The Grand Chamberman of France (French: Grand chambrier de France) was one of the Great Officers of the Crown of France during the Ancien Régime. It is similar in name, but should not be confused with, the office of Grand Chamberlain of France (Grand Chambellan de France), although both positions could accurately be translated by the word chamberlain.
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The office
The Grand Chamberman was the head of the King's chamber. Under the early Capetian kings, the Grand Chamberman managed the royal treasury (or King's Treasury) with the Grand Butler of France. Later, the Grand Chamberman lost control of the treasury under Philip Augustus to the Knights Templar, before the Chamber of Accounts, created by Philip IV the Fair, and the Superintendent of Finances, established in 1311, took over this function.
This officer held one of the five great offices of the crown. He was not only distinguished from the Grand Chamberlain of France, but in some ways, he was superior to him in the extent of his power, because he signed charters and other important documents. For a long time, he preceded the Constable of France and also served as a judge within the judicial assemblies appointed by the Peers of France.
From 1312, the office of Grand Chamberman was hereditary in the House of Bourbon.
King Francis I abolished this office in 1545 in favor of that of First Gentleman of the Chamber (French: Premier gentilhomme de la chambre).
List of Grand Chambermen of France
1060-1065: Renaud
1065-1085: Galeran de Senlis
1106-1121: Guy de Senlis
1121-1130: Guillaume de Senlis
1130-1150: Alberic II of Dammartin
1151-1175: Mathieu II de Beaumont-sur-Oise
1178-1191: Adam I de Beaumont-Gâtinais
1190-1207: Mathieu III de Beaumont-sur-Oise
1209-1209: Ursion de Nemours
1209-1234: Barthélemy de Roye
1234-1240: Jean I de Beaumont-Gâtinais
1240-1256: Jean de Nanteuil
1258-1270: Alfonso of Brienne
1270-1277: Érard de Vallery
1277-1306: Robert II de Bourgogne
1306-1309: John II of Dreux
1312-1341: Louis I, Duke of Bourbon
1341-1346: Peter I, Duke of Bourbon
1357-1410: Louis II, Duke of Bourbon
1410-1434: John I, Duke of Bourbon
1434-1456: Charles I, Duke of Bourbon