At 08:38 AM 12/4/2005, you wrote:
Can any of you direct me to a text which might discuss in some
detail the offices of maids of honor, ladies in waiting, privy and
bedchambers in some detail?
Thanks
I'm not aware of any single text that lays out this sort of
information. From what information I have seen, there is a great
deal of overlap amongst the duties of the various
"offices". Basically, the maids of honor are young women of gentle
or noble birth (sometimes as young as 14) who tend to the more public
services; for example, carrying the Queen's prayer book when
accompanying her to chapel, carrying her cup, serving at meals,
etc. The maids of honor were often placed at court to find a husband
(always tricky since the Queen considered all of her ladies and
gentlewomen part of her "family" and disliked changes; her permission
was needed to allow the young woman to marry). They were also
expected to be able to read (aloud), dance, sing, and play musical
instruments; these skills were useful in providing entertainment for
the Queen in her own chambers. Ladies in waiting (noblewomen,
married or widowed) and gentlewomen in waiting (of gentle but not
noble birth, some unmarried, some married) provided more personal
services in the Queen's bedchamber (the most private) and the privy
chamber (the first public chambers; the Queen often met with
ambassadors there). They would get her up in the morning, help her
dress, do her hair, put on makeup, etc. At various times, different
ladies would be assigned as record keepers for jewels, books, some
clothes, etc. However, there were no rigid lines between the various
tasks performed by the various offices.
Some of the sources I have found useful are Queen Elizabeth's
Wardrobe Unlock'd, the many biographies of Elizabeth I, Wives and
Daughters, and any references that discuss the organization of the
Court under the Tudors.
If anyone does find other useful sources, I'd love it if they would
post them here.
Mistress Blanche Parry, chief Gentlewoman to the Queen [GoSGN]
aka Joan Jurancich
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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