Jim Carter plays butler to the Crawley family, Carson. Today, her overall net worth is estimated to be around $8million. [] workers, actually earn more than the median U.S. worker. Its addictive! . Just wondering assuming you could afford a house like Downton today, what would your staffing needs be now as compared to 1920? Love this post, Vic. (especially how it brings in the Honorary Colonel posting at the end to tie everything together! Back of the house. (Do they mean the same thing? At the bottom of the ladder were the young girls who could enter service when they were 13, earning a few pounds a year. First Footman Check (if senior can fill underbutler role), also attends the lady of the house when making calls. Its been an amazing magic carpet ride for all of us, she said. 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. I don't think an inflation calculator can accurately communicate what those numbers really signified. Unlike their poorly paid counterparts, servants were housed and fed by their masters. A maid in England prepares afternoon tea in 1927. 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. In real life, during World War I, the 5th . The earliest rising servant was the scullery maid, or tweeny, who sat lowest on the pecking order. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Would that be analogous to, say, a mid-range hotel manager today, in status and income? Forget the polished image of Downton Abbey, life below stairs was sadistic and miserable. Estate manager (agent) Jarvis (1880-1920) Tom Branson (1920-24, since 1925) Mary Talbot (since 1925) Henry Talbot . From the biggest emerging tourist markets, 51% of Brazilians, 42% of Russians and Chinese, and 35% of Indian visitors are likely to include a visit to a site of interest in their trips. Downton Abbey is a large house that requires a lot of upkeep and staff to run it. Since room, board and uniforms were provided, a valet could save most or all of his money. Thanks to the teachings of Mrs. Patmore, she soon is prepped to take on the role of lead cook one day. A stoic and capable man who served the earl as batman during the war, he must perform his duties of dressing the earl and seeing to his wardrobe regardless of the war injury that requires him to use a cane. 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. For a start, how many servants are there in DA? It just gets its catastrophically wrong. What were the wages of Downton Abbey-era servants? 'Supper' was usually taken at 9 o'clock, after most of the work had been finished. Due to SPAM, we will no longer accept comments on posts after 30 days of publication. Copyright Statement: Jane Austen's World blog, 2009-2022. Click here to enter the page. I guess Ill have to return to find out. In fact the doors of stately homes and townhouses revolved with departing servants seeking a better life elsewhere. Each table cloth would be washed, starched and ironed after each use. 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. From reading Below Stairs by Margaret Powell is seems some employers made their servants to buy or make their own uniforms, and other provided them or parts of them (such as the cap). Are there still butlers? 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. Subject to the cooks every whim (and to the housekeepers and anyone else who happens nearby) she goes about her duties cheerfully. 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. I love P.G. Scan this QR code to download the app now, The Victorian Domestic Servant Hierarchy and Wage Scale. We do not accept any form of cash advertising, sponsorship, or paid topic insertions. Middle class families . 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. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog's author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Baxter took on the role of Lady's Maid for the Countess of Grantham after Mrs. O'Brein's exit. Fabulous, many thanks for this. We saw some gamekeepers in the shooting episode in which Mary was accompanied by Sir Richard. Unless pregnant by a member of the household in which case they might also get paid off. Is there a cafe at Highclere Castle? According to Celebrity Net Worth, she has amassed an incredible fortune and is said to be worth an estimated $20million. In 1891, the number of indoor domestic servants is 1.38 million, which is a pretty high number," says Dr Pamela Cox, senior lecturer in sociology at the University of Essex. Luckily though, he found a place as a member of the family instead. In the background, a servant scoops coal.Credit: Courtesy of Carnival Film & Television Limited for MASTERPIECE Head Housemaid: Joanne Froggatt as Anna is a pretty, quiet, and dependable presence. Daisy was apprenticed to Mrs. Patmore, serving as second in command in the kitchens of Downton. Credit: Courtesy of Carnival Film & Television Limited for MASTERPIECE. I've been watching the final season of Downton Abbey. Afternoon tea, priced at around $60 per person, is still quite an occasion. :). The hotel is still one of the most elegant places to stay in London. Credit: Courtesy of Carnival Film & Television Limited for MASTERPIECE. 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. Do public servants get paid well? 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. Anna maids the three daughters, plus different houses had different rules for daughters, some gave them maids and let them have breakfast in bed, others didnt, Downton is obviously the latter. 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. 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. Credit: Courtesy of Carnival Film & Television Limited for MASTERPIECE. Bizarrely in another stripping away of identity they were sometimes given generic names. Credit: Courtesy of Carnival Film & Television Limited for MASTERPIECE. A 'Tweeny' servant who worked seven days a week, from 5am until 10pm, and was paid 13 a year. II, By CHARLES G. HARPER. 1903. Vic said: Downstairs in Downton Abbey: The Servants: Jane Austen's World http://t.co/8ufFL50 [], Very informative, thank 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. It [Downton Abbey] is iconic for expressing Britishness. Credit: Courtesy of Carnival Film & Television Limited for MASTERPIECE. Although Downton Abbey follows only 11 of the upper servants closely, one can see other servants (housemaids, a scullery maid, young boys, coal men, and the like) in the background going about their business. ", 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. Im going to have servants when Im rich so thanks for educating me on their duties and names. Credit: Courtesy of Carnival Film & Television Limited for MASTERPIECE. In desperation employers dangled the carrot of prettier outfits but it made no difference. Not only useful but entertaining to read. He gave his entire being to ensure that every event, whether it was a simple breakfast or a grand feast, went off without issue. VisitBritain estimates that nearly 30% of foreign visitors, or nearly nine million people, include castles and historic houses on their itineraries. How much did the 'Downton Abbey'-era upper class rely on servants? My fellow-Canadian and a resident of that historic hotbed of Socialism and socialized medicine called Saskatchewan has turned on me! Back of the house. 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? Credit: Courtesy of Carnival Film & Television Limited for MASTERPIECE. How much did domestic servants get paid? Staff was generational too: the more senior but still relatively young maids and footmen and underbutlers etc. Id certainly but a copy!I get so much out of your posts! Her total earningsare estimated to be around the $2million mark. 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. The Portal for Public History. 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. The following is a list of the staff of Downton Abbey, past and present. 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. Thank you, Karen! As OBrien is doing the work of 3 or 4 Ladys maids, no wonder she is so sour. Looking at all the staff of the series, here are the 10 best ranked on their job performance. In addition to the main house, servants worked in the service buildings, such as the stables, garage, dairy, bakehouse, laundry, gun room, and pantry. I buy one for every attraction I visit. The servant stairs. DA is about to have the opposite problem of most TV shows, where the actors age faster than the plots move (Im looking at you, kid from Lost! Almost half of potential visitors to Britain now say they want to indulge in set jetting, visiting places featured in films or on TV. Did Highclere Castle have bathrooms? Your comments and suggestions are most welcome. MORE:Downton Abbey star Maggie Smith looks incredible at start of career - see the gorgeous snaps. What happened to servants who did get pregnant? Yet while their employers dined on nine-course meals costing up to six times a maid's annual wage employees were treated to the leftovers in the kitchen. (The First World War shook the system; the Second World War pretty much ended the system entirely). 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. NEXT:Downton Abbey: 10 Actors You Forgot Were On The Show. Ireland, http://anibundel.com/2012/02/08/poor-crawleys-a-study-of-downton-abbeys-staffing-woes/, Skating Highlights of the Week: Most of Russian Junior Nationals, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blogs author and/or owners is strictly prohibited. He often has pitfalls, most recently so speaking out of turn in the presence of the King and Queen. The idea was that they were mostimpressive if, like book ends, they matched. What kind of purchasing power did they have? ($860-$1,700) per year depending on age, height, appearance and abilities. Mrs. Reynolds no doubt received a tip from the Gardiners after showing the public rooms of Mr. Darcys great estate. However the contrast between the sumptuous family areas and the dull, often squalid servants' quarters was stark. Vic Sanborn, founder of this blog, is supported by a team of talented and knowledgeable writers about Jane Austen and the Regency era. RELATED: Downton Abbey: 10 Upstairs Memes That Will Have You Cry-Laughing But doing one's duty is more than just cleaning and cooking. (And anibundel, for posting!). I think Sarah retired from work to raise her family and only returned to domestic service when they were on their own. All rights reserved. But Downton Abbey is a great house, and there are servants aplenty. Thanks and courage, my friend. As for Mr. Bates on Downton Abbey, I hope he is able to climb out of the hole hes landed in. In smaller, middle-class homes in the cities servants were pushed into attics and dank basements to keep them apart from the family. The Downton Abbey actor is a familiar face with TV and movie fans, Hugh married his wife Lucinda 'Lulu' Williams in 1998. These rose-tinted depictions would also have us believe that mutual respect existed across social boundaries. Alternative sources of employment for women opened up in offices, shops, factories and later the National Health Service. Tom was an Irish radical turn chauffeur for Downton Abbey. Who owns the house in Downton Abbey? Each napkin likewise. Dan Stevens, who played Mary's husband, Matthew Crawley, was one of the first members of the cast for whom Hollywood came knocking. That was very interesting! A lady, even of the middle class would be accompanied on her errands and calls by a footman. 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. They were better-paid jobs, less demeaning and didn't require the wearing of the hated servant's uniform of starched cap and apron. Some years ago, I had tea there. They had the ability to save a large portion of their salaries, or send money to support their families back home. Joanne Froggatt as Anna, Head Housemaid. Really it is a fantasy world, based in a particular time in history. RELATED:Downton Abbey: 10 Most Hated Supporting Characters Of All Time. Alas and alack! I was reading this with interest, and it is a good analysis. Another opportunity to keep Highclere in the public mind is the 300th anniversary of the birth of Lancelot Capability Brown, who designed the grounds. The Housekeeper: Phyllis Logan as Mrs. Hughes is Mr. Carsons counterpart. [] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Vic . Many valets did very well for themselves. The chances of a master being held to account were remote. Credit: Courtesy of Carnival Film & Television Limited for MASTERPIECE. Credit: Courtesy of Carnival Film & Television Limited for MASTERPIECE. 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. Though this information is not known when this article was first posted, I seem to remember it didnt come out until season3. The kitchen maid would perform these offices if there were no tweeny or scullery maid. The viewer will be struck by the sheer volume and variety of dishes that she creates and oversees daily. Matt Berger is a writer, comedian, actor, Paddington enthusiast, and Corgi dad. January 11, 2016 7: . Downton. Downton Abbey: 10 Upstairs Memes That Will Have You Cry-Laughing, Downton Abbey: 10 Couples That Would Have Made A Lot Of Sense (But Never Got Together), Downton Abbey: 10 Most Hated Supporting Characters Of All Time, Downton Abbey: 10 Hidden Details About Edith Crawley's Costume You Didn't Notice, Downton Abbey: 10 Actors You Forgot Were On The Show. Youd still want a maid to do laundry and vacuum. In class-obsessed Britain there was even a strict hierarchy among servants that kept them apart from one another. You would think a big house like Downton would provide them, but perhaps not. Oh Woe! How much was Cora's dowry? Fourth Footman fail. It's believed that she is worth $4million. Downton has none. His net worth is believed to total $4 million. Ive wondered who does Isobels hair, and who does the laundry and ironing. The more important servants, known as "the Pugs", were waited on at dinner by their inferiors and ate from fine china. How much did servants make in Downton Abbey? We may receive books (physical or digitized) and DVDs for review purposes. Where would this place them in terms of social class? One difference between the Edwardian and Regency great house is that the Regency servants except for footmen were unlikely to wear uniforms. The neglected tombstone found in an overgrown burial ground. Downton Abbey: Created by Julian Fellowes. A modern view? made them look like twins. However, 69 Emmy nominations and 15 wins later, it's never been more apparent just how much of an impact the show made. Sign up to our newsletter to get other stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Hello, my name is Vic and I live in Maryland, USA. Eventually though, after Matthew's death, he is brought on as a footman for Downtown, serving the house all the way through the most recent film. Oh, ah, let em ring again! by George Cruikshank. She earned the job after the reference from Thomas but was soon embroiled in blackmail due to her past. Daisy, the kitchen maid, lays a fire in the library. Servants were badly paid and often lived in squalor. Please read the rules before participating, as we remove all comments which break the rules. 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? Mrs. Patmore is one of the most skilled cooks that the series ever confronts. Answers must be in-depth and comprehensive, or they will be removed. What is the owner of a stable called? Servants who got pregnant were often fired and thrown out. How much does it cost to get married at Downton Abbey? 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. King Charles III's coronation: How to watch and what time is it on? While loud ideals and spirited nature can become a roadblock at times, the house would suffer without her hard work. We'll own up to our mistakes and will make the corrections with a polite smile on our faces.) And I also know they led relatively simple lives in terms of travel, leisure, etc. She works with a positive attitude and champions those who need defending. Tweenies who help the parlormaids and the scullery maids- Downton has none. ), Thank you, JHarper2! Archived post. In Edwardian times going into service was frequently the only alternative to near starvation. The huge global success of Downton, according to Lady Fiona Carnarvon, has funded a rolling programme of building repairs aimed at safeguarding Highclere for the next generation. A major part of the season concerns the end of the "large household" and how many of the staff are seeking alternate employment. The fact that Bates the valet was expected to fill in at even a small dinner is not something that would normally be case. 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. with any luck. Some servants suffered terrible abuse including beatings and rape. Brendan Coyle as John Bates, the Valet. The results of all of the painstaking work and added expense paid off though, as Downton Abbey has been realized for the silver screen in a fashion that only its particular brand of drama and . I recently rewatched the second season of Upstairs, Downstairs, and I have some general questions/want to check if I understand things right. Having a butler to buttle and function as house manager would be good, considering that in todays world, Husband and Wife would have the kind of two-salary high powered jobs that can afford that size house. The masters valet was especially important; his job was to make the master look impressive at all times. But have you ever wondered how much money they've made since the show began? Gardeners have been referred to, as have gamekeepers and general outdoor staff. Weve seen at least one groom, too. 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. Away from his role on the show, he is also known for period dramas Shakespeare in Love, My Week with Marilyn and the BBC series Cranford. In the worst homes life was little better than a form of silver-service slavery. Always stand still when being spoken to by a lady and look at the person speaking to you. Sadly, falling in love with your employer's daughter isn't a great resume builder. Express. Thomas Howes as William, the Second Footman. The cast of female characters includes a housekeeper, a lady's maid, housemaids, a cook, and a kitchen maid. Servants were expected to "know their place". Historical archives reveal that countless footmen were called William, Henry or James, which were considered "acceptable" names. Credit: Courtesy of Carnival Film & Television Limited for MASTERPIECE. 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. Seriously, we dont need to see Ethel in every episode. If you would like to share a new site, or point out an error, please email us. Hall boyto take cards in the hall, polish shoes and boots of visitors. Servants were often left utterly exhausted but they had no unions or employment rights.". For all these great houses, you have to invest in them. Any maid found fraternising with a member of the opposite sex will be dismissed without a hearing. Good eye! Ok, look, a house that size would have had a staff of hundreds of servants. A kind and observant woman, Mrs. Hughes nevertheless keeps her female team in line. Luckily, he was far kinder and more capable than his aunt ever was. (modern), The Downton Abbey cast gather in front of Highclere Castle as they prepare for the final series. Time and time again she overcomes whatever current tragedy has befallen her and her loved ones, and delivers some of the best work in the house. 2-3 Parlor maids These maids work on the main floor public rooms and rarely if ever come in contact with the family. Nick BriggsCarnival Film & Television Ltd. By J.I. forbidden love!). Tourist cash from the TV drama, now starting its final series, has funded repairs at Highclere Castle, where it is filmed. Era. I was shouted at by the harridan of a cook and treated like some sort of sub-human by my employers who found fault with everything I did.". RELATED:Downton Abbey: 10 Hidden Details About Edith Crawley's Costume You Didn't Notice. Breakfast at Downton Abbey. DA has a huge cast by todays television standards (it is the closest thing we have to the old-time soap opera tradition, in both scale and plot devicesamnesia! ), I love this post. RELATED:Downton Abbey: 10 Couples That Would Have Made A Lot Of Sense (But Never Got Together). Households of the size and importance of Downton should have two extra footmen, sometimes called 3rdand 4th. Labour-saving devices such as the appearance of the first motorised vacuum cleaners made housework easier. As the driver, he took all of the family to and from the main house and around the countryside. We've ranked the servants' job performances. Topics include Regency fashion, historic foods, Jane Austen societies, British sites, related topics. That portrays the true relationship betweem servant and master. A newspaper reports that leading actors including Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern have been given three-year deals worth 1million each. 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 Downton tourists are part of a growing phenomenon. But, after a lot of development, he soon becomes one of the most sympathetic. 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. No one at the time could have predicted that a fussy mini-series airing on PBS in this country would become a viral hit, but "Downton" soon became that rarest of things: A universal reference point. Daisy becomes an incredibly valuable member of the staff. While Mrs. Hughes was dedicated fully to her work, no one was as dedicated to the house as Mr. Carson. 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.). Im only on episode one, but as an African American who majored in history but focused mainly on ancient history and African American history, Im curious about the differences in England. The last hurrah of great houses and servants. 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. 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. Downton Abbey will be shown Sunday night on your local PBS station starting at 9 p.m. Click here to view the video clips. MORE:Where are the cast of Downton Abbey now? Head of the female servants, she consults with her mistress daily about the meals, family plans, and any guests that are expected. . Youd still want Cook, and shed probably want an assistant. I wish him a long happy life with his true love, Anna. 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. 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. For a long time. He is dedicated to working to the best of his ability (as long as he is awarded in return). Footmen on 'Downton Abbey'. How much did British servants make? At the top was the butler, who was paid 10 times more. Every single day, dont take anything for granted, said Lady Carnarvon. The female staff are forbidden from smoking. Also Downton is ill-equiped for a large dinner or house party, hospitality that would normally occur several times a year. Do you suppose theyll make a making of movie like theyve done with some other BBC productions? Apparently nothing was considered too menial and records show that servants' duties included ironing shoelaces and cutting their masters' toenails. Service at table, except in the lowest houses employing servants was never performed by female servants. Yet service allows him to better himself and someday work his way up to the position of butler. She is constantly working to better the lives of her peers and her employers no matter what. And you, 30 year old actor playing a high schooler!). Originally airing from 2010 to 2015, the show made household names - and now movie stars - out of its cast. He ranks second as the highest-paid star from the show, with $8million to his name. In Downton Abbey, the veteran actress plays Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham and mother of Lord Crawley. Servants who married often left, though the employer could find a position for the spouse within the establishment if they wanted to keep the servant. That is more than worked on the land or in factories. The home was run by the housekeeper, always called Mrs whether married or not, while the cook ruled the kitchen with an iron fist. By the end of the 19th century, the time of servants . Alongside his partner Mrs. Hughes, Carson becomes an even sweeter and softer version of his obstinate self. My husband and I love it, and the people here. Credit: Courtesy of Carnival Film & Television Limited for MASTERPIECE. The kitchen in these great houses often sat away from the house (to prevent cooking smells from wafting up to the public and private rooms) and were connected to the main house via underground passages. From my point of view, Ive tried to persuade people it is fun, and have specific events they can engage with, not just a wander around a dusty house. Downton Abbey wouldn't survive without all the downstairs staff who work tirelessly day in and day out.
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