The papal majordomo or chief steward of the household of the pope is one of the three (formerly four) palatine prelates (prelati palatini), as discussed in the article maestro di camera.
The Papal Majordomo is also part of the four "prelati di fiocchetto", a term referring to prelates who have the right to adorn the harnesses of their horses with violet and peacock-colored feathers.
The other members of the "prelati di fiocchetto" include the Governor of Rome, in his capacity as Vice-Chamberlain, the Auditor, and the Treasurer of the Apostolic Chamber.
After Martin V returned from Avignon to Rome in 1418, the household offices began to evolve into their modern form, a process which continued through the Renaissance.
In so far as this duty necessitated expenditure, the Treasurer of the Holy Roman Church, the minister of finance for the time being, exercised sharply defined control over the majordomo and his assistants.
The general rule recognised by the Roman Curia at the close of the Middle Ages, that the head of any important, department should have jurisdiction over all his assistants, extended to the Majordomo.