Welcome to SCA politics. Sounds like either A) the Baronial officer had someone else in mind, or B) didn't want to have a subordinate officer with more experience/contacts/"juice" than they have. Or maybe they are not a good match personality/working style wise. If you think about it it's knida hard to get really worked up about not getting a volunteer position that comes with a lot of headaches (says the former Canton Seneschal).

After re-reading your post it sounds like somebody doesn't want new kids in the sandlot who could challenge the status quo.

William,
I'm not from your area or Kingdom but I think your making a huge leap here. The keeper of the "stuff" versus running the kingdom is quite different officers and duties. I CAN see someone making this statement innocently & but not meant the way you apparently took it?

I know for a fact that most of our kingdoms Royalty has NOT been centrally located within our geographical borders. Simply because that isn't possible when you look at the geographical centers versus the population centers which are to the north and the south in the kingdom and there are complete areas that have no shires and no claim on the lands and the members within them. Some offices make sense to be centrally located so as to make travle easier. Some are not as importantna if the officers are willing to travel farther and haul more "stuff".

I'm a Castellan in Virginia, and I most certainly live on the "outskirts" of my Shire. Just out of curiosity, which group was it? Send it to me in a private message if you don't want to post it publicly.

Wow, This story makes a lot more sense if we fill it in with the first person narrtive that it really SHOULD have.

As William (grammer corrected):
"I have been a Member since 1983. I have held Kngdom offices and even started Offices in new Kingdoms. So, I offered to be the Castellan in a new canton, which I did. Then, when the local Baronial Chatelaine was stepping down, I applied for the position. Never heard back. So, at the canton meeting, I asked the baronial seneschal about it. He said..now get this...
" We would rather have <someone active throughout the Barony, not just in their local group. The Chatelaine needs to work throughout the Barony,> so as better to serve our needs." :: WHATTT????
So does this mean to be KIng of a Kingdom ...

From Angus:
Yes - to be a King/Queen, you should be prepared to travel THROUGHOUT the kingdom. If not, then don't fight in crown. To be a good Chatelaine/Castellan, you should be travelling throughout the Barony - to practices, demos, etc. You are the primary recruiter. You SHOULD be making yourself available for newcomers everywhere, not just your local area. You should NOT be recruiting for your personal household. You should NOT be telling stories of how you get people drunk to our newcomers, especially underage newcomers. You should NOT be mis-representing yourself. And, you should NOT be changing stories to gain support of outside influences, and get the "sympathy vote".

The Castellan/Chatelaine is often the first face newcomers see. They need to represent all of the ideals of the society.

And, for the others out there coming up with ideas as to why this happened - it has NOTHING to do with the Seneschal being "scared" of, or intimidated by, people with more experience. (But, you probably guessed that already.)

Angus - Baron of Black Diamond - sponsor of The Incipient Canton of Seven Hills (The Canton and Barony this thread is really about.)