Cup-bearer

The cupbearer (Latin pincerna or buticularius - see also Cellarius or Kellerer, lat cellarius ) was in the Middle Ages a Hofbediensteter that for the supply of drinks - especially with wine - was responsible, since the Carolingian period and for the administration of the royal vineyards. The function of the butler to the court office, which as honorary often became hereditary in a high-ranking noble family, was in fact but usually exercised by a deputy developed on bigger royal courts.

The first mention of the cupbearer Office can be found already in the Bible in Genesis, in which the butler of the Pharaoh is mentioned, as well as in the Bible book of Nehemiah (1st book of Genesis, Chapter 40, Book of Nehemiah, Chapter 2). Nehemiah himself was cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes Longimanus, the son of Xerxes I in Susa. Also from the Assyrian court, the Office is busy ( about Ashur bunaja - usur under Shalmaneser III. ). Here the butler was a high official, who could, for example, perceive the Office of the eponymous officials.

The cupbearer office was an office with a very high responsibility, but also trust. Similar to the already known in ancient office of Vorkosters the ruler confided to the cupbearer his health and well-being. Furthermore, the cupbearer direct access to the king, if this was available in a good mood and for favors. This trust led to the high reputation of the Office to the High Middle Ages.

In the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation, the office of cupbearer was one of the four Erzämtern that were associated with the secular Elector. So the King of Bohemia was the Erzmundschenk of the Holy Roman Emperor. But all this were purely honorary title. The costs associated with the offices, actual duties took representative of the electors the true owner of the so-called Reichserbämter. The Reichserbschenk ( pincerna imperii ) was responsible, among other things, for example, at the celebrations for the coronation of the Holy Roman Emperor in Frankfurt am Main, complimentary wine that was served to the people.