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| Responsible for all the actual lifting and carrying in the front of the house: calling cards on silver salvers, a tray of tea, newspapers for the gentlemen. |
One of the shocks for the new American bride was having to deal with English servants. She must always be aware of the hierarchy — and of its principal members.
THE BUTLER
In charge of the front of the house. Too elevated for menial tasks (decant ing wine was the most physical he got), the butler oversaw the men servants and the silver.
THE HOUSEKEEPER
In charge of the bedrooms and the servants’ quarters. Matters of cleaning and household maintenance (linens, in ventories) and the house maids’ morals were the housekeeper’s bailiwick, a huge ring of keys her badge of office.
THE CHEF
In pretentious houses, always French and paid outrageously. He was often locked in a vendetta with the housekeeper.
FOOTMEN
Responsible for all the actual lifting and carrying in the front of the house: calling cards on silver salvers, a tray of tea, newspapers for the gentlemen. Footmen also waited at table, accompanied Milady on errands to carry her packages, and stood around wearing livery and looking decorative on formal occasions. The best ones were easy to look at.
MILADY’S MAID
Entrusted with washing and arranging Milady's hair, mending and refur bishing and cleaning her clothes, and helping her in and out of them. She also took care of the jewels and accompanied Milady on visits.
THE HOUSEMAIDS
Numberless faceless creatures who did all the cleaning and dusting in the front of the house (at the crack of dawn before the gentry were awake) and in the bedrooms (when their occupants were down at meals).
THE VALET
Responsible for keeping Milady’s husband neat. Besides laying out and caring for his clothes, the valet made travel arrangements, loaded his guns at shoots and boasted about him in the servants’ quarters. — From “To Marry an English Lord,” by Gail MacColl and Carole McD. Wallace
Responsible for all the actual lifting and carrying in the front of the house: calling cards on silver salvers, a tray of tea, newspapers for the gentlemen. Footmen also waited at table, accompanied Milady on errands to carry her packages, and stood around wearing livery and looking decorative on formal occasions. The best ones were easy to look at.
MILADY’S MAID
Entrusted with washing and arranging Milady's hair, mending and refur bishing and cleaning her clothes, and helping her in and out of them. She also took care of the jewels and accompanied Milady on visits.
THE HOUSEMAIDS
Numberless faceless creatures who did all the cleaning and dusting in the front of the house (at the crack of dawn before the gentry were awake) and in the bedrooms (when their occupants were down at meals).
THE VALET
Responsible for keeping Milady’s husband neat. Besides laying out and caring for his clothes, the valet made travel arrangements, loaded his guns at shoots and boasted about him in the servants’ quarters. — From “To Marry an English Lord,” by Gail MacColl and Carole McD. Wallace
Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia
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