Jedi High Council (HarmonyGrex)

The Jedi High Council was the ruling body of the Jedi Order from its conception over 25,000 years before the Battle of Yavin to the dissolution of the order by the Galactic Empire in 19 BBY. During its time, it served the Galactic Republic as an advisory body to the Galactic Senate and the Supreme Chancellor, as well as guiding the Jedi Order. The High Council comprised twelve of the wisest Jedi Masters of the order, and was led by the Master of the Order; the office of Grand Master also automatically awarded the holder a seat on the council, if the titles of Grand Master and Master of the Order were held by two separate individuals.

The High Council originated from the meetings held by the founders of the Jedi Order on Tython before being formally established. Meetings were usually held in the High Council Chambers within the central tower of the Jedi Temple, though they occasionally moved to other areas. Members were usually elected by majority vote, although there were occasions when individuals such as the Supreme Chancellor could award membership to a Jedi. The vast majority of all High Councillors were already Jedi Masters when they were named to the august body.

After the New Jedi Order was formed following the defeat of the Empire and death of the Emperor, another High Council was formed; however, this was considered entirely separate from the Jedi High Council of old, and thus the original High Council officially ended in 19 BBY with the execution of Order 66 - some of the members, however, survived for many years afterwards.

As the leading body of the Jedi Order, the High Council also oversaw the activities of its three junior councils: the Council of First Knowledge, the Council of Reconciliation and the Council of Reassignment; each of these councils included at least one High Council member.

Organisation
The Jedi High Council consisted of five lifetime members, four long-term members and three short-term members; as a result, it was not uncommon for Jedi Masters to be dismissed from the council, even if they were still willing and able to contribute. The amount of time short-term members served on the council varied from member to member; long-term members did not have a set time limit, but, unlike the lifetime members, could resign from the council at any point. As a result, choosing a lifetime seat on the council was a commitment not many Jedi were willing to take, but usually lifetime councillors were the most trusted and powerful Jedi of the entire order, and always included the Master of the Order and Grand Master.

Behind the Scenes
Currently all High Council members on this page are canon, but who replaced who, especially during the Clone Wars, has been decided by me mostly due to when the former councillors died; for example, I have said that Anakin Skywalker succeeded Oppo Rancisis as Oppo was present in the Clone Wars all the way up to Season 6 and therefore died quite late into the conflict, and Anakin is invited onto the council during Episode III. I also said that Coleman Kcaj replaced Even Piell as Kcaj began appearing shortly after Piell's death in TCW, and Kenobi succeeded Depa Billaba as there is only one space left, although Billaba resigned from the council (or was dismissed) rather than being killed during the war.