Quorum of Twelve (TOS)

For this entity from separate continuity sources, see: Quorum of Twelve (TOS alternate).

Sire Uri addresses the Quorum ^{(TOS: "Saga of a Star World")}.

The Quorum of Twelve, also known as "The Council of Twelve" or "The Council," is a group of politicians who gather together to make up the laws and practices for the people of The Twelve Colonies.

The Quorum consists of one representative from each colony and is presided over by the President. Each representative, as well as the President, is elected to their position.

The Quorum members were usually given a Seal of the Lords as a symbol of their position in the Colonial Government. But the Seals were apparently lost over time, and Commander Adama of battlestar Galactica and Lord Baltar possessed the last two Seals ^{(TOS: "Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I")}.

After the destruction of the Twelve Colonies and the death of President Adar, Commander Adama, of the planet Caprica, is installed as interim leader of The Council, operating under martial law. The council can still make laws and practices but Adama controls the overall actions of the Council.

The council does try to take control again when The Eastern Alliance prisoners are taken into custody aboard Galactica. But when the Alliance prisoners, along with Baltar and three Borellian Nomen try to escape and use the council as hostages, the council gives control back to Adama (TOS: "Baltar's Escape").

Known Members

Former Members

Count Baltar
President Adar
Commander Xavier (from Galactica 1980)

Notes

The name, "Quorum of Twelve," comes from the ruling body of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (a.k.a. Mormons). Glen A. Larson was raised Mormon and used several ideas and terms from that church in creating Battlestar Galactica. The primary difference between the two groups is that the Twelve in Battlestar Galactica have a mostly political role (with only ceremonial religious duties) whereas the Mormon leadership is unelected and primarily religious in character.
In the novelization of "Saga of a Star World," Sire Uri is noted to be speaking to a Councilman Lobe of Piscera whilst on Carillon about the possibility of settling on the planet. The on-screen version of this scene shows the unnamed Statesman portrayed by Norman Stuart as being the individual Uri is speaking to about the above scene from the novel, though it is uncertain if this is a canon source.
In the novelization of "War of the Gods," a man named Sire Montrose is identified as a member of the Quorum who speaks to his surprise of Count Iblis being seemingly aware of their decisions and later on asking to confirm the mysterious being's leadership over the Colonials. The on-screen version of these scenes shows the unnamed Statesman portrayed by John Williams as being this exact individual, with IMDB and certain sites identifying him as Montrose, though this is uncertain if this is a canon source.
It is worth noting that in "Baltar's Escape" that the Council of Twelve had more than twelve members considering the absence of Siress Tinia when the council members were taken hostage by Baltar and the others.