Groom of the Stool
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Groom of the Stool was a groom (i.e. a male servant) who had the task of cleaning the Monarch's rear after a bowel movement in late medieval England.
In the early years of Henry VIII's reign, the title was awarded to minions of the King, court companions who spent time with him in the Privy Chamber. These were the sons of noblemen or important members of the gentry. In time they came to act as virtual personal secretaries to the King, carrying out a variety of administrative tasks within his private rooms. It is most unlikely that they continued to wipe the royal bottom - this function was almost certainly passed to Court functionaries.
Henry's successor, King Edward VI, abolished the position.
A similar position, the Porte-coton existed at the French royal court.
[edit] See also
 |
This article related to the history of the UK or its predecessor states is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
