The etymology of the title ("commander") suggests that voivodes had significant military duties.[63] They were the supreme leader of the troops recruited in the counties under their jurisdiction.[63] Although law obliged noblemen to fight in the king's army, Transylvanian nobles fought under the command of the voivode.[64] Furthermore, the voivodes had their own private retinue, formed primarily by armed noblemen.[63] Their right to raise an army under their own flag was confirmed by legislation in 1498.[65]