| Description |
1 online resource (streaming video file) (55 min. 15 sec.) ; 333179172 bytes |
| Summary |
One hundred years ago, the British manor house was in its heyday, sheltering families of enormous wealth and privilege within its stately walls. But what was really going on behind closed doors, where these wealthy families and their poor servants coexisted?Secrets of the Manor House goes inside two of Britain's most legendary manor houses, Manderston in Berwickshire and Dunham Massey, former home of the Earl of Stamford, to discover the secrets behind the uncover what went on behind the facades of these great houses.During the Edwardian era, a hidden army of up to 300 servants tended to every need of an aristocratic family. In 1901, there were more than 1.5 million servants in Britain and grand estates occupied half the land. The tradition of primogeniture ensured that they were handed down to the first-born son. With the Industrial Revolution, wealth began moving away from agriculture and into manufacturing and banking. While the easiest solution would have been to sell some of their land, the practice of entailment demanded that estates be passed on intact. Many aristocrats, finding themselves in need of cash, married rich American heiresses in a trend that was quietly called "cash for titles". (From the US) (Documentary) PG CC **Premiere** Follow the conversation on Twitter: #SBSdoco |
| Event |
Broadcast 2014-05-20 at 19:30:00 |
| Notes |
Classification: PG |
| Subject |
Aristocracy (Social class)
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Butlers.
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Country homes.
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Master and servant.
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Women household employees -- Employment.
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United Kingdom.
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| Form |
Streaming video
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| Author |
Taplin, Sam, director
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West, Samuel, cast
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