Catalogue description Exchequer: Pipe Office: Enrolled Wardrobe and Household Accounts

During times of peace, the Great Wardrobe was responsible for domestic expenditure of the royal household. During the wars of the fourteenth century, it undertook the management of military expenditure. The Great Wardrobe was responsible for procuring or manufacturing, storing and supplying a range of non-perishable goods, such as furniture, cloths, tapestries, furs, wax, spices and dried fruit. From the fourteenth century it became responsible for jewels, plate, tents and harness, as well as arms and armour. By the end of the fourteenth century it was known as 'the Wardrobe. The Privy Wardrobe assumed responsibility for obtaining and storing arms, armour and firearms during the wars of Edward III.