The world of ‘Game of Thrones‘ and its prequel ‘House of the Dragon‘ is rife with secrets, plots, and hidden agendas. Among these is a compelling theory that has long captivated fans of George R.R. Martin’s ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’: the Grand Maester Conspiracy.
Could the maesters, the men who serve as advisors, healers, and scholars, be more than they appear? Let’s dive into this intriguing possibility and how it might unfold in ‘House of the Dragon’.
The Maesters Are Accused Of Being Manipulative “Rats” In The Books
On the surface, the maesters seem loyal servants to the great houses of Westeros, dispensing wisdom, writing letters, and tending to the sick. They are trained at the Citadel in Oldtown and their neutrality is emphasized by the fact that they relinquish their family names upon taking their oaths.
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Yet, in ‘A Dance with Dragons’, the maesters wield immense power in their roles, perhaps too much. In the book, Lady Dustin calls the maesters “grey rats,” accusing them of manipulating events behind the scenes. She even claims they had a hand in orchestrating Robert’s Rebellion.
It’s popularly known that Robert’s Rebellion brought the fall of the Targaryen dynasty. Though the evidence is thin, her suspicion reflects a recurring theme in the books. One area where this influence might manifest is their control over communication. The maesters could easily alter messages or spread misinformation.
In addition, their extensive knowledge of medicine and poisons makes them indispensable and dangerous figures in the castles they serve. This notion gains traction in ‘House of the Dragon’, particularly through Grand Maester Mellos’s dubious treatment of King Viserys I.
Mellos insists on using leeches to treat the king’s wasting disease, a practice that appears ineffective at best and harmful at worst. When Maester Orwyle suggests a more modern remedy, Mellos dismisses him, claiming that leeching “always helps.” However, if that’s the case, why does Viserys’s condition continue to deteriorate?
The Maester Conspiracy Might Unfold In ‘House of the Dragon’
Marwyn the Mage, an archmaester introduced in another book titled ‘A Feast for Crows’, offers one of the most direct critiques of the maesters’ motives. A practitioner of magic and a pariah within the Citadel, Marwyn warns Samwell Tarly about the maesters’ disdain for sorcery and prophecy.
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“Who do you think killed all the dragons the last time around?” Marwyn asks Sam. This statement implies that the maesters actively sought the extinction of dragons. Moreover, by the end of the ‘Dance of the Dragons’, nearly all of the Targaryen dragons will indeed be dead.
If Marwyn is right, the maesters may have played a pivotal role in ensuring this outcome. ‘House of the Dragon’ has already planted subtle clues that hint at such a conspiracy. Grand Maester Mellos is frequently shown in close communication with Hand of the King Otto Hightower.
The Hightowers, who rule Oldtown and oversee the Citadel, are staunch supporters of the maesters. While Mellos’s loyalties may not be explicit, his alignment with the Hightowers raises questions about whether his actions are entirely impartial.
