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. In households like Shibden, there were normally a few servants working together. Despite this, the work was still demanding.
What did servants do in Victorian times?
Both men and women worked as servants although the jobs they had to do were different. A man’s job might include running the stables, working in the gardens or working as a footman or butler. Women were usually given the jobs of cooking, cleaning and other general housekeeping tasks.
Did Victorian servants get days off?
Life as a Victorian servant was incredibly hard. They worked long hours with very few breaks. It was normal for servants to be given only one day off a month!
Could Victorian servants marry?
A great majority of female domestic servants did get married, of course. On the average, they were about 25 years old when they married. By the time of marriage, they had, on average, been in service for some twelve years, and had been placed in between three to five situations.
Where did servants sleep in Victorian times?
In the latter half of the 19th century, servants slept in attic bedrooms. These were often cold and damp in the winter and hot in the summer, with little light coming in from small windows. Some male servants slept downstairs to guard the family silver. The furnishings in servant quarters were basic and essential.
What was a servants life like?
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. In households like Shibden, there were normally a few servants working together. Despite this, the work was still demanding.
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.
What age did girls go into service?
They were usually recruited between the ages of 10 and 13, after they had been through some elementary schooling. Many employers hoped for the servants they hired to have at least some elementary literacy and numeracy.
When did ladies maids stop?
Such loyalty and long-standing employment between a lady’s maid and the lady of the house was common. The early 20th century started to see a decline in the use of a lady’s maid though the contrast of the lives of the staff and family on these estates still intrigues.
Where did ladies maids sleep?
Under-servant Bedrooms: Male and female domestics had separate servant bedrooms for sleeping. Female domestics were usually provided with bedrooms either in the attic, uppermost story, or over servant offices, which were accessible by a back stairway.
How did husbands treat their wives in the Victorian era?
Women’s rights were extremely limited in this era, losing ownership of their wages, all of their physical property, excluding land property, and all other cash they generated once married. When a Victorian man and woman married, the rights of the woman were legally given over to her spouse.
Did servants live in the house?
Some servants would live in the attic bedrooms and some above the stables, but if these rooms were full then they might have to sleep in the servants’ hall and kitchen down in the basement, a vast space laid out for the needs of the working environment that also included some spartan living accommodation.
What age did girls get married in the Victorian era?
2. They didn’t marry young. At the end of the 18th century, the average age of first marriage was 28 years old for men and 26 years old for women. During the 19th century, the average age fell for English women, but it didn’t drop any lower than 22.
What did Victorian ladies sleep in?
Sleepwear during the Victorian age was usually referred to as ‘night clothes’ and often consisted of ankle-length nightshirts or nightgowns and floor-length robes. Almost everything was white, especially when the style was first adopted (eventually colors and patterns became fashionable).
Why did servants live on top floor?
It was essential that servants were close at hand, so they were given their own specific floors, usually the lowest and the highest. These floors were often, as at Belton, distinguished by a different fenestration from the rooms of the employers in between.
How did Victorians address their servants?
The Lady’s Maid is given the title of “Miss ~”, and will be addressed as such, regardless of her marital status. The Tutor is given the title of “Mr ~”, and should be addressed as such. All other Servants should be addressed by their own Christian names.
What time did servants eat?
The basement is buzzing again: the servants eat supper at 6 pm – a smaller meal than at midday.
What were female servants called?
A maid, or housemaid or maidservant, is a female domestic worker.
What did Victorian maids wear?
Servants wore turned up collars with a plain necktie or cravat and a crisp, white shirt. Plain, dark coloured waistcoats were worn by all the menservants and were usually a cast-off from the master. Trousers can be either long or short, tucked into socks or cut off and elasticated at the knee.
What did ladies maids do all day?
Traditionally, a Lady’s Maid oversees the maintenance of her employer’s wardrobe, draws her bath, lays out her clothes, serves her meals when required, and keeps her client’s quarters tidy; this role is also changing with the times.
Did maids have days off?
Servants were usually (but not always) given a break to rest in the evenings, but this did not apply when there were large parties or midnight celebrations. This custom later evolved into having a half day off (or a whole for the lucky few) per week.