HistoryExtra
type: channel
link: https://www.historyextra.com
description: The official website for BBC History Magazine
date: 2025-02-14T14:55:35.000Z
update period: hourly
update frequency: 1
update base: 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00
items: Downstairs in Downton: a guide to the life of an Edwardian servant
items: The secrets of Downton Abbey’s Highclere Castle
items: Could you survive an Edwardian dinner party?
items: Poldark, Peaky Blinders and 6 other historical TV shows that have tourists flocking to Britain
items: Britain’s 7 most amazing stately homes
items: What was life like as a 19th-century servant?

Downstairs in Downton: a guide to the life of an Edwardian servant
type: item
date: 2019-09-20T09:26:04.000Z
subject: Edwardian
subject: Membership
subject: Period
subject: Downton Abbey
subject: TV interest
description: Everyday life for a domestic servant in Edwardian townhouses was often far removed from the splendour of their surroundings…
encoded: The Edwardian period in Britain was a time when society still closely resembled that of the Victorian age with clear class divides, but it was also a transformative time. In 1911, there were more than 1.3 million people (mainly women) employed as domestic servants in Britain – compared to 1.2 million working in agriculture and around 971,000 coal miners. The upstairs/downstairs world of Downton Abbey: how true to life is it? How much do the relationships on screen reflect the real sensibilities of the Edwardian period and the interwar years – and how do they serve as a reflection of our own perceptions of early 20th century history? The upper classes could afford to have housemaids, cooks and butler to ensure their homes ran efficiently, with minimal effort from the family. A typical Edwardian townhouse would include accommodation for servants who would live alongside the family they served. Find out more with our infographic guide to life ‘downstairs’ in a typical Edwardian house… Click to enlarge Read more about the history behind Downton Abbey here This infographic first appeared in BBC History Revealed magazine

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The secrets of Downton Abbey’s Highclere Castle
type: item
date: 2019-09-19T09:50:53.000Z
subject: Georgian
subject: Membership
subject: Period
subject: Downton Abbey
description: Highclere Castle, the real-life Downton Abbey, has witnessed to a number of notable historical moments that rival anything involving the Crawleys. Here are seven things you might not know...
encoded: As the sight of Highclere Castle emerges from the mist, you’d be forgiven for imagining the piano notes that form the theme of hit TV drama (and now film) Downton Abbey. Highclere was used as the home of the fictional Earl of Grantham and his family. The real house, however, has a past every bit as dramatic as any scandal that could descend on the Crawley. Here's a little more information about the house, followed by seven surprising facts… Where is Highclere Castle? Highclere Castle is an imposing country house on the North Wessex Downs in southern England that stands as the setting for Downton Abbey. Can you visit Highclere Castle? Highclere castle is open for around 65 days each year in Easter and during the summer, as well as for special events. Find out more at highclerecastle.co.uk How old is Highclere Castle? Though there have been many buildings on the site of the current house, the castle as it is known today was finished in 1842, in the Jacobean style. Read more about the castle's rich history below… Even Mr Carson wouldn’t know all of Highclere’s secrets Highclere Castle is the country seat of the Earls of Carnarvon. Set in 6,000 acres of land, it has so many rooms that even the current Lady Carnarvon isn’t sure of the number – it’s believed to be about 300, but some are unusable. At a glance it bears some resemblance to the Houses of Parliament, which can be attributed to the fact that both were designed by architect Charles Barry. Could you survive an Edwardian dinner party? Britain’s 7 most amazing stately homes Highclere has Anglo-Saxon roots There have been many buildings on the site of the current house: one of the Anglo-Saxon charters mentions a structure in AD 749; there was a medieval palace belonging to the Bishops of Winchester; and a much-admired, red-brick Tudor house. The current house was finished in 1842 in the Jacobethan style, the Victorians being fans of reviving 16th- and 17th-century architecture. Architect Charles Barry, who was an a…

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Could you survive an Edwardian dinner party?
type: item
date: 2019-09-12T13:00:32.000Z
subject: 20th Century
subject: Edwardian
subject: Period
subject: Downton Abbey
description: Which fork is which? When can't you talk to your spouse? And what are the rules about tiaras? With Downton Abbey coming to UK cinemas on Friday BBC History Revealed offers some indispensable tips to help you impress anyone at a 'high society' dinner – even Dowager Countess Grantham herself
encoded: The Edwardian period – officially spanning the reign of Edward VII between 1901 and 1910, but often encompassing the years running up to World War I – was a time of airs and graces. Many of the rules and manners seem alien compared to those of the 21st century, with several of them hangovers from the prim and proper Victorian era. Few areas were the rules more obviously in force than at an Edwardian dinner party. Such occasions were more than just an excuse for a get-together. They were showcases of wealth for the upper classes, allowing them to impress their guests with their best silverware and multiple courses of fine food and wine. Britain’s 7 most amazing stately homes Changing Times: there’s more to domestic service than Downton Abbey 10 things you might not know about Blenheim Palace – 'the real Downton Abbey' If you were suddenly transported back in time, how would you navigate this strange world of footmen, dinner gongs and decorum? Fear not! Our expert guide will guarantee you a return invitation. Dress to impress How should you dress to ensure you look your best for the occasion? Formal wear is a must and hats should be worn by gentlemen on their arrival. For all meals before 6pm, hats and gloves are a necessity for women and should be kept on for lunch. During dinner, gloves should sit on your lap beneath your napkin. Men generally wear tuxedos as a minimum – tailcoats for especially formal occasions – while the women will be attired in full length dresses with their hair in an elaborate up-do. Tiaras are only worn by married women, to set apart the single ladies in the room. The lady of the house will ensure her maid records what she wears to avoid any embarrassing repetition of outfits should she host you again. Be prepared Punctuality is extremely important, if you want to give a good first impression. Guests will congregate in the drawing room. If there is a large group of diners, men will be given a card containing the name of the woman they will be…

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Poldark, Peaky Blinders and 6 other historical TV shows that have tourists flocking to Britain
type: item
date: 2019-07-15T14:33:29.000Z
creator: Emma Mason
subject: General Modern
subject: Period
subject: Downton Abbey
subject: Peaky Blinders
subject: Poldark
subject: The Crown
description: As the backdrop to Ross Poldark's shirtless shenanigans in the hit period drama Poldark, Cornwall has seen a huge influx of tourists looking to visit the show's scenic filming locations. In 2018, tourism chiefs warned that the BBC television drama is putting the county's coastline at risk of "over-tourism". As the fifth and final series of the drama begins, we take a closer look at 'Poldark effect' and the other shows bringing tourists to Britain…
encoded: The chief executive of Cornish tourist board Visit Cornwall says the area is struggling to cope with an unprecedented surge in holidaymakers, it was reported in 2018. Visitors were encouraged to look beyond popular Poldark filming locations Porthcurno beach and Kynance Cove, which feature as Poldark’s beloved Nampara. Poldark is reported to have influenced around 14 per cent of all visitors to Cornwall, and businesses have long reported a boost in the number of tourists from overseas because of the so-called ‘Poldark effect’. <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/7/2018/05/13492300-low_res-poldark-s3_0-afbf2ae-91687ff.jpg" width="620" height="413" alt="Aidan Turner (as Poldark) and Eleanor Tomlinson (as Demelza) in the BBC period drama ‘Poldark’. (Photo by Mammoth Screen/BBC)" title="Aidan Turner (as Poldark) and Eleanor Tomlinson (as Demelza) in the BBC period drama ‘Poldark’. (Photo by Mammoth Screen/BBC)" /> Poldark is one of many drama series inspiring so-called ‘TV tourism’: in 2018, in its travel trends report, Trip Advisor found that 1 in 5 global travellers visited a location because they saw it on a TV show. Significantly, says Vogue magazine, “TV’s tourism influence is now rivalling that of film – perhaps even surpassing it”. A report from the University of North Texas found that “TV viewing behaviour is the strongest predictor of entertainment-motivated tourism… television series are often watched on regular basis thus, viewers are more likely to be exposed to the destination image for a longer period.” The real history behind Poldark's 18th-century London Poldark’s Cornwall: the history behind the hit series Top 10 historical Cornish words Set in 18th-century Cornwall, the hugely popular BBC One drama Poldark starring Aidan Turner (as Poldark) and Eleanor Tomlinson (as Demelza) draws inspiration from Winston Graham’s 12 novels, which were written between 1945 and 2002. Here, we look at seven other historical TV dramas that ar…

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Britain’s 7 most amazing stately homes
type: item
date: 2019-07-12T07:00:00.000Z
subject: General History
subject: Georgian
subject: Period
subject: Stuart
subject: Tudor
subject: Victorian
subject: Downton Abbey
description: Britain's stately homes are as diverse as they are impressive. With their soaring ceilings, landscaped gardens and secret corridors, there is plenty to explore in these impressive buildings. Here, we round up seven of the best
encoded: Bodrhyddan Hall, North Wales The Bodrhyddan Hall that stands today was built in the 17th century, although some surviving parts suggest a building stood in its place in around the 15th century. Bodrhyddan Hall has been owned by the land-owning Conwy family for more than 500 years. The family decided in the 1600s to expand the building in order to transform it into an impressive country manor. 10 things you might not know about Blenheim Palace – 'the real Downton Abbey' 8 must-visit castles with Tudor connections 7 facts about Buckingham Palace Architect William Eden Nesfield redesigned the Welsh residence in 1874. The front of the house was renovated in the revived baroque style that was popular in the late 19th century, and a longer driveway was created. Nesfield also added an extra wing to the main house. Nesfield’s father, William Andrews Nesfield, who was a landscape architect, recreated the gardens, which span around eight acres in total. Bodrhyddan holds extensive private collections, which include paintings, armour, and even an Egyptian mummy dating back 3,000 years. A well sits by the driveway up to the house, which has an inscription accrediting to the 17th-century architect Inigo Jones. This inscription suggests that Inigo may have contributed to the design of the gardens in the early 1600s. To find out more about Bodrhyddan Hall, click here. Castle Howard, Yorkshire The 3rd Earl of Carlisle began the construction of Castle Howard in 1699, but the work was not completed until more than 100 years later. Over time, the design of the house changed as the house came into the possession of three consecutive earls. The 3rd Earl overlooked the construction of the east wing in the 17th-century elaborate Baroque style by Sir John Vanbrugh, while the 4th Earl commissioned the west wing to be built in the classical Palladian style, creating an imbalance in the house’s symmetry. In 1709, Venetian artist Giovanni Antonio Pellegrini was commissioned by the 3rd Earl to p…

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What was life like as a 19th-century servant?
type: item
date: 2019-05-22T09:20:02.000Z
subject: Period
subject: Victorian
subject: Downton Abbey
subject: TV interest
description: In recent years, TV dramas including Upstairs, Downstairs and Downton Abbey have stoked the nation’s fascination with the daily lives of servants. But what was life really like for people who served in the country houses and estates of the past?
encoded: Could you have handled the long days and arduous tasks of a servant in a grand Victorian house? Here, Pamela Sambrook reconstructs a typical day in the life of a 19th-century servant, sharing a household timetable with the tasks of the kitchen staff, a footman and a junior housemaid… The research and recreation of servants’ lives has been a popular topic in the media for many years. But how much is actually known about their daily lives? We know there seems to have been strong traditional elements in servants' routines; only men, for example, cleaned silver or polished the most valuable furniture. These traditions aimed to make it easier for new staff to fit in quickly and efficiently. 10 things you might not know about Blenheim Palace – the ‘real Downton Abbey’ 8 historical TV shows that have tourists flocking to Britain We also know that servant mealtimes were pivotal to the timing of the whole day, and changed only slowly through the 19th century. The first break was usually taken mid-morning and involved a drink. The main meal – ‘dinner’– was taken at around midday, while ‘tea’ was a very light meal served at around 4 o’clock. ‘Supper’ was usually taken at 9 o’clock, after most of the work had been finished. By the end of the 19th century, the time of servants’ dinner slipped later and later into the evening and a new lighter meal, ‘lunch’, took its place in the middle of the day, a division that worked well for the kitchen. For researchers, it is relatively easy to construct a timetable of servants’ daily work during the 19th century. Documents containing actual memories, such as diaries, are particularly useful as these give us a framework on which to build even if they are not always reliable in detail. It is, however, difficult to place specific individuals in specific households before 1837, when civil registration of births, marriages and deaths was introduced in the UK, and particularly before 1841, when the first comprehensive national census was held. P…

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