The Earl of Dorset and the Sale of Offices in the Household above Stairs, 1689–97

Moores, Teri

The Earl of Dorset and the Sale of Offices in the Household above Stairs, 1689–97

Resource type

Journal article

Creator (person)

Moores, Teri

Date published

December 7, 2015

Abstract

The sale of offices in the Household above Stairs by the Lord Chamberlain and his subordinates during the tenure of the sixth earl of Dorset is examined in its broader context, and allegations of venality and attempts at reform are assessed. New evidence is presented to show that this controversial practice was considered, by the Crown at least, and by Dorset himself, to be a legitimate perquisite of the Lord Chamberlain and other great officers at court as a supplement to their salaries, which had been eroded by the loss of tables of hospitality and other perquisites earlier in the century, and which did not adequately reflect their superior status. Hard-to-come-by records of such transactions reveal the substantial sums of money received by the Lord Chamberlain from his sale of specific offices, and the brokerage fees exacted whenever other offices were sold by the incumbents. Such evidence indicates that the process was carried on routinely, systematically and overtly.