The earliest historical examples of courtiers were part of the retinues of rulers. Mercenaries and hired retinues supplement their levies. He was also known for depicting courtly retinues mounted on their horses. Local lords of note declared for the English, bringing their retinues with them. Local lords of note declared for the English, bringing significant retinues with them. I's and his successors' elite retinues. They wore luxurious clothing, rode horses, hunted with falcons and travelled with retinues of soldiers. Their attendance, if not their retinues, boded well for the King's plans. What is the meaning of those retinues that throng around your door every day? The encounters with various characters of the retinues fascinate Mailer.