Groom Porter

The Groom Porter was an office at the royal court of the monarch of Britain, who had "the Inspection of the King's Lodgings, and takes care that they are provided with Tables, Chairs, Firing, &c. As also to provide Cards, Dice, &c. when there is playing at Court: To decide Disputes which arise in Gaming". He was also responsible for "oversight of common Billiards Tables, common Bowling Grounds, Dicing Houses, Gaming Houses and Common tennis Courts and power of Licensing the same within the Citys [sic] of London and Westminster or Borough of Southwark."

The title may originally have referred to the keeper of the king's furnishings in his bedchamber. It was a position in the royal household, and therefore had certain privileges associated with it. A somewhat extended account of the Office is given in King James I's grant of it to Clement Cotterell in 1620. In 1702 the remuneration was raised to £680 per year, which it remained until it was abolished with other sinecure offices at court in 1782. Eventually, the term became used for the owner, or operator of a gaming hall.

List of Groom Porters

Before 1660

Thomas Twisday is described as "Grome Porter to the Kynges Chamber" in a Chancery bill (as plaintiff) addressed to the Lord Bishop of Lincoln as Lord Chancellor (1475-80 or 1483-85).
George Hamerton, fl. 1502, grome porter, in attendance on the Queen.
Alexander Stavely, as Groom Porter among the Sewers of the King's Chamber, and William Kery, as Groom Porter among the Grooms of the Queen's Chamber, are listed for the Coronation in June 1509 of King Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon.
Thomas Sacsebe [? Saxilby] is called "Grome Porter with the Kinges grace" in his Chancery litigation of c. 1518-1529.
Richard Wode (died 1521), in his Will styles himself "Grome Porter to the Prince's Grace". His executors and witnesses were gentlemen of the royal household.
William Byrche, or Birch, as "Grome porter", received freedom of the Mercers' Company in 1519, by Redemption, gratis. He is styled "Groom Porter of the royal household" in Chancery proceedings of 1521.
Thomas Sakevild [? Sackville], fl. 1531. There is a payment in March 1531 to "Sakfelde, the grome porter" from the privy purse. He is described as Groom Porter to the King, deceased, in a Chancery action of 1538-44 relating to the administration of his goods. "Sacheville of Bedforde that was grome-porter cam out of this house" (of Buckhurst, Sussex), wrote John Leland.
William Oxenbridge became Groom Porter to the Queen by 1537. He is called "Groom Porter of the Queen's gate [sc. grace]," in Chancery proceedings of 1533-38.
Nicholas Fortescue (died 1549), in a will made in 1544 describes himself as Groom Porter of the King's most Honourable Chamber. Will proved 26 September 1549. He is the grandfather of Sir Nicholas Fortescue the Elder.
(Sir) Miles Partridge (mentioned as preceding, in 1568 Cornewallis appointment). Appointed at the Coronation of Edward VI, under a grant in reversion made by King Henry VIII.
Edward Cornwallis, confirmed as Groome porter in reversion by King Edward VI on 1 September 1550, which had been displaced by Sir Miles Partridge.
Edward Lewknor, Esquire (Groom Porter to King Edward VI and Queen Mary I), ?c.1551-1556. Attainted and condemned in 1556, died in the Tower.
Edward Cornewallis, presumably in the time of Elizabeth (enumerated as preceding, in 1568 Cornewallis appointment and in 1620 Cotterell appointment).
Frauncis Cornewallis, presumably in the time of Elizabeth (enumerated as preceding, in 1620 Cotterell appointment).
Thomas Cornewallis of East Horsley, Esquire, Groom Porter (life-term appointment, Lady Day 1568); he died in 1597. His tomb at East Horsley, Surrey, shows 'Sometimes Pensioner, and Groom-Porter unto Queene Elizabth of blessed Memory' (Husband of Katharine (died 1626), daughter of Thomas, Lord Wriothesley, Lord Chancellor). (Enumerated as preceding, in 1620 Cotterell appointment).
(Sir) Thomas Cornewallis of Porchester, Groom Porter 1597-1618; knighted 1605, (enumerated, distinct from Thomas (Esquire), as preceding, in 1620 Cotterell appointment); died 1618. "Mr. Thomas Cornewallis, Groom porter" in 1604, he becomes "Sir Thomas Cornwallis, Groom Porter to the King's household" under James I. An order to search for false dice dated 1598 is addressed to him: a specimen form of licence for a gaming-house from the time of James I has been compiled from three defective certificates.
Henry Cornewallis, "our late Groomeporter" (enumerated as preceding, in 1620 Cotterell appointment).
(Sir) Clement Cotterell, armiger, of Wilsford, Lincolnshire (b. 1585, fl. 1620, died c. 1631/32), as Groom Porter of the household of King James I, was in 1620 granted power to licence gaming houses for cards and dice, bowling alleys and tennis courts, and such other games for the honest and reasonable recreation of good and civil people.

1660-1782

1660–1665: Sir Richard Hubbert
1665–1678: Thomas Offley
1678–1699: Thomas Neale
1700–1705: William Rowley
1705–1743: Thomas Archer
1743–1763: Charles FitzRoy (FitzRoy-Scudamore from 1749)
1763–1764: Francis Buller
1764–1765: Robert Wood
1765–1782: George Paulet

References

1 2 3 'Hunting, sporting and gaming: Groom Porters and Masters of the Tennis Courts', Office-Holders in Modern Britain: Volume 11 (revised): Court Officers, 1660-1837 (2006), pp. 224–225. porter. Date accessed: 7 November 2008.
↑ "Liber Niger Domus Regis Edw. IV.: Gromes of Chambyr", in A Collection of Ordinances and Regulations for the Government of the Royal Household, by John Nichols for the Society of Antiquaries (London 1790), p. 41 (Internet Archive).
↑ Thefreedictionary.com: Definition of Groom porter
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 'Pro Clemente Cotterell, Armiger, super Officio de le Groomeporter', in T. Rymer, ed. R. Sanderson, Fœdera, Conventiones, Literae, etc., vol XVII (W. Churchill, London MDCXVII [sic, recte 1717]), pp. 236-38 (Google). Most complete version, in English.
↑ Aske the "Groom Porter"
↑ The National Archives (UK), Early Chancery Proceedings, Twisday v Brygges, ref: C 1/55/60 (Discovery Catalogue). View original at AALT, image 90 (University of Houston).
↑ In Tudor Chamber Books, in E 36/210, folio 48 (1502) (tudorchamberbooks.org).
↑ "82. The Coronation, June 1509: 'The King's Chamber', and 'The Queen's Chamber'," in J.S. Brewer (ed.), Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, Vol. 1: 1509-1514, (HMSO, London 1920: Kraus reprint), pp. 38-43, at p. 42 and p. 41 (HathiTrust).
↑ The National Archives (UK), Early Chancery Proceedings, Sacsebe v The Sheriffs of London, ref: C 1/574/3 (Discovery Catalogue). View original at AALT, image 0004 (University of Houston).
↑ Will of Richard Wode or Woode, groom-porter to the Prince's grace (P.C.C. 1521, Maynwaring quire).
↑ Livery Companies: Apprentices and Freemen, 1400-1900. Event record MCEW1739 (londonroll.org).
↑ The National Archives (UK), Early Chancery Proceedings, action for debt against Thomas Clifford, ref: C 131/104/7, C 131/104/25, C 131/264/12, and (against Thomas Sackville) C 241/278/88 (Discovery Catalogue).
↑ N.H. Nicolas (ed.), The Privy Purse Expences of King Henry the Eighth, from November MDXXIX to December MDXXXII (William Pickering, London 1827), p. 120 (Internet Archive).
↑ The National Archives (UK), Early Chancery Proceedings, Lorde v Averell administration, ref: C 1/1026/36-39 (Discovery Catalogue).
↑ L. Toulmin Smith (ed.), The Itinerary of John Leland in or about the years 1535-1543 5 vols (George Bell and Sons, London 1909), IV: Parts VII and VIII, at p. 82 (Internet Archive).
↑ H. Miller, 'Oxenbridge (Oxbridge, Uxbridge), William (by 1498-1550), of Rye and Winchelsea, Suss. and London', in S.T. Bindoff (ed.), The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1509-1558 (from Boydell and Brewer, 1982) History of Parliament online.
↑ The National Archives (UK), Early Chancery Proceedings, Oxenbrige v Oxenbryge, ref: C 1/864/78 (Discovery Catalogue).
↑ Will of Nicholas Fortescue, Groom Porter of the King's Chamber, Westminster, Middlesex (P.C.C. 1549, Populwell quire).
↑ Fortescue, G.K. "Fortescue, Nicholas (1575?-1633)" . Dictionary of National Biography. Vol. 20. pp. 47–48.
1 2 3 "Item 1869. 17 May 1568", in (J.H. Collingridge and W. Mabbs (eds),) Calendar of the Patent Rolls: Elizabeth, IV: 1566-1569 (HMSO, London 1964), p. 319 (Internet Archive).
1 2 "4 Edward VI, Part VI. 1 September 1550, Leighes", in Calendar of Patent Rolls, Edward VI, III: A.D. 1549-1551 (HMSO, London 1925), p. 327 (HathiTrust).
↑ J.G. Nichols (ed.), The Diary of Henry Machyn, Camden Society Old Series XLII (London 1848), pp. 108–114. Machyn calls him 'master Lecknolle'.
↑ 'Reign of Mary, XXII: Letter of Robert Swift to the Marquess of Shrewsbury, 22 June 1556', in E. Lodge, Illustrations of British History, Biography and Manners, 2nd Edition, 3 vols (John Chidley, London 1838), I, pp. 265–68 (Internet Archive), citing source: Talbot Papers, Vol. P, fol. 279.
↑ Will of Thomas Cornwallis of East Horsley, Surrey (P.C.C 1597, Cobham quire). See Nina Green's transcript and explanatory notes at "PROB 11-89-570" (www.oxford-shakespeare.com pdf).
↑ J. Aubrey, The Natural History and Antiquities of the County of Surrey 5 vols (E. Curll, London 1718), III, pp. 248-49 (Internet Archive).
↑ 'Parishes: East Horsley - Church', in H.E. Malden (ed.), A History of the County of Surrey, Vol 3 (VCH, London 1911), pp. 349-52 (British History Online, accessed 14 January 2025).
↑ See additional information in the article on his son, J.P. Ferris, 'Cornwallis, Thomas II (by 1587-1628), of Westminster and Wandsworth, Surr.', in A. Thrush and J.P. Ferris (eds), The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1604-1629 (Cambridge University Press 2010), History of Parliament online.
↑ Will of Sir Thomas Cornwallis of Porchester, Hampshire (PCC 1618, Meade quire).
↑ "7 August 1604. The Bishop of London to Lord Cecil", in M.S. Giuseppi (ed.), Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House, Vol 16, 1604 (HMSO, London 1933), pp. 195-221 (British History Online, accessed 15 January 2025).
↑ e.g. The National Archives (UK), Chancery Proceedings, Bishop v Cornwallis ref: C 2/JasI/B41/41 (Discovery Catalogue).
↑ F. Aydelotte, Elizabethan Rogues and Vagabonds, Oxford Historical and Literary Studies, I (Clarendon Press, Oxford 1913), Appendix, Items 11 and 13, pp. 162-64, and pp. 165-67 (Internet Archive).
↑ The National Archives (UK), Inquisitiones post mortem, 1631/32, refs Chancery, C 142/488/71 and Wards and Liveries WARD 7/82/104 (Discovery Catalogue).
↑ P. Watson/R. Sgroi, 'Cotterell, Sir Clement (c.1585-1631), of Wilsford, Lincs. and Whitehall, Westminster', in A. Thrush and J.P. Ferris (eds), The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1604-1629 (Cambridge University Press 2010), History of Parliament online.
↑ J. Noorthouck, A New History of London Including Westminster and Southwark (R. Baldwin, London 1773), Chapter X: James I, at pp. 151-52 (Internet Archive), citing A. Anderson, An Historical and Chronological Deduction of the Origin of Commerce, 2 vols (A. Millar, J. and R. Tonson, J. Rivington, etc., London 1764), II, p. 5-6 (Google).

[offhold-1] 1 2 3 'Hunting, sporting and gaming: Groom Porters and Masters of the Tennis Courts', Office-Holders in Modern Britain: Volume 11 (revised): Court Officers, 1660-1837 (2006), pp. 224–225. porter. Date accessed: 7 November 2008.

[2] "Liber Niger Domus Regis Edw. IV.: Gromes of Chambyr", in A Collection of Ordinances and Regulations for the Government of the Royal Household, by John Nichols for the Society of Antiquaries (London 1790), p. 41 (Internet Archive).

[3] Thefreedictionary.com: Definition of Groom porter

[rymer-4] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 'Pro Clemente Cotterell, Armiger, super Officio de le Groomeporter', in T. Rymer, ed. R. Sanderson, Fœdera, Conventiones, Literae, etc., vol XVII (W. Churchill, London MDCXVII [sic, recte 1717]), pp. 236-38 (Google). Most complete version, in English.

[5] Aske the "Groom Porter"

[6] The National Archives (UK), Early Chancery Proceedings, Twisday v Brygges, ref: C 1/55/60 (Discovery Catalogue). View original at AALT, image 90 (University of Houston).

[7] In Tudor Chamber Books, in E 36/210, folio 48 (1502) (tudorchamberbooks.org).

[8] "82. The Coronation, June 1509: 'The King's Chamber', and 'The Queen's Chamber'," in J.S. Brewer (ed.), Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, Vol. 1: 1509-1514, (HMSO, London 1920: Kraus reprint), pp. 38-43, at p. 42 and p. 41 (HathiTrust).

[9] The National Archives (UK), Early Chancery Proceedings, Sacsebe v The Sheriffs of London, ref: C 1/574/3 (Discovery Catalogue). View original at AALT, image 0004 (University of Houston).

[10] Will of Richard Wode or Woode, groom-porter to the Prince's grace (P.C.C. 1521, Maynwaring quire).

[11] Livery Companies: Apprentices and Freemen, 1400-1900. Event record MCEW1739 (londonroll.org).

[12] The National Archives (UK), Early Chancery Proceedings, action for debt against Thomas Clifford, ref: C 131/104/7, C 131/104/25, C 131/264/12, and (against Thomas Sackville) C 241/278/88 (Discovery Catalogue).

[13] N.H. Nicolas (ed.), The Privy Purse Expences of King Henry the Eighth, from November MDXXIX to December MDXXXII (William Pickering, London 1827), p. 120 (Internet Archive).

[14] The National Archives (UK), Early Chancery Proceedings, Lorde v Averell administration, ref: C 1/1026/36-39 (Discovery Catalogue).

[15] L. Toulmin Smith (ed.), The Itinerary of John Leland in or about the years 1535-1543 5 vols (George Bell and Sons, London 1909), IV: Parts VII and VIII, at p. 82 (Internet Archive).

[16] H. Miller, 'Oxenbridge (Oxbridge, Uxbridge), William (by 1498-1550), of Rye and Winchelsea, Suss. and London', in S.T. Bindoff (ed.), The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1509-1558 (from Boydell and Brewer, 1982) History of Parliament online.

[17] The National Archives (UK), Early Chancery Proceedings, Oxenbrige v Oxenbryge, ref: C 1/864/78 (Discovery Catalogue).

[18] Will of Nicholas Fortescue, Groom Porter of the King's Chamber, Westminster, Middlesex (P.C.C. 1549, Populwell quire).

[19] Fortescue, G.K. "Fortescue, Nicholas (1575?-1633)" . Dictionary of National Biography. Vol. 20. pp. 47–48.

[Tcornesq-20] 1 2 3 "Item 1869. 17 May 1568", in (J.H. Collingridge and W. Mabbs (eds),) Calendar of the Patent Rolls: Elizabeth, IV: 1566-1569 (HMSO, London 1964), p. 319 (Internet Archive).

[Partridge-21] 1 2 "4 Edward VI, Part VI. 1 September 1550, Leighes", in Calendar of Patent Rolls, Edward VI, III: A.D. 1549-1551 (HMSO, London 1925), p. 327 (HathiTrust).

[22] J.G. Nichols (ed.), The Diary of Henry Machyn, Camden Society Old Series XLII (London 1848), pp. 108–114. Machyn calls him 'master Lecknolle'.

[23] 'Reign of Mary, XXII: Letter of Robert Swift to the Marquess of Shrewsbury, 22 June 1556', in E. Lodge, Illustrations of British History, Biography and Manners, 2nd Edition, 3 vols (John Chidley, London 1838), I, pp. 265–68 (Internet Archive), citing source: Talbot Papers, Vol. P, fol. 279.

[24] Will of Thomas Cornwallis of East Horsley, Surrey (P.C.C 1597, Cobham quire). See Nina Green's transcript and explanatory notes at "PROB 11-89-570" (www.oxford-shakespeare.com pdf).

[25] J. Aubrey, The Natural History and Antiquities of the County of Surrey 5 vols (E. Curll, London 1718), III, pp. 248-49 (Internet Archive).

[26] 'Parishes: East Horsley - Church', in H.E. Malden (ed.), A History of the County of Surrey, Vol 3 (VCH, London 1911), pp. 349-52 (British History Online, accessed 14 January 2025).

[27] See additional information in the article on his son, J.P. Ferris, 'Cornwallis, Thomas II (by 1587-1628), of Westminster and Wandsworth, Surr.', in A. Thrush and J.P. Ferris (eds), The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1604-1629 (Cambridge University Press 2010), History of Parliament online.

[28] Will of Sir Thomas Cornwallis of Porchester, Hampshire (PCC 1618, Meade quire).

[29] "7 August 1604. The Bishop of London to Lord Cecil", in M.S. Giuseppi (ed.), Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House, Vol 16, 1604 (HMSO, London 1933), pp. 195-221 (British History Online, accessed 15 January 2025).

[30] .g. The National Archives (UK), Chancery Proceedings, Bishop v Cornwallis ref: C 2/JasI/B41/41 (Discovery Catalogue).

[31] F. Aydelotte, Elizabethan Rogues and Vagabonds, Oxford Historical and Literary Studies, I (Clarendon Press, Oxford 1913), Appendix, Items 11 and 13, pp. 162-64, and pp. 165-67 (Internet Archive).

[32] The National Archives (UK), Inquisitiones post mortem, 1631/32, refs Chancery, C 142/488/71 and Wards and Liveries WARD 7/82/104 (Discovery Catalogue).

[33] P. Watson/R. Sgroi, 'Cotterell, Sir Clement (c.1585-1631), of Wilsford, Lincs. and Whitehall, Westminster', in A. Thrush and J.P. Ferris (eds), The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1604-1629 (Cambridge University Press 2010), History of Parliament online.

[34] J. Noorthouck, A New History of London Including Westminster and Southwark (R. Baldwin, London 1773), Chapter X: James I, at pp. 151-52 (Internet Archive), citing A. Anderson, An Historical and Chronological Deduction of the Origin of Commerce, 2 vols (A. Millar, J. and R. Tonson, J. Rivington, etc., London 1764), II, p. 5-6 (Google).

Groom Porter

List of Groom Porters

Before 1660

1660-1782

See also

References