A footman was a male domestic servant historically employed in affluent and aristocratic households, primarily from the 18th to the early 20th centuries. The position was a highly visible symbol of a family’s wealth and social standing, affordable only to the grandest estates. Footmen were integral to the smooth, public-facing operation of the house, ensuring all formal service was executed with precision.
The Footman’s Place in Household Hierarchy
Within the complex structure of a large domestic staff, the footman occupied a position in the middle tier of male servants. They fell under the direct command of the Butler, who was the senior male servant and manager of the dining room, wine cellar, and pantry. The Butler was responsible for directing all junior male staff.
The hierarchy among footmen themselves was clearly defined, with the First Footman holding the highest rank. The First Footman often served as the deputy butler, taking on managerial duties in the Butler’s absence. Junior footmen viewed the position as a common stepping stone, aiming to learn the protocols of service with the ambition of one day becoming a butler.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
The duties of a footman were varied, encompassing highly visible ceremonial service alongside strenuous physical labor. Serving was a public-facing task, requiring footmen to wait at the table during meals and formal functions with quiet precision. They were responsible for announcing arriving guests, answering the drawing-room and parlor bells, and presenting items like calling cards on a silver waiter.
Footmen were also tasked with significant physical labor, often performed early in the morning before the family woke. This included:
- Carrying heavy items such as coal and firewood up to rooms.
- Cleaning and maintaining the household’s lamps.
- Cleaning the household plate and polishing silverware.
- Brushing clothes and shoes.
An important responsibility was attending to the family when they left the house, especially the mistress. In earlier times, the footman would run alongside or behind the carriage to prepare for the family’s arrival. Later, they would ride on the back of the carriage, opening the door for their employer and sometimes acting as an armed bodyguard.
The Significance of Livery and Public Appearance
A footman’s uniform, or livery, was not merely clothing but a deliberate and expensive statement of the employer’s status. Livery was highly colorful and decorative, intentionally retaining the style of the 1700s. It often included knee-length breeches, white stockings, and coats ornamented with lace and gold buttons. These elaborate garments, provided at the master’s expense, ensured the footman was immediately recognizable.
The footman’s physical presence was carefully curated to enhance the family’s display of luxury. They were often chosen for their height and good looks, with taller footmen sometimes able to negotiate higher wages. In the grandest households, footmen were perfectly matched in height and trained to move in unison. This visual conformity made the footman as much a part of the household’s decoration as the fine table settings.
Essential Requirements and Qualifications for the Role
Employers were extremely selective when hiring a footman, prioritizing physical appearance and bearing. Being tall, well-built, and having a good presence was paramount, with some advertisements specifying a minimum height. The requirement for “well-turned legs” was common, as the footman’s knee breeches and silk stockings were meant to show off their physique.
Beyond physical attributes, the role demanded specific social skills and discretion. A footman needed to possess excellent manners, be punctual, and remain attentive yet unobtrusive during service. They were expected to master complex ceremonial protocols, such as correctly announcing guests and serving food and wine according to strict etiquette. Literacy was also a valuable asset, allowing them to handle messages and accounts.
The Decline and Modern Status of the Footman
The role of the footman began a steady decline in the late 19th and early 20th centuries due to significant social and economic changes. The introduction of a tax on male servants in the 1770s made them an even greater luxury, prompting some households to employ cheaper female staff for similar tasks. Changing social structures and the mechanization of household chores further reduced the need for multiple male servants to perform heavy labor.
The most significant factor in the role’s near-disappearance was World War I, which drew large numbers of young men out of domestic service, many of whom did not return. After the war, fewer households could afford or maintain the large retinues of staff necessary to support a full complement of footmen. Today, the position is virtually historic, with its ceremonial tradition maintained primarily in the British Royal Household and certain formal state residences, where the role exists within a dedicated department overseeing formal service.