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Life Below Stairs: True Lives of Edwardian Servants by Alison Maloney (view source)
Revision as of 10:52, 21 September 2020
, 10:52, 21 September 2020no edit summary
Life in Edwardian times is currently a popular subject, thanks in no small part to ''that'' period drama currently showing its final series on ITV. ''Life Below Stairs'' examines the subject in greater detail, looking at documents and memoirs from the time to discover what life was really like for those in service. We learn about the strict hierarchy in the household and the duties expected of each individual. We see how much each member of staff was paid and how workers were hired (and in many cases, fired) from their positions. Welcome to a slice of Edwardian life, served up with a delicious mix of period illustrations and newspaper clippings.
The first thing that struck me as a reader was the amount of detailed research that had gone into this book; it really is a treasure-trove of information. When starting out, I found the hierarchy chart a particularly useful reference aid, as it enabled me to see exactly who was at the top and the bottom of the ladder and which members of staff were responsible for the others. At the top of the list , we have the obsequious Butler, who oversaw all of the goings-on in the household. Beneath him were the valet and housekeeper. At the other end of the scale, we have the lowly maid-of-all-work, hallboy and scullery maid who were general skivvies assigned the most menial of household tasks.
Quotes from those who had worked in service, such as [[:Category:Margaret Powell|Margaret Powell]], add an extra layer of depth to the story and help the reader to understand what life was really like for these hard-working and dedicated individuals. Margaret started out as a lowly kitchen maid at the age of fifteen. She was terrified of the mistress and unable to speak a word during her interview, letting her mother do all of the talking. By the age of eighteen, she had become a confident young woman and secured a job as a cook on her own terms; demanding a day off each month and a salary of forty pounds.
''Life Below Stairs'' was an absolute joy to read and will fascinate and delight anyone interested in this period of history. Many thanks to the publishers for my review copy.
Bookbag enjoyed [[Netherwood by Jane Sanderson]], a fictional account of life above and below stairs that promises to be ''Perfect for fans of Downton Abbey.'' You might also enjoy [[Aprons and Silver Spoons by Mollie Moran]]. For fiction by Alison Maloney we can recommend [[Bright Young Things by Alison Maloney|Bright Young Things]]. You might also appreciate [[The Servants' Story: Managing a Great Country House by Pamela Sambrook]].
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