thumb|Queen Helen with her retinue on the way to the [[Shrine of Venus Cloacina, 15th century]]

A retinue is a body of persons "retained" in the service of a noble, royal personage, or dignitary; a suite (French "what follows") of retainers.

Often their real importance was very different from their rank: on the 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.

The term is sometimes used in the context of the supporters or followers of a medieval knight or great lord, such as Richard, Earl of Salisbury in 15th-century England, which he called upon during the Wars of the Roses.

Historical examples

  • Antrustion
  • Cohors amicorum
  • Comitatus
  • Dienstmann in Austria
  • Druzhina in Kievan Rus'
  • Svita in the Russian Empire
  • Manrent, a Scottish clan bond
  • Gokenin in Feudal Japan

See also

  • Bodyguard
  • Great house

References

  • Etymonline