Article: keepers of the kingdom; When Jessica Fellowes learnt she held the ancient office of Herb Strewer she unearthed a strange world of Boy Bishops and Queen's Remembrancers.

Byline: JESSICA FELLOWES

As the senior unmarried daughter of the Fellowes family, I am the Herb Strewer. It's not some New Age-style occupation, but a title bestowed upon my direct ancestor, Anne Fellowes, by King George IV at the time of his coronation in 1821. Despite the fact that no member of the Royal Family since then has called upon the services of a Herb Strewer, it is nonetheless a title I am permitted to hold, and also rather enjoy. (However, I prefer not to dwell on the 'senior, unmarried' qualification for the post.) Herb Strewers were employed from about 1660 onwards to wander through royal apartments scattering mint, sage, rue, camomile, rose ...

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