Master election custom
The Master election custom of Lake-town (Esgaroth) is a political tradition that defines the town's leadership as an elected office rather than a hereditary monarchy. When Bard the Bowman emerges as the hero who slew Smaug and the people hail him as "King Bard," the Master of Lake-town invokes this custom to resist being deposed, grounding his authority in the town's established practice of choosing its rulers by election from among the old and wise rather than by right of conquest or bloodline.
Definition and Political Function
The Master election custom holds that the leader of Lake-town is not a king but a master chosen by the people from among the old and wise. This tradition is explicitly stated by the Master himself during the political crisis that follows Smaug's destruction of the town. When the people, inspired by Bard's dragon-slaying feat, begin to chant "King Bard! King Bard!" the Master responds by asserting: "In the Lake-town we have always elected masters from among the old and wise, and have not endured the rule of mere fighting men." This declaration frames the custom as a deliberate rejection of martial kingship in favor of governance by experience and prudence, a system that has served the town's commercial and civic interests.
The Custom in Crisis
The custom is tested in the immediate aftermath of Smaug's attack, when the town lies in ruins and the people are desperate for strong leadership. Bard, a descendant of Girion, Lord of Dale, has just killed the dragon and saved many lives, and the crowd spontaneously acclaims him as king. The Master, who had fled the town early in the attack and is widely criticized for his cowardice, nevertheless clings to his position by appealing to the election tradition. He argues that Bard's rightful place is not as ruler of Lake-town but as lord of Dale, which has been freed by his valor. The Master's words are calculated: he offers the people a choice between "the cold stones under the shadow of the Mountain" and "the green shores of the lake," implying that those who follow Bard would abandon the town's recovery. This appeal to the custom temporarily sways public opinion, as the people turn their anger toward Thorin and the dwarves instead of deposing the Master.
Tension Between Popular Acclaim and Tradition
The election custom creates a political tension between the people's immediate desire for a heroic leader and the established legal framework of the town. While the crowd initially shouts "Up the Bowman, and down with Moneybags," the Master's invocation of tradition—combined with his skillful redirection of blame toward the dwarves—prevents Bard from being immediately installed as ruler. Bard himself acknowledges the custom's force, stating that he will continue to serve the Master "still—though after a while I may think again of your words and go North with any that will follow me." This compromise allows Bard to lead the practical work of relief and recovery while the Master retains his formal title, illustrating how the election custom functions as a stabilizing, if contested, political norm.
Significance in the Narrative
The Master election custom serves as a counterpoint to the hereditary kingship of the dwarves under the Mountain and the ancient lineage of the Elvenking. It represents a more pragmatic, mercantile form of governance suited to a trading community, where leadership is based on commercial acumen rather than martial prowess or noble birth. The custom also highlights the Master's character: a man who owes his position to his "mind to trade and tolls, to cargoes and gold," and who uses the tradition to preserve his power even when his actions have proven inadequate. Ultimately, the custom is shown to be flexible: after the crisis, the Master's greed leads to his downfall, and Bard's effective leadership earns him lasting influence, suggesting that while the election tradition provides stability, it cannot permanently resist the will of the people when a true leader emerges.
