Henry Rich, 1st Earl of Holland, was an English courtier and politician executed by Parliament after being captured fighting for the Royalists during the Second English Civil War. Younger brother of R
Henry Rich, 1st Earl of Holland by Anthony van Dyck, circa 1640
Holland House; remains of the west side in 2004
Henry Rich, 1st Earl of Holland
Groom of the Stool
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The Groom of the Stool was the most intimate of an English monarch's courtiers, initially responsible for assisting the king in excretion and hygiene.
Henry Rich, 1st Earl of Holland
…he was frequently consulted on foreign affairs, although his anti-Spanish policy was at odds with that pursued by Charles. In 1636, he was appointed Groom of the Stool; by this stage the term indicated proximity to the monarch rather than function, and the officeholder was an important part of the Royal household…
William III's close-stool. Hampton Court collection