The kitchen staff ate in the
kitchen. The footmen, underbutler, porters, coachmen, grooms,
stable-boys, gardeners, maids ate in a servant's room. The steward
was no longer the chief household officer, but had a room near the
kitchen. The bulk of the servants slept in the basement or
subordinate wings of the house.
Great houses of nobles had more rooms, such as a chapel, library,
parlors, dressings rooms, and galleries; there was a variety of
architectural floor plans. The structure of a noble household of
an earl was as follows: The chief official was the receiver
general. He had financial responsibility for the household and
prepared accounts for the household and for the tenants' estates.
These were checked by an auditor. The receiver general was often
the son of a country gentleman and had a salary of 50 pounds
raised to 100 pounds with longevity. He had a servant and an
assistant. If married, he had a house on the property. There was
perhaps an attorney on retainer (paid for a certain number of
hours per week or month). The gentleman of the chamber [privy
purse] kept the accounts of the family and bought them apparel and
toiletries. He was in close personal attendance upon the earl.
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