Life Below Stairs In the Victorian & Edwardian Country House

The largely untold stories of innumerable, rather humble, lives spent "in service" are lying just below the surface of many great houses; the physical evidence can be seen in surviving servants' quarters, the material of their everyday life, even their uniforms and possessions. This account provides a fascinating glimpse at who's who behind the scenes, from the cook, butler and housekeeper to the footmen, lady's maids, governesses and tutors, nannies and nursemaids. Offering insight into the hierarchy within the servant's quarters, from the power-wielding cook to the ever-discreet butler, this guide discusses how relationships were forged and changed as the gap between upstairs and downstairs was bridged. Describing their typical working day as well as the holidays, entertainments and pastimes enjoyed on a rare day off, not to mention the whirl of the social season, this previously unwritten history recalls vividly the nature of their lives below stairs. A bygone era is brought to life through letters, journals, interviews, lively descriptions and stunning photography of the places and possessions left behind.

Siân Evans is a cultural historian who has worked for the National Trust, The Victoria & Albert Museum and the Design Museum. She is author of Pattern Design and Ghosts: Mysterious Tales from the National Trust.