Thorkell Mylrea buys himself into becoming a Deemster (or judge) on the Isle of Man. He was a son of Ewan Christian, a deemster. The offices of First Deemster, Second Deemster and Clerk of the Rolls are ancient offices. Most of the action of "The Deemster" takes place in Michael Sheading. The head of the Judiciary is the First Deemster and Clerk of the Rolls. There are currently three Deemsters, including the First and Second Deemster. Additional Deemsters are appointed by the Lieutenant Governor on the recommendation of the First Deemster. The Second Deemster lost his seat in the Council. The case was heard before the Second Deemster of the Isle of Man, Henry Callow. The Second Deemster normally sits as the judge in this court. The presiding deemster, William Drinkwater, sentenced Kewish to the mandatory punishment of death by hanging. The Deemster Kerruish Award was created two days after Kerruish's death. The deemster (judge on the Isle of Man) held that Mr Henwood was dishonest. A deemster () is a judge in the Isle of Man. "The Deemster" was published in three volumes by Chatto & Windus.