Missi Dominici

Definition: Missi dominici were royal agents that made rounds through specific territories to tell the people of the king’s will, evaluate local officials, and deliver justice. These were also the members of the empire who administered the oath of allegiance that was required by Charlemagne in 802 (Einhard, Notker, and Ganz xi). The empire was divided into missatica which were visited by one cleric and one noble four months out of the year (“Missus Dominicus”). Each spring, the messengers gathered at the Mayfield to report back the concerns and events of their territories (Marshall). 

Importance: Missi dominici were beneficial for Charlemagne as the Emperor of an increasing territory. He himself could not physically get to each part of his empire, but through these traveling messenger teams, he could hear the concerns of each district. This reminds me of a rudimentary system for the House of Representatives system that we have today in the United States. It is impossible for the president of the United States to hear every concern and check every policy implementation for every state. Through this representative system, the leaders can communicate with their people via a third person so that they can attend to other duties.

source: http://historiaybiografias.com/missi-dominici/