A majordomo is the head (major) person of a domestic staff (domo), one who acts on behalf of a usually absent owner of a typically large residence. Similar terms include castellan, chamberlain, seneschal, and steward. The etymology is from mayordomo (Spanish) and major domus (Latin). A castellan was the governor or caretaker of a castle or keep. ... A Chamberlain is an officer in charge of managing the household of a sovereign. ... A seneschal was an officer in the houses of important nobles in the Middle Ages. ... The terms steward or stewardess can refer to a number of different professional roles. ...
Ranking above the butler, the majordomo is responsible for all managerial and financial affairs concerning his employer's households. This term, now seldom used, was common in Europe until the early 20th century. Significantly, the French term now used as equivalent to butler still is majordome. // For other uses see Butler (disambiguation) The butler is a senior servant in a large household. ... (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999 in the...
See Mayor of the Palace for medieval title and office. Mayor of the Palace was an early medieval title and office, also known by the Latin name, maior domus or majordomo, used most notably in the Frankish kingdoms in the 7th and 8th centuries. ...
During the 7th century, the office of Mayor of the Palace developed into the true power behind the throne in Austrasia, the northeastern portion of the Kingdom of the Franks under the Merovingian dynasty.
After Austrasia and Neustria were reunited in one kingdom, Pippin III — Majordomo since 747 — took the crown of the Merovingians in 751 to establish the line of Carolingian kings.
The function of majordomo (from major domus) can also refer to the senior servant in a large, usually aristocratic, household.
The majordomo or chief steward of the household of the pope is one of the three (formerly four) palatine prelates (prelati palatini), concerning whom particulars have been given in the article MAESTRO DI CAMERA.
The present rights of the Majordomo are briefy as follows: He enjoys his old privilege of accompanying His Holiness, and remains Governor of the Conclave.
The Majordomo is the chief Prelate of the Household, has a distinctive dress, and enjoys a free official residence in the papal palace.
Feeds |
Contact