Your conclusion on the number of staff at Downton Abbey is Wrong. While the servants of Downton Abbey are shown to be loyal and proud of their positions, the Punch cartoon below shows a group of shiftless servants who are slow to respond to their masters summons. At this same time, there were about 700 families in England who could support large country homes. Fabulous, many thanks for this. VisitBritain estimates that nearly 30% of foreign visitors, or nearly nine million people, include castles and historic houses on their itineraries. RELATED:Downton Abbey: 10 Hidden Details About Edith Crawley's Costume You Didn't Notice. In 1837, James Brown opened Browns Hotel with his savings. 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). I assume you would not as many full time staff. Tending to the vehicles, he was a skilled mechanic as well. 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. Are there still butlers? The Downton Abbey actor is a familiar face with TV and movie fans, Hugh married his wife Lucinda 'Lulu' Williams in 1998. In Edwardian times going into service was frequently the only alternative to near starvation. Click on image. Alfred wasnephew to the villainous Mrs. O'Brien. The chances of a master being held to account were remote. Id noticed before the maids uniforms dont quite match. The viewer will be struck by the sheer volume and variety of dishes that she creates and oversees daily. 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. If this is explored later in the series for those who have watched, how accurate is the portrayal? By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. 9. A kind and observant woman, Mrs. Hughes nevertheless keeps her female team in line. Always stand still when being spoken to by a lady and look at the person speaking to you. Alas and alack! In theory, even when servants had finished with their duties and were finally sitting down to eat their breakfast, they were subject to be called at a moments whim. Carson is one of the few characters almost any viewer can get behind. 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. How many servants would a house like Downton Abbey have? Archived post. The kitchen maid would perform these offices if there were no tweeny or scullery maid. Wodehouses Jeeves and Wooster series of stores? 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. Thank you, Karen! 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. 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. Pensioned off, but you worked until you were really old, and dying was a lot easier then anyway. Valeting, unlike what is implied in DA, involved more than helping on the clothes, it meant supervising the washing and cleaning, (many could not be laundered in these times, they were sponged and pressed which was the valets job), mending, polishing etc and it was here that most of the valeting time was consumed. VisitBritain estimates that nearly 30% of foreign visitors, or nearly nine million people, include castles and historic houses on their. In reality, service in great houses was preferred over other jobs that were available during the 18th and 19th centuries, such as tedious and often dangerous labor in factories or backbreaking work on farms. Privacy Policy. In some stately homes such as Petworth in West Sussex hidden passages kept servants separate from family members to spare them the embarrassment of encountering this under-class. Baxter took on the role of Lady's Maid for the Countess of Grantham after Mrs. O'Brein's exit. Undercook or 1stkitchenmaid 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. Keep reading for all you need to know about the cast of Downton Abbey's incredible wealth WATCH:Are you looking forward to the second Downton Abbey film? In the big country houses or the great London mansions servants were crammed into shared bedrooms and beds with no bathroom or lavatory facilities. Its a small number compared to the west, but a much smaller nation. Typical salaries were 20-30 pounds ($2,100-3,200) per year. Mrs. Hughes was the head Housekeeper in Downton, overseeing all of the maids and female staff in the household. MORE:Downton Abbey star Maggie Smith looks incredible at start of career - see the gorgeous snaps. Daisy, the kitchen maid, lays a fire in the library. The following is a list of the staff of Downton Abbey, past and present. Times Downton Abbey Got History Wrong - Grunge Anna has often received the worst cards in life. However the contrast between the sumptuous family areas and the dull, often squalid servants' quarters was stark. In class-obsessed Britain there was even a strict hierarchy among servants that kept them apart from one another. Where would this place them in terms of social class? The True Evolution of High-End Household Staffing Since the. At the top was the butler, who was paid 10 times more. Unfortunately, I don't know that we know much about how servants and slaves in England viewed each other. Credit: Courtesy of Carnival Film & Television Limited for MASTERPIECE. Always keep outer doors fastened. Not only that, but she remains a great, yet tough, mentor to those assigned under her. . Credit: Courtesy of Carnival Film & Television Limited for MASTERPIECE. Not only useful but entertaining to read. Labour-saving devices such as the appearance of the first motorised vacuum cleaners made housework easier. Express. 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. Its the first TV period drama that has really leaped out of the screen and become part of popular culture., Lady Carnarvon is still keen to emphasise that the long-term future of Highclere is not necessarily secure. Ladys MaidsThere is one for Lady Grantham, but as all the daughters are out in society they should have maids too, at least one for Lady Mary, and one to be shared between the other two at the least. That portrays the true relationship betweem servant and master. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. In real life, during World War I, the 5th . Head Housemaid: Joanne Froggatt as Anna is a pretty, quiet, and dependable presence. Click on this link. 2-3 Parlor maids These maids work on the main floor public rooms and rarely if ever come in contact with the family. Scan this QR code to download the app now. Sometimes experience trumps anything else. The cast of female characters includes a housekeeper, a lady's maid, housemaids, a cook, and a kitchen maid. The House Maid: (Rose Leslie) Young Gwen is a housemaid with a goal that of becoming a typist. Historical archives reveal that countless footmen were called William, Henry or James, which were considered "acceptable" names. In the big country houses or the great London mansions servants were crammed into shared bedrooms and beds with no bathroom or lavatory facilities. As the driver, he took all of the family to and from the main house and around the countryside. He often has pitfalls, most recently so speaking out of turn in the presence of the King and Queen. One of the most interesting aspects of the show. made them look like twins. 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.). Phyllis Logan as Mrs. Hughes, Housekeeper. The lively conversations in the Downton Abbey servants' hall, which bring together ladies' maids, footmen, kitchen maids and sometimes the butler, housekeeper and cook do not necessarily reflect the experiences of most servants in large houses. Its a big house after all. We had been doing corporate functions, but it all became pretty sparse after that. 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. While Mrs. Hughes was dedicated fully to her work, no one was as dedicated to the house as Mr. Carson. 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.. She works with a positive attitude and champions those who need defending. The hierarchy among the servants was strictly defined. 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. In some instances, links will be removed from comments as well. 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. The neglected tombstone found in an overgrown burial ground. 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. Although servants began their careers at the bottom, working menial jobs and catering to the upper servants as well as their masters, they could move up in the servant hierarchy. I buy one for every attraction I visit. A ladys maid caters to her mistresses every whim, making sure that not one coat button is missing or one strand of hair is out of place. Lady's maid Anna Bates is played by actress Joanne Froggatt, whose acting credits include Liar, Coronation Street and upcoming ITV drama Angela Black. 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. Though some servants were married Samuel and Sarah Adams who wrote the Complete Servants come to mind most employers wouldnt hire married women and fired females who married. Alfred was rarely at the forefront of proceedings, which makes him one of the best employees at Downtown. But perhaps most antique of all is the idea of life in a house full of servants, with two symbiotic. Bizarrely in another stripping away of identity they were sometimes given generic names. Like this story? Hugh Bonneville plays the head of the Crawley family, Robert Crawley, the Earl of Grantham. In the early seasons, Daisy is often more concerned with flights of fancy than her position, but as the series progresses, so do her priorities. based on what I've seen of Downton Abbey (which I assume to be relatively accurate). Who owns the house in Downton Abbey? Servants await the arrival of guests. At all other times they were expected to remain invisible as they worked around the house, using the servants stairs and working in a room when the family was not expected to use it. It's believed that she is worth $4million. Elizabeth McGovern has $4million to her name. What you do is never sit on your laurels. We may receive books (physical or digitized) and DVDs for review purposes. Since he first started out as a footman, Carson was dedicated to the old ways that made a grand house work. Prior to the show, Hugh was known for his supporting roles in Notting Hill, Mansfield Park and Iris, which he starred in opposite Kate Winslet. [] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Vic . 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. (especially how it brings in the Honorary Colonel posting at the end to tie everything together! Credit: Courtesy of Carnival Film & Television Limited for MASTERPIECE. While employers would prefer servants to be married than to engage in out of wedlock sex, most employers wouldnt have a pregnant woman or children around. Does Highclere Castle rent rooms? The OC, Downton and Suits were never the same again King Charles III will be crowned sovereign on 6 May in Westminster Abbey, Lenny Bruce is the only real-life person portrayed in Marvelous Mrs Maisel, The actor starred as rookie officer, Jackson West, Downton Abbey star Maggie Smith looks incredible at start of career - see the gorgeous snaps, The real reason Lily James didn't appear in the Downton Abbey film revealed, Dan Stevens reveals the real reason he left Downton Abbey, 11most devastating Downton Abbey moments, ranked, Hugh Bonneville then vs now: a look back at the star's impressive career, Meet The Gold star Hugh Bonneville's wife and children, 7 stars who asked to be written out of their show: from Downton Abbey to Suits. In the lower common area, servants were summoned by the family via a system of bells connected to each room. We do not accept any form of cash advertising, sponsorship, or paid topic insertions. Forget cosy notions of Hudson the butler and Mrs Bridges the cook - this servitude was thankless, sweaty, backbreaking work. Eventually, when he felt called to pursue bigger dreams, he did so without a ton of fanfare or fuss. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Their commitment to their employers and the home they serve shows in the meals they provide, and the cleanliness of the estate. I thought, So what?, because I had never heard of Highclere Castle. The servants of Downton Abbey worked hard, but as shown in the series, they knew their place and were proud of their positions. I think Sarah retired from work to raise her family and only returned to domestic service when they were on their own. Credit: Courtesy of Carnival Film & Television Limited for MASTERPIECE. They are: Click on their names to enter their own blogs. A lot of people here think of it as soapy entertainment. I guess I'm just looking for some way to relate my modern understanding of the world to how they were. Mrs. Patmore is one of the most skilled cooks that the series ever confronts. ", 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. But Moseley's dedication and kind demeanor earned him at least a spot on this list. At the bottom of the ladder were the young girls who could enter service when they were 13, earning a few pounds a year. However, 69 Emmy nominations and 15 wins later, it's never been more apparent just how much of an impact the show made. Cookie Notice ), Thank you, JHarper2! The formerly somewhat basic ticketing policy has become a computerised advance booking system, helping to guarantee foreign visitors admission. The Portal for Public History. The Valet: (Brendan Coyle) In small households, such as Matthew Crawleys, the position of butler and valet was combined. Servants: the True Story Of . They were better-paid jobs, less demeaning and didn't require the wearing of the hated servant's uniform of starched cap and apron. Always "give room" if you meet one of your employers or betters on the stairs and avert your gaze. To perform all the heavy cleaning and lifting. Servants are portrayed as a loyal and largely contented breed. Except I guess we do, since each episode seems to span months, and sometimes years. Downton Abbey and the True Evolution of Household Staffing - Time 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).

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