The senior administrator or steward responsible for managing a lord’s estate and courts.
A seneschal was a senior official responsible for the administration of a lord’s estate.
The role was similar to that of a steward, and duties could include supervising estate officials, overseeing accounts, managing legal affairs and presiding over manorial courts on behalf of the lord.
On larger estates, a seneschal might have authority over several manors and act as the lord’s principal representative.
The term is derived from Old French and originally referred to an officer responsible for household and estate administration.
See also:
Steward
Bailiff
Court Baron
Court Roll
