A Man. Senior official of the Lake-town of Esgaroth at the time of the Quest of Erebor. Nicknamed Money-Bags by the people, his real name and details of his parentage and personal life are not stated..

The Master was a cynical person driven by greed, ambition and self-preservation. His position was similar to that of Master of a mediaeval Guild of Merchants with a reputation built on trade and wealth.

The Master made Thorin and Company welcome in the town, feeding and housing them, but convinced that they were merely taking advantage of the corporate generosity. He was surprised that Thorin and Company actually wished to carry on to the Lonely Mountain. He did not believe in the old songs of dragons and hoards of gold but was fortunately over-ruled by public opinion and the company were supplied with goods and ponies for their journey.

When the dragon Smaug attacked Lake Town the Master left Bard to organise the defences and made off in his gilded official boat to save his own hide. Meanwhile the town burned and was virtually destroyed when the dragon crashed upon it in his death throes.

The Master did help organise some of the emergency services and relief for the survivors, but tried to stir up the people to demand recompense from the dwarves. Although, after the Battle of Five Armies he was given gold by Bard for the relief and rebuilding of Esgaroth, he fled with it and is said to have died of starvation in the wilderness.