seems to indicate not the function of the esquires, but their rank in
the household. Their rank, in turn, appears to be determined by various
considerations--function (all the falconers of 1368 are enrolled among
the esquires of less degree in 1369), length of service, and to some
extent considerations which are not manifest. That length of service
played some part in the division seems clear from a study and comparison
of the careers of the various men. Since we are interested in knowing
particularly the significance of the classification of Chaucer who
appeared in 1368 as an esquier, I shall confine myself to a
consideration of the "esquiers" of that year. The names of the esquires
of greater degree with the date at which they are first mentioned in
connection with the household (in documents outside the household books)
follow:

Johan Herlyng. 18 Edward III (1344)
[Footnote: Abb. Rot. Orig., vol. 2, p.65.]
Wauter Whithors. 1343
[Footnote: C. R., p. 203.]
Johan de Beverle. 36 Edward III (1362)
[Footnote: Pat. Roll 265, mem. 17.]
Johan Romeseye. 35 Edward III (1361)
[Footnote: Pat. Roll 264, mem. 24.]
Wauter Walsh. 36 Edward III. (1362)
[Footnote: idem 266, men. 47.]
Roger Clebury. 1349
[Footnote: idem, p. 227.]
Helmyng Leget. 33 Edward III. (1359)
[Footnote: Issues, P. 223, mem. 32.]
Rauf de Knyveton. 35 Edward III. (1361)
[Footnote: Pat. Roll 264, mem. 18.]