MuseDaWeirdo

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They can be both a help or hinderance but that is down to who has them.

As someone who has both thrown and taken punches from both humans and birds (Swans wont actually break your arm with their wing if they hit you, but they can crack your skull if they knock you over), having a wing punch you would shatter at a minimum a few ribs.

Then you have the alternate scenario of winged person hitting you at speed from height. The results of this would require either the assistance of a chiropractor or a undertaker to fix.

Writing couples is both enchanting and exhausting. How do you make people ship your couple? How do you make them an OTP? How do you make your couple matter to the story? Or matter at all? To answer all these questions, I’ll explain three major must-have characteristics for couples:

1. Realism

Falling in love is a slow process. It’s different from person to person. People are flawed. Relationships are flawed. People make mistakes. People fear rejection. Not everyone will find their soulmate exactly when they need most. People show love in different ways. People are not flirty all the time. Realism is important. Development is essential. When writing a couple, visualize yourself as one of the characters (or both). Imagine their love story as if it was happening to you in real life. See how different it goes? Maybe not as fast and a thousand times clumsier, but also charming and interesting.

Example of strong realism: Carl and Ellie (UP), they take a lifetime to mature their love and mutual respect. Neither are perfect. The relationship goes through bad times, but their love only grows.

Example of weak realism: Caine and Jupiter (Jupiter Ascending), they fall in love in two or three days, not enough scenes are dedicated to developing the relationship. In the end, it feels strange. 

2. Balance

Give your couple opposite but complementary features. This is basically the Yin-yang symbolism that a lot of stories shows. If one character is all love-and-peaceful, maybe the other is a furnace of anger. If one traveled the whole world, maybe the other never left their village. If one is a millionaire, maybe the other is homeless. If one is short with dark hair, maybe the other is tall with light hair. However, no matter how opposite they are, always keep the balance. One shouldn’t overshadow the other. They must shine together, but also as individuals.

Example of strong balance: Fix-it Felix Jr. and Sargent Calhoun (Wreck-It Ralph), they belong to different worlds, they would probably never meet. He is a sweet pie that always tries his best, a peacemaker. She is, on the other hand, an explosion, a warrior. They are both relevant in achieving victory. Also, both are the heroes of their own games.

Example of weak balance: Sasuke and Sakura (Naruto), he is way more powerful than her, he doesn’t respect her as a ninja, he doesn’t like working with her. He tried killing her more than once and was never sorry about that. She accepts being overshadowed. She lacks character development compared to Sasuke. There is no opposite-complementary features tying them. It’s unbalanced.

3. Synergy

Make them work together. Make them accomplish common goals. Make them a power duo. Make them laugh of the same jokes. Make it easy and natural for them to be together, talking, sharing and having a good time. Make their conversations flow. Make it easy to touch, and stare, and embrace, and kiss. Make their mind and body work together.

Example of strong synergy: Cat Noir and Ladybug/Adrien and Marinette (Miraculous Ladybug), they are the heroes of Paris. No, they are partners in saving the world. It doesn’t feel uncomfortable when they interact, fight and save each other. It feels right. It feels natural. You crave for interactions.

Example of weak synergy: Kim Tan and Eun-Sang (The Heirs), they are the type of couple that are always fighting, but sometimes indulge in a passionate kiss. However, there’s no synergy between these characters. They are never on the same page. They are never partners. The magic of their relationship never sparkles. Even their kisses are uncomfortable to watch.

Now, think of your favorite couples (even non-canon ones) and try spotting the realism, the balance and the synergy in them. If you ship it,I’m pretty sure it’s there. 

I get asked what a King or Queen went through on a daily basis. The answer is often a hard one as there are many different time periods to consider. I have narrowed down as best I can using the Medieval/Renaissance, the 18th Century and the 19th/20th century.

Kings/Sovereign

The King or Sovereign (its usually the same set up for a Queen Regnant, literally swap pronouns) would have a packed day ahead of them both personally and politically.

●A Mediaeval/Renaissance King would be roused from bed early by his gentleman and dressed for the day ahead. He would do some praying (though Henry VIII spent his praying time doing papers in his private box in the Chapel) and then have breakfast. Then he would either go hunting (a favourite pastime) or he would do some state business, meeting councillors, signing papers and meeting ambassadors and petitioners. Then when that was done, they would go visit their wives or mistresses (depending on the kind of man your King is). In the evenings he would dine and attend the court festivities.

●The 18th century King would be awoken as part of a performance. He would be roused by his courtiers and then dressed by them. When he was dressed and ready to go, the King would have breakfast, pray and then go about his hunting or his ruling (really Kings could be idle things). His day would be strictly regimented. It was said that any courier at Versailles knew exactly where their king was by the time. He would then go to supper, again before a large crowd or courtiers. In the evening he would attend the salons gambling or dancing or he would party with his mistresses in his private chambers.

●A 19th/20th century King would be awoken by a servant and then dressed. He would have breakfast usually with his family. He would then go about his state business  meeting councillors, signing papers and meeting ambassadors and petitioners. He would call into see his wife and kids before persuing his hobbies such as drawing or music. Nicholas II was fond of walking and outdoor pursuits. In the evening, he would attend supper with his family or before the court. If he chose to throw a court gathering, he would attend with his Queen.

Queen

The Queen is the wife of a sovereign (though this can be substituted for a guy) and had a less busy day than the sovereign.

●The Medieval/Renaissance Queen would rise late in the morning after their ladies who would awaken her early. Queens would dress and attend a religious ceremony (if there is one) as it was good to be pious. They would then have breakfast. The Medieval/Renaissance Queen would then visit their children if they live with them. They give charity to the poor and do charity work such as sewing shirts. Queens would likely hold court in their rooms, listening to court problems such as steward's accounts and greeting ambassadors. The would rest in the evenings listening to music, poetry or practise their dancung and go hunting. Queens will most likely change gowns before dinner and then sit at their husband's side. They would attend balls and entertainments. They then go to bed with their ladies to prepare for their next day.

●The 18th Century Queen would be awoken later by her ladies. She would suffer through a public dressing ceremony with her ladies and courtiers in attendance. She would go to religious ceremonies and then have breakfast before the court. She would spend her evenings with her ladies playing cards, gossiping and generally chilling. Most queens got very obese in this period as gowns were incredibly large and it wasn't seemly to exercise. They were couch potatoes for the most part. In the evenings, Queen's would publicly eat supper with their husband and then attend the court's goings on playing cards and dancing.

●The 19th century/20th century Queen would awaken early enough, not so late as their previous counterparts. They would dress and have breakfast, sometimes alone or with ladies or their children (children were raised with their mothers at this period). They would spend their evenings drawing, writing letters, sewing, card games and riding. They would usually spend time with their female relatives in the afternoon, going to visit them if they lived nearby. At the nights, they would attend balls and gatherings or if they wanted a quiet night which was far more frequent they would spend evenings with friends and family enjoying music or playing salon games.

Princess

Princesses live a charmed and privileged life in grand palaces that we can only dream of. However most princesses face a life of a regimental daily routine.

●A mediaeval/renaissance princess would likely rise very early to attend a prayer service. She would have her ladies dress her and she may even take a walk before breakfast. A mediaeval/renaissance princess would have lessons very early in the morning covering a wide range of subjects from religion to dancing.The mediaeval/renaissance princess would spend the afternoon with more enjoyable pursuits. She would do charity works, embroider, read and walk with her ladies. She would spend her evenings attending court festivities such as dancing and feasting. Princesses younger than fourteen would likeky not join in this for they were too young but older Princesses would be encouraged to join in at court gatherings as it was a chance for them to meet suitors and ambassadors.

●An 18th Century Princess would have risen later and had less regimental routine than the Medieval Princess but a more public one. The etiquette of Versailles had this ridiculous routine of the court crowding about the Dauphine (wife of the heir) and watching her ladies prepare her for the day. They would watch her get dressed (only ladies may view this), eat her breakfast and get her makeup and hair done. The 18th Century Princess would spend their afternoons doing something entertaining. They would play cards, gossip, sew, walk in the gardens and visit other female relatives. Their evenings would be filled with much of the same gossiping, dancing and gambling though they would watch the King eat his supper, standing around him as he ate. A princess at Versailles would be subjected to an evening with a public dinner before thousands, games of cards, gossip and dancing that could last well past midnight.

●More modern princesses (19th century) would have woken earlier than the previous century but not as early as the Renaissance princesses. They would bathe, dress and go to prayers before sitting down for a morning of lessons or to have breakfast. The 19th century princess would likely spend the afternoon having tea, playing lawn games, riding, going for carriage rides and other artistic pursuits. Queen Victoria’s daughter Princess Louise was an avid sculptor and loved her work even if nobody else approved. Their nights usually were reserved on an every day basis, spent in drawing rooms with family. Older princesses would be allowed to attend court gatherings, entertainments and balls where young princesses, under fourteen or so, would likely be sent to bed early. A quiet night would entail of piano playing and reading. If there was a ball, she would attend and dance with the society.

Prince

We sort of expect Princes to have a more privileged than their sisters but they often had a far more a regimental daily routine.

●A Mediaeval/Renaissance Prince would rise early and be dressed by his servants. He would go pray, eat breakfast and then attend lessons with tutors and masters at arms. In the afternoons he would hunt and hawk, usually spending time outside with his companions. In the evening, he would attend supper with his household or his parents if he was at court. If he is older than twelve, he would stay up to attend the dancing and festivities.

●An 18th century Prince would get out of bed and be dressed before a selection of courtiers. He would be given breakfast and then attend lessons. The afternoon allowed him to go riding or hunting or if he wished it, he could chill indoors with the court or his companions. He would attend supper with his parents if he lives at court or with his household and siblings if not. He would then play cards, drink, dally with the court ladies and dance.

In most fantasy settings, politics is a large part of worldbuilding and a chunk of the plot, as how the world and culture runs from top down, will effect your characters, certain events and often effect the run of your story. In writing politics, you are shaping both the opportunities and limits, the impacts of morality and power on your world which will always come back to bite your characters on the ass.

What is Politics?

Lasswell defined politics as the who gets what, where, when and how. It is the string of protocols and events that dictate the rules and structures of society, framing the values and core ideals of the nation - or at least, the values of the ruling class. Poltics is not the government, politics is the process of argument, discussion, choice and question of how the government is run. Think of government like a football player and politics as the ball and the goal and the field.

Political Factions

It would be foolish to think that poltics is an agreed, unilateral process. No government can exist on one idea, one thought process. Even in a totalitarian regime, there will be those that disagree or lobby for change, even in a totalitarian”utopia”, there will be those that disagree. It is human nature to argue. Left, right or central political factions exist because there is no system on any earth where any decision is made without pushback. And it would be a mistake to think that only the ruling class can effect politics, other and even marginalised classes have a pull on politics especially if they are in the majority. Poltics is often deterimined or at least influenced by popular opinion even in dictatorships, playing to the crowd either by distraction in the form or reward and entertainment or giving into some of their needs. Even powerful parties must work to convince factions from the workers who can be with or without vote - even voteless masses can influence politics, through violence or threat or strike action -or even the head of state who makes final decisions, it is all one performance to win popular opinion to their side and way of thinking. The use of political factions in your story can allow you to frame the what is and what could be in your world or limit the opportunities of characters creating more conflicts or barriers for characters to butt against. Political figures themselves will either be lauded or despised in turnk with the media and the people weighing in.

What Politicians, Heads of State and the Common Man/Woman could discuss when talking about Politics

Enter any bar, restaurant, family home, school or any sphere of conversation, politics is a common subject. Even if heavy topics aren’t tackled, most people operate on a “no politics at the dinner table” way of thinking, politics related topics will arise. There aren’t enough job opportunities, some items are hard to find or expensive, the healthcare and education system is lacking and too general, that politician broke their word, that head of state can’t seem to control the government, the government did this, said that and can you believe that? Politics effects life: healthcare, education, housing, freedom, the economy, justice and ways of thinking about foreign relations and the nation’s sense of pride. Politicans would run on platforms dedicated to change how one of these things or protect them, they would debate these things in government either successfully or unsuccessfully. They would discuss it with one another even in private, for example if they back a stance with all they got, would the other faction or their ally make it worth their while. A head of state would be counselled on the matters of housing, food, healthcare etc by the government and would often instruct the government to focus on a certain point causing potential breaking points with the population and would cause greater issues. There will also be those that struggle against the status quo and current politics due to ideas that the current politics either ignores them or backs them into a corner, protests, demonstrations and strikes would be apart of even the most peaceful of places. It is human nature to struggle and insist to be heard. Even amongst families and friendgroups will squabble or disagree over politics or how things are run or the success of the government.

No One Else Was in The Room Where it Happened

Not all politics is discussed in the grand halls of government, deals and agreements are made in the houses of the powerful, or in restaurants or even seedy nightclubs and bars. It is all about exchange of support for one thing for another favour another day, the head of state might ask the government to focus on one issue due to strain on one issue over other pressing issues. A law might be passed that protects the hands that grease the wheels of government, a wealthy tycoon is more likely to get off a tax charge than the man on the street. A politician might agree to support a political rival if they back a policy they are planning to implement. Politics is underhanded, because there are so many cogs working behind the scenes and it is doubtful that even the government fully knows what was going on which can lead to the public seeing their government and its politics as shady figures.

How your Head of State would handle state affairs

You think that it'd be scary and that they'd be rlly toxic and stuff, because one yandere is bad enough, but TWO??

BUT. Imagine this. They both fall for each other, their worlds practically revolve around each other, they're equally obsessed with the other. Each of them start to notice the other doesn't talk to many others, if anyone else, so they have no targets, only making them want to get closer. But they're both good at sneaking- they never realize when they're being followed by the other, even when they're just following each other at the same time

when one of their obsessive, kill-anyone-in-my-way-of-having-you attitude is finally revealed to the other, they aren't scared or disgusted like anyone else. They look at the knife they're holding thrilled someone would do for them what they'd do for the other. They look at the shrine of photos and lost belongings fondly, knowing they have a similar one in their room, or a scrapbook of photos they don't know about. They don't see the other as insane or terrifying like all the people they've fallen for in the past. They see all these things and realize just how perfect they really are for them.

Everyone else is scared and concerned- especially people who know how obsessive they can get, they feel like the two are a ticking time bomb, that they're probably the most toxic relationship they've seen. But in reality, they're both so equally devoted to the other, they wouldn't dream of having anyone else, and their relationship circles back to being healthy again, albeit a bit over the top, their shows of affection a bit extreme at times.

I have noticed that one of the recurring asks I receive in the ask box is how succession and titles work. So in this post we will be discussing courtesy titles and succession, so excluding the main noble ranks which re discussed on another post.

Royal Courtesy Titles

The consort is referred as the same if they are female. A male consort will always be referred to by his given title. This will be granted in the marriage contract. So Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark is always called Duke of Edinburgh or Prince Philip of Great Britain (not all that great to be honest).

The children of the monarch will be called Prince or Princess. The eldest and heir will have a special title like Princess of Asturias or Dauphin. The princes, if they stay in the kingdom, will usually be given a new title when they are old enough. This is usually Duke. But if a Princess marries within the kingdom she may be granted a title for her and her husband, again usually a Dukedom.

If one marries into the royal family from another royal line, their new royal title will take precedence. When Catherine of Aragon married Arthur, Prince of Wales, she was called Princess Wales not Princess of Spain.

Noble Courtesy titles

The eldest children of the noble in question will be granted a courtesy title. Similarly to the Prince of Wales/Asturias/Dauphin, noble children are only granted titles if they are the heir apparent. In Scotland, it is custom to offer the other children of the noble titles along the lines of Master/Mistress of X.

A Duke’s eldest son will have the title Earl. The Duke of Norfolk’s eldest son is usually granted the title of Earl of Surrey. They will often be Earl of the next biggest area with the duchy (area of the kingdom a duke rules).

Now if Earl is has a son, he will be given the style “Lord X”. The Earl of Devon’s son will be styled as “Lord Courtenay”. But he may also be granted the courtesy style of Viscount. George Boleyn was Viscount Rochford while his father was Earl of Wiltshire.

Succession

Let’s begin with a fake royal family. Robert is King. He has no siblings. His children were born as follows: Mary, Richard, Anne, George.

In a male dominated succession: Richard would be king first. If he dies, his male children will rule and their male children. If none are produced, George will be king. If George dies without any male heirs, Mary’s male children will come to the throne. After her and her sons, comes Anne and her sons. (If yours is a matrilineal succession, it goes Mother to daughter. Daughters before sisters. Sisters children before daughters of brothers)

In a gender-free succession: It will go Mary (her children), Richard (his children), Anne (her children), George (his children).

When I say Households, I mean the entourage that follows around the royal family. The household went everywhere with them to care for their needs from the people who would empty their chamber pots to their noble companions. Most royal households are basically the same as noble ones, only on grander scale. Every royal had a household and an entourage as well as every noble at court.

Palace Personnel ~ The Commons

The commons were an intregal part of every household. They made up perhaps 80% of the work force. Royal courts were often on the road and never spent more than a few months at every palace. The court was constantly moving. Some positions were not permanent, meaning certain servants did not travel with the court because they were employed at the palace only. They would be paid by the Monarch's paymaster.

Scullion: The scullion was a relatively easy position to fill so they were often changed as the court went from palace to palace. They would be responsible for scrubbing and cleaning the servants quarters and the kitchens. They would scrub floors with lye, scour pots with sand, sweep put the fireplace and clean up after the other servants. They were the first to rise in a castle and tasked to light all the fires in the kitchens. Scullions would just be employed to the palace and serve a multitude of chambers

Laundress: The laundress was responsible for the cleaning of anything made of fabric in the household. Since they are handling unmentionables, they knew what happened behind closed bedchamber doors. They knew when the King visited the Queen or hadn't, they knew when marriages were consummated or not and they knew when the Queen and royal women were not pregnant. They often sold secrets to pad their pockets. Laundresses might be permanent staff but sometimes not.

Minstrels: The minstrel was a commoner hired to play an instrument or sing for the entertainment of the royal. A royal might staff a few at a time but they would always have one on hand. The minstrel would likely come with their masters as they travelled. The minstrel might serve the main royal household but a royal might retain their own.

Cook: The cook was one of the most important servants in the household. They would have the task of overseeing the running of the kitchens and keeping supplies in order. They would likely be on call at all times. Henry VIII's cook was often woken in the night because his royal master wanted a midnight snack. The cook was a valued member of the household and would have been highly sought after if they were a very skilled cook. They would have travelled with the joint. Cooks were apart of the greater royal household but often royals retained private cooks for their own use.

Maidservant: The maidservant cleans the castle. She would sweep the floors, scrub them, empty the chamberpots, get rid of the ashes from the fire and ready the fire for later. She would make up the bed or strip it for the laundresses. She would wash anything that needed washing including furniture and ornaments. She was likely not a travelling servant and would be strictly employed at a single palace.

Jester: The jester was the hired entertainer. Working under the master of revels, the jester had the daunting task of making the monarch and their family laugh. They would tell jokes, tell stories, cause havoc in the court for laughs and lighten the mood. The most successful jester of all time was Will Somers, jester to Henry VIII. Will broke bad news to the infamously bad tempered monarch and got away with things that would have sent others to the block. Will survived most of Henry's reign, his head intact. Jesters would be apart of the main household though each royal might have one of their own.

Positions within the Royal Household ~ Noble

Nobility were always welcomed at court. They eat at court, slept at court and were cared for by the monarch. Some nobles had to sing for their supper and most were hired as royal servants. They weren't exactly scrubbing floors and would be paid handsomely with land that would generate wealth for them

The Steward/Seneschal: This person was the head of the royal's staff. They would have the task of running the lands and servants their master or mistress. The steward served as a backup and assistant in all the tasks even representing their master or mistress when they were unavailable. Would be a high ranking noble. Each royal household would have them.

Treasurer of the Household: The treasurer was the accountant and pay master. They would be in charge of ensuring debts were settled, wages were paid and the household was running within the budget. This was a coveted position because it gave the treasurer insight into the financial situations of the royals. Such info was wroth its weight in gold. Each royal would have one.

Usher: The Gentleman Usher would be in charge of escorting guests into the royal chambers and into the royal presence. They would act as a go between their royal master/mistress and the guest often going back and forth with messages. It was just as coveted as the position of chamberlain but with less responsibilities.

Master of Horse: The Master of Horse was in charge of seeing to the horses of their master. They would oversee the grooms or the stableboy/hands who were employed at the stables to actually care for the horses. The master of horse would ensure that the stables were in order and the horses were up to parr in order to bear royalty across the kingdom. Each royal would have one but there would a main one who acted as overseer.

Master of the Wardrobe/Mistress of the Robes: These are the nobility who are employed to look after the clothes of the royal they serve. This would mainly involve a managerial position, overseeing the inventory of the royal wardrobe (a warehouse like building that housed the clothing) and placing orders for new clothes. It was a tidy job that rarely involved getting the hands dirty. Each royal would have one.

Chamberlain/Valet: The chamberlain is employed to look after the Lord's bedchamber. This was the most sought out position as they effectively were the gateway into the royal presence. Their main task was making sure their boss was comfortable and happy. Could be a well born commoner or a noble. Each royal would have one.

The Page: All royal households had pages. They would be a young noble boy about seven years old sent to their royal master. He would be in charge of tidying up after the lord, carrying messages to other servants and occupants of the castle and serving him at meals. Unlike others on the list, the page would not be paid. His experience was his payment as he would learn the running of a court and how to be courtier. Each royal would have one.

Squires: Squires were like pages though they only served the men. They would accompany their royal master to battle, look after his armour and mail, ensure that his lord's horse was saddled, caring for their master's weapons. The squire would always be a young nobleman on the cusp of becoming a knight.

Governess: The governess is a noblewoman woman employed to oversee the Monarch's children's household. She would be the first teacher a royal child would have and would oversee the nursemaids who would have care of the physical person of the child. She would be appointed when the child was four or five. Notable governesses include Katherine Swynford (wife of John of Gaunt and mother to the Beaufort line), Margaret Pole (wife of Tudor Loyal Sir Richard Pole, sister of the last York heir Edward of Warwick, daughter of George Duke of Clarence and niece to King Edward VI and Richard III), Kat Ashley, Margaret Bryan, Madame de Maintenon and Baroness Lehzen. Most unmarried Princesses retained their governesses while Princes generally outgrew their governesses after they were breeched.

Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber: They were the male companions of a King or Prince, sort of like ladies in waiting but manly. They would accompany the King or Prince everywhere they would go and shared duties with Groom of the Stool (royal toilet paper dispenser) and the Chief Gentleman of the Chamber (overseeing the staff and maintaining the chamber). They would help their master get ready, serve him at the table and organize hunting and games to keep him entertained. Gentlemen and companions where often chosen for their connections as well as their master's own opinion. Henry VIII's gentlemen included: Sir William Compton (ward of Henry VII and heir to rich lands), Sir Henry Norris (the grandson of William Norris who fought with Henry's father at Stroke and a relation to the Yorkists Lovells), Sir Anthony Denny (son of Sir Edmund Denny Baron of the Exchequer) Sir Michael Stanhope (brother in law to Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset), Charles Brandon (ward of Henry VII and son of Tudor Loyalists)

Ladies in Waiting and Maids in Waiting or Maids of Honour: These are the female attendants to the Queen or Princess. Ladies in Waiting were married while the Maids were unmarried. They would have to attend their mistress wherever she went, help her get ready, keep her chambers in order, write letters for the Queen and maintaining her honour. They were chosen for their connections. Using Katherine of Aragon as an example, her Ladies in Waiting included: Maria de Salinas (daughter of Juan Sancriz de Salinas secretary to Isabella, Princess of Portugal and a Spanish courtier in the service to Katherine's parents, wife of Baron Willoughby de Ersby), Elizabeth Howard (the daughter of Thomas Howard, 2nd Duke of Norfolk, sister to Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk and wife to Thomas Boleyn, ambassador to France), Anne Hastings (daughter of William Hastings, 1st Baron Hastings, wife to George Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury and Lord Steward.), Agnes Tilney (wife to Thomas Howard, Earl of and 2nd Duke of Norfolk.), Elizabeth Scrope (wife of John de Vere, Earl of Oxford, a loyal Tudor lord), Margaret Scrope (wife of Sir Edmund de la Pole, Earl of Suffolk cousin to the King), Anne Stafford (sister of the Duke of Buckingham, married Sir George Hastings, Earl of Huntington and daughter of Henry Stafford, 2nd Duke of Buckingham (cousin to the King) and Lady Katherine Woodville (sister of King Henry VIII's grandmother and his great aunt by her marriage), Elizabeth Stafford (sister to Anne Stafford wife Robert Radcliffe, Lord Fitzwalter and Earl of Sussex around). Their connections are what got them their places and you can see why they were chosen.

Accommodation

Accommodation can be a difficult thing to sort both as a writer and a steward. You might have a palace of 200+ bedchambers in which you must house a staff of 500-/+, a varying amount of nobles, the royal family (of a varying amount) and their own households. When assigning rooms it is best to think of a Russian nesting doll. Start from the inside and work your way to the outside.

The best rooms go to the monarch, their consort and their children/siblings/parent(s). These chambers would include the bedroom, a drawing room/ common area, a privy, a closet (a small chamber that can be used for prayer or work). They would be furnished with the best cloth, the best candles and whatever furniture brought by the resident since most royal courts travelled from palace to palace. They will also have chambers for their personal servants such as ladies in waiting and grooms.

The second best set of rooms would go to the highest ranking nobles/people in the court. These rooms would be less fancy and a little smaller. These would be given to from titled nobility descending from those of Ducal rank (Dukes/Duchesses) or even members of the council such as Thomas Cromwell in Tudor times.

The next set would be considerably smaller, perhaps minus a closet or a drawing room. Given to lower nobility.

The next level of chambers would be smaller perhaps only the bedroom and a common area given to minor nobles.

The last set of rooms would be small and only hold enough room for a bedroom. Servants would have to sleep on the ground on pallets beside their masters.