Master of laws

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Master of laws
Office Chief law advisor
Region Seven Kingdoms
Current Holder Lord Randyll Tarly
First Holder Lord Triston Massey
Creator Aegon I Targaryen
Created Aegon's Conquest

The master of laws, later called the justiciar, is the king's advisor relating to the administration of justice and is a member of the small council in King's Landing.

History

The first master of laws was Lord Triston Massey, appointed by King Aegon I Targaryen.[1][1]

In 49 AC, King Jaehaerys I Targaryen and his small council summon Lord Prentys Tully of Riverrun to court to serve as master of laws.[2] After King Jaehaerys reaches his majority, he dismisses Lord Prentys in favor of Lord Albin Massey, one of the first lords who had sought out King Jaehaerys during his "exile" on Dragonstone.[3] Lord Albin still served as master of laws by 54 AC.[4]

By 80 AC, Lord Rodrik Arryn had served as master of coin and lord justiciar for twenty years. He left court in 80 AC, following his marriage to Princess Daella Targaryen, and was replaced in the office the following year by Prince Aemon Targaryen,[5] possibly until his death in 92 AC.

In 104 AC, Prince Daemon Targaryen, the brother of King Viserys I Targaryen, is named as master of laws, but is dismissed from the office after half a year when Hand of the King Otto Hightower convinces the king to do so.[6] To replace Daemon, King Viserys I names Lord Lyonel Strong to the office in 105 AC. Lord Lyonel serves until he is named Hand of the King in 109 AC.[6][7] By 129 AC, Lord Jasper Wylde, known as Ironrod, served as master of laws.[6] He continued to hold his position under King Aegon II Targaryen and served on his green council.[8] He was one of the few small council members remaining in King's Landing when the city fell to the forces of Rhaenyra Targaryen in 130 AC,[9] and was executed shortly after by Rhaenyra.[10]

In 133 AC, following the death of his Hand, Ser Tyland Lannister, King Aegon III Targaryen appointed Lord Thaddeus Rowan as his new Hand. His regents overruled this decision, but as not to offend Lord Rowan, he was offered a seat on the small council and the office of justiciar and master of laws.[11] In 134 AC, Rowan gave up the office in favor of the office of Hand.[12]

In 281 AC, Lord Symond Staunton was one of King Aerys II Targaryen's chief supporters, and inflamed the king's suspicions against his own son, Prince Rhaegar Targaryen.[13]

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

Lord Renly Baratheon is the master of laws for his brother King Robert I Baratheon.[14] After Robert returns to King's Landing from a hunt mortally wounded, Renly flees the capital.[15]

A Clash of Kings

During the War of the Five Kings, both Renly and Stannis Baratheon proclaim themselves to be king. When they meet to discuss each other's surrender, Stannis offers Renly to keep him on as master of laws if he surrenders and swears his allegiance to Stannis. Renly refuses.[16]

A Storm of Swords

Ser Kevan Lannister is appointed as master of laws on the small council of King Joffrey I Baratheon.[17]

A Feast for Crows

Ser Kevan Lannister continues to hold the office of master of laws following the death of King Joffrey I Baratheon.[18] After Kevan leaves court,[19][20] Queen Regent Cersei Lannister abandons the office of master of laws in favor of the office of justiciar, in the style of the Free Cities.[21] She appoints Lord Orton Merryweather to the office,[21] who flees back to Longtable when Cersei is arrested.[22]

A Dance with Dragons

Lord Randyll Tarly becomes the new justiciar for King Tommen Baratheon.[23]

List of known masters of laws

See also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Fire & Blood, The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Fire & Blood, A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade.
  4. Fire & Blood, Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Fire & Blood, The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 Fire & Blood, Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession.
  7. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I.
  8. Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens.
  9. Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold.
  10. Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant.
  11. 11.0 11.1 Fire & Blood, Under the Regents - War and Peace and Cattle Shows.
  12. 12.0 12.1 Fire & Blood, Under the Regents - The Voyage of Alyn Oakenfist.
  13. 13.0 13.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Fall of the Dragons: The Year of the False Spring.
  14. 14.0 14.1 A Game of Thrones, Appendix.
  15. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 49, Eddard XIV.
  16. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 31, Catelyn III.
  17. 17.0 17.1 A Storm of Swords, Appendix.
  18. A Feast for Crows, Appendix.
  19. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 12, Cersei III.
  20. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 16, Jaime II.
  21. 21.0 21.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 17, Cersei IV.
  22. 22.0 22.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 43, Cersei X.
  23. 23.0 23.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 54, Cersei I.
  24. Fire & Blood, Aegon's Conquest.
  25. The Princess and the Queen.
  26. A Dance with Dragons, Appendix.