally a jerk, but only has the kingdom's best interests in mind.

* [[TheChancellorsOfGermany Konrad Adenauer]], the BadassGrandpa chancellor of the [[WestGermany Federal Republic of Germany]] from 1949 to 1963. He led Germany through the postwar reconstruction, beat down both Fascist and Communist threats, brought Germany into world politics, and restored German prosperity in the Economic Miracle. He was freely and fairly elected Chancellor no less than ''four times''. Of course, in the political system of the Federal Republic of Germany, the chancellor is de-facto on top(the presidency was deliberately made weak, so as to avoid one of the pitfalls of the Weimar system), so it might not be this trope despite Adenauer literally being a good chancellor.

* In the [[HorusHeresy past]] of ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer 40000}}'', Malcador the Sigillite. The Emperor's right-hand man and regent when away from Terra, he is the greatest politician, administrator, and (non-PhysicalGod) human psyker of all time, as the Emperor is the [[PsychicPowers greatest]] [[AuthorityEqualsAsskicking everything]] [[EmperorScientist else]].

* Chinese myth has a few, but two stand out: Zhuge Liang (courtesy name Kong Ming) from the semi-historical RomanceOfTheThreeKingdoms and Jiang Ziya from the similarly semi-mythological Fengshen Yanyi, aka "Creation of the Deities".