The Board of Trustees of the Fief de Thomas Blondel embody a rich diversity of governance and stewardship deeply embedded in the historical context of ancient feudal systems. This fief, which is registered with King Charles Royal Courts using the ancient Feudal protocols, is now under the management of George Mentz, the Seigneur of the Fief. The trustees perform roles akin to those of medieval stewards or seneschals, ensuring the responsible and efficient management of the estate.

Nature and Functions of the Trustees of the Fief de Thomas Blondel:

1.      Management and Conservation: The trustees are charged with the sustainable use of the land and its resources, including the conservation of natural habitats and historical sites within the fief’s boundaries. 

2.      Historical Preservation: They oversee the maintenance of historical structures and artifacts on the fief, coordinating restoration projects and promoting historical research to deepen understanding of the fief’s past. 

3.      Community Engagement: The trustees engage with the local community to ensure that the fief remains a beneficial and integral part of the local area, supporting traditional events and ensuring public access to the land. 

4.      Economic Activities: They also manage economic activities such as agriculture, tourism, or land leasing, ensuring these ventures align with the fief’s heritage preservation and viability.

5.   Territorial Concerns - How the Fief of Blondel and its territory are outlined and shown in the registers and maps.

6.   Manorial Incidents of Commons, Waste, Rights to Light, Hunting and Fishing.

7.   Sea, Water, and Foreshore - Territorial concerns of the fiefs water rights, sea rights, marina rights, territorial waters, seasted, seabed, and extended continental shelf rights.

Historical Context: 

The Fief de Thomas Blondel has stood since 1179, witnessing the ebb and flow of feudalism in Europe. Originally involving land granted for service, the nature of such fiefs evolved as feudalism waned, often leading to hereditary landholdings and transforming feudal obligations into legal and symbolic forms of ownership and responsibility. 

Heritage and Cultural Attributes: 

The fief's heritage includes architectural wonders and cultural riches, from ancient castles and manor houses to monastic ruins. Each structure narrates part of the fief’s extensive historical narrative. Cultural traditions linked to the fief, like annual festivals and customary practices, enrich the local community's social fabric. 

Modern Implications and Preservation: 

Today, under the stewardship of George Mentz, the Seigneur, the trustees balance historical preservation with modern necessities. They navigate heritage protection laws, manage the impact of tourism, and initiate educational programs to highlight the fief’s historical importance. 

The role of the trustees is crucial—they act as conservators of the past and enablers of the future. Their stewardship ensures that the Fief de Thomas Blondel’s legacy continues to thrive, preserving its cultural and historical significance for future generations. This balance of preserving the old while embracing the new makes the Trustees of the Fief de Thomas Blondel key figures in maintaining the vitality and relevance of this historic estate. 

Board of Trustees

1. George Mentz, Seigneur of Fief Th. Blondel, Baron Longford, OSJ
2. A. C. Mentz, Lord of Stoborough, Baroness Longford
3. M.A. Mentz, Dame of Blondel et Eperons, Baroness Longford
4. C. M. Mentz, Lord of Ennerdale, Baroness Longford