Manor House
"If I'd been born 100 years ago a woman of my class would almost certainly have been in service. And I'd like to know what that meant." Antonia, kitchen maid
THE PROJECT|THE HOUSE|THE PEOPLE|EDWARDIAN LIFE|YOU IN 1905|TREATS|SNOB QUIZ
A collection of archived photographs

You are a Secretary!
- A Snapshot of your life as it might have been in 1905

Education
You're sent to the local day school until the age of thirteen and then you leave to start learning your trade.

Career Prospects
You join a firm and have an income until you have your first child when you stop working. You support the Liberals and will campaign for better conditions for the working poor, especially for women in sweated labour. You are one of the first women to become a local councillor in 1907.

Leisure Time
At weekends you go into town on the electric tram and spend hours browsing in the fancy new arcades and the department store or visiting tea-shops. You're keen to read the newspaper whenever you can in order to learn about improving women's rights.

Living Conditions
You escape from the flat in a mansion block you share with five other families to live in a pretty villa on the outskirts of the city. The villa has a parlour for special occasions and a small garden. You employ two servants who come by the day to help you with chores, including nursing the children, and you buy meat from the local butcher and groceries from the local shop.

Marital Relations
You marry at 19 and have three children, (one who dies as a baby).

Position in Society

Position in society
Further up Your life as it might have been further UP or DOWN society's ladder.
Further down
Position in society Position in society

Other Possible Occupations
Governess, Farmer's wife, Milliner, Clerk, Book keeper, Cashier

General Statistics

  • In 1901, 85 percent of women over 45 were either married or widowed
  • In 1911, almost half of all illegitimate children were born to women in service
  • 'Unemployable' women would often end up at the workhouse, or as prostitutes

Background to You in 1905