List of Court Posts

**Court Posts**

This page provides an elaborate source of information to all of the key offices in service to the Imperial Household. These posts are nominally awarded to the most promising of applicants from the nobility and junkers of the Prussian court. In more cases than other, the office holder brings with them a variety of privileges and duties to be retained.

## Household of the King

### **Grand Maître de Royaume**

The Grand Master of the Kingdom is the office which is in charge of the King's household. It is the highest court post within the state and brings with it significant advantages and duties. Among his duties include directing the King's Household, appointing new officers who must swear an oath of service to the Grand Master, managing the budgeting of the Household, and management of the King's lands. The position is one of the few at court which is held for life and cannot be replaced, however, in the event that the Grand master becomes incapacitated, his duties fall to the Grand Chamberlain.

His privileges included the right to lead the funeral procession of the King once deceased and, at the point of his tomb, was to break his baton, and inform the officers "Gentlemen, the King is dead; you are free from his service," before receiving a new baton, saying "Gentlemen, the King lives and gives you your posts." His other primary privilege included the ability to receive applications to the Household, before submitting them to the King. For this, there was frequently a charge (a bribe) to ensure that the document was delivered accordingly. They could also sell off all the candles from the remaining rooms of the King's grand apartments, bringing with it as much as 14,000 thalers.

### **Grand Aumônier de Royaume**

The Grand Almoner of the Kingdom is the office which is in charge of the Ecclesiastical Household of the King, forming one of the most senior offices in the Kingdom. As such, it comes with numerous courtly duties which included performing Imperial baptisms, princely marriages, extreme unction to the imperial family, and other such prayers and ceremonies. He was also charges of overseeing the charities in Berlin.

His privileges included the right to receive the silver service of the chapel upon the death of the King, the right to sell indulgences for sins within the palace itself, or receive the income from those, and the right to sell off any old chapel garments which would be replaced frequently, bringing in roughly 6,000 thalers from these clothing pieces.

### **Grand Chambellan de Royaume**

The Grand Chamberlain of the Kingdom is the office which is in charge of the state bedchamber and the ceremonies therein. A powerful office, his duties included the signing of royal documents, assisting in the trials of electors, recording oaths of loyalty and service, admitting individuals to the bedchamber of the King for the Levee and Coucher, placing on, or taking off the King's day-shirt. He was also responsible for dressing the King for his Coronation.

His privileges included the right to carry the keys of the King's bedchamber, ceremonially representing his constant access to the King. During Lit de Justice, he would be permitted to sit before the King. He was also given the rights to sell the old linens of the state bedchamber, as well as selling the old dayshirts, nightshirts, stockings, cravats and cuffs of the King, items which fetched 10,000 yearly. He also maintained jurisdiction over the Weavers corporation (which oversaw fabrics and upholstery) in Berlin, bringing in roughly 10,000 thalers annually.

### **Grand Veneur de Royaume**

The Grand Huntsman of the Kingdom is the office which is in charge of the Imperial hunts that would take place and was chief of all offices relating to the hunt. Seeing as hunting was a major part of royal life, it carried with it substantial importance at court. They were responsible for the hounds (all 100 of them) which were used for stag and fox hunting. They were responsible for directing stag and fox hunts and ensuring all went accordingly.

The privileges associated with this post included the right to sell off any old linens and attire worn by the lieutenants of the hunt, and the right to use or sell any unwanted venison and stag or fox pelts from the King, which brought in a substantial sum, up to 15,000 thalers yearly. He also had a monopoly over the Butchers corporation which dealt in raw meats, bringing in a further 10,000 thalers.

### **Grand Connétable de Royaume**

The Grand Constable of the Kingdom is the office which is in charge of the Military Household of the King and relates to the protection and security of the royal residence. The duties included the oversight of the military troops of the Household, policing both Charlottenburg, Sanssouci or wherever the King may be residing, as well as the right to preside over last resort criminal cases.

Those privileges associated with the office included the right to sell off any unused or old garments of the Varangian Guard, and receive payments for the carrying out of trials. This brought in 5,000 thalers yearly. They were given jurisdiction over the armoury corporation (which oversaw weapons manufacturers and gunsmiths), as well as the blacksmiths and steelsmiths corporations, all of which brought in a further 10,000 thalers annually each.

### **Grand Bouteiller de Royaume**

The Grand Butler of the Kingdom is the office which is in charge of the King's dining ceremonies. His duties included the oversight of imperial dinners, directing the dinner, including the service of requested items, and leading the procession of the food into the chamber.

Privileges of the position include the right to distribute the waste items of the dinner, primarily between the servants and so forth, and the right to sell off any candles from the dining chamber, bringing in roughly 5,000 yearly. He also had a monopoly over the bakers and fishermen's corporations, both of which fetched 10,000 annually each.

### **Grand Maître des Cérémonies**

The Grand Master of Ceremonies is the office which is in charge of the ceremonials of court. This includes visits by foreign ambassadors, balls, coronations, and other such major events, all of which had to be organized by the Grand Master of Ceremonies to ensure it went accordingly. They were also responsible for informing members of the nobility as to what their roles would be during these ceremonies.

They had the privilege of carrying a baton covered in black velvet and an ivory tip. They were also provided with the rights to sell off any candles from the throne room, which could bring as much as 10,000 thalers annually.

### **Grand Maréchal de Logis**

The Grand Marshal of Lodgings is the office responsible for the oversight of the residence in which the King is residing. This includes appointments of rooms according to rank, or according to those willing to pay sufficient bribes and the oversight of any addition of furniture or interior alterations to the imperial residence.

The privileges of the office include the right to carry keys symbolic of those for the main doors of the residences overlooking Sanssouci Park and the Royal residencies in Berlin. He is also given the monopoly over the masonry and carpentry corporations of Berlin, bringing in 20,000 with them.

### **Précepteur Imperiale**

The Imperial Preceptor as it was often known, was the position which was responsible for the education of the King and Heirs. The office was not always permanent but was usually awarded to a man of senior birth. The duties included appointing tutors and arranging the classes that the Heirs to the throne should be studying.

### **Premier Gentilhomme du Château**

The First Gentleman of the Chateau is the secondary office to the Grand Chamberlain of the Kingdom and is responsible for fulfilling his posts in his absence. Otherwise, he is responsible for the payments made to the Gentlemen of the Chateau and the Washer of the Hands. When present with the Grand Chamberlain, his duty is to provide items of jewellery to those dressing the King.

The privileges associated with the office include the rights to sell off candles from the bedchamber, fetching 10,000 thalers annually. They also have the rights to sell off the King's shoes, breeches and hats, bringing in roughly 5,000 yearly.

### **Gentilshommes du Château**

The Gentlemen of the Chateau were men who were given the task of assisting during the Levee and Coucher of the King. They were to hand items of clothing to those dressing the King and handing off items being removed to servants to handle.

The privileges provided to those who held the post were the rights to sell off any unused waistcoats and other pieces of clothing not granted to the other offices. This could bring in as much as 20,000 split between the gentlemen. They also had the rights to sell off the King's candles from his private chambers, bringing in as much as 15,000 thalers split between them.

### **Laveur des Mains**

The Washer of the Hands has the duty of holding out the bejewelled bowl filled with blessed water for the King to wash his hands in and then drying his hands following this act, during each levee and coucher.

The privileges associated with the office include the rights to sell off the drying towels, soaps, perfumes and perfume burners/bottles. This brought in a substantial income of 13,000 thalers.

### **Premier Secrétaire du Roi**

The First Secretary of the King is the office which is responsible for the oversight of the cabinet of the King, including writing up documents, imperial decrees, and other such items. He was also responsible for overseeing the payments made to the King's Household prepared by the Grand Master before signing them and passing them along. They were also responsible for any other letter writing on behalf of the King. They were also responsible for the disposal of any letters indicated as sensitive by the King at the end of his life.

The privileges associated with the office included the right to sell off items of stationery, including inkwells, papers, quills, stamps, ribbons, and other writing paraphernalia, which brought in roughly 3,000 thalers annually. He was also provided with a key to the King's desk.

### **Écuyer de Royaume**

The Equerry of the Kingdom is the office which is responsible for the oversight of the King's stables and his horses. This provided the office with the duties of overseeing the purchasing, training, etc of the horses used by the King and other Princes kept at the Imperial Stables.

His privileges included the rights to sell breeding rights with any of the King's horses, the right to sell off any horses the King no longer wishes to retain. This provides the office holder with an income of 20,000 thalers, which was bolstered by the rights to sell off the old uniforms of the squires of the stables, bringing in around 3,000 thalers. They were also given full rights to the King's horses and riding equipment on his death.

### **Fauconnier de Royaume**

The Falconer of the Kingdom is the office which is responsible for the oversight of the King's birds of prey. This included primarily the oversight of his falcons and eagles, used for falcon hunts. They were also to present the King with his falcons on set occasions to the King.

They had the privileges of selling off any unwanted falcon, eagles or other birds of prey from the King's aviary, which could fetch up to 3,000 thalers annually. They were also permitted to use two lures as heraldic ornaments with their coat of arms. They were also given full rights to the King's birds of prey upon his death.

### **Louvetier de Royaume**

The Wolfhunter of the Kingdom is the office which is responsible for directing wolf and boar hunts. This included oversight of these hunts, and the individuals used to manage them. They were also charged with the care of the wolfhounds, separate from the ordinary hunting hounds.

His privileges included the right to sell wolf pelts from royal hunts, which brought in as much as 5,000 thalers annually. They were also permitted to sell any unwanted wolfhounds, which could bring an additional 2,000 thalers. He was also given full rights to the King's wolfhounds and wolf hunting equipment upon his death.

### **Échanson de Royaume**

The Cupbearer of the Kingdom is the office which is responsible for the service of water, wine or any other drinks to the King during the dinner ceremonies held at the Palace. They were to present the glass on a silver, jewelled platter to the King while kneeling, and then take the glass back once finished taking his drink.

He had the privilege of selling off any unused wine or drinks from the Kings tables, as well as glassware upon the King's death that was not specifically intended to be kept. The selling of previously unused drinks could fetch as much as 8,000 yearly due to the vast quantity of drinks taken. They were also granted a monopoly over the cabaretiers corporations for taxes on wine in Berlin, bringing another 10,000 thalers roughly.

### **Tranchant de Royaume**

The Carver of the Kingdom is the office which is responsible for the service of carved meats during the King's dinner ceremonies at the Palace. This required that they cut the meats that were presented in a decorative form, and place the item on the plate until informed to stop.

He had the privilege of selling off any of the unused roasts, which could fetch 3,000 to 6,000 thalers due to the number of roasts frequently served. They also had the rights to the monopoly over the Charcuterie corporation, which oversaw the selling of cooked meats, bringing in 10,000 thalers annually.

### **Garde de l’Épée**

The Guard of the Sword is the office that is responsible for carrying the King's sword, during official ceremonies. They are to present the sword to the King every morning before being permitted to rise.

He has the privilege of selling off any items related to the care and carrying of sabres brining 500 thalers annually at most. He also has the privilege of selling off old household guard weaponry and equipment, bringing in up to 2,000 thalers annually.

### **Premier Concierge du Château**

The First Concierge of the Kingdom is the office that is responsible for the closing of the doors of the palace ceremonially in the evening, watched over by the Palace Guard. Once the doors are closed no one may be permitted in or out without being authorized by the Palace Guard.

The privileges of the office include the right to carry the keys to the palace gates from the gardens, as well as the rights to sell off any items confiscated from those entering the palace grounds, frequently making on average 2,000 thalers annually.

### **Confesseur à le Roi**

The Confessor to the King is the office that is responsible for taking the confession of the King, and frequently the confessions of other Imperial family members. The post also ensures the King may receive communion during major ceremonies.

The privileges of the office include the rights to sell off the candles from the chapel, bringing in 3,000 thalers annually, shared with the Queen-Consort's confessor.

## Household of the Queen-Consort

### **Grande Maîtresse de la Robe**

The Grand Mistress of the Robe is the office which is in charge of the Queen-Consort's Household, it is the highest female held office in the Kingdom, and usually considered third in the total ranking, behind the almoner. Her duties include directing the Queen-Consort's Household, taking oaths of service from ladies entering the Queen-Consort's service, providing the Queen-Consort's breakfast every morning, handling the Queen-Consort's correspondence, and regulating who could access the Queen-Consort's person for audiences. She could also dismiss any lady from the Queen-Consort's service and handled all requests to join her household.

She was one of the few offices to swear an oath to the King himself, as well as the Queen-Consort. Her privileges for this office included the rights to receive all applications to the Queen-Consort's household, and for ensuring that these applications were provided to the Queen-Consort for a charge (a bribe) which was custom to most offices. She was also afforded the privilege of receiving all of the Queen-Consort's old clothes unless specifically set aside for others. From this, she could make a substantial income in selling off these old fabrics, upwards of 30,000 thalers annually. The office was appointed for life, and in the case that she was incapacitated, her duties fell to the First Lady of Honour.

### **Grande Gouvernante des Enfants Impériaux**

The Grand Governess of the Imperial Children is the office which is in charge of the care of those children born in the direct line of succession to Prussia's throne. It was considered one of the most important positions in the Kingdom and considered to rank directly below the Grand Mistress of the Robe overall. Her duties included the appointment of lesser governesses, nannies, wetnurses, etc, for the care of the children in her custody. She was placed in control of these persons and as such her authority was complete unless overstepped by the Queen-Consort or King. She also had the duty of directing who had access to these children, as well as the appointment of Enfant's d'Honneur.

The only other office in the Queen-Consort's household to also swear loyalty to the King, she came with several privileges. She had the rights to sell off all old swaddling and other children's clothing from the children born in the purple. This could fetch 1,000 thalers per child annually. She also had the rights to sell off any candles from these children's rooms, which would fetch an additional 3,000 thalers annually per suite.

### **Almoner à la Reine**

The Almoner to the Queen-Consort is the office which is in charge of the Ecclesiastical Household of the Queen-Consort. This came with the duties of appointing all clerical staff within her household, including confessors, altar servers, readers, etc. They were also responsible for the religious and spiritual advice to the Queen-Consort and frequently accompanied her with her entourage.

His privileges included the rights to receive donations for prayers from the Queen-Consort's Ladies. He was also permitted the rights to sell off old ecclesiastical wear from the Queen-Consort's ecclesiastical household, which could bring up to 5,000 annually.

### **Première Dame d’Honneur**

The First Lady of Honour is the office which is second to the Grand Mistress of the Robe. She was responsible for the ordering of the Queen-Consort's carriage, washing the Queen-Consort's hands in the morning and evening, supervising the other waiting ladies, and watching over the toilette. She also served as a member of the serving and companion ladies alongside the other Ladies of Honour, considered chief among them.

Her privileges included in the post came with the rights to sell off any excess and unfinished candles from within the state chamber of the Queen-Consort, as well as the rights to sell off gloves, shoes, hats and toilette items such as pomades, perfumes and powders. All of this together brought in up to 10,000 thalers annually.

### **Gouvernantes des Enfants Royale**

The Governess of the Royal Children is the offices which were in charge of caring for any royal children that were not born in the purple, this frequently included the Princes of the Blood. Much like the Grand Governess, the office was placed with the duties to care for the upbringing of these children and control the access people had to them, however, they could be superceded by the authority of the Grand Governess, King, Queen-Consort, and the children's parents.

Their privileges included the rights to sell off items of clothing from these children in her care, as well as the candles from their rooms, bringing in roughly 1,000 thalers per child.

### **Dames d’Atour**

The Ladies of the Wardrobe were the ladies who were responsible for the care of the Queen-Consort's wardrobe and her clothing, including the passing on of old items. They had the duties of supervising the Queen-Consort's wardrobe and jewellery, ensuring that the Queen-Consort was dressed appropriately, handing the Queen-Consort her petticoat and gown, or removing said items, during her levee and coucher, as well as the repair of any items of clothing.

Their privileges included the rights to sell off petticoats, corsets and stomachers, as well as the candles of the private chambers of the Queen-Consort. These could frequently bring in as much as 30,000 thalers split between the ladies.

### **Dames d'Honneur**

The Ladies of Honour were the ladies who were employed to wait upon the Queen-Consort, and perform her every task for her, from serving her drinks, keeping her company, playing music and entertaining her. They, like the other senior ladies, were always married.

Their privileges included the rights to sell off old candles from the Queen-Consort's grand apartments, excluding the main bedchamber, which could bring in up to 10,000 thalers split between the ladies annually.

### **Filles d'Honneur**

The Girls of Honour were the unmarried ladies who were employed to wait upon the Queen-Consort. While generally carrying out the same tasks as the Ladies of honour, they were primarily in the post to find spouses and learn etiquette. They were chaperoned by a Governess of the Girls, who was a Lady of Honour tasked with the duty of watching over them.

They had the privileges of selling off items such as the potpourri, flowers, napkins, perfume bottles, and other such minor items. This could bring up to 3,000 thalers annually split between the Girls of Honour.

### **Confesseur à la Reine**

The Confessor to the Queen-Consort is the office that is responsible for taking the confession of the Queen-Consort, and frequently the confessions of other Ladies of her Household. The post also ensures the Queen-Consort may receive communion during major ceremonies.

The privileges of the office include the rights to sell off the candles from the chapel, bringing in 3,000 thalers annually, shared with the King's confessor.