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Staircases intended only for the servants of a household can be found in many Victorian-era homes, however, these stairs could be veritable death traps if they were not designed correctly…

In 1847, mathematician and architect Peter Nicholson devised a formula aimed at crafting secure and functional staircases, proposing a minimum step length of 4 feet.

However, the practical application of this formula faced challenges within the confines of Victorian architecture, particularly in the narrow and towering houses characteristic of the era.

In these dwellings, such as those emblematic of the Victorian style, the servant's staircase often bore steps measuring no deeper than 2 & 1/2 feet.

Moreover, these steps lacked uniformity in design, rendering descent a perilous endeavour—especially in instances where handrails were absent or insufficiently provided.

It’s said that staircases for servants took a lot of lives.

Built for servants

Staircases, often overlooked in their simplicity, actually involve careful design considerations.

It's not just about placing one step above another; it's a delicate balance between floor space utilisation and user convenience.

For the affluent homeowners, spacious and comfortable staircases were feasible, but for servants, space was a luxury they couldn't afford.

Consequently, servant staircases were characterised by steepness, small steps, and significant rises between them.

Their narrowness, too, precluded the inclusion of handrails, posing a challenge during ascents and a potential hazard during descents.

Moreover, these staircases were frequently erected hastily, lacking meticulous measurement.

This oversight holds significance, as uneven stairs significantly increase the likelihood of stumbling. Surprisingly, our bodies subconsciously adapt to a consistent stair height when ascending or descending.

Thus, even a mere centimetre disparity in step height can easily cause individuals to trip.

When staircases lack precision in construction, incidents of people stumbling become all but inevitable.

Picture this: servants hurrying up and down a precarious, cramped staircase, lacking handrails and plagued by uneven steps, countless times daily.

Now, factor in the likelihood that many of them are burdened with dishes or other items, rendering them unable to steady themselves against the wall.

Consider, too, that the majority of these servants were women, navigating these treacherous paths in long dresses inherently prone to tripping.

In this scenario, accidents are bound to become commonplace.

And with a steady stream of individuals tumbling down the stairs, inevitably, some will meet fatal outcomes.

People make a lot of jokes nowadays about worker safety rules going too far, but if you look what happened to workers all the time before those rules came along, it’s not hard to understand why things are different now.

Victorian Servants in England

Life as a Victorian servant was incredibly hard - they worked long hours with very few breaks, in fact, it was normal for servants to be given only one day off a month!

Victorian servants in England played integral roles in the functioning of households across various social strata.

Their duties were diverse and encompassed a wide range of responsibilities, depending on the size of the household, the wealth of the employer, and the specific needs of the family.

Having a servant was often associated with wealth and social status, but it wasn't exclusively reserved for the extremely wealthy.

The number and type of servants a household could afford depended on the family's income and social standing.

Wealthier families could afford larger staffs, including butlers, footmen, maids, cooks, and more specialised roles.

However, even middle-class families might have employed a single maid-of-all-work to help with household chores.

Butler: The butler held a senior position among the household staff.

They were responsible for managing the household's wine cellar, supervising other servants, and often acted as the head of the domestic staff.

Additionally, they might oversee the household's finances, handle correspondence, and serve as a personal attendant to the master of the house.

Housekeeper: The housekeeper was typically responsible for the overall management and cleanliness of the household.

They supervised the cleaning staff, managed household supplies and inventories, and ensured that the household ran smoothly on a day-to-day basis.

Housekeepers often held significant authority within the domestic hierarchy.

Cook: The cook was in charge of preparing meals for the household. This role required culinary skill and expertise in managing kitchen staff.

Cooks were responsible for planning menus, sourcing ingredients, and ensuring that meals were prepared to the satisfaction of the family members and any guests.

Maids: There were various types of maids within a Victorian household, each with specific duties:

Parlour Maid: Responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of the formal rooms in the house, such as the parlour and dining room. They might also serve at table during meals.
Chamber Maid: Responsible for cleaning and tidying bedrooms, making beds, and attending to the personal needs of the family members, such as running baths and laying out clothing.
Scullery Maid: Worked in the kitchen, performing tasks such as washing dishes, scrubbing pots and pans, and cleaning kitchen surfaces.

Housemaid: Carried out general cleaning duties throughout the household, including sweeping, dusting, and mopping floors.

These are just a few examples of the roles and responsibilities of Victorian servants in England.

The specific duties of each servant would vary depending on the household's requirements and the preferences of the employers.

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