ABSTRACT
The fourteenth century is an important period in the history of aristocratic retinues in England not only because it was a period of some considerable activity on their part, but because it was one in which their leaders, adapting themselves to the general change in the structure of society, began to develop new forms of retinue organised on the principle of personal contract in place of the old feudal principle of tenurial loyalty. The appearance of these new retinues is traditionally regarded as a retrograde step in social organisation. The statute of 1390, which deals in greater detail than any previous legislation with the formation of these retinues, recognises three distinct types: first, resident household attendants; secondly, men who are bound by written indenture to serve their lord for life in peace and war; and, thirdly those whose attachment to the lord is shown simply by the acceptance of his fees and the wearing of his badge and livery.
