Groom of the Stool

Tweet

Can you believe this? In the earlier ages, the English monarchs had many courtiers in different capacities. One that struck me rather funny to think about is the "groom of the stool". This was a person who attends, and was responsible, for the king in his toileting needs. This was usually only the male monarchs and would be someone that the king trusted for any personal information could discredit the monarch. The duties of this office included supplying water, washbowl, and towels as well as being responsible for the upkeep of the king's bedroom and waste closet. This is where the king would go to read, socialize in private and sleep. Also, they were responsible for the monitoring of the king's bowel movements and even communicated closely with doctors ensuring the king's good health. Also, people would often ask the help of the Groom of the Stool in such instances as employment and the Groom of the Stool could speak favorably or unfavorably for this person. Lists of grooms of the stool go back as far as 1455 with "Yoman of the Stoole" being one Willielmus Grymesby, a member of the House Of Commons and the list goes as far as Prince of Wales in the late 1880s. But, in 1901, when Edward, Prince of Wales acceded to the throne as King Edward VII the office was discontinued. Sounds like the early beginnings of the butler situation to me. Image courtesy of Adobe free images.