Life Below Stairs Read online

  On their return from the front, fewer men were prepared to enter the life of servitude that the ‘lower orders’ had once seen as a privilege. In his memoir From Hallboy to House Steward, Willam Lanceley commented that the war work many were asked to do ‘was a novelty to them, the pay was big and they had short hours, hundreds being spoilt for service through it. It made those who returned to service unsettled.’

  In 1919, the Women’s Advisory Council presented a report on the ‘Domestic Service Problem’ to Parliament, which concluded that ‘there is amongst girls a growing distaste for domestic service under its present conditions, and a reluctance on the part of parents to allow them to take up such work’. The report suggested proper training and the creation of ‘clubs’ that would lead to the formation of trade unions, an idea that even some of its own members found unpalatable. The Marchioness of Londonderry refused to sign the section because, she felt, ‘any possibility of the introduction into the conditions of domestic service of the type of relations now obtainable between employers and workers in industrial life is extremely undesirable and liable to react in a disastrous manner on the whole foundation of home life’. Others believed the recommendations didn’t go far enough because, while they called for reduced hours, fixed breaks for meals and two weeks’ paid annual leave, hours and wages would not be enshrined in law.

  Historically, mistresses disliked being told how to treat their servants but committee member Dr Marion Philips argued, ‘I believe that the reason why it is difficult to get servants today is not lack of training, but because servants are dissatisfied with the wages and hours of work. They are also dissatisfied with many matters which may roughly be classified as questions of social status.’

  From 1920, the government attempted to coax young women back into domestic service by running home craft courses, with the condition the pupil would then become a servant, and even offering to pay for the uniforms required to enter a first position. But a life of servitude no longer held any appeal to the majority of women and the days when life below stairs provided the only way out of crushing poverty were for ever gone.

  Sources and

  Bibliography

  Max Arthur, Lost Voices of the Edwardians: 1901–1910 in Their Own Words (Harper Collins, 2007)

  Jane Beckett and Deborah Cherry (ed.), Edwardian Era (Phaidon Press, 1987)

  Mrs Beeton’s Book of Household Management (Oxford, 1861)

  Frank Victor Dawes, Not in Front of the Servants: A True Portrait of Upstairs, Downstairs Life (Pimlico, 1989)

  The Footman’s Directory and Butler’s Remembrancer (Pryor Publications, 1823)

  Jessica Gerard, Country House Life: Family and Servants, 1815–1914 (Wiley-Blackwell, 1995)

  Gareth Griffiths and Samuel Mullins, Cap and Apron: Oral History of Domestic Service in the Shires, 1890–1950 (Leicestershire Museums, Arts & Records Service, 1986)

  Hints to Domestic Servants, by a Butler in a Gentleman’s Family (1854)

  Pamela Horn, Life Below Stairs in the Twentieth Century (Sutton Publishing, 2003)

  Frank E. Huggett, Life Below Stairs (John Murray, 1977)

  Helen Long, The Edwardian House (Manchester University Press, 1993)

  Manners of Modern Society (Cassell, Petter and Galpin)

  Janet McKenzie Hill, A Guide To Edwardian Servants (1922)

  Charles Morris, The Home Cyclopedia Of Cooking And Housekeeping (W.E. Scull, 1902)

  Jeremy Musson, Up and Down Stairs: The History of the Country House Servant (John Murray, 2009)

  Margaret Powell, Below Stairs (Peter Davies, 1968)

  Pamela Sambrook, Keeping Their Place: Domestic Service in the Country House (The History Press Ltd, 2007)

  Noel Streatfeild (ed.), The Day Before Yesterday: Firsthand Stories of 50 Years Ago (Collins, 1956)

  Albert Thomas, The Autobiography of Albert Thomas, Butler at Brasenose College, Oxford (Michael Joseph, 1944)

  Laura Wilson, Daily Life in a Victorian House (Puffin, 1998)

  Websites

  www.ourwardfamily.com

  www.alexanderpalace.org

  www.accidentalsmallholder.net

  www.pbs.org/wnet/1900house

  www.hinchhouse.org.uk

  www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

  www.brighton-hove-rpml.org.uk

  Picture

  Acknowledgements

  Pagelink

  Mary Evans Picture Library

  Pagelink

  H M Brock/Mary Evans Picture Library

  Pagelink

  From ‘A History of The Gothic Revival’ by Charles L. Eastlake (1872)

  Pagelink

  © 2011 Clipart.com

  Pagelink

  © Illustrated London News/Mary Evans Picture Library

  Pagelink

  © Gary Doak/Alamy

  Pagelink

  Mary Evans Picture Library

  Pagelink

  www.historyworld.co.uk

  Pagelink

  © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

  Pagelink

  The Advertising Archives

  Pagelink

  The Advertising Archives

  Pagelink

  © Illustrated London News

  Pagelink

  Hulton Archive/Getty Images

  Pagelink

  Mary Evans Picture Library

  Index

  A

  Andrews, George ref 1

  appliances, domestic ref 1, ref 2, ref 3, ref 4, ref 5

  Aqualate Hall, Staffordshire ref 1

  Arthur, Max ref 1

  Asquith, Lady Cynthia ref 1, ref 2, ref 3, ref 4, ref 5

  Astor, Lady ref 1

  attic rooms ref 1

  B

  balls and parties

  society ref 1, ref 2

  staff ref 1, ref 2

  see also dinner parties

  Barrie, J. M. ref 1

  basement rooms see kitchens; servants’ hall; staff quarters

  Bath, 6th Marquess of ref 1, ref 2

  bathing and washing

  family members and guests ref 1, ref 2, ref 3, ref 4, ref 5, ref 6

  staff facilities ref 1, ref 2

  beauty products ref 1, ref 2

  Bedford, Duke and Duchess of ref 1

  beer allowances ref 1, ref 2, ref 3

  Beeton, Mrs ref 1, ref 2, ref 3, ref 4, ref 5, ref 6, ref 7, ref 8, ref 9

  bells, servants’ ref 1, ref 2

  ‘between-stairs-maids’ ref 1, ref 2, ref 3

  see also maids

  blacking hearths ref 1, ref 2, ref 3

  Bonham Carter, Lady Charlotte ref 1

  Booth, Charles ref 1

  Brasenose College, Oxford ref 1

  Brown, Harriet ref 1

  Brown, James and Sarah ref 1

  Brown, Kate ref 1

  Bruce, Alastair ref 1, ref 2, ref 3

  Bullock, Mary Ann ref 1

  butlers ref 1, ref 2, ref 3, ref 4, ref 5, ref 6, ref 7, ref 8, ref 9, ref 10, ref 11, ref 12, ref 13, ref 14, ref 15, ref 16, ref 17, ref 18, ref 19, ref 20, ref 21, ref 22, ref 23, ref 24, ref 25, ref 26, ref 27, ref 28, ref 29, ref 30, ref 31, ref 32, ref 33

  Byron, Lord ref 1

  C

  Campbell Chorley, Katherine ref 1

  candles ref 1, ref 2, ref 3

  carriages, horse-drawn ref 1, ref 2, ref 3

  cars ref 1, ref 2, ref 3, ref 4

  Cassell’s Household Guide ref 1, ref 2, ref 3, ref 4, ref 5, ref 6, ref 7, ref 8

  chambermaids ref 1 , ref 2, ref 3, ref 4, ref 5, ref 6

  see also maids

  character references ref 1, ref 2

  chauffeurs ref 1, ref 2, ref 3

  children ref 1, ref 2, ref 3, ref 4, ref 5

  of the family ref 1, ref 2, ref 3, ref 4, ref 5, ref 6, ref 7, ref 8, ref 9

  nannies and nursemaids ref 1, ref 2, ref 3, ref 4, ref 5, ref 6

  young staff ref 1, ref 2 , ref 3, ref 4, ref 5

  church and chapel see religious pract
ice

  cinemas and music halls ref 1

  cleaning and laundry ref 1, ref 2, ref 3, ref 4, ref 5, ref 6, ref 7, ref 8

  see also maids; silverware

  clothes ref 1, ref 2, ref 3, ref 4, ref 5, ref 6, ref 7, ref 8, ref 9, ref 10, ref 11

  livery ref 1, ref 2, ref 3

  senior staff ref 1

  uniforms ref 1, ref 2, ref 3, ref 4

  see also lady’s maids

  coachmen ref 1, ref 2, ref 3, ref 4

  codes of conduct

  addressing servants ref 1

  followers ref 1

  punishments ref 1

  regards the family ref 1

  use of religion ref 1

  Cook, Jean, Sally and Gill ref 1, ref 2

  cooks and chefs ref 1, ref 2, ref 3, ref 4, ref 5, ref 6, ref 7, ref 8, ref 9, ref 10, ref 11, ref 12, ref 13, ref 14, ref 15, ref 16, ref 17, ref 18, ref 19, ref 20

  see also dinner parties

  Cooper, Charles ref 1

  Country Life magazine ref 1

  Cullwick, Hannah ref 1, ref 2

  cutlery see silverware

  D

  debutantes ref 1

  dining (general) ref 1, ref 2, ref 3, ref 4, ref 5, ref 6, ref 7, ref 8, ref 9, ref 10, ref 11, ref 12, ref 13, ref 14, ref 15, ref 16

  dinner parties ref 1

  after dinner ref 1

  guests ref 1

  invitations ref 1, ref 2

  menus and recipes ref 1, ref 2, ref 3

  serving etiquette ref 1

  table settings ref 1, ref 2, ref 3

  waiters ref 1, ref 2, ref 3

  disciplining staff ref 1, ref 2, ref 3, ref 4, ref 5, ref 6, ref 7

  dismissals ref 1, ref 2, ref 3, ref 4, ref 5, ref 6, ref 7

  domestic appliances ref 1, ref 2, ref 3, ref 4, ref 5

  d’Orléans, Duc ref 1

  Dowhill, Lady Lindsay of ref 1

  Du Caurroy, Mary ref 1

  E

  Eaton Hall, Cheshire ref 1

  Edgerton, Connie ref 1

  education ref 1, ref 2, ref 3

  Edward VII, King ref 1, ref 2, ref 3, ref 4

  Edwards, Mrs G. ref 1, ref 2

  electricity and gas supplies ref 1, ref 2, ref 3

  employment agencies ref 1

  entertainment ref 1

  see also dinner parties; holidays/ days off; Season

  etiquette ref 1, ref 2, ref 3, ref 4

  Every Woman’s Encyclopedia ref 1

  F

  families and friends of servants ref 1, ref 2, ref 3, ref 4, ref 5, ref 6

  Featherstonhaugh, Sir Harry ref 1

  Fellowes, Julian ref 1

  firing see dismissal

  First World War ref 1, ref 2

  followers ref 1, ref 2, ref 3

  food and dining ref 1, ref 2, ref 3, ref 4, ref 5, ref 6, ref 7, ref 8, ref 9, ref 10, ref 11, ref 12, ref 13, ref 14, ref 15, ref 16

  below stairs ref 1, ref 2, ref 3, ref 4, ref 5, ref 6, ref 7, ref 8, ref 9, ref 10, ref 11, ref 12, ref 13, ref 14, ref 15

  dinner parties ref 1

  menus and recipes ref 1, ref 2, ref 3

  footmen ref 1, ref 2, ref 3, ref 4, ref 5, ref 6, ref 7, ref 8, ref 9, ref 10, ref 11, ref 12, ref 13, ref 14, ref 15, ref 16, ref 17, ref 18, ref 19, ref 20, ref 21, ref 22, ref 23, ref 24, ref 25, ref 26, ref 27, ref 28, ref 29, ref 30

  G

  ‘game chips’ ref 1

  gamekeepers ref 1, ref 2

  Gardener, Beatrice ref 1

  gardeners ref 1, ref 2, ref 3, ref 4, ref 5, ref 6

  Gardner, Beatrice ref 1

  gas and electricity supplies ref 1, ref 2, ref 3

  Gillows family ref 1, ref 2

  Gorst, Frederick John ref 1, ref 2, ref 3

  gossip ref 1

  governesses ref 1

  Graham, Lily ref 1

  Green, Dorothy ref 1, ref 2

  grooms ref 1, ref 2, ref 3, ref 4, ref 5, ref 6, ref 7

  groundsmen ref 1

  guests, house ref 1, ref 2, ref 3, ref 4, ref 5, ref 6, ref 7, ref 8, ref 9, ref 10, ref 11

  H

  hairdressing ref 1

  hallboys ref 1, ref 2, ref 3, ref 4, ref 5, ref 6, ref 7, ref 8, ref 9, ref 10, ref 11, ref 12

  height preferences ref 1

  Hibbert, Jean ref 1, ref 2

  hierarchy of servants ref 1, ref 2, ref 3, ref 4, ref 5, ref 6, ref 7, ref 8, ref 9, ref 10, ref 11

  ‘high life’ ref 1

  hiring staff ref 1, ref 2, ref 3, ref 4, ref 5

  holidays/ time off ref 1, ref 2, ref 3

  homesickness ref 1, ref 2, ref 3

  Honey, Frank ref 1, ref 2

  Horne, Eric ref 1, ref 2, ref 3, ref 4

  horse-drawn carriages ref 1, ref 2, ref 3

  hours of work ref 1, ref 2, ref 3, ref 4, ref 5, ref 6, ref 7

  houseboy see hallboy

  housekeepers ref 1, ref 2, ref 3, ref 4, ref 5, ref 6, ref 7, ref 8, ref 9, ref 10, ref 11, ref 12, ref 13, ref 14, ref 15, ref 16, ref 17

  housemaids ref 1, ref 2, ref 3, ref 4, ref 5, ref 6, ref 7, ref 8, ref 9, ref 10, ref 11, ref 12, ref 13, ref 14, ref 15, ref 16, ref 17, ref 18

  see also maids

  housemaid’s knee ref 1

  Hume, Mrs ref 1

  Hunt, Jean ref 1

  Hunt, Mrs Ellen ref 1

  hunting see shooting parties and hunting season

  I

  Inch, Arthur ref 1

  Inch, George ref 1

  interviews see hiring staff

  ironing ref 1

  J

  Jeeves and Wooster ref 1

  K

  King, Ernest ref 1

  kitchen maids ref 1, ref 2, ref 3, ref 4, ref 5, ref 6, ref 7, ref 8, ref 9, ref 10, ref 11, ref 12, ref 13

  see also maids

  kitchens and kitchen staff (general) ref 1, ref 2, ref 3, ref 4, ref 5, ref 6, ref 7, ref 8, ref 9, ref 10, ref 11, ref 12, ref 13, ref 14, ref 15, ref 16

  L

  lady’s maids ref 1 , ref 2, ref 3, ref 4, ref 5, ref 6, ref 7, ref 8, ref 9, ref 10, ref 11, ref 12, ref 13, ref 14

  Lanceley, William ref 1

  Lancet ref 1

  land stewards ref 1

  Lane, Manny ref 1

  Lansley, Henry ref 1

  laundry and laundry maids ref 1, ref 2

  Leighton Hall, Lancashire ref 1, ref 2

  Lewis, Rosa ref 1

  livery ref 1, ref 2, ref 3

  London ref 1, ref 2

  Londonderry House, London ref 1

  Londonderry, Marchioness of ref 1

  Longleat estate, Wiltshire ref 1, ref 2

  Lothian, Marquess and Marchioness of ref 1

  M

  maids ref 1, ref 2, ref 3, ref 4, ref 5, ref 6, ref 7, ref 8, ref 9, ref 10, ref 11, ref 12, ref 13, ref 14, ref 15, ref 16, ref 17, ref 18

  between-stairs maids ref 1, ref 2, ref 3

  chambermaids ref 1, ref 2, ref 3, ref 4, ref 5, ref 6

  housemaids ref 1, ref 2, ref 3, ref 4, ref 5, ref 6, ref 7, ref 8, ref 9, ref 10, ref 11, ref 12, ref 13, ref 14, ref 15, ref 16, ref 17, ref 18

  kitchen maids ref 1, ref 2, ref 3, ref 4, ref 5, ref 6, ref 7, ref 8, ref 9, ref 10, ref 11, ref 12, ref 13

  lady’s maid ref 1, ref 2, ref 3, ref 4, ref 5, ref 6, ref 7, ref 9, ref 10, ref 11, ref 12, ref 13, ref 14, ref 15

  laundry maids ref 1

  nursemaids ref 1, ref 2, ref 3, ref 4, ref 5, ref 6

  parlourmaids ref 1, ref 2, ref 3, ref 4, ref 5, ref 6, ref 7, ref 8, ref 9

  scullery maids ref 1, ref 2, ref 3, ref 4, ref 5, ref 6, ref 7, ref 8, ref 9, ref 10, ref 11

  sex, seduction and romance ref 1

  uniforms ref 1, ref 2, ref 3, ref 4, ref 5, ref 6

  maids-of-all-work ref 1, ref 2, ref 3, ref 4, ref 5

  mangles ref 1, ref 2

  manservants see footmen

  Marion, Kitty ref 1

  marriages ref 1, ref 2, ref 3

  Massey, Mrs ref 1

  masters of the house ref
1, ref 2, ref 3, ref 4, ref 5, ref 6, ref 7, ref 8, ref 9, ref 10, ref 11, ref 12, ref 13, ref 14, ref 15, ref 16, ref 17, ref 18, ref 19, ref 20, ref 21

  McKenzie Hill, Janet ref 1, ref 2, ref 3

  McLeod, John ref 1

  mechanics ref 1, ref 2

  Melville-Steele, Mrs Edith ref 1

  menus and recipes ref 1, ref 2 , ref 3

  middle-classes ref 1, ref 2, ref 3, ref 4, ref 5, ref 6, ref 7, ref 8, ref 9, ref 10, ref 11, ref 12, ref 13, ref 14

  mistreatment ref 1, ref 2, ref 3, ref 4, ref 5

  mistresses of the house ref 1, ref 2, ref 3, ref 4, ref 5, ref 6, ref 7, ref 8, ref 9, ref 10, ref 11, ref 12, ref 13, ref 14, ref 15, ref 16, ref 17, ref 18, ref 19, ref 20, ref 21, ref 22, ref 23, ref 24, ref 25, ref 26, ref 27, ref 28, ref 29, ref 30, ref 31, ref 32, ref 33, ref 34, ref 35, ref 36, ref 37, ref 38, ref 39

  Monteviot estate ref 1

  mop fairs ref 1

  motorcars see cars

  Munby, Arthur ref 1

  Muthesius, Hermann ref 1

  N

  nannies and nursemaids ref 1, ref 2, ref 3, ref 4, ref 5, ref 6

  National Insurance ref 1

  Norfolk, Duke of ref 1

  Northwick, Lord ref 1

  numbers of staff ref 1, ref 2, ref 3, ref 4, ref 5, ref 6

  nursemaids see nannies and nursemaids

  O

  office work ref 1, ref 2

  old retainers see retirement

  P

  Packman, Albert ref 1

  parlourmaids ref 1, ref 2, ref 3, ref 4, ref 5, ref 6, ref 7, ref 8, ref 9

  see also maids

  pensions ref 1, ref 2

  perks ref 1, ref 2, ref 3, ref 4, ref 5, ref 6

  Philips, Dr Marion ref 1

  ‘plate’ see silverware

  Portland, Duke of ref 1, ref 2, ref 3, ref 4