ABSTRACT
There were attached to the household a number of officials whose significance was mainly military. Of these the chief were the bannerets and knights of the household. There were three bannerets generally in residence at court, two of them holding the offices of chamberlain and steward. Thus in the eighth year of the reign the bannerets in curia were John de Crombwell, Cherleton and William de Ferrars1 ; in the sixteenth year, Despenser, Richard Damory, and Robert de Insula2. Few in number, living in close and constant contact with the king, noble and of the rank of baron, their attendance added dignity to the king's court and person. Much of the preparation for war fell upon the household; and it was necessary on various occasions that the king should be surrounded by a large body of barons. These held the rank of bannerets extra curiam3, not being bound to residence. The bannerets in curia received a fee
of ten marks the half year and robes1; the bannerets who were extra curiam generally did not receive a fee, though some received robes2. A number of them were Gascons and received fees and robes when they were beyond sea3. The list of bannerets for the eighth year is interesting, and contained at its head the name of Robert fitz Payn, who had been steward, though he did not long retain the position of banneret4. Next came the royal favourite and friend Guy Ferre and barons like Nicholas de Segrave, William le Latimer, Richard de Grey, Theobald de Verdon, John de Mowbray, and John de Somery5. Despenser, junior, also figured amongst them6 as early as this. Additions were constantly being made to the list, and amongst the additions of the following year were the earl of Angus, William de Ros and Simon Warde7.
