1663 - 831 people
1674 - 1139 people
1683 - 1868 people
1702 - 3309 people
1727 - 3644 people
To us it seems rather silly to have such a large household for one person but at the time it was vital for the new absolutism's foundation. The King was the embodiment of power in France and as such he was expected to be the master of the greatest household. Through these thousands of jobs the monarchy signalled it's strength and wealth. He alone employed 208 page boys and further 24 who ranked a bit over the common page boy.
The King's household was divided into three categories: domestic, religious and military. All of these categories had subsequent sub-categories to complicate matters further. Brace yourself for a long list of servants:
The Domestics
"La Bouche du Roi"
The King's Chamber
The King's Entertainments
The Ceremonial
The King's Stables
The Venery
The King's Chamber
The King's Entertainments
The Ceremonial
The King's Stables
The Venery
The Religious
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