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This article looks at the ‘second rank’ of courtiers at the papal curia. The doorkeepers (hostiarii) were part of the pope's personal household, subordinate to the papal chamberlain, but they played a significant role in curial administration: a clear division between ‘private’ household and ‘public’ administration is difficult to see. The hostiarii witnessed many of the financial and patrimonial deals struck by papal representatives; they could allow or deny entry into the pope's presence to petitioners and litigants; and they had a role in the production of papal letters and privileges. They were important figures at the curia.

This paper examines the relationship between the newly-formed kingdom of Portugal and the papacy in the second half of the twelfth century. The kings of Portugal sought a close alliance with the papacy and their relationship has been seen as that of 'vassal' and overlord. However, it seems likely that this alliance owed more to the tradition of monastic protection grants. The act of homage performed to the papal legate by King Afonso I is an example of a wider use of the homage ceremony. Homage was not only used to cement 'feudal' bonds, but also to make peace or to confirm pacts and agreements. The annual census paid by the kingdom to Rome was part of the same grant of protectio. The papal-Portuguese letters used the same language and terminology as ecclesiastical protectio, which was awarded by the papacy to monasteries, churches and eventually kingdoms and kings.

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