The Housekeeper’s and Steward's Bedrooms

Description:The Housekeeper oversaw the running of the household and her extensive responsibilities meant that she held a prominent position at the top of the household hierarchy. At Trentham Hall, Mrs. Maben the Housekeeper’s status was reflected in the furnishing of her bedroom.

Similar to the Steward’s room, the Housekeeper’s Bedroom had a four poster bed and decorative furniture. The Inventory tells us that the room had window curtains and also ‘spring blinds’, as well as a full ‘close fitted carpet’. Five mahogany chairs and stuffed arm chairs with covers also featured in the room, indicating that the Housekeeper’s bedroom was a considerable size. Two more chairs and an oak chest of drawers were also housed in the Bedroom, along with a mahogany fire screen. An annotation to the Inventory which appears to have been added by another hand reveals that the Housekeeper also had a sofa with a white cover in her room. In addition, the Housekeeper’s Bedroom also had a closet which contained more furniture.

The Steward’s Bedroom was furnished in a similar way to the Housekeeper’s. This room featured furnishings like those in the Valet’s Bedroom, but with spring blinds and a fitted carpet like the Housekeeper. The Steward also had a hearth rug, two fire screens, a large number of chairs and a clothes horse. A walnut wardrobe also featured, alongside a ‘Black writing Desk with Black Leather Top’ with ink stand. A bidet, basin and night stand were also included in the room.

Compared with the Lady’s Maid’s and Valet’s bedrooms, the Housekeeper and Steward had more elaborate furnishings, reflecting their higher status in the hierarchy of the household. But what about the rooms of servants lower down in the hierarchy, such as the housemaids and footmen?

Click on the images on the left to compare these rooms with the Dairy Maid’s and Footman’s bedrooms.

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