Anselm Redwyne

## Grand Maester Anselm

**Anselm Redwyne,** commonly referred to as **Grand Maester Anselm** and formerly referred to as **Archmaester Anselm,** is a maester from the Arbor sworn to House Targaryen of King's Landing. Born the youngest of four sons, Anselm was often neglected when it came to his position in the nobility. At the age of six and ten, Anselm decided to start his education at the Citadel. During his time at the Citadel, Anselm developed himself as a revered scholar, reaching the position of Archmaester in the field of scientifical philosophy in 95 AC.

Eleven years after his rise to the position of Archmaester, Anselm received the unanimous vote from the Conclave to serve as the next Grand Maester, succeeding Grand Maester Ludwig. Anselm was seen as a nuisance by other members of the Conclave after attempting to break the scientific paradigm within the Citadel.

## Background

### Early Life

Anselm Redwyne was born in 42 AC as the youngest son of Manfryd Redwyne. There are only a few available records of Anselm's child years. A Maester of the Arbor once wrote: "The youngest, in comparison to his elder brothers, was a meek and slender figure, often hiding behind the posture of his mother". Another record from 50 AC also states that Anselm was not present during the appointment of his father as Master of Ships, staying behind with his mother on the Arbor in stead.

Since his brothers joined their father in King's Landing, Anselm was the only male heir to House Redwyne present on the Arbor, which paved the way for him to become the de facto lord of the Arbor. However, records state that Anselm was kept outside of castle affairs by his mother even after he would reach the age of four and ten. Another record states that Anselm would primarily isolate himself in the libraries of The Arbor and the maester's quarters.

When Anselm reached the age of six and ten, Anselm decided to leave the Arbor and join the Citadel as a novice, to the annoyance of his parents and brothers. One moon after he joined the citadel, his parents would attempt to visit the Citadel in Oldtown, demanding the boy to return to the Arbor. During their stay, Anselm stood firm to his decision, blaming his parents for their ignorance towards him and his wellbeing. This blame resulted in outrage, severing the last remaining path for Anselm's return.

### Ascension to Maesterhood

During his time in the Citadel, Anselm was notorious for his dedication to certain aspects of scientific knowledge, primarily those of a social and philosophical nature. He would often be seen with the Archmaester holding the brass mask and staff, whom specialized in scientific philosophy. Next to his good relations with the Archmaester of brass, he would attend most of the lectures given by the Archmaesters of copper, gold and platinum, known for their knowledge about history, accounts and diplomacy.

Anselm would rise to the position of Maester at the age of eight and twenty, forging his tenth link on the first day of winter's arrival in 70 AC. Having already forged two links of brass, Anselm would enter the close circle of the Archmaester of brass, often conclaving until late in the night about the art of scientific philosophy. During this time, Anselm would also advance his knowledge about the other subjects thought at the Citadel. As most of his colleagues went to the courts of the land, Anselm remained in the Citadel until the age of four and fourty. Around this time, Anselm would be the owner of eighteen chains: three brass, two gold, two platinum, two copper and one of every other link, except iron and valyrian steel.

At the age of five and fourty, Anselm would be sworn to House Oakheart. He would serve eight years on Old Oak, after which the Citadel informed him about the passing of the Archmaester of brass, whom held the position for over thirty years. Being seen as a prominent successor for the position, Anselm would return to the Citadel. During the Conclave of spring's beginning in 95 AC, Anselm was chosen as the Archmaester of brass.

### Breaking the empirical paradigm

As Archmaester of brass, Anselm would be seen as the thought leader on the area of scientific philosophy. Most of the Citadel at this time believed scientific knowledge primarily came from two sources: empirical observations (using the senses to observe events) and logical propositions (certain aspects of reality that are deemed logical). These logical propositions were supposed to be kept at a minimum, as to not influence the responsibility of maesters to do thorough research in their subject of expertise.

However, with the arrival of new Archmaesters to the Citadel, a slight shift had occured in this pattern. Most of these Archmaesters were younger than their predecessors and deemed subject experts from a young age. These Archmaesters often would influence the research being done by the maesters within their subject, tasking them with scientific research to confirm their assumptions and increase their grasp over the subject and it's understanding. Anselm saw this as a worrying development, believing that influenced science is not science.

In the Conclave, Anselm found allies within the older generation of Archmaesters, whom like him, held multiple chains of brass. However, as the years passed, the Conclave became younger and younger and Archmaesters bolder and bolder. During this time, Anselm would debate with his students about how to solve this issue. In 105 AC, a young maester proposed a solution to Anselm. Scientific research should not aim to confirm, but dispute scientific knowledge. Anselm embraced the idea and proposed it to the Conclave, whom deemed him a fool. His idea would not make it through the Conclave, but Anselm, stubborn as he was, would still preach the idea during his teachings, much to the annoyance of the Conclave.

### "The Exile to King's Landing"

In 106 AC, Grand Maester Ludwig would pass away from old age. The Conclave would be informed within hours of his passing that a new Grand Maester had to be chosen before the next dawn or their services would no longer be required. In the Conclave, a coalition had been slowly forming with the common goal to remove Anselm from his position as Archmaester. This coalition saw this vote as the ideal opportunity, proposing Anselm as the replacement of Ludwig. Their reasoning was that Anselm, in comparison to most experienced maesters, held two chains of platinum, showing his aptitude for diplomatic environments. Next to that, the coalition felt that Anselm's teachings could bring sense to the intentions of the "dragons circling the Iron Throne".

Anselm would not approve of the coalition's proposition, stating that he is not fit to become the trusted advisor of the King. He stated that these "dragons" would not be able to comprehend his studies and act irrationally in every case. Next to that, he has not served a House for over thirteen years. The coalition would rebuke his statements, stating that Anselm's belief is clouding his rationality. A few alternatives were provided by other members of the Conclave, but the coalition would not consider any of them. As the sun rose, Anselm was once again the winner of a vote, but a far more grim one than thirteen years prior.

## Personality

Anselm is known to be a rational man, using his knowledge and scientific expertise in conversations, debates and decisions. One of his key characteristics is his sceptical nature against those whom do not think thoroughly. In the Citadel, many acolytes and maesters remember him as someone who had no fear of being critical to people of high stature. Although his chains display his aptitude for diplomacy, Anselm often would take a harsh position in debates, relying on his rationality to convince others.

During his time in the Citadel, Anselm was also known as a slight critic to the ideology of monarchy. Anselm believed that most monarchs were not meant to become rulers, as their emotions would outweigh their rationality. Next to that, he was a firm preacher of the theory that a monarch is only as strong as the tolerance he obtains from the people. Anselm criticized this tolerance often, stating that the tolerance of the people is the reason why monarchs are able to act against the will of the people and not for the people.

Anselm, true to his cultural heritage, has a passion for wine, specfically the beautiful Arbor golds. During his time in Old Oak, Anselm once stated to the heir lord of House Tyrell: *"Arbor red is for the ladies and lords in courting and mischief, Arbor gold is for the women and men of common sense and wisdom."*