Category Archives: servant life

“Old Lady Day” ~ No It is Not My Birthday!

Posted on March 24, 2025 by Regina Jeffers

Quarter Days are the four dates in each year that align with religious festivals. The days are roughly three months apart and are close to the two solstices and the two equinoxes. In British history, these days were the ones … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Chaucer, Christmas, Church of England, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Living in the UK, real life tales, research, servant life, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Life Below Stairs: English Servants Emigrating to Australia, Part II

Posted on October 7, 2024 by Regina Jeffers

Previously, we looked at how some servants chose to emigrate to Australia rather than to remain in England. You may find that discussion HERE:  Life Below Stairs: English Servants Emigrating to Australia, Part I   An article entitled “Mistress and … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, servant life, Victorian era | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Life Below Stairs: English Servants Emigrating to Australia, Part I

Posted on October 4, 2024 by Regina Jeffers

In the mid to late 1840s, many girls in service decided to make the arduous journey from England to Australian ports. One must remember that the journey took three to four months to complete, depending upon the weather and the … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, business, commerce, servant life, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Life Below Stairs – The ‘Pugs’ Procession of Precedence

Posted on September 30, 2024 by Regina Jeffers

A sense of status above stairs was to be expected among the aristocracy, but it was no less observed below stairs. For example, the lower servants often spoke poorly of the “Pug’s” Procession, which happened after the first course of … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, estates, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, Regency era, servant life, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Life Below Stairs: Rising with the Sun in Victorian England, Part II

Posted on September 25, 2024 by Regina Jeffers

Recently, we had a look at breakfast chores for servants in a Victorian household. See it HERE. Today, we carry on with other duties.  About a half hour after the household staff consumed their meager meal, the family was summoned … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Great Britain, servant life, Seven Years' War, Uncategorized, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Life Below Stairs: Rising with the Sun in Victorian England ~ Part I

Posted on September 23, 2024 by Regina Jeffers

Servants needed to be up and about their business long before the Master and the Mistress. For example, lower servants were up at 5 A.M. and at work minutes later. Most did not waste time in their rooms for they … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, history, Living in the UK, servant life, Victorian era | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Life Below Stairs – The Valet

Posted on September 13, 2024 by Regina Jeffers

Footmen as we learned the last time often thought to join the upper servants in the role of valet or butler. (We saw the character of Thomas Barrow work in all three positions in Downton Abbey.) Today we have a … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, Regency era, servant life, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Life Below Stairs: Non-Existent Legal Redress

Posted on August 30, 2024 by Regina Jeffers

Was there legal redress for the servants of Victorian households?  Although there was genuine concern for the conditions in which many of the servants operated, most claimed it was impossible to make laws to protect domestic servants. Those that were … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Living in the UK, servant life, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Life Below Stairs – The Expense of Keeping Servants

Posted on August 28, 2024 by Regina Jeffers

The landed aristocrats were VERY slow to give up the expenses of an extensive household staff. We saw that “plot” being used in the final season of Downton Abbey. It is said that the sixth Duke of Portland employed some … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, Napoleonic Wars, Regency era, servant life, Uncategorized, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Life Below Stairs: Compensation Beyond Salary for Work Done

Posted on August 26, 2024 by Regina Jeffers

Despite the sometimes less than desirable conditions under which many of those below stairs endured in service, there were other compensations. Servants learned their deference. They were “invisible,” while remaining upon display throughout most of their work days. As such, … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, customs and tradiitons, Georgian Era, history, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, servant life, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments