Today, we talk about the servants in my story. Not them specifically, but their positions, what they might have worn, what their job descriptions probably were and the hierarchy of servants. I plan to talk about the select few that made their way into my story, but I am just touching a small part of the types of servants there were and still are in some cases.
Some of the servants in my story had bigger roles than others of course, but I'll try to mention each one anyway to help those who may not know what a certain servant mentioned would have done.
Butler and Housekeeper
"The butler was the highest ranking servant and final authority on everything pertaining to the management of the household. His orders came directly from the master and the power he wielded was absolute. Conversely, as the admiral (or general) of the house, his tushie was on the line more than anyone else. His was a role with incredible responsibility. Imagine the breadth of affairs he was ultimately responsible for! Without superior management skills, a man simply could not rise to butler level. No one became a butler without years of service in lower servant roles and impeccable references.
"The Academy Where Butlers Are Born"
Additionally, and probably most importantly, the butler’s relationship with the housekeeper had to be favorable. She was his right-hand helper, nearly on equal footing, and as mentioned above, with so many servants directly under her command, smooth running of the house critically depended upon these two working in concord. Technically he was the boss over the entire household staff so he could, and probably often did, issue orders whenever and to whoever he needed to. Nevertheless, the butler primarily oversaw the duties of the footmen while the housekeeper oversaw the maids."
Valet and Lady's Maid
"The valet is sometimes referred to as the “gentleman’s gentleman.” Often, in finer homes he was of foreign extraction. In the manner of keeping a “French cook,” many British gentleman sought the skills of a foreign valet. There were certain servants, such as the governess, the valet, etc., who did not quite fit into the categories of upper servants and lower servants. Through his connection to the master of the house the valet was often among others of Society at sporting events, social engagements, etc. This placed the valet in a position to know the latest gossip of those with whom his master associated and made him a figure of “authority” when the upper servants dined in the steward’s quarters.
The valet was not required to dress in house livery, and most valets dressed in the manner of country gentleman or business owner. His main occupation was to make certain his master appeared to the best advantage. The valet’s job was to see his master well-dressed and immaculate, to the point that the master was free to wile away his time without fretting."
"a lady’s maid needed to have an arsenal of various skills, and many of a lady maid’s talents were connected with her mistress’s toilette and wardrobe. Duties included selecting clothing and millinery that highlighted and improved her mistress’s complexion and figure. It also meant a lady’s maid was responsible to protect, maintain, and repair her mistress’s skin so that she would be less likely to suffer from age spots, freckles, pimples, moles, warts, wrinkles, or other skin imperfections. Headdresses and hairstyles were another vital component of a mistress’s toilette, and no woman wanted to look ridiculous just to be in vogue. A lady’s maid also had to balance the latest fashions, makeup, and millinery styles with her mistress’s physical advantages and disadvantages. Moreover, the lady’s maid had to ensure that when her mistress stepped into the street, the mistress reflected her best work."
Chambermaid and Grounds Keepers
You may hear these servants called by other names such as, Housemaid, Upstairs maid or Gardener, but their titles are pretty self explanatory, but...
"Chambermaids: Attended to the chambers or rooms. Dusted, swept, made beds, warmed beds, took care of fires, attended dressing room, and cared for windows."
"the housemaid or the chamber maid empties the slops, keep up the fires both in this and the bedroom (if wanted) and keeps the rooms in perfect order. Previous to her mistress retiring for the night she will have looked out her night clothes and aired them well; and she will not only now but at all times when she goes to dress carry up hot water for washing etc and when she is gone to bed she will carefully examine all her clothes and do all that is necessary to be done to them before she folds them away."
I enjoyed learning about the English gardens in my research. The skill it took to design and maintain the gardens, lawns, walkways, lakes, etc., is quite impressive.
"All of the groundsmen from the boss on down were far more than simple gardeners. There wasn’t a single chore from cutting the grass to erecting an elaborate structure to clearing the paths of debris that they weren’t responsible for and prodigiously skilled at. Above all, be assured that these men (and women) perfected their art with passion and loving care. Furthermore, they weren’t only in charge of the ornamental pleasure gardens but also the extensive herb and kitchen gardens, and fruit bearing trees required to feed the family and guests."
Coachman, Stable boys and The Page
"Coachmen were the people entrusted with the management of a person’s carriage and horses. It was important they be reliable, honest, and wise, as a traveler’s safety depended on these traits. For instance, when traveling in a coach, loose nuts and bolts occurred frequently. “A Careful Coachman” was said to be the person willing to check the coach every fortnight for any possible loose nuts or bolts and then screw them tight but also do it with such 'care [as to] not to injure the Paint with the Wrench.'"
"A groom or stable boy is a person who is responsible for some or all aspects of the management of horses and/or the care of the stables themselves. The term most often refers to a person who is the employee of a stable owner, but an owner of a horse may perform the duties of a groom, particularly if the owner only possesses a few horses."
"In medieval times, a page was an attendant to a knight; an apprentice squire. A young boy served as a page for seven years, from the age of seven (after cutting hair) until he was fourteen. At age fourteen, he could graduate to become a squire, and by age 21, perhaps a knight himself. Similar pages served in castles, and great houses fetching things and running messages for aristocrats and royalty. These boys were often the scions of other great families who were learning the ropes of the manorial system by watching and learning. Their residence in the house served as a goodwill gesture between the two families involved and helped them gain political contacts for their adult lives. A reference to this kind of page is found in the Christmas carol "Good King Wenceslaus": "Hither, page, and stand by me, if thou know'st it, telling...."
"Boys of humble background might also gain a similar place in a great house. According to the International Butler Academy , these pages were apprentice footmen. Unlike the hall boys, who did heavy work, these pages performed light odd jobs and were liveried when the aristocrat was entertaining."
The following pictures aren't from my time period, but they give a representation of a Page.
Servant Hierarchy
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| Credits |
That's all I have. I hope you enjoyed a look at the servants that inspired me. Thanks again for coming. If you haven't started the June Read & Review for this month, go to my website to see how you can take part. May God bless you and your family this week with faith, hope and love.
In Christ,
Sandy
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