The Real Life Downton Abbey by Jacky Hyams Page B
Authors: Jacky Hyams
‘give room’ that is, if you encounter one of your employers in the house or betters on the stairs you are to make yourself as invisible as possible, turning yourself toward the wall and averting your eyes.
When being spoken to, stand still, keeping your hands quiet. And always look at the person speaking to you.
Never begin to talk to ladies and gentlemen unless to deliver a message or to ask a necessary question and then, do it in as few words as possible.
Except in reply to a salutation offered, never say ‘good morning’ or ‘good night’ to your employer. Or offer any opinion to your employer.
Whenever possible, items that have been dropped, such as spectacles or handkerchiefs, and other small items, should be returned to their owners on a salver [a dish].
Never talk to another servant, or person of your own rank, or to a child, in the presence of your mistress unless from necessity. Then do it as shortly as possible and in a low voice.
Never call from one room to another.
Always respond when you have received an order and always use the proper address: ‘Sir’, ‘Ma’am’ ‘Miss’ or ‘Mrs’ as the case may be.
Always keep outer doors fastened. Only the Butler may answer the bell. When he is indispensably engaged, the assistant, by his authority, takes his place.
Every servant must be punctual at meal times.
No servant is to take any knives or forks or other article, nor on any account to remove any provisions, nor ale or beer, out of the Hall.
No gambling, or Oaths, or abusive language are allowed.
The female staff are forbidden from smoking.
No servant is to receive any Visitor, Friend or Relative into the house, nor shall you introduce any person into the Servant’s Hall without the consent of the Butler or Housekeeper.
Followers are strictly forbidden. Any maid found fraternising with a member of the opposite sex will be dismissed without a hearing.
No tradesmen or any other business having business in the house are to be admitted except between the hours of 9am and 3pm. In all cases the Butler or Chef must be satisfied that the persons he admits have business there.
The Hall door is to be finally closed at Half-past Ten o’clock every night after which time the lights are out and the doors secured.
The servants’ hall is to be cleared and closed at Half-past Ten o’clock, except when visitors and their servants are staying in the house.
No credit upon any consideration to be given to any person residing in the house or otherwise for Stamps, Postal Orders, etc.
Expect that any breakages or damage in the house will be deducted from wages.
Not much of a life, is it? No swearing, smoking – or a hint of sex. In fact, the toffs are firmly convinced that the best way to keep the servants in line is to keep them working all the time – because the general belief is that if they are given time to themselves, they will indulge in the three Great No-Nos:
Sex
Alcohol
Gambling
The fact that the male aristos indulge in these pleasures of life whenever they feel like it – and sometimes the sex is with the female servants – is irrelevant. What matters is the façade – a well-run house with loyal, obedient servants – who only have sex if they’re married. And, as we already know, marriage means ‘goodbye job’ for a female servant. When married, she will have her husband and children to look after.
R ULES FOR THE SERVANTS WHEN ADDRESSING THE FAMILY
When – and only when – servants are permitted to address the family they have to always remember the following rules:
The Master and Mistress of the house should be addressed as ‘Sir’ and ‘My Lady’.
The Eldest son of the family is addressed as ‘Mister’ (then his Christian name) and the youngest son as ‘Master’ (then his Christian name).
When referring to the family in correspondence or speaking to a third party, always use the following form of address: ‘Sir John’ (As in Sir John Pelham, for example) Lady Pelham
When being spoken to, stand still, keeping your hands quiet. And always look at the person speaking to you.
Never begin to talk to ladies and gentlemen unless to deliver a message or to ask a necessary question and then, do it in as few words as possible.
Except in reply to a salutation offered, never say ‘good morning’ or ‘good night’ to your employer. Or offer any opinion to your employer.
Whenever possible, items that have been dropped, such as spectacles or handkerchiefs, and other small items, should be returned to their owners on a salver [a dish].
Never talk to another servant, or person of your own rank, or to a child, in the presence of your mistress unless from necessity. Then do it as shortly as possible and in a low voice.
Never call from one room to another.
Always respond when you have received an order and always use the proper address: ‘Sir’, ‘Ma’am’ ‘Miss’ or ‘Mrs’ as the case may be.
Always keep outer doors fastened. Only the Butler may answer the bell. When he is indispensably engaged, the assistant, by his authority, takes his place.
Every servant must be punctual at meal times.
No servant is to take any knives or forks or other article, nor on any account to remove any provisions, nor ale or beer, out of the Hall.
No gambling, or Oaths, or abusive language are allowed.
The female staff are forbidden from smoking.
No servant is to receive any Visitor, Friend or Relative into the house, nor shall you introduce any person into the Servant’s Hall without the consent of the Butler or Housekeeper.
Followers are strictly forbidden. Any maid found fraternising with a member of the opposite sex will be dismissed without a hearing.
No tradesmen or any other business having business in the house are to be admitted except between the hours of 9am and 3pm. In all cases the Butler or Chef must be satisfied that the persons he admits have business there.
The Hall door is to be finally closed at Half-past Ten o’clock every night after which time the lights are out and the doors secured.
The servants’ hall is to be cleared and closed at Half-past Ten o’clock, except when visitors and their servants are staying in the house.
No credit upon any consideration to be given to any person residing in the house or otherwise for Stamps, Postal Orders, etc.
Expect that any breakages or damage in the house will be deducted from wages.
Not much of a life, is it? No swearing, smoking – or a hint of sex. In fact, the toffs are firmly convinced that the best way to keep the servants in line is to keep them working all the time – because the general belief is that if they are given time to themselves, they will indulge in the three Great No-Nos:
Sex
Alcohol
Gambling
The fact that the male aristos indulge in these pleasures of life whenever they feel like it – and sometimes the sex is with the female servants – is irrelevant. What matters is the façade – a well-run house with loyal, obedient servants – who only have sex if they’re married. And, as we already know, marriage means ‘goodbye job’ for a female servant. When married, she will have her husband and children to look after.
R ULES FOR THE SERVANTS WHEN ADDRESSING THE FAMILY
When – and only when – servants are permitted to address the family they have to always remember the following rules:
The Master and Mistress of the house should be addressed as ‘Sir’ and ‘My Lady’.
The Eldest son of the family is addressed as ‘Mister’ (then his Christian name) and the youngest son as ‘Master’ (then his Christian name).
When referring to the family in correspondence or speaking to a third party, always use the following form of address: ‘Sir John’ (As in Sir John Pelham, for example) Lady Pelham