Servantry is a noun that refers to a group of servants or household workers who serve under the authority of a master or employer. It encompasses individuals who are employed to perform various domestic or menial tasks within a household or establishment. The term often implies a hierarchical structure, with different roles and responsibilities assigned to each member of the servantry.
These roles can include but are not limited to housekeepers, cooks, maids, butlers, footmen, valets, or other domestic workers. The servantry is typically expected to perform tasks such as cleaning, cooking, serving meals, maintaining the household, running errands, and attending to the needs and requests of the household's occupants.
Historically, servantry played a significant role in large estates, manors, or noble households, where the division between the higher social class and the employees was distinct. The servantry was expected to demonstrate loyalty, obedience, and a high level of professionalism towards their employers. In some cases, servantry existed in a system of servitude or indentured labor, where individuals were bound by contract to work for a specific period or under certain conditions.
Today, the concept of servantry may still exist in certain formal settings, such as luxury estates or stately homes that employ staff to maintain the property and attend to the needs of the owners or guests. However, it is less common in modern households due to changes in societal norms and the availability of labor-saving devices and technologies.
