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. MORE:Where are the cast of Downton Abbey now? Express. Write us at. Mrs. Hughes was a friend to all of her staff, but she never allowed herself to be manipulated by her sympathies. The countess mistakenly thinks that OBrien is as fond of her as she is of her maid. A good and reliable servant was a prized commodity. Valets often received lavish gifts, including the masters hand-me-down clothing which they could either wear or sell. Matt Berger is a writer, comedian, actor, Paddington enthusiast, and Corgi dad. Scan this QR code to download the app now. 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 and the Beast alongsideEmma Watson. That is more than worked on the land or in factories. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Always keep outer doors fastened. Hugh Bonneville plays the head of the Crawley family, Robert Crawley, the Earl of Grantham. Always "give room" if you meet one of your employers or betters on the stairs and avert your gaze. A major part of the season concerns the end of the "large household" and how many of the staff are seeking alternate employment. Yet service allows him to better himself and someday work his way up to the position of butler. When Downton Abbey opens, the camera follows the servants as they rise and ready the house for the day. 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. How much did the 'Downton Abbey'-era upper class rely on servants? In Downton Abbey, the number of servants was deliberately reduced to simplify the narrative, and jobs that would have been filled by several people were condensed. Jim Carter appeared in many period dramas before Downton Abbey. 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. A dozen? :). 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 rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blogs author and/or owners is strictly prohibited. Thats a good question. Any maid found fraternising with a member of the opposite sex will be dismissed without a hearing. 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. 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.). Some of the so-called traditional wear for servants is based on oridnary wear during the Regency. Looking at all the staff of the series, here are the 10 best ranked on their job performance. (And anibundel, for posting!). Servants' thoughts have rarely been recorded, slaves' even less so. Footmen on 'Downton Abbey'. Credit: Courtesy of Carnival Film & Television Limited for MASTERPIECE. At the top was the butler, who was paid 10 times more. Not only that, but she remains a great, yet tough, mentor to those assigned under her. In addition to the main house, servants worked in the service buildings, such as the stables, garage, dairy, bakehouse, laundry, gun room, and pantry. Rose Leslie as Gwen, House Maid. Tatton Park, Baron Egerton's home in Knutsford, Cheshire, had some 40 indoor servants in the 1890s, while at Eaton Hall near Chester the Duke of Westminster employed 300 indoor and outdoor servants, among them more than 40 gardeners. He gave his entire being to ensure that every event, whether it was a simple breakfast or a grand feast, went off without issue. 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. It [Downton Abbey] is iconic for expressing Britishness. That is more than worked on the land or in factories. Mr. Molesley began as a butler for the Crawley Houseserving Isobel and Matthew Crawley. Im watching downtown abbey as a distraction from quarantine. In some instances, links will be removed from comments as well. The servants of Downton Abbey worked hard, but as shown in the series, they knew their place and were proud of their positions. This was a deliberate ploy to demonstrate that they were a class apart. An ambitious man, who cares only for his own advancement, he will use anyone to achieve his goals, even if it means destroying anothers reputation. As for Mr. Bates on Downton Abbey, I hope he is able to climb out of the hole hes landed in. She earned the job after the reference from Thomas but was soon embroiled in blackmail due to her past. What happened to servants who did get pregnant? A favourite maid's name was Sarah. Credit: Courtesy of Carnival Film & Television Limited for MASTERPIECE. Jim Carter plays butler to the Crawley family, Carson. 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. Alfred played the role of one of the home's footman after Thomas became Valet. June 27, 2021. However, her portrayal of Cora Crawley, the Countess of Grantham, is perhaps her most memorable role to date. 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. Housemaids would tread silently up the servant (back) stairs unseen and unheard with fresh water and carrying covered slop pails. At nine 0clock, housemaids and valets arrived to draw bedroom curtains and deliver a cup of teac as ordered by the hostess the night before. The End of High Society, The servants quarters. 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. 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? The Downton tourists are part of a growing phenomenon. The servant stairs. Subject to the cooks every whim (and to the housekeepers and anyone else who happens nearby) she goes about her duties cheerfully. That portrays the true relationship betweem servant and master. And you, 30 year old actor playing a high schooler!). I don't think an inflation calculator can accurately communicate what those numbers really signified. 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. Too old to work? At the turn of the 20th century when the population of Britain was only 36million there were 1.5million servants. 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. Wodehouses Jeeves and Wooster series of stores? Scullery maids, cleaned and washed up in the separate scullery area. In 2017, Variety estimated hour-long dramas (like Downton Abbey) cost $5 to $7 million dollars per episode to make. The chances of a master being held to account were remote. (Do they mean the same thing? The year is 1925 and there are already the first rumblings of the economic storms that will blight the end of the decade. 'Supper' was usually taken at 9 o'clock, after most of the work had been finished. Credit: Courtesy of Carnival Film & Television Limited for MASTERPIECE. Actually, I would prefer to see more actors less often, rather than the current DA model, where every actor appears in every episode. Since room, board and uniforms were provided, a valet could save most or all of his money. 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. Pair that with his outspoken criticism of the house he served, hid great work was overshadowed by personal issues. We do not accept any form of cash advertising, sponsorship, or paid topic insertions. I assume you would not as many full time staff. 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. We've ranked the servants' job performances. They are: Click on their names to enter their own blogs. First Footman Check (if senior can fill underbutler role), also attends the lady of the house when making calls. Posted in jane austen, Movie review, PBS Movie Adaptation, Popular culture, Servants | Tagged Downton Abbey, Edwardian Country House, Edwardian servants, PBS Masterpiece Classic | 17 Comments. One housemaid (to perform the duties of both Chambermaid and Parlor maid). However, 69 Emmy nominations and 15 wins later, it's never been more apparent just how much of an impact the show made. 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. As the driver, he took all of the family to and from the main house and around the countryside. The Portal for Public History. Its been an amazing magic carpet ride for all of us, she said. The main meal - 'dinner'- was taken at around midday, while 'tea' was a very light meal served at around 4 o'clock. Following the end of the series, she landed starring roles in Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again, Disney's live-action Cinderella and Yesterday. Lady's maid Anna Bates is played by actress Joanne Froggatt, whose acting credits include Liar, Coronation Street and upcoming ITV drama Angela Black. On a different note, Vic, have you ever thought of taking all of the cool research youve done and publish it in paper form? 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. Its addictive! http://files.stv.tv/img/galleries/downton-abbey-series-one/590331/DOWNTON_ABBEY_EP1_43.jpg. Now, without doubt, it is loved by millions of other people.. Apparently nothing was considered too menial and records show that servants' duties included ironing shoelaces and cutting their masters' toenails. How much did domestic servants get paid? MORE:Downton Abbey star Maggie Smith looks incredible at start of career - see the gorgeous snaps. . Typical salaries were 20-30 pounds ($2,100-3,200) per year. Joanne Froggatt as Anna, Head Housemaid. Marvelous Mrs Maisel: will Lenny Bruces death be depicted in season 5? This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me and my team. The lower staff, and discussion on where all these servants are in Downton Abbey, after the jump. It became an extravagance for all but the biggest houses to have servants. At the top stood the butler and housekeeper. I love P.G. In addition to wearing uniforms servants were expected to have matching hairstyles. A lot of people here think of it as soapy entertainment. The first break was usually taken mid-morning and involved a drink. Baker / LIFE Books. It just gets its catastrophically wrong. How much did house servants get paid Downton Abbey? She would stoke the kitchen fire for the cook and boil water. The Chauffeur: Allen Leech asTom Branson, the chaffeur, demonstrates how very different Edwardian England is from Regency England. Downstairs they would continue making preparations for the day, opening drapes and shutters, dusting and polishing, and sweeping floors. ), Thank you, JHarper2! This chauffeur can also read and has been given permission by the earl to check books out of his library. Forget the polished image of Downton Abbey, life below stairs was sadistic and miserable. How wrong I was. So I guess what I mean when I say "what were the wages" I really mean "what did that actually mean?" According to Rotten Tomatoes, the show was reviewed extremely positively, and, even as it was still airing, creator Julian . Do public servants get paid well? Alas and alack! Her husband and his past have brought a lot of heartache to her arcs in the series. They wore white gloves to serve at table to conceal their grubby hands. Downton Abbey irritates me immensely because its central theme is the interplay between the family and the servants. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. But perhaps most antique of all is the idea of life in a house full of servants, with two symbiotic. 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. How much was Cora's dowry? 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. Room, board, and at least some clothing came with the job in addition to the money, right? Refuse and she would soon be packing her bags for an uncertain future without references. Rob James-Collier as Thomas, First Footman.Credit: Courtesy of Carnival Film & Television Limited for MASTERPIECE. Does Highclere Castle rent rooms? 2-3 Parlor maids These maids work on the main floor public rooms and rarely if ever come in contact with the family. Also Downton is ill-equiped for a large dinner or house party, hospitality that would normally occur several times a year. Rarely has her talent or her methods been challenged by anyone. Gareth Neame, the series executive producer, said: I think Downton Abbey secured Highcleres future., Peter Fincham, ITVs director of television, recalls the moment when Highclere was booked. Dan Stevens left the show to pursue other roles, MORE:Dan Stevens reveals the real reason he left Downton Abbey. Credit: Courtesy of Carnival Film & Television Limited for MASTERPIECE. would be promoted into the households of the adult children, and grow old with them. He currently writes for Screen Rant, has written for Bloody Disgusting, hosts the Film School Sucked podcast, and co-hosts the Macabre podcast. Phyllis Logan as Mrs. Hughes, Housekeeper. We'll own up to our mistakes and will make the corrections with a polite smile on our faces.) The Butler: Jim Carter, who you may remember as Captain Brown from Cranford, portrays Mr. Carson, the butler, with grave dignity. Lily James has gone on to become a huge name since she joined the cast of Downton Abbey as Lady Rose in series three. OF THE COACHING AGE, VOL. I recently saw a graph that showed that only 8,000 Africans were brought to England throughout the entire Atlantic slave trade. Second Footman Check but fail, in high class household is supposed to be as alike physically to first footman as to be twins. Please read the rules before participating, as we remove all comments which break the rules. The only kind of television show that was economically able to have such a large cast of regular actors (those with speaking parts, let alone character arcs) were the soap operas of the 1960s-1980s. 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. Siobhan Finneran as OBrien, Ladys Maid. One of the most interesting aspects of the show Downton Abbey is the way the servants have their own hierarchy that mirrors the strict hierarchy "above stairs." When the servants sit down to dinner, they sit according to their positions in the household, from Mr. Carson the butler right on down through the ranks to Daisy the scullery maid. Such a close daily association often develops intimacy over time. Unless pregnant by a member of the household in which case they might also get paid off. I was fascinated to read in a recent memoir, I think Tony Judt, that he considered his family to be lower middle class but they had a maid in 1950. How much did British servants make? Forget cosy notions of Hudson the butler and Mrs Bridges the cook - this servitude was thankless, sweaty, backbreaking work. 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 CASTLE REALLY DID OPERATE AS A HOSPITAL DURING WORLD WAR I. Bizarrely in another stripping away of identity they were sometimes given generic names. The cast of female characters includes a housekeeper, a lady's maid, housemaids, a cook, and a kitchen maid. Nick BriggsCarnival Film & Television Ltd. By J.I. The typical (median) domestic worker is paid $12.01 per hour, much less than other workers (who are paid $19.97 per hour). 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. While she was constantly working hard in her position, her past became an ultimate roadblock. This one explains how a pre-war British country house worked. Carson leads the whole staff into battle every day at Downton and is constantly putting out fires. Carson is one of the few characters almost any viewer can get behind. Tourist cash from the TV drama, now starting its final series, has funded repairs at Highclere Castle, where it is filmed. RELATED:Downton Abbey: 10 Hidden Details About Edith Crawley's Costume You Didn't Notice. 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. Which would mean female servants would have to be celibate or very careful. Disclaimer: Our team makes no profit from this blog. 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. And I also know they led relatively simple lives in terms of travel, leisure, etc. 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. Young, fresh-faced, and just starting out, William misses his loving family. Its a small number compared to the west, but a much smaller nation. To perform all the heavy cleaning and lifting. In the big country houses or the great London mansions servants were crammed into shared bedrooms and beds with no bathroom or lavatory facilities. The following is a list of the staff of Downton Abbey, past and present. Now I will feel so much more in tune with whats going on in it. ", 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. Despite the awful wages and conditions competition for places was fierce. 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. Credit: Courtesy of Carnival Film & Television Limited for MASTERPIECE. Each table cloth would be washed, starched and ironed after each use. Wed come home and have to talk about whatever episode we just watched, etc. Ha! 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. Lesley Nicol as Mrs. Patmore, the Cook. Fox Refuses to Worry Publicly About Idol or XFactor, Domestic Servant Hierarchy and Wage Scale, Project Runway Season 10: The Wrong Ones Leave, Downton Abbey Season 5: As Jolly As You Like, Downton Abbey Season Two: Simply Having A Wonderful Christmas Time, http://files.stv.tv/img/galleries/downton-abbey-series-one/590331/DOWNTON_ABBEY_EP1_43.jpg, How 'Downton Abbey' Shows Income Inequality Doesn't Matter | Acton PowerBlog, DOWNSTAIRS AT DOWNTON: THE MEN | D.E. Id certainly but a copy!I get so much out of your posts! 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 laundry was in a different building and the laundry staff were seperate, so its no wonder you dont see them, but you really should watch the series over, if you watch the downstairs secnes theres about 20 or more extras running around behind all the servants who get a character. The masters valet was especially important; his job was to make the master look impressive at all times. And there has been a deficit since the 1930s. Downton Abbey: Created by Julian Fellowes. Tweenies who help the parlormaids and the scullery maids- Downton has none. Always stand still when being spoken to by a lady and look at the person speaking to you. 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. The First Footman: Thomas (Rob James-Collier) is a piece of work. With Hugh Bonneville, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter, Brendan Coyle. 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. Alas and alack! The Cook: Lesley Nicol as Mrs. Patmore, the cook, is hiding a secret, one that threatens her very livelihood. Love this post, Vic. 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. Due to SPAM, we will no longer accept comments on posts after 30 days of publication. In 1827, the Earl of Lichfield employed 107 servants at Shugborough Hall near Stafford. Occaisionally a servant who became pregnant by a member of The Family would be paid off (but also fired), depending. She works with a positive attitude and champions those who need defending. Sigh. Breakfast at Downton Abbey. Youd still want Cook, and shed probably want an assistant. Vic, [] Comments Downstairs in Downton Abbey: TheServants []. 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. Downton has no laundry maids, adding to the burden on the undersized staff. Valet check, but see below under4thfootman. A first footman will serve as valet to the male guests if they arrive without a male servant. Good eye! Seriously, we dont need to see Ethel in every episode. I recently rewatched the second season of Upstairs, Downstairs, and I have some general questions/want to check if I understand things right. The last hurrah of great houses and servants. The bottom line is quite thin, she said. While loud ideals and spirited nature can become a roadblock at times, the house would suffer without her hard work. We are not nearly as proud of our achievements as we should be. Servants were not allowed to marry of have children of their own. Like this story? Footmen are expected to wear livery and are generally tall and handsome. Has anybody read P.G. By the end of the 19th century, the time of servants . Click on image. It is something I am passionate about; I am a really strong believer in soft power. But by 2012 the Downton effect had begun to take the pressure off. (The First World War shook the system; the Second World War pretty much ended the system entirely). It's believed that she is worth $4million. The accounts of Highclere Enterprises for 2014-15 show current assets have almost trebled to around 1m since 2012. Servants were badly paid and often lived in squalor. See also. Allen Leech as Tom Branson, the Chauffeur. Neame is now an ambassador for the GREAT Britain campaign, which is backed by government departments and the British Council, using it to promote the UK around the world.
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how much did servants get paid downton abbey