The Court of St James
Posted by Cassia on January 05, 1998 at 15:45:55:
In response to Could someone please explain this St. James business?, written by Lisa S. on January 05, 1998 at 12:53:06
Could someone please provide these explanations:
(a) what the place was
Sir William Lucas ws referring to the Court of St James, the place where people were officially recieved by the monarch.
(b) who attended
The nobility, diplomats posted to England are posted to the Court of St James, anyone receiving honours, debutants who are being presented, ect, ect, ect.
(c) who would not have attended
Commoners of no distinction, basically. Although, officially (by ancient law, that is) anyone could call upon the monarch but this wasn't really inforced.
(d) what one did there
This I do not really know. Much of what went on depended on the particular monarch you were to call upon. You got dressed in court clothes, bowed or curtseied, then whatever. Henry VIII was quite fond of dancing, others weren't.
Hope this helps.
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