Did servants get days off?

Servants worked 17-hour days with time off limited to church on Sunday morning and one afternoon a week. 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.

What was it like to be a maid in Victorian times?

They worked a long, exhausting day, typically rising at 5 am and not getting to bed until midnight. A popular saying of the time was ‘those who would thrive, must rise by five’. They often had to sleep in the kitchen or basement away from the family and alone.

How were Victorian maids treated?

The mistreatment of servants was commonplace, and young maids were especially vulnerable to being sexually exploited. Once hired, they found themselves in households in which a strict and unbreachable hierarchy below stairs ensured that they stayed on the lowest rung of that society.

How much did a Victorian maid earn?

Lady’s Maid and Valet They were hired by the Lady and Master of the house rather than by the butler, housekeeper or house steward. Typical salaries were £20-30 (£1000-£1800) per year.

Did servants marry?

A great majority of female domestic servants did get married, of course. They could not go back to their jobs as live-in servants, because they were married, and were now expected to care for their husband and children.

How much were servants paid in Victorian times?

The average servant earned a mere 25 pounds a year or $2,700 in today’s economy.

Were Butlers allowed to marry?

Employers generally prefer their butlers to be single. If a butler lies about being married he can be dismissed without notice. It is also essential not to become too friendly with the other servants in your household in order to maintain an air of authority.

How much did servants get paid in Victorian times?

The average servant earned a mere 25 pounds a year or $2,700 in today’s economy. Cheap labor is what made large staffs possible.

How much did servants get paid?

The average servant earned a mere 25 pounds a year or $2,700 in today’s economy. Cheap labor is what made large staffs possible. It was impossible to categorize every type of servant at the turn of the century.

How many hours did Victorian servants work?

They had the most gruelling job of all, as they had to do all the chores for the house, often working from 6 in the morning until 10 at night, with very little time off.

Did Victorian maids have to provide their own uniforms?

While writing novels about a Victorian manor house, I came upon an interesting tidbit—one that I didn’t believe at first. For it makes no sense. When a girl became a maid of any sort—whether kitchen or chambermaid—she had to provide her own uniforms.

What was the work done by servants in the Victorian era?

The work done by these servants was excruciating. Other duties carried out by them included scrubbing the floor, brushing the carpet, beating rugs, filling lamps every day and many such duties. The Lady’s Maid was regarded as a more honored position as she was expected to be educated, have exceptional needlework skills and be honest.

What was the role of a nursemaid in the Victorian era?

Nursemaids took care of the children which also included taking them out for walks. There were servants who were called Parlor maids who answered the door, announced the arrival of guests and served at dinner. Servants included not only the female staff but also the male servant and the Steward topped the hierarchical ranking.

What is the difference between a lady’s maid and a servant?

The Lady’s Maid was regarded as a more honored position as she was expected to be educated, have exceptional needlework skills and be honest. She would help the Lady of the House dress and undress, style her hair, etc. She was expected to be pretty and preferably French. Other servants were the Land Steward,…