Rockers (royal courts)

Rockers were gentlewomen employed at royal courts and aristocratic households as attendants to infants, whose duties included rocking the cradle. In medieval England, a French term "berceresse" or "bercere" was used for this role, or the English words "bersatrix" or "rockster". The employment of rockers was noted by an English author Walter of Bibbesworth in his Treatise. An ordinance for the household of Henry VII of England includes "four chamberers, called rockers". The rockers gave oaths of loyalty and service to the Lord Chamberlain as members of the royal household.