castellans

Castellans are officials who held the office of castellan, the keeper of a castle and administrator of the surrounding territory. The title derives from Latin castellānus, through Old French castellain, and the associated jurisdiction is known as a castellany or castellation in some regions.

A castellan was typically entrusted with defense and custody of the fortress, command of the garrison, maintenance of fortifications, and management of supplies, stores, and weapons. The role also often included supervision of the castle’s workforce and dependents, as well as the daily administration of the castle’s domain. In many cases the castellan acted as the lord’s representative within the castellany, collecting rents or dues, overseeing local estates, and presiding over minor judicial matters or customary courts.

Appointment varied by region and period. Castellans were usually appointed by the sovereign or noble who owned the castle and could be a knight or member of the regional nobility. In some areas the position was hereditary or granted in exchange for military or administrative service. It was also common for a single noble to oversee multiple fortresses, or for a castle-town complex to have a resident castellan.

Historical significance and evolution: as centralized states grew and military technology evolved, the responsibilities of castellans changed and often diminished, though the office persisted in certain frontier or princely fortresses into the early modern period. The castellan remains a common topic in studies of feudal administration and castle governance.