Chatelaine

 Per Oxford English Dictionary:

"Chatelaine"   noun dated; pronunciation: /ˈʃatəleɪn

  •  woman in charge of a large house.
  •  historical a set of short chains attached to a woman’s belt, used for carrying keys or other items.
     
    Origin: mid 19th century French châtelaine, feminine of châtelain 'castellan', from medieval Latin castellanus, governor of a castle.


There is a certain quiet pride and satisfaction in being able to conduct a household well.

To my mind, there is more to householding than simple cooking and cleaning, although that is a part.  Many skills are involved: organization, time and materials flow, scheduling, mediation and negotiation, money management, delegation, grace under pressure, record keeping and - most critically - the ability to improvise calmly!

Whether a household is one person in a single room or a whole demesne, the skills of a chatelaine remain relevant.

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