Comitiva

/kəˈmɪtɪvə/ noun

Definition

A retinue, entourage, or company of attendants accompanying an important person.

Etymology

Latin comitiva, derived from comitatus. This word was used in medieval and Renaissance texts to refer to the train of followers, servants, and companions that accompanied nobility.

Kelly Says

Medieval travel was all about your comitiva—the bigger and more impressive your retinue of armed guards, servants, and companions, the more important you appeared. Kings and popes would travel with hundreds of people; it was basically ancient status symbol transportation.

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