What Is the Royal Household?

[Grandmaster]

No crowned head can survive without their Household. In simple terms, the Royal Household is comprised of anyone directly in service to that royal. It's not unusual for several Households to exist in one place; each is assigned or granted to a specific member of the Royal Family. To be granted a Household, or a personal staff, is often an honor or a recognition of one's royal status.

Who makes up the Royal Household staff?

- the seneschal - the general overseer of the household, who orchestrates everything from servants to household acquisitions, feasts, maintenance, et al. The seneschal can be a man or a woman and is usually of minor nobility or gentry in noble houses; the Crown selects anyone whom it pleases them to do.

- the castellan/chatelaine - the housekeeper, usually a minor noble or gentry again. This is the person who sees that meals are planned and supplies acquired, the wine cellars are stocked, oversees the kitchen staff, maids and butlers, oversees the laundry and linens, and manages the lower household staff in conjunction with the seneschal. A castellan/chatelaine is most typically found in households where the King is unwed and his mother is no longer living.

- ladies in waiting/maids of honor - ladies in waiting are NOT personal maids; they are unmarried women in service to a royal woman. They become her wards and companions, obedient to her rules and dictates, providing maintenance of wardrobe and jewels, companionship and support. In exchange, their lady provides their room, board, a clothing allowance, and in due time, husbands. More to come on this subject!

- gentlemen of the bedchamber - these men are nobles or landed gentry, appointed by a crowned head to tend his personal needs when he is in private chambers. They're not valets, but secretaries/equerries, major-domo, etc. More to come on this subject too!

- Master of Horse/Hawk/Hunt - these are specialized positions that are pretty self explanatory. The Master of Horse is the head of the Royal Stables, while the Master of Hawk tends the Royal Aviary, and the Master of Hunt, the Royal Kennels. They procure, maintain, and manage those concerns only, serving solely at the royal's pleasure. More often than not, these are unlanded gentry or commoners who display a great aptitude for the work.

- body servants - these are the lady's maids and valets, the personal servants who tend to the dressing, bathing, and grooming of the royal person. They answer directly to the royal only.

- miscellaneous staff - this includes secretaries, scribes, chaplains, paid companions, nurses/nannies, governesses/tutors, bards/minstrels, jesters/fools, healers and herbalists, physicians/surgeons, librarians, scholars, archivists, and pretty much anyone else who is in service to a royal.