Tag Archives: upper servants

Life Below Stairs: Compensation Beyond Salary for Work Done

Posted on February 12, 2020 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

Life Below Stairs – Part I – Compensations and Obligations

Posted on January 3, 2020 by Regina Jeffers

I have been asked by a slew of new writers and a few seasoned writers to repeat this series on Life Below Stairs. Here is part I. Enjoy!  With the popularity of Upstairs, Downstairs and Downton Abbey, the populace has … Continue reading →

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Life Below Stairs, Part 10 – The ‘Pugs’ Procession of Precedence

Posted on June 23, 2016 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, Part 9 – The Valet

Posted on May 31, 2016 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 ~ Part Four: The Work Never Ends

Posted on March 2, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

Up before dawn, the servants of an aristocratic household found the work tedious. Likely, the lower servants worked two hours before he/she was permitted to sit to his own meager breakfast. The kitchen maid began her day with lighting the … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Great Britain, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, real life tales, Regency era, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Life Below Stairs – Part II – Snobbery and Rules of Engagement

Posted on January 24, 2012 by Regina Jeffers

Yesterday, we looked at what a servant in an upper house, or even in a second-class household, of the late Regency Period or early Victorian times, might encounter. We spoke of wages, delineation of duties, and additional compensation. Today, we … Continue reading →

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