Expert: Mark Smith - 7/15/2006

Question
Dear Sir, I wonder if you could tell me how the people of the court lived. Did they get paid for beening there. Was it like a job? Or were they expected to contribute to their keep. It just seems it would have been so expensive to feed, entertain and amuse all these people.  Thankyou for your time. Elizabeth.

Answer
Hello Elizabeth. Courtiers in Mediaeval and Tudor/Stewart times were not paid, servants were, but not courtiers. They were usually men and women from a noble backgound and were often wealthy themselves. The positions were sought after as being prestigious and could lead to Royal favour such as grants of land or manors, gifts, annuities or pensions, monopolies on goods and wardships. The Monarch paid for the upkeep of Court him or herself out of taxation, the greatest expenditure going on servants' wages and food for the hundreds of people attending Court. Money could be made out of being a courtier, but it could be expensive too as it often took a large gift to the Monarch before you would be accepted in an official position. And of course the Monarch could invite him or herself to your house for a few days which would cost you thousands of pounds. Elizabeth I was renowned for doing this.
In more recent times the number of official positions at Court declined and all the posts became paid.
Mark