Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
The servants' hall is a common room for domestic workers in a great house, typically referring to the servants' dining room. [ 1 ] If there is no separate sitting room, the servants' hall doubles as the place servants may spend their leisure hours and serves as both sitting room and dining room.
Society and culture of the Victorian era refers to society and culture in the United Kingdom during the Victorian era--that is the 1837-1901 reign of Queen Victoria. The idea of "reform" was a motivating force, as seen in the political activity of religious groups and the newly formed labour unions.
The usual classifications of maid in a large household are: Lady's maid: a senior servant who reported directly to the lady of the house, but ranked beneath the housekeeper, and accompanied her lady on travel. She took care of her mistress's clothes and hair, and sometimes served as confidante.
In the Victorian household, the children's quarters were referred to as the 'nursery', but the name of the responsible servant had largely evolved from 'nurse' to 'nanny'. The Nursery Maid was a general servant within the nursery, and although regularly in the presence of the children, would often have a less direct role in their care.
In the great houses of the eighteenth, nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the housekeeper could be a woman of considerable power in the domestic arena. [citation needed] The housekeeper of times past had her room (or rooms) cleaned by junior staff, her meals prepared and laundry taken care of, and with the butler presided over dinner in the Servants' Hall.
The fact that her presence in the household was underpinned by an employment contract emphasized that she could never truly be part of the host family. [ citation needed ] However, being a governess was one of the few legitimate ways by which an unmarried, middle-class woman could support herself in Victorian society. [ 6 ]
For example, people going for a bath in the sea or at the beach would use a bathing machine. Despite the use of the bathing machine, it was still possible to see people bathing nude. [citation needed] Contrary to popular conception, however, Victorian society recognised that both men and women enjoyed copulation. [18]
In 1585, the Earl of Derby had a household of 115 people, while forty years later the Earl of Dorset was still maintaining a household of 111, all of whom were reported to be living in great state. [1] By 1722, the more elevated Duke of Chandos had a household of 90, 16 of whom were members of his private orchestra rather than domestic servants ...