A man's degree was his rank or station in the medieval world. Magnates disputed precedence at the highest level in the king's household, when the higher ranked had better access to the king. Degree determined where one sat at the king's table - if one sat there at all. At the beginning of the General Prologue of the Canterbury Tales Chaucer says that he will describe his pilgrims' 'degree and condition'. He apologises if he has not described them in the 'degree . . . as that they should stand'. -
Cf. Three Orders
Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases. Christopher Coredon with Ann Williams.