Summary of Servants: The True Story of Life Below Stairs - Knowing Your Place - Episode 1 | Lifetime

00:00:00 - 00:55:00

This video provides a glimpse into the life of servants in the Victorian era. It explains that servants had a very difficult life, with their every minute accounted for in order to keep the household running smoothly. This often led to stress and anxiety on the part of the mistresses, who were worried about what their servants were up to. The video also presents a slideshow of illustrations from a book called "The Greatest Plague of Life," which was written about the anxiety experienced by servants and their employers.

• 00:00:00 This video examines the history of domestic servants in Britain, focusing on the scale and complexity of their work. The video also looks at the ways in which servants were treated and the ways in which their lives changed as the country industrialized.
• 00:05:00 Servants: The True Story of Life Below Stairs tells the story of life below stairs in British country houses, including the hierarchy between servants, the skills required of servants, and the punishments for breaking rules. One particular servant's story is highlighted: Edward Davis, a Hall Boy at Longleat House in the 1850s. Davis chronicled his 16-hour days in painstaking detail, recording everything from polishing 60 pairs of staff boots to clearing away dishes after meals.
• 00:10:00 Servants in 1852 typically worked in a separate wing of a large house, with little contact with their employers. Housekeeping tasks were divided among many servants, and those at the bottom of the hierarchy often received lower wages than those at the top. This video tells the story of one such servant, Mrs. Webster, and her key role in keeping the house running.
• 00:15:00 This video provides a look at life below stairs in the 1800s, when servants dressed formally and lived rent-free. Many of the portraits show servants with beautiful hairstyles and outfits, and it is interesting to compare them with photographs taken in the early 20th century. It is clear that the division of labor and dress had become more pronounced over time.
• 00:20:00 This video tells the story of life below stairs in the Victorian era, focusing on the role of servants. Rules and customs were very strict, and servants were expected to be clean, obedient, and sober. Servants were also often married, which was rare at the time. William Taylor, a servant in London in the 1830s, wrote a diary that is still preserved today. His observations provide a rare glimpse into life below stairs.
• 00:25:00 This video tells the story of a self-taught artist, William W. Taylor, who served as a servant in the early 1800s. Taylor's diary entries document his experiences, including observations of life in service and thoughts on liberty.
• 00:30:00 This video provides a glimpse into the life of a Punch cartoonist and his family of servants in the early 1800s. The video shows how the Sanborns kept their servants in line with strict rules and how the servants played a vital role in the family's everyday lives.
• 00:35:00 This video provides a historical perspective on the life of servants in the 1800s. It explains that servants had a very difficult life, with their every minute accounted for in order to keep the household running smoothly. This often led to stress and anxiety on the part of the mistresses, who were worried about what their servants were up to. The video also presents a slideshow of illustrations from a book called "The Greatest Plague of Life," which was written about the anxiety experienced by servants and their employers.
• 00:40:00 This video provides a brief overview of life for servants in the Victorian era, highlighting the importance of Christianity and the moral transformation of society. The darker side of service is illustrated with the example of a maid of all work who lives in a dark, cramped environment.
• 00:45:00 This video discusses the life of a maid of all work in the 1800s. It reveals the challenges and tensions that these women faced, as well as the power dynamics between employers and servants. Many of these women eventually left their jobs, often due to abuse or unfair treatment.
• 00:50:00 This video provides a history of servants in the 19th century, focusing on the experiences of one particular servant, Harriet Rogers. Harriet worked her way up from housemaid to housekeeper over an impressive 40 years, and her portrait has earned its place in the servant wing corridor of a nearby house. She devoted her whole life to service, climbing to the top of the career ladder, and found peace and fulfillment in her life as a servant. Her letters and personal possessions still survive, and her great great niece treasures them.
• 00:55:00 In this episode of "Servants: The True Story of Life Below Stairs," Miss Rogers tells the story of her time as a servant in the Victorian period, when servants' lives were quite rigid and standardized. Harriet, the servant who Miss Rogers worked for, was very loyal and enjoyed her work, but she put a lot of strain on her friendships by choosing to remain single. The next episode of the series will focus on servants in the run-up to World War I, when they started to challenge their station in life in private and public.