Glenn Bottom - Lady's Maid to The *Widow* Viscountess Sterling
Lady's Maid
Human
Lady's Maid:
A very desirable position, the lady’s maid served the lady or ladies of the house directly and were not under the housekeeper’s control. Generally, each lady living in the house would have a dedicated Lady’s maid, to help her dress, undress and maintain her wardrobe, to do her hair, and generally to look after her in any way that was needed. She might also read aloud or massage her mistress’s temples when she had a headache. Sometimes, two sisters might share a maid. The maid was expected to have sewing / clothing repair skills, cleaning skills, hairdressing skills, skill with cosmetics and more. The Lady’s maid was the top of the hierarchy of maids, with greater privileges, including often receiving her mistresses cast off dresses – which, even when they were ‘too old and unfashionable’ for the Lady, could easily be reworked into higher quality dresses than the maid might ever have otherwise. A lady’s maid was expected to be pretty and personable, and preferably foreign. With the distant Wars happening, howeever, few suitable foreign girls were available. Thus, most ladies of fashion employed Regencian maids and simply called them by foreign names. Personality:
Enneagram 2w1 Poor, sweet, basketcase Glenn. She is a full-on Enneagram 2 with a BUNCH of 9 in her. If she wasn't already a servant in a good position, she'd be serving in other ways for much worse conditions, and for less gratitude. She can't help it- she just serves! The fact that she is Lady's Maid to the Widow Viscountess Sterling makes her job all the more stressful!- her poor, grieving Lady is in the utmost despair and needs tending to like a newborn babe... (at least, this is how Glenn sees her). Glenn runs herself ragged attending to her Mistresses every whim and need, with a quick, sweaty, breathless excuse to anyone hoping to encourage healthier boundaries to her that it's "Simply not possible at this time! Poor Lady Sterling is dealing with unimaginable loss! What should I do in this time of greatest need- leave her to waste away?! She needs me! I can't think about my needs right now...." This last would be shrill, as she would rush off- pink checked, to make up for lost time. The problem that some are trying to point out to her, is that Lady Sterling has been in this "state" for 2 whole years now.... Perhaps this situation doesn't have an end in sight, like Poor Glenn keeps telling herself. The way in which she has seemed to deal with this unsustainable schedule is to eat- she loves sweets and relies on them to keep her going no matter the mental state.
Physical Description
Apparel & Accessories
The Lady’s Maid, who was often of some social position, usually knew a bit about fashion so they could be of use in advising, dressing, (and mending) their mistress’ clothing. They could wear normal clothing, even castoffs from her mistress.
Wealth & Financial state
The Lady’s Maid historically made about £32 (gp) a year (=$3200 today, roughly calculated).
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