The valet (rhymes with pallet) is a personal manservant who tends to his master’s every need, from a clean room to seeing to his clothes to making sure that his entire day goes smoothly from the moment he rises to the time he goes to bed. Also known as a gentleman’s gentleman, the valet is the closest male equivalent to a lady’s maid.
Mr. Darcy (Colin Firth) dresses with the help of his valet, who stands ready to put on his coat. In this scene, Mr. Darcy changes his mind and chooses another coat before visiting Elizabeth at the inn. Image @Pride and Prejudice, 1995
Mrs. Beeton describes a valet’s duties in her excellent 1861 book on household management:
His day commences by seeing that his master’s dressing-room is in order; that the housemaid has swept and dusted it properly; that the fire is lighted and burns cheerfully; and some time before his master is expected, he will do well to throw up the sash [open the window] to admit fresh air, closing it, however, in time to recover the temperature which he knows hismaster prefers. It is now his duty to place the body-linen on the horse before the fire, to be aired properly;
Edwardian clothes horse. Image @Denhams.com
to lay the trousers intended to be worn, carefully brushed and cleaned, on the back of his master’s chair; while the coat and waistcoat, carefully brushed and folded, and the collar cleaned, are laid in their place ready to be put on when required. All the articles of the toilet should be in their places, the razors properly set and stropped, and hot water ready for use.
Barry Lyndon (Ryan O’Neal). While the master shaves, his footmen assist him, making sure his implements are at hand. His valet would have overseen the arrangements and will sharpen the razor and clean the shaving brush after Barry has finished shaving. Image @Barry Lyndon
Gentlemen generally prefer performing the operation of shaving themselves, but a valet should be prepared to do it if required; and he should be a good hairdresser. Shaving over, he has to brush the hair, beard and moustache, where that appendage is encouraged, arranging the whole simply and gracefully, according to the age and style of the countenance. Every fortnight, or three weeks at the utmost, the hair should be cut, and the points of the whiskers trimmed as often as required. A good valet will now present the various articles of the toilet as they are wanted; afterwards, the body-linen. Neck-tie, which he will put on, if required, and, afterwards, waist-coat, coat, and boots, in suitable order, and carefully brushed and polished.”
Other valet duties:
Ian Kelly (Brummel) and Ryan Early in Beau Brummel (2006 play)
- As his master goes out, the valet hands him his gloves and hat, opens the door for him, and receives his orders for the rest of the day.
- He puts his master’s dressing-room in order, cleaning combs and brushes, folding clothes and putting them in drawers.
- If his master has no clothes sense, the valet will select suitable clothes, making sure they are clean, particularly the collars, and maintained in good repair.
- He consults with the tailor, perfumer, and linen-draper.
- He awaits his master’s return, making sure that his drawing room is picked up by the maids, and dusted and swept by them, and that the room is made ready with a lit fire and candles.
Bates (Brendan Coyle) assists Lord Grantham (Hugh Bonneville) in Downton Abbey. A valet and his master become close over the years. Image @Downton Chaser
- The valet stands ready to help his master dress for dinner or any other occasion.
- He makes sure that the washing table is ready, filling the ewer and carafe with fresh water, and placing the basin towels, brushes, hot water, and shaving apparatus near at hand.
- In case of wet weather, when his master has returned from riding, the valet lays out a change of dry linen and clothing, and is ready to assist his master out of the damp clothing.
- He helps his master prepare for journeys, packing enough linen and other clothing for the trip. At the Inns, he takes charge of his master’s comfort as he would at home, and has everything ready to assist his master in dressing and undressing.
- If no footmen is available during the journey, the valet will also see to these services, even at table.
Bates at the moment he is informed that he must leave Lord Grantham’s service. Despite their long association, it was imperative that a valet was physically capable of performing all his duties, including standing in as footman when the occasion required. Bates’ reliance on a cane prevented him from carrying a tray. (We all have learned that Lord Grantham is a softie and kept Bates on.) Credit: Courtesy of © Carnival Film & Television Limited 2012 for MASTERPIECE
The valet keeps his master’s clothes in good repair:
- Hats are kept well brushed on the outside with a soft brush, and wiped inside with a clean handerchief.
- Clothes placed in a wardrobe are covered with brown holland or linen wrappers to secure them from dust.
- He places boots and shoes cleaned by the under footman in the dressing room.
- Slippers are aired by the fire.
- As soon as his master finishes shaving, the valet will clean the razor and brushes.
- Before he hangs damp clothing by the fire, he rubs the cloth with a sponge until the smoothness of the nap is restored. If the clothes are allowed to dry before brushing, then later brushing might not remove the roughness.
In Downton Abbey, Matthew resists Molesley’s services, causing an undue amount of stress to the butler, who also acts as his valet. Credit: Courtesy of © Nick Wall/Carnival Film & Television Limited 2012 for MASTERPIECE
Valets in humbler households:
The butler in a second or third rate establishment takes on the duties of the house steward, valet, and footman as well. He is likely to pay market bills, assist his master in dressing, serve at table and oversee the wine and silver, and superintend other male servants.
Sources:
- The Book of Household Management, Mrs. Beeton, 1881 edition, page 978
- The Encyclopedia of Domestic EconomyThomas Webster, Mrs. William Parkes, Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans, 1852
Jane Austen's World 
Another excellent explanatory post–looking forward to tonight’s episode of Downton Abbey so that I can analyze the actions of the valets…:)
Yes, I’ve always wondered how accurate their portrayal was in films. Spot on, if I may say. I could certainly use the ministrations a ladies maid today! My brushes, clothes, and hair are in shambles.
Very interesting! I love the current series, DOWNTON ABBEY – even did a free pattern for it on my Blog :) Enjoy tonight’s part.
Tanya
So very nice of you to share the sampler pattern, Tanya. I used to cross stitch until blogging fever gripped me.
Vic, your attention to detail is amazing. A tip told to me from a modern valet in London for gentlemen’s suit jackets – avoid dry cleaning. Instead, gently sponge off any dirt using a damp not wet sponge and then steam iron. He would also steam iron jackets after use and then put them away.
Thank you for that tip, Patty!
I always pause when I hear them pronounce valet, since I’ve always read it as rhyming with ballet (American way?). I would have thought that the two pronounciations would have been reversed since valet (ballet) sounds more British to me.
I do find the position of valet and butler to be so foreign to today’s manner of doing things. I realize that someone like Bates and Molesley took great pride in their profession but it does seem demeaning to me to have to wait on someone in such a way and to dress them, etc. I can see why Matthew Crawley had an issue with wanting to do things for himself!
Thanks for the post Vic!
I agree, CB, the job seems anachronistic in this day and age, and yet I’ve read that the position of butler is as popular as ever. (Not in my particular social circle, however.)
As for the pronunciation, I gleaned it from the OED, and have heard the word spoken as pallet in other British films. However, my own pronunciation has been to say valet as ballet, just as you noted.
I have the same problem saying Marquis, which I pronounce in the French way, whereas the British say Marquess as in quest. Very interesting, this difference in pronunciation!
A friend of mine who is most knowledgeable about such things told me that the pronunciation of ‘valet’ differs according to one’s social status. The upper classes pronounced it with a hard ‘t’ to rhyme with claret, whilst the middle and lower classes pronounced it to rhyme with ballet. She corrected me when I was reading her my latest novel in which one of the main characters has a valet :) Hope that helps!
A valet would be underworked and, consequently, overpaid in this household. My husband’s interest in sartorial splendor is sadly lacking. His valet would be even more aggrieved than was Jeeves when his master turned up in plus-fours or other questionable attire.
He’d be underworked in my household, Jean! but I back in those days it would have taken much longer to maintain an extensive wardrobe than today. Everything took longer. Still, his job was cushy compared to an underservant’s.
the butler is still in charge vou isnt he he is still higher up than the valet
Yes, Kevin. The butler is higher up than the valet, and solicits his help serving at the table during large events. Both are considered “upper servants.”
Ack! Have been pronouncing “valet” wrong! Unless it’s pallet I’m saying wrong…don’t suppose it’s pronounced “pallay”?? :-)
You and me both!
I think it is great that Mosely, Matthew Crawley’s valet takes such pride in his work. Perhaps I’m wrong, but he seems to demonstrate a pride in his work that subsequent generations seem to have lost. He wants it to be worthy of his hire, not just enough to get the paycheck. Whereas Thomas, well, he and O’Brian are another canary altogether.
I loved the way tonight’s episode turned. I’m so ready for the last episode but at the same time dread it being over until we can get the new episodes next year. I can’t wait for the US version on DVD to come out. I’ll watch it all again and notice even more than already, much due to you, Vic! Thanks ever so much!
I had the pleasure of speaking to the Jane Austen Society in New York a few months ago about my biography of Beau Brummell: I wish now I had had more time to address the issue of valets (variously pronounced) – Robinson, Brummell’s valet, played an important role in the ritual of Brummell’s levee and is an interesting character in both the Ron Hutchinson play (Off Broadway 2006, of which you have a photo! – as played by the excellent Ryan Early) and in the BBC adaptation of my book, as played brilliantly by Phil Davis…as with the pronunciation, and spelling indeed, of Marquis/Marquess in the period, the pronunciation of valet seems to shift. Certainly by the mid 19th century and almost ever after, it was anglicised in the UK to rhyme with pallet, but there seems evidence that it rhymed with ballet for some, those intent on stressing its French origins, the statedly Francophile…and those indeed with French valets…Ive been asked to use both on stage, as an actor, depending on the period and the director’s whim….lovely website by the way!
Wonderful and so interesting post, Vic. Thank you! It’s kind of nice that gentlemen had help with (and cared about) their appearance so much.
Another great post! Fascinating details, with well-chosen photos. I was intrigued to learn from it that Ian Kelly played Beau Brummell on stage as well as writing a biography of him. A Renaissance man for our time! I heard his talk at the Jane Austen Society a couple of months ago and was prompted to read his book, which is informative and very well written. I recommend it to anyone wishing to learn more not just about Brummell but the whole era.
You are a fountain of wonderful information. Thank you.
Ahhhh, thanks for the Colin pic. One of my favorite moments. “No, no, the green one.” ;D
Ha! Martha I was just going to post that. My heart leaps when I see that photo of Mr. Darcy “No no…the green one” and you just know that he is going to get her to say yes this time…until that stupid Lydia messes things up.
Ah, Colin will always be Mr. Darcy for me. So happy he has been frozen in time in 1995 for us all to enjoy…
He doesn’t have much patience for his valet in this scene. He really wants to get going to that Inn at Lambton doesn’t he?
As for the pronunciation of valet and Marquis etc., I think that the Brits do that on purpose sometimes with the French words just to de-Frenchify them. They pronounce the surname Beauchamp as “Beecham” believe it or not. And then there is the fabulous scene from Four Weddings and a Funeral where Rowan Atkinson pronounces one of the groom’s names as we would -St. John instead of the Brit slurred “Sinjun”.
I think there was a scene in the book Bridget Jones The Edge of Reason where she mispronounces St. John as “Saint John” instead of “Sinjun” too, wasn’t there?
Great post!
Once prominent, the valet’s gone;
What’s that, you say — he’s not?
My god, you’re absolutely right;
He now works in the parking lot.
This is a random place to leave this comment, but this is only one of the extremely interesting and useful posts I’ve found on your blog. I’m writing a Regency story and this site has been so very helpful to me! I hardly even knew how much I didn’t know until I found this place. Thank you so much for keeping this blog!
Thank you for the information posted, very interesting. Does anyone know where one can purchase brushes; like the ones you see the valets in Downton Abbey use ?
My thanks