Capitulare de Villis

The Capitulare de Villis originates from the later years of the reign of the Emperor Charlemagne and lists a series of regulations for the overall management of royal property. It is one of several capitularies issued by Carolingian royalty concerning the organization and administration of their estates and reflects Charlemagne’s reforms to the government of the Franks. Details surrounding the origins of the manuscript are disputed, but it is generally believed that it was created at a time when the Carolingian court became settled in Aachen. It was likely intended to manage the logistical difficulties of supplying and maintaining food and equipment for administrators and soldiers at a fixed capital far from most of the estates, or in preparation for a military campaign. Although divided into seven chapters including justice, agricultural land use, taxes, and regulating trade, the majority of the text is devoted to describing the duties of the iudex, a royal official charged with managing royal properties, prosecuting criminals, and collecting taxes – both in cash and in kind – to be brought to the Carolingian court. The document is thus of great importance for understanding Carolingian material culture and political administration.