To add to the meaning of seneschal in it's use in Ireland. My family were seneschals for two estates in Ireland (Portglenone, Co Antrim and Carton, Co Kildare). What they did was much more than just be in charge of the estate. Some of their duties included, collecting of rents, overseeing tenant's disputes, ensuring the repairs and such of the estate. I think its funny that they went from being the biatach for the Maguire's in the early 1600's to seneschals and justice-of-the-peace in the late 1600's for the planter's. Kinda went with the times. Hope this helps. Phil