Pl. -staves. [STAFF sb.1 7.]
1. A white rod or wand carried as a symbol of office by certain officials, e.g., the steward of the king’s household and the lord high treasurer; hence, the office held by these.
1581. J. Hamilton, Cath. Traict., in Cath. Tract. (S.T.S.), 90. Sa thair men be certane constitute vith thair quhyt staffas as sergeantis.
1640. [see STAFF sb.1 7].
1647. Clarendon, Hist. Reb., I. § 101. Sir Richard Weston had been advanced to the White-staff, into the office of Lord high Treasurer of England.
1678. Jrnl. Ho. Comm., IX. 554/1. The Lords … have appointed the Lords of the White Staves to attend his Majesty.
a. 1700. Evelyn, Diary, 27 Nov. 1666. Sir Hugh Pollard, Comptroller of the Household, died at White-hall, and his Majesty conferr’d the white staffe on my brother Commissioner for sick and wounded.
1714. De Foe (title), The Secret History of the White-Staff, being An Account of Affairs under the Conduct of some late Ministers, and of what might probably have happened if Her Majesty had not Died.
a. 1715. Burnet, Own Time, II. (1724), I. 161. He [sc. Earl of Southampton] said, he would not … see the ruin of his countrey begun, and be silent: A white staff should not bribe him.
1827. [see STAFF sb.1 7].
2. An official who carries a white staff (see 1).
1601. in Househ. Ord. (1790), 282. These two [sc. Clerkes Comptrollers] (under the white staves) bee comptrollers of all household affaires. Ibid., 293. That so the Lord Steward, the whitestaves, and officers, might have their diettes served orderly.
1674. Essex Papers (Camden, 1890), 256. The Seals being signed the white staffe is to be changed. Ibid. (1675), (1913), 25. Ye House of Lords … order their black Rod to apprehend ye Sergeant of ye House of Commong, and addresse to his Matie by word of ye white-staves that another Sergeant might be appoynted.
3. attrib. white staff officer = 2.
1671. E. Chamberlayne, Pres. St. Eng., I. (ed. 5), 162. The Lord Steward is a White-staff Officer; for he in the Kings Presence, carrieth a White-staff…. This White-staff is taken for a Commission; at the death of the King, over the Herse made for the Kings Body, he breaketh this Staff, and thereby dischargeth all the Officers.
a. 1700. Evelyn, Diary, 17 Jan. 1687. Much discourse that all the White Staff Officers … should be dismiss’d for adhering to their Religion.
1708. Lond. Gaz., No. 4488/2. Garter King of Arms proclaimed his Royal Highness’s Stile, and the white Staff Officers broke their Staves, and threw them into the Vault.
