TITÀ. – Belongs to the Papal family as the second of the secret chamberlains of cape and sword in attendance. The office ceases with the death of the Pope. The Prior of the Stables is already mentioned in 590. The present title dates from Benedict XII. The C.M. presided over the Palatine stables, their dependencies and appurtenances, in concert and under the jurisdiction of Monsignor the Majordomo, taking part, by disposition of the Supreme Pontiffs Leo XII and Gregory XVI (1832), in the administration of the Holy Palace. He directed the stable through a superintendent.
To the C.M. fell the duty of opening and closing the door of the carriage and litter of the Holy Father, as well as presenting the horse on the occasion of rides. Now this office, to which no function corresponds, is an honorary title.
