Lord of the Manor, Retainers and Offices

All boxed positions shown on this chart are very important. Each officeholder concerned will be a member of the noble lord's/lady's council-Grand Council if the noble vassals are in Attendance. Underlined titles are Offices, Italicized are offices held by multiple people such as secretaries and assistants. Offices both underlined and italicized are offices multiple people may hold, all of which are part of the lord's council. The references to Heka Councilor or mages show the fantasy modifications of the basic medieval design. However these offices might equate to less than such non-respectable roles as Alchemist, or Astrologer, or such occupations as Doctor, Barber etc.

Noble Lord Rank: This might well be a lady, and in most cases actually assumes the lord and lady as a unit. Where lord and lady are concerned, the lord directly oversees the actions of the steward and the constable; the lady assists by giving his direction to the seneschal chancellor. Lord and lady command all within the castle and on its lands.

Chancellor (also Chaplain): A priest or monk always holds this office, unless it is broken into two portions, chancellor and chaplain. He or she is directly responsible to the lord/lady for these duties and activities: Keeping the lord's/lady's seal(s) (chancellor), Treasurer (chancellor), General accounting (chancellor) intelligence (chancellor), Secretarial functions (either, principally chaplain), Personal errands and communications (either, principally chaplain) Religious observances (chaplain), Charity (chaplain), Healing (chaplain). Our charts show the office of cofferer being in charge of the lord's/lady's monies and like wealth. Note that in this case, however, the chancellor oversees to some extent the cofferer. See Seneschal Chart. It is possible that an apotropaist and/or exorcist is attached to this office if a great noble is the lord of the castle. The office will work closely with that of the Heka counselor at all times, of course, as their combined abilities are needed in regard to Heka-warding of the castle. The two will also assist tile steward in regards to crops and animal welfare within the lands of their lord or lady.

Almoner: The almoner is in charge of distributing charity to the poor and needy on the lord's lands.

Secretaries: These positions are often held by monks or scribe-like clerks. Clerks otherwise generally need to be only semi-literate but highly numerate.

Mage Counselor: This office is one of Mage practice. That is, the holder will be able in the use of Castings which foretell and also have some magical skill. In most cases this means the individual is a magician with knowledge of astrology and divination. However, any number of variations can and do exist. The duties are of an advisory nature, assisting in the protean and defense of the castle, and healing secondarily, all rouge o] ploys of a very great noble, the mage counselor might be only an advisor in regards to foretelling and the like, and the steward, as we will see, may be the one detailed to defensive and offensive Castings. In most cases, there will be some form of apprentice serving the officeholder. In large castles there will be one or more sub-offices attached to it: alchemist, astrologer, conjurer, wise-woman or wiseman. Note that on Earth in Medieval times this general position on the organizational chart would be occupied by these names: doctor (maker-prescriber of medicine), barber (blood-letter), surgeon (medical operation performer), dentist (care of teeth). They are very much secondary positions which might be filled by a single individual, two, or even none.

Noble Vassals: Observe, if you please, the box. The thorny vines indicate that the position is not actually attendant to the castle. These noble vassals, with a few exceptions which will be noted, reside on their own fiefs within or adjacent to the lord's/lady's lands. Being vassals, they owe their holdings to the noble lord in question. They will have lesser titles, possibly being only knights. Note also the thorny vine running diagonally to the office of steward. When the lord/lady is not present, then the steward stands in his or her place, and the noble vassals must indeed obey the steward as if he were the lord or lady of the castle. The principal duties of such noble vassals are payment of service in regards to keeping order and warfare, whether offensive or defensive. In a similar fashion, another of the duties of the noble vassals is to serve under the steward as inspectors (see Office of Regarder). Whenever the lord/lady visits, noble vassals must house and care for their overlord(s) and attendants, of course, and do so in grand fashion.

Steward: This is the office of vice-lord of the castle. Next to the lord/lady, the steward is the highest-ranking person there. They will be at least knights, often minor nobles if the castle is one of a great noble. Sometimes an aristocratic Mage, wizard, or the like will hold this office. In the absence of the lord/lady, the steward commands all. The basic duties of the office pertain to the oversight of the lands of his lord/lady outside the castle. He or she is also in charge of legal matters, and in the case of a great noble, the steward might have the office of the Justicar reporting to his own, that office being just below the parallel line between constable and seneschal. In the event that the office of steward is held by a very able mage practitioner, the responsibilities for magical security and defense will also be vested here, such matters being fulfilled in close consultation with the office of constable. See Steward's Chart for other details of duties and the many positions directly overseen by this office.

Constable: This office is principally charged with the duties of policing the lord's lands and military matters. This responsibility begins in the castle and extends to the borders of the noble lord's lands. In the absence of the lord/lady and the steward, the or constable is commander of all. In See Constable's Chart for the many positions directly overseen by this office.

Seneschal (also Major Domo): This office is principally accountable for the place of residence and working places of the lord/lady and their chief retainers in the castle. That is, the seneschal has oversight of the dwelling and working place, internal security thereof, household finance and all domestic matters relating to the castle and immediate grounds. In the event of a great noble and extensive (palatial) castle, there might be a major domo office reporting to the seneschal office. The former position would be charged with household finances and domestic matters, with the seneschal directly managing oversight and security. With the most important offices detailed, the titles, authority, and duties are self-explanatory. and duties understood, we move on to to detail of the various sub-offices and possitions appended to the three chief officers of the Noble Lord. Steward's Office and Sub Offices In addition to being the deputy to the noble lord, the office of Steward has charge of the general administration of the lord's holdings. Justice, revenues and auditing, and the maintenance of all lands and property of the noble lord are overseen by the steward. The position could be likened to the office of General Manger.

Justices of the Peace: Note that if a Justicar office was under the steward, that position would be in place of this one, and the office of justices of the peace depend from it. Justices of the Peace have duties regarding local justice. They preside over the monthly Hall Mote, and in addition, they might travel around the lord's lands, if such are extensive, so as to administer like justice in remote places. In the latter cases they will likely be in company with a bailiff and a few men-at-arms.

Auditors: This position serves to check on all offices' accounts. The auditors examine the records of income and expenditures as well as see that all rents, taxes, tariffs, and other revenues have been properly collected and accounted for. Not only money is kept track of thus, but supplies and equipment as well.

Bailiff: This is a relatively minor office but one which is vested with quite important responsibilities. There might be a single individual in charge of this office if there are many bailiffs- in such case he will bear the title of Chief Bailiff. There is a bailiff for every four manors and separate small communities within the noble lord's land holdings. Each is visited one week in every month. Crimes and infractions seen by or reported to the local bailiff (by the reeve for instance) are brought to the attention of the steward for action, probably before the monthly Hall Mote court. The following are the titles and duties of the sub-officers of the bailiff, reporting to the local bailiff.    Agisters: Collect rents and fees such as paid by cotters and crofters.   Reeves: Local headmen of manors or small communities who are given office by the lord or lady and at all times see to their noble lord's interests there. Haywards See to the crop lands of the noble lord, the fencing thereof, and the crops harvested therefrom.    Herdsmen (Coward, Shepherd, Swineherd): Care for the noble lord's ordinary livestock.

Parker: This is another minor sub-office which is highly regarded by the noble lord because of the responsibilities which it holds. It's charge is the oversight of the castle grounds and the immediately surrounding the stronghold.

The offices below the Parker's are:

Keeper of the Mews: The office of chief falconer. Acquisition, training, feeding and care of hunting birds such as falcons and hawks are its duties. In a large mews, individual falconers and workers report to this office. In addition, this of rice will have charge of the dovecote and the roost (for homing pigeons) if the latter are possessed by the castle's lord.

Keeper of the Kennels: The office of head dog trainer and handler. Acquisition, training, feeding, and care of guard and hunting dogs are its duties. In large kennels, individual dog handlers and assistants report to this office.

Gardener: The office is responsible for vegetable gardens, flower gardens, landscaping, orchards, trees and shrubs, and lawns. Where there are extensive gardens and lawns, there will be specific gardeners, possibly a grover in charge of orchards, and groundsmen to do common labor required.

Verderer: Yet another minor office dear to the noble lord's heart, for it is responsible for the hunting lands game thereon and the hunt itself. The verderer oversees the forests and wildlands within the noble lord's holdings. Thus, there are the following under-officers reporting to the verderer's office.

Gamekeepers(Wardens): The officer seeing to the wild game and the prevention of poaching.

Huntsmen: Guide hunting parties, keep down excess numbers of predators or prey animals.

Horn Blowers: Sounds the horn to dirKt hunters and clogs to the quarry.

Woodward: Polices the forest land to see that no persons encroach thereon by clearing and farming, felling of trees, or herding swine.

Beaters: Those who drive game in a desired direction by beating the underbrush and making noise. When not so employed, beaters will generally assist the gamekeeper or woodward as needed. Constable's Office & Sub-Offices The office of constable is always held by a knighted individual. The constable is the captain of all forces, second in military command only to the noble lord/lady. As already noted ts position has considerable responsibilities, duties of critical nature. In this regard there are normal, everyday functions the extraordinary wartime ones. Organization of the castle's military force, general repair of castle fortifications, transportation, and communications are the ordinary concerns of the constable. This charge covers riding and draft animals, vehicles for transport (coaches, carriages, wagons, and carts), and the movement of personnel and goods to and from the castle. Associated with that responsibility are purchase, maintenance, repair, care, and feeding of animals including obtaining feed not grown on the noble lord's lands. Attendant to these is the security of the portals of the castle. All of the castle's main gates and lesser points of entry are the responsibility of the constable in all cases. Extraordinary duties of the office are the military force's deployment and operations in attack and defense, the additional fortifications of the castle, siege engines therein, supply, and transport when at war. In many instances, the constable will have direct leadership of other noble vassals of the lord of the castle, especially if the office is held by a titled noble. In such case, the constable will not be just a field commander, but one of mixed units, a general officer. Various messengers and clerks serve the office directly.

Marshal: This sub-office is that of the principal military commander as regards to cavalry and infantry, the lieutenant of the constable in all cases.

Artillerists, Armorers: These positions are self-explanetory and are directily under the Constable's authority.

Porter: This office is responsible for the operation, guarding, and watch of all exterior entrances to the castle, the games, and smaller openings. He orders the opening and closing of gates, which might include the lowering of the portcullis, drawbridge, grille, etc. For example, a herald calling upon the castle will typically be greeted and answered by the castle's porter.

Watchmen: These are specially retained men-at-arms maintained for night duty guarding the castle portals.

Sentries Tenant: These are local men serving as nighttime sentries at portals and associated walls, doing this service as part of their vassalage payment Marshal's Office , Sub Offices.

Marshal: As with the office of the constable, that of the marshal is always held by a knight of repute in regard to his ability and skill at arms. Training is the ordinary responsibility of the marshal and warfare the extraordinary duty. The Marshal is responsible for the recruitment of soldiers and the hiring of mercenaries. In time of warfare, armorers, artillerists, and the like might be assigned directly to the marshal's office by the constable. The Marshal will be in command of the castle's regular troops, and in some instancesof the noble vassals' forces might serve under him. Vassals and their knights and esquires, however, will typically form their own contingents and accept orders only from their liege lord, the steward, or possibly the constable of course, where a very great noble is concerned, or royalty, this rule might be altered to some extent. Messengers and clerks serve the office to enable it's proper functioning.

Knights Bannerette: Only greater nobles will have within their castles such knights. A knight Bannerette is an exceptional one commanding a troop (usually of 20 "lances") of other knights, esquires, armigners, scutifers, and mounted sergeants. In such cases,however, the Knight Bannerette will be cavalry company sub-commander under the marshal, or in the case of Knights Bannerette present, each will command a squadron of the cavalry company fielded by the noble lord.

Knights: These are the principal front-line warriors and defenders of the castle and its lord/lady. They command Squires (knight-trainees), Armingers (assistants who care for the armor and assist in its donning, esquire trainees, in effect), and Scutifers (lesser assistants who carry the knight's shield, arminger trainees, in effect). Note that trainee doesn't necessarily apply to skill at horsemanship or arms, but more to the overall code of chivalry, with its attendant etiquette and the like. In general, all those attending the knight are able warriors. Also, some armingers and scutifers will be of low station and so unless raised in rank for battlefield performance cannot hope to rise above their position. A knight serving in a castle will usually have one or two esquires in training, and no further entourage. A landed and renowned knight might have two esquires, an arminger, a scutifier, and several mounted sergeants as well.

Sergeants: it is usual that sergeants serve as cavalry. They are veteran warriors of a social station below that of the gentry, sometimes of the peasant class originally. They are well mounted, have good armor and their own weapons, lance, sword, etc. In general they are medium-heavy cavalry (able to perform as heavy cavalry), almost equal to (sometimes as good as) knights and esquires. They are paid accordingly for all they bring. There are foot sergeants as well, and by this I do not mean dismounted sergeants fighting on foot: the foot sergeants receive less pay because they lack mounts and the skills necessary to fight as cavalry.
Archers, Crossbowmen and men-at-arms: Archers rank above all other infantry except foot sergeants. Crossbowmen rank next in status and pay. Regular men-at-arms are, what we would call ordinary soldiers.
Levies: The tenants owing military service as payment for their vassalage are referred to as levies. Such troops will form up at the Militia: This category is not shown on the chart either. It refers to the peasants on the noble lord's land. In times of great need the able men of this sort will be pressed into service. They are ill-trained, ill-equiped, and generally useless unless their lord has indeed seen fit to have ordered that they were given attention in regards to military manueuvers and weapon use, and were supplied from his arsenal with arms and armor. Even in such cases, these troops are of questionable value, although assisting in the defence of the caste might be within their capacity to manage.
Turcopoles: Although not shown on the chart yet, such light Cavalry might be in a castle. These are typically light horseman only moderately armored and usually armed with light lances, light crossbows, and various hand weapons besides. If their principle missile weapons are javelins, the troops are called gentours. ir1 any to Use east, turcopoles might be armed with short composite bows.

Seneschal's Office, Sub-Offices & Positions Seneschal (or Major Domo): Responsible for the entire domicile of the noble lord and apparent structures utilized for domestic purpose, this office is a very busy one indeed when the lord/lady are in residence in the castle. In addition to that, the seneschal might be the personal assistant to the noble lord/lady in all domestic regards, and responsible for the care of the noble guests staying at the castle. The office is ultamitly responsible for the comfort and security of all within the domicille buildings in the castle, and in particular the great or main hall, where there is considerable traffic of persons from outside the castle seeking admittance and audience. The accountants attached to this office serve in self-explanatory manner.

Cofferer: This office is directly responsible to the seneschal with at least a reporting obligation to that of the chancellor. Thus, the Cofferer has charge not only of the silver food service pieces and the like but also the money of the noble lord. However, as previously noted, the charge of the money belonging to the lord/lady might be under the purview of the chancellor/chaplain office. In such case the cofferer has responsibility only for the silver food service, and he would then appear under, and report to, the office of the chamberlain.

Chamberlain: This office is responsible for the great hall and all its adjacent places. The private quarters of the lord/lady, guests, etc, do not come under the purview of the chamberlain.

Keeper of the Wardrobe: This office is responsible grerrter domicile not overseen by the office of the seneschal or Chamberlain. In general this means care for the persons and their guests, as well as the private rooms which they occupy. The various positions reporting to this office are self-evident. Chamberlain's office, Sub-Offices & Positions Thereunder Chamberlain: Responsible for the great hall and environs, all functions which take place within these rooms, the office of the chamberlain must then manage such matters as meetings, audiences, court days, regularly served meals, feasts, celebrations, revels, and the like. Note that if the coffere only has charge of the lord's silver it is under this office. Various entertainers are allowed into the castle from time to time as the lord/lady or seneschal directs or the Chamberlain sees fit. Only very large castles will have permanently retained entertainers such as musicians.

Usher: The office is charged with security within the great hall or any room in which an official function is taking place. This includes the admittance and announcement of the titles and names of visitors, their placement or seating, and order within the area in question. Also, communications from outside the area or going outside from it are the responsibility of this office. To enable the carrying out of his duties, the usher has command of one or more sergeants-at-arms and pages. The service staff might be permanently assigned to this office or lent to it by the office of the butler.

Butler: Originally only charged with care of the buttery, that place where butts of alcoholic beverages were stored, the office of butler in the contemporary European castle is vastly expanded. Oversight of alcoholic beverages is secondary nowt o the duties attendant upon seeing to the meals and drink of the lord/lady and such other diners andguests as they desire to share food and refreshment with them or separately.    
Pantler: The office in charge of the pantry; not only bread, but all attendant to its ingredient and in general all stores of food staples and dry food in the domicile.    
Brewer/Vintner: 1f there is such a position, there will be a cooper amongst the carpenters in the constable's office.    
Chandler: This position sees to all matters of lighting in the entire castle, including the provision of candles in the greater domicile.    
Cup-bearers and Dispensers: These are servitors caring for drink.
Table Clothiers: These are servitors who set and clear tables, and see to the tablecloths and napkins before, during, and after their use.

Chef: This office is the head of the kitchen, the chief cook, and the overseer of all food preparation. In general, the large staff and the duties of each position shown are quite evident. In regards to the wafer maker, though, one bit of additional information needs to be given. The actual duties involved concern the making of most fancy pastries and desserts and in many castles, this is an assistant chef position. The Wafer-maker might also make communion wafers according to a proper method.