Castellanship
Castellanship refers to the office, authority, and responsibilities of a castellan—the official charged with the custody and governance of a castle and its surrounding domain. In medieval and early modern contexts, the castellanship encompassed both military and administrative duties tied to fortress towns and fortifications. The term is often linked with the concept of a castellany, the jurisdiction governed by a castellan.
Etymology traces castellanship to Latin castellānus, via Old French castellain or castellanie, with castellany denoting the
Duties typically included defense and command of the castle’s garrison, maintenance of fortifications, and oversight of
Tenure and variation varied by region and period. Castellanship could be granted as a royal or lordly
Modern usage is primarily historical and scholarly, though the term appears in heraldry, literature, and some