The itinerant Royal Court under Philip IV – Philip the Fair

We can trace the trips Philip the Fair (1268-1285-1314) made through his household accounts. The King’s residential area stretched from Orléans to Compiègne and from Chartres to Château-Thierry. It covered the old Capetian, Île-de-France and Loire Valley domains as well as Champagne, which belonged to his wife, Joan of Navarre. During 30 years on the throne, the King went on numerous trips within his domain and also on four long trips to Languedoc, Flanders, Normandy and the border of the Empire.

When he went to Poitiers in July 1308, Philip the Fair passed through Loches and spent seven days here from July 10 to 17. Perhaps he stayed in the Keep’s main tower. He came here nine times over his reign.

On average, the King and his retinue would travel 32 kilometres in a day.

Find out who made up the itinerant Royal Court under Philip IV – Philip the Fair

 

 

The itinerant Court in figures

The Court on a progress

377 people / 141 horses / 12  wagons and carts

The King: 301 people

The Queen: 76 people

 

The King’s household

The Pantry: 15 people / 7 horses / 1 cart

The cup-bearers: 11 people / 6 pack animals / 1 cart

The Kitchen: 38 people / 19 horses / 3 carts

The Fruitery: 4 people / 4 pack animals

The Stables: 24 people / 21 horses

The Fourrière : 20 people / 10 horses

The King’s Chamber: 82 people including 40 sergeant-at-arms / 26 horses and pack animals

The Clerks: 7 people / 7 horses

The Notaries: 24 people / 12 horses

The Chambre aux deniers (household accounts): 18 people / 18 horses / 1 pack animal

The Vénerie (hunting): 18 people / 18 dogs / X animals

Other roles: 36 people

 

So for the King: 301 people / 116 horses / 5 carts

 

The Queen’s household

Personal: 17 people / 16 horses / 2 vehicles

The Pantry: 1 person / 1 pack animal

The cup-bearers: 7 people / 2 pack animals

The Kitchen: 15 people

The Fruitery: 1 person / 1 pack animal

The Stables: 7 people / 1 horse

The Fourrière: 2 people

Other roles: 18 people / 4 horses

 

So for the Queen: 76 people / 25 horses / 7 wagons and vehicles