Life Below Stairs: True Lives of Edwardian Servants

by Alison Maloney

Overview

UPSTAIRS, an Edwardian home would have been a picture of elegance and calm, adorned with social gatherings and extravagantly envisioned dinner parties.
DOWNSTAIRS, it was a hive of domestic activity, supported by a body of staff painstakingly devoted to ensuring the smooth running of the household.
Brimming with family secrets, society scandal, and of course elaborate parties, dresses, and social customs, the world of an aristocratic Edwardian household as depicted on the hit show Downton Abbey has captivated millions. But what was life really like for the people who kept such a household running: the servants? In Life Below Stairs, international bestselling author Alison Maloney takes readers behind the scenes to reveal a lively and colorful picture of what went on "downstairs," describing servants' daily life in this now-vanished world.
Detailing everything from household structure, pay and conditions, special duties, and rules and regulations, to perks, entertainment, and even romance, Maloney examines the drudgery and hardships below stairs, as well as the rewards and pleasures. Thoroughly researched and reliably informed, this charmingly illustrated volume also contains first-hand stories from the staff of the time, making it a must-read for anyone interested in the lifestyle and conduct of a bygone era.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250023124
Publisher:	St. Martin's Publishing Group
Publication date:	12/24/2012
Sold by:	Macmillan
Format:	eBook
Pages:	192
Sales rank:	594,568
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

ALISON MALONEY is a journalist and author, whose books include the international bestseller The Mum's Book. As well as a long stint on The Sunday Post newspaper, she worked as a children's book editor for two years. Alison lives in Kent, UK, with her husband and two children.

ALISON MALONEY is a journalist and author, whose books include the international bestseller The Mum's Book. As well as a long stint on The Sunday Post newspaper, she worked as a children's book editor for two years. Alison lives in Kent, UK, with her husband and two children.

Table of Contents

Introduction 9

Chapter 1 Social Background 11

Chapter 2 Household Structure 17

Chapter 3 Pay and Conditions 42

Chapter 4 A Day in the Life of a Country House 72

Chapter 5 Toil and Technique 93

Chapter 6 Special Occasions 111

Chapter 7 Code of Conduct 135

Chapter 8 Hiring and Firing 145

Chapter 9 The High Life 163

Conclusion 178

Sources and Bibliography 183

Picture Acknowledgements 186

Index 187

Editorial Reviews

Fascinating.” —Daily Mail (UK)

“A fascinating slice of British History.” —Readers Digest

“A fascinating new book.” —Daily Express (UK)

“A captivating snapshot of a different world and time.” —Sainsburys Magazine (UK)

“All you need to know about life below stairs.” —The Countryman (UK)

From the Publisher