Pay Grades in a Medieval Household 1390-93

When the earl of Derby went overseas in 1390-93 his accounts recognized the following pay grades for his following:

Knights. (militi) Important clerics like his chaplain and the archdeacon of Hereford who served as his treasurer for war were also paid at this rate.

Squires. (scutiferi) His two heralds, the master cook and the clerk of the kitchen were also paid at this rate.

Superior valets or yeomen. (valletti),  Minstrels were also paid at this rate.

Other valets or yeomen.

Grooms (gromes)

Pages (pagetti) There were few of these.

There were three pay scales. The first, infra curiam, reflected the fact that the servant serving with the household enjoyed food, board and other perks in addition to cash wages. The second, extra curiam,  recognized that a servant away from the household had additional expenses for food and lodging.  The third, for men on active campaign, recognized the additional risk by paying the extra curiam wages for men serving with the household

The wages were, per day, infra/extra
Knights: 12 d./24 d.
Squires: 7 1/2 d.-6d/12 d.
Yeomen: 4-3 d./6 d.
Grooms 2 d./4 d.
Pages 1 1/2 d./2 d.

The earl of Derby was heir to a rich duchy. A lesser household would not have servants of knightly status, and typically paid servants of equivalent description less.

Kyngeston, Richard, and Lucy Toulmin Smith. 1894. Expeditions to Prussia and the Holy Land made by Henry earl of Derby (afterwards King Henry IV.) in the years 1390-1 and 1392-3. Being the accounts kept by his treasurer during two years. [Westminster]: Printed for the Camden society.