Châtelain (from la, castellanus, derived from ''castellum''; pertaining to a castle, fortress.

Middle English Middle English (abbreviated to ME) is a form of the English language that was spoken after the Norman conquest of 1066, until the late 15th century. The English language underwent distinct variations and developments following the Old English ...

: '' castellan'' from

Anglo-Norman Anglo-Norman may refer to: *Anglo-Normans, the medieval ruling class in England following the Norman conquest of 1066 * Anglo-Norman language **Anglo-Norman literature * Anglo-Norman England, or Norman England, the period in English history from 10 ...

: ''castellain'' and

Old French Old French (, , ; Modern French: ) was the language spoken in most of the northern half of France from approximately the 8th to the 14th centuries. Rather than a unified language, Old French was a linkage of Romance dialects, mutually intellig ...

: ''castelain'') was originally the French title for the keeper of a castle.Abraham Rees Ebers, "CASTELLAIN", in:
The Cyclopædia, or Universal Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and Literature
' (London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme & Brown, 1819), vol. 6.

History

With the growth of the

feudal system Feudalism, also known as the feudal system, was the combination of the legal, economic, military, cultural and political customs that flourished in medieval Europe between the 9th and 15th centuries. Broadly defined, it was a way of structu ...

, the

title A title is one or more words used before or after a person's name, in certain contexts. It may signify either generation, an official position, or a professional or academic qualification. In some languages, titles may be inserted between the f ...

gained in France a special significance which it never acquired in England since the

Norman conquest The Norman Conquest (or the Conquest) was the 11th-century invasion and occupation of England by an army made up of thousands of Norman, Breton, Flemish, and French troops, all led by the Duke of Normandy, later styled William the Con ...

, as implying the jurisdiction of which the castle became the centre. The ''châtelain'' was originally, in Carolingian times, an official of the ''comte'' (

count Count (feminine: countess) is a historical title of nobility in certain European countries, varying in relative status, generally of middling rank in the hierarchy of nobility. Pine, L. G. ''Titles: How the King Became His Majesty''. New York: ...

); with the development of

feudalism Feudalism, also known as the feudal system, was the combination of the legal, economic, military, cultural and political customs that flourished in medieval Europe between the 9th and 15th centuries. Broadly defined, it was a way of structur ...

the office became a

fief A fief (; la, feudum) was a central element in medieval contracts based on feudal law. It consisted of a form of property holding or other rights granted by an overlord to a vassal, who held it in fealty or "in fee" in return for a form ...

, and so ultimately hereditary. In this as in other respects the ''châtelain'' was the equivalent of the

viscount A viscount ( , for male) or viscountess (, for female) is a title used in certain European countries for a noble of varying status. In many countries a viscount, and its historical equivalents, was a non-hereditary, administrative or judicia ...

. Sometimes the two titles were combined, but more usually there were no viscounts in provinces where ''châtelains'' existed and no ''châtelains'' in those with viscounts. The title ''châtelain'' continued also to be applied to the inferior officer, or concierge ''châtelain'', who was merely a castellan in the English sense. The power and status of ''châtelains'' necessarily varied greatly at different periods and places. Usually their rank in the feudal hierarchy was equivalent to that of the "Sire" (medieval French) or

lord Lord is an appellation for a person or deity who has authority, control, or power over others, acting as a master, chief, or ruler. The appellation can also denote certain persons who hold a title of the peerage in the United Kingdom, or are ...

( la,

dominus Dominus or domini may refer to: * Dominus (title), a title of sovereignty, clergy and other uses Art, entertainment, and media * Dominus (band), a Danish death metal band * Dominus (DC Comics), an alien character in DC Comics * Dominus (Mar ...

), between the baron and the chevalier; but occasionally they were great

nobles Nobility is a social class found in many societies that have an aristocracy. It is normally ranked immediately below royalty. Nobility has often been an estate of the realm with many exclusive functions and characteristics. The characteri ...

with an extensive jurisdiction, as in the

Low Countries The term Low Countries, also known as the Low Lands ( nl, de Lage Landen, french: les Pays-Bas, lb, déi Niddereg Lännereien) and historically called the Netherlands ( nl, de Nederlanden), Flanders, or Belgica, is a coastal lowland region in N ...

(see

Burgrave Burgrave, also rendered as burggrave (from german: Burggraf, la, burgravius, burggravius, burcgravius, burgicomes, also praefectus), was since the medieval period in Europe (mainly Germany) the official title for the ruler of a castle, especia ...

). This variation was most marked in the cities, where in the struggle for power that of the ''châtelain'' depended on the success with which he could assert himself against his feudal superior, lay or ecclesiastical, or, from the 12th century onwards, against the rising power of the communes. The ''châtellenie'' (''casteliania''), or jurisdiction of the ''châtelain'', as a territorial division for certain judicial and administrative purposes, survived the disappearance of the title and office of the ''châtelain'' in France, and continued until the

Revolution In political science, a revolution (Latin: ''revolutio'', "a turn around") is a fundamental and relatively sudden change in political power and political organization which occurs when the population revolts against the government, typically due ...

. The feminine form, "châtelaine", refers to the

mistress Mistress is the feminine form of the English word "master" (''master'' + ''-ess'') and may refer to: Romance and relationships * Mistress (lover), a term for a woman who is in a sexual and romantic relationship with a man who is married to a ...

of a castle or

château A château (; plural: châteaux) is a manor house or residence of the lord of the manor, or a fine country house of nobility or gentry, with or without fortifications, originally, and still most frequently, in French-speaking regions. Now ...

, or the mistress of any large medieval household."Chatelaine," ''Webster's New World College Dictionary'' (London: John Wiley, 2003), . It can also refer to a woman's ornamental chain worn around the waist, with keys, a purse, timepiece, or other household attachments.

Canada

In Canada, the wife of the

Governor General Governor-general (plural ''governors-general''), or governor general (plural ''governors general''), is the title of an office-holder. In the context of governors-general and former British colonies, governors-general are appointed as viceroy ...

(the

Viceregal consort of Canada The viceregal consort of Canada is the spouse of the serving governor general of Canada, assisting the viceroy with ceremonial and charitable work, accompanying him or her to official state occasions, and occasionally undertaking philanthropic work ...

), is referred to by the nominal and symbolic title "Châtelaine of

Rideau Hall Rideau Hall (officially Government House) is the official residence in Ottawa of both the Canadian monarch and their representative, the governor general of Canada. It stands in Canada's capital on a estate at 1 Sussex Drive, with the main b ...

", in diplomatic and ceremonial protocol for Canadian and British government ceremonies and special events.

Notes and references

Notes

References

* Achille Luchaire, ''Manuel des institutions françaises'' (Paris, 1892). * Du Cange, ''Glossarium, s. Castellanus''. * {{DEFAULTSORT:Chatelain Carolingian Empire Castellans Domestic work Feudalism French noble titles Medieval military leaders Medieval titles Military command staff occupations Noble titles Social classes de:Kastellan it:Castellano (storia) lt:Šatelenas oc:Castelaniá