Lord Chamberlain

Lord Chamberlain is in Offices of State.

In 1455 Thomas Stanley 1st Baron Stanley [aged 50] was appointed Lord Chamberlain.

Patent Rolls. 29th October 1460. Westminster. Grant for life to Richard [aged 60], earl of Salisbury, of the office of chamberlain of England.

Vacated because otherwise below.

After 4th March 1461 William Hastings 1st Baron Hastings [aged 30] was appointed Master of the Mint and Lord Chamberlain.

After 6th July 1483 Francis Lovell 1st Viscount Lovell [aged 27] was appointed Lord Chamberlain.

The History of King Richard the Third by Thomas More. King Edward in his life, although this dissension between his friends somewhat irked him, yet in his good health he somewhat the less regarded it because he thought whatsoever business should fall between them, he should always be able to rule both parties. But in his last sickness, when he perceived his natural strength so sore enfeebled that he despaired all recovery, then he, considering the youth of his children, suspecting nothing less than what would happen, and well foreseeing that many harms might grow by family debates while the youth of his children lacked discretion of themselves, and good counsel of their friends-because either party should counsel for their own advantage and by pleasant advice win themselves favor, rather than by profitable advertisement do the children good-he called some of them before him who were at variance, and especially, the Lord Marquis Dorset [aged 30], the Queen's [aged 48] son by her first husband, and Lord Hastings [Note. Text says Richard? Should be William!], a noble man, then Lord Chamberlain, against whom the Queen specially grudged for that great favour the King showed him, and also because she thought him secretly familiar with the King in wanton company. Her kindred also bore him dislike, as well for that the King had made him Captain of Calais (which office the Lord Rivers, brother to the Queen, claimed because of the King's former promise), and for diverse other great gifts which he received that they looked for.

After 22nd August 1485 William Stanley [aged 50] was appointed Lord Chamberlain.

In 1526 William Fitzalan 11th or 18th Earl of Arundel [aged 50] was appointed Lord Chamberlain.

On 19th April 1540 Thomas Cromwell 1st Earl Essex [aged 55] was appointed Lord Chamberlain.

After 23rd January 1544 Henry Fitzalan 12th or 19th Earl of Arundel [aged 31] was appointed Lord Chamberlain.

The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy

The Gesta Normannorum Ducum [The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy] is a landmark medieval chronicle tracing the rise and fall of the Norman dynasty from its early roots through the pivotal events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. Originally penned in Latin by the monk William of Jumièges shortly before 1060 and later expanded at the behest of William the Conqueror, the work chronicles the deeds, politics, battles, and leadership of the Norman dukes, especially William’s own claim to the English throne. The narrative combines earlier historical sources with firsthand information and oral testimony to present an authoritative account of Normandy’s transformation from a Viking settlement into one of medieval Europe’s most powerful realms. William’s history emphasizes the legitimacy, military prowess, and governance of the Norman line, framing their expansion, including the conquest of England, as both divinely sanctioned and noble in purpose. Later chroniclers such as Orderic Vitalis and Robert of Torigni continued the history, extending the coverage into the 12th century, providing broader context on ducal rule and its impact. Today this classic work remains a foundational source for understanding Norman identity, medieval statesmanship, and the historical forces that reshaped England and Western Europe between 800AD and 1100AD.

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In 1550 Thomas Wentworth 1st Baron Wentworth [aged 49] was appointed Lord Chamberlain.

After 5th April 1551 Thomas Darcy 1st Baron Darcy [aged 44] was appointed Lord Chamberlain.

In 1553 John Gage [aged 73] was appointed Lord Chamberlain.

On 17th November 1558 William Howard 1st Baron Howard [aged 48] was appointed Lord Chamberlain.

In August 1596 William Brooke 10th Baron Cobham [aged 68] was appointed Lord Chamberlain.

In 1641 Philip Herbert 4th Earl Pembroke 1st Earl Montgomery [aged 56] struck Henry Howard 15th or 22nd Earl of Arundel 5th Earl of Surrey 2nd Earl Norfolk [aged 32] with a cane during a Meeting in the House of Lords. King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland [aged 40] replaced him as Lord Chamberlain with Robert Devereux 3rd Earl Essex [aged 49].

On 13th April 1641 Thomas Wentworth 1st Earl Strafford [aged 48] was attainted by 204 votes to 59 ostensibly for his authoritarian rule as Lord Deputy of Ireland. Despite his promise not to King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland [aged 40] signed the death warrant on the 10th May 1641 in the light of increasing pressure from Parliament and the commons.

Wenceslaus Hollar [aged 33]. Engraving of the Trial of Thomas Wentworth 1st Earl Strafford with the following marked:

A. King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland.

C. Henrietta Maria Bourbon Queen Consort England [aged 31].

D. King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland [aged 10].

E. Thomas Howard 14th or 21st Earl of Arundel 4th Earl of Surrey 1st Earl Norfolk [aged 55], Lord High Steward.

F. Henry Montagu 1st Earl Manchester [aged 78], Lord Keeper of the Great Seal.

G. John Paulet 5th Marquess Winchester [aged 43].

H. Robert Bertie 1st Earl Lindsey [aged 58], Lord Chamberlain.

I. Philip Herbert 4th Earl Pembroke 1st Earl Montgomery [aged 56], Lord Chamberlain of the Household.

V. Thomas Wentworth 1st Earl Strafford.

Z. Alethea Talbot Countess Arundel, Surrey and Norfolk [aged 56].

John Evelyn's Diary. 17th February 1685. This morning his Ma* [aged 51] restor'd the staffe and key to Lord Arlington [aged 67], Chamberlaine; to Mr. Savell [aged 43], Vice-chamberlaine; to Lords Newport [aged 64] and Malnard [aged 62], Treasurer and Comptroler of the Household; Lord Godolphin [aged 39] made Chamberlaine to ye Queene [aged 26]; Lord Peterborow [aged 63] Groome of ye Stole in place of the Earle of Bath [aged 56]; the Treasurer's staff to the Earle of Rochester [aged 42]; and his brother the Earle of Clarendon Lord Privie Seale in place of the Marquis of Halifax [aged 51], who was made President of the Council; the Secretarys of State remaining as before.

John Evelyn's Diary. 21st February 1689. Innumerable were the crowds, who solicited for, and expected offices; most of the old ones were turned out. Two or three white staves were disposed of some days before, as Lord Steward, to the Earl of Devonshire [aged 49]; Treasurer of the household, to Lord Newport; Lord Chamberlain to the King, to my Lord of Dorset [aged 46]; but there were as yet none in offices of the civil government save the Marquis of Halifax [aged 55] as Privy Seal. A council of thirty was chosen, Lord Derby [aged 34] president, but neither Chancellor nor Judges were yet declared, the new Great Seal not yet finished.

In 1699 Charles Talbot 1st Duke Shrewsbury [aged 38] was appointed Lord Chamberlain.

John Evelyn's Diary. 24th April 1700. This week there was a great change of State officers. The Duke of Shrewsbury [aged 39] resigned his Lord Chamberlainship to the Earl of Jersey [aged 44], the Duke's indisposition requiring his retreat. Mr. Vernon [aged 54], Secretary of State, was put out. The Seal was taken from the Lord Chancellor Somers [aged 49], though he had been acquitted by a great majority of votes for what was charged against him in the House of Commons. This being in term time, put some stop to business, many eminent lawyers refusing to accept the office, considering the uncertainty of things in this fluctuating conjuncture. It is certain that this Chancellor was a most excellent lawyer, very learned in all polite literature, a superior pen, master of a handsome style, and of easy conversation; but he is said to make too much haste to be rich, as his predecessor, and most in place in this age did, to a more prodigious excess than was ever known. But the Commons had now so mortified the Court party, and property and liberty were so much invaded in all the neighbouring kingdoms, that their jealousy made them cautious, and every day strengthened the law which protected the people from tyranny.

In 1704 Henry Grey 1st Duke Kent [aged 33] was appointed Lord Chamberlain.

Jean de Waurin's Chronicle of England Volume 6 Books 3-6: The Wars of the Roses

Jean de Waurin was a French Chronicler, from the Artois region, who was born around 1400, and died around 1474. Waurin’s Chronicle of England, Volume 6, covering the period 1450 to 1471, from which we have selected and translated Chapters relating to the Wars of the Roses, provides a vivid, original, contemporary description of key events some of which he witnessed first-hand, some of which he was told by the key people involved with whom Waurin had a personal relationship.

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In 1710 Charles Talbot 1st Duke Shrewsbury [aged 49] was appointed Lord Chamberlain.

On 14th May 1804 George Legge 3rd Earl Dartmouth [aged 48] was appointed Lord Chamberlain.