Letter relating to the Privy Chamber

Copy of a letter from Sir Frederick Madden, 10 Dec 1840, to Sir Frederick Fowke concerning 'our grievances as Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber', with a memorandum in Madden's hand dated 23 Jan 1841 and headed 'Copy of a paper sent to H.R.H. [Augustus Frederick] the Duke of Sussex drawn up by me at his own request', with notes on the history of the Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber since the time of Henry VIII.
The letter, marked 'private', recounts how the subject of the loss of the privileges and precedence of the Gentlemen had arisen in a conversation between a Mr. Savory and the Duke of Sussex, who had desired 'to be made acquainted with the whole of our case'. Madden asks Fowke to accompany him and Savory to wait on the Duke 'and present a paper embodying our claims...I should like much also to have your assistance in drawing up a paper to be placed in the Duke's hands'.

The Privy Chamber was created by Henry VII (reigned 1485-1509) as a new department of the Royal Household. It was run by the Lord Chamberlain and consisted of Gentlemen of the Chamber, chosen by the monarch as personal attendants. The roles of Gentlemen were given as political rewards, and were bestowed mainly on members of the aristocracy.

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Given by the British Records Association in 1969.

Collection level description.

Watermarked 1841. 225 x 178mm and 318 x 200mm.

Compiled by Sarah Aitchison as part of the RSLP AIM25 Project.

Copies may be made, subject to the condition of the original. Copying must be undertaken by the Palaeography Room staff, who will need a minimum of 24 hours to process requests.