Fandom Downton Abbey

[TheOddball]

Current time frame: Early April 1911


Situation upstairs:





Situation downstairs:





News topics: The 1911 census is taken. One out of every seven employed persons is a domestic servant. Suffragette Emily Davison hides in a cupboard in the crypt of the Palace of Westminster so that she can legitimately be recorded as resident on census night at the House of Commons.


Staff Roles & Wages Information





Staff Rules


written by the Butler





Servant’s Quarters

• Downton Abbey is the home of the servants as well as the family
  
• The servants rooms and quarters are maintained by the housekeeper
  
• The family will choose not to enter these areas unless of an exceptional circumstance
  
• There are cottages on the estate which married couples may be granted access too, but this is a rarity
  
• Marriage is not encouraged while in service as it will hinder promotion
  

Fellow Servants

• It can be easy to quarrel with fellow servants in a household such as this, so take care to not let anger illustrate your actions.
  
• If you have argued, do not attempt to speak ill of them to the family. If this behaviour is discovered by the Butler, you will damage your reputation more than the person with whom you have argued
  
• Not everyone may share your sense of humour; be mindful of this
  
• Female staff are reminded of the behaviour expected of them towards male staff; anything overly familiar is inappropriate and unladylike.
  

Visiting Servants

• Guests to the house may arrive with their own valets and maids
  
• It is expected that they may have their own way of going about things, particularly staff visiting from America
  
• Be careful not to speak of the family in a poor light in front of visiting servants, as rumours may spread
  
• Do not seek gossip from visiting servants
  

Routine

• An early start is essential as a number of jobs can be done while the family is asleep
  
• Duties should be carried out in an organised manner to avoid confusion and haste
  
• The Bell Board is very important, if in the servant’s hall or in the quarters it must be paid attention to to avoid the family upstairs from waiting
  
• If partaking in a job that is unclean, make sure to wear proper protection
  
• Cleanliness is particularly important; bathing should be frequent
  
• Special attention must be made to the face and hands to ensure full cleanliness, especially if serving the family or undressing them
  
• Good dental health is expected
  
• Retiring to bed can only be done once you finish all the jobs you need to complete for the day
  

Staff Meals

• Servant’s meals are served by the kitchen staff, who will eat after the others (when instructed by the Cook)
  
• When/if the Butler enters, you must rise from the table. The same is to be applied for a member of the family.
  
• Breakfast is before the family begin to wake, lunch is after the family’s luncheon and dinner is after the family’s dinner. This means lunch and dinner are fairly late in the day.
  

Dress/Appearances

• Do not walk through the front of the house unless in uniform or other work reasons
  
• The family upstairs will normally give warning if they plan to be in servant areas
  
• Kitchen staff are not permitted upstairs except in exceptional circumstances
  
• Scullery maids are not to be seen upstairs outside of their allocated jobs
  
• The Cook may go upstairs to present menus to Lady of the house
  

Respect

• Respect his Lordship and his family
  
• Do not spread rumours about said family
  
• Never speak ill of said family
  
• Uphold their reputation, even outside of the workplace
  
• Offer this same respect to the family’s children, relative and friends
  
• Even a pet of the family is to be treated with respect
  
• Remember, his Lordship is respecting you with his employment of you and his trust
  

Qualities to be admired in a servant:

• Modesty; always seek to portray modest/respectful behaviour. Impressing your employers will put you in a better light.
  
• Listen and learn; get to know how your master/mistress likes to be served, as everyone has a habitual routine. It is advised to keep note of how experienced staff go about their business.
  
• Ask questions about how to provide the best service, in an appropriate manner of course
  
• A good sense of humour is appreciated
  
• Anticipating the needs of the family is essential; it saves time and shows you to be a good servant
  

Qualities to be disapproved of:

• Refrain from being talkative and boastful
  
• While humility is to be admired, giving ‘back answers’ is not. It will not be tolerated by the Butler, Housekeeper or Cook.
  
• Actions such as muttering as you leave the room, slamming doors and marching heavily down the stairs is not appropriate behaviour if you have an issue with someone or an event that has happened
  
• Do not ‘tell tales’ - interfering in the events of others is not admirable
  
• Wastefulness is a sin; save for yourself and your employer