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 8th 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.

The office became hereditary in the family of the Carolingians. After Austrasia and Neustria were reunited to form a joint Frankish kingdom, Pippin III — Majordomo since 747 — took the crown of the Merovingians in 751 to establish the line of Carolingian rulers. His son Charlemagne assumed even greater power when he was crowned Holy Roman Emperor in 800, thus becoming one of the most prominent figures in French and German history.

Related articles

• Franks (main article on Frankish kingdoms)
• List of Frankish Kings (includes list of Mayors)