Service at table, except in the lowest houses employing servants was never performed by female servants. VisitBritain estimates that nearly 30% of foreign visitors, or nearly nine million people, include castles and historic houses on their itineraries. I know it's not an easy comparison to today, because they had room and board included in their wages. Which would mean female servants would have to be celibate or very careful. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to C. S. Carley and castlesandcoffeehouses.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Forget the polished image of Downton Abbey, life below stairs was sadistic and miserable. Thanks to the teachings of Mrs. Patmore, she soon is prepped to take on the role of lead cook one day. For a long time. In 2017, Variety estimated hour-long dramas (like Downton Abbey) cost $5 to $7 million dollars per episode to make. Actually, I would prefer to see more actors less often, rather than the current DA model, where every actor appears in every episode. The golden age was over and the huge servant class all but disappeared. Its a small number compared to the west, but a much smaller nation. Downton has none. But, looking beyond that, he is one of the most dedicated staff members period. Love thomas, hes hot, hope I can find one that looks like him, Great BLOG I LIKE AND I COPY IN MY BLOG, [] also found lots of good articles on the downstairs staff and on Downton Abbey over at Jane Austens World blog [], [] a full explanation of who does what below the stairs, Id recommend reading this post on the blog, Jane Austens []. The Chauffeur: Allen Leech asTom Branson, the chaffeur, demonstrates how very different Edwardian England is from Regency England. I assume you would not as many full time staff. But, although her personal life is often in shambles, it rarely gets in the way of her work at Downton. At this point in history, upper class people changed their clothes several times a day (4 or more) resulting in huge amounts of laundry. Tweenies who help the parlormaids and the scullery maids- Downton has none. Downton has none, a house that size should have two or more. We've ranked the servants' job performances. At this same time, there were about 700 families in England who could support large country homes. The bottom line is quite thin, she said. Id certainly but a copy!I get so much out of your posts! Inquiring readers, from now until the U.S. airing of Downton Abbey, this blog will explore the facets of living in an English country house during the Edwardian era, and drawing upon the similarity and differences between the Edwardian and Regency eras. The castle has been one enormous character as well.. The female staff are forbidden from smoking. Joanne Froggatt as Anna, Head Housemaid. . We do not accept any form of cash advertising, sponsorship, or paid topic insertions. If all you could afford was a girl a couple days a week, you got one. He is as protective towards the Crawley family as he would have been to his own. (especially how it brings in the Honorary Colonel posting at the end to tie everything together! A favourite maid's name was Sarah. Many valets did very well for themselves. Downton only has 2-3 housemaids/maids of all work, thus is both understaffed and staffed at a lower level. While she had a rough exterior, it was never enough to overcome her talents and ethics. However the contrast between the sumptuous family areas and the dull, often squalid servants' quarters was stark. At the turn of the 20th century when the population of Britain was only 36million there were 1.5million servants. DA is about to have the opposite problem of most TV shows, where the actors age faster than the plots move (Im looking at you, kid from Lost! Every British tourist attraction sells little guidebooks published by the Pitkin company. Its a big house after all. Alas and alack! Does Highclere Castle rent rooms? As for the maids, there do seem to be six of them altogether: This Is How Much It Cost To Film An Episode Of Downton Abbey - TheList.com When her secret is uncovered the other servants are astounded how could anyone prefer working in as some faceless office over service in a great house? I was shouted at by the harridan of a cook and treated like some sort of sub-human by my employers who found fault with everything I did.". Lucy Lethbridge, author of "Servants: A Downstairs History of Britain from the Nineteenth Century to Modern Times," joined Antonio Mora on the Jan. 6, 2014 edition of Consider This. (Hugh Bonneville) in the Julian Fellowes period drama Downton Abbey. Servants: A life below stairs - BBC News The Kitchen Maid: (Sophie McShera) Poor Daisy is at the bottom of the status ladder. In the lower common area, servants were summoned by the family via a system of bells connected to each room. To perform all the heavy cleaning and lifting. Typical salaries were 20-30 pounds ($2,100-3,200) per year. England is another country. In two years of real time, DA has progressed eight years. Credit: Courtesy of Carnival Film & Television Limited for MASTERPIECE. Fired, thrown out. No other member of the Downtown staff, not even Mrs. Hughes, gave more to their work than he did. At the turn of the 20th century when the population of Britain was only 36million there were 1.5million servants. At the end of their stay with their hosts, guests paid servants a tip for their services. For example, when Lady Sybil comes down to the kitchen to be taught to cook during series 2, there are several other kitchen maids, in addition to Daisy, around. This meant that the food often arrived at the dining table cold or, at best, lukewarm. Staff was generational too: the more senior but still relatively young maids and footmen and underbutlers etc. Girls worked part-time for two years to buy the uniform necessary to secure a job because service offered a roof over their heads and regular meals. Downton Abbey: How much did Hugh Bonneville, Maggie Smith and more make during the show? Yet Gwen represents the future, in which political and socio-economic changes for women will end their dependency on the men of their family and force many to start fending for themselves. Elizabeth McGovern began her career almost forty years ago in 1979, landing her first part in a television show when she was still a teenager. The Housekeeper: Phyllis Logan as Mrs. Hughes is Mr. Carsons counterpart. Sadly, falling in love with your employer's daughter isn't a great resume builder. One stately home looks much the same as another. Male servants were paid more than female servants (because some were expected to support a wife and children) and footmen were something of a luxury and therefore a status symbol even among the servant-employing classes. . Mrs. Patmore is one of the most skilled cooks that the series ever confronts. Perhaps in the past an estate and house defined and supported the family and their lifestyle, but today it is quite the reverse: the challenge is how Geordie and I seek to support and look after Highclere. Mrs. Hughes was the head Housekeeper in Downton, overseeing all of the maids and female staff in the household. In 1891, the number of indoor domestic servants is 1.38 million, which is a pretty high number," says Dr Pamela Cox, senior lecturer in sociology at the University of Essex. OK seriously, this was a good post. Joanne Froggatt plays Anna Bates on the show. The formerly somewhat basic ticketing policy has become a computerised advance booking system, helping to guarantee foreign visitors admission. Alfred wasnephew to the villainous Mrs. O'Brien. Downton shows relatively well how they spent their time and how they spent their money, but I'm still struggling to figure out what their economic status would be analogous to today. Where would this place them in terms of social class? However, we do accept and keep books and CDs to review. The year after leaving the ITV series, Dan landed his first leading role in a film in 2014 thriller The Guest, following by a part in the Night at the Museum sequel and Disney's live-action Beauty. The results of all of the painstaking work and added expense paid off though, as Downton Abbey has been realized for the silver screen in a fashion that only its particular brand of drama and . New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Labour-saving devices such as the appearance of the first motorised vacuum cleaners made housework easier. Good eye! I buy one for every attraction I visit. Servants' lives below stairs - British Heritage Even fairly low on the middle class scale, money would be found for part time live out help. A lady, even of the middle class would be accompanied on her errands and calls by a footman. Siobhan Finneran as OBrien, Ladys Maid. I have thought about gathering my posts for publication, but, given my schedule, I must take a pass for now. How did people treat slaves vs. servants and how did prospects differ for both groups once/if freed? Did slaves and servants get along, or did servants feel superior? The once derelict London Lodge, a grand Roman-style archway from 1793, is now a bijou holiday let alongside other spruced-up cottages. This one explains how a pre-war British country house worked. I guess Ill have to return to find out. It is now broadcast in 250 countries. Servants who got pregnant were often fired and thrown out. Having a butler to buttle and function as house manager would be good, considering that in todays world, Husband and Wife would have the kind of two-salary high powered jobs that can afford that size house. I guess I'm just looking for some way to relate my modern understanding of the world to how they were. Servants await the arrival of guests. Please read the rules before participating, as we remove all comments which break the rules. Michelle Dockery stars as eldest daughter Lady Mary and is also said to be worth $4million. Im only on episode one, but as an African American who majored in history but focused mainly on ancient history and African American history, Im curious about the differences in England. Eventually though, after Matthew's death, he is brought on as a footman for Downtown, serving the house all the way through the most recent film. A chronicle of the lives of the British aristocratic Crawley family and their servants in the early twentieth century. Im watching downtown abbey as a distraction from quarantine. A good and reliable servant was a prized commodity. The Most Expensive Part Of The Downton Abbey Film - CINEMABLEND The Downton Abbey actor is a familiar face with TV and movie fans, Hugh married his wife Lucinda 'Lulu' Williams in 1998. VisitBritains director, Patricia Yates, said: The links between tourism, films and TV are potent ones. She added that period dramas have also raised the popularity of regions outside of London. Despite the awful wages and conditions competition for places was fierce. A modern view? Died off Prome, the 7th October 1852, while in command of the Naval Expedition on the river Irrawady against the Burmese Forces, aged 73 years.. Downton Abbey (TV Series 2010-2015) - IMDb based on what I've seen of Downton Abbey (which I assume to be relatively accurate). Brendan Coyle as John Bates, the Valet. Currently only the ground and first floors of Highclere, on the borders of Hampshire, are used. Mr. Molesley began as a butler for the Crawley Houseserving Isobel and Matthew Crawley. But by 2012 the Downton effect had begun to take the pressure off. In the big country houses or the great London mansions servants were crammed into shared bedrooms and beds with no bathroom or lavatory facilities. Servants - The True Story Of Life Below Stairs starts on BBC Two on September 28. Marvelous Mrs Maisel: will Lenny Bruces death be depicted in season 5? But Moseley's dedication and kind demeanor earned him at least a spot on this list. Thomas was one of the most villainous characters in the series. Again, hosting events, parties and random BBC shows who want to film period pieces on your grounds might require him to have an assistant or two. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Lord Carnarvon said then: It was just after the banking crisis and it was gloom in all directions. Alfred was rarely at the forefront of proceedings, which makes him one of the best employees at Downtown. Only the butler may answer the bell. How much did Victorian servants get paid? - Heimduo Photograph: Nick Briggs/ITV. Pair that with his outspoken criticism of the house he served, hid great work was overshadowed by personal issues. There are also hallboys and other maids whose names we dont know. In addition to wearing uniforms servants were expected to have matching hairstyles. But, after a lot of development, he soon becomes one of the most sympathetic. They were better-paid jobs, less demeaning and didn't require the wearing of the hated servant's uniform of starched cap and apron. If you were in the business of doing events and hosting lots of parties, that maid staff would probably expand to two or three. Domestic service, novelist and broadcaster JB Priestly declared in 1927, was "as obsolete as the horse" in an era of motor cars. Did servants get paid? As head housemaid, she assists the daughters of the house with their hair and wardrobe, but she also performs the duties of a regular maid, dusting, cleaning, and changing the bed linen. The main meal - 'dinner'- was taken at around midday, while 'tea' was a very light meal served at around 4 o'clock. Dowton Abbey, the series, highlights eleven servants who ran the household, but in 1912, Highclere Castle, where the exterior and interior shots were filmed, used the services of 25 maids, 14 footmen, and three chefs. Mr. Carson was not only in charge of the male servants, but also of the wine cellar and the butlers pantry, which contained the family plate and silver. Alas and alack! Jim Carter appeared in many period dramas before Downton Abbey. Credit: Courtesy of Carnival Film & Television Limited for MASTERPIECE. Carson leads the whole staff into battle every day at Downton and is constantly putting out fires. Valets often received lavish gifts, including the masters hand-me-down clothing which they could either wear or sell. They are more highly paid than parlor maids). The book lists some typical YEARLY salaries for household staff in the late 19th century: Butler 70 pounds (Mr. Carson), Masters Valet 60 pounds (Mr. Bates), Housekeeper 40 to 60 pounds (Mrs. Hughes), Ladys Maid 50 pounds (devious Miss OBrien), Footman 20-30 pounds (saintly William , dastardly Thomas), Scullery Maid 5-10 pounds (Daisy). "The day would consist of doing breakfast maybe around 7 a.m., followed by elevenses, an 11 a.m. cocktail and biscuit, a 12:30 p.m. pre-lunch drink, lunch at 1 p.m. followed by coffee, then. OF THE COACHING AGE, VOL. "I got up at 5.30am to clean the fireplaces and front steps, polish the shoes and boots of everyone in the household. In fact the doors of stately homes and townhouses revolved with departing servants seeking a better life elsewhere. . My fellow-Canadian and a resident of that historic hotbed of Socialism and socialized medicine called Saskatchewan has turned on me! The Portal for Public History. Almost half of potential visitors to Britain now say they want to indulge in set jetting, visiting places featured in films or on TV. Estate manager (agent) Jarvis (1880-1920) Tom Branson (1920-24, since 1925) Mary Talbot (since 1925) Henry Talbot . In addition, the sheets of the family would be changed several times a week, as would those of any guests. The ITV series gave the actress her big breakout role - as well as three Emmy nominations and one Golden Globes nod - and between filming for the franchise, she has also taken up roles in Netflix's Godless, Apple+ TV original Defending Jacob and Guy Ritchie movie The Gentlemen. I believe that your desire for a portrayal of the economic reality of Downton Abbey is running smack against the economic reality of 21st century television. A 'Tweeny' servant who worked seven days a week, from 5am until 10pm, and was paid 13 a year. Luckily, he was far kinder and more capable than his aunt ever was. Seriously, we dont need to see Ethel in every episode. Credit: Courtesy of Carnival Film & Television Limited for MASTERPIECE, With or without guests, the daily routine for a family at its country house was unalterable, due in part to the servants, whose meal-times were rigid, and in part to Edwadian era tradition. What were the wages of Downton Abbey-era servants? Where would this Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. What kind of purchasing power did they have? Only the very rich could afford footmen, and thus they were a form of status symbol. Do Servants Still Exist In England? - FAQS Clear Dan Stevens left the show to pursue other roles, MORE:Dan Stevens reveals the real reason he left Downton Abbey. That is more than worked on the land or in factories. Any breakages or damage to the house will be deducted from wages. Ha! Tom was an Irish radical turn chauffeur for Downton Abbey. What It's Really Like to Work at a House Like Downton Abbey Today (2023) A first footman will serve as valet to the male guests if they arrive without a male servant. As OBrien is doing the work of 3 or 4 Ladys maids, no wonder she is so sour. Eventually, when he felt called to pursue bigger dreams, he did so without a ton of fanfare or fuss. Young, fresh-faced, and just starting out, William misses his loving family. Downton Abbey wouldn't survive without all the downstairs staff who work tirelessly day in and day out. Thanks and courage, my friend. A rule of thumb was that an income of at least 1,000 pounds per year was required, or the income from at least 1,000 acres of land. Before the series began, Dame Maggie Smith was already a huge name among TV and film viewers, perhaps best known for her portrayal of Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter franchise. During season two, Downton Abbey was turned into a convalescent home for soldiers. What is the owner of a stable called? The servant stairs. Its been an amazing magic carpet ride for all of us, she said. Tourist cash from the TV drama, now starting its final series, has funded repairs at Highclere Castle, where it is filmed. But was this always the case? Scan this QR code to download the app now, The Victorian Domestic Servant Hierarchy and Wage Scale. I love P.G. Hello, my name is Vic and I live in Maryland, USA. Afternoon tea, priced at around $60 per person, is still quite an occasion. See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive. In the pipeline is a Tutankhamun centenary event in 2022, 100 years after the 5th Earl of Carnarvon, with Howard Carter, discovered the tomb that revolutionised our understanding of Egyptology. Though this information is not known when this article was first posted, I seem to remember it didnt come out until season3. Although these were generous, wages could vary greatly depending on a servant's gender or the position they occupied within the house. Topics include Regency fashion, historic foods, Jane Austen societies, British sites, related topics. The servants of Downton Abbey worked hard, but as shown in the series, they knew their place and were proud of their positions. She works with a positive attitude and champions those who need defending. Lily James has gone on to become a huge name since she joined the cast of Downton Abbey as Lady Rose in series three. The cast of female characters includes a housekeeper, a lady's maid, housemaids, a cook, and a kitchen maid. Downton Abbey stars 'signed up to big money three-year contracts' But perhaps most antique of all is the idea of life in a house full of servants, with two symbiotic. Downton Abbey: Every Servant, Ranked On How Good They Are At Their Job Matthew and Isobel did seem to live in Crawley House with a staff of only two, however, and Isobel seemed for a time to have only Mrs. Bird, and then Ethyl. This was a deliberate ploy to demonstrate that they were a class apart. For a start, how many servants are there in DA? All rights reserved. I cant wait to see Downton Abbey. Archived post. Lady's maid Anna Bates is played by actress Joanne Froggatt, whose acting credits include Liar, Coronation Street and upcoming ITV drama Angela Black. RELATED:Downton Abbey: 10 Most Hated Supporting Characters Of All Time. But I assure you they have the normal amount of servants that an estate of this size was expected to have, probably more, as you posted they just arent part of the story, to many speaking parts would get confusing and very difficult to follow all the drama for every servant, oh and eventually as everyone knows, Branson takes over as land agent later in the story. Baker / LIFE Books. I thought, So what?, because I had never heard of Highclere Castle. Copyright Statement: Jane Austen's World blog, 2009-2022. Thomas, as a second footman, would have earned an annual salary $37,379.37 (in 2014 dollars). Mr. Batess arrival creates a stir that causes the ladys maid and first footman to plot against him. Downton Abbey irritates me immensely because its central theme is the interplay between the family and the servants. Her husband and his past have brought a lot of heartache to her arcs in the series. Since room, board and uniforms were provided, a valet could save most or all of his money. Credit: Courtesy of Carnival Film & Television Limited for MASTERPIECE. Looking at all the staff of the series, here are the 10 best ranked on their job performance. I tend to rationalize it that there are lots of other servants that we never see, just as high school dramas only focus on a handful of students and neglect the other 98%. I also think I remember reading that slavery was outlawed much earlier than in the States. Captain Button, as far as I understand it: Room, board and I think work-appropriate clothing (uniform, etc) came with the job along with salary. For example, the poet Lord Byron had a valet named James Brown. The Downton tourists are part of a growing phenomenon. Some of the so-called traditional wear for servants is based on oridnary wear during the Regency. One housemaid (to perform the duties of both Chambermaid and Parlor maid). Maggie Smith will be playing a 120 year old by the time this show wraps production. It became fashionable for the up-and-coming middle classes to mimic the aristocracy and hire cooks, maids and housekeepers and tens of thousands of young people flocked from the countryside to work in town houses. The Valet: (Brendan Coyle) In small households, such as Matthew Crawleys, the position of butler and valet was combined. On a different note, Vic, have you ever thought of taking all of the cool research youve done and publish it in paper form? For all these great houses, you have to invest in them. A newspaper reports that leading actors including Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern have been given three-year deals worth 1million each. Her total earningsare estimated to be around the $2million mark. Even when compared with demographically similar workers, domestic workers on average are paid just 74 cents for every dollar that their peers make. Click on this link. Historical archives reveal that countless footmen were called William, Henry or James, which were considered "acceptable" names. Phyllis Logan as Mrs. Hughes, Housekeeper. Are there still butlers? SOCIAL historian Dr Pamela Cox, who presents Servants - The True Story Of Life Below Stairs, says: "Country houses wouldn't have been able to function without a vast hidden army of servants. No servant is to take any knives or forks or other article, nor on any account to remove any provisions, nor ale or beer out of the hall. Back of the house. Rob James-Collier as Thomas, First Footman.Credit: Courtesy of Carnival Film & Television Limited for MASTERPIECE. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Downton. Lily has landed some amazing roles since she appeared on the show, MORE:The real reason Lily James didn't appear in the Downton Abbey film revealed. Now, without doubt, it is loved by millions of other people.. This was the youngest (12-16) and weakest and least well paid of the servants. Carriages are being replaced by automobiles, but the infrastructure for maintaining cars is not yet in place. Join me next time for more explorations into the art and history of Europe, including the British Isles. :). Downton Abbey will be shown Sunday night on your local PBS station starting at 9 p.m. Click here to view the video clips. While loud ideals and spirited nature can become a roadblock at times, the house would suffer without her hard work. At the bottom of the ladder were the young girls who could enter service when they were 13, earning a few pounds a year. Michelle Dockery is said to be worth $4million, MORE:11most devastating Downton Abbey moments, ranked. A chauffeur not only drove the family around, but he was also its mechanic, keeping the car in top shape, acquiring parts when they were needed, and making sure there was enough petrol on hand to satisfy the familys needs. Downton Abbey's kitchen maid Daisy Robinson, played by Sophie McShera. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jane Austen's World with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. ", Dr Cox, whose aim was to strip away some of the nostalgia surrounding this British class, adds: "The work was boring, repetitive and could also be very lonely. II, By CHARLES G. HARPER. What you do is never sit on your laurels. Anna has often received the worst cards in life. However, 69 Emmy nominations and 15 wins later, it's never been more apparent just how much of an impact the show made. Some years ago, I had tea there. I was under. How much did servants make in Downton Abbey? Please read the rules before participating, as we remove all comments which break the rules. Just wondering assuming you could afford a house like Downton today, what would your staffing needs be now as compared to 1920? A dozen? June 27, 2021. I recently saw a graph that showed that only 8,000 Africans were brought to England throughout the entire Atlantic slave trade. According to Celebrity Net Worth, she has amassed an incredible fortune and is said to be worth an estimated $20million. Valet check, but see below under4thfootman. Ladys maiding included: overseeing laundry of those things that could be laundered, sponging and brushing clean the rest, repairs, and sewing different ribbons and accessories onto the ladies clothing to make them appear different. I recently rewatched the second season of Upstairs, Downstairs, and I have some general questions/want to check if I understand things right. In addition to his managerial duties, he is shown in several scenes either polishing the silver or pouring over the books and counting the bottles of wine. Downton Abbey wouldn't survive without all the downstairs staff who work tirelessly day in and day out. He currently writes for Screen Rant, has written for Bloody Disgusting, hosts the Film School Sucked podcast, and co-hosts the Macabre podcast. Im going to have servants when Im rich so thanks for educating me on their duties and names. Would that be analogous to, say, a mid-range hotel manager today, in status and income? So I guess what I mean when I say "what were the wages" I really mean "what did that actually mean?" Rarely has her talent or her methods been challenged by anyone. [] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Vic . Vic Sanborn, founder of this blog, is supported by a team of talented and knowledgeable writers about Jane Austen and the Regency era.
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