Note 77 — WILLIAM I.

Gentleman of the Bed-chamber means what we now call a Lord of the Bed-chamber; which last is a title of a late introduction. When the Gentleman was the superior, the next subordinate Officer was the Groom; which last title continues to this day. Had the first been originally called Lords, the latter would probably have been styled the Gentleman. William of Malmsbury speaks of the Cubicularius in that ridiculous instance of William Rufus's absurd profusion with respect to the price of a pair of hose; by whom, I should suppose, he means an inferior Officer of the Bed-chamber, by the rough language he uses to him; no less than calling him a son of a whore.—Filî, ait, meretricis.