![]() She would not be expected to perform any domestic duties which her employer might not carry out herself, in other words little other than giving directions to servants, fancy sewing and pouring tea. In return she would be given a room in the family's part of the house, rather than the servants' quarters all of her meals would be provided, and she would eat with her employer and she would be paid a small salary, which would be called an "allowance" – never "wages". The companion's role was to spend her time with her employer, providing company and conversation, to help her to entertain guests and often to accompany her to social events. (Employment as a governess, running a private girls' school and writing were virtually the only other such options hence the formation of the Society for Promoting the Employment of Women in 1859.) Women took positions as companions if they had no other means of support, as until the late 19th century there were very few other ways in which an upper- or upper-middle-class woman could earn a living which did not result in a complete loss of her class status. Only women from a class background similar to or only a little below that of their employer would be considered for the position. Like a governess, a lady's companion was not regarded as a servant, but neither was she really treated as an equal however her position in the household of her employer was notably less awkward and solitary than that of a governess. A companion is not to be confused with lady's maid, a female personal attendant roughly equivalent to a "gentleman's gentleman" or valet. Ladies-in-waiting were usually women from the most privileged backgrounds who took the position for the prestige of associating with royalty, or for the enhanced marriage prospects available to those who spent time at court, but lady's companions usually took up their occupation because they needed to earn a living and have somewhere to live. ![]() The role was related to the position of lady-in-waiting, which by the 19th century was applied only to the female retainers of female members of the royal family. The profession is known in most of the Western world. The term was in use in the United Kingdom from at least the 18th century to the mid-20th century but it is now archaic. Woman of genteel birth who lives with a woman of rank or wealth as retainerĪ lady's companion was a woman of genteel birth who lived with a woman of rank or wealth as retainer.
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