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I took this picture in the kitchen of Upton House -- it is a list of the servants needed to run the house smoothly.

Thought you might be interested.

Martha

Fascinating; like a script from Downton Abbey.

I just want to know what a "sit up and beg" bicycle is that housemaid Jessie Coleman from Hornton rode to the manor.

A "Sit Up and Beg" bicycle just looks like a standard issue bike to me .

That's a cute looking bike; looks my ol' Schwinn from the late 50s that I learned to ride on.

I want to know where that nickname came from; it's hilarious.

quote:

Originally posted by aychihuahua:
I want to know where that nickname came from; it's hilarious.

Maybe because the position of the rider's back and hands when sitting on the bike looks similar to when a dog is in the "begging" position?

I recently read a biography of Lady Londonderry.
Her town house in London had a staff of 72 in the 1920's.

And just think, that did not include gardeners because there was so lawn or garden to care for.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Love, Lu,

quote:

Originally posted by Jewel:

quote:

Originally posted by aychihuahua:
I want to know where that nickname came from; it's hilarious.

Maybe because the position of the rider's back and hands when sitting on the bike looks similar to when a dog is in the "begging" position?

That's exactly why it's called that. The handle bars are higher to promote good posture. There are Dutch style sit and beg bicycles and English style sit and beg bikes. They are intended for leisurely bike rides or ride into town to pick up supplies which is why you so often see them with baskets.

In the Brit films I LOVE to watch on Netflix - either streaming video or disk - I frequently see people riding bikes. Wonder if people in England still do or whether they drive cars for short distances the way we do.

I think its dangerous to ride bikes in most places here. When I was a child, we rode on the sidewalk but no sidewalks anymore and today one is not supposed to ride on the sidewalk anyway.

My husband LOVES to bike and keeps them in 3 locations other than here plus overseas. He rides in traffic. Makes me a nervous wreck.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Love, Lu,

I now feel overworked and underpaid...

Thanks for posting this. Very interesting!

I didn't see a Cabana Boy. I'd have to add that to my household staff.

That was interesting. I had a bike like that too, didn't know they were call "sit up and beg" LOL!

The second footman was paid 30pounds per year plus room and board? Wow..was that good in 1930's-40's?

I wonder what a Hall boy did?

quote:

Originally posted by zone9alady:
That was interesting. I had a bike like that too, didn't know they were call "sit up and beg" LOL!

The second footman was paid 30pounds per year plus room and board? Wow..was that good in 1930's-40's?

I wonder what a Hall boy did?

He is the lowest rnking servant along with the scullery maid. He literally had no room of his own and had to sleep in the hall, hence the title Hall boy. I copied the following from PBS' site of the Hall boy's duties. http://www.pbs.org/manorhouse/...ople/ken_duties.html

The Hallboy: Daily Duties

Morning Duties

You must rise at six o'clock and wash and dress.

Your bed must be made and you must make your way over to the house and be ready to work within half an hour of waking.

Your first task of the day is to clean the boots of the Upper Servants and Family members. You should collect them last thing the night before. The Butler, Chef and Housekeeper are all to rise at seven o'clock so their boots need to be returned to their rooms by this time. Family members will be rising from eight o'clock.

You must then empty the chamber pots of all the male Servants, and wash them around with a soaked rag kept for that purpose.

At a quarter-to eight you should lay the table in the Servants' Hall for Breakfast.

Breakfast is served in the Servants' Hall at a quarter-past eight.

It is compulsory for all members of Staff to attend Family prayers in the Main Hall at a quarter-past nine.

Your duties resume at half-past nine when you should take the young Master of the house and his Tutor Breakfast in the School Room.

On going tasks throughout the day: You should run any errands for other Servants, assist the Scullery Maid and Second Housemaid with their cleaning duties in the Servants' Quarters, and lend assistance to the Groom and the Footmen should they require it.

At half-past ten you should lay the table in the Servants' Hall for tea.

At eleven o'clock the young Master of the house needs to be brought milk and biscuits in the School Room. Tea is also served in the Servants' Hall. The Butler will have just had his daily meeting with the Master of the house, so you should await any specific orders from him.

At a quarter-past eleven you must resume your duties. You should lay the table in the Servants' Hall and Pugs' Parlour for the Servants' Dinner at Midday.

At Midday Dinner is served in the Servants' Hall. You are responsible for ringing the bell to signal the beginning of Dinner, and should wait at table, bringing the food to the table, and clearing away the dishes after each course.

Afternoon Duties

At one o'clock you should resume your ongoing duties.

Providing you have no outstanding urgent duties to attend to, between half-past two and half-past three is available for your leisure.

At half-past three you should lay the table in the Servants' Hall for Tea.

At four o'clock the youngest son needs to be brought his Afternoon Tea in the School Room. Tea is also served in the Servants' Hall at four o'clock. You should clear the table afterwards.

At seven o'clock you should take the young Master of the house and the Tutor their Dinner in the School Room, unless they are dining with the Family.

At eight o'clock depending on how many people are dining, the Butler and Footman may require your assistance with taking food up from the Kitchen to the Dining Room.

At nine o'clock you should lay the table for the Servants' Supper. Supper is served in the Servants' Hall at half-past nine. As was the case at Dinnertime you must wait table and clear the dishes away between courses.

The remaining part of the evening can be spent at your leisure, until just before you retire to bed. You final duty of the day is to collect the boots of the Family and Upper Staff so that you can clean them again first thing in the morning.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: still tryin,

[Quote] You must then empty the chamber pots of all the male Servants, and wash them around with a soaked rag kept for that purpose.

At a quarter-to eight you should lay the table in the Servants' Hall for Breakfast. [QUOTE]


I hope he washed his hands really well in between these duties! LOL!

Z9L, that was my exact reaction!!! YIKES!
HMMM, tried to post an emoticon, but it won't post!

Anyway, it is certainly a structured list, but did not seem to give much time between cleaning the chamber pots and laying the table. One can only hope.

Fortunately, I don't have to worry whether the servants have washed up properly, since I don't have any...LOL

TTFN,
Candy

LOL!

I'm so happy the hall boy was allowed to enjoy an evening of leisure between 10:30/11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. considering he was given a whole hour off during his 17 hour work day!

I've read a few fiction books set in Victorian England and it truly was a different world. One thing I remember is that the housemaids sprinkled wet sawdust on the rugs, then swept them! Can you imagine!

They also had to carry hot water upstairs to fill the bathtubs altho I don't think everyone had a bath every day.

When the family entertained guests for dinner there were multiple courses and with the kitchen in the basement the food was sent up via dumbwaiter so the staff was very busy getting it all up, then the previous course dishes back down to the kitchen.

The servants worked very long days and had little time off. Took a lot of work, without labor saving devices, to run a large home for the elite.

For those who suffered as "downstairs" staff, those were definitely not the good ol' days of yesteryear.