Fancy a Valet or Ladies maid? How to live like the Crawley's without paying fortune for staff

Right,
Before we can we make arrangements to replace to work of an individual with new gadgetry and labor saving devices we first need to look at the job description of those we are seeking to replace.
The following info has been sourced from wikipedia, it's concise and reflects my personal knowledge from research and text books regarding domestic staff.

Valet's Job description
"In a great house, the master of the house had his own valet, and in the very grandest great houses, other adult members of the employing family (e.g. master's sons) would also have their own valets.

At a court, even minor princes and high officials may be assigned one, but in a smaller household the butler (the majordomo in charge of the household staff) might have to double as his employer's valet. In a bachelor's household the valet might perform light housekeeping duties as well.

Valets learned the skills for their role in various ways. Some began as footmen, learning some relevant skills as part of that job, and picking up others when deputising for their master's valet, or by performing valeting tasks for his sons before they had a valet of their own, or for male guests who did not travel with a valet. Others started out as soldier-servants to army officers (batmen) orstewards to naval officers.

Traditionally, a valet did much more than merely lay out clothes and take care of personal items. He was also responsible for making travel arrangements, dealing with any bills and handling all money matters concerning his master or his master's household."

 Maids Job description

"The lady’s-maid’s duties are much as follows; she rises in good time, brings her mistress her early morning cup of tea, and arranges her room, prepares her bath— the housemaid bringing the cans of water, hot or cold— and lays in readiness everything which will be required for dressing, then she retires until rung for; this time she will employ in brushing and looking over the things worn yesterday. Then she has her own breakfast in the “housekeeper’s room,” and is ready to attend to her mistress directly her bell summons her, when she dresses her hair, removes her dressing-gown, and puts on her dress, doing all the finishing touches to her toilet.

She has to keep her mistress’s wardrobe in repair, mend gloves, sew buttons on boots directly she sees such work is required, and do all the dressmaking and millinery expected of her. She also washes the laces and very fine linen her mistress wears. If her mistress keep small pet dogs, it is her duty to wash them as often as she is ordered to do so, also to take them out to exercise, if the mistress does not. "

So condensed in list form to replace a ladies maid or valet you need..

1. Something to make tea for you in the morning

2. Something to wake you up in the morning

3. Something to organise your clothes for you ready for the morning

4. Something to organise your arrangements for the day. 

5. Something to advise you on fashion and your outfit.

6. Someone to walk and groom your pets (no gadgetry available here to take on this responsibility- a dog is for life - and yes that includes the horrible bits.  )
7. Something to provide you with up to date fashion selections suited to you.

TBC

How much were domestic servants paid in today's money.

This is something that has always fascinated me. I've long been a fan of period dramas, especially those that focus on the upstairs downstairs element of living in time gone by.
A lot of documentaries focus on the raw deal suffered by domestic servants, in terms of their working conditions, hours and salary.
The thing is, like any attempt to compare past to present it is essential you have accurate facts and figures or else you will have inconclusive data. Many documentaries and bloggers use salaries from the Victorian period to represent the salaries of Downton staff (which is set in 1912-1920).
So if you really want to know how much Anna Bates would have earned read on baked up by true history!

I first wanted to get an idea of Anna's salary.
I've compared two figures to get a median wage. The first salary is from Hichingbrook House in Cambridgeshire's website see here of £28 for an upper housemaid in 1910. Our second salary figure comes from official records for an upper housemaid called Florence Page who worked at Emo Court in Ireland from 1914-1917 her wage throughout her employment was £32 a year.
So let's say a wage for a housemaid like Anna in Dontown abbey would be £30 in 1912.
I found this fab site that allows you to  compare historical salaries to modern figures using the retail price index and the incomes economic status in equivalent terms.
The modern value (for 2010 ) using the rpi equates the salary to £2,320 which does sound pretty measly.
However it was common for upper house maids to receive tips of around £10 a year from guests
(it was expected when you went to your friends country house for the weekend that you would tip the staff to thank them for this service) add this and the salary becomes worth £3,100 in 2010's figures.
However the important thing is to look at the economic power this wage would of entitled our 1st housemaid to in relative terms.
Its very difficult for the RPI to give us this information as the value of assets like property, cars, was significantly different a century ago.
 To give us  better picture measuringworth.com  gives us an economic status  (measuring the relative prestige  value of that income or wealth is ) as £13,700.00 or £18,200.

 As this figure shows although not a high cash value of RPI the economic status is high. Add to the that the value of board and food provided to all servants (say £80 a week in today's money) and the earning look like  a much more respectable £22,300 per anum. Double the national minimum wage in 2010.

So was life as a servant in 1912 so terrible? Probably not. For most women service offered a job for life, a stable home and almost guaranteed career progression. Plus if they remained unmarried many ladies maids or maids were gifted annuity and lodging on retirement.

Would I do it? possibly. I suppose it would depend on my economic background. Right now I run a pub. Which is very similar to domestic service. Every day I clean 6 toilets, stoke up a fire, clear a large dining room and lay it up immaculately for the evening restaurant service, clean a busy kitchen, serve many guests, clean and present a saloon room and help assist people with menu choices. I work six days a work, 12-15 hours a day.

So is my life really that different from my century past counterpart?

Top Period Dramas set in the 20th Century

Are you a fan of Downtown Abbey like me? Struggling to fill your week before the next Sunday installment of Lady Mary and Cousin Matthew?

If so I've compiled a list of fabulous period drama's for you to sink your teeth into. I've compiled it into a top ten so why not order yourself  boxset and sit down to some brilliant Nostalgic Telly.

If you like Downton Abbey here are some other suggestions I know you'll love.

1. Downton Abbey

I had to make this the top of the list (sorry I know its simple) but I am biased, living very close to the real Downton Abbey Highclere Castle, I've been a big fan of the Julian Fellowes drama since it hit the UK screens in 2010. Why should I watch this: A superstar ensemble cast, some of the core faces of British period drama are woven into this fabulous documentation of the final days of the Upstairs Downstairs life of the British Upper Class starting with the sinking of the Titanic through (in the boxset above) to the end of the 1st world war. It really captures the shifting sands in social class and politics with a witty script and absolutely gorgeous visuals thanks to stunning work by the costume department and brilliant set locations.

2. From Time to Time

This one I personally guarantee any Dontown fan will adore. From Time to Time is set during the Second World War, this story isn't to far apart from that of the Crawley's and that's not the only similarity between the two.

Why Should I watch this: We'll this is another number from Mr Fellowes to start with. You'll find the cast familiar too- the insatiable Maggie Smith and the charming Hugh Bonneville both take lead roles supported by Dominic West of The Wire and Devils Whore fame. This film is based on Lucy M Boston's The Chimneys of Green Knowe. It weaves the stories of one family through two times, through the ghosts that inhabit their family home of Greene Knowe. Can the past help save the demise and sale of their historic home?

3. Glorious '39

Glorious 39 slipped me by when it was released in 2010, I recently caught it on BBC iplayer and loved it so much I watched it again later that evening so my husband could enjoy it. It's something a little different. A thriller that could of escaped Hitchcock, set in the idyllic English Countryside. Why watch it? It has a cast list to rival pretty much any and every period drama. From Bill Nighy to David Tennant, Romola Garai, Christopher Lee, Hugh Bonneville, and Julie Christie. It's like the Famous Five for grown ups with twists all the way through. It's not your usual cosy romantic vintage drama and thats' probably the best reason to try it. 

4. Goodnight Sweetheart

For me Goodnight Sweetheart offers a double dose of nostalgia, Gary Sparrow (Nicholas Lyndhurst) is possibly the luckiest man in Cricklewood. He's been given the ability to travel back to the Second World War via an alleyway in the East End. This six series Rom-Dram-Com follows his travels between the Blitz and his life in the 90's with wife Yvonne. It reminds me so much of my childhood, all the key moment of the pre-millennium decade are covered from the introduction of new technology, the build of the dome and the labour party's return to power. Why Watch it? Its not the best written show but its charming, easy to watch and brilliantly escapist. Who wouldn't want to escape the modern world every so often to step back in time? Lyndhurst shows his breadth     of acting ability supported by a good cast. This will make you smile for sure.

5. Life on Mars

If you've not seen this I'd advise you to order the boxset on next day delivery and cancel your plans for the weekend. Life on Mars is one of the best tv shows to come out of the UK in the last decade. Another Timetravel based plot. DI Sam Tyler (John Simm- The Devils Whore) is transported via a car accident to the world of his childhood- 1970's Manchester and subjected to the caveman style policing methods of DCI Gene Hunt (Phillip Glenister- Cranford) whilst trying to work out how to get home. Why should I watch it? It's nostalgia in fluro. If I had to give you one reason it be for Glenisters amazing one liners starting with "They reckon you've got concussion – but personally, I couldn't give a tart's furry cup if half your brains are falling out. Don't ever waltz into my kingdom playing king of the jungle."

6.  The Box of Delights

If you love Christmas (who doesn't) and Period Drama's then The Box of Delights is a must see. You'll have to suspend your disbelief for some the special effects which were cutting edge in 1984 but don't really live up to standard 30 years later. That said this film is absolutely magical based on John Masefields childrens book of the same name. About Kay Harker who befriends an old man who gifts him a box steeped in "old magic" that enables him to have brilliant adventures fighting against the forces of evil new magic, set against the backdrop of the 1930s.                                                              Why Should I watch this? You'll feel like a kid again. Its just magical. No other words necessary.

7. Bright Young Things

Bright Young Things is written and Directed by Stephen Fry and stars Jim Broadbent , James McAvoy, David Tennant and Michael Sheen. hy Should I watch this? Did you read the above? Seriously although critics panned Fry's Directorial debut's glossy slant on Celebutantes and the declining upper class in 1930's London is savvy and relevant. It's definitely a grower. But for just £3 on amazon you cant really go wrong.

8. Finding Neverland

 Historically inaccurate and completely strung out of fiction Finding Neverland is loosely based on Peter Pan's  creator J M Barrie and the relationship he has with a set of brothers who inspire his writing. Why Should I watch it? Both Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet perform well and the younger cast are all impressive to. Its fluffy and feel good wrapped in a pretty Edwardian package.

9. The Kings Speech

I couldn't do a blog on period dramas set in the 20th century without mentioning The Kings Speech. This fabulous drama set the world alight. It documents the story of King George VI's unusual path to becoming Monarch and his relationship with his self styled Speech therapist.Why should I watch it? If you haven't watched it yet you're missing out on one of the best films of this decade.

10.  Upstairs Downstairs