Constitutio domus regis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Constitutio domus regis |
|
|---|---|
| Establishment of the King's Household | |
| Language | medieval Latin |
| Date | circa 1136 |
| Provenance | Durham Cathedral |
| Genre | Administrative document |
| Subject | Handbook listing offices of the household of King Henry I of England |
| Period covered | 1100–1135 |
The Constitutio domus regis (which means Establishment of the King's Household) was a special handbook. It was written around the year 1136. This book described how King Henry I of England's royal household worked. It showed how things were run during the last years of King Henry's rule.
This handbook was probably made for the new king, Stephen. It listed what every officer and member of the household should be paid. It also explained what other allowances, like food or lodging, they should receive. The book listed all the different jobs within the king's household. Many historians believe that Nigel wrote this document. Nigel was the treasurer for King Henry I and later became the Bishop of Ely in 1133.
Contents
What Was the King's Household?
The domus regis was the king's household. It was like a big, busy team that helped the king. This team included many people who worked closely with the king every day. They helped him manage his kingdom and his daily life. The Constitutio gives us a rare look into this important part of medieval government.
Jobs in the Royal Household
The Constitutio organized the jobs and officers into three main groups. The most important group included top officials. These were the chancellor, the stewards, the master butler, the chamberlain, and the constables. Each of these roles was very important for running the kingdom.
The Treasury's Role
By the time this document was written, the Treasury was already separate from the king's household. The Treasury was like the government's bank. It was called the Exchequer. Even though the head of the Treasury, the Treasurer, was listed in the book, other Treasury workers were not. This shows that the Treasury was a distinct part of the government.
Why is This Document Important?
The Constitutio domus regis is very important for historians. It helps us understand how medieval kings managed their daily lives. It also shows us how they paid their staff. This document is one of the very few records like it that survived from that time. The next similar document about the king's household wasn't written until 1279. That was over 140 years later!
