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In medieval times, a page was an attendant to a nobleman, a knight, a governor or a castellan. [1] Until the age of about seven, sons of noble families would receive training in manners and basic literacy from their mothers or other female relatives.
Neither Greek nor Latin had a word corresponding to modern-day "family". The Latin familia must be translated to "household" rather than "family". [1] The aristocratic household of ancient Rome was similar to that of medieval Europe, in that it consisted – in addition to the paterfamilias, his wife and children – of a number of clients , or dependents of the lord who would attend upon him ...
The servants were organized into a hierarchy which was arranged in ranks according to the level of responsibility. [1] The highest rank, which reported directly to the Chief Officer and oversaw an individual Household Office, was the Sergeant. [3] The word was introduced to England by the Normans, and meant an attendant or servant. [10]
A 17th-century valet de chambre. A valet or varlet is a male servant who serves as personal attendant to his employer. In the Middle Ages and Ancien Régime, valet de chambre was a role for junior courtiers and specialists such as artists in a royal court, but the term "valet" by itself most often refers to a normal servant responsible for the clothes and personal belongings of an employer ...
The Groom of the Stool was a male servant in the household of the English monarch who was responsible for assisting the king in his toileting needs. [5] It is a matter of some debate as to whether the duties involved cleaning the king's anus, but the groom is known to have been responsible for supplying a bowl, water and towels and also for monitoring the king's diet and bowel movements [6 ...
In post-classical history, an affinity was a collective name for the group of (usually) men whom a lord gathered around himself in his service; it has been described by one modern historian as "the servants, retainers, and other followers of a lord", [1] and as "part of the normal fabric of society". [2]
Other duties included carving the knight's meat. Despite being a servant, it was a high status job and could serve as training for future knights. [2] Many squires were hired servants with no known pedigree. [3] Use of the term evolved over time. Initially, a squire could be a knight's servant that fought with his lord.
They performed a less essential role than the cook, maid or even butler, and were employed only by the grandest households. Since a footman was for show as much as for work, his good looks were highly prized, including a tall stature and well-turned legs, shown off by the traditional footman's dress of stockings below knee breeches .