The household below stairs: Household Kitchen

Household Kitchen

(1660–1685; 1689–1699; 1702–1714; 1727–1761)

The household kitchen, also known in the seventeenth century as the 'Lords' Side' or 'Hall Place' kitchen, had a disconnected history, being merged with the Queen's kitchen 1664–8 and suppressed 1685–9, 1699–1702 and 1714–27. It was finally abolished in 1761. (fn. 1) Its 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 green cloth in rotation. In 1662 the remuneration of the master cook was fixed at wages of £11 8s 1½d and board wages of £146, reduced to £60 in 1680 but raised to £80 in 1689. (fn. 2)

Five yeomen were appointed in 1660. They were reduced successively to four 1662, then to one, serving both the Queen's and household kitchens, following the abolition of dining rights for most of the King's servants and guests, in 1663–64. A second yeoman served between 1683 and 1685. One served between 1689 and 1699 and four between 1727 and 1761. In 1668 the remuneration was fixed at wages of £5 and board wages of £20 5s 6d. Board wages were increased to £45 12s in 1674 but reduced to £35 in 1680. In 1689 the remuneration was fixed at £50 consisting of wages of £5 and board wages of £45. In 1727 board wages were raised to £53. (fn. 3)

Four grooms were appointed in 1660. There was a reduction to one serving both the Queen's and household kitchen, in 1664. A second served between 1683 and 1685. One groom served between 1689 and 1699. Three were appointed in 1702 being joined by a fourth in 1707. Three served between 1727 and 1761. In 1668 the remuneration was fixed at wages of £2 13s 4d and board wages of £20 5s 6d. Board wages were raised to £40 in 1674 but reduced to £27 6s 8d in 1680. Fixed at £37 6s 8d in 1689, they were raised to £47 6s 8d from 1702. (fn. 4)

Provision was made for six children in 1662. Between 1664 and 1685 there was never more than one holder of the post. Two children served from 1689 to 1699 and from 1702 to 1714, four from 1727 to 1761. The children were granted board wages of £18 5s in 1662. In 1674 the remuneration was raised to wages of £2 and board wages of £36 10s. Board wages were reduced to £22 6s 8d in 1680 but were increased, first, to £33 in 1689 and, finally, to £38 in 1702. (fn. 5)

At the Restoration a total of thirty-six turnbroaches served in all kitchens. The Establishment of 1 Dec. 1662 is the first to distinguish servants of the household (or side) kitchen from those of the privy kitchen. This lists twelve turnbroaches of the household kitchen at £15 4s 2d. The turnbroaches of the Queen's and household kitchens were merged into just four positions in 1664. A separate household kitchen was revived with two turnbroaches at £13 3s 9d in 1668. This was raised to £18 5s in 1674. The household kitchen was abolished in 1685, but revived in 1689, when it was assigned four turnbroaches with board wages of £30 apiece. The household kitchen was abolished by the unsigned Establishment of 1 Oct. 1699. It was restored, with three turnbroaches in 1702. The household kitchen was abolished in 1714 but revived in 1727, when four turnbroaches were named. The household kitchen was finally abolished at the accession of George III. (fn. 6)

At the Restoration there were ten porters and scourers of the kitchens. The Establishment of 1 December 1662 assigned four such servants to the household kitchen at £15 4s per annum apiece. That of 1664 named two scourers of the household and Queen's kitchens at £2 in wages and £18 5 s board wages. In 1668 two scourers were restored to the household kitchen alone at the same wages and £13 13s 9d. The 1664 rate was restored in 1674. James II eliminated the household kitchen. The office and its two scourers were restored in 1689 at £2 wages and £28 board wages only to be abolished again by the Establishment of 1 Oct. 1699. A single scourer was restored in 1702. After abolition in 1714, the single scourer was restored in 1727. (fn. 7)

The soil carrier, first established in 1727, received board wages of £20 per annum. The doorkeeper made £30 in board wages per annum. His position was abolished in 1699, revived in 1702, abolished again in 1714 and restored around 1724. It was permanently eliminated at the death of George II. (fn. 8)

The Household Kitchen was abolished at the accession of George III.

Master Cook

(1660–1685; 1689–1699; 1702–1714; 1727–1761)

Supernumerary Master Cook 1686–1688

Yeomen

(1660–1685; 1689–1699; 1702–1714; 1727–1761)

Grooms

(1660–1685; 1689–1699; 1702–1714; 1727–1761)

Children

(1660–1685; 1689–1699; 1702–1714; 1727–1761)

Supernumerary Child 1681–1684

Turnbroaches

(1662–1664; 1668–1685; 1689–1699; 1702–1714; 1727–1761)

Scourers of the Household Kitchen

(1662–1664; 1668–1685; 1689–1699; 1702–1714; 1727–1760)

Soil-Carrier 1727–1760

Doorkeeper

(1689–1699; 1702–1714; ?1724–1760)