Maison du Roi
Encyclopedia
The Maison du Roi was the name of the military, domestic and religious entourage around the royal family in France
during the Ancien Régime and Bourbon Restoration
; the exact composition and duties of its various divisions changed constantly over the Early Modern period
. Officers of the Maison du Roi were directly responsible to the Grand maître de France (Chief Steward), although, starting in the 16th century and then from the 17th century on, the Maison du Roi was overseen by a ministry, the Département de la Maison du Roi, directed by a secretary of state, the Secrétaire d'État à la Maison du Roi
. The structure of the Maison du Roi was officially reorganized under Henry III
in 1578 and 1585; and in the 17th century by Jean-Baptiste Colbert
.
Lifeguard
brigade, made up of cavalry and infantry units. Officer rank was only open to gentlemen, though some of its units were drawn from elite troops among commoners in the rest of the army. It was not ceremonial and participated in all France's 16th and 17th century campaigns.
(Grand aumônier de France) (created by Francis I
), most often a bishop
. The king's chapel (la chapelle du roi) — which did not originally refer to a building, but to the religious entourage of the king — was in charge of the mass and religious ceremonies (marriages, baptisms) for the sovereign and the royal family, and the king's alms
and public charities. It was headed by the Grand Almoner who was assisted by the First Almoner, who fulfilled the duties of the Grand Almoner when the latter was unable to. Other officers of the Maison ecclésiastique included several aumôniers ordinaires (who maintained the regular service of the chapel), the prédicateur du roi (or "king's preacher"), who preached in the presence of the king, and the king's confessor
.
The royal chapel also included a group of ecclesiastics and musicians for the religious services, divided into two sections: the chapel and oratory (chapelle et oratoire) — directed by the master of the Oratory (maître de l'Oratoire) — which performed spoken masses, and the grande chapelle — directed by the master of the chapel (maître de la chapelle) — which performed masses in plainchant
. In the reign of Louis XV
, the musicians of the two chapels were united. Oversight was eventually transferred (in 1761) from the Ecclesiastical household to the King's Chamber and the position of master of the chapel was eliminated.
it consisted of 22 departments. Each department was directed by the "grands officiers de la maison du roi de France" (a title similar to, but not the same as, "grand officier de la couronne de France"). From the 16th to the 17th centuries, the "Maison du Roi civile" consisted of around 1000 - 2000 individuals.
The most important departments were the following :
Officers included: the Maître d'hôtel ordinaire, the 12 Maîtres d'hôtel servant par quartier, the Grand panetier
, the Premier écuyer tranchant and the Grand échanson (three offices which had become purely honorific in the Early Modern period), and the 36 gentleman servants, etc.
, this department oversaw the king's rooms and his personal escort. After the "Bouche du roi", it was the second largest. It consist of 4 First Gentlemen of the chambre, the gentlemen of the chambre, the valets de chambre, the page
s, the huissiers and the children of honor. Their proximity to the king made these charges particularly esteemed.
was in charge of theater decor, costumes and props for plays, ballets and other court entertainments. It was run by an intendant.
, this service was in charge of public ceremonies such as: baptism
s, marriage
s and royal funerals, coronation
s and the "sacre" (or anointment), royal entries into towns, royal festivals, ambassadorial receptions, États généraux
, etc. It was run by the Grand maître des cérémonies, assisted by the maître and the aide of cérémonies.
(run by the Grand Falconer
) and the "vautrait" (boar hunt, run by the "Capitaine du vautrait" or "Capitaine des toiles").
, with which it overlaps in part. Although lists of the Great Officers vary, the following are generally considered Great Officers of the Royal Household:
Domestic Household:
Military Household:
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
during the Ancien Régime and Bourbon Restoration
Bourbon Restoration
The Bourbon Restoration is the name given to the period following the successive events of the French Revolution , the end of the First Republic , and then the forcible end of the First French Empire under Napoleon – when a coalition of European powers restored by arms the monarchy to the...
; the exact composition and duties of its various divisions changed constantly over the Early Modern period
Early Modern France
Kingdom of France is the early modern period of French history from the end of the 15th century to the end of the 18th century...
. Officers of the Maison du Roi were directly responsible to the Grand maître de France (Chief Steward), although, starting in the 16th century and then from the 17th century on, the Maison du Roi was overseen by a ministry, the Département de la Maison du Roi, directed by a secretary of state, the Secrétaire d'État à la Maison du Roi
Secretary of State of the Maison du Roi
The Secretary of State of the Maison du Roi was the secretary of state in France during the "Ancien Régime" and Bourbon Restoration in charge of the Département de la Maison du Roi...
. The structure of the Maison du Roi was officially reorganized under Henry III
Henry III of France
Henry III was King of France from 1574 to 1589. As Henry of Valois, he was the first elected monarch of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth with the dual titles of King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1573 to 1575.-Childhood:Henry was born at the Royal Château de Fontainebleau,...
in 1578 and 1585; and in the 17th century by Jean-Baptiste Colbert
Jean-Baptiste Colbert
Jean-Baptiste Colbert was a French politician who served as the Minister of Finances of France from 1665 to 1683 under the rule of King Louis XIV. His relentless hard work and thrift made him an esteemed minister. He achieved a reputation for his work of improving the state of French manufacturing...
.
The Military Maison du Roi
The military branch of the "Maison du Roi" was the French ArmyMilitary of France
The French Armed Forces encompass the French Army, the French Navy, the French Air Force and the National Gendarmerie. The President of the Republic heads the armed forces, with the title "chef des armées" . The President is the supreme authority for military matters and is the sole official who...
Lifeguard
Household Cavalry
The term Household Cavalry is used across the Commonwealth to describe the cavalry of the Household Divisions, a country’s most elite or historically senior military groupings or those military groupings that provide functions associated directly with the Head of state.Canada's Governor General's...
brigade, made up of cavalry and infantry units. Officer rank was only open to gentlemen, though some of its units were drawn from elite troops among commoners in the rest of the army. It was not ceremonial and participated in all France's 16th and 17th century campaigns.
The Religious Maison du Roi
The Ecclesiastical Household of the king was headed by the Grand Almoner of FranceGrand Almoner of France
The Grand Almoner of France was an officer of the French monarchy and a member of the Maison du Roi during the Ancien Régime...
(Grand aumônier de France) (created by Francis I
Francis I of France
Francis I was King of France from 1515 until his death. During his reign, huge cultural changes took place in France and he has been called France's original Renaissance monarch...
), most often a bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
. The king's chapel (la chapelle du roi) — which did not originally refer to a building, but to the religious entourage of the king — was in charge of the mass and religious ceremonies (marriages, baptisms) for the sovereign and the royal family, and the king's alms
Alms
Alms or almsgiving is a religious rite which, in general, involves giving materially to another as an act of religious virtue.It exists in a number of religions. In Philippine Regions, alms are given as charity to benefit the poor. In Buddhism, alms are given by lay people to monks and nuns to...
and public charities. It was headed by the Grand Almoner who was assisted by the First Almoner, who fulfilled the duties of the Grand Almoner when the latter was unable to. Other officers of the Maison ecclésiastique included several aumôniers ordinaires (who maintained the regular service of the chapel), the prédicateur du roi (or "king's preacher"), who preached in the presence of the king, and the king's confessor
Confessor
-Confessor of the Faith:Its oldest use is to indicate a saint who has suffered persecution and torture for the faith, but not to the point of death. The term is still used in this way in the East. In Latin Christianity it has come to signify any saint, as well as those who have been declared...
.
The royal chapel also included a group of ecclesiastics and musicians for the religious services, divided into two sections: the chapel and oratory (chapelle et oratoire) — directed by the master of the Oratory (maître de l'Oratoire) — which performed spoken masses, and the grande chapelle — directed by the master of the chapel (maître de la chapelle) — which performed masses in plainchant
Plainsong
Plainsong is a body of chants used in the liturgies of the Catholic Church. Though the Eastern Orthodox churches and the Catholic Church did not split until long after the origin of plainchant, Byzantine chants are generally not classified as plainsong.Plainsong is monophonic, consisting of a...
. In the reign of Louis XV
Louis XV of France
Louis XV was a Bourbon monarch who ruled as King of France and of Navarre from 1 September 1715 until his death. He succeeded his great-grandfather at the age of five, his first cousin Philippe II, Duke of Orléans, served as Regent of the kingdom until Louis's majority in 1723...
, the musicians of the two chapels were united. Oversight was eventually transferred (in 1761) from the Ecclesiastical household to the King's Chamber and the position of master of the chapel was eliminated.
The Domestic Maison du Roi
The "Maison du Roi civile", or domestic entourage of the king was divided into a number of departments, whose number varied over the years. Under Louis XIVLouis XIV of France
Louis XIV , known as Louis the Great or the Sun King , was a Bourbon monarch who ruled as King of France and Navarre. His reign, from 1643 to his death in 1715, began at the age of four and lasted seventy-two years, three months, and eighteen days...
it consisted of 22 departments. Each department was directed by the "grands officiers de la maison du roi de France" (a title similar to, but not the same as, "grand officier de la couronne de France"). From the 16th to the 17th centuries, the "Maison du Roi civile" consisted of around 1000 - 2000 individuals.
The most important departments were the following :
The "Bouche du roi"
The largest of the departments, the "Bouche du roi" oversaw the meals of the king. It was run by the "Premier Maître d'hôtel". The seven offices of the department were:- gobelet: wine and drink, run by the Grand Bouteiller
- cuisine-bouche: cuisine
- paneterie: bakers
- échansonnerie:
- cuisine-commun:
- fruiterie: fruits
- fourrière:
Officers included: the Maître d'hôtel ordinaire, the 12 Maîtres d'hôtel servant par quartier, the Grand panetier
Grand Panetier
The Grand Panetier of France was one of the Great Officers of the Crown of France, a member of the Maison du Roi , one of the Great Offices of the Maison du Roi, and functional chief of the " paneterie" or bread department.-French history:Originally the...
, the Premier écuyer tranchant and the Grand échanson (three offices which had become purely honorific in the Early Modern period), and the 36 gentleman servants, etc.
The King's Chamber
Directed by the Grand Chambrier of France or Grand Chambellan of FranceGrand Chamberlain of France
The Grand Chamberlain of France was one of the Great Officers of the Crown of France, a member of the Maison du Roi , and one of the Great Offices of the Maison du Roi during the Ancien Régime...
, this department oversaw the king's rooms and his personal escort. After the "Bouche du roi", it was the second largest. It consist of 4 First Gentlemen of the chambre, the gentlemen of the chambre, the valets de chambre, the page
Page (servant)
A page or page boy is a traditionally young male servant, a messenger at the service of a nobleman or royal.-The medieval page:In medieval times, a page was an attendant to a knight; an apprentice squire...
s, the huissiers and the children of honor. Their proximity to the king made these charges particularly esteemed.
The "Menus-Plaisirs"
The complete name of this department was argenterie, menus plaisirs et affaires de la chambre du roi ("silver, small entertainments and affairs of the king's chamber"). The Menus-Plaisirs du RoiMenus-Plaisirs du Roi
The Menus-Plaisirs du Roi was, in the organisation of the French royal household under the Ancien Régime, the department of the Maison du Roi responsible for the "lesser pleasures of the King", which meant in practice that it was in charge of all the preparations for ceremonies, events and...
was in charge of theater decor, costumes and props for plays, ballets and other court entertainments. It was run by an intendant.
The Ceremonies
Created in 1585 by Henry IIIHenry III of France
Henry III was King of France from 1574 to 1589. As Henry of Valois, he was the first elected monarch of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth with the dual titles of King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1573 to 1575.-Childhood:Henry was born at the Royal Château de Fontainebleau,...
, this service was in charge of public ceremonies such as: baptism
Baptism
In Christianity, baptism is for the majority the rite of admission , almost invariably with the use of water, into the Christian Church generally and also membership of a particular church tradition...
s, marriage
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
s and royal funerals, coronation
Coronation
A coronation is a ceremony marking the formal investiture of a monarch and/or their consort with regal power, usually involving the placement of a crown upon their head and the presentation of other items of regalia...
s and the "sacre" (or anointment), royal entries into towns, royal festivals, ambassadorial receptions, États généraux
French States-General
In France under the Old Regime, the States-General or Estates-General , was a legislative assembly of the different classes of French subjects. It had a separate assembly for each of the three estates, which were called and dismissed by the king...
, etc. It was run by the Grand maître des cérémonies, assisted by the maître and the aide of cérémonies.
The Royal Stables
Divided in 1582 into two parts :- the "Grande Écurie", run by the Grand écuyer of France, called « M. le Grand », who oversaw the transport of the king and his ceremonial entourage (heralds, men of arms, musicians, etc.)
- the "Petite Écurie", run by the premier écuyer, called « M. le Premier », comprising squires, pages, foot valets, coaches, harnesses, saddles and coachmen.
The Venery
This was the king's hunting service, run by the Grand Veneur (the Master of the Hunt and Royal Game Warden), and consisting of the "vénerie" (hunting on horseback), "louveterie" (the hunt of wolves run by the Grand Louvetier), falcon huntingFalconry
Falconry is "the taking of wild quarry in its natural state and habitat by means of a trained raptor". There are two traditional terms used to describe a person involved in falconry: a falconer flies a falcon; an austringer flies a hawk or an eagle...
(run by the Grand Falconer
Grand Falconer
Grand Falconer may refer to:* Grand Falconer of France* Hereditary Grand Falconer of England, title of the Duke of St Albans...
) and the "vautrait" (boar hunt, run by the "Capitaine du vautrait" or "Capitaine des toiles").
Great Officers of the Royal Household
The major offices of the royal household are sometimes listed as the "grands officiers de la maison du roi de France", not to be confused with the Great Officers of the Crown of FranceGreat Officers of the Crown of France
The Great Officers of the Crown of France, known as the Grand Dignitaries of the Empire during the French Empire, were the most important officers of state of the royal court in France during the Ancien Régime and Bourbon Restoration. They were appointed by the French monarch, with all but the...
, with which it overlaps in part. Although lists of the Great Officers vary, the following are generally considered Great Officers of the Royal Household:
Domestic Household:
- Grand Maître de France (also one of the Great Officers of the Crown of FranceGreat Officers of the Crown of FranceThe Great Officers of the Crown of France, known as the Grand Dignitaries of the Empire during the French Empire, were the most important officers of state of the royal court in France during the Ancien Régime and Bourbon Restoration. They were appointed by the French monarch, with all but the...
). - the First Maître d'hôtel (Chief Butler) - overseeing the king's table and the "bouches du roi".
- * the Grand PanetierGrand PanetierThe Grand Panetier of France was one of the Great Officers of the Crown of France, a member of the Maison du Roi , one of the Great Offices of the Maison du Roi, and functional chief of the " paneterie" or bread department.-French history:Originally the...
of France, overseeing bread. - :* the Grand Échanson de France, overseeing wine. ::* the First "Écuyer tranchant", who cuts the meat of the king.
- the Grand Chambrier of France or the Grand ChambellanGrand Chamberlain of FranceThe Grand Chamberlain of France was one of the Great Officers of the Crown of France, a member of the Maison du Roi , and one of the Great Offices of the Maison du Roi during the Ancien Régime...
of France, head of the King's chambre, (also one of the Great Officers of the Crown of FranceGreat Officers of the Crown of FranceThe Great Officers of the Crown of France, known as the Grand Dignitaries of the Empire during the French Empire, were the most important officers of state of the royal court in France during the Ancien Régime and Bourbon Restoration. They were appointed by the French monarch, with all but the...
).
- the Grand Maître de la garde-robe, oversees the King's wardrobe..
- the Grand Écuyer de FranceGrand Squire of FranceThe Grand Écuyer de France or Grand Squire of France or Grand Equerry of France was one of the Great Officers of the Crown of France and a member of the Maison du Roi during the Ancien Régime. The name "écuyer", the French word for squire, is the origin for the French word "écurie" and the...
, the head stablemaster, (also one of the Great Officers of the Crown of FranceGreat Officers of the Crown of FranceThe Great Officers of the Crown of France, known as the Grand Dignitaries of the Empire during the French Empire, were the most important officers of state of the royal court in France during the Ancien Régime and Bourbon Restoration. They were appointed by the French monarch, with all but the...
).
- the Grand Huntsman of FranceGrand Huntsman of FranceThe Grand Veneur de France or Grand Huntsman of France was a position in the King's Household in France during the Ancien Régime. The word French "veneur" , derives from the Middle French word "vener" , from which also was derived the archaic English words "venerer" and "venery"...
("Grand Veneur"), directs royal hunts, especially the stag hunt. - the Grand Falconer of FranceGrand Falconer of FranceThe Grand Falconer of France was a position in the King's Household in France from the Middle Ages to the French Revolution. The position first appeared in 1250 as "Master Falconer of the King" ; the title was changed to Grand Falconer in 1406, although the title "First Falconer" was sometimes...
, direct royal hunts using birds of prey. - the Grand Louvetier of FranceWolfcatcher RoyalThe Wolfcatcher Royal , a position also known historically as the Grand Wolfcatcher which is presently known as lieutenant de louveterie, was first established as a prestigious office in the House of the King during the Ancien Régime and Bourbon Restoration of France, tracing its inception to the...
, direct royal hunts of wolves and boar. - the Grand Master of Ceremonies of FranceGrand Master of CeremoniesThe Grand Master of Ceremonies of France or Grand maître des cérémonies de France was one of the Great Officers of the Maison du Roi during the Ancien Régime and Bourbon Restoration...
("grand maître des cérémonies"), directs court ceremonies and protocol. - the Grand Marshal of lodging ("maréchal des logis"), oversees lodging of the king, of the court and of the royal household.
- the Grand Provost of France, heads the court police, and for this purpose has jurisdiction over the military troops of the Maison du roi.
- the Grand Almoner of FranceGrand Almoner of FranceThe Grand Almoner of France was an officer of the French monarchy and a member of the Maison du Roi during the Ancien Régime...
, at the head of the royal chapel and the head of the "Ecclesiastical House of the King (the "maison ecclésiastique du roi de France").
- the Grand Chambrier of France or the Grand Chambellan
Military Household:
- Captain of the bodyguard.
- Captain-colonel of the Cent-Suisses
- Colonel GeneralColonel General (France)A Colonel General was an officer of the French army during the Ancien Régime, Napoleonic era and the Bourbon Restoration.The positions were not military ranks, but rather offices of the crown. The position was first created under François I. The Colonels General served directly below the Marshals...
of the Suisses et Grisons - Captain-colonel of the guards of the king's door.
- Captain-lieutenant of the gendarmes of the guard
- Captain-lieutenant of the chevau-légers (light cavalryLight cavalryLight cavalry refers to lightly armed and lightly armored troops mounted on horses, as opposed to heavy cavalry, where the riders are heavily armored...
) of the guard - Colonel GeneralColonel General (France)A Colonel General was an officer of the French army during the Ancien Régime, Napoleonic era and the Bourbon Restoration.The positions were not military ranks, but rather offices of the crown. The position was first created under François I. The Colonels General served directly below the Marshals...
of the Musketeers of the guard- Captain-lieutenant of the first company of the Musketeers of the guard
- Captain-lieutenant of the first company of the Musketeers of the guard
- Captain-lieutenant of the grenadiers à cheval of the guard
The Secretary of State of the Maison du Roi
Starting in the 16th century and then from the 17th century on, the "Maison du Roi" was overseen by a ministry, the "Département de la Maison du Roi", directed by a secretary of state, the "Secrétaire d'État à la Maison du Roi", although this oversight was purely formal, as the officers of the "Maison du Roi" were under the direct authority of the Grand maître de France (Chief Steward of France). Moreover, in practice, the military branch of the Maison du Roi was run by the Minister of War. The "Secrétaire d'État à la Maison du Roi" was however in charge of recruiting officers for the "Maison du Roi", and would receive prospective applications for posts and submit them to the king for his approval.See also
- Great Officers of the Crown of FranceGreat Officers of the Crown of FranceThe Great Officers of the Crown of France, known as the Grand Dignitaries of the Empire during the French Empire, were the most important officers of state of the royal court in France during the Ancien Régime and Bourbon Restoration. They were appointed by the French monarch, with all but the...
- French nobilityFrench nobilityThe French nobility was the privileged order of France in the Middle Ages and the Early Modern periods.In the political system of the Estates General, the nobility made up the Second Estate...
- Early Modern FranceEarly Modern FranceKingdom of France is the early modern period of French history from the end of the 15th century to the end of the 18th century...
External links
- La Maison du Roi on www.heraldica.org (in English)
- French heraldry site (in French) - Grand Officers of the Crown and Grand Officers of the Household
- French herladry site (in French) - Maison du roi civile