Why do Grand Maesters wear chains?

Maesters wear a chain around their necks composed of various metals to signify their personal expertise. Maesters personally forge each link themselves. There are sixteen recognized fields each with a different representative metal. Maesters are expected to wear their chains at all times, even when sleeping.

What language is meister?

Meister means ‘master’ in German (as in master craftsman, or as an honorific title such as Meister Eckhart). The word is akin to master and maestro. In sports, Meister is used for the current national, European or world champion (e.g. Deutscher Meister, Europameister, Weltmeister).

What does Archmaester mean in Maester?

Archmaester is a title held by the highest-ranking members of the Order of Maesters. The assembled council of Archmaesters is known as the Conclave, and resides in the headquarters of the order at the Citadel in Oldtown.

What does the Grand Maester do in Game of Thrones?

Sworn to serve the whole realm, the Grand Maester sits on the king’s small council and acts as one of the royal advisers. As the Citadel’s representative at the royal court of the king on the Iron Throne the Grand Maester is elected by the Conclave, and only the Conclave can unmake him again, although several Grand Maesters have died violently.

Are Archmaesters interchangeable?

While each archmaester is thus not interchangeable, in theory each archmaester is equal, each casting one vote when the assembled Conclave of archmaesters elects a new Grand Maester. In practice, of course, archmaesters of certain areas of study are considered more prestigious than others.

What does a Grand Maester do in the citadel?

Grand Maesters. The Grand Maester is a maester who serves as the Citadel’s representative at the royal court of the king on the Iron Throne, the Lord of the Seven Kingdoms. The Grand Maester is elected by the Conclave, and only the Conclave can unmake him again.