Don't Upset the King! - A Guide on surviving the Tudor Court
- Jade Lynch
- Jul 31
- 4 min read
Catherine of Aragon © William Bromley (c.1818–1888) at the Manchester Art Gallery
Many of us know the Tudors from books, TV shows, or rumours, myths and legends that have been passed down throughout the years. We all know of Henry VIII and his famous wives, as well as some of those who served them, but what we do not often hear is how the Tudor court actually worked and how you got to be there.
What was it?
Even in the present day, a royal court is an extension of a royal household, made up of figures of nobility and their servants {1}. The Tudor court was no exception, as wherever the king or queen resided became the centre of Government and a place of business, pleasure, and gossip.
Where was it?
Henry VIII held his court at Hampton Court Palace, a grand building just outside of London, which is famed for being the King’s favourite royal residence. The palace has large grounds, many rooms, and large reception areas for feasts and gatherings, making it the perfect spot to accommodate the lords and ladies of England.
Who would you need to be and what would you need to do?
To be a member of the King’s household, you would need to be someone who was willing to please him. There was always a risk that you would do something to upset the monarch and be banished from court, or meet a more sinister fate! But despite this, everyone wanted to be there with the potential of winning the king’s patronage and favour.
People of high social standing were expected to be at court, but you would also be expected to maintain your position. This was quite an expensive business, as it meant that you would need to keep up with the latest fashion trends, as well as buy gifts and favours for the royals to keep them happy.
What to expect?
Many of Henry VIII’s palaces were actually built with a ‘filtering’ system in mind, so that some areas were restricted depending on a courtier’s rank or status. The aim of the game was to gain access to the king’s private spaces, which would undoubtedly improve your influence amongst the nobility.
At Hampton Court Palace, visitors of high rank would ‘expect to pass through the Great Hall into the more exclusive rooms beyond,’ including ‘a Guard Chamber, a Privy or Audience Chamber where the king or queen sat beneath a Canopy of Estate to receive visitors.’ Those closest to the King may get to whisper in his ear with social or political gossip, but as a lower ranking courtier, you may never actually get to see him! {2}
There were strict rules on behaviour and conduct at court, and these were called the Eltham Ordinances. These rules set out things like who was allowed to touch the King, how those at court should act and what they should or should not talk about, and the requirements for servants {3}.
Similarly, the ‘Bouche of Court’ guidelines outlined what a courtier could expect to receive at court. Each courtier was entitled to ‘free food and lodgings of varying degrees of luxury, as an expression of the monarch’s wealth and magnificence. A ration of candles, wine and beer was also provided for free’ {2}.
Your rank at court also dictated the type of toilet you had access to. The finer guest rooms at Hampton Court had a type of en-suite toilet, but for lower ranking courtiers it would be the purpose-built toilet block known as the Great House of Easement, which could sit up to 14 people at a time! {2}
Often at court there would also be music and entertainment, and by 1547 Henry had over 60 musicians on his payroll to perform for his guests. Depending on the season or occasion, guests could participate in feasting, hunting, gambling, hawking, tennis, and dancing. As a great lover of jousting, Henry had a large tilt-yard built at Hampton Court so that he could hold tournaments whenever he wished.
If you were a woman at court, it was likely that you may have stayed close to the Queen as a part of her household. This could be as a lady-in-waiting, and it was often the unmarried daughters of ambitious fathers who found a place here. Alternatively, women who knew secrets about the Queen or royal family were best kept close, and also sometimes those that seemed untrustworthy.
What could go wrong?
No one was ever truly safe or secure at court. One wrong move or case of poor judgement could result in your exile from the royal household, or worse, punishment and death. Often those who managed to secure ultimate favour with the King found themselves falling the hardest, as we know from examples like Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard, and Thomas Cromwell.
In lots of ways, the Tudor court was a dangerous yet dazzling place to be. Behind the splendour of it all lay a world of ambition, strategy, and survival, where power could be gained and lost in an instant. However, for many at the time, the rewards were worth the risk!
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