MASTER OF THE HOUSE. – This is one of the dignitaries of the Papal household, to whom was entrusted, or at least was formerly entrusted, the administration of the personnel of the Papal household, under the authority of the Majordomo. Today he has under his supervision the subordinate personnel of the Apostolic Palaces.
Alexander V (1410) created this new office, to which he entrusted part of the duties previously belonging to the Vice-Dominus and later to the Camerlengo. The new incumbent was called *magister domus pontificiae*, which in Italian was later translated as *maestro di casa* of the Pope. He appears in the rolls of the Papal household under Pius II (1458). He was a prelate who ordinarily later became a cardinal, and who had oversight of the Apostolic Palaces together with the Master of the Holy Hospice.
In the 17th and 18th centuries he had various different duties. This dignity was sometimes entrusted to a layman and sometimes to an ecclesiastic. The organization for the 19th century was determined by the provisions issued by Pius VI. These provisions were reviewed and confirmed by Leo XII and Gregory XVI in the last century.
He enjoyed great authority and directed, in the civil sphere, everything required for the proper functioning of the household or the Apostolic Palace. Under him were the sedan-chair bearers (v.) and the table service, supplies, kitchens, stables, flower arrangements, etc.
When in 1929 the Lateran Pacts were signed and the Vatican City State was consequently established with its own governorship, the Governor gradually assumed various duties previously belonging to the Master of the House. Other duties passed to the Master of the Chamber (v.) and others to the Administration of the Property of the Holy See (v.).