Edwardian Servants~Part Two, Lydia’s Story & a Giveaway!
I enjoyed the Downton Abbey Costume Exhibit at Winterthur Museum in Delaware.
Read Edwardian Servants~ Part One here.
Lydia Chambers, lady’s maid to Kate Ramsey, is one of the main characters in The Daughter of Highland Hall. We first met Lydia in The Governess of Highland Hall, shortly after she arrives at the grand estate for her first job. She’s a sweet, caring young woman who is eager to learn what’s needed to be a proper maid. When Kate travels to London for her first season, Lydia comes along. When Lydia learns her sister is in trouble, she goes to Kate for help. The two grow closer as they carry out a plan to help Lydia’s sister, Helen . . . but that leads them into all kinds of trouble. What kind of trouble? You’ll just have to read The Daughter of Highland Hall and see.
Working as a servant in Edwardian times was not an easy task. Beside the long hours of demanding physical work, there were many rules the servants needed to remember. Take a look at these!
Never let your voice be heard by the ladies and gentlemen of the house.
Always ‘give room’ if you meet one of your employers or betters on the stairs.
Always stand still when being spoken to by a lady and look at the person speaking to you.
Never speak first to ladies and gentlemen.
Servants should never offer any opinion to their employers, not even to say good night.
Never talk to another servant in the presence of your mistress.
Never call from one room to another.
Always answer when you have received an order.
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.
Any maid found fraternizing with a member of the opposite sex will be dismissed without a hearing.
The servants’ hall is to be cleared and closed at half-past ten at night.
Any breakages or damage to the house will be deducted from wages.
I’m excited to share the rest of Lydia’s story with you! The Daughter of Highland Hall releases, Tuesday October 7th, but you can pre-order your copy now and be one of the first to read this new book in the series!
I’m giving away one advanced reader copy of the Daughter of Highland Hall to a US reader who leaves a comment below and answers this question: If you were going to work as a servant in Edwardan times, which position would you take and why? The drawing for the winner will be held Sunday evening, Sept 21st, so be sure to enter by 9:00 pm Eastern. Please share this blog with your friends!
Would you like to know more about Edwardian Servants? Check out these links: Edwardian Promenade’s article about Edwardian Servants, Jane Austen’s World Article, The Daily Mail Article, Information about the Manor House Series.
Until next time, Happy Reading,
Carrie
