Lords and Gentlemen of the Bedchamber

Gentleman of the Bedchamber was a title in the Royal Household of the Kingdom of England from the 11th century, later used also in the Kingdom of Great Britain. A Lord of the Bedchamber was a courtier in the Royal Household, the term being first used in 1718.^[1] The duties of the Lords and Gentlemen of the Bedchamber originally consisted of assisting the monarch with dressing, waiting on him when he ate, guarding access to his bedchamber and closet, and providing companionship. Such functions became less important over time, but provided proximity to the monarch; the holders were thus trusted confidants and often extremely powerful. The offices were in the gift of The Crown and were originally sworn by Royal Warrant directed to the Lord Chamberlain.

This is an incomplete list of noblemen who have served as Lord of the Bedchamber and Gentleman of the Bedchamber:

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There were always several holders of the office, who were invariably gentlemen and almost invariably peers, often important ones, as the regular access to the monarch which the role brought was the most valuable commodity of the courtier.^[2] The duties of the office involved waiting on the King when he ate in private, helping him to dress, guarding the bedchamber and water closet, and providing companionship.^[2]

From 1660 the office of first gentleman of the bedchamber was invariably combined with that of Groom of the Stool.^[2] On average the number of Gentlemen varied around 12 but fluctuated from time to time. During the reign of James II there were only eight, and none were appointed during the reign of Queen Anne.

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1603: James Hay, 1st Earl of Carlisle
1607–1615: Robert Carr
1611–1625: Robert Carey
1612–?: Henry Gibb
1615–?: George Villiers (died 1628).^[3]
1622–1625: John Murray

1625–1640: James Erskine, 6th Earl of Buchan
1625–?: James Stewart
1625–1639: Robert Carey
?1625–? Richard Tichborne
?1625–? Gerard Fowke^[4]
1631–1636: James Hay, 1st Earl of Carlisle
1643–1649: Montagu Bertie
1647–1649: James Harrington

1650–1657 & 1661–1667 & 1667–1674: George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham
1652–1677: William Crofts, 1st Baron Crofts
1660– Sir John Granville (later Earl of Bath) (and Groom of the Stole)
1660–1679: Charles Gerard, 1st Earl of Macclesfield
1660–1665: Thomas Wentworth, 5th Baron Wentworth
1660–1673: John Maitland, 2nd Earl of Lauderdale
1660–1677: William Cavendish, 1st Marquess of Newcastle (Duke of Newcastle from 1665)
1660–1670: George Monck, 1st Duke of Albemarle
1660–1666: James Butler, 1st Marquess of Ormonde (Duke of Ormonde from 1661)
1660–1666: Mountjoy Blount, 1st Earl of Newport
1661–?: Charles Stewart, 3rd Duke of Richmond (died 1672)
1662–1685: Henry Cavendish, Viscount Mansfield (Duke of Newcastle from 1676)
1665–1681: James Howard, 3rd Earl of Suffolk
1666–1681: Robert Montagu, Viscount Mandeville (Earl of Manchester from 1671)
1666–1680: Thomas Butler, 6th Earl of Ossory
1667–1680: John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester
1669–1685: Charles Sackville, Lord Buckhurst
1672–1683 (extra) & 1673–1682: John Sheffield, 3rd Earl of Mulgrave
1673–?: Christopher Monck, 2nd Duke of Albemarle (died 1688)
1673–1674: Lionel Cranfield, 3rd Earl of Middlesex
1673–1674 (extra) & 1674–?: Robert Spencer, 2nd Earl of Sunderland
1674–1685: Robert Bertie, 3rd Earl of Lindsey
1677–?: Aubrey de Vere, 20th Earl of Oxford (died 1703)
1679–?: Richard Jones, 1st Earl of Ranelagh (died 1712)
1679–1682 (extra) & 1682–1685: James Hamilton, Earl of Arran
1680–?: Peregrine Osborne, Viscount Latimer
1680–1685: Thomas Lennard, 1st Earl of Sussex
1682–1685: Louis de Duras, 2nd Earl of Feversham (extra)
1683–1685: Edward Lee, 1st Earl of Lichfield
1685: Thomas Bruce, Lord Bruce

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1669–1684: Francis Hawley, 1st Baron Hawley
1673–?: John Churchill, 1st Baron Churchill
1685–1687: Charles Seymour, 6th Duke of Somerset
1685–1688: Thomas Bruce, 2nd Earl of Ailesbury
1685–1688: Edward Lee, 1st Earl of Lichfield
1685–1688: Henry Somerset, 1st Duke of Beaufort
1685–1688: James Butler, Earl of Ossory
1685–?: John Sheffield, 3rd Earl of Mulgrave
1685–1688: Louis de Duras, 2nd Earl of Feversham
1687–?: George Douglas, 1st Earl of Dumbarton
1688: George FitzRoy, 1st Duke of Northumberland
1688: James Cecil, 4th Earl of Salisbury

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1689–1697: Charles Mordaunt, 1st Earl of Monmouth
1689–1699: James Butler, 2nd Duke of Ormonde
1689–?: Hon. H. Sydney
1689–?: Aubrey de Vere, 20th Earl of Oxford
1689–?: John Churchill, 1st Baron Churchill
1689–?: Richard Lumley, 2nd Viscount Lumley (Earl of Scarbrough from 1690)
1689–1700: Henry Sydney, 1st Earl of Romney
1689–?: John Holles, 4th Earl of Clare
1689–?: James Douglas, Earl of Drumlanrig
1689–1702: Charles Douglas, 2nd Earl of Selkirk
1691–1702: Algernon Capell, 2nd Earl of Essex
1692–1693: Charles Granville, Viscount Granville
1692–1702: Robert Sutton, 2nd Baron Lexinton
1697–1702: Charles Boyle, 4th Viscount Dungarvan (Earl of Cork and Burlington from 1698)
1699–1702: Charles Butler, 1st Earl of Arran
1699–1702: James Hamilton, 4th Duke of Hamilton
1700–1702: Charles Howard, 3rd Earl of Carlisle
1701–1702: Wriothesley Russell, 2nd Duke of Bedford
1701–1702: Arnold van Keppel, 1st Earl of Albemarle

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1703–1705: Scroop Egerton, 4th Earl of Bridgwater
1704–?: Thomas Fane, 6th Earl of Westmorland
1706–1708: Thomas Howard, 6th Baron Howard of Effingham
1708: Henry Clinton, 7th Earl of Lincoln
?–?: Archibald Primrose, 1st Earl of Rosebery

Following Edward's accession to the throne, Baron Suffield was gazetted as a "Lord in Waiting" to the King.

1901–?:^[33] Beilby Lawley, 3rd Baron Wenlock
1901–1907:^[34] Charles Cavendish, 3rd Baron Chesham
1908–1910:^[35] Luke White, 3rd Baron Annaly

Following George's accession to the throne, Baron Annaly was initially gazetted as "Lord of the Bedchamber in Waiting" to the king;^[36] but was subsequently referred to as "Lord in Waiting".

Grand Chamberlain of France (Gentilhomme de la Chambre), who would oversee the French king's entertainments and physicians.^[37]
Lady of the Bedchamber (equivalent position in the time of a queen regnant, and for a queen consort)
Groom of the Robes
Groom of the Stool

[1]
"Lords of the Bedchamber". Glued Ideas. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
[2]
R. O. Bucholz, "The bedchamber: Gentlemen of the Bedchamber", Office-Holders in Modern Britain: Volume 11 (revised): Court Officers, 1660-1837 (2006), pp. 14–19 accessed 13 October 2018.
[3]
G. Dyfnallt Owen, HMC 75 Downshire, vol. 5 (London: HMSO, 1995), p. 202 no. 423.
[4]
Taliaferro, Henry (1996). "Thomas Smith of Fairfax County, Virginia". The Virginia Genealogist. 40 (Q1 1996): Page 3. Retrieved 5 July 2019.
[5]
Gillan, Caroline (2018). Lord Bute and Eighteenth-Century Science and Patronage (PDF). PhD degree, Department of History, National University of Ireland. p. 1.
[6]
Spain, Jonathan (2004). "Keppel, William Anne, second earl of Albemarle". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/15443. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
[7]
"STANHOPE, Philip Dormer, Lord Stanhope (1694-1773)". History of parliament Trust. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
[8]
"PAGET, Thomas Catesby, Lord Paget (1689-1742)". History of Parliament Trust. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
[9]
"MANNERS, Lord William (1697-1772), of Croxton Park, Lincs". History of Parliament Trust. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
[10]
"COVENTRY, George William, Visct. Deerhurst (1722-1809), of Croome Court, Worcs". History of Parliament Trust. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
[11]
"HOBART, John, Lord Hobart (1723-93), of Blickling, Norf". History of Parliament Trust. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
[12]
"ST. LEGER, Arthur Mohun, 3rd Visct. Doneraile [I] (1718-50)". History of Parliament Trust. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
[13]
"MANNERS SUTTON, Lord Robert (1722-62), of Kelham, Notts". History of Parliament Trust. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
[14]
"BERTIE, Lord Robert (1721-82), of Chislehurst, Kent". History of Parliament Trust. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
[15]
"LEE, George Henry, Visct. Quarendon (1718-72), of Quarrendon, Bucks., Ditchley Park and Spelsbury, Oxon". History of Parliament Trust. Retrieved 5 April 2019.
[16]
"HOBART, John, Lord Hobart (1723-93), of Blickling, Norf". History of Parliament Trust. Retrieved 5 April 2019.
[17]
"HARLEY, Edward, Lord Harley (1726-90)". History of Parliament Trust. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
[18]
"BERKELEY, Norborne (?1717-70), of Stoke Gifford, near Bristol, Glos". History of Parliament Trust. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
[19]
"FINCH, Heneage, Lord Guernsey (1751-1812)". History of Parliament Trust. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
[20]
"PITT, George (1721-1803), of Strathfieldsaye, Hants". History of Parliament Trust. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
[21]
"TOWNSHEND, Hon. John Thomas (1764-1831)". History of Parliament Trust. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
[22]
"PITT, George (1751-1828), of Strathfieldsaye, Hants". History of Parliament Trust. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
[23]
"LAMB, Peniston (1745-1828), of Brocket Hall, Herts. and Melbourne Hall, Derbys". History of Parliament Trust. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
[24]
A Political Index to the Histories of Great Britain & Ireland
[25]
The Edinburgh Gazette, 3 August 1830.
[26]
The London Gazette, 10 August 1830.
[27]
The Edinburgh Gazette, 18 March 1831.
[28]
The London Gazette, 26 August 1831.
[29]
The London Gazette, 7 October 1831.
[30]
The London Gazette, 25 May 1832.
[31]
The London Gazette, 27 November 1832.
[32]
"CAVENDISH, see Henry Manners, Henry Manners, 3rd Bar. Waterpark [I] (1793-1863), of Doveridge Hall, Derbys". History of Parliament Trust. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
[33]
Edinburgh Gazette
[34]
Edinburgh Gazette Edinburgh Gazette
[35]
Edinburgh Gazette
[36]
Edinburgh Gazette
[37]
Velde, François R. (2004-08-24). "La Maison du Roi (The King's Household)". French Heraldry and Related Topics. Heraldica.org. Retrieved 2007-11-22.

[1] [1]
"Lords of the Bedchamber". Glued Ideas. Retrieved 17 June 2019.

[bucholz-2] [2]
R. O. Bucholz, "The bedchamber: Gentlemen of the Bedchamber", Office-Holders in Modern Britain: Volume 11 (revised): Court Officers, 1660-1837 (2006), pp. 14–19 accessed 13 October 2018.

[3] [3]
G. Dyfnallt Owen, HMC 75 Downshire, vol. 5 (London: HMSO, 1995), p. 202 no. 423.

[4] [4]
Taliaferro, Henry (1996). "Thomas Smith of Fairfax County, Virginia". The Virginia Genealogist. 40 (Q1 1996): Page 3. Retrieved 5 July 2019.

[5] [5]
Gillan, Caroline (2018). Lord Bute and Eighteenth-Century Science and Patronage (PDF). PhD degree, Department of History, National University of Ireland. p. 1.

[6] [6]
Spain, Jonathan (2004). "Keppel, William Anne, second earl of Albemarle". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/15443. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

[7] [7]
"STANHOPE, Philip Dormer, Lord Stanhope (1694-1773)". History of parliament Trust. Retrieved 4 April 2019.

[8] [8]
"PAGET, Thomas Catesby, Lord Paget (1689-1742)". History of Parliament Trust. Retrieved 4 April 2019.

[9] [9]
"MANNERS, Lord William (1697-1772), of Croxton Park, Lincs". History of Parliament Trust. Retrieved 4 April 2019.

[10] [10]
"COVENTRY, George William, Visct. Deerhurst (1722-1809), of Croome Court, Worcs". History of Parliament Trust. Retrieved 4 April 2019.

[11] [11]
"HOBART, John, Lord Hobart (1723-93), of Blickling, Norf". History of Parliament Trust. Retrieved 4 April 2019.

[12] [12]
"ST. LEGER, Arthur Mohun, 3rd Visct. Doneraile [I] (1718-50)". History of Parliament Trust. Retrieved 4 April 2019.

[13] [13]
"MANNERS SUTTON, Lord Robert (1722-62), of Kelham, Notts". History of Parliament Trust. Retrieved 4 April 2019.

[14] [14]
"BERTIE, Lord Robert (1721-82), of Chislehurst, Kent". History of Parliament Trust. Retrieved 4 April 2019.

[15] [15]
"LEE, George Henry, Visct. Quarendon (1718-72), of Quarrendon, Bucks., Ditchley Park and Spelsbury, Oxon". History of Parliament Trust. Retrieved 5 April 2019.

[16] [16]
"HOBART, John, Lord Hobart (1723-93), of Blickling, Norf". History of Parliament Trust. Retrieved 5 April 2019.

[17] [17]
"HARLEY, Edward, Lord Harley (1726-90)". History of Parliament Trust. Retrieved 4 April 2019.

[18] [18]
"BERKELEY, Norborne (?1717-70), of Stoke Gifford, near Bristol, Glos". History of Parliament Trust. Retrieved 4 April 2019.

[19] [19]
"FINCH, Heneage, Lord Guernsey (1751-1812)". History of Parliament Trust. Retrieved 4 April 2019.

[20] [20]
"PITT, George (1721-1803), of Strathfieldsaye, Hants". History of Parliament Trust. Retrieved 4 April 2019.

[21] [21]
"TOWNSHEND, Hon. John Thomas (1764-1831)". History of Parliament Trust. Retrieved 4 April 2019.

[22] [22]
"PITT, George (1751-1828), of Strathfieldsaye, Hants". History of Parliament Trust. Retrieved 4 April 2019.

[23] [23]
"LAMB, Peniston (1745-1828), of Brocket Hall, Herts. and Melbourne Hall, Derbys". History of Parliament Trust. Retrieved 4 April 2019.

[24] [24]
A Political Index to the Histories of Great Britain & Ireland

[25] [25]
The Edinburgh Gazette, 3 August 1830.

[26] [26]
The London Gazette, 10 August 1830.

[27] [27]
The Edinburgh Gazette, 18 March 1831.

[28] [28]
The London Gazette, 26 August 1831.

[29] [29]
The London Gazette, 7 October 1831.

[30] [30]
The London Gazette, 25 May 1832.

[31] [31]
The London Gazette, 27 November 1832.

[32] [32]
"CAVENDISH, see Henry Manners, Henry Manners, 3rd Bar. Waterpark [I] (1793-1863), of Doveridge Hall, Derbys". History of Parliament Trust. Retrieved 4 April 2019.

[33] [33]
Edinburgh Gazette

[34] [34]
Edinburgh Gazette Edinburgh Gazette

[35] [35]
Edinburgh Gazette

[36] [36]
Edinburgh Gazette

[37] [37]
Velde, François R. (2004-08-24). "La Maison du Roi (The King's Household)". French Heraldry and Related Topics. Heraldica.org. Retrieved 2007-11-22.

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Lord

Gentlemen

Lords

Gentlemen

Lords

Gentlemen

Lord

Gentlemen

Lords of the Bedchamber to King William IV (1830–1837)

Gentlemen

Lord

Gentlemen

Lords

Gentlemen

Lords

Gentlemen

Lord

Gentlemen

Lords of the Bedchamber to King William IV (1830–1837)

Gentlemen

Description and functions

Gentlemen of the Bedchamber to James I of England (1603–1625)

Gentlemen of the Bedchamber to Charles I of England (1625–1649)

Gentlemen of the Bedchamber to Charles II of England (1660–1685)

Gentlemen of the Bedchamber to James II of England (1685–1688)

Gentlemen of the Bedchamber to William III of England (1689–1702)

Gentlemen of the Bedchamber to Prince George of Denmark (1702–1708)

Gentlemen and Lords of the Bedchamber to George I of Great Britain (1714–1727)

Lords and Gentlemen of the Bedchamber to George II of Great Britain (1714–1760)

Gentlemen of the Bedchamber to Frederick, Prince of Wales (1729–1751)

Lords and Gentlemen of the Bedchamber to George III of the United Kingdom (1751–1820)

Lords and Gentlemen of the Bedchamber to George IV of the United Kingdom (1780–1830)

Lords and Gentlemen of the Bedchamber to William IV of the United Kingdom (1830–1837)

Lords of the Bedchamber to Prince Albert (1840–1861)

Lords of the Bedchamber to Edward, Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII (1866–1901)

Lords of the Bedchamber to George, Prince of Wales (1901–1910), later King George V (1910-1936)

See also

References

Sources