Who is the Mayord? Is it a position, title or rank?

Perhaps you've heard the word "Mayord". It that: a post or a surname, a title or a rank? Does he relate to the majors in the army? When did this word first appear? These and many other questions you may have.

Read on, and you will learn the answers in this article.

Meaning of the word

In many countries of medieval Europe the main language was still Latin. This is due to the fact that they were based on the wreckage of the once great Roman Empire. But this language was called "vulgar Latin" as opposed to "classical", because in different tribes it included dialectisms from their native dialects.

So, it is to such language that the term "mayord" is referred to. This word first appears in the seventh century in the territory of modern France.

So in the Merovingian dynasty began to call the elder servant. The term comes from the confusion of the two words "major" - "senior", "domus" - "house." That is the main servant in the house.

So scientists answer the question of what is a major.

It is noteworthy that the image of the servant, as shown by lackeys in the films, was alien to the bearers of this post. Next we'll see what they were in charge of, and you'll be surprised at their capabilities.

Background to the emergence of the post

Until the seventh century in medieval Europe, in particular, in the state of the Franks, the title "seneschal" was adopted. Its approximate value is "a taciturn". This servant was in charge of preparing and distributing dishes in the usual meals of the royal family, as well as the order of feasts in the palace.

Over time, for unknown reasons, his rights and responsibilities, as well as opportunities begin to grow. From the fifth to the seventh century at the Merovingian court, this is just another of the hundreds of lackeys, but after that everything changes.

This person has the opportunity to manage all the servants in the palace without exception. In addition, he could decide the court at his discretion, became responsible for organizing all the ceremonies at the court. And most importantly, under his command was the army of the domain, while the king was absent.

That is, actually the seneschal turns into the "right hand of the ruler", his deputy. From this time on, the title and position of the "mayor" appear.

Who is the Mayord?

Until the first quarter of the seventh century, the bearers of this post performed the functions of "chief assistant to the king", "palace minister". But approximately since the reign of Dagobert the First (since 628), the power of the Mayorddoms is equalized, and subsequently exceeds the monarch's.

In the annals of this period , the formula remained that "the king reigns, and reigns as a mayor".

Even more interesting events occur somewhat later. Previously dependent on the will of the king, the post becomes elected (from the aristocracy), and later hereditary. Now the mayordoms took power completely in their own hands, there were even instances when they displaced kings and themselves sat on the throne.

The brightest such case was the decision taken by the son of Charles Martell. Since the coming to power of Charles, the mayor is not just a "little town governor". During the years of administration, he defeated the army of the same neighboring mayordoms and became the "prince of all francs." What's so different about his son, we'll find out later.

The most famous mayor

Thus, by the middle of the eighth century, the power of the Mayorddoms in the Frankish kingdom was becoming the only one. In this state there is such a situation as in modern Britain, where the royal family "rules, but does not rule."

It would seem that Karl Martell achieved everything he wanted. But as further events showed, everything can be quite different.

His son, Pepin the Short, with the assistance of the Pope concludes the last monastery of Meroving, and himself ascends to the throne.

Thus, the last major of the Franks and the first king since 751 becomes the founder of the new ruling dynasty. In the chronicles, she appears under the name of Carolingi.

We have learned from this article that the mayor is a post at the Merovingian court, which later developed into a new ruling dynasty.