The household below stairs: Queen's Kitchen 1663-1737

Queen's Kitchen 1663–1737

This sub-department, known officially as the Queen's privy kitchen, existed from the Restoration in 1660 and during the consortships of Queens Consort Katherine 1663–85 and Mary 1685–8, Queen Mary II 1689–94 and Queen Consort Caroline 1727–37. It was not revived for Queen Consort Charlotte in 1761. Between 1664 and 1668 it was combined with the King's privy kitchen.

The establishment consisted of a master cook, appointed by royal warrant, yeomen, grooms and children, appointed by lord steward's warrant and turnbroaches, scourers, soil carriers and door keepers appointed by the clerks of the green cloth in rotation. The office of master cook was held singly except during the years 1685–8 when two served. The remuneration provided in 1663 consisted of wages of £11 8s 1½d and board wages of £219. After some variations the board wages were fixed at £80 in 1680. In 1685 the salary was fixed at £80. In 1689 the remuneration was raised to £120 consisting of wages of £11 8s 1½d and board wages of £108 11s 10½d. In addition, two Portuguese cooks were noted in the Establishment of 30 June 1662. In 1668 they were established at £2 in wages and £24 6s 8d in board wages. Board wages fell to £18 54s apiece on the Establishment of 1680. The position was eliminated on that of 1685. (fn. 1)

One yeoman served from 1660 to 1685, when the office was discontinued. Two served from 1689 to 1694 and three from 1727 to 1737. In 1663 remuneration was fixed at wages of £5 and board wages of £30 8s 4d. Board wages fluctuated thereafter, settling at £35 in 1680. In 1689 the remuneration was raised to £50 consisting of wages of £5 and board wages of £45. (fn. 2)

Two grooms were appointed in 1660, but they were reduced to one at wages of £2 13s 4d and board wages of £30 8s 4d on the establishment of 1663. The following year a single groom, with the above wages and board wages rising to £36 10s, was appointed to serve both the Queen's and household kitchens. Board wages fluctuated on subsequent establishments before being fixed at £27 6s 8d in 1680. In 1685 a salary of £30 was provided. In 1689 the number of grooms was fixed at two at £40 consisting of wages of £2 13s 4d and board wages of £37 6s 8d. Between 1727 and 1737 a third groom served at the same rate. (fn. 3)

Four children were apparently appointed in 1660. In 1663 two were established at wages of £2 and board wages of £30 8s 4d. The number was reduced to one in 1664, to serve both the Queen's and household kitchens. In 1674 two were appointed with board wages of £36 10s falling to £22 6s 8d in 1680. In 1685 a single child was appointed with a salary of £25. The number rose to two in 1689 with wages of £2 and board wages of £13. Between 1727 and 1737 four children served with board wages increased to £38. A supernumerary child was appointed in 1673, 1682 and 1692. (fn. 4)

The Establishment of 1663 provides for four turnbroaches at £13 12 s apiece. That of 1664 lists three turnbroaches of the Queen's and household kitchens. The Establishment of 1668 established three such servants in the Queen's Kitchen at the same fee, which was raised in 1674 to £18 5s. Their number fell to two in 1685, but was raised to four at £30 per annum in 1689. These places were abolished on the unsigned Establishment of 1 Oct. 1699. They were restored to 1689 levels of staffing and remuneration in 1727. The office was apparently abolished with the death of Queen Caroline in 1737. (fn. 5)

The Establishment of 1663 provided for two porters and scourers of the Queen's kitchen at wages of £2 and board wages of £18 5s. That of 1664 provided for two scourers of the Queen's and household kitchens at the same rate. That of 1668 established two such servants for this office alone at the above remuneration. Their number was reduced to one at £25 per annum in 1685, but raised again to two at £28 in 1689. The place was abolished on the unsigned Establishment of 1 Oct. 1699. It was restored at the 1689 levels of staffing and remuneration in 1727. The office was apparently abolished in 1737. (fn. 6)

The soil carrier, first established in 1727, made £20 per annum. The doorkeeper made £30 per annum. This place was abolished on the unsigned Establishment of 1699, but restored in 1727. (fn. 7)

Master Cooks 1663–1702; 1727–1737

Portuguese Cooks 1668–1685

Yeomen 1660–1702; 1727–1737

Grooms 1660–1702; 1727–1737

Children 1660–1702; 1727–1737

Supernumerary Children

(1673–1674; 1682–1683; 1692–1697)

Turnbroaches 1662–1702; 1727–?1737 (fn. 8)

(1664–1668 no distinction between Queen's and Household Kitchen)

Scourers 1661–1702; 1727–1737

(1664–1668 no distinction between Queen's and Household Kitchen)

Supernumerary Scourer 1689–1699

Soil-Carrier 1727–?1737

Doorkeepers 1668–1685; 1689–?1699; 1727–?1738

(See also Turnbroaches of the Queen's Privy Kitchen)