D&D General “Groom of the Stool” — how accurate do you want your royal courts to be

[Morrus]

The Groom of the Stool assists the monarch when they use the toilet.

Yep.

The men who changed Henry VIII’s underpants — BBC History Magazine

Who was the 'groom of the stool' in the Tudor monarch's court? Where did the power lie among Henry VIII's courtiers? The Tudor path to power wasn't making speeches in the Commons; it was changing the

apple.news

 

[Coroc]

The Groom of the Stool assist the monarch when they use the toilet.

Yep.

The men who changed Henry VIII’s underpants — BBC History Magazine

Who was the 'groom of the stool' in the Tudor monarch's court? Where did the power lie among Henry VIII's courtiers? The Tudor path to power wasn't making speeches in the Commons; it was changing the

apple.news

Yesss i have to use that sometimes, that is "royal" for RP ! Thanks for this idea, knew about it of course but never thought about to use it in D&D.

Btw it was one of the most desired positions at court, the guy who had this task was one of the mightiest servants of the king and knew all the secrets.

 

[Wiseblood]

I don’t want accurate, I also don’t want the PC’s to embarrass me or themselves in front of imaginary peerage.

 

[Coroc]

I don’t want accurate, I also don’t want the PC’s to embarrass me or themselves in front of imaginary peerage.

Just keep the language abstract then, the idea is great, because it got some shock/aha moment for those who do not know about that historic fact. Of course you need mature players for this stunt.

 

[MarkB]

I like the idea of having lots of meaningless titles and positions purely because Tradition, but I'd want to put a fantasy spin on it. So, for instance, there might be the position of Queen's Familiar - a perfectly ordinary housecat who sits on a velvet cushion next to the throne (when it doesn't get bored and wander off), because five generations ago one of the monarchs dabbled in arcane traditions and gave their familiar a position in court.

 

[aco175]

Can I be the guy that sits on the toilet just to warm it for the king to use.

 

[Coroc]

Can I be the guy that sits on the toilet just to warm it for the king to use.

That sounds - a bit obscene to me, i just cannot tell you why sorry, no offense.
What would be the title of such a servant?
Ah, there are also those guys running around with a bucket, maybe ...
I think this derails a bit

 

[QuentinGeorge]

Well if you are emulating medieval court life, rather than Renaissance, you don't need a Groom of the Stool. Such positions only arose post medieval era, due to the centralising of power in the royal person and away from the old nobility. Prior to that royal courts were small, practical, and mobile. Most of the actual administrative jobs were performed by clergy.

Guys like Henry VIII and Louis XIV had people to wipe their backsides, but no medieval monarch would have. Instead, you have Richard I building a wall with his own hands in Jaffa, and Edward II enjoying thatch laying and rowing.

 

[TarionzCousin]

(Words)

Are you cluttering this thread up with FACTS?

The Groom of the Stool assist the monarch when they use the toilet.

That next WOIN supplement is going to be weird.

 

[QuentinGeorge]

Are you cluttering this thread up with FACTS?

That next WOIN supplement is going to be weird.

Sorry! Although Forgotten Realms is more Renaissance than medieval, so I'm sure the Kings of Cormyr have Grooms of the Stool.