The senior administrator responsible for managing a lord’s estate and manorial courts.
A steward was the senior administrative officer responsible for managing a lord’s estate and overseeing manorial courts.
The steward could preside over court proceedings on behalf of the lord, supervise other officials, interpret local customs and ensure that the lord’s rights were maintained.
On large estates, a professional steward might manage several manors on behalf of an absentee landowner.
The steward was distinct from officers such as the reeve or bailiff, who were more closely involved with practical estate management.
See also:
Bailiff
Court Baron
Manorial Court
Reeve
Lord of the Manor
