Keeper of the Chronicles

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This article is about the Keeper of the Chronicles in the Wheel of Time books. For information about the Keeper at TarValon.Net see Keeper


Author: Katherine Avery

General

The Keeper of Chronicles is second in authority to the Amyrlin Seat. She is chosen by the Amyrlin, usually when she comes into office, and is traditionally from the same Ajah. Her badge of office is a stole, in the color of her Ajah, but she does not represent her Ajah; she speaks only for the Amyrlin Seat, who represents all Aes Sedai. The Keeper also acts as secretary to the Amyrlin. The Keeper has a staff with a gilt-flamed top (TWoRJTWoT, Ch. 24; TGH, Ch. 24; TDR, Ch. 22).


Duties

As Secretary

The anteroom to the Amyrlin’s study has one wide table and a chair behind it for the Keeper of the Chronicles (TFoH, Ch. 15).

She has access to the Thirteenth Depository (CoT, Glossary). Included within the Thirteenth Depository are the lists of those who have been stilled and executed (ACoS, Prologue).

Most Keepers have eyes and ears in other countries, but Leane is unique in that she had a network of eyes-and-ears inside Tar Valon itself (TFoH, Ch. 27; LoC, Ch. 7). By strong tradition the Ajahs send to the Keeper whatever dribbles from their own eyes-and-ears they are willing to share with the Amyrlin (ACoS, Prologue).


In The Hall

The Keeper cannot enter the Hall without the Amyrlin, and cannot enter into discussions in the Hall (CoT, Ch. 19).

When going to the Hall the Keeper precedes the Amyrlin, leading her to the Hall (TDR, Ch. 22).

There is some discrepancy on what the Keeper says when she is announcing the Amyrlin to the Hall. There are two different versions:

  • "She comes. The Watcher of the Seals. The Flame of Tar Valon. The Amyrlin Seat. She comes" (TDR, Ch. 22).
  • "She comes; she comes! The Watcher of the Seals, the Flame of Tar Valon, the Amyrlin Seat. Attend you all, for she comes!" (TPoD, Ch. 16).

The Keeper sits on the left of the Amyrlin (CoT, Ch. 19).

The presence of at least one Sitter from each Ajah is required when the Hall sits, except when the matter before the Hall is the removal of an Amyrlin or Keeper, in which case the Ajah from which she was raised will not be informed of the vote until after it has been taken (TPoD, Glossary).

When deciding a vote in the Hall the Keeper says: "The lesser consensus standing, an agreement will be sought with . . .[whatever the matter is]. In the interest of unity, I ask for the greater consensus to stand" (CoT, Ch. 19; TPoD, Ch. 19).

According to Romanda: "The law was quite clear. Any sister could attend a sitting of the Hall unless it was closed, yet the Amyrlin could not enter the Hall of the Tower without being announced by the Keeper, and the Keeper was not allowed in without the Amyrlin" (KoD, Ch. 23).


Traditions and Protocol

Whatever Ajah she comes from, the Keeper of the Chronicles speaks only for the Amyrlin, and the Amyrlin speaks for all Aes Sedai and all Ajahs (TGH, Ch. 4).

The Amyrlin gives few audiences without the Keeper present (TGH, Ch. 4).

When camping, the Amyrlin and Keeper have tents to themselves (TGH, Ch. 12).

When the Keeper comes into the Amyrlins study she bows, and does the same as she leaves (TDR, Ch. 12).

As second to the Amyrlin, the Keeper has no real authority over Aes Sedai except what the Amyrlin chooses to give her, and most assuredly none to dismiss anyone from the Amyrlin's presence (LoC, Ch. 39).

It is actually custom and not protocol that the Keeper announces the Amyrlin when she enters the Hall (CoT, Ch. 19).

It is a courtesy for servants to bow and curtsy when the Keeper passes them, but it is not required from sisters (ACoS, Prologue).

The rooms with a balcony overlooking the great square in front of the Tower go with the office of Keeper (CoT, Ch. 21).

The Keeper can enter any Ajah’s apartments (KoD, Ch. 25).

List of Keepers