England is another country. Due to SPAM, we will no longer accept comments on posts after 30 days of publication. I wage a one-man War against the forelock-tugging worship of all things that glorify a parasitic aristocracy and then am betrayed! (Read more about this topic in my post, Hiring Servants in the Regency Era and Later. It was not uncommon for a scullery maid to be promoted to kitchen maid and eventually up to a cook. Combining the pleasures of trashy soap operas with prestige historical fiction, "Downton Abbey" was a phenomenon when it first hit TV screens in 2010 (in the U.K.) and 2011 (in the U.S.). These days, his net worth is said to be around $4million. He often has pitfalls, most recently so speaking out of turn in the presence of the King and Queen. Downton Abbey wouldn't survive without all the downstairs staff who work tirelessly day in and day out. Always stand still when being spoken to by a lady and look at the person speaking to you. When the Countess of Grantham states that she and OBrien are friends, for they are often in each others company, OBrien knows better than to disagree, but disagree she does. Tweenies who help the parlormaids and the scullery maids- Downton has none. Ive been looking forward to its broadcast Sunday. How wrong I was. How much did the 'Downton Abbey'-era upper class rely on servants? Siobhan Finneran as OBrien, the countesss ladies maid, Rose Leslie as Gwen, housemaid, and Joanne Froggatt as Anna, head maid. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog's author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. I thought, So what?, because I had never heard of Highclere Castle. The following transcript has been edited. First Footman Check (if senior can fill underbutler role), also attends the lady of the house when making calls. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blogs author and/or owners is strictly prohibited. At the end of their stay with their hosts, guests paid servants a tip for their services. Sometimes experience trumps anything else. 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. The Butler: Jim Carter, who you may remember as Captain Brown from Cranford, portrays Mr. Carson, the butler, with grave dignity. A good and reliable servant was a prized commodity. Some servants suffered terrible abuse including beatings and rape. A first footman will serve as valet to the male guests if they arrive without a male servant. I assume you would not as many full time staff. Passing her mistress on the stairs a servant was expected to "give room", which meant face the wall. Their commitment to their employers and the home they serve shows in the meals they provide, and the cleanliness of the estate. Labour-saving devices such as the appearance of the first motorised vacuum cleaners made housework easier. If you would like to share a new site, or point out an error, please email us. Marvelous Mrs Maisel: will Lenny Bruces death be depicted in season 5? What were the wages of Downton Abbey-era servants? Where would this Credit: Courtesy of Carnival Film & Television Limited for MASTERPIECE. How much was Cora's dowry? NEXT: Mr. Carson's 10 Best Quotes On Downton Abbey, Ranked Its a big house after all. Visitor numbers doubled, to 1,200 a day, as Downton Abbey, scripted by Julian Fellowes, came to be screened around the world after becoming a hit in the UK in 2010 and then in the US. What you do is never sit on your laurels. ), Thank you, JHarper2! The idea was that they were mostimpressive if, like book ends, they matched. When Downton Abbey opens, the camera follows the servants as they rise and ready the house for the day. Second Footman Check but fail, in high class household is supposed to be as alike physically to first footman as to be twins. Originally airing from 2010 to 2015, the show made household names - and now movie stars - out of its cast. On a different note, Vic, have you ever thought of taking all of the cool research youve done and publish it in paper form? OK seriously, this was a good post. Only the very rich could afford footmen, and thus they were a form of status symbol. The Regency Court Gown: Regency Fashion, Pride and Prejudice Economics: Or Why a Single Man with a Fortune of 4,000 Per Year is a Desirable Husband, A Portrait of a 19th C. Artist by an UnknownArtist. I suppose they are buying them as needed from the shops rather than having them made to match, or even expecting the maids to sew their own to a matching pattern. Topics include Regency fashion, historic foods, Jane Austen societies, British sites, related topics. Mrs. Hughes (even if they are single, which Mrs. Hughes was, housekeepers were given the distinction of being a Mrs.) was also responsible for the linen and china. Actually, I would prefer to see more actors less often, rather than the current DA model, where every actor appears in every episode. These rose-tinted depictions would also have us believe that mutual respect existed across social boundaries. 9. The Cook: Lesley Nicol as Mrs. Patmore, the cook, is hiding a secret, one that threatens her very livelihood. The staff of Downton Abbey work for the Crawley family. . She is constantly working to better the lives of her peers and her employers no matter what. (The First World War shook the system; the Second World War pretty much ended the system entirely). Ok, look, a house that size would have had a staff of hundreds of servants. I know it's not an easy comparison to today, because they had room and board included in their wages. At the top was the butler, who was paid 10 times more. Wodehouses Jeeves and Wooster series of stores? Servants: the True Story Of . My husband and I love it, and the people here. Downton has about six housemaids who do all duties of parlour and chamber, theres about 3-5 kitchen maids besides Daisy, who, poor darling, is the scullery maid I think, in additon to being a VERY young undercook, she couldnt have been much older than 14 at the start, probably younger, the footmen, you are quite correct on that mark. As the driver, he took all of the family to and from the main house and around the countryside. Cora eventually learned that Baxter had been convicted for a crime she didn't commit. In the big country houses or the great London mansions servants were crammed into shared bedrooms and beds with no bathroom or lavatory facilities. Joanne Froggatt as Anna, Head Housemaid. The bottom line is quite thin, she said. Servants: A life below stairs - BBC News Every British tourist attraction sells little guidebooks published by the Pitkin company. While Mrs. Hughes was dedicated fully to her work, no one was as dedicated to the house as Mr. Carson. Downton Abbey irritates me immensely because its central theme is the interplay between the family and the servants. At the time, no one could have expected just how big of a phenomenon it would become. Rose Leslie as Gwen, House Maid. Only the butler may answer the bell. But, looking beyond that, he is one of the most dedicated staff members period. My husband and I really got into Downton Abbey but some of the plot lines were dark enough to just haunt use throughout or daily activities. 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. Tweenies had pretty much gone out of fashion by 1900, so the absence is perhaps not as surprising as the apparent absence of a laundress. In real life, during World War I, the 5th . Downton Abbey wouldn't survive without all the downstairs staff who work tirelessly day in and day out. Its been an amazing magic carpet ride for all of us, she said. A maid in England prepares afternoon tea in 1927. So I guess what I mean when I say "what were the wages" I really mean "what did that actually mean?" (Hugh Bonneville) in the Julian Fellowes period drama Downton Abbey. Servants are portrayed as a loyal and largely contented breed. Upon rising, servants would labor first and eat only after the family had risen, dressed, and breakfasted. Thanks for these posts. How much did servants make in Downton Abbey? Quite a few young men found domestic service a good training ground and experience for other occupations. The hotel is still one of the most elegant places to stay in London. The Table cloths in the servants hall , the butlers room and the housekeepers parlor would not be washed as frequently but would add to the workload. Always keep outer doors fastened. Downton Abbey servants: New BBC series Servants: The True Story of Life He did his duties and rarely allowed for personal problems to overshadow his work. How much does it cost to get married at Downton Abbey? In 1837, James Brown opened Browns Hotel with his savings. Never begin to talk to ladies and gentlemen. Thomas Howes as William, the Second Footman. Gradually, however, this world began to disappear and the Downton Abbey period marked the swansong for domestic service. At this point in history, upper class people changed their clothes several times a day (4 or more) resulting in huge amounts of laundry. Never let your voice be heard by the ladies and gentlemen of the house. But Moseley's dedication and kind demeanor earned him at least a spot on this list. 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. Archived post. Pensioned off, but you worked until you were really old, and dying was a lot easier then anyway. I was reading this with interest, and it is a good analysis. Tourist cash from the TV drama, now starting its final series, has funded repairs at Highclere Castle, where it is filmed. Their commitment to their employers and the home they serve shows in the meals they provide, and the cleanliness of the estate. Head Housemaid: Joanne Froggatt as Anna is a pretty, quiet, and dependable presence. 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. Your comments and suggestions are most welcome. STAGE-COACH AND MAIL IN DAYS OF YORE: A PICTURESQUE HISTORY Drops Season 6 Trailer, Skating Highlights of the Week: Europeans and U.S. Nationals. So much of it is about the personal relationships built with your coworkers and employer, as well as the commitment to go above and beyond. (Do they mean the same thing? While Mr. Carson is fair, he does not hesitate to reprimand a servant or even fire one if he thinks it is for the benefit of the house. Joanne Froggatt plays Anna Bates on the show. 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. Wed come home and have to talk about whatever episode we just watched, etc. The female staff are forbidden from smoking. Someeven became proprietors of public houses. Hello, my name is Vic and I live in Maryland, USA. One male servant, footman/valet:To serve in the dining room, valet Matthew, and accompany Mrs Crawley as the lady of the house on her calls. The servant stairs. In the background, a servant scoops coal.Credit: Courtesy of Carnival Film & Television Limited for MASTERPIECE. Cookie Notice If a pretty maid attracted her roving master's eye she had little choice but to accept her fate. For Mr. Bates, the flights of steep stairs can be daunting, and he is incapable of carrying large trays or helping with dinner service when more hands are needed. In the background, a servant scoops coal.Credit: Courtesy of Carnival Film & Television Limited for MASTERPIECE How much did Downton Abbey servants make? They were hired by the Lady and Master of the house rather than by the butler, housekeeper or house steward. Oh, ah, let em ring again! by George Cruikshank. We have to compete with attractions like the London Dungeon., Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. Where would this place them in terms of social class? 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. Seriously, we dont need to see Ethel in every episode. 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. Cook - Check Undercook or 1st kitchenmaid - check, but the first kitchen maid is responsible for cooking the servants' meals, not the cook, and there should be more than one kitchen maid. Rob James-Collier as Thomas, First Footman.Credit: Courtesy of Carnival Film & Television Limited for MASTERPIECE. Would that be analogous to, say, a mid-range hotel manager today, in status and income? One of the most interesting aspects of the show. The Most Expensive Part Of The Downton Abbey Film - CINEMABLEND 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 found new work in registry offices, where they would enter their name in the registry book, or through word of mouth. This one explains how a pre-war British country house worked. Alternative sources of employment for women opened up in offices, shops, factories and later the National Health Service. Downton only has 2-3 housemaids/maids of all work, thus is both understaffed and staffed at a lower level. The Downton tourists are part of a growing phenomenon. But a restoration project of derelict tower rooms began this year that will eventually allow visitors to climb up into the tower to an exhibition showcasing the work of the architect of the Houses of Parliament, Sir Charles Barry, who rebuilt the house in 1839-42. Thank you for visiting this blog. Fired, thrown out. Jim Carter plays butler to the Crawley family, Carson. Really it is a fantasy world, based in a particular time in history. Room, board, and at least some clothing came with the job in addition to the money, right? Lesley Nicol as Mrs. Patmore, the Cook. The neighbours are selling up their own stately home, while Lord Grantham seeks to cut back on servants after declaring that under-butlers are no longer affordable. Elizabeth McGovern has $4million to her name. Oddjob mandoes heavy lifting in the house, replaces oil in lamps, carries logs for the parlormaids to make fires in the main floor fireplaces, carries logs for the chambermaids to look after the fireplaces in the family and visitor bedrooms, can help maids carry up hot water for baths (piped hot water was so rare as to practically never happen). Does Highclere Castle rent rooms? While she brought a history of criminality to the house, her honesty was actually respected by Cora, earning her a higher spot on this list. We've ranked the servants' job performances. Tending to the vehicles, he was a skilled mechanic as well. This was a deliberate ploy to demonstrate that they were a class apart. And there has been a deficit since the 1930s. Alas and alack! Unlike their poorly paid counterparts, servants were housed and fed by their masters. One Scullery maid/tweenie. Households of the size and importance of Downton should have two extra footmen, sometimes called 3rdand 4th. Not only that, but she remains a great, yet tough, mentor to those assigned under her. 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. Click here to enter the page. Downton only has 2-3 housemaids/maids of all work, thus is both understaffed and staffed at a lower level. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. The Kitchen Maid: (Sophie McShera) Poor Daisy is at the bottom of the status ladder. Except I guess we do, since each episode seems to span months, and sometimes years. I think Mrs. Crawley is merely a very independant person, youd have to be if you were a Manchester matriarch, which, given her interests in charities and hospitals and so on is more than likely. 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. The servants of Downton Abbey worked hard, but as shown in the series, they knew their place and were proud of their positions. Yet service allows him to better himself and someday work his way up to the position of butler. Downton Abbey and the True Evolution of Household Staffing - Time June 27, 2021. In desperation employers dangled the carrot of prettier outfits but it made no difference. In some instances, links will be removed from comments as well. It is now broadcast in 250 countries. Downton Abbey's kitchen maid Daisy Robinson, played by Sophie McShera. Margaret Powell, a former servant who died in 1984, recalled in her memoirs: "I was confined to the basement, the backstairs and the miserable attic room that I shared with another maid and which was so cold in winter that the ice froze in the jugs of water we used for washing. But at the real Downton Abbey, Highclere Castle a stately pile owned by George Geordie Herbert, 8th Earl of Carnarvon the financial outlook has rarely been brighter. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Now I will feel so much more in tune with whats going on in it. Service at table, except in the lowest houses employing servants was never performed by female servants. But was this always the case? The castle has been one enormous character as well.. 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. Published February 20, 2012. However, we do accept and keep books and CDs to review. servant salaries on Downton Abbey If this is explored later in the series for those who have watched, how accurate is the portrayal? Downton Abbey wouldn't survive without all the downstairs staff who work tirelessly day in and day out.
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