Master of coin
The master of coin is the chief financial adviser of the king and is a member of the small council in King's Landing.
Contents
Duties
Duties of the master of coin include keeping account of the receipts and expenditures from the royal treasury, receiving reports from royal officials, supervising the collection of taxes and custom duties, borrowing money, managing the royal treasury and supervising the three royal mints. The master of coin oversees a large number of offices including the four Keepers of the Keys, the King's Counter, the King's Scales, the officers in charge of mints, harbormasters, tax farmers, customs sergeants, wool factors, toll collectors, pursers and wine factors.[1]
History
During the War of Conquest Crispian Celtigar served Aegon I Targaryen as the first master of coin. Nearly two centuries later, even though Elaena Targaryen's husband sat on the king's small council as master of coin, it was widely known that she was the one performing the duties.[2]
List of Known Masters of Coin
- Lord Crispian Celtigar, served under Aegon I Targaryen.
- Lord Lyman Beesbury, served under Jaehaerys I Targaryen and then his grandson Viserys I Targaryen.[3]
- Prince Daemon Targaryen, served under his brother Viserys I Targaryen before being removed and later made master of laws.[4]
- Ser Tyland Lannister, served under Aegon II Targaryen.[3]
- Lord Ronnel Penrose, served under Daeron II Targaryen.
- Lord Ambrose Butterwell, served Daeron II and Aerys I Targaryen.
- Lord Qarlton Chelsted, served Aerys II Targaryen, later made Hand of the King.
- Lord Petyr Baelish, appointed during the reign of Robert Baratheon; continued to serve under his successor Joffrey Baratheon.
- Tyrion Lannister, appointed when Littlefinger left to court Lysa Tully.
- Lord Gyles Rosby - Lord Treasurer. Appointed after Tyrion's trial for Joffrey's murder.
- Ser Harys Swyft - Lord Treasurer and master of coin. Demoted from Hand of the King to replace Lord Rosby after his death.
Recent Events
A Game of Thrones
Lord Petyr Baelish continues to serve as master of coin, as he has done for several years. He must pay for the extravagance of Robert Baratheon's court, often by borrowing from Lord Tywin Lannister.
A Clash of Kings
Baelish is sent to recruit House Tyrell to support King Joffrey I Baratheon.
A Storm of Swords
When Baelish goes to the Eyrie to court Lysa Arryn, Tyrion Lannister is named as his replacement, charged with funding the royal wedding. Tyrion is blamed for the so-called dwarf pennies.[5] After Tyrion is imprisoned for the death of Joffrey, Tywin calls for Garth Tyrell to fill the post.
A Feast for Crows
After the death of Tywin Lannister, Queen Regent Cersei Lannister renames the office lord treasurer, a style used in the Free Cities,[6], as well as in Sunspear.[7] When she hears Garth Tyrell will soon fill the seat, she appoints Lord Gyles Rosby to take the seat. When Lord Rosby dies, Harys Swyft is his replacement.
A Dance with Dragons
Ser Harys's main concern is the massive debt owed by the crown to the Iron Bank of Braavos.
The Winds of Winter
Harys Swyft has traveled to Braavos to treat with the Iron Bank in person.
Quotes
- Petyr Baelish, to Eddard Stark
The master of coin must be frugal.[9]
- Varys, to Eddard Stark
Within three years of his coming to court, he was master of coin and a member of the small council, and today the crown’s revenues were ten times what they had been under his beleaguered predecessor… though the crown’s debts had grown vast as well.
References and Notes
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 17, Tyrion IV.
- ↑ Three Maidens in the Tower (June 27, 2006) So Spake Martin
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 The Princess and the Queen.
- ↑ The Rogue Prince.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 38, Tyrion V.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 17, Cersei IV.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Appendix
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 20, Eddard IV.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 58, Eddard XV.