Editing Maesters (section)

===Grand Maesters===
[[File:Joshua Cairos - GrandMaester Pycelle.jpg|thumb|300px|Grand Maester [[Pycelle]], by Joshua Cairós © Fantasy Flight Games]]
The office of [[Grand Maester]] was created in {{Date|5}} by [[Aegon I Targaryen]], who asked for an archmaester to advise him on governing the [[Seven Kingdoms]].{{Ref|FAB|3}} Sworn to serve the whole realm,{{Ref|AFFC|39}} the Grand Maester sits on the king's [[small council]] and acts as one of the royal advisers.{{Ref|AGOT|20}} As the Citadel's representative at the royal court of the [[King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men|king]] on the [[Iron Throne]]{{Ref|AWOIAF|Maesters}} the Grand Maester is elected by the Conclave, and only the Conclave can unmake him again, although several Grand Maesters have died violently. King [[Maegor I Targaryen]] executed three Grand Maesters during his reign{{Ref|ASOS|12}}—[[Gawen]], [[Myros]], and [[Desmond (Grand Maester)|Desmond]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|4|3}}—while [[Aegon II Targaryen]] had Grand Maester [[Gerardys]] fed to his dragon [[Sunfyre]].{{Ref|ASOS|12}} Grand Maester [[Hareth (Maester)|Hareth]] was executed as well, on grounds of treason.{{Ref|ASOS|36}}{{Ref|ASOS|12}} 

Although the Conclave puts effort into demonstrating their consideration of ability before birth, this is generally a pretense, as family status often affects their final choice for Grand Maester.{{Ref|ASOS|12}}

More than forty men have served the Iron Throne as Grand Maester.{{Ref|FAB|10}} Grand Maesters are generally older men. [[Kaeth]] was chosen as Grand Maester at the age of eighty, [[Ellendor]] at almost ninety, and [[Merion]] at the age of sixty-six. After all three died within a short time span, King [[Aegon V Targaryen]] suggested to the Conclave that a younger man might be better. As such, [[Pycelle]], aged forty-two, was raised to the office.{{Ref|AFFC|36}}

The Grand Maester wears many interwoven maester chains to indicate his high office. Gems are woven into the chains.{{Ref|AGoT|20}}