Domestic servants formed on of the largest occupation groupings during the 18th and 19th centuried, particularly for women. It had developed from the large, mostly male, households, which had been the preserve of the medieval nobility. By 1851 there were over one million servants in Britain making it the largest occupation after agricultural work.
Upstairs, Downstairs
These pages formed an exhibition developed by staff at Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies.
A Cleaning Notice for Servants
Gaddesden Place, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire
Servants' wages
Earning your Keep
The Upper Ten and the Lower Five Servants
"In all establishments, it is the butler's duty to rule"