The three served Emperor Kogon during the reign of Emperor Kogon of the Jimyo-in Imperial line after Emperor Godaigo was transported during the Genko Disturbance; in Chikafusa's case, his son, Akiie KITABATAKE served instead of him since he already had become a priest by then.
元弘の変で後醍醐天皇が流されて持明院統の光厳天皇が在位していた時期には、3人とも新天皇に仕えている（ただし、既に出家していた親房の場合は嫡男の北畠顕家が出仕。