The Housekeeper

“In my opinion, to misquote Doctor Johnson, if you’re tired of style, you are tired of life” — Carson the Butler, Downton Abbey.

They belonged to another time period and were at the top of their careers. Most learnt their trade by ‘working up the ladder’. Very few of the upper-class, who lived in the magnificent “Houses” and who had an army of domestic servants, could have managed without them --- the Housekeeper.

The Housekeeper was the ‘second in command’ in the house, and considered herself the immediate representation of the mistress of the house. She would bring the management of the household under her control. Honesty, industry and vigilance were the swords she lived by, and she would make sure that every room was perfectly cleaned. The happiness and ‘comfortable living’ of the Family she worked for and the servants in her charge depended a great deal on how well the housekeeper did her job.

She set the example of rising early and keeping busy, knowing full well that the female servants under her would ‘copy’ her. The housekeeper ordered “everything” for the house, from the food to the cleaning equipment to the bed linen and curtains, and her mistress would check her account books on a regular basis. Her morals had to be untouchable and she was more ‘knowledgeable’ than even the mistress of the house sometimes. Every single item and article was found in one of her many account books, from the china and silver the Family used to the pots, pans and bed linen used by the servants.

The housekeeper’s responsibilities were ‘heavy’ and very important, because the mistress of the house put a lot of trust in this woman.

The “duties” of the housekeeper depended, to a great extent, on the size of the ‘establishment’ she worked in, but the basics were always the same. Up early every day, making sure the maids know their duties for that day. She would meet with the mistress every morning, to discuss the meals, if any visitors would be staying, and (basically) anything the mistress wanted to tell her housekeeper, which is why this ‘faithful’ servant always carried a notebook and pen, (as well as every key of the house), to take notes.

A good housekeeper would never miss anything!

She had her own bedroom and (often) sitting room, which she would ‘share’ with the Lady’s maid, butler and valet (the sitting room that is). Her day was structured with duties for every hour, including in the evenings. Every so many months, the housekeeper would do a full and thorough inventory of the house, recording breakages, what needed replacing, how many candles needed to be ordered (before electricity came along), etc, etc, the list was literally endless!

Although the housekeeper didn’t generally ‘interfere’ with the Cook’s duties, she did have a basic knowledge of the kitchen and cooking, which was sometimes needed in cases of emergencies.

Like the cook, the housekeeper was usually single but always called "Mrs" to make sure the maids and other staff would give have respect for this woman of (really) great authority amongst the servants.

When interviewing and choosing a new housekeeper, the mistress of the house would look for someone who was clean (in person and morals), and who (looked) strong and healthy, and who had experienced domestic service.

The housekeeper would be offered £40 a year in wages.

It was a different time and a different way of living — all for £40 a year and (possibly) one or two days off a month!

A completely different world to the one we live and work in today.