In addition, the rank of admiral was only granted to men of high prestige within feudal hierarchy: most recipients of the office were at least knights and were more often earls.

The admiral's duties usually consisted of assembling fleets for naval expeditions undertaken by the monarch on campaign, maintaining order and discipline and supervising the work of the Admiralty courts for each region.

In the early 15th century they were appointed on a more regular basis, referred to at this time as the admiral's Lieutenant-General; this office eventually became known as the Lieutenant of the Admiralty.

[11] The second was the Wardens of the Coast for each region who were responsible for the direction and coordination of the fleet, the equipping of boats and processing payments to sailors and superintendence of the Sea Guard Militia assigned to each coastal county.

This tendency toward unifying regional naval authorities under one admiral eventually led to the creation of the office of the Lord-Admiral of England[6] The admirals were logistically supported by the Clerk of the King's Ships who looked after all the navy's finances whilst victualling of the navy was handled by another one of King's Clerks.