The Lord High Constable was originally the commander of the royal armies and the Master of the Horse.

In feudal times, martial law was administered in the court of the Lord High Constable.

They had a surviving male heir, and still have heirs male, but due to the power of the monarchy the constableship was irregularly given to the Staffords, Dukes of Buckingham; and on the attainder of Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham, in the reign of Henry VIII, it became merged into the Crown.

[1][3] The Lacys and Verduns were hereditary constables of Ireland from the 12th to the 14th century; and the Hays, earls of Erroll, have been hereditary Lord High Constables of Scotland from early in the 14th century.

[1][4] A cousin was alive who was not granted the titles due to him and his heirs: Gilbert de Bohun, died 1381 At this point, the office merged with the Crown and was revived only for coronations.