Maesters

Maesters are men of learning and wisdom in the Seven Kingdoms, noted for their counsel and training in the great Citadel in Oldtown. Almost every castle and noble family in Westeros, no matter how small, has a maester on hand to teach the lord's children, give him counsel and attend to medical and education needs.

Known members

 * Grand Maester Pycelle of King's Landing.
 * Maester Luwin of Winterfell.
 * Maester Aemon of Castle Black.
 * Maester Cressen of Dragonstone

In the novels
In the Song of Ice and Fire novels the maesters are an order of male scholars and teachers. Women are not permitted to join the order. They are based in Oldtown, the continent's second-largest city on its far south-western coast.

Subjects which the maesters can be specialized in include: herb lore, warcraft, medicine and healing, smithing, economics, history and heraldry, astronomy, ravenry and the 'higher mysteries' (magic), although in the latter case only to ensure that it is treated like a myth. The supreme master of such an area gains the rank of Archmaester and is allowed to sit on the ruling council of the order, the Conclave, based in the Citadel.

The term is pronounced "may-stir", not "my-stir", which proved tricky for the cast during filming.