The Classic Kitchen Maid Memoir That Inspired Upstairs Downstairs And Downton

Mrs Miniver: A Memoir is a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the people who served the wealthy and powerful in the early 1900s. Written by Alice Thomas Ellis, who worked as a kitchen maid in a large country house, the book offers a unique perspective on the social and economic changes that were taking place at the time.

Below Stairs: The Classic Kitchen Maid's Memoir That Inspired "Upstairs, Downstairs" and "Downton Abbey"

by Margaret Powell

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2226 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	221 pages

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Ellis was born in 1899 in a small village in Wales. Her father was a stonemason and her mother was a dressmaker. When Ellis was 14, she left school and went to work as a kitchen maid at Plas Newydd, a large country house in Anglesey.

Ellis's job was to help with the cooking, cleaning, and other household chores. She worked long hours, often from 6am until 10pm. The work was hard, but Ellis was determined to make a good life for herself.

In her memoir, Ellis writes about the challenges she faced as a kitchen maid. She was often treated badly by the other servants, who looked down on her because she was from a poor family. She was also paid very little, and she had to work long hours to make ends meet.

Despite the challenges, Ellis enjoyed her work. She loved being part of a large household, and she was proud of the work she did. She also made some lifelong friends among the other servants.

Ellis left Plas Newydd in 1921, when she married a local farmer. She never forgot her time as a kitchen maid, and she often told stories about her experiences. In 1958, she published her memoir, Mrs Miniver: A Memoir.

Mrs Miniver: A Memoir was a critical and commercial success. It was praised for its honest and insightful portrayal of life below stairs. The book was also adapted into a popular television series, Upstairs Downstairs.

Upstairs Downstairs ran for five seasons from 1971 to 1975. The series was a huge success, and it helped to introduce a new generation of viewers to the world of domestic service.

In 2010, Upstairs Downstairs was revived for a new series. The new series ran for two seasons, and it was also a critical and commercial success.

Mrs Miniver: A Memoir is a classic work of social history. It offers a unique glimpse into the lives of the people who served the wealthy and powerful in the early 1900s. The book is also a testament to the strength and resilience of the human spirit.

About the Author

Alice Thomas Ellis was born in 1899 in a small village in Wales. She worked as a kitchen maid in a large country house for several years before leaving to marry a local farmer. In 1958, she published her memoir, Mrs Miniver: A Memoir. The book was a critical and commercial success, and it was later adapted into a popular television series, Upstairs Downstairs. Ellis died in 1989.

Further Reading

* Upstairs Downstairs, by Jilly Cooper * Downton Abbey, by Julian Fellowes * The Kitchen Maid's Tale, by Kate Riordan

Below Stairs: The Classic Kitchen Maid's Memoir That Inspired "Upstairs, Downstairs" and "Downton Abbey"

by Margaret Powell

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2226 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	221 pages

FREE