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The People:
Jean, married with four grown up children, once ran a restaurant with her
husband Peter. They now specialise in doing history demonstrations in primary schools. Jean is an enthusiastic gardener, a fantastic cook, and keeps chickens, goats and a donkey. She learned her housekeeping skills as a child in the Second World War.
Of her role in the house, she says: "To run a Manor House, you need discipline. Discipline is very important. The young people are going to find that very hard but I'll make sure they're kept busy!"
Working with Mr Edgar the butler, Mrs Davies is in charge of the servants. She's also
the person they come to if they're feeling unwell. A housekeeper would be expected to
know rudimentary first aid and distil simple remedies, as well as know how to bake
some comforting cakes for tea! Other tasks which fall to the housekeeper are the organisation and distribution of all the household linen and china.
In the hierarchy, the Rule Book states:
"The Housekeeper is the highest-ranking female Servant and answers directly to the Mistress of the house. The butler answers directly to the Master.
Together you must present a united force of authority to the Lower Servants,
and be a team upon whom your Masters can depend. You will oversee the duties
of all female Servants outside the Kitchen."
"As Housekeeper you must be accountant, diplomat and task master all rolled into one."
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The Housekeeper: Daily Duties
