In less developed nations, various factors ensure a labour source for domestic work: very large differences in the income of urban and rural households, widespread poverty, fewer educated women, and limited opportunities for the employment of less educated women. The scullery maid provided hot water for the scullery, kitchen tasks, and household. In addition to her other tasks, the scullery maid had to keep the scullery clean by clearing away meat and vegetable garbage, scrubbing work tables, and swilling the floors. The water was carried through a drain outside the house. [6] Scullery maids would rarely have handled fine china, stemware, crystal or plate silver; these are cleaned by housemaids and footmen. Before the advent of central heating systems, scullery maids were required to light the fires on the kitchen stove and supply hot water for tea and washing. She performed these tasks in the morning before the cook came down to the kitchens. [7]

ok one last tidbit that I tell the kids...and I swear this is my last because you must be getting annoyed. Finally, the royal household differed from most noble households in the size of their military element. If a king was able to muster a substantial force of household knights, this would reduce his dependence on the military service of his subjects. This was the case with Richard II of England, whose one-sided dependence on his household knights – mostly recruited from the county of Cheshire– made him unpopular with his nobility and eventually contributed to his downfall. [25] Variations were immense over an entire continent and a time span of about 1000 years. Yet it is still possible to speak of a classical model of the medieval household, particularly as it evolved in Carolingian France and from there spread over great parts of Europe. Medieval servants were responsible for a wide range of tasks, from cooking and cleaning to farming and manufacturing. Their labor was essential to the production and distribution of goods, and without their contributions, medieval society could not have functioned.” Jane Whittle, Professor of Economic and Social History, University of Exeter

This is by far the hardest blog I’ve had to write. Why? Because I simply haven’t been able to find as much information as I would have liked to. However, I will present to you what I’ve learned and hopefully it will enlighten you. If you have any additional information, please feel free to post it!

Servants in the Middle Ages were a diverse group, encompassing everyone from household staff to skilled craftsmen and laborers. Although their lives were often difficult, they found a sense of purpose and community in their work.” Miri Rubin, Professor of Medieval and Early Modern History, Queen Mary University of London Accordingly, medieval castles needed a large body of staff and servants, for different kinds of work in the medieval castle. For instance cooking, cleaning, military, and maintenance staff, and such. Varia, Nisha (7 July 2008). " "As If I Am Not Human" - Abuses against Asian Domestic Workers in Saudi Arabia". Human Rights Watch. Archived from the original on Nov 21, 2022.Maria Molina (17th century), Première femme de Chambre to the Queen of France, Maria Theresa of Spain. Murray, Jacqueline, ed. (2001). Love, Marriage, and Family in the Middle Ages: A Reader. Peterborough, Ontario: Broadview. p.387. ISBN 1-55111-104-7. In the Victorian Era, the highest ranking servant managed the staff of a large estate and was called the housekeeper. Below her was the Lady’s maid, who interacted mostly with the Lady of the house. Below this classification was an entire set of ranks for housemaids whose responsibilities related to maintaining the condition of various rooms in the house. The head of the housemaids reported to the housekeeper and managed the operations of subordinate housemaids, such as parlor maids, chamber maids and laundry maids. Nannies also reported to the housekeeper and were in charge of all servants responsible for childcare. Below all of these was an entire staff of lower-class servants who were dedicated to the preparation and serving of food, as well as the maintenance of kitchen areas. Types [ edit ] George Clive and his family with an Indian maid, painted 1765. As she appears to be caring for the child, she may be an aya. In the Byzantine Empire, slaves were employed until the end of the Empire, as were eunuchs. [33] Little is known of the living arrangements of the Byzantines, as very few buildings remain. From historical and architectural evidence it is known that, even though castles were rare, the wealthy lived in palaces of varying magnitude, with chapels and gardens, and rich decorations of mosaics and frescoes. [34] Common households [ edit ] Rural [ edit ]

Such were the demands of the steward's job that by the 13th century CE there were even training colleges for them such as the one at Oxford. There, following a course of 6 to 12 months, they could acquire the necessary skills in accounting, letter writing, and knowledge of the law. The Marshal Lady's maid: a senior servant who reported directly to the lady of the house, but ranked beneath the housekeeper, and accompanied her lady on travel. She took care of her mistress's clothes and hair, and sometimes served as confidante. Veyne, Paul, Phillippe Ariès, Georges Duby, and Arthur Goldhammer (1992). A History of Private Life, Volume I, From Pagan Rome to Byzantium. Belknap Press. pp.38–9. ISBN 0-674-39974-9. {{ cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list ( link) Gies, Joseph & Frances (1979). Life in a Medieval Castle (3rded.). New York, Toronto: Harper Perennial. p. 95. ISBN 0-06-090674-X. Cost: In total – with all accessories – we are at 460 €. If you prefer to spend a little less, leave the coat and replace the tricorn with a headscarf. Of course, hooks and sabers are also optional.The presence of servants of noble birth imposed a social hierarchy on the household that went parallel to the hierarchy dictated by function. [9] This second hierarchy had at its top the steward (alternatively seneschal or majordomo), who had the overriding responsibility for the domestic affairs of the household. [10] Taking care of the personal wellbeing of the lord and his family were the Chamberlain, who was responsible for the chamber or private living-quarters, and the Master of the Wardrobe, who had the main responsibility for clothing and other domestic items. [10] A chamberlain looked after the lord's own chamber and the wardrobes of the castle, including the liveries of the knights which usually carried the lord's coat of arms or badge. Some castles had a separate person, the keeper of the wardrobe, in charge of clothing, which was usually kept in wooden chests. The chamberlain might also be responsible for the Great Hall while the usher controlled who came in and out of it. The chamberlain's primary concern was the lord himself, though, and his general comfort. Once again, manuals were written for this important post with the following extract advising on the proper way to put his lordship to bed: