Editing Carolingian Empire (section)

===Officials===
There are 3 main offices which enforced Carolingian authority in the localities:

The [[Comes]] ({{Langx|la|count}}). Appointed by Charles to administer a [[county]]. The Carolingian Empire (except Bavaria) was divided up into between 110 and 600 counties, each divided into ''centenae'' which were under the control of a vicar. At first, they were royal agents sent out by Charles but after c. 802 they were important local magnates. They were responsible for justice, enforcing capitularies, levying soldiers, receiving tolls and dues and maintaining roads and bridges. They could technically be dismissed by the king but many offices became hereditary. They were also sometimes corrupt although many were exemplary e.g. Count Eric of Friuli. Provincial governors eventually evolved who supervised several counts.

The [[Missus Dominicus|Missi Dominici]] ({{Langx|la|dominical emissaries}}). Originally appointed ad hoc, a reform in 802 led to the office of ''[[missus dominicus]]'' becoming a permanent one. The ''Missi Dominici'' were sent out in pairs. One was an ecclesiastic and one secular. Their status as high officials was thought to safeguard them from the temptation of taking bribes. They made four journeys a year in their local ''[[missaticum]],'' each lasting a month, and were responsible for making the royal will and capitularies known, judging cases and occasionally raising armies.

The [[Vassi Dominici]]. These were the king’s vassals and were usually the sons of powerful men, holding ‘benefices’ and forming a contingent in the royal army. They also went on ad hoc missions.