Word used for a senior servant or *steward in a royal or baronial household. He would be known in the records as e.g. dapifer regis = king's steward. A 12c dapifer was a senior member of his lord's household, present at councils and meetings involving the *manor or *honour. Royal duties were in the king's hall, which at this time was the central room of the household (as with magnates' establishments) where most time was spent and meals were taken. -
Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases. Christopher Coredon with Ann Williams.