 Free nobles ("Edelfreie") disliked entering into servile relationships with other nobles, so lords of a necessity recruited bailiffs, administrators and officials from among their unfree servants who could also fulfill a household warrior role.From the 11th century the term came to denote functionaries living as members of the knightly class with either a lordship of their own or one delegated from a higher lord as well as some political influence ("inter alia" the exercise of offices at court).Kings placed military requirements upon their princes, who in turn, placed requirements upon their vassals.