Groom of the Chamber
In France, the Duchy of Burgundy, and in England while French was still the language of the court, the title was varlet or valet de chambre.The Grooms wore the royal livery (in earlier periods), served as general attendants, and fulfilled a wide range of specific functions.[3] In the reigns of the early monarchs of the House of Stuart, James I and Charles I, the actors of the King's Men, the playing company under royal patronage, were officially "Grooms extraordinary of the Chamber".Although on busy occasions, the King's Men appear to have acted as more ordinary servants: in August 1604 they were "waiting and attending" upon the Spanish ambassador at Somerset House, "on his Majesty's service" — but no plays were performed.[5] On some occasions, Shakespeare[citation needed], Heywood, and their compatriots wore the royal livery, marched in processions, and played other roles in the ceremonial life of the monarchy.[citation needed] (Grooms could not be arrested for debt without the permission of the Lord Chamberlain — a big advantage for sometimes-struggling actors.)