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.

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.

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.

First ladies of the bedchamber to English queens

Elizabeth of York

• 1485–1487: Cecily of York
• 1487–1494: Anne of York (daughter of Edward IV)

Elizabeth I (Chief Gentlewomen of the Privy Chamber)

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

• 1558–1565: Kat Ashley
• 1565–c.1572: Blanche Parry (as Chief Gentlewoman of the Privy Chamber)
• by 1572: Catherine Howard, Countess of Nottingham

Henrietta Maria of France

• 1626–1652: Susan Feilding, Countess of Denbigh (also called mistress of the Robes and Groom of the Stool )

Catherine of Braganza

• 1660–1681: Barbara Howard, Countess of Suffolk
• 1681–1685: Isabella de Nassau, Countess of Arlington

Mary of Modena

• Lady Penelope O'Brien, Countess of Peterborough (also with title Groom of the Stool)
• 1688–1691: Elizabeth Herbert, Marchioness of Powis

Mary II of England

• 1689–1694: Golstine, A. van

First ladies of the bedchamber to British queens

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.

Anne, Queen of Great Britain

• dates unknown: Flower Backhouse

Caroline of Ansbach

• 1714–1717: Diana Beauclerk, Duchess of St Albans

Augusta of Saxe-Gotha

• dates unknown: Lady Jane Hamilton

See also

• Première dame d'honneur, French equivalent
• Camarera mayor de Palacio, Spanish equivalent

References