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The People:
Hugh has worked all over the World as a Consultant Architect.
The Hashemite Royal Family employed him for many years, building
Royal residences and a mausoleum mosque for the wife of King Hussein
of Jordan. He is currently working on archival buildings in the UK.
Hugh hopes his rich life experience will allow him to succeed in
the demanding role of the butler. He strives to maintain moral and
discipline downstairs whilst simultaneously being able to act tactfully
and diplomatically upstairs. He always wants to run a tight ship in the household.
"It is unpleasant to be a disciplinarian, but I would if 1910
codes etiquette were not observed."
Among the servants, the butler's job is without doubt the one with the most responsibility.
Not only does Mr Edgar have to command the servants, but he has more contact with the
Family than any of the others.
Butlers are expected to be bachelors without the distractions and temptations
of a family of their own, and Mr Edgar (or Edgar as he was called by the family)
might even be addressed as 'Olliff-Cooper' below stairs should he accompany the
family on a visit to another great house, so completely was his identity sunk into theirs.
The butler's suite of rooms is positioned as near as possible for access
to the principal rooms, particularly the dining room, so that when about his
regular duties, or when summoned by bells, he can bound up the stairs to
appear in minutes.
The butler acts as valet to the master of the house in
an establishment the size of Manderston, laying out Sir John's clothes
for the day, brushing and sponging them when necessary, polishing his
shoes and shaving his master with an open cut-throat razor which he would s
trop on a leather strap.
In terms, of the house hierarchy, [From the Rule Book] "As the Butler you are
the highest-ranking Servant and answer directly to the Master of the House,
Sir John Olliff-Cooper
(Baronet). The housekeeper
answers to his wife, Lady Olliff-Cooper.
Your roles do not overlap, they complement, and as such you present a united force
of authority to the Lower Servants, and a team to be depended upon by your Masters.
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The Butler: Daily Duties
