In her book "A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous 14th Century," author Barbara W. Tuchman depicts the diverse roles present within a noble household during this tumultuous period. The household was not just a center of power; it also functioned as a small community that included various professionals and entertainers to serve different needs and entertain its members.

In addition to the ruling families, the households commonly employed resident physicians for health care, barbers for grooming, and priests for spiritual guidance. They also included entertainers like painters, musicians, and minstrels, alongside secretaries and copyists for administrative tasks. Unique roles such as an astrologer for divination, a jester for humor, and a dwarf for amusement were also part of this intricate social structure, accompanied by pages and squires assisting with various duties.