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| a chattering or flighty, light-headed person. |
| a fool or simpleton; ninny. |
mayor of the palace
official of the western European kingdoms of the 6th-8th century, whose status developed under the Merovingian Franks from that of an officer of the household to that of regent or viceroy. The Merovingian kings adopted the system by which great landowners of the Roman Empire had employed a major domus (mayor, or supervisor, of the household) to superintend the administration of numerous, often scattered, estates. The Merovingians appointed a major palatii (mayor of the palace) to perform a similar function. The mayor gradually acquired further duties and powers: he obtained authority over court personnel, advised the king on the appointment of counts and dukes, protected the commendati (persons commended to the king) and the king's wards, and eventually even came to command the royal army.
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