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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.
If Victorian households had enough income at their disposal and they were able to employ household servants, these servants were expected to remain unseen. Servants were expected to do their most unsanitary work during the early hours of the morning or the late hours of the night, avoiding the view of their employers and guests.
[2] [3] Servants in the 19th and 20th century were found in all but the very poorest houses, ranging from a single "skivvy" in a poor household, to country houses whose staff numbered in the hundreds. Lethbridge has drawn from a wide range of both oral and written accounts to create a book that is "empathetic, wide-ranging and well-written".
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.
Unlike most other servants, she was addressed as Mrs regardless of her marital status. Today's head of household staff in a great house lives in much the same manner, although fewer households can afford large retinues of servants with an elaborate hierarchy. The housekeeper is generally hired by and reports to the lady of the house. The extent ...
A lady's companion was a woman of genteel birth who lived with a woman of rank or wealth as retainer.The term was in use in the United Kingdom from at least the 18th century to the mid-20th century but it is now archaic.
George III, however, retained the income from the Duchy of Lancaster. On the 1830 accession of William IV, the sum voted for the Civil List was restricted to the expenses of the Royal Household, removing any residual responsibilities associated with the cost of the civil government. This finally removed any links between the sovereign and the ...
The Victorian era was a time of unprecedented population growth in Britain. The population rose from 13.9 million in 1831 to 32.5 million in 1901. Two major contributory factors were fertility rates and mortality rates. Britain was the first country to undergo the demographic transition and the Agricultural and Industrial Revolutions.