Also 5–6 stoole, 6 stoolle, stowle. [Commonly identified with STOLE sb.1, to which the unauthenticated sense of ‘royal robe’ is assigned. But there seems to be little doubt that the ‘stole chamber,’ served by the Groom or Yeoman of the Stole, was originally the room containing the king’s close-stool, and that the word is properly a variant of STOOL sb.1 As, however, the word as thus used was for centuries entirely dissociated from stool, and latterly had a different spelling, it is necessary to treat it separately.
In accounts of coronation ceremonies the king is said to have worn an ornament resembling a stole (STOLE sb.1 2); but it does not appear that this was actually called a ‘stole’ until modern times. The view that the Groom of the Stole derived his designation from this ornament is quite improbable.
Sir H. Nicolas’s supposition, that the ‘stole’ was a kind of packing-chest, is a mistaken inference from the stole and male being mentioned together in certain documents.]
1. Groom of the stole: the title of a high officer of the king’s household (formerly sometimes also in the household of a prince of the blood), ranking next below the vice-chamberlain of the household. Also † yeoman of the stole.
For the duties of the office as understood at various times, see the quots. In the household of a queen or a princess, the office and title were held by a lady. Under Queen Victoria no groom of the stole was appointed, and the office has not since been revived.
[? a. 1480. in Househ. Ord. (1790), 41. The King’s chamberlayn to assigne for the ii. garderobes and the King’s chambre, for the male and stoole, and other stuffe nedeful, to the some of xii. or xvi. sompter horses.
1502. Privy Purse Exp. Eliz. of York (1830), 45. Item the vth day of Septembre for cariage of the Quenes stole from London to Oxonford and from Oxonford to Langley, xiiij d. Ibid., 81. For bering shetes trussing sheetes and sheetes for the stoele.]
1455. in Househ. Ord. (1790), *18. Yomen of the Chambre [8 names]. Gromes of the Chambre [9 names]. Yoman of the Stoole, William Grymesby. Ibid. (1526), 156. It is the King’s pleasure, that Mr. Norres shall be in the roome of Sir William Compton, not onely giveing his attendance as groome of the King’s stoole, but also in his bed-chamber [etc.].
1596. Harington, Metam. Ajax, Answ. Let. A vj b. A seuenth (whome I woulde gesse by his writing to bee groome of the stoole to some Prince of the bloud of Fraunce) writes a beastly treatise onely to examine what is the fittest thing to wipe withall, alledging that white paper is too smooth [etc.].
1647. Clarendon, Hist. Reb., V. § 31. Groom of the Stole, which hath the reputation and benefit of being first Gentleman of the Bed-Chamber.
1669. E. Chamberlayne, Pres. St. Eng., 262. Gentlemen of the Bed-Chamber, whereof the first is called Groom of the Stole, that is (according to the signification of the word in Greek, from whence first the Latines, and thence the Italian and French derive it) Groom or Servant of the Robe or Vestment. He having the Office and Honour to present and put on His Majesties first Garment or Shirt every morning, and to order the things of the Bed-Chamber. Ibid., 320. Officers and Servants belonging to Her Royal Highness the Dutchess [of York]. Groom of the Stole, Countess of Rochester.
1702. Lond. Gaz., No. 3820/3. His Excellency had Audience of His Royal Highness Prince George of Denmark, being received … by the Rt. Hon. the Lord Delawar, Groom of the Stool to His Royal Highness.
1710. J. Chamberlayne, Pres. St. Gt. Brit., II. III. (ed. 23), 541. Sarah Dutchess of Marlborough, Groom of the Stole.
2. The office of Groom of the Stole.
1911. J. H. Rose, Pitt & Gt. War, v. 125. Dundas requested that he should have the first claim for the Privy Seal for Scotland, provided that Lord Chatham did not take the Stole.
1911. Riker, Henry Fox 1st Ld. Holland, II. x. 239. The man who … had once struggled, single-handed, to procure Bute the Stole.
3. attrib. in stole-chamber, -room.
1532–3. in W. H. St. John Hope, Windsor Castle (1913), I. 263. A Copple off Crosse Jamewis tynned ffor a new dore in the Kyngs stole chambre. Ibid. (1676–7), 315. The Kings Privy Backstairs & Closett and Stoole Roome. Ibid. (1680–2), 321. Isaac Thompson Engineer for making ijo new Close Stooles for his Matie, One with two frames of Pullyes … and for Silvering the same to Keepe it from Rusting, & fitting & setting it up in his Mties Stoole Roome. Ibid. (1686–8), 329. The lord Walgraves and Comptrollers Stoole Roomes.
