Hubbry Logo
FootmanFootmanMain
Open search
Footman
Community hub
Footman
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Footman
Footman
Footman
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia
Royal footmen in the United Kingdom wearing their ceremonial livery at the State Opening of Parliament procession, 2008

A footman is a male domestic worker employed mainly to wait at table or attend a coach or carriage.

Etymology

[edit]

Originally in the 14th century a footman denoted a soldier or any pedestrian, later it indicated a foot servant. A running footman delivered messages.[1] He might run beside or behind the carriages of aristocrats, running alongside the coach to make sure it was not overturned by such obstacles as ditches or tree roots. A footman might also run ahead to the destination to prepare for his lord's arrival.[2]

Roles

[edit]

The name was applied to a household servant who waited at table and attended, rode on his employer's coach or carriage in case of untoward incidents.[1] In many cases, a footman was expected to serve as an armed bodyguard. Many were skilled with pistols to defend their employer's coach against highwaymen.

The first footman was the designation given to the highest-ranking servant of this class in a given household. The first footman would serve as deputy butler and act as butler in the latter's absence, although some larger houses also had an under-butler above the first footman.

In a larger household, various footmen might be assigned specific duties (for which there might be a traditional sequence), such as the silver specialist. Usually the footmen performed a range of duties which included serving meals, opening and closing doors, carrying heavy items, or moving furniture for the housemaid to clean behind. The footmen might also double as valets, especially for visiting guests.

Servants

[edit]

Male servants were paid more than female servants and footmen were something of a luxury and therefore a status symbol even among the servant-employing classes. They performed a less-essential role than the cook, maid or even butler, and were employed only by the grandest households. Since a footman was for show as much as for work, his good looks were highly prized, including a tall stature and well-turned legs, shown off by the traditional footman's dress of stockings below knee breeches. Footmen were expected to be unmarried and tended to be relatively young; they might, however, progress to other posts, notably that of butler. One 19th-century footman, William Tayler, kept a diary which has been published. He was, in fact, married, but he kept it secret from his employers and visited his family only on his days off.[3]

Once a common position in great houses, the footman became much rarer after World War I as fewer households could afford large retinues. The role is now virtually a historic one, although servants with this designation are still employed in the British Royal Household, wearing a distinctive scarlet livery on state occasions.[4]

Famous fictional footmen

[edit]
See also: List of fictional butlers

See also

[edit]

Sources

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Footman

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
A footman was a male domestic servant employed in wealthy households, particularly from the 17th to the early 20th centuries, whose primary duties included waiting at table, attending the , and assisting with carriages while dressed in a distinctive to signify the status of his employer. The role originated in medieval as an attendant or foot soldier but evolved into a specialized position in aristocratic and upper-class homes, where footmen symbolized luxury and were often selected for their height, appearance, and —ideally tall men with well-proportioned legs to display effectively in silk stockings. In larger estates, footmen worked under the supervision of a , performing ceremonial and practical tasks such as carrying trays during meals, announcing visitors, folding napkins, and even riding on the back of coaches to assist passengers, with their numbers varying based on the household's and social standing—sometimes up to a dozen in grand establishments. By the Georgian and Victorian eras, the position became a mark of prestige, with employers prioritizing physically imposing individuals to enhance the household's grandeur, though the role demanded long hours, from early morning cleaning to late-night service, often for modest wages around £18–£25 annually in the . The advent of automobiles and changing social norms in the early led to the decline of footmen, reducing them primarily to ceremonial roles in a few remaining stately homes. Beyond domestic service, "footman" has historically referred to an infantryman or on foot, as well as a type of metal stand used to warm items by a , and in modern contexts, it denotes certain of moths in the family known for their swift, erratic flight.

Etymology and History

Origins of the Term

The term "footman" originated in as "fotman" or "footman" around 1300, derived from the combination of "foot" (referring to pedestrian movement) and "man," initially denoting a servant or who traveled or served on foot. This etymology reflects the word's roots in compounds like *fōtman, emphasizing mobility without mounts. Early applications of the term appeared in the , primarily in military contexts to describe infantrymen or foot soldiers who marched alongside . By the late 14th to 16th centuries, its meaning broadened to encompass non-military attendants who assisted on foot, such as personal servants accompanying their employers during travel. In the , the term underwent a notable semantic shift, coming to specifically designate liveried servants who ran beside or ahead of aristocratic carriages to clear paths, assist with obstacles on rough roads, and announce arrivals, as illustrated in contemporary texts like Philip Massinger's descriptions of coach retinues including footmen. This usage highlighted the footman's role as a , with "running footman" emerging as a specialized variant by the in European contexts, though it gained prominence in the 1700s for long-distance feats. Related terminology includes the Scottish dialect "flunkey," first attested in 1782, which denoted a footman or liveried servant and may derive from "flanker," implying an attendant positioned at the side of a coach. This distinction underscores regional variations in describing such aides.

Evolution of the Role

The role of the footman evolved significantly from its medieval origins as a attendant or to a specialized domestic servant in wealthy European households. By the , running footmen emerged to accompany coaches on poor roads, performing errands and ensuring safe passage. In the 17th and 18th centuries, as carriages became more common among the , footmen transitioned to liveried roles, symbolizing prestige through their presence and appearance, often running alongside vehicles or assisting with travel. During the Georgian and Victorian eras (18th-19th centuries), the position solidified as an indoor servant under the butler, emphasizing ceremonial duties in grand estates, with the number of footmen reflecting the household's wealth—up to a dozen in the largest homes. The role's demands for tall, fit individuals in elaborate uniforms underscored its status as a marker of luxury. The advent of automobiles in the early , coupled with shifting social norms and the decline of large domestic staffs, led to the footman's near extinction outside ceremonial positions in remaining stately homes.

Duties and Responsibilities

Outdoor and Messenger Duties

During the 17th and 18th centuries, footmen primarily served in outdoor capacities as running footmen, tasked with running alongside or ahead of aristocratic carriages to clear roads of such as stones, branches, or , thereby ensuring safe and swift passage for their employers. These servants, often selected for their physical stamina and speed, could cover distances of up to 100 kilometers in a single day while carrying messages or invitations, a necessity in an era of limited postal services and poor infrastructure. Running footmen were popular during the reign of Charles II, not only for accompanying coaches but also for participating in competitive races organized by the for entertainment and wagers, as noted by in his diary. In addition to path-clearing, footmen assisted with transportation by opening doors, lowering steps, handling luggage, and escorting family members during outings, visits, or shopping expeditions in urban centers like . Historical accounts describe the prowess of notable running footmen who exemplified the role's demands through feats of in both service and . In rural areas with rudimentary roads, footmen acted as informal heralds, announcing arrivals at estates or inns to prepare for the party's reception, a critical function when travel times were unpredictable. Footmen also performed maintenance tasks related to , including and preparing carriages for use, as well as carrying parcels or delivering and correspondence to external locations on foot or by other means. Historical accounts of grand coach processions, such as those during royal or noble , highlight teams of footmen running in formation ahead of the to manage crowds and obstacles, underscoring their symbolic role in displaying prestige. In larger households, these outdoor responsibilities occasionally overlapped with indoor service, such as preparing items for , though the emphasis remained on mobility and external errands.

Indoor and Household Service

In the indoor service of a 19th-century , footmen were integral to the smooth operation of daily domestic life, particularly in upper-class establishments where their roles supported the family's comfort and the hosting of guests. Under the direction of , footmen managed the presentation and service of meals, beginning with setting the breakfast table by laying a green cloth, followed by the , and arranging things, plates, knives, forks, and an urn rug. They carried the tea urn and placed dishes on the table, often in coordination with a parlour-maid or housemaid, and cleared the remnants afterward by removing the cloth and urn. For luncheon and , footmen laid the cloth, set out , , and other essentials, rang the dinner bell to announce the , and served by standing behind the master or mistress's chair, carrying dishes from the kitchen in proper order according to the bill of fare, and quietly opening bottles of wine during the courses. After the , they cleared the dishes, washed glassware, and served , ices, and , ensuring the dining room was restored to order. Footmen also provided personal assistance to members, in a valet-like capacity for grooming and daily routines. In the morning, they prepared hot water and baths, brushed clothes, and cleaned boots and shoes for the , restoring items to their proper places after use. They attended to service by ensuring the family's needs were met, and in larger homes, the first footman might assist in waking the family or preparing their rooms for the day. For guests, footmen readied bedrooms by lighting fires and arranging amenities, while also attending morning prayers or other household gatherings as required. These tasks extended to shining shoes and providing general support, blending with to maintain the family's schedule. Maintenance duties formed a core part of the footman's routine, encompassing the upkeep of items and the physical labor needed for comfort. They polished silverware and plate daily, cleaned knives, forks, furniture, looking , and pictures with appropriate oils or spirits, and carried scuttles to replenish fires throughout the sitting rooms and above . Footmen lit and tended these fires, trimmed lamps weekly in the best rooms, and cleaned after meals by washing glass and plate, rubbing tables, chairs, and brass ornaments to preserve their shine. In the evening, they locked up the plate, secured doors and windows, and ensured fires were safely managed before , contributing to the overall tidiness and warmth of the interior spaces. The specifics of these roles varied by household size and era, particularly in grand 19th-century homes where multiple footmen divided labor hierarchically. The first footman, often the most senior, oversaw service, including waking routines under , leading meal presentations, and supervising the team's adherence to rank protocols for guests, such as serving distinguished visitors in . Underfootmen or second footmen handled heavier physical tasks, such as extensive cleaning of boots and knives, carrying coals, and assisting with arrangements, allowing the first footman to focus on direct interaction with the . In smaller establishments with only one footman, these duties combined, sometimes overlapping with those of a parlour-maid, adapting to the limited staff while maintaining the household's standards.

Attire and Presentation

Livery Uniforms

Footmen's livery uniforms were elaborate and standardized to reflect the employer's status and wealth, evolving from the 17th to the 19th centuries. The typical ensemble included knee-length breeches, a long knee-length coat worn open to display the waistcoat, and ornamentation such as lace, gold or silver buttons, and embroidered trimmings across the back. Coats were often two-toned, with a bright outer color and contrasting lining, while collars and cuffs were distinctively styled. In the 18th century, despite lace falling out of fashion for general wear, footmen continued to use it extensively, along with powdered wigs, to maintain a formal appearance. Colors varied by household, such as yellow and black at Chatsworth House in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and were chosen for vibrancy to enhance visual impact. These uniforms, including silk stockings and breeches, were provided by the employer and symbolized the household's prestige, with uniformity among footmen ensuring a cohesive, decorative presence akin to furnishings.

Physical and Symbolic Requirements

Footmen were selected for their physical attributes to maximize the impressive display of their , serving as living symbols of the employer's social standing. was a primary criterion, with preferences for men over 6 feet (183 cm) tall; those 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet earned £32–£40 annually in the , while taller individuals received extra pay per inch and were often matched in pairs or groups for symmetry. In grand households like that of the Countess of , up to nine tall footmen were employed to line hallways or attend events. Appearance was equally important, favoring handsome, athletic builds with well-proportioned legs and calves to showcase in , as emphasized in period guides like Mrs. Beeton's. This selection stemmed from the role's origins as runners alongside carriages, requiring fitness, but by the Georgian and Regency eras, it had become ceremonial, with footmen's stature and poise enhancing the grandeur of aristocratic homes. At Chatsworth, footmen averaged 5 feet 11 inches to 6 feet, well above the 1910 male average of 5 feet 5 inches, underscoring their elite presentation.

Social Status and Daily Life

Position in Servant Hierarchy

In the traditional structure of British domestic service during the , the footman occupied a mid-level position among male indoor servants, reporting directly to , who served as male authority overseeing the household's front-of-house operations. The first footman acted as 's , handling supervisory tasks such as coordinating table settings and guest announcements, while underfootmen or junior footmen performed more menial duties like boot cleaning and coal carrying. This chain of command ensured efficient division of labor, with delegating responsibilities based on the footmen's experience and the demands of the . Footmen enjoyed higher prestige than lower-ranking male servants such as hall boys, who handled basic errands and were often young apprentices, or grooms, who focused on outdoor stable work and were considered part of the estate's outdoor staff. However, they ranked below the house steward, the overall manager of indoor and sometimes outdoor staff in larger establishments, who commanded greater authority and remuneration. Reflecting the era's biases in domestic service, footmen typically received better pay than female counterparts; for instance, a footman's wage ranged from £20 to £40 without or £15 to £25 with it, compared to £10 to £20 for housemaids or kitchen maids, underscoring the perceived value placed on male physical presence and visibility in . The footman's role varied significantly by household size and affluence. In modest homes with limited staff, a single footman often multitasked, combining serving duties with valet-like responsibilities such as brushing clothes or laying , effectively blurring lines with higher roles. In contrast, grand 19th-century estates like , which employed around 40 indoor servants, featured specialized teams of footmen under , allowing for focused tasks like management and dining service to maintain the household's opulent display. Prior to the , employing footmen symbolized luxury and social standing, as their elaborate and presence at meals signified wealth. After , however, severe staff shortages—driven by male enlistment, women's entry into wartime industries, and shifting social attitudes—led to the decline of dedicated footman positions, with their duties often merging into the butler's broader role or being eliminated altogether in shrinking households.

Training, Lifestyle, and Challenges

Footmen were commonly recruited from rural areas in during the , with many entering service between the ages of 16 and 20, drawn from working-class families seeking stable employment in great houses. No formal was required for the role, though employers prioritized candidates with natural good manners, physical stature, and stamina to handle demanding tasks. occurred through a lengthy under the butler, who instructed novices in , upright posture for presenting a dignified image, and the discipline of silence to avoid intruding on family . The daily routine of a footman was grueling, often spanning 16 to 18 hours from pre-dawn until late evening, beginning with rising at around 6:30 a.m. to wake with , attend morning prayers, and prepare the table. Duties continued through serving meals, cleaning silver and boots, running errands, and remaining on call for evening events or family needs, with meals taken quickly in the servants' hall alongside other staff. Limited free time, if any, might occur in the mid-afternoon, but nights often extended for suppers or unexpected summons, enforcing a rhythm of constant readiness. Challenges abounded in the role, including profound physical exhaustion from heavy lifting of trays and coal scuttles, rapid running to fetch items or attend carriages, and prolonged standing that strained the body over long shifts. compounded this, as footmen were strictly forbidden from fraternizing with family members or "upstairs" guests, confining interactions to the hierarchical world below stairs and limiting personal connections outside the household. Low annual wages, typically £20 to £30 in the plus meager tips, offered little financial security, while vulnerability to summary dismissal for minor infractions left many in precarious employment. Despite these hardships, the lifestyle provided , shielding footmen from urban poverty, though under strict rules that governed every aspect of conduct and . Opportunities for marriage were rare in early career stages due to long hours and employer oversight, often deferred until advancing to roles like , when greater stability allowed family formation.

Cultural Representations

Notable Historical Figures

While individual footmen rarely achieved fame due to their subservient roles, the position included notable collective practices and occasional standout figures. Running footmen, employed in the 18th and 19th centuries, served as professional messengers who ran ahead of carriages to announce arrivals or clear paths, often covering distances up to 20 miles without stopping, symbolizing speed and endurance in aristocratic travel. One documented early 18th-century footman was , a servant to Colonel Francis Hill, who was rumored in political circles to act as a "speaker" for footmen, highlighting the era's social and racial dynamics in domestic service.

Fictional Portrayals

In literature, footmen often appear as symbols of and household prestige, particularly in the works of , where they serve as unobtrusive markers of the gentry's affluence rather than fully developed characters. In novels such as and Emma, footmen are mentioned in passing to underscore the elegance of estates like or , emphasizing their role in maintaining decorum during social gatherings without delving into their personal lives. Similarly, P.G. Wodehouse's stories from the 1910s to 1930s portray the resourceful as an omniscient aide to the bumbling , blending elements of domestic service with comedic ingenuity. In film and television, footmen are depicted as integral to the rigid hierarchies of Edwardian and interwar households, often entangled in intrigue and scandal. In the 2001 film Gosford Park, the character George, played by Richard E. Grant, embodies the resentful underling navigating class tensions and moral ambiguities during a weekend house party, highlighting the servants' overlooked knowledge of upstairs secrets. The ITV series Downton Abbey (2010–2015) features Thomas Barrow, initially a scheming first footman whose ambition and hidden sexuality drive subplots involving blackmail and betrayal, evolving into a more sympathetic figure amid the estate's changing fortunes. Thematically, footmen in media frequently serve as comic relief, covert observers, or opportunistic climbers, contrasting their polished exteriors with underlying vulnerabilities. In the 1970s series Upstairs, Downstairs, footman Edward Barnes returns from with , illustrating the war's devastating effects on the working-class servants who sustain the upper classes, while episodes like "What the Footman Saw" use their gossip as a lens for downstairs . These portrayals often romanticize the role's but critique its emotional toll, positioning footmen as spies privy to scandals or as humorous foils to aristocratic folly. Post-2000 period dramas have revived footman characters, perpetuating of them as tall, taciturn figures whose physical presence enhances visual opulence, as seen in the resurgence of ensemble casts in shows like and films echoing . This trend reinforces idealized notions of service while occasionally subverting them through narratives of personal agency and historical upheaval.

References

  1. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/footman
  2. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/footman
  3. https://www.etymonline.com/word/footman
  4. https://libertabooks.com/history/footmen/
  5. https://www.chatsworth.org/news-media/news-blogs-press-releases/from-servants-to-staff-blog-series/from-servants-to-staff-keeping-up-appearances/
  6. https://www.geriwalton.com/the-footman-and-his-duties/
  7. https://www.nts.org.uk/stories/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-servant
  8. https://www.dictionary.com/browse/footman
  9. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/footman
  10. https://www.gutenberg.org/files/46216/46216-h/46216-h.htm
  11. https://sarahalbeebooks.com/footmen/
  12. https://www.etymonline.com/word/flunky
  13. https://runningstudies.co.uk/historys-frontrunners-the-running-footmen
  14. http://hoydensandfirebrands.blogspot.com/2010/04/footmen-first-distance-runners.html
  15. https://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/1660/08/10/
  16. https://archive.org/details/b21530786
  17. https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Mrs._Beeton%27s_Book_of_Household_Management/Chapter_LXVIII
  18. https://archive.org/stream/b21530786/b21530786_djvu.txt
  19. https://countryhouseservants.mmu.ac.uk/exhibition/people/the-footmans-livery/
  20. https://janeaustensworld.com/2008/01/24/footmen-male-servants-in-the-regency-era/
  21. https://www.exclassics.com/beeton/beetpdf1.pdf
  22. https://www.tattonpark.org.uk/pdf/victorian-information-sheet.pdf
  23. https://www.waynesthisandthat.com/servantwages.html
  24. https://www.nytimes.com/1916/01/08/archives/the-war-is-causing-servant-shortage-erstwhile-valets-and-footmen.html
  25. https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/England_Occupations%2C_Domestic_Services_-_International_Institute
  26. https://www.sharonlathanauthor.com/the-butler-and-footmen-much-needed-brawn/
  27. https://www.bbc.co.uk/insideout/northeast/series7/butlers.shtml
  28. https://www.pbs.org/manorhouse/thepeople/charlie_duties.html
  29. https://www.historyextra.com/period/victorian/real-downton-abbey-19th-century-servants-life-upstairs-downstairs-maid-butler/
  30. https://www.hertsmemories.org.uk/content/herts-history/people/servants/servants-wages
  31. https://www.geriwalton.com/running-footmen-2/
  32. https://historyofparliament.com/2018/10/24/black-history-month-pompey-colonel-hills-black-and-the-politics-of-footmen-in-queen-annes-london/
  33. https://jasna.org/persuasions/printed/number10/terry.htm
  34. https://newcriterion.com/article/the-genius-of-wodehouse/
  35. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-dec-26-et-turan26-story.html
  36. https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/downton-abbey-a-new-era-thomas-gay-butler-1234726287/
  37. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/8194975/How-Upstairs-Downstairs-first-conquered-the-world.html
  38. https://fis.uni-bamberg.de/bitstreams/e3a208b5-a791-4085-b79c-1b915ca01860/download
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.