Lady's maid
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A lady's maid is a female personal attendant who waits on the lady of the house. The position is very similar to a gentleman's valet, who was the gentleman's version of the lady's maid and was (if the gentleman's personal assistant WAS female) called the gentleman's maid. The lady's maid was not as high-ranking as a lady's companion, who is a retainer rather than a servant. The position is rare today and the few women who still perform this role often use the term dresser instead.
Traditionally, a lady's maid was expected to maintain her lady's wardrobe and accessories and be an expert needlewoman and hairdresser as well. The mistress usually addressed her personal attendant by her last name; today she is more likely to be called by her first name.
The position was demanding and the hours could be long; some ladies expected their maids to wait up for them if they were out, for example, but the rewards included room and board, travel and somewhat improved social status; the lady's maid was addressed as Miss Last Name by junior servants or when visiting in another servants' hall. In the servant's hall, a lady's maid took precedence akin to that of her mistress.
