Lady-in-waiting of the Imperial Court of Russia

A lady-in-waiting of the Imperial Russian Court (придворные дамы) was a woman of high aristocracy at the service of a woman of the Imperial family. They were organised according to the strict hierarchy of Peter the Great's table of ranks, following the woman's chin (rank) established on January 24, 1722. Definition and table of ranks All the ancient occupations of the women at the Court of Russia, traditionally held by boyarynias (wives of boyars), nurses, housekeepers, servants, nannies etc., were abolished and replaced by a new hierarchy inspired by Versailles Court's etiquette and German models, although many Muscovite and post-reform positions were in charge of identical functions. The new hierarchy used German terminology. Ober-Hofmeisterin (The Great Mistress of the Court); first class Wives of members of the Privy council of Russia; second class Deystvitelnaya Statsdame (literally Acting Lady of the State); third class Deystvitelnaya Kammer-devitsa (literally Acting Maid of the Bedchamber); fourth class and wives of College's presidents Hofdame (literally Lady of the Court); fifth class and Generals' wives Hofdevitsa (Maid of Honour); corresponding to Colonel's wives Kammer-devitsa (Maid of the Bedchamber)