麻豆约拍

Many thousands of cases in the Old Bailey feature servants, and the court transcripts give us something extraordinary: the voices and words of people who have otherwise left no record of their lives. In court, they not only reveal the detail of their working day, they throw a light on the complex psychological relationship between master and servant.

Three cases are featured in the programme. The first is a servant who lives with a family so poor they have only one room and she shares their bed. The master takes her to court accusing her of theft but when she gives evidence, she tells a very different story, of his sexual abuse. The second case is a juicy case of sexual scandal, and reveals what happens when the mistress falls in love with her footman. In the final case, which created a huge stir at the time, the servant murders her elderly employer with a bayonet.

Three contributors discuss the cases: Dr Tim Meldrum, author of the leading book on the subject; Dr Hannah Greig, historian of the aristocracy; and Peter King, historian of crime. The programme is recorded on location in Uppark House, Sussex, where the master of the servant married his dairy maid - and against all expectations, stayed married to her for 21 years until his death. The historians discuss how far love was possible across the master/servant divide, and reveal that servants were often the moral guardians of a household. Gwyneth Herbert sings a revealing ballad, a sad cautionary tale about what happens when a young girl falls in love with her father's stable groom. The music used in this programme was arranged by David Owen Norris, from original 18th century ballads.

Produced by Elizabeth Burke
A Loftus Audio production for 麻豆约拍 Radio 4.