First Lady of the Bedchamber

In British Royal Households, First Lady of the Bedchamber is the title of the highest of the ladies of the bedchamber, those holding the official position of personal attendants on a queen or princess. The title had its equivalent in several European royal courts. The position is traditionally held by a female member of a noble family.

Portrait of "Kat" Ashley by an unknown artist. Collection of Lord Hastings

History

In the Middle Ages, Margaret of France, Queen of England, is noted to have had seven ladies-in-waiting: the three married ones were called Domina and the four unmarried maid of honour, but no principal lady-in-waiting is mentioned.[1]

During the Tudor dynasty (1485–1603), the First Lady of the Bedchamber was called Chief Gentlewoman of the Privy Chamber. She had the highest rank among the Ladies of the bedchamber, and their role was to act as the attendants and companions of the royal woman. The First Lady of the Bedchamber of a queen consort was the equivalent of the post of First Lord of the Bedchamber to a king.[1]

England

First ladies of the bedchamber under Elizabeth of York

First ladies of the bedchamber and Chief Gentlewomen of the Privy Chamber under Elizabeth I

Under Elizabeth the role was also known as "Chief Gentlewoman of the Privy Chamber", for example during Parry's tenure of it.

First ladies of the bedchamber under Henrietta Maria of France

First ladies of the bedchamber under Catherine of Braganza

First ladies of the bedchamber under Mary of Modena

First ladies of the bedchamber under Mary II of England
  • 1689–1694: Golstine, A. van [6]

United Kingdom

During the 17th and 18th centuries role often overlapped with or were retitled as Mistress of the Robes, until the latter role replaced it in the 1760s.

First ladies of the bedchamber to Anne, Queen of Great Britain

First ladies of the bedchamber to Caroline of Ansbach

First ladies of the bedchamber to Augusta of Saxe-Gotha

See also

References
  1. William J. Thoms: The Book of the Court: Exhibiting the History, Duties, and Privileges of the English Nobility and Gentry. Particularly of the Great Officers of State and Members of the Royal Household, 1844
  2. Alison Weir: Elizabeth of York: A Tudor Queen and Her World. Erenow.com
  3. Sandy Riley, Charlotte de La Trémoïlle, the Notorious Countess of Derby. Books.google.se
  4. Carole Levin, Anna Riehl Bertolet: [A Biographical Encyclopedia of Early Modern Englishwomen: Exemplary Lives and Memorable Acts, 1500-1650], New York, 2017
  5. Wolfson, S. J. (2013). "The Female Bedchamber of Queen Henrietta Maria: Politics, Familial Networks and Policy, 1626–40". In The Politics of Female Households. Leiden, The Netherlands: Brill. doi: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004258396_014
  6. "Household of Mary II 1689-1694" (PDF). Courtofficers.ctsdh.luc.edu. p. 8. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
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