Staff OFFICERS, are such as, in the king's presence, bear a white staff, or wand; and at other times, on their going abroad, have it carried before them by a footman bare-headed: such are the lord-steward, lord-chamberlain, lord-treasurer, &c.
The white staff is taken for a commission; and, at the king's death, each of these officers breaks his staff over the hearth made for the king's body, and by this means lays down his commission, and discharges all his inferior officers.