châtellerie

A châtellerie was a historical administrative and territorial division in medieval France. It was a unit of territory controlled by a châtelain, a castellan, or lord who held a castle (château) as his seat of power. The châtellerie encompassed the lands directly administered by the châtelain, who was responsible for justice, taxation, and military organization within its boundaries. These territories varied greatly in size and importance, often depending on the strategic significance of the castle and the wealth and influence of its lord.

The châtellerie was a fundamental element of feudal administration. The châtelain acted as the king's or a higher lord's representative in his domain. He often held court, dispensed justice to the inhabitants, collected rents and other dues, and was responsible for raising troops when needed. The economic basis of the châtellerie was typically agricultural land, but it could also include forests, mills, and other sources of revenue. The evolution of the châtellerie was tied to the development of royal authority and the increasing complexity of feudal structures. Over time, some châtelleries became hereditary lordships, while others were gradually absorbed into larger administrative units or royal domains. The term itself signifies the administrative function associated with a castle.