Grand Chamberlain of France

The Grand Chambellan de France – here translated as Grand Chamberlain of France to distinguish it from the similar but different position of Grand Chambrier de France, translated as "Grand Chamberman of France", although both positions could equally be translated by the word Chamberlain – was one of the Great Officers of the Crown of France, a member of the Maison du Roi ("King's Household"), and one of the Great Offices of the Maison du Roi during the Ancien Régime.

At its origin, the position of Grand Chambellan entailed oversight of the king's chamber and his wardrobe, but in October 1545, the position absorbed the duties of the position of "Grand Chambrier of France", which was suppressed by François I, and the Grand Chamberlain became responsible for signing charters and certain royal documents, assisting at the trial of peers, and recording the oaths of homage to the Crown, among other duties.

The Grand Chambellan also played an important role during coronation: he ceremonially admitted the clerical peers to the room of the King, and fitted the King with boots, dalmatic, and mantle for coronation. In the protocol of the reign of Louis XIV, the Chambellan was in the second rank during ambassadorial receptions, he served the king at table, and, at the ceremony of the Levée or royal awakening, he presented the king with a shirt. The position played a key role in state affairs in the sixteenth century, but became merely...
Read More