According to Caroline zum Kolk, “In the long history of the household of the queen of France, the sixteenth century marked a peak: never before or since was its staff so numerous, or was it so deeply involved in life at court.”
To give a sense of the size and complexity of the French queens’ household, this blog article will cover why it blossomed during the period, provide numbers and summarize the 10 household dpartments and their functions.
The Expansion of the Court
First, her household was called her ‘hôtel’ or ‘maison.’ In 1494, Anne of Brittany’s first recorded household contained 88 persons. Two years later, when she returned to Amboise, it had grown to 253. From there, it just kept growing. By 1589, at the end of the Valois dynasty, Queen Louise de Lorraine had a court of 404. Why did is grow so huge?
in 1496, King Charles returned from Italy bringing his passion for the Italian Renaissance. In Italy he had discovered that in the Italian courts, women were present in greater numbers, and they participated in the cultural and political life. The Italian courts displayed their power and wealth through their luxury and refinement. They became his model, so he encouraged the expansion of his wife’s court.
France’s growing wealth allowed the display of wealth and luxury. The Italian Wars were profitable for France. This increased wealth encouraged a heightened level of royal display, and more pageantry and pomp. Ceremonies, such as Entrées into cities became more frequent and lavish for both the king and queen. This led to a need for more staff.
By expanding the court, both the king and queen could reward their allies and loyal vassals with positions and offices close to the seat of power. They could then keep these loyal servitors close and use their services. They also used patronage bring artists and writers to court, who then extolled them, increasing their renown, increasing grandeur of their name.
Typical Structure—16th Century French Queen’s Household
Ms. Von Kolk explains that the typical household included 10 departments, each with its own functions. [The tables are derived from Ms. Von Kolk’s masterful article.]
Living Conditions at a 16th Century Chateau
When you consider that there were times when other equally important woman were housed at the royal court with their own equally extensive households one can only imagine the crowded conditions and overflowing facilities. For example, Charlotte of Naples who lived at Queen Anne’s court had a suite suitable for a princess. And of course the king has his own suite, larger than the queen’s,, in each Chateau so when they lived in the same one, the total easily reach 1000 people.
This of course does not include the guards who travelled with the king and queen to guard their persons and secure the castle when they were present; the castellan and his household who lived permanently in each location with skeleton staff and its guards, etc. Privacy would be hard to come by.
Reference
Caroline zum Kolk, “The Household of the Queen of France in the Sixteenth Century”, dans The Court Historian, volume 14, number 1, june 2009. Article réédité en ligne le 1er mars 2012.