Office-Holders in Modern Britain: Volume 11 (Revised), Court Officers, 1660-1837. Originally published by University of London, London, 2006.
This free content was digitised by double rekeying. All rights reserved.
'The bedchamber: Grooms of the Bedchamber 1660-1837', in Office-Holders in Modern Britain: Volume 11 (Revised), Court Officers, 1660-1837, ed. R O Bucholz( London, 2006), British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/office-holders/vol11/pp20-24 [accessed 6 December 2024].
'The bedchamber: Grooms of the Bedchamber 1660-1837', in Office-Holders in Modern Britain: Volume 11 (Revised), Court Officers, 1660-1837. Edited by R O Bucholz( London, 2006), British History Online, accessed December 6, 2024, https://www.british-history.ac.uk/office-holders/vol11/pp20-24.
"The bedchamber: Grooms of the Bedchamber 1660-1837". Office-Holders in Modern Britain: Volume 11 (Revised), Court Officers, 1660-1837. Ed. R O Bucholz(London, 2006), , British History Online. Web. 6 December 2024. https://www.british-history.ac.uk/office-holders/vol11/pp20-24.
In this section
Grooms of the Bedchamber 1660–1837
The grooms of the bedchamber
wait in the King's Chamber during his Majesty's Dressing, and wait at Dinner [when he dines privately], take Wine, &c. from the Servants, and give it to the Lords, to serve his Majesty. When the Gentlemen of the Bed-Chamber are not there, they perform the Office [of dressing the Sovereign], and have their waiting Weekly, two and two, by turns. (fn. 1)
These offices were in the gift of the Crown. The procedures for swearing and admitting them into waiting were the same as those for the gentlemen of the bedchamber. (fn. 2) The number of grooms fluctuated considerably. Under Charles II there were usually 12. Under James II and William III the number varied between eight and nine; under George I and George II between eight and ten. George III appointed 15 on his accession but this fell to 12 in 1764. In 1783 there was an increase to 13 and this was the usual number until 1837. Extra grooms were regularly appointed under Charles II and occasionally thereafter. No grooms were appointed during the reign of Anne.
The salary attached to the offices, payable at the exchequer, was £500 except during the reign of James II when it was reduced to £400. (fn. 3) They also received lodgings and diet when the court was on progress. (fn. 4)