The Country House Servant

by Sambrook, Pamela A.

• ISBN13: 9780750929882
• ISBN10: 075092988X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-09-01
• Publisher: Sutton Pub Ltd

Summary

One 19th century footman complained about the work involved in drawing more than 40 baths for his household, yet Lady Grenville felt no compunction in describing her footman as a 'lazy flunkey'. For centuries a large body of domestic servants was an often unappreciated foundation for the smooth running of a household. Today, the warrens of 'domestic offices' intrigue visitors. This book makes sense of these and the social structures behind them. It describes the skills, equipment, cleaning methods and work organisation of the housemaid, laundrymaid, footman, valet and hall-boy - the servants who spent their days polishing fine furniture, and washing brilliant chandeliers, but also sponging filthy riding habits, and washing babies' nappies. The author also looks at how servants spent their leisure time. One footman enjoyed rowing on the lake every morning before work, while others had to sit up late at night sewing their own work-dresses.

Author Biography

Pamela A. Sambrook is a freelance lecturer, writer and consultant to the heritage industry and lecturer and researcher at Keele University

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	iv
Introduction	1	(14)
`A Lazy and Magnificent Fellow': the Footman's Work	15	(33)
`Dancing till Supper Time': the Footman's Lifestyle	48	(25)
`Unseen and Unheard': the Housemaid and her Work	73	(31)
`Very Old and Very Worn': the Use of Linen	104	(24)
`Preparing for the Great Wash': Early Processes of Washing	128	(25)
`Ingenious and Simple': the Material Culture of Laundering	153	(31)
`We Feel Much Happier Washing at Home': Laundry Management	184	(34)
`Clear from Spot or Blemish': the Meanings of Cleaning	218	(29)
Examples of Butlers' Pantries, Housemaids' Closets and Laundries	247	(1)
Notes	248	(12)
Bibliography	260	(5)
Index	265