THE VICTORIAN HOUSEHOLD STAFF
Above or below stairs, everyone had their place in Victorian society. The butler and the housekeeper,
were at the top of the household ladder, the maids at the bottom. Housemaids got up at 5.30 am and it
could be gone midnight before they were finished. They had half a day off a week and made sure they
did as they were told, because although life was hard, positions in service were highly valued. All
their meals and uniforms were provided and they had their own room in the Palace House attics. At the
end of the week, they were paid - 2s 6d for housemaids, 2s for kitchen maids and 5s for footmen,
who also got a lie in until 6 am!
Today, through our living history staff, you can meet and talk to many of these real life
Victorian household characters who act as if they were from the Victorian era.
Pleasant, Butler
George Pleasant is the butler in Palace House and is instantly recognisable by the red fez he wears!
Lord and Lady Montagu brought this back for him from their travels in Egypt. Pleasant is responsible
for all the indoor male servants, except Lord Montagu's valet, Bellmore. His duties include looking
after the silver, the wine cellars and the writing tables; supervising the arrangement of the dining
table and ensuring that service is efficient; announcing meals; answering the main door and
announcing the arrival of guests.
Mrs Chadwick, Housekeeper
Mrs Jane Chadwick is the housekeeper and senior member of the female staff, reporting to Lady Montagu.
She keeps the household accounts, which are inspected each month by Lady Montagu. Mrs Chadwick is in
charge of the housemaids and laundry maids, allocating their duties, making sure these are carried
out satisfactorily and providing discipline if necessary. The jangling of the keys hanging from her
belt provides an early warning of her impending presence for the maids! She has to keep the linen and
bedding inventory, making sure that there is a clean supply of linen and clothing for both family and
servants. She also takes part in the selection of new maids, although the final word is Lady
Montagu's.
Miss Clark, Governess
Miss Gertrude Clark is the governess at Palace House, a position in which she is neither a servant
nor one of the family. She instructs Lord and Lady Montagu's daughter, Rachel, in reading, writing,
arithmetic, French, a little history, geography and biography, and in practical accomplishments like
needlework and drawing.
Mrs Hale, Cook
Mrs Julia Hale is the cook, with the responsibility for all the family's and the servants' meals.
Each week she discusses the menus for entertainments and meals with Lady Montagu and orders and
arranges for the delivery of all foodstuffs and associated items, including liaising with the gardener
to ensure a supply of vegetables. Mrs Hale is responsible for the kitchen maids and scullery maids
and takes part in their selection with Lady Montagu. She is also responsible for keeping the kitchen
accounts, which are inspected by Lady Montagu once a month, and a 'Bill of Fare' book, to ensure that
guests are not served with the same meal when they visit.
Stuart and Whiteman, Footmen
George Stuart and George Whiteman are footmen at Palace House, responsible for cleaning the cutlery,
maintaining and lighting the lamps, waiting at the table, ironing newspapers, cleaning boots and
shoes and waiting on the gentlemen in the Smoking Room.
Barkham and Paterson, Housemaids
Cecilia Barkham and Jane Paterson are two of the housemaids, most of whose duties involve the
cleaning of Palace House. They are responsible for cleaning all the 'above stairs' rooms, including
carpets, walls and ceilings; dusting and washing the china ornaments; looking after the fires and
grates; and polishing all the wood and the brass. They also wait at table during afternoon tea
and assist the footmen serving at entertainments when required.
Boffey, Harrison and Herbert, Maids
Lilian Boffey, Elizabeth Harrison and Sarah Herbert started off as a kitchen maid, a school room maid
and a laundry maid, but are now assisting the housemaids as and when required. Boffey is usually to
be found in the kitchen under the supervision of Mrs Hale, for whom she might be preparing vegetables,
plucking birds or stirring and mixing dishes. Harrison's job in the School Room is similar to that of
a housemaid, so she fills in quite well, but she needs to improve her reading and writing if she is
to become a senior housemaid. Herbert prefers Palace House to the steam of the laundry and is pleased
that her hands and nose are less red!
Mr Bellmore, Lord Montagu's Valet
Richard Bellmore is Lord Montagu's valet, responsible for his clothes, boots and appearance. He
assists him in dressing and changing, packs and unpacks his clothes when travelling, and attends him
at engagements, when requested.
Miss Down, Lady Montagu's Maid
Miss Caroline Down is Lady Montagu's maid. She looks after her clothes, shoes, jewellery, hair and
appearance, often making repairs or alterations. She assists her in dressing and changing, often
several times a day, and does light cleaning duties in Lady Montagu's bedroom and dressing room. She
also attends her at engagements and travels with her, when requested.
