Legal Definitions - granatarius

Granatarius is a historical term from Law Latin referring to an officer responsible for managing a granary. This individual oversaw the storage and distribution of grain, particularly within a religious institution like a monastery.

The term granatarius refers to a historical official or officer whose primary responsibility was to manage a granary. This role was particularly significant within religious institutions, such as monasteries, where the individual oversaw the storage and distribution of grain and other foodstuffs.

Here are some examples illustrating the role of a granatarius:

• Imagine a large Benedictine monastery in medieval France. The monastery owned extensive lands and received harvests from its own fields and tithes from local farmers. A designated monk, acting as the granatarius, would be responsible for the monastery's central granary. His duties would include ensuring the proper storage of wheat, barley, and oats to prevent spoilage, keeping meticulous records of incoming and outgoing grain, and overseeing its distribution to the monastic community, the poor, and any visiting pilgrims. This example highlights the role within a religious house, managing vital food supplies for a large community.

• Consider a sprawling feudal estate in 12th-century England, presided over by a powerful baron. The estate included numerous farms and a substantial central granary where the annual harvest from the lord's demesne lands and rents paid in kind by his tenants were stored. The baron would appoint a trusted steward or officer to serve as the granatarius. This individual would be tasked with supervising the collection of grain, maintaining the granary's security, monitoring the quality of the stored produce, and authorizing its release for the lord's household, the estate workers, or for sale in local markets. This demonstrates the role of a granatarius in a secular, large-scale agricultural context, ensuring the economic stability and sustenance of a significant estate.