 Edington 's parents were Roger and <unk> of Edington near Westbury , Wiltshire . Though it has been claimed that he was educated at Oxford , there seems to be no support for this . His first patron , however , was the Oxford chancellor Gilbert Middleton , who was also a royal counsellor . When Middleton died in 1331 , Edington entered the service of Middleton ’ s friend , Adam Orleton , bishop of Winchester . Through Orleton , Edington ’ s abilities were brought to the attention of King Edward III , and in 1341 the king named him keeper of the wardrobe . The position was an important one ; the wardrobe functioned as the treasury while the king was on campaign , and Edward strongly resisted any attempts to limit this royal prerogative . 
