Information AboutMaesters Of The Citadel |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT MAESTERS | |
| a song of ice and fire | |
| fictional organizations | |
|
The maesters are a fictional order of scholars and healers/physicians in George R. R. Martin 's '' A Song Of Ice And Fire ''. They are also scientists, advisors to the nobility, and occasionally pseudo-religious researchers in the occult. Males of any age may begin training as a maester; females are not permitted to study or join the order. Noble families in Westeros sometimes send their younger sons to the Citadel. The maesters, like the brothers of the Night's Watch , are considered to be servants of Westeros and all its people and in theory have no political allegiance. After finishing his course of study, a maester is assigned to a castle, keep or other holding, and is loyal to the people of that place as a mentor, healer and advisor, regardless of changes in control of that holding. To this end a man who earns his chain is stripped of his family name and from that time on is known only by his title and first name. In practice some maesters hold over old allegiances and loyalties. TRADITIONS AND CULTURE Maesters begin their training as novices in the Citadel in Oldtown, a domain of House Hightower, bannermen to House Tyrell . Once they begin their study and have been seen as proficient in a particular course of study they are tested and awarded a link of a certain metal to reflect their skill and knowledge. A student with a link is known as an acolyte until he has a full chain; it is not until he has completed extensive study in various subjects and has earned enough links to form a chain (to be worn around the neck) that he is considered worthy of advancement to the title of Maester, no longer a student but a peer. There have been whispers that the maesters have held much more power and sway than they are ready to admit. Archmaester Marwyn suspects that they had a role in the demise of House Targaryen's Dragons . Some consider most maesters to be categorically opposed to magic and its influence on Westeros. The collar The collar signifies that maesters do not serve themselves, but are instead servants of all of Westeros. The collar consists of several links of different types of metal. These chains are formed from every metal known to man, but almost no maester will ever wear them all. These metals include:
Practices and observances Maesters monitor the seasons; when the seasons change they send white ravens to notify the Houses of the change. They also watch the skies for changes; they are the first to notice the comet which appears during the events of the War Of The Five Kings . As part of their service, they teach the names of the constellations. THE CITADEL The Citadel is an impressive structure in the city of Oldtown, and is considered the home of all maesters. Here they undergo all of their training from the time they arrive as novices until they have achieved the status of maester. At the entrance of the Citadel are green marble sphinxes. Archmaester The perceived "master" of any area of study is given a mask, ring or rod and the title Archmaester in the corresponding metal to signify his expertise. For example, an archmaester who specializes in ravenry will have a mask, ring or rod made of black iron. Archmaesters are the senior members of the Order and are given the right to sit on the Conclave. The Conclave is the governing body of the Citadel and is the same body that elects the Grand Maester, the senior member of the Order and its representative to the King. All the meetings of the Conclave are confidential in nature and conducted behind closed doors at the Citadel only. Grand Maester The Grand Maester wears many interwoven chains to indicate his office as advisor to the King, but these do not reflect his true studies. Gems are woven into the several chains. NOTABLE MEMBERS Grand Maester Pycelle Pycelle is an 84 year-old maester and has served as Grand Maester on several kings' Small Councils over the last few decades. Though intelligent and highly educated, Pycelle's effectiveness on the king's court has been dulled by his advanced age. He sometimes falls asleep during meetings. Despite his oath to serve the King, Pycelle has more loyalties to the Lannister family. At the end of The Usurper's Rebellion, Pycelle convinced King Aerys II that Tywin Lannister's invasion force was reinforcements. He contributed to the death of Jon Arryn by stopping Maester Coleman's effective treatment, fearing what he would reveal if he should live. His complicity in Cersei's plots brought him in conflict with Tyrion , who shaved Pycelle's signature white beard while interrogating him on Cersei's actions. Pycelle's self-confidence was shaken after his shaving, and Cersei perceived him to be a broken man. He began objecting to Cersei's more paranoid schemes, which caused her to contemplate having him replaced. His future in the court was uncertain until Cersei's imprisonment by the Faith . In spite of his past failings in court intrigue, Pycelle successfully seized control of King Tommen and the council in Cersei's absence. He is last reported as offering Kevan Lannister the Regency of the Seven Kingdoms. Other Members
|
|
|