Author: Karen Kreft

The stables and stable staff at Calke have always been an important part of the Estate. Not only because before combustion engines, horses

The Housemaid was ‘a foot soldier in the Victorian household’s constant war against grime.’[1] It tended to be a tough physical job more

The Stillroom in a large country house gets its name from its original use as a place where medicines and scents were distilled.[1]

The peacocks among domestics, footmen were blatantly employed for their good looks and suave manners. It even went so far as you received

The mistress of any large, wealthy household needed to maintain an immaculate appearance and she needed help to do this.[1] For a start,

Of all the servants in a household such as Calke, the Cook was the one that needed to be kept sweet. ‘Acquiring, accommodating

The Governess was almost always a well-educated, middle-class young lady. I would stick my neck out here and say that almost no middle-class

If the Butler was the outward sign of a house organised and well run, the Housekeeper was the engine who kept everything running.

Why is it that we are so interested in the lives of servants? Quite a high percentage of visitors to Calke Abbey have