Book - BookDetective

Name: The Country House Servant

Author: Pamela A. Sambrook
Year: 1999
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Genres/categories:
History, Non Fiction

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ISBNs:
9780750929882
075092988X

One 19th century footman complained about the work involved in drawing more than 40 baths for his household, yet Lady Grenville felt no compunction in describing her footman as a lazy flunkey. For centuries a large body of domestic servants was an often unappreciated foundation for the smooth running of a household. Today, the warrens of domestic offices intrigue visitors. This book makes sense of these and the social structures behind them. It describes the skills, equipment, cleaning methods and work organization of the housemaid, laundrymaid, footman, valet and hall-boy - the servants who spent their days polishing fine furniture, and washing brilliant chandeliers, but also sponging filthy riding habits, and washing babies' nappies.