I have a few questions about ladies-in-waiting in medieval times.

Were unmarried ladies-in-waiting called Maids of Honour? Were Maids of Honour less important?

Could you be unmarried and still be called a lady-in-waiting?

How different was it to be a lady-in-waiting or to live in a castle in England than it was in Ireland or Wales?

Any question you can answer would be great!

Thank you! :-)

http://www.google.com/search?q=medieval+lady-in-waiting&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7GGIE_en

You should find answers to most or all your questions in the links in those search results.

I have already tried Google searches and checked most of those sites. I was hoping to see if someone could answer me directly or point me to a specific site that has that answer.

Most of this information is about Elizabethan or Rennaisance times, not medieval. However, these sites should help you.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maid_of_Honour

http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/lady-in-waiting.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady-in-waiting

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-lady-in-waiting.htm

Hello! I would be happy to answer your questions about ladies-in-waiting in medieval times.

1. Were unmarried ladies-in-waiting called Maids of Honour? Were Maids of Honour less important?
In medieval times, the term "Maids of Honour" specifically referred to young, unmarried ladies who served the queen or a royal princess. They were considered to be in a higher status than other ladies-in-waiting. Maids of Honour were often chosen for their beauty, intellect, or noble lineage, and they played a more prominent role in the royal court. While other unmarried ladies-in-waiting existed, Maids of Honour held a special position of significance.

2. Could you be unmarried and still be called a lady-in-waiting?
Yes, being unmarried was not a requirement to serve as a lady-in-waiting. Women of various marital statuses could serve as ladies-in-waiting to queens, princesses, or noblewomen. Some ladies-in-waiting were widows or even married, but they still played important roles in the noble households.

3. How different was it to be a lady-in-waiting or to live in a castle in England than it was in Ireland or Wales?
The experiences of being a lady-in-waiting or living in a castle in England, Ireland, or Wales would have varied due to regional differences and cultural nuances. However, they would share some similarities pertaining to their roles and responsibilities. The overall social structure, hierarchy, and customs of the time influenced the lives of ladies-in-waiting and castle inhabitants.

Specific differences might have included variations in court customs, language, dress, and the specific cultural practices of each region. The political dynamics and relationships between the ruling nobility, royalty, and the wider population could also differ. It would be important to study historical records, literature, and accounts from the time period to gain a deeper understanding of the similarities and differences in the lives of ladies-in-waiting and castle inhabitants across these regions.

If you have any more questions or need further information on this topic, feel free to ask!