20 Reasons Why the "Grooms of the Stool" Were Actually Positions of Power

The valet enjoyed a privilege that no other courtier could claim: the right to attend to the monarch at any time. This was a transformative power in an era when the amount of time spent in the king’s company determined one’s influence. 

Sir Anthony Denny did not merely attend to Henry VIII’s needs; he also decided who else was permitted to do so. By the 1540s, the Groom of the Stool had become the ultimate gatekeeper, dictating who could enter the king’s private apartments. This meant controlling the flow of information.

The management of the private treasury transformed the valet de chambre into a sort of modern finance minister. This position oversaw the king’s personal funds, which were separate from the public treasury—the latter covering everything from royal gifts to household expenses and political favors. 

Imagine you had a key that literally allowed you to sign on behalf of the king. That is exactly what Sir Anthony Denny possessed: control over Henry VIII’s “dry seal,” a device that reproduced the royal signature on official documents. He wielded the full weight of the king’s authority. 

This position was reserved exclusively for the sons of nobles or prominent gentry families, thus ensuring that the Groom of the Stool came from the English social elite. Hugh Denys, who served Henry VII, was a wealthy gentleman from Gloucestershire who had married an aristocrat. At the time of his death, he owned at least four manors.

It is said that the bathroom was where kings let their guard down, and the pages could hear everything. During these private moments, monarchs discussed military strategies, marriage prospects, political betrayals, and personal fears that they would never have expressed publicly. As you can imagine, this kind of inside information was extremely valuable.

What began as assistance with personal hygiene evolved into comprehensive administrative support during the reign of Henry VIII. The valets organized the king’s daily schedule, managed his correspondence, handled requests, and coordinated meetings—in effect, running the monarch’s private office.

According to historian David Starkey, during the Tudor period, the Groom had become “a veritable minister of the royal treasury” who actively influenced national fiscal policy. This amounted to genuine economic management: under Henry VII’s “chamber system,” Hugh Denys controlled private and secret finances.

The Groom was in charge of all those who served in the king’s private chambers—a staff consisting of gentlemen-in-waiting, ushers, valets, and pages who maintained the monarch’s private apartments. This supervisory role involved hiring, firing, and managing men who themselves came from prominent families. 

Apparently, the Groom was responsible for protecting the king’s most precious personal belongings, such as jewelry and valuables kept in his private chambers. He was also required to maintain inventories, prevent theft, and ensure that nothing went missing from the king’s private collection. 

Every morning, the valet had the honor of dressing the king. The many layers of fine clothing required meticulous handling, and in 1726, the role explicitly included presenting “His Majesty’s first garment or first shirt each morning.” 

Monitoring the king’s bowel movements was part of medical supervision at a time when excrement revealed a person’s state of health. The valet examined the consistency, color, and frequency, then contacted the royal physicians if there were any concerning changes. It may seem strange, but this role made him the first line of defense against potentially fatal diseases.

In Tudor England, money was king, and the valet’s annual salary of more than 50 pounds sterling made him one of the highest-paid servants at court. Combined with other benefits, his total compensation rivaled what many minor nobles earned from their estates.

It was not uncommon for grooms to end up with land. Hugh Denys began as a groom to Henry VII and eventually came to own at least four manors. Sir William Compton amassed enough wealth through royal grants to become sheriff of Worcestershire in 1516. Kings rewarded loyal grooms by granting them land grants and lucrative appointments that allowed them to amass considerable personal fortunes. 

Wherever the king went, the Groom followed him—not as a servant walking behind him, but staying nearby in quarters befitting his status. Royal journeys across the kingdom, hunting expeditions, military campaigns, diplomatic visits: the Groom was present at all of them, ensuring the monarch’s comfort.

After the Restoration of 1660, this position became that of “Groom of the Stole” (valet de chambre). It was a powerful position, invariably associated with that of “First Gentleman of the Bedchamber.” As the de facto head of the royal household, this evolved valet de chambre controlled all access to the monarch’s private apartments.

The valet inherited the clothes and furniture that the king no longer wanted. Of course, this was a huge advantage, since the royal garments were made of silk and velvet, embroidered with gold thread, and sometimes encrusted with precious stones. What modern sensibilities might consider “used clothing” represented a wealth that most nobles could not afford to buy new. 

The courtiers understood a simple truth: the valet’s opinion of you was extremely important. He could whisper favorable assessments into the king’s ear during private moments, potentially securing you positions or royal favor. Conversely, his subtle disapproval could ruin your future prospects.

The influence of this office extended beyond individual favors to shape government decisions themselves. The Grooms participated in discussions that shaped religious policy, foreign alliances, and domestic governance, thanks to their constant access to the monarch’s private thoughts. 

According to historian Lucy Worsley, James I and Charles I were so influenced by the advice of their valets that these private discussions actually helped fuel the English Civil War of the 17th century. Overall, the political advice offered during these intimate moments shaped the royal responses to parliamentary challenges.