"I got up at 5.30am to clean the fireplaces and front steps, polish the shoes and boots of everyone in the household. would be promoted into the households of the adult children, and grow old with them. Every British tourist attraction sells little guidebooks published by the Pitkin company. The countess mistakenly thinks that OBrien is as fond of her as she is of her maid. Mrs. Hughes was the head Housekeeper in Downton, overseeing all of the maids and female staff in the household. . In Sundays episode, when Lord G comes downstairs to tell everyone the war is over and how theyre going to assemble on the 11th at 11:00, he says I expect all of you, including the kitchen staff and hall boys, everyone, to be there. This implied to me that there are other servants, but since they dont have plot lines, we simply dont see them. How wrong I was. These days, his net worth is said to be around $4million. Does Highclere Castle rent rooms? Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Not only useful but entertaining to read. 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. 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. Its the first TV period drama that has really leaped out of the screen and become part of popular culture., Lady Carnarvon is still keen to emphasise that the long-term future of Highclere is not necessarily secure. Also, could not some of the servants live in town? Just like Lark Rise to Candleford, which I must admit, is a much better show. In the background, a servant scoops coal.Credit: Courtesy of Carnival Film & Television Limited for MASTERPIECE My husband and I love it, and the people here. Who owns the house in Downton Abbey? The bottom line is quite thin, she said. Servants - The True Story Of Life Below Stairs starts on BBC Two on September 28. At the turn of the 20th century when the population of Britain was only 36million there were 1.5million servants. 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? At this same time, there were about 700 families in England who could support large country homes. Click on this link. Some of the so-called traditional wear for servants is based on oridnary wear during the Regency. Marvelous Mrs Maisel: will Lenny Bruces death be depicted in season 5? Disclaimer: Our team makes no profit from this blog. While his personality needed some ironing out, his work ethic never faltered. If you would like to share a new site, or point out an error, please email us. He did his duties and rarely allowed for personal problems to overshadow his work. Sigh. How much did Victorian servants get paid? - Heimduo Downton has none, a house that size should have two or more. It is now broadcast in 250 countries. (especially how it brings in the Honorary Colonel posting at the end to tie everything together! I believe that your desire for a portrayal of the economic reality of Downton Abbey is running smack against the economic reality of 21st century television. Rob James-Collier as Thomas, First Footman.Credit: Courtesy of Carnival Film & Television Limited for MASTERPIECE. One difference between the Edwardian and Regency great house is that the Regency servants except for footmen were unlikely to wear uniforms. Hall boyto take cards in the hall, polish shoes and boots of visitors. Room, board, and at least some clothing came with the job in addition to the money, right? In the big country houses or the great London mansions servants were crammed into shared bedrooms and beds with no bathroom or lavatory facilities. Thats a good question. Wodehouses Jeeves and Wooster series of stores? Too old to work? In class-obsessed Britain there was even a strict hierarchy among servants that kept them apart from one another. In 2017, Variety estimated hour-long dramas (like Downton Abbey) cost $5 to $7 million dollars per episode to make. I also think I remember reading that slavery was outlawed much earlier than in the States. Mr. Carson was not only in charge of the male servants, but also of the wine cellar and the butlers pantry, which contained the family plate and silver. Always stand still when being spoken to by a lady and look at the person speaking to you. However, it seems clear from the series that there are a number of other servants in the household who effectively serve as extras in the series. The Ladys Maid: Siobhan Finneran plays OBrien as a cold, ruthless woman, who trusts no one. Their commitment to their employers and the home they serve shows in the meals they provide, and the cleanliness of the estate. But a restoration project of derelict tower rooms began this year that will eventually allow visitors to climb up into the tower to an exhibition showcasing the work of the architect of the Houses of Parliament, Sir Charles Barry, who rebuilt the house in 1839-42. And I also know they led relatively simple lives in terms of travel, leisure, etc. Staff was generational too: the more senior but still relatively young maids and footmen and underbutlers etc. Wodehouses works. An ambitious man, who cares only for his own advancement, he will use anyone to achieve his goals, even if it means destroying anothers reputation. Undercook or 1stkitchenmaid check, but the first kitchen maid is responsible for cooking the servants meals, not the cook, and there should be more than one kitchen maid. One period household manual gave this advice to employers: "By not acknowledging them you will spare them the shame of explaining their presence.". Your comments and suggestions are most welcome. 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 next time Im in one of these houses Ill take some pictures of the servants quarters to send you. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. During the Regency, both footmen and livery were taxed which added nto the expense of keeping footmen. This was a deliberate ploy to demonstrate that they were a class apart. At the turn of the 20th century when the population of Britain was only 36million there were 1.5million servants. But Downton Abbey is a great house, and there are servants aplenty. The more important servants, known as "the Pugs", were waited on at dinner by their inferiors and ate from fine china. Thank you for visiting this blog. But have you ever wondered how much money they've made since the show began? Do they still do it? Credit: Courtesy of Carnival Film & Television Limited for MASTERPIECE. It became an extravagance for all but the biggest houses to have servants. He ranks second as the highest-paid star from the show, with $8million to his name. http://files.stv.tv/img/galleries/downton-abbey-series-one/590331/DOWNTON_ABBEY_EP1_43.jpg. There may be a difference between housemaid and parlourmaid uniforms, and perhaps differences in rank too. Lord Carnarvon said then: It was just after the banking crisis and it was gloom in all directions. A first footman will serve as valet to the male guests if they arrive without a male servant. Domestic service, novelist and broadcaster JB Priestly declared in 1927, was "as obsolete as the horse" in an era of motor cars. Alfred was rarely at the forefront of proceedings, which makes him one of the best employees at Downtown. 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. Downton Abbey: How much did Hugh Bonneville, Maggie Smith and more make Gareth Neame, the series executive producer, said: I think Downton Abbey secured Highcleres future., Peter Fincham, ITVs director of television, recalls the moment when Highclere was booked. Never begin to talk to ladies and gentlemen. Servants who got pregnant were often fired and thrown out. Alfred played the role of one of the home's footman after Thomas became Valet. The Chauffeur: Allen Leech asTom Branson, the chaffeur, demonstrates how very different Edwardian England is from Regency England. with any luck. Actually, I would prefer to see more actors less often, rather than the current DA model, where every actor appears in every episode. If this is explored later in the series for those who have watched, how accurate is the portrayal? Credit: Courtesy of Carnival Film & Television Limited for MASTERPIECE. Subject to the cooks every whim (and to the housekeepers and anyone else who happens nearby) she goes about her duties cheerfully. Back of the house. I wage a one-man War against the forelock-tugging worship of all things that glorify a parasitic aristocracy and then am betrayed! The Housekeeper: Phyllis Logan as Mrs. Hughes is Mr. Carsons counterpart. His net worth is believed to total $4 million. The main meal - 'dinner'- was taken at around midday, while 'tea' was a very light meal served at around 4 o'clock. (Do they mean the same thing?). Valets often received lavish gifts, including the masters hand-me-down clothing which they could either wear or sell. Alongside his partner Mrs. Hughes, Carson becomes an even sweeter and softer version of his obstinate self. These rose-tinted depictions would also have us believe that mutual respect existed across social boundaries. But, looking beyond that, he is one of the most dedicated staff members period. We do not accept any form of cash advertising, sponsorship, or paid topic insertions. Downton Abbey and the True Evolution of Household Staffing - Time Is there a cafe at Highclere Castle? ", 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. While she had a rough exterior, it was never enough to overcome her talents and ethics. While Mrs. Hughes was dedicated fully to her work, no one was as dedicated to the house as Mr. Carson. :). She is constantly working to better the lives of her peers and her employers no matter what. Jim Carter plays butler to the Crawley family, Carson. 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. For more information, please see our Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blogs author and/or owners is strictly prohibited. Perhaps in the past an estate and house defined and supported the family and their lifestyle, but today it is quite the reverse: the challenge is how Geordie and I seek to support and look after Highclere. Thanks and courage, my friend. 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. While she was constantly working hard in her position, her past became an ultimate roadblock. The neglected tombstone found in an overgrown burial ground. [] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Vic . Alternative sources of employment for women opened up in offices, shops, factories and later the National Health Service. When the Downton Abbey producers first approached Highclere in 2009, the family faced a near 12m repair bill, with urgent work priced at 1.8m. I have thought about gathering my posts for publication, but, given my schedule, I must take a pass for now. They had the ability to save a large portion of their salaries, or send money to support their families back home. Inquiring readers, from now until the U.S. airing of Downton Abbey, this blog will explore the facets of living in an English country house during the Edwardian era, and drawing upon the similarity and differences between the Edwardian and Regency eras. Valet check, but see below under4thfootman. One male servant, footman/valet:To serve in the dining room, valet Matthew, and accompany Mrs Crawley as the lady of the house on her calls. 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. Its addictive! Good eye! The Downton Abbey actor is a familiar face with TV and movie fans, Hugh married his wife Lucinda 'Lulu' Williams in 1998. What were the wages of Downton Abbey-era servants? Not only that, but she remains a great, yet tough, mentor to those assigned under her. Housekeeping was hard physical labor before central heat and air made houses cleaner; and standards of dustfree shining cleanliness were higher, not to mention the only way to have food was to cook from complete scratch every day and many households still made at least some of their own clothing. Jim Carter as Mr. Carson, the Butler. Young, fresh-faced, and just starting out, William misses his loving family. Every single day, dont take anything for granted, said Lady Carnarvon. Jim Carter appeared in many period dramas before Downton Abbey. I thought, So what?, because I had never heard of Highclere Castle. But I assure you they have the normal amount of servants that an estate of this size was expected to have, probably more, as you posted they just arent part of the story, to many speaking parts would get confusing and very difficult to follow all the drama for every servant, oh and eventually as everyone knows, Branson takes over as land agent later in the story. Forget cosy notions of Hudson the butler and Mrs Bridges the cook - this servitude was thankless, sweaty, backbreaking work. This Is How Much It Cost To Film An Episode Of Downton Abbey - TheList.com Elizabeth McGovern has $4million to her name. It's believed that she is worth $4million. Did Highclere Castle have bathrooms? Era. 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. Lady's maid Anna Bates is played by actress Joanne Froggatt, whose acting credits include Liar, Coronation Street and upcoming ITV drama Angela Black. 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. Have you seen the television series with Laurie and Fry? In the early seasons, Daisy is often more concerned with flights of fancy than her position, but as the series progresses, so do her priorities. Credit: Courtesy of Carnival Film & Television Limited for MASTERPIECE. Its given us a wonderful marketing platform, an international profile. Thank you, Karen! As for Mr. Bates on Downton Abbey, I hope he is able to climb out of the hole hes landed in. I was fascinated to read in a recent memoir, I think Tony Judt, that he considered his family to be lower middle class but they had a maid in 1950. Unlike their poorly paid counterparts, servants were housed and fed by their masters. We'll own up to our mistakes and will make the corrections with a polite smile on our faces.) Click here to enter the page. Lucy Lethbridge, author of "Servants: A Downstairs History of Britain from the Nineteenth Century to Modern Times," joined Antonio Mora on the Jan. 6, 2014 edition of Consider This. Credit: Courtesy of Carnival Film & Television Limited for MASTERPIECE. Alas and alack!