Esquire of the Body facts for kids
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An Esquire of the Body was a special helper and friend to the Kings of England. This job existed a long time ago, from the late Middle Ages to the early modern period. A Knight of the Body was a similar role. Sometimes, an Esquire who became a knight was called a Knight of the Body. The exact differences between these two jobs are not always clear. They probably changed over time. These roles also existed in smaller royal courts, like that of the Prince of Wales.
These positions could be a big step up for someone working in the royal court. They were important for politicians or soldiers. Famous people who held these jobs include William FitzWilliam, 1st Earl of Southampton and John Dudley, 1st Duke of Northumberland. John Howard, 1st Duke of Norfolk was also one.
Part of the job was like being a bodyguard. But it was also given to companions the king liked. It could also be given to important people from different regions. This helped connect them to the king's group of supporters. This role was a bit like the French valet de chambre and similar jobs in other European countries.
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The Role of an Esquire of the Body
The job of Esquire in Ordinary of the King's Body became a formal position. It was part of the English royal household. A book called the Liber Niger was like a rulebook for the royal household. It said that an Esquire of the Body had to be "attendant upon the king's person." This meant they were always near the king. Their duties included helping the king get dressed and undressed. They also had to "watch day and night" to be ready to help him. The book said "no man else [is] to set hands on the king."
It was a great honor to have this job. Because they were so close to the king, they could become very influential. For example, George Boleyn helped Henry VIII get dressed. He also had the king's full attention.
Daily Duties and Responsibilities
By the time of Henry VIII, these job holders were usually knights. Knights were allowed to have two esquires and a page boy to help them. At least two Esquires of the Body were always with the King.
Six courtiers, along with a barber and a page, helped the King in his bedroom. This happened when he woke up in the morning. They were in charge of dressing the King in his underwear. After that, he would go to the privy chamber to finish dressing. There, Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber helped him.
When the King ate, two Esquires would sit at his feet. At least two others would serve his food. Another Esquire would serve drinks. This drink was given to him by the Chief Butler. Other Esquires would bring the basin and water for washing. At other times, Esquires would help the King with simple tasks. This included carrying his cloak.
Nighttime Control of the Household
During the night, the Esquires of the Body on duty had full control. They took over all the jobs that others did during the day. This included roles like the Lord Great Chamberlain and Gentleman Ushers. No household business could happen at night without their permission. No messages could be given to the King without their approval either.
Changes Over Time
Eventually, the job became more formal. It did not always involve dressing the monarch. This was especially true for female monarchs. For example, the writer John Lyly was made an honorary Esquire of the Body. This happened in the late 1580s for Queen Elizabeth I. It was to thank him for entertaining her. For the Queen, ladies-in-waiting did the personal tasks. These were the tasks Esquires had done for her father.
The job of Esquire of the Body also existed in other royal courts. For instance, Sir Robert Fullhurst was an Esquire of the Body. He served Edward of Westminster, Prince of Wales, who was the son of King Henry VI.
When the monarchy returned in England in 1660, four Esquires of the Body were appointed. This number was cut to two when King James II became king in 1685. The position was completely removed from the English royal household in 1702. This happened when Queen Anne became queen.
Understanding Knights of the Body
Besides Esquires of the Body, there were also Knights of the Body. These were found in English royal households in the late Middle Ages. An old writer named Samuel Pegge said that Knights of the Body were Esquires who had been knighted. He also said that one Knight of the Body could sometimes do the work of two Esquires. Josiah Wedgwood and Anne Holt also wrote about this. They said that Esquires of the Body who became knights became Knights of the Body.
In the mid-1300s, Knights of the Body were ranked higher than Esquires of the Body. However, historian Rosemary Horrox noted that their backgrounds were very similar. It was common for people to move from one role to the other. A book from around 1471-72 suggested that both Knights and Esquires of the Body were more important. They were more important than King's Knights or King's Esquires. But in reality, these titles were often used loosely.
Growth and Evolution of the Role
Historian Chris Given-Wilson believes that Knights of the Body appeared in the mid-1300s. This was part of a bigger change in the royal household. The "chamber" (the king's private rooms) became more important. Because of this, regular household knights became less important. A new group of "chamber knights" became very important. During the 1400s, these chamber knights became known as 'knights of the body'. Their numbers and duties stayed similar.
Over the late 1400s, the number of Knights of the Body grew. There were ten in the first ten years of Edward IV's rule (1460–70). By the end of his rule in 1483, there were thirty. According to Horrox, Edward promoted members of his household. King's Knights were often promoted to be Knights of the Body. In Richard III's household (1483–85), there were fifty Knights of the Body. Later, in 1518, the Knights of the Body joined with Esquires of the Household. They formed a new job called Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber.
In later times, this title was often given to important local leaders. These were men who already held jobs like Justice of the Peace or Sheriff in their county. They probably did not spend much time at court. Later court jobs often rotated among several people. They would attend the monarch for set times, like two months each year. Similar plans might have been in place for Knights of the Body. The role was partly like a bodyguard. Many professional soldiers held this position. During wartime, it was probably like being a modern aide-de-camp or staff officer.
