platters of egg Rochambeau, fish, a garnished entrée of chicken en gelée and salad.
The sweet was often rice pudding.’
Average cost of goods 1909–1910
Price per lb
(unless otherwise stated)
Today’s Price
Beef Sirloin
9 d .
£2.14
Beef Buttock
10 d .
£2.38
Beef Tongue
2 s . 6 d . each
£7.13
Venison
1 s – 2 s .
£2.85
Lamb leg (English)
1 s .
£2.85
Lamb leg (New Zealand)
9½ d.
£2.26
Hare
3 s . 6 d . each
£9.99
Chicken
2 s . 6 d . each
£7.13
Duckling
2 s .–3 s . each
£5.71–£8.56
Grouse
3 s . 6 d . per brace
£9.99
Quail
1 s . each
£2.85
Snipes
2 s . each
£5.71
Widgeon
1 s . each
£2.85
Loaf of bread
2½ d. each
60p
Butter
1s 2 d .
£3.33
Sugar
3 d .
71p
Tea
1s 6 d .
£4.28
Potatoes
10 d . (20 lb)
£2.38
Cheese
6 d .
£1.43
Figures taken from Mrs Beeton’s Book of Household Management and the Black Country Living Museum
CHAPTER SEVEN
Code of
Conduct
A S SOON AS ANY servant took a position in a household they were subject to a long list of dos and don’ts – some
issued by their mistress and some by their downstairs superiors. Most establishments had the rules written on cardboard or framed paper that was then hung in the kitchen or in the servants’
hall. Those ‘rules’ that were not on the list, and which differed from house to house, they would pick up along the way, it was hoped before their ignorance of them got them into
trouble.
Most of the codes of conduct revolved around being as unobtrusive as possible. Although Edwardian families liked to be able to afford the armies of maids that ran around below stairs, they
didn’t wish to see or hear them at any time. Most of the lowlier servants never spoke to their mistress or master, even if their paths crossed, and this was encouraged in the many regulations
recommended at the time. The kitchen staff rarelyleft the basement and should a parlourmaid or chambermaid pass a member of the family they were expected to stand against
the wall and look down at the floor.
One contemporary servants’ guide advised, ‘Always “give room”: that is, if you encounter one of your betters in the house or on the stairs, you are to make yourself as
invisible as possible, turning yourself toward the wall and averting your eyes.’
A booklet produced by the Ladies’ Sanitary Association in 1901, entitled Rules For the Manners of Servants in Good Families , laid out a list of rules which would have made a young
girl’s head spin. What follows are a few of the major ones.
Do not walk in the garden unless permitted, or unless you know that all the family are out; and be careful
to walk quietly when there; on no account be noisy.
Noisiness is considered bad manners.
Always move quietly about the house, and do not let your voice be heard by the family unless necessary.
Never sing or whistle at your work where the family would be likely to hear you.
Do not call out from room to room and if you are a housemaid, be careful not only to do your work quietly
but to keep out of sight as much as possible.
Never begin to talk to the ladies and gentlemen, unless it be to deliver a message or ask a necessary
question.
Do not talk to your fellow servants or the children of the family in the passages or
sitting rooms, or in the presence of ladies and gentlemen.
Always answer when you receive an order or a reproof either, ‘yes ma’am’ or ‘I am
very sorry ma’am’ to show you have heard.
Should you be required to walk with a lady or gentleman, in order to carry a parcel or otherwise, always
keep a few paces behind.
Do not smile at droll stories told in your presence or seem in any way to notice, or enter into, the
family conversation, or the talk at table, or with visitors.
This is a small sample of the strict regulations governing the daily lives of
The sweet was often rice pudding.’
Average cost of goods 1909–1910
Price per lb
(unless otherwise stated)
Today’s Price
Beef Sirloin
9 d .
£2.14
Beef Buttock
10 d .
£2.38
Beef Tongue
2 s . 6 d . each
£7.13
Venison
1 s – 2 s .
£2.85
Lamb leg (English)
1 s .
£2.85
Lamb leg (New Zealand)
9½ d.
£2.26
Hare
3 s . 6 d . each
£9.99
Chicken
2 s . 6 d . each
£7.13
Duckling
2 s .–3 s . each
£5.71–£8.56
Grouse
3 s . 6 d . per brace
£9.99
Quail
1 s . each
£2.85
Snipes
2 s . each
£5.71
Widgeon
1 s . each
£2.85
Loaf of bread
2½ d. each
60p
Butter
1s 2 d .
£3.33
Sugar
3 d .
71p
Tea
1s 6 d .
£4.28
Potatoes
10 d . (20 lb)
£2.38
Cheese
6 d .
£1.43
Figures taken from Mrs Beeton’s Book of Household Management and the Black Country Living Museum
CHAPTER SEVEN
Code of
Conduct
A S SOON AS ANY servant took a position in a household they were subject to a long list of dos and don’ts – some
issued by their mistress and some by their downstairs superiors. Most establishments had the rules written on cardboard or framed paper that was then hung in the kitchen or in the servants’
hall. Those ‘rules’ that were not on the list, and which differed from house to house, they would pick up along the way, it was hoped before their ignorance of them got them into
trouble.
Most of the codes of conduct revolved around being as unobtrusive as possible. Although Edwardian families liked to be able to afford the armies of maids that ran around below stairs, they
didn’t wish to see or hear them at any time. Most of the lowlier servants never spoke to their mistress or master, even if their paths crossed, and this was encouraged in the many regulations
recommended at the time. The kitchen staff rarelyleft the basement and should a parlourmaid or chambermaid pass a member of the family they were expected to stand against
the wall and look down at the floor.
One contemporary servants’ guide advised, ‘Always “give room”: that is, if you encounter one of your betters in the house or on the stairs, you are to make yourself as
invisible as possible, turning yourself toward the wall and averting your eyes.’
A booklet produced by the Ladies’ Sanitary Association in 1901, entitled Rules For the Manners of Servants in Good Families , laid out a list of rules which would have made a young
girl’s head spin. What follows are a few of the major ones.
Do not walk in the garden unless permitted, or unless you know that all the family are out; and be careful
to walk quietly when there; on no account be noisy.
Noisiness is considered bad manners.
Always move quietly about the house, and do not let your voice be heard by the family unless necessary.
Never sing or whistle at your work where the family would be likely to hear you.
Do not call out from room to room and if you are a housemaid, be careful not only to do your work quietly
but to keep out of sight as much as possible.
Never begin to talk to the ladies and gentlemen, unless it be to deliver a message or ask a necessary
question.
Do not talk to your fellow servants or the children of the family in the passages or
sitting rooms, or in the presence of ladies and gentlemen.
Always answer when you receive an order or a reproof either, ‘yes ma’am’ or ‘I am
very sorry ma’am’ to show you have heard.
Should you be required to walk with a lady or gentleman, in order to carry a parcel or otherwise, always
keep a few paces behind.
Do not smile at droll stories told in your presence or seem in any way to notice, or enter into, the
family conversation, or the talk at table, or with visitors.
This is a small sample of the strict regulations governing the daily lives of
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