Country houses formed a distinct community and power base within the broader Victorian countryside. This book shows how landed families' day-to-day existence depended on the skills of the indoor servants who provided their meals and ministered to their general comfort, and the outdoor staff who contributed to their leisure and sporting pursuits. It considers the relationship - and the divisions - between those living 'above stairs' and and the carefully considered hierarchy of domestics who met their needs 'below stairs'.
Also considered are the wider social activities of the two...
Country houses formed a distinct community and power base within the broader Victorian countryside. This book shows how landed families' day-to-day...
In the world of the late-Victorian and Edwardian country house the mistress and her daughters had many social duties and responsibilities to carry out both in their home community and in London, where they spent the Season and where the girls officially entered Society by being presented at Court. Pamela Horn's book examines the lives of these ladies from their childhood and marriage to their role as a 'Lady Bountiful'. It covers their leisure pursuits, sporting activities, country house weekends, and much more besides, up to the life-transforming years of the First World War.
In the world of the late-Victorian and Edwardian country house the mistress and her daughters had many social duties and responsibilities to carry out...
The First World War particularly affected the landed classes with their long military tradition; country houses were turned into military hospitals and convalescent homes, while many of the menfolk were killed or badly injured in the hostilities. When the war ended efforts were made to return to the pre-war world. Pleasure-seeking in night-clubs, sporting events and country-house weekends became the order of the day. Many of the former rituals, such as presentation at Court for debutantes, were revived. Yet, overshadowing all were the economic pressures of the decade as increased taxation,...
The First World War particularly affected the landed classes with their long military tradition; country houses were turned into military hospitals an...
