Master of Lake-town

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Master of Lake-town
Man
Frank Kelley Freas - Master of Esgaroth.jpg
Biographical Information
Other names"Moneybags"
PositionMaster of Lake-town
LocationLake-town
BirthUnknown
DeathSometime between T.A. 2941 and 2949[note 1]
Physical Description
GenderMale

The Master of Lake-town was the elected leader of Esgaroth at the time of the quest for Erebor in T.A. 2941.

History

Nothing is known about the Master's history prior to the arrival of Thorin and Company in T.A. 2941. Indeed, even his individual name is unknown. Nonetheless, as the elected Master of Lake-town, he would have been accounted amongst the old and wise of the town.[1]

Master above the Lake by Henning Janssen

When the Dwarves and Bilbo reached Lake-town, they were taken to the great hall where the Master was feasting. Subsequently, Thorin declared the return of the King under the Mountain. This news spread quickly throughout the town and the people began to shout, sing, and rejoice. The Master doubted that there ever was a 'King under the Mountain' but he had to take heed of the clamour. Therefore he pretended to believe Thorin's story and the Master yielded his own great chair to him. The Master accommodated the Dwarves and Bilbo for two weeks before they thought about departing for the Lonely Mountain. The Master was shocked that Thorin would dare to approach Smaug and he wondered whether he really was who he said he was. All the same, he was more than willing to let them go because they were expensive to keep and their arrival had caused business to come to a standstill.[2]

When Smaug attacked Lake-town, the people urged the Master to tell them what needed to be done. But as the flames leaped from the dragon's jaw, the Master fled in his guided boat. Thus it was that Bard took control of the situation and ultimately slew the dragon himself. The surviving townsfolk gathered on the western shore of the Long Lake and lamented at the loss of their home. The people then directed their anger at the Master, accusing him of selfishness and calling him 'Moneybags'. They demanded that Bard become their king. In response, the Master, in a demonstration of his charisma and oratorical prowess, rebutted the people and convinced them that their anger should be directed towards Thorin and Company instead of him. The Master remained quiet as the survivors set up camps along the shore and Bard assumed effective control of all the people, but did so only in the Master's name. When the hosts of Esgaroth and the Elvenking set off for Erebor to demand their share in the treasure, the Master did not go. Those who stayed behind began to prepare for the oncoming winter by building huts and collecting resources; meanwhile, the Master directed the process of planning a new town.[1]

After the Battle of Five Armies, Bard gave a significant amount of gold to the Master, who in turn rewarded his followers and friends.[3] However, he met a sad end. He caught the 'dragon-sickness', and he fled with his gold into the Waste. Here he was abandoned by his companions before dying of starvation. The new Master was said to be much wiser and popular, and the source of prosperity up and down the River Running.[4]

Portrayal in adaptations

Films

2012-14: The Hobbit (film series):

The Master of Lake-town will be played by Stephen Fry.[5]

Radio series

1968: The Hobbit (1968 radio series):

The Master of Esgaroth is played by John Bryning.[6]

Games

2003: The Hobbit (2003 video game):

The Master is named Calamar, and secretly in league with goblins and ruffians.[7]

See also

Notes

  1. He could have died any time between the end of the quest for Erebor (T.A. 2941) and Gandalf and Balin's visit to Bilbo in T.A. 2949.

References