Royal Household

Royal Household is in Court Positions.

1236 Wedding of Henry III and Eleanor of Provence

1421 Coronation of Catherine of Valois

1689 Coronation William III and Mary II

Culture, England, Court Positions, Royal Household, Carver

Calendars. 28 Jul 1461. Westminster Palace [Map]. Appointment, during good behaviour, of John Howard (age 36) knight, as one of the king's carvers, receiving 40lyearly, viz 20l from the far of the town of Ipswich, co Suffolk, ad 20l from the issues of the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk. By p.s.

Culture, England, Court Positions, Royal Household, Chamberlain

Richard Woodville was appointed Chamberlain to John Lancaster 1st Duke Bedford.

Culture, Court Positions, Royal Household, Chief Butler of England

In 1407 John Tiptoft 1st Baron Tiptoft was appointed Chief Butler of England.

On 23 Feb 1421 Catherine of Valois (age 19) was crowned Queen Consort England at Westminster Abbey [Map]. Robert Willoughby 6th Baron Willoughby (age 36) was appointed Chief Butler of England. James I (age 26) attended, and was honoured by sitting immediately on the queen's left at the coronation banquet.

Calendars. 14 Aug 1483 Francis Lovell 1st Viscount Lovell (age 27) was appointed Chief Butler of England. King Richard III of England (age 30). Westminster Palace [Map]. Grant for life to the king's kinsman Francis Lovell (age 27), knight, Viscount Lovel, the king's chamberlain, of the office of Chief Butler of England, void by the death of Anthony, late earl Rivers, receiving fees of 100l yearly from the customs and prises of wines and other issues of his office, with all other profits. By p.s.

In 1521 John Hussey 1st Baron Hussey of Sleaford (age 56) was appointed Chief Butler of England.

Culture, England, Court Positions, Royal Household, Cupbearer

Chronica Majora. 19 Jan 1236. There were assembled at the king's (age 28) nuptial festivities such a host of nobles of both sexes, such numbers of religious men, such crowds of the populace, and such a variety of actors, that London, with its capacious bosom, could scarcely contain them. The whole city was ornamented with flags and banners, chaplets and hangings, candles and lamps, and with wonderful devices and extraordinary representations, and all the roads were cleansed from mud and dirt, sticks, and everything offensive. The citizens, too, went out to meet the king (age 28) and queen (age 13), dressed out in their ornaments, and vied with each other in trying the speed of their horses. On the same day, when they left the city for Westminster, to perform the duties of butler to the king (which office belonged to them by right of old, at the coronation), they proceeded thither dressed in silk garments, with mantles worked in gold, and with costly changes of raiment, mounted on valuable horses, glittering with new bits and saddles, and riding in troops arranged in order. They carried with them three hundred and sixty gold and silver cups, preceded by the king's trumpeters and with horns sounding, so that such a wonderful novelty struck all who beheld it with astonishment. The archbishop of Canterbury (age 61), by the right especially belonging to him, performed the duty of crowning, with the usual solemnities, the bishop of London assisting him as a dean, the other bishops taking their stations according to their rank. In the same way all the abbats, at the head of whom, as was his right, was the abbat of St. Alban's (for as the Protomartyr of England, B. Alban, was the chief of all the martyrs of England, so also was his abbat the chief of all the abbats in rank and dignity), as the authentic privileges of that church set forth. The nobles, too, performed the duties, which, by ancient right and custom, pertained to them at the coronations of kings. In like manner some of the inhabitants of certain cities discharged certain duties which belonged to them by right of their ancestors. The earl of Chester (age 29) carried the sword of St. Edward, which was called "Curtein", before the king, as a sign that he was earl of the palace, and had by right the power of restraining the king if he should commit an error. The earl was attended by the constable of Chester (age 44), and kept the people away with a wand when they pressed forward in a disorderly way. The grand marshal of England, the earl of Pembroke (age 39), carried a wand before the king and cleared the way before him both, in the church and in the banquet-hall, and arranged the banquet and the guests at table. The Wardens of the Cinque Ports carried the pall over the king, supported by four spears, but the claim to this duty was not altogether undisputed. The earl of Leicester (age 28) supplied the king with water in basins to wash before his meal; the Earl Warrenne performed the duty of king's Cupbearer, supplying the place of the earl of Arundel, because the latter was a youth and not as yet made a belted knight. Master Michael Belet was butler ex officio; the earl of Hereford (age 32) performed the duties of marshal of the king's household, and William Beauchamp (age 51) held the station of almoner. The justiciary of the forests arranged the drinking cups on the table at the king's right hand, although he met with some opposition, which however fell to the ground. The citizens of London passed the wine about in all directions, in costly cups, and those of Winchester superintended the cooking of the feast; the rest, according to the ancient statutes, filled their separate stations, or made their claims to do so. And in order that the nuptial festivities might not be clouded by any disputes, saving the right of any one, many things were put up with for the time which they left for decision at a more favourable opportunity. The office of chancellor of England, and all the offices connected with the king, are ordained and assized in the Exchequer. Therefore the chancellor, the chamberlain, the marshal, and the constable, by right of their office, took their seats there, as also did the barons, according to the date of their creation, in the city of London, whereby they each knew his own place. The ceremony was splendid, with the gay dresses of the clergy and knights who were present. The abbat of Westminster sprinkled the holy water, and the treasurer, acting the part of sub-dean, carried the Paten. Why should I describe all those persons who reverently ministered in the church to God as was their duty? Why describe the abundance of meats and dishes on the table & the quantity of venison, the variety of fish, the joyous sounds of the glee-men, and the gaiety of the waiters? Whatever the world could afford to create pleasure and magnificence was there brought together from every quarter.

In 1540 Richard Manners (age 31) was appointed Cupbearer.

After Aug 1614 George Villiers 1st Duke of Buckingham (age 21) was appointed Cupbearer to King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland (age 48).

In 1650 Charles Lyttelton 3rd Baronet (age 22) was appointed Cupbearer to King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland (age 19) while the King was in exile.

Culture, England, Court Positions, Royal Household, King's Cupbearer

Around 1509 William Fitzwilliam 1st Earl of Southampton (age 19) was appointed King's Cupbearer.

Culture, England, Court Positions, Royal Household, Knight of the Body

Before 1483 Ralph Hastings was appointed Knight of the Body to King Edward IV of England (age 40).

Around 1483 John Conyers (age 72) was appointed Knight of the Body to King Richard III of England (age 30).

Before Sep 1483 Marmaduke Constable (age 26) was appointed Knight of the Body to King Richard III of England (age 30).

Before May 1486 Marmaduke Constable (age 29) was appointed Knight of the Body to King Henry VII of England and Ireland (age 29).

In 1516 Philip Boteler (age 24) was appointed Knight of the Body to King Henry VIII of England and Ireland (age 24).

Henry Willoughby was appointed Knight of the Body to King Henry VII of England and Ireland.

Henry Willoughby was appointed Knight of the Body to King Henry VIII of England and Ireland.

Culture, England, Court Positions, Royal Household, Ladies

Chief Lady of the Bedchamber

In Dec 1558 John Astley (age 51) was appointed Master of the Jewel House. Katherine "Kat" Champernowne (age 56) was appointed Chief Lady of the Bedchamber.

Before 15 Jan 1569 Catherine Carey (age 45) was appointed Chief Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland (age 35).

First Lady of the Bedchamber

Before 1572 Katherine Carey Countess Nottingham (age 22) was appointed First Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland (age 38).

After 19 Oct 1670 Flower Backhouse Countess Clarendon was appointed First Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Anne of England Scotland and Ireland (age 5) her niece.

Lady of the Jewels

Evelyn's Diary. 31 Mar 1661. This night, his Majesty (age 30) promised to make my wife (age 26) Lady of the Jewels (a very honorable charge) to the future Queen (but which he never performed).

Principal Lady in Waiting

On 22 Apr 1689 Elizabeth Butler Countess Derby (age 29) was appointed Principal Lady in Waiting to Mary Stewart II Queen England Scotland and Ireland (age 26) as well as Groom of the Stool and Mistress of the Robes attracting a salary of £1200 per annum (£800 and £400 respectively).

Culture, England, Court Positions, Royal Household, Lord Great Chamberlain

Calendars. 07 May 1461. Middleham Castle [Map]. Appointment for life of the said earl (age 32), as great chamberlain of England, with the accustomed fees. By other latters patent.

On 19 Dec 1526 John de Vere 15th Earl of Oxford (age 55) was appointed Lord Great Chamberlain.

In Sep 2022 Rupert Carrington 7th Baron Carrington (age 73) was appointed Lord Great Chamberlain as a consequence of the rotation of the office between three families.

Culture, England, Court Positions, Royal Household, Mistress of the Robes

In 1563 Queen Elizabeth (age 29)appointed Dorothy Stafford (age 36) Mistress of the Robes.

Pepy's Diary. 26 Jul 1662. Thence to Mrs. Sarah, and there looked over my Lord's lodgings, which are very pretty; and White Hall garden and the Bowling-ally (where lords and ladies are now at bowles), in brave condition. Mrs. Sarah told me how the falling out between my Baroness Castlemaine's (age 21) and her Lord was about christening of the child lately1, which he would have, and had done by a priest: and, some days after, she had it again christened by a minister; the King (age 32), and Lord of Oxford, and Duchesse of Suffolk, being witnesses: and christened with a proviso, that it had not already been christened. Since that she left her Lord, carrying away every thing in the house; so much as every dish, and cloth, and servant but the porter. He is gone discontented into France, they say, to enter a monastery; and now she is coming back again to her house in Kingstreet. But I hear that the Queen (age 23) did prick her out of the list presented her by the King (age 32);2 desiring that she might have that favour done her, or that he would send her from whence she come: and that the King (age 32) was angry and the Queen (age 23) discontented a whole day and night upon it; but that the King (age 32) hath promised to have nothing to do with her hereafter. But I cannot believe that the King (age 32) can fling her off so, he loving her too well: and so I writ this night to my Lady to be my opinion; she calling her my lady, and the lady I admire. Here I find that my Lord hath lost the garden to his lodgings, and that it is turning into a tennis-court. Hence by water to the Wardrobe to see how all do there, and so home to supper and to bed.

Note 1. The boy was born in June at Baroness Castlemaine's (age 21) house in King Street. By the direction of Lord Castlemaine, who had become a Roman Catholic, the child was baptized by a priest, and this led to a final separation between husband and wife. Some days afterwards the child was again baptized by the rector of St. Margaret's, Westminster [Map], in presence of the godparents, the King (age 32), Aubrey De Vere (age 35), Earl of Oxford, and Barbara, Countess of Suffolk (age 40), first Lady of the Bedchamber to the Queen (age 23) and Baroness Castlemaine's (age 21) aunt. The entry in the register of St. Margaret's [Map] is as follows: "1662 June 18 Charles Palmer Ld Limbricke, s. to ye right honorble Roger Earl of Castlemaine by Barbara" (Steinman's "Memoir of Barbara, Duchess of Cleveland", 1871, p. 33). The child was afterwards called Charles Fitzroy, and was created Duke of Southampton in 1674. He succeeded his mother in the dukedom of Cleveland in 1709, and died 1730.

Note 2. By the King's command Lord Clarendon (age 53), much against his inclination, had twice visited his royal mistress with a view of inducing her, by persuasions which he could not justify, to give way to the King's determination to have Baroness Castlemaine's (age 21) of her household.... Lord Clarendon (age 53) has given a full account of all that transpired between himself, the King (age 32) and the Queen (age 23), on this very unpleasant business ('Continuation of Life of Clarendon,' 1759, ff. 168-178). Steinman's Memoir of Duchess of Cleveland, p. 35. The day at length arrived when Baroness Castlemaine's (age 21) was to be formally admitted a Lady of the Bedchamber. The royal warrant, addressed to the Lord Chamberlain (age 60), bears date June 1, 1663, and includes with that of her ladyship, the names of the Duchess of Buckingham (age 23), the Countesses of Chesterfield and Bath (age 22), and the Countess Mareshall. A separate warrant of the same day directs his lordship to admit the Countess of Suffolk as Groom of the Stole and first Lady of the Bedchamber, to which undividable offices she had, with the additional ones of Mistress of the Robes and Keeper of the Privy Purse, been nominated by a warrant dated April 2, 1662, wherein the reception of her oath is expressly deferred until the Queen's (age 23) household shall be established. We here are furnished with the evidence that Charles would not sign the warrants for the five until Catherine had withdrawn her objection to his favourite one. Addenda to Steinman's Memoir of Duchess of Cleveland (privately printed), 1874, p. i.

On 22 Apr 1689 Elizabeth Butler Countess Derby (age 29) was appointed Principal Lady in Waiting to Mary Stewart II Queen England Scotland and Ireland (age 26) as well as Groom of the Stool and Mistress of the Robes attracting a salary of £1200 per annum (£800 and £400 respectively).

The London Gazette 25486. St. James's Palace, June 27, 1885. The Queen (age 66) has been pleased to appoint the Duchess of Buccleuch (age 48) to be Mistress of the Robes, in the room of the Duchess of Roxburghe (age 30), resigned

From 1913 to 1925 Winifred Anna Dallas Yorke Duchess Portland (age 61) was Mistress of the Robes to Alexandra Glücksburg Queen Consort England (age 68).

Culture, England, Court Positions, Royal Household, Mother of the Maids

Pepy's Diary. 09 May 1660. Up very early, writing a letter to the King, as from the two Generals of the fleet, in answer to his letter to them, wherein my Lord do give most humble thanks for his gracious letter and declaration; and promises all duty and obedience to him. This letter was carried this morning to Sir Peter Killigrew (age 67)1, who came hither this morning early to bring an order from the Lords' House to my Lord, giving him power to write an answer to the King. This morning my Lord St. John (age 61) and other persons of honour were here to see my Lord, and so away to Flushing [Map]. After they were gone my Lord and I to write letters to London, which we sent by Mr. Cook, who was very desirous to go because of seeing my wife before she went out of town. As we were sitting down to dinner, in comes Noble with a letter from the House of Lords to my Lord, to desire him to provide ships to transport the Commissioners to the King, which are expected here this week. He brought us certain news that the King was proclaimed yesterday with great pomp, and brought down one of the Proclamations, with great joy to us all; for which God be praised. After dinner to ninepins and lost 5s. This morning came Mr. Saunderson (age 74)2, that writ the story of the King, hither, who is going over to the King. He calls me cozen and seems a very knowing man. After supper to bed betimes, leaving my Lord talking in the Coach with the Captain.

Note 1. Sir Peter Killigrew (age 67), Knight, of Arwenack, Cornwall, was known as "Peter the Post", from the alacrity with which he despatched "like wild fire" all the messages and other commissions entrusted to him in the King's (age 29) cause. His son Peter (age 26), who succeeded his uncle as second baronet in 1665, was M.P. for Camelford in 1660.

Note 2. Afterwards Sir William Sanderson, gentleman of the chamber, author of the "History of Mary Queen of Scots, James I., and Charles I". His wife, Dame Bridget (age 56), was mother of the maids.

Before 1676 Bridget Tyrrell (age 72) was appointed Mother of the Maids.

Culture, England, Court Positions, Royal Household, Privy Purse

Evelyn's Diary. 11 Jul 1675. In this journey, went part of the way Mr. James Graham (age 26) (since Privy Purse to the Duke (age 41)), a young gentleman exceedingly in love with Mrs. Dorothy Howard (age 24), one of the maids of honor in our company. I could not but pity them both, the mother not much favoring it. This lady was not only a great beauty, but a most virtuous and excellent creature, and worthy to have been wife to the best of men. My advice was required, and I spoke to the advantage of the young gentleman, more out of pity than that she deserved no better match; for, though he was a gentleman of good family, yet there was great inequality.

Culture, England, Court Positions, Royal Household, Receiver of the Chamber

From 1391 to 1398 Bishop Guy Mone Aka Mohun was appointed Receiver of the Chamber.

Culture, England, Court Positions, Treasurer of the Royal Household

In 1404 Roger Leche of Chatsworth (age 43) was appointed Treasurer of the Royal Household.

In 1406 John Tiptoft 1st Baron Tiptoft was appointed Treasurer of the Royal Household.

In 1422 William Phelip (age 39) was appointed Treasurer of the Royal Household.

In May 1431 John Tyrrell (age 49) was appointed Treasurer of the Royal Household.

In 1439 Roger Fiennes (age 54) was appointed Treasurer of the Royal Household.

In 1458 Thomas Tuddenham (age 56) was appointed Treasurer of the Royal Household. He was buried at Austin Friars.

In 1525 William Fitzwilliam 1st Earl of Southampton (age 35) was appointed Treasurer of the Royal Household to King Henry VIII of England and Ireland (age 33).

Francis Knollys was appointed Treasurer of the Royal Household to King Henry VIII of England and Ireland.

Culture, England, Court Positions, Royal Household, Tutor

In 1375 Guichard d'Angle 1st Earl Huntingdon was appointed Tutor to Richard II.

Before 1806 Bishop Joseph Allen (age 36) was appointed Tutor to John Charles Spencer 3rd Earl Spencer (age 54) which post he held until 1836.

Culture, England, Court Positions, Royal Household, Vice Chamberlain to the Prince of Wales

Charles Nassau Thomas Vice Chamberlain to the Prince was appointed Vice Chamberlain to the Prince of Wales.