Soma-mikuriya is often raised as an exemplary case of: bitter struggles with kokushi (provincial governors) and mokudai (deputy kokushi, or a deputy provincial governor) during the transformation of local officials to local lords; donation by the local lord classes to defend their vulnerable positions; and the limits of the protection by donation, which led to the establishment of the Kamakura bakufu (Japanese feudal government headed by a shogun).
相馬御厨は在庁官人が在地領主に変貌していく過程で、国司や目代と激しく対立した事、在地領主層が脆弱な地位を守るために寄進を行った事、寄進による保護にも限界があり、鎌倉幕府の成立へとつながって行った事の例示としてよく取り上げられる。