Gentleman Usher

[2] The tasks of the Gentlemen Ushers of the Privy Chamber in the reign of Edward VI of England were supervise the Grooms who swept the floors of the royal lodging, and laid straw and matts.

At the Union of Crowns, James VI and I came to York in May 1603 and swore Elizabeth's former ushers as his servants, including Richard Coningsby and George Pollard, and the quarter waiters Thomas Rolles and Master Hariffe.

[6] A Scottish usher called Bochan or Buchanan fought with Edward Herbert over Mary Middlemore one of Anne of Denmark's maids of honour.

The latter two originally served different terms of service, but the distinction later became only nominal, as the role of the Gentleman Ushers became increasingly ceremonial and they exercised less supervision over the staff.

When on duty Ushers generally wear either Service uniform with a brassard displaying the royal cypher or morning or evening dress, depending on the occasion.

Certain Gentleman Ushers have duties outside of the Royal Household, usually attached either as officers of an order of knighthood or to a House of Parliament.

In some respects, the Military Social Aides to the US President, who attend on some 2 to 4 afternoons a month to assist visitors to the White House, are an American and more recent equivalent to the Gentleman Ushers in Ordinary.