The life of a lady’s maid

ON THURSDAY 5th November, Mrs. Jo Carter made a welcome return to the Charnwood Antique and Collectors’ Club, to present her talk titled, “The Life of a Lady’s Maid”.

As with her previous talks, she dressed for the part, in a long skirt, white blouse and had her hair pinned up. She also provided a small display of items to enhance her talk. For example, some cards, books, photographs, hair accessories, jewellery and trinkets that a lady’s maid would use. However, before embarking on her story, Jo handed out fans to every member present and said she would give her reason for this later.

Her story commenced with a visit to Warwick Castle (where Jo was once employed as a guide), by Lady Mary Curzon, (of Kedleston Hall), where she met and befriended the then Countess of Warwick, (Frances Evelyn “Daisy” Greville).

The countess was quite a ‘girl’ in her time and had many liaisons during her married life. Both women, of course, had her own maid. It was here that Jo then described some of the many jobs the maid had to carry out. First, she had to get up at least one hour before her Lady, to be ready to help to dress her, attend to her toiletries, before going into breakfast. Afterwards, depending on her Lady’s engagements for the day, she had to arrange her clothes, especially her corsets. Jo then produced a corset, (circa late 19th early 20th century) that any lady of standing would have to wear. It was made of a velvet-like material, with stays of metal. It was open at the back that had to be laced up to give it an 18-inch waist! Dependent on what she was doing, or where she was going, each dress had to be chosen by her Lady, sometimes with the advice of her maid. There could be as many as six or seven dresses tried on before a decision was made. Then she would have to arrange her hair. The hair would normally be waist length. As with the fashion of the day, this had to be piled up onto the top of her Lady’s head.

A nest-like pad (probably made of horsehair), was placed on the top of the head. The hair would then be pulled up and rolled or folded and pinned into place onto the pad. Then would come the make-up stage followed by the choice of shoes.

Other duties of the maid included, tidying up and preparing other garments, should her lady have more than one engagement. Jo said that it was known that “Daisy’s” maid had to cope with 16 changes in a day!

Another task was that if her Lady invited guests for dinner, she would ask her maid to provide a “surprise table item” for each guest. Jo then demonstrated a type of surprise that used to be employed. A wineglass would have a serviette inserted into the bowl of the glass, then filled it with rose-petals. When the serviette was pulled out, a shower of petals fell onto the table, giving out its fragrance. ( This was fine, unless the petals fell into the soup!).

As Christmas was not too far away, Jo produced a box that had been wrapped in paper and tied with a bow and had holly and cones attached to it. This was also something the maid, had to do, or make some special Christmas cards for her Lady’s friends and/or servants. After the days and evenings activities, she had to help her Lady to prepare for bed. Then go to bed herself, at least one hour afterwards.

It was quite hard work. However, she also had some perks. For example, she had a small room of her own, not sharing with other members of the household staff. She had her own fireplace and small kitchen. (Depending on the size of the house). She also went shopping with her Lady, especially to the tailors.

Although she had little time off, she accompanied her Lady on her weekend visits and holidays, even going abroad. She also could accompany her to the many balls her Lady attended. This is where Jo referred to the fans she had handed out prior to her talk. Jo said that not only were they decorative, but useful in cooling oneself when hot, but some were used as a status symbol by showing the pictures of places the owner had been. She then gave a few instructions on “the language of the use of fans”. For example, to stifle a yawn, to observe someone over the edge of a fan, to whisper behind and to hide a blush or ‘flirt’ with someone, using your eyes only. However, by snapping open you fan hard (a sign of anger or disgust). By tapping your closed fan on something, including your body, (a sign of boredom or impatience). Holding it open in front of you on an extended arm, (means “don’t come near me!”). To clap, one would tap a closed fan onto the palm of your hand. If one disclosed one finger up the back, it meant, (“I am free”, or on my own), with two closed fingers, (“why don’t we get together”). A thumb up the back, (good or yes). It could also be used as a weapon by a lady on a forward approaching man. And many others. Thus, ended Jo’s talk. The chairman, Rowland, thanked Jo for a very amusing and informative talk that held the attention of everyone throughout.

The next meeting will be on Tuesday 3rd December, when it will be club’s annual Christmas Party.

Anyone interested in coming along as a visitor, or joining, should contact either Rowland (01509 268073), or Kim (01509 827477),

RFT