Page 25 - All About History - Issue 19-14

Kings & Queens

ACCOMPANY THE QUEEN
In the Tudor era having a large entourage was a
sign of power, and ladies in waiting were often
chosen to add glamour and beauty. She would
accompany the queen wherever she went and
would also serve as a buffer between the queen
and talkative or irritating nobles who tended to
monopolise the conversation. A good lady in
waiting could immediately tell when her mistress
needed ‘rescuing.’

CATCH UP ON

CORRESPONDENCE
Far more than simply a best friend to the queen,
a lady in waiting fulfilled a variety of duties in the
household. They would read letters to the monarch
and also write on her behalf, often penning
politically important letters and thus staying in the
loop with the latest news. The court companions
ensured smooth running of the palace by keeping
a tight watch on the servants and maintaining the
royal wardrobe.

GOSSIP
Ladies in waiting were a queen’s most loyal and
trusted companions, and the monarch could talk
to them on a level of trust unlike anyone else,
even her own husband. Ladies in waiting would
frequently keep the queen up to date with the
latest gossip going around court and, because of
this uniquely close relationship with the monarch,
many ladies in waiting became embroiled in
serious royal scandals.

Anne Boleyn and Catherine
Howard’s lady in waiting, Jane ATTEND A MASQUE
Rochford, played a part in
bringing about their executions A lady in waiting was an integral and important
part of a royal court and her presence would
be expected at balls and masques (courtly
entertainment that involved music and dancing).
This was also an opportunity for the royal
companion herself to form powerful links and
make an impression on the English nobility. It was
during a court masque that Anne Boleyn made her
first documented appearance.

GO TO BED
The personal assistants provided company to the
queen in every aspect of her life, including the
bedroom. A lady in waiting would frequently sleep
in the same room as the queen, either in the same
bed or on a smaller bed beside her. This wasn’t
considered scandalous at all, as the queen lived a
Lady in waiting was an enviable life of constant threat, so it was essential for her
position, and noble families © Getty Images; Alamy; Cambridge University Press
would train their children in the to have company at all hours. Queen Elizabeth I’s
courtly arts to secure such a role ladies would even soothe her to sleep with singing
or reading.

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