What is a Castellan?

A castellan is someone who oversees a castle in the absence of the castle's lord, and typically oversees basic administrative duties which keep the castle running smoothly when the lord is present. Historically, castellans were very important individuals, as they were relied on to keep castles and the surrounding areas under control. Because most castles no longer serve as private residences, this position is relatively rare in the modern era, although a few castellans can be found dotted about in various regions of the world; how their duties have been altered significantly, with a heavier focus on caretaking and less concern about military defense. One of the aspects of the castellan's duties would have involved keeping the castle in good domestic order. The castellan would be responsible for the hiring and firing of domestic staff, supervising cleaning, cooking, maintenance, and other tasks around the castle. Typically, the castellan also made decisions about which crops to plant, ...  more