When one has a large estate and a few houses, they must be
run by someone. They’re not often referred to in books, sadly. They just sort
of quietly get on with their duties, trying not to be noticed.
For a quick run-down on what servants there were, along with
their salaries head over here. Or the
Historical Hussies have details servants’ duties.
But how did one address a servant? Like all things Regency, this depended on rank. Surnames were a
sign of respect, first names for underlings. Which is why you still find that
usage in public schools today, albeit rarely now. Basically, your steward,
butler, head housekeeper and lady’s maid were the only surnamed serfs.
The valet and lady’s maid were permitted into the inner sanctum of one’s life. This
set them apart from the other household staff. As a result, they’d often be
isolated. Geri Walton discusses the lady’s maid’s life nicely.
Retirement is never particularly discussed. One lived, one
worked; pretty much it. However, in a lady’s
duties, the poor, infirm and retired people were referred to. So there were
a few, presumably to frail to work who were looked after by his lordship.
What, one has to pay them as well as provide board and
lodging? Wages
in Regency England are often listed as annual salaries, but I’m pretty sure
they were paid in person on a quarterly basis. And you had to pay them
reasonably well. Servants were free to come and go, and as there were so many
houses, they weren’t always terribly loyal to the household, despite the
impression we’re given. Their contracts were issued annually.
Whilst we’re discussing the rather vulgar topic of money…
What was it worth?
There’s actually a rather funny currency converter or again, Historical Hussies supply more options.
Currency was made
up of pounds, shillings and pence
There were:
o
20 shillings in a pound
o
240 pence in a pound
o
12 pence in a shilling
o
5 shillings was a crown (a silver coin)
o
4 crowns were equal to a pound
o
21 shillings was a guinea (gold coin) –
sovereigns replaced these in 1817
Hopefully, that helps put all those weird coins
into context a bit for you.
What would this buy you? I mentioned the wardrobe for the
Season in blog 3 on fashions, so let’s take that example (please note I’ve
nicked these figures from elsewhere, but I can’t remember where):
v
Silk Stockings = 12 shillings (approx. £20 in
today’s money)
v
Woollen Stockings = 2 shillings 6 pence (£4.25)
v
Simple White Dress = 5 shillings (£8.49)
v
White Silk Handkerchief = 6 shillings (£10)
v
Pair of Gloves = 4 shllings (£6.79)
v
Fan = 5 shillings (£8.49)
v
Cotton Fabric = 1 shilling per yard (£1.70)
v
Velveteen Fabric = 2 shillings 10 pence (£4.81)
v
Enough Fabric for a Dress = 6 shillings (£10)
v
Enough Silk Fabric for a Dress = 1 pound 6
shillings (£44.15)
v
Shawl = £200-£300
v
Walking Boots = 2 pounds (£67.92)
v
Silk purse = 2 shillings (£4)
So, a wardrobe of just one each of these
for the Season would cost around £400 in today’s money.
For bookworms, books would cost:
v
Essays in Rhyme = 6 shillings (£10)
v
2 Volumes of Scripture (religious stuffs) = 14
shillings (£32)
v
3 Volume Novel = 15 shillings (£34 – about 5
days wages for a skilled tradesman!)
Hence the circulating libraries being
popular!
Added to all this, the Corn Laws were passed
in 1815, which meant a loaf of bread rose to over 14d (pence)! Things only got
worse in 1816, when they had “The Year Without Summer” – the poor harvest meant
prices rose again to over 4 shillings per loaf – crumbs (pun totally intended)!
The ensuing starvation led to reform (see the link for details).
Oh, and there was an income tax repeal in 1816 – controversial subject! I’d moan about tax burdens
here, but then again, I wouldn’t give up my NHS and state pension etc. –
mustn’t grumble.
So, there we have it; what people earned
and what they could spend it on.
Fun fact; there is a lady’s maid in my own
family tree. Perhaps that’s why I wanted to include details of poor Clément
in my book; kudos to them!
A groom also gets mentioned; yes, there’s
one of those in my lineage too. Well, he was more of a driver in reality, but
horse themed. 😊
Servants weren’t terribly well-educated,
but I’m going to be looking at education in my next thrilling instalment.
Until then…
Love
and light,
TL
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