Upstairs, downstairs
Posted by Linden on July 07, 1998 at 19:49:31:
In response to Servants, written by JenniferB. on July 07, 1998 at 10:04:41
] During the Regency period, why and how did people become servants? Was a housekeeper such as Mrs. Reynolds above normal servants? Did people of servant families marry into others of a higher station? Did people become good friends with their servants?
The old BBC show "Upstairs, Downstairs" was a pretty good picture of the relationship: though the family was richer and probably more amiable than average.
I have this on good authority - an aunt of mine was in service at the turn of the century, and although she enjoyed picking out inaccuracies, they were mainly of the minor, technical kind (eg a housemaid wearing the wrong hat.)
In general, most of the servants would be young: people from poor backgrounds, especially girls, would go into service for a few years and then get married (often to policemen or soldiers).
- Sorry - should have mentioned that it's a different period Linden 21:07:28 7/07/98
(0)
Posting followups to old messages is disabled; instead go to the main index and post a new message which mentions this one.
