In the deadly game of thrones, where kings rise and fall by the sword, few notice the silent force shaping the realm from the shadows: knowledge. While warriors win battles and lords plot their schemes, it is the maesters of the Citadel who preserve the truths of history, science, and medicine. The role of the Citadel in Westerosi knowledge is far greater than most realize—this ancient institution influences everything from royal decisions to the survival of entire Houses. In this article, we explore how the Citadel became the intellectual heart of Westeros and why its quiet power still echoes through the Seven Kingdoms.’
What Is the Citadel?
The Citadel is the center of knowledge, healing, and scholarly training in Westeros. Located in the ancient city of Oldtown, it serves as the headquarters of the maesters—learned men who act as healers, scientists, advisors, and messengers across the Seven Kingdoms.
This massive complex holds the largest library in Westeros, filled with ancient books, scrolls, and records. It’s where young men come to study and earn links for their chains—each representing mastery in a specific field like medicine, astronomy, or history.
The Citadel’s quiet presence shapes the realm through learning, not war. It’s where facts, not swords, hold the most power.
Who Are the Maesters?
Maesters are the trained scholars of Westeros, serving as healers, advisors, and messengers for noble Houses. They are educated at the Citadel in Oldtown, where they study various disciplines such as medicine, history, ravenry, and science.
Each maester wears a chain around his neck, with links made from different metals—each one symbolizing mastery in a specific subject. For example, a silver link means expertise in medicine, while black iron represents raven communication.
Once trained, maesters swear loyalty to knowledge, not to any king or House. They serve where needed, offering wisdom without taking sides in politics or war. Their quiet influence shapes decisions, heals the wounded, and records the history of Westeros.
In short, maesters are the silent backbone of knowledge in the realm.
The Citadel’s Role in Preserving Westerosi Knowledge
The Citadel is the largest and most important center of learning in Westeros. It safeguards the realm’s knowledge by collecting, copying, and protecting ancient texts, scrolls, and records. From the Age of Heroes to the Targaryen conquest, much of what we know today survives because of the Citadel’s efforts.
Its vast library holds information on history, healing, astronomy, magic, and more. Maesters study and organize this knowledge to ensure it is not lost over time. They pass this learning to the next generation and use it to serve noble Houses across the realm.
The Citadel’s role in preserving Westerosi knowledge is crucial. Without it, many truths about the past—and tools for the future—would vanish.
The Citadel and Magic: A Complicated Relationship
The Citadel values logic, science, and facts—but when it comes to magic, things get tricky. Most maesters view magic with deep skepticism. They believe it’s unreliable, dangerous, and often based on superstition.
Even though the Citadel stores books on sorcery, prophecy, and ancient lore, this knowledge is rarely encouraged. Maesters are taught to rely on proven science, not the unknown. As a result, magic is often dismissed or ignored, even when signs of its return—like dragons or White Walkers—appear in the world.
This cautious approach shows the Citadel’s complicated relationship with magic. While they preserve magical texts, they rarely trust or use what’s inside them. Some fans even believe the Citadel hides or suppresses magical truths to keep the realm grounded in reason.
In a world where magic is real, the Citadel stands as the voice of doubt—protecting knowledge, but fearing the unknown.
The Citadel’s Influence on Westerosi Politics
While the Citadel claims neutrality, its influence on Westerosi politics runs deep. Maesters serve in every major House, advising lords, treating the wounded, and controlling the flow of information. Their guidance often shapes political decisions—quietly but powerfully.
Through ravenry, the Citadel manages the kingdom’s communication network. This gives them unique control over how news spreads across Westeros. In a world where knowledge is power, this makes the Citadel a hidden force in political affairs.
Some believe the Citadel’s influence on Westerosi politics includes subtle interference. Popular fan theories suggest maesters may have even worked to weaken magic and the Targaryens to maintain order and reason.
Though they don’t sit on thrones, the Citadel’s reach touches every corner of the realm.
Samwell Tarly’s Journey and Discoveries
Samwell Tarly’s journey to the Citadel is one of the most significant storylines in Game of Thrones. As a member of the Night’s Watch, Sam is sent to Oldtown to become a maester, hoping to unlock crucial knowledge to fight the White Walkers.
Sam’s time at the Citadel reveals the institution’s vast potential—and its limitations. While Sam uncovers critical knowledge about dragonglass at Dragonstone, he also faces the Citadel’s rigid views on magic and supernatural threats. The maesters dismiss his discoveries, focusing instead on more traditional knowledge.
Samwell Tarly’s discoveries—like the importance of dragonglass and Rhaegar Targaryen’s secret marriage—are game-changing. His willingness to challenge the Citadel’s teachings ultimately pushes the boundaries of Westerosi knowledge, demonstrating that even in a place dedicated to learning, not all wisdom is accepted.
Sam’s role as a bridge between ancient knowledge and modern warfare is vital, showing the Citadel’s role in preserving knowledge, but also how it can sometimes hinder crucial progress.
Why the Citadel Matters in Game of Thrones Lore
The Citadel is far more than a mere backdrop in Game of Thrones. It plays a pivotal role in the realm’s understanding of history, medicine, and the mystical forces at work in Westeros. Its influence shapes key events, even if it’s often behind the scenes.
First, the Citadel preserves ancient knowledge, which becomes crucial during pivotal moments in the series. Samwell Tarly’s discoveries about dragonglass and the secrets of Rhaegar Targaryen are examples of how the Citadel’s archives hold valuable truths that can change the course of history.
Moreover, the Citadel’s stance on magic impacts the realm’s response to supernatural threats like the White Walkers. The institution’s rejection of magic creates a divide between those who are willing to face these dangers and those who dismiss them.
The Citadel matters in Game of Thrones lore because it’s a source of truth, but also a symbol of how knowledge can be both a force for good and a barrier to progress. It represents the power of learning, but also the dangers of clinging too tightly to the past.
Conclusion
The Citadel stands as one of the most important institutions in Game of Thrones, shaping Westeros through its vast repository of knowledge and the silent influence of its maesters. While it may not hold political power or sit at the heart of battlefields, the Citadel’s role in preserving history, guiding decisions, and even influencing the realm’s understanding of magic cannot be overlooked.
In a world where knowledge is power, the Citadel quietly controls much of what is known—and what is kept hidden. Whether it’s through the quiet guidance of Samwell Tarly or the rejection of magic, the Citadel has a lasting impact on the fate of Westeros.
As we look back at the stories and mysteries of Game of Thrones, it’s clear that the Citadel remains a crucial part of the narrative. Its legacy of preserving knowledge, protecting healing arts, and shaping history will echo through the Seven Kingdoms long after the series concludes.
