Since the middle of the 12th century the Papal chamberlain () was a regular member of the Curia, entrusted with the financial management of the papal court. At that early period the income of the papal treasury came chiefly from many kinds of censuses, dues, and tributes paid in from the territory subject to the Pope, and from churches and monasteries immediately dependent on him.
From the mid-12th century onward, the Papal chamberlain () was a consistent figure in the Curia, overseeing the financial aspects of the papal court. Initially, the papal treasury's revenue mainly stemmed from various assessments and contributions made by territories under the Pope's authority, as well as churches and monasteries directly tied to him.