Mirror%20Image

1
Mirror Image

• The royal court as a reflection of British
  Society.

2
The Royal Court. What is it?

• The court is NOT a palace or location.
• The court is people customarily, the monarchs
  household servants and attendants.

Kensington Palace
www.sarova.co.uk/sarova/library/j14418_9.jpg
3
Royal Court 3 Chambers
4
Court as an Image of Society.

• Present and perceptible hierarchy.
• Monarch tops the hierarchy.
• The hierarchy can be porous.
• The royal court provides for social advancement
  in the world outside.

5
Queen Annes Court.

• Ruled from 1702-1714
• Presided over a court which was considered small
  and unglamorous.
• Promoted her favorite courtiers to prominent
  positions in society.

Portrait by Michael Dahl National Portrait
Gallery, London
6
The Queens Favorites

• Prince GeorgeHusband and Consort to Anne.
• Held many sinecures.
• Through his marriage became second in precedence
  only to his wife.

George, Prince of Denmark, duke of
Cumberland By Sir Godfrey Kneller
Collection of the duke of Buccleuch and Queensbury
7
The duchess of Marlborough

• Born Sarah Jennings into a modest gentry family.
• Court offices included groom of the stole,
  keeper of the privy purse, mistress of the robes
  and ranger of Windsor Park.
• Thanks to her court service and Annes patronage,
  she died a duchess with many social and political
  connections.

Sarah, duchess of Marlborough By Sir Godfrey
Kneller, National Trust Photographic Library/Tim
Stephens/The Egremont Collection/Petworth
8
The duke of Shrewsbury

• Born into the aristocracy.
• Lord Chamberlain to Anne from 1710-14.
• Used his position at court to further his
  political aims.

Charles Talbot, duke of Shrewsbury By Sir Godfrey
Kneller, c. 1685-90 The Eastnor Castle Collection
9
Others

• The size of the court necessitated the presence
  of people outside the aristocracy to perform the
  administrative and menial duties.

10
Other Court Offices

• Board of the Greencloth
• Disciplined and paid courtiers
• Physicians
• Attended the queen and court.
• Musicians
• Menial Servants
• And too many more to name!

11
Conclusions

• Annes court was not unique in its social
  structure.
• The court was a stepping stone for social
  advancement.
• The royal court is a microcosm of society.
• It holds people from all walks of life.
• Demands the cooperation of all classes.