Smiffys Medieval Maid Costume, Green with Dress & Headband, Historical Fancy Dress, Medieval Dress Up Costumes

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Kitchen maid: a "below stairs" maid who reported to the cook, and assisted in running the kitchens. The medieval world was a much less urban society than either the Roman Empire or the modern world. The fall of the Roman Empire had caused a catastrophic de-population of the towns and cities that had existed within the Empire. Between the 10th and 12th centuries, however, a revival of the European city occurred, with an increase in the urbanisation of society. [46] It is now most common to find maids working on a daily basis for a maid service or agency. Only the highest class folk are known for hiring an entire staff of servants. Throughout the classes of upper middle and above, it is not unheard of for a household to have one or two live-in servants. Aside from that, it is pretty rare to find a maid who is completely sustained within the estate of her employer. Usually if she is it has something to do with childcare.

The households of medieval peasant families were naturally smaller than those of the aristocracy, and as such resembled modern households more. The patterns of marriage fluctuated greatly over the course of the Middle Ages. Even though most of the available evidence concerns the higher classes, and the source material for southern Europe is richer than for the rest, it is still possible to make some rough generalisations. [35] It seems clear that the average age of marriage during the Early Middle Ages was comparatively high, in the early twenties, and quite equal for men and women. The reason for this can be found in traditions brought forward from the Germanic tribes, but equally in the fact that habitation was confined to small areas, a factor that enforced restrictions on population growth. [36] [37] [38]Under house parlour maid: the general deputy to the house parlour maid in a small establishment which had only two upstairs maids. Frieda Arnold (fl. 1854–fl. 1859), lady's maid to Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom between 1854 and 1859. The Time Traveler’s Guide to Medieval England: A Handbook for Visitors to the Fourteenth Century” by Ian Mortimer In conclusion, the life of a medieval servant was one of hard work, struggle, and survival. Despite the many challenges they faced, servants played a vital role in the functioning of medieval society. Alice’s story is just one example of the countless individuals who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to keep the world moving forward.

Head kitchen maid: where multiple kitchen maids were employed, the "head kitchen maid" was effectively a deputy to the cook, engaged largely in the plainer and simpler cooking (sometimes cooking the servants' meals). Horrox, Rosemary and W. Mark Ormrod (2006). A Social History of England, 1200-1500. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-78954-7.

Medieval Names for Girls

Maids were once part of an elaborate hierarchy in great houses, where the retinue of servants stretched up to the housekeeper and butler, responsible for female and male employees respectively. The word "maid" itself means an unmarried young woman or virgin. Domestic workers, particularly those low in the hierarchy, such as maids and footmen, were expected to remain unmarried while in service. [5] [6] Obviously the lord and lady would be the head honchos, but underneath them you could have a steward, housekeeper, in some instances you may even have a chatelaine or castellan. A chatelaine is a mistress of the castle and a castellan is the governor of a castle. A husband and wife could be castellan and chatelaine together. These two would take the place of a lord or lady, let’s say they were not in attendance at the home or in some are instances if there was no lord, the lady may employ a governor, and vice versa. In Empress Isabella’s household, the difference in rank among the clerks was symbolized by the amount of cloth they received for their robes and what kind of fur was used for the trim. Higher-ranking servants were given clothes made of blue cloth with lamb fur, (shearling) while other, lower-ranking clerks wore robes of russet. Described as the “coarsest and cheapest” fabric, russet was a woolen cloth worn mainly by servants and labourers. In a household with no between maid, the scullery maid may also have waited on staff in the Servants' hall, although this may have been assigned to another maid or a junior footman. In the days before the indoor water closet she may have been required to empty and clean the servants' chamber pots as well. [8] In England, the semi-royal household of Edward of Carnarvon, later Edward II when Prince of Wales, is the earliest for which detailed knowledge can be obtained from sources. [26] Itineration [ edit ]

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: Julie Louise Bibault de Misery (1732–1804), Première femme de Chambre to the Queen of France Marie Antoinette.Saul, Nigel (1999). Richard II. New Haven and London: Yale University Press. pp.444–5. ISBN 0-300-07875-7. According to the accounts of Henry, son of Edward I, Henry’s head clerk’s daily wage was 4 ½ pence, while his robes were valued at 30 shillings and 8 pence – a significant expense indeed. The domestic officials who were of a lower rank than the clerks in Henry’s accounts, such as the cook and tailor, were paid 2 pence per day and their robes cost 9 shillings. It is evident that while the employees earned similar wages, the values of their robes varied greatly. It was the robes in this instance that demonstrated their difference in rank, rather than the money that they earned. Ariès, Phillippe, Georges Duby and Arthur Goldhammer (2003). A History of Private Life, Volume II, Revelations of the Medieval World. Belknap Press. pp. 513–4. ISBN 0-674-40001-1. {{ cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list ( link) The concept of maid has continued to evolve in pop culture, particularly anime and sci-fi, to encompass the ideas of social robot and virtual human servants. Cummins, John (2001). The Hound and the Hawk: The Art of Medieval Hunting. London: Phoenix. ISBN 1-84212-097-2.

Marianne Skerrett (1793–1887), the principal lady's maid (with the title "Dresser") to Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom between 1837 and 1862. [3] In Ireland, the basis for social organisation was the " sept", a clan that could comprise as many as 250 households, or 1250 individuals, all somehow related. [31] In Viking-age Scandinavia, housing arrangements were more humble than those of contemporary France or England, but also here the greater lords would own grand halls wherein they might entertain large numbers of guests. [32] Still room maid: a junior maid employed in the still room; as the work involved the supply of alcohol, cosmetics, medicines, and cooking ingredients across all departments of the house, the still room maids were part of the "between staff", jointly answerable to all three department heads.When observing the history of maids throughout all the times and cultures they have inhabited, it is hard to deny that one thing has remained consistent. Maids have rarely – if ever – been paid wages that were equivalent to the value of what they do. The dynamic between Master and servant has evolved in small ways, but not nearly as much as one would expect. Until a form of power is found which does not corrupt, the so called Noble are doomed to keep repeating the same crimes against those they perceive to be inferior. Papa - Short for "Papahanaumoku," this is the name of the Goddess and earth mother in Hawaiian mythology.