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A retinue is a body of persons "retained" in the service of a noble
Nobility

Nobility is a government-privileged title which may be either hereditary or for a lifetime. Titles of nobility exist today in many countries although it is usually associated with present or former monarchies....
 or royal
Royal family

A royal family is the extended family of a king or queen regnant. The term "imperial family" more appropriately describes the extended family of an emperor or empress regnant, while the terms "ducal family", "grand ducal family" or "princely family" are more appropriate in reference to the relatives of a reigning duke, grand duke, or prince....
 personage, a suite (literal French meanings: what follows) of "retainers."

word, recorded in English since circa 1375, stems from Old French retenue, itself from retenir also meaning 'to employ', from Latin retenere, hold back, retain.

retainers were not necessarily in the domestic service or otherwise normally close to the presence of their lord, but also include others who wore his livery
Livery

A livery is a uniform or other insignia or symbol worn in a non-military context on a person or object to denote a relationship with a person or corporate body, often by using elements of the heraldry relating to that person or body, or a personal emblem, and normally given by them....
 (a kind of uniform, in distinctive colours) and claimed his protection, such as musicians and private teachers.

Some were a source of trouble and abuse in the 15th and early 16th century. Often their real importance was very different from their rank: on one hand, sinecures and supernumerary appointments allowed enjoying benefits without performing full service.






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A retinue is a body of persons "retained" in the service of a noble
Nobility

Nobility is a government-privileged title which may be either hereditary or for a lifetime. Titles of nobility exist today in many countries although it is usually associated with present or former monarchies....
 or royal
Royal family

A royal family is the extended family of a king or queen regnant. The term "imperial family" more appropriately describes the extended family of an emperor or empress regnant, while the terms "ducal family", "grand ducal family" or "princely family" are more appropriate in reference to the relatives of a reigning duke, grand duke, or prince....
 personage, a suite (literal French meanings: what follows) of "retainers."

Etymology

The word, recorded in English since circa 1375, stems from Old French retenue, itself from retenir also meaning 'to employ', from Latin retenere, hold back, retain.

Employment

Such retainers were not necessarily in the domestic service or otherwise normally close to the presence of their lord, but also include others who wore his livery
Livery

A livery is a uniform or other insignia or symbol worn in a non-military context on a person or object to denote a relationship with a person or corporate body, often by using elements of the heraldry relating to that person or body, or a personal emblem, and normally given by them....
 (a kind of uniform, in distinctive colours) and claimed his protection, such as musicians and private teachers.

Some were a source of trouble and abuse in the 15th and early 16th century. Often their real importance was very different from their rank: on one hand, sinecures and supernumerary appointments allowed enjoying benefits without performing full service. On the other hand, 'having the ear' of the master can allow one to act as a confidant in an informal capacity; or in some cases, even as a spy under the guise of an innocent musician.

  • Sometimes used in the context meaning the supporters or followers of a medieval
    Middle Ages

    File:Karl 1 mit papst gelasius gregor1 sacramentar v karl d kahlen.jpgThe Middle Ages of European history are a period in history which lasted for roughly a millennium, commonly dated from the fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th century to the beginning of the Early Modern Period in the 16th century, marked by the division of Western Christi...
     knight
    Knight

    File:Gothic armor 2.jpgKnight is the term for a social position originating in the Middle Ages. In the Commonwealth of Nations, knighthood is a non-heritable form of gentry....
    .


Contrast

A retinue is sometimes confused with an entourage, which is the far less stable body of people that followed whether or not they were - or claimed to be - retained or protected by the prominent person they served.

For example, a prince's entourage would not only include professional courtier
Courtier

A courtier is a person who attends the noble court of a monarch or other Executive . Historically the court was the centre of government as well as the Official residence of the monarch, and social and political life were often completely mixed together....
s, but also various bishops, clerics and other clerks, senior members of the aristocracy and other more occasional advisers, translators etcetera, who would often not be part of a sovereign's (more permanent) retinue, even though that could comprise a surprising variety of functions, from menial to lofty.

See also

  • The Roman Cohors amicorum
    Cohors amicorum

    Cohors amicorum is a Latin term, literally meaning "cohort of friends". The notion cohort is to be taken not in the strict, military sense , but indicated a fairly large number; accordingly, friend is to be taken in a loose sense, rather as in amicus curiae, compare the Hellenistic Aulic title philos ....
     was rather similar, and this use of the word cohort (derived from a battalion-size military unit
    Cohort (military unit)

    A cohort is a fairly large military unit, generally consisting of one type of soldier....
    ) for a dignitary's 'friends' was the root of the Italian word corte 'court', which via the French cortège gave rise to cortege, which can also mean a train of attendants.
  • Manrent
    Manrent

    Manrent refers to a Scottish people mid 15th century to the early 17th century type of contract, usually military in nature and involving Scottish clans....
    , a Scottish clan
    Scottish clan

    Scottish clans , give a sense of identity and shared descent to people in Scotland and to their relations throughout the world, with a formal structure of Scottish clan chiefs officially registered with the court of the Lord Lyon, King of Arms which controls the heraldry and Coat of Arms....
     bond.
  • Druzhina
    Druzhina

    Druzhina, Dru?yna or Druzyna in the history of early East Slavs was a detachment of select troops in personal service of a tribal chief, later knyaz. Its original functions were bodyguarding, raising tribute from the conquered territories and serving as the core of an army during war campaigns....
     in Rus


Sources

External links