A retinue is a body of persons "retained" in the service of a noble or royal personage, a suite (literal French meanings: what follows) of "retainers. Nobility is a government-privileged title which may be either hereditary (see Hereditary titles) or for a lifetime A royal family is the extended family of a monarch. Generally the head of a royal family is a king or queen regnant "
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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 (a kind of uniform, in distinctive colours) and claimed his protection, such as musicians and private teachers. A livery is a Uniform or other sign worn in a non-military context on a person or object (such as an airplane or Vehicle) to denote a relationship
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 knight. Knight is the English term for a social position originating in the Middle Ages.
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 courtiers, 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. A courtier is a person who attends the court of a Monarch or other powerful person.
See also
- The Roman Cohors amicorum was rather similar, and this use of the word cohort (derived from a battalion-size military unit) 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. Cohors amicorum is a Latin term literally meaning "cohort of friends" A cohort (from the Latin cohors, plural cohortes) is a fairly large military unit generally consisting of one type of soldier
Sources
- This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain. The Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition (1910–1911 is a 29-volume reference work that marked the beginning of the Encyclopædia Britannica The public domain is a range of abstract materials &ndash commonly referred to as Intellectual property &ndash which are not owned or controlled by anyone
External links
Dictionary
retinue
-noun
- A group of servants or attendants, especially of someone considered important.
- (obsolete) A service relationship.
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