Court Positions

The following page will provide a comprehensive list of positions available to the Nobility of the court in order of importance and status. The posts are granted to members of the nobility by the Grande Maître de l'Empire, Grand Master of the Empire, bringing with it privileges and responsibilities at court.

A page will be created with a list of the incomes for each position shown.

Grand Maître de l'Empire
One of the highest posts of the Court was the "Grand maître" directed the Maison de l'Empire, appointed new officers to the "Maison" (who would swear an oath of service in his hands) and managed the budget of the "Maison". He was also responsible for policing the court and he managed the king's lands (which made him a sort of Minister of the Interior). In practice however, the military branch of the Maison de l'Empire was frequently run by the Constable of France or the Secretary of State for War.

The Grand Master had numerous ceremonial duties. At the death of the king he would lead the funeral procession and, at the king's tomb, he would break his baton, throw it into the tomb and intone "Gentlemen, the King is dead; you are free from his service"; he would then take a new baton and intone "Gentlemen, the King lives, and gives you your posts."

Chief Butler
(Premier Maître d'hôtel)
 * the Grand Panetier de l'Empire, overseeing bread
 * the Grand Échanson de l'Empire, overseeing wine

Grand Chamberlain de l'Empire
The Grand Chambrier head of the King's chambre, (also one of the Great Officers of the Crown) the four First gentlemen of the King's Chamber, who oversee the King's Chambre the four First Valets of the King's Chamber, who oversee, under the direction of the first gentlemen, the King's Chambre
 * the Grand Maître de la garde-robe, who oversees the King's wardrobe
 * the Grand Écuyer de France, the head stablemaster (also one of the Great Officers of the Crown)

The Grand Huntsman
(Grand Veneur), who directs royal hunts, especially the stag hunt

The Grand Falconer
who directs royal hunts using birds of prey

The Grand Master of Ceremonies
(grand maître des cérémonies), who directs court ceremonies and protocol.

the Grand Marshal of lodging
(maréchal des logis), who oversees lodging of the king, of the court and of the royal household.

the Grand Almoner
at the head of the royal chapel and the head of the Ecclesiastical House of the King (the maison ecclésiastique de l'Empire)

the first Almoner of France, who aids the Grand Almoner