Missi Dominici

Missi Dominici were royal agents established by Charlemagne during the Carolingian Empire in the 8th and 9th centuries. Their role was to oversee and implement the king's authority across various regions of the empire. Typically, they consisted of a noble and a cleric who traveled together to gather information, enforce laws, and ensure local officials were acting in accordance with the king’s policies. This system helped maintain control over the vast empire, fostering administration, justice, and communication between the central authority and distant territories. The term translates to "envoys of the lord."