Painted on the King’s staircase at Kensington are portraits of two of George I’s Turkish servants, Mohammed and Mustapha. They had come over from Hanover with George I in 1714 and he paid them out of his private purse. They did all the hands-on work of washing and dressing the King. Such other menial tasks as warming his shirt by the fire, handing it to him, or – best of all – attending him in the ‘Secret or Privy Room’ containing his water closet, were highly prized. By custom, the Groom of the Stool had the honour of accompanying the King when ‘he goeth to make water’. An officer so intimate with the monarch was traditionally the most powerful in the court and until this point had always been a well-born and highly-placed courtier. This talk will explore their lives and the wider context of Muslims in 18th-century London society.

Dr Matthew Birchwood teaches Shakespeare and other Renaissance literature and drama at Kingston University. His research interests include early modern drama and polemic; and English engagement with Islam in the period.

This event includes Turkish coffee, mint tea, baklava and Turkish sweets and entry to Kensington Palace.

To book please go to www.hrp.org.uk/adultlearning or call 0844 482 7799