Chamber Administration: Lord Chamberlain, 1660-1837

Office-Holders in Modern Britain: Volume 11 (Revised), Court Officers, 1660-1837. Originally published by University of London, London, 2006.

Citation:

'Chamber Administration: Lord Chamberlain, 1660-1837', in Office-Holders in Modern Britain: Volume 11 (Revised), Court Officers, 1660-1837, ed. R O Bucholz( London, 2006), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/office-holders/vol11/pp1-8 [accessed 26 November 2024].

CHAMBER Administration

Lord Chamberlain 1660–1837

According to The Present State of the British Court,

The Lord Chamberlain has the Principal Command of all the Kings (or Queens) Servants above Stairs (except in the Bedchamber, which is wholly under the Grooms [sic] of the Stole) who are all Sworn by him, or by his Warrant to the Gentlemen Ushers. He has likewise the Inspection of all the Officers of the Wardrobe of the King's Houses, and of the removing Wardrobes, Beds, Tents, Revels, Musick, Comedians, Hunting, Messengers, Trumpeters, Drummers, Handicrafts, Artizans, retain'd in the King's or Queen's Service; as well as of the Sergeants at Arms, Physicians, Apothecaries, Surgeons, &c. and finally of His Majesty's Chaplains. (fn. 1)

The lord chamberlain was appointed by the Crown. Until 1783 his entry into office was marked by the reception of a staff; thereafter more usually of a key. (fn. 2) He was sworn by the vice chamberlain in pursuance of a royal warrant issued for that purpose. (fn. 3) Wherever possible appointments have been dated by reference to the former event; in other cases by reference to the warrant or certificate of swearing.

The remuneration attached to the office consisted of an ancient fee of £100 and board wages of £1,100 making a total of £1,200 a year. The lord chamberlain also received plate worth £400, livery worth £66 annually and fees of honour averaging between £24 and £48 a year early in the eighteenth century. Shrewsbury received a pension of £2,000 during his last year of office 1714–15. An annuity of £3,000 from the Exchequer, originally granted to Grafton 1724–57, was continued to his successors, bringing their total fixed remuneration to £4,200. (fn. 4) In addition, the lord chamberlain was entitled to lodgings at court and used mourning cloth. (fn. 5)



1660	1 June	Manchester,2nd Earl of
1671	13 May	St. Albans, 1st Earl of
1674	11 Sept	Arlington, 1st Earl of
1685	30 July	Ailesbury, 1st Earl of
1685	23 Oct.	Mulgrave, 3rd Earl of
1689	14 Feb.	Dorset, 6th Earl of
1697	19 Apr.	Sunderland, 2nd Earl of
1697	26 Dec.	Office vacant
1699	30 Oct.	Shrewsbury, 1st Duke of
1700	24 June	Jersey, 1st Earl of
1704	24 Apr.	Kent, 12th Earl of
1710	14 Apr.	Shrewsbury, 1st Duke
1715	8 July	Bolton, 2nd Duke of
1717	13 Apr.	Newcastle, 1st
1724	14 May	Grafton, 2nd Duke of
1757	18 May	Devonshire, 4th Duke of
1762	24 Nov.	Marlborough, 4th Duke of
1763	26 Apr.	Gower, 2nd Earl
1765	15 July	Portland, 3rd Duke of
1766	29 Nov.	Hertford, 1st Earl of
1782	7 Apr.	Manchester, 4th Duke of
1783	9 Apr.	Hertford, 1st Earl of
1783	26 Dec.	Salisbury, 7th Earl of
1804	14 May	Dartmouth, 3rd Earl of
1810	10 Nov.	Office vacant
1812	7 Mar.	Hertford, 2nd Marquess of
1821	14 Dec.	Montrose, 3rd Duke of
1827	2 May	Devonshire, 6th Duke of
1828	23 Feb.	Montrose, 3rd Duke of
1830	8 Aug.	Jersey, 5th Earl of
1830	22 Nov.	Devonshire, 6th Duke of
1834	15 Dec.	Jersey, 5th Earl of
1835	23 Apr.	Wellesley, 1st Marquess
1835	20 May	Conyngham, 2nd Marquess

Vice Chamberlain 1660–1837

The vice chamberlain `is Deputy or Assistant to the Ld. Chamberlain, and in his Absence Commands.' Since many lords chamberlain were virtual absentees, much of the authority for making day-to-day decisions about the Chamber fell on the shoulders of the vice chamberlain. He was appointed by royal warrant. The remuneration amounted to £559 8s 4d consisting of wages of £66 13s 4d and board wages of £492 15s, plus lodgings. (fn. 6) On leaving office in 1694 Lowther was granted the arrears of an annuity of £600 at the Exchequer which was said to have been enjoyed by some of his predecessors. From this date this annuity was regularly granted to holders of the office on their appointment, bringing their total fixed income to £1,159 8s 4d. (fn. 7) During Anne's reign Coke received an annual allowance of £1,000 from the privy purse in addition to his other remuneration. (fn. 8)



1660	2 June	Carteret, Sir G.
1680	2 Sept.	Savile, H.
1687	8 Mar.	Porter, J.
1689	23 Feb.	Lowther, Sir J.
1694	19 Feb.	Bertie, Hon. P.
1706	3 Dec.	Coke, T.
1727	17 May	Stanhope, W.
1730	7 May	Hervey, Lord
1740	23 Apr.	Beauclerk, Lord S.
1742	13 July	Finch, Hon. W.
1765	20 July	Villiers, Viscount
1770	24 Feb.	Robinson, Hon. T.
1771	5 Feb.	Hinchingbrooke, Viscount
1782	3 May	Chewton, Viscount
1784	16 Nov.	Herbert, Lord
1794	27 Jan.	Greville, Hon. C.F.
1804	11 July	Thynne, Lord J.
1812	14 Mar.	Yarmouth, Earl of
1812	28 July	Jocelyn, Viscount
1821	7 Feb.	Graham, Marquess of
1827	5 May	Hulse, Sir S.
1830	8 Aug.	Belfast, Earl of
1834	29 Dec.	Castlereagh, Viscount
1835	2 July	Fitzroy, Lord C.

Lord Chamberlain's Secretariat and Office 1660–1837

The lord chamberlain was served by a number of officials who were appointed by and were immediately responsible to him. From the Restoration he had the services of a secretary. Richard Coling was assisted throughout his period of service (1660–97) by a deputy secretary, his brother Benjamin, (fn. 9) but this office appears to have lapsed thereafter. From 1707 John Evans occurs as clerk in the office. At his death in 1734 he was described as deputy secretary. (fn. 10) Thereupon two individuals were appointed to the distinct posts of deputy secretary and first clerk. From 1748 a second clerk is listed. In 1758 Robert Griffin, formerly first clerk, is listed as deputy secretary together with one other clerk. From the following year the pattern of a deputy secretary and two clerks was resumed. (fn. 11) In 1782 the office of deputy secretary was abolished. (fn. 12)

After 1782 the growing responsibilities of the lord chamberlain resulting from the abolition of the great wardrobe, the jewel office, the board of works and the office of treasurer of the Chamber necessitated the appointment of further staff. From 1785 two assistant clerks were listed and a third assistant had been appointed by 1800. (fn. 13) In 1801 the office of superintendent of payments was created. (fn. 14) In 1823 the secretariat underwent a substantial modification. Two new senior posts, one designated comptroller of accounts and superintendent of the duties of the department and the other inspector of accounts, were created. The former first clerk was designated chief clerk and the second clerkship abolished. Thereafter the establishment consisted of the secretary, the comptroller, the chief clerk, the inspector, the superintendent and three assistant clerks. (fn. 15) The office of secretary was abolished in 1830 whereupon the comptroller became the senior executive officer under the lord chamberlain. (fn. 16)

The salary of the secretary, originally £60, was raised to £580 in 1782. In that year the salaries of the two clerks were fixed at £200 and £110. (fn. 17) In 1823 provision was made as follows: secretary £750, comptroller £400, chief clerk, inspector and superintendent £300 and the three assistant clerks £200, £180 and £150. (fn. 18) In 1831 the salary of the comptroller was fixed at £700. (fn. 19)

In addition, from 1812 a series of inspectors of deliveries was established. The inspector of household deliveries at St. James's was `considered to be held during life or Good Behaviour' and made £500 plus £91 5s board wages and £29 5s in compensation for loss of perks. That for Windsor served during pleasure and made £400. (fn. 20) The running porter made £40 per annum, the porter £30 in 1782. (fn. 21) By 1836 the office porter made £60 plus £16 5s in fees, an £80 allowance as an assistant in the pay office and £50–60 in gratuities from individuals receiving payment. (fn. 22) By 1836 the office messenger made £60 plus £50 as assistant in the office, plus £182 10 s `for going to and from the General Post Office three times a day with the King's Bag and Boxes so heavy and large that a coach is frequently hired to convey them'. (fn. 23) The chamber keeper made £60 by 1836. (fn. 24)

Secretary 1660–1837



1660		Colinge, R.
1697	Apr.	Stanley, J.
1719	May	Pelham, J.
1761		Wilmot, Sir R.
1772		Keene, W.
1782	20 Apr.	Herbert, C.
1783		Keene, W.
1783		Calvert, J.

Deputy Secretary 1660–1837



1660		Colinge, B.
By1734		Evans, J.
1734		Maddockes, C.
By1758		Griffin, R.
By1759		Wilmot, Sir R.
1761		Bonfoy, N.
1762	Dec.	Trevor, R.
By 1778		Price, F.

Clerks c. 1707–1837



By 1707		Evans, J.
By 1736		Griffin, R.
By 1748		Suft, C.
By 1755		Lewis, R.
By 1759		Ely, W.
By 1759		Errat, E.
1762	Apr.	Crucifix, R.
By 1768		Wilmot, R.
By 1772		Wilmot, G.
By 1775		Ely, J.
By 1776		Betty, S.
1793	6 Sept.	Hale, J.
1806	22 Jan.	Mash, T.B.
1816	13 Feb.	Martins, W.
1837	10 Jan.	Edison, C.S.

Assistant Clerks c. 1785–1837



By 1785		Benning, A.
By 1785		Bradburne, G.
By 1786		Parsons, J.
1789	8 Aug.	Browell, H.
By 1793		Minshull, W.
1799	7 Dec.	Thomas, J.
By 1800		Ely, J.
1800	5 Apr.	Dance, E.
1806	22 Jan.	Martins, W.
1807	24 Apr.	Todhunter, W.
1816	13 Feb.	Mash, H.T.B.
1819	24 May	Browell, H.
1823	6 Jan.	Colman, E.C.
1823	6 Jan.	Thomas, J.
1825	4 May	Edison, C.S.
1826	10 Oct.	Browell, E.M.
1832	11 Dec.	Hampshire, W.
1834	30 Dec.	Bainbridge, G.M.
1835	19 Nov.	March, T.C.
1837	10 Jan.	Tupper, D.

Superintendent of Payments 1801–1837



1801	6 Jan.	Mash, T.B.
1806	22 Jan.	Browell, H.
1834	30 Dec.	Browell, H.
1835	19 Nov.	Edison, C.S.
1837	10 Jan.	Browell, E.M.

Comptroller 1823–1837



1823	6 Jan.	Mash, T.B.
1837	10 Jan.	Martins, W.

Inspector of Accounts 1823–1837



1823	6 Jan.	Mash, H.T.B.
1825	4 May	Browell, H.
1834	30 Dec.	Edison, C.S.
1835	19 Nov.	Browell, E.M.
1837	10 Jan.	Hampshire, W.

Inspector of Household Deliveries at Carlton House 1812–?1830



1812	10 July	Justsham, B.

Inspector of Household Deliveries at St. James's 1830–1837



1830	24 July	Justsham, B.

Inspector of Household Deliveries at Windsor Castle 1828–1837



1828	10 Sept.	Saunders, H.

?Under Clerks occ. 1693



By 1693		Colinge, C.
By 1693		Fordham, T.

Running Porter ( by 1792 Messenger) to the Lord Chamberlain 1782–1837



1782	29 Nov.	Nost, J., sen.
1824	6 May	Nost, J., jun.
1829	11 Sept.	Wood, J.

Office Porter to the Lord Chamberlain 1782–1802; 1807–1837



1782	29 Nov.	Nost, S.
By 1790		Fisher, J.
1802	5 Jan.	Seymour, G.
1803	6 Jan.	Martin, W.
By 1807		Fisher, T.
1810	5 Jan.	Brown, J.
1827		Brown, G.

Chamber Keeper to the [Secretary to the] Lord Chamberlain by 1707–1837



By 1707		Sheppard, C.
By 1708		Maypowder, R.
By 1711		Sheppard, C.
By 1716		Vickars, J.
By 1727		Gains, -
By 1735		Brown, C.
By 1762		Burgess, W.
1776	24 Oct.	Legard, J.
By 1787		Seymour, J.
1822		Moule, T.