Ordinances imposed on Edward II by the barons through parliament in the midst of his military incompetence and over-dependence on favourites. While there is no doubt the barons sought control of the king, this episode was an important part of the growth of parliament itself. It saw parliament's confidence in assenting to measures relating both to crown and to country. One of the provisions was the banishment of Edward's favourite and presumed lover, Piers Gaveston. Beyond Gaveston, there was nothing politically radical in the proposals: rather they sought to bring Edward back to a king's traditional advisers. They claimed the right to oversee senior appointments of the crown and household and also the right of assent to going to war. The group responsible for these ordinances was known as the *Ordainers.
Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases. Christopher Coredon with Ann Williams.