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A chamberlain (Latin: camerarius) is an officer in charge of managing a household. In many countries there are ceremonial posts associated with the household of the sovereign.
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Description
Historically, many institutions and governments – monasteries, cathedrals and cities – also had the post of chamberlain, who usually had charge of finances. The Finance Director of the City of London is still called the Chamberlain, while New York City had such a chamberlain, who managed city accounts, until the early 20th century.
Etymology
From the Old French chamberlain, chamberlenc, Modern French chambellan, from Old High German Chamarling, Chamarlinc, whence also the Medieval Latin cambellanus, camerlingus, camerlengus; Italian camerlingo; Spanish camerlengo, compounded of Old High German Chamara, Kamara [Latin camera, “chamber”], and the German suffix -ling.
Posts
Some of the principal posts known by this name:
Austria
Brunei
Around the year of 2012, The Grand Chamberlain of The Council, Alauddin bin Abu Bakar, on emergency broadcast had announced the divorce between the Sultan and his third wife.[1]
June 7, 2015. The Grand Chamberlain of Brunei announced the new born prince of Deputy Sultan, Crown Prince of Brunei
Byzantine Empire
Denmark
France
Germany
Holy Roman Empire
Japan
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Roman Empire
Serbia in the Middle Ages
Sweden
In Sweden there are eight serving chamberlains (kammarherrar) and four serving cabinet chamberlains (kabinettskammarherrar) at the royal court. The chamberlains are not employed by the court, but serve during ceremonial occasions such as state visits, audiences and official dinners.
Thailand
In Thailand the head of the Bureau of the Royal Household is titled the Lord Chamberlain (เลขาธิการพระราชวัง). He has several Grand Chamberlains as his deputy, usually in charge of a specific portfolio.