Gentleman of the bedchamber
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gentleman of the bedchamber was an office in a European royal household beginning from about the early in the 11th century. They were invariably noblemen, and often important ones, as the regular access to the monarch the role brought was the invaluable commodity of the courtier. The duties of the office involved such activities as waiting on the royal person when he would eat in private, helping him dressing, guarding the bedchamber and closet, and providing companionship.[1]
For offices in the British Royal Household, see Lord of the Bedchamber. In France, the gentleman of the bedchamber would perform the duties of the Grand Chamberlain during his absence. He would oversee the king's entertainments and physicians.[2]
[edit] References
- ^ Bucholz, R.O. (2006). The bedchamber: Gentlemen of the Bedchamber. Office-Holders in Modern Britain: Volume 11 (revised): Court Officers, 1660-1837 pp. 14–19. Institute of Historical Research. Retrieved on 2007-11-22.
- ^ Velde, François R. (2004-08-24). La Maison du Roi (The King's Household). French Heraldry and Related Topics. Heraldica.org. Retrieved on 2007-11-22.
