SERVITIUM REGIS AND MONASTIC PROPERTY
John W. Bernhardt
In the Carolingian Empire, and especially in German realm from mid-tenth to mid-eleventh century, as great ecclesiastical institutions – bishoprics royal monasteries gradually became integrated into structure of feudal government, they had serve a secular well religious capacity. This new legal relationship between their ‘protector’, king, brought with it manifold obligations which we call servitium regis described above. These services for king generally tended ‘secularize’ monasteries, seriously affected monastic ideal development monasticism Germany. For instance, required relinquishment private property avow poverty. Yet order fulfil , have far beyond needs subsistence. Likewise, conception ascetic life was partially compromised by increased contact world. As father his congregation king's vassal (or representative), abbot no longer stood within congregation, but outside above it, prince monastery king. progressive secularization abbot's position began threaten brothers' endowment and, consequently, ability lead unencumbered offer constant prayer realm.
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