A Lady's Guide to Servants

Foreword

The information that follows is a compilation that I have personally translated and adapted from several sources. Most have been imported from my familial estates outside of Ta'Nalfein which include journals and expense logs. As with many of my writings, this piece reflects the customs at the height of our Empire and from a specific area, and should not be taken to reflect all areas or time periods.

The Purpose of Servants

Servants are those who work for another at a specific task or tasks for a set amount of pay. They are not only demanded by custom and common sense, but by sheer necessity. Any woman with an estate to run knows just how invaluable servants are. There are a variety of different positions and tasks to be performed in and out of the household. Just as in the intricate system of nobility, servants also have a hierarchy. While it is not necessary that a Lady involve herself in such things, being able to discern between one type of servant and another can come in handy on many occasions.

Payment for Services Rendered

While much below us in social status, one must always remember that servants are living beings, and worthy of happiness and honor. It is therefore necessary to compensate each and every servant, no matter how insignificant their function, generously. Payment, of course, depends on the type of work, how long they have been in service, and how much you favor them. Most Ladies see fit that their accountants handle such tedious tasks as the dispensing of wages, although some with less responsibilities take the chore upon themselves. Remember to reimburse your favored servants kindly, lest they be pulled into the service of one of your court rivals.

Foodstaff

The Foodstaff are those who work in the kitchens of an estate or establishment. The Head Cook (or Chef, if they prefer) is usually one in charge of running the day-to-day affairs of the kitchen. They command authority and usually a large salary. Other cooks are also revered in the kitchen, and are not to be trifled with. Journeymen and Apprentices aid the cooks and are put to work at the more unpleasant chores. Sweepers are those in charge of keeping the kitchen and dining rooms clean and sanitary.

Waitstaff

The Waitstaff are those who are in charge of serving food and beverage for an estate or establishment. There is usually a member of the Waitstaff in charge of all the others; however, it is not uncommon for the Head Cook to have command. The Leads are those waiters who are usually more attractive or skilled at their profession, and are sent to serve those of more importance. Other waiters and waitresses serve food and beverage at formal dinners, casual meals or parties. They are responsible for all the guests eating their fill, as well as keeping them from drinking too much.

Bards

Every well-to-do estate has on hand its own group of musicians and entertainers for every occasion. Often employed is a beautiful female singer, a jester, an instrumentalist, and a storyteller. Some more elaborate employers hire acrobats, jugglers, entire choirs, animal tamers, etc. Those in this category are usually regarded more highly than other servants, given their own chambers and even invited to larger social events.

Maids

Historically maids are known to us as females who clean and tidy up; however, they serve many other functions. Nursemaids are those that tend to children, usually young infants and toddlers; they are also usually responsible for supervising young adults after tutoring. Parlor maids are those that are employed for general cleaning of the public areas of a house. A Handmaid, or Lady's Maid is a personal servant, and arguably the most useful. They assist the Lady with her toiletries, clean the private chambers and aid in shopping and keeping agendas. They may also serve as companions or chaperones on visits and voyages.

Butlers

Butlers are a blessed gift to a busy home. They are traditionally the ones to greet guests at the door and lead them into sitting rooms. They also are in charge of receiving and sorting mail and parcels, delivering messages and announcing visitors. They are often sent to relay orders to other servants, and thus have a great degree of authority in a household. Butlers may act as waiters during parties or clean up after an accident. They may also be called on to forcibly evict an offensive individual.

Horsemen

Transportation is a vital part of any estate, and servants are needed to oversee this. Horsemen are those servants in charge of the feeding and care of the horses and other animals, the upkeep of all carriages and carts and the tidiness of the stalls. Porters are servants in charge of the care of luggage, loading it onto carriages and carrying it. They also traditionally hold open doors, roll down carpets, announce their employers when need be and serve as bodyguards.

Scribes

Scribes are very important in all aspects of life. Records are a key ingredient to a productive estate, and these are often kept by the scribes of an estate. Expense logs, productivity journals and accounting ledgers are also handled by Scribes. They are often put in charge of dispensing pay to other servants and given the run of many business transactions. It goes without saying that these Scribes are very trusted and qualified. Lords and Ladies may also hire personal scribes to write their correspondence and even draft personal journals and literary works.

Conclusion

This short piece was designed to give today's Lady a general understanding of the subject of servants. I hope you have found it somewhat helpful and easy to read.

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