The Real Life Downton Abbey. Jacky Hyams

aristocratic foreigners. And it carries a handy list of all the eligible titled bachelors, where they live, their incomes, the size of their estates and, in some cases, a listing of their debts.

      The dancing marquess

      Some of the cash-strapped British aristocrats of the time just blow their money for the hell of it. Take the antics of Henry Paget, the 5th Marquess of Anglesey, the ‘dancing marquess’. On inheriting 30,000 acres in Staffordshire, Dorset, Anglesey and Derbyshire on the death of his father, plus an income of £110,000 a year – around £10 million in today’s terms – Henry manages to blow the lot in six years.

      Where does the money go? Lavish parties, yachts, extravagant theatrical productions – which frequently involve priceless costumes studded with expensive jewels – and Henry’s own elaborate outfits. These include a diamond and sapphire tiara, a turquoise dog collar, ropes of pearls, and slippers studied with rubies. At one point he modifies his car so that the exhaust sprays out perfume. And it is rumoured that he likes to make his wife lie naked while he prances around, covering her body with jewels. Very soon he is mortgaging his estates to cover his mounting debts and, after finally being forced to sell off his jewels, dogs, cars and carriages he is declared bankrupt. He moves to the South of France, where he dies, age 30, in 1905.

      The matchmaker

      New York society snobs shun wealthy financier’s daughter Mary ‘Minnie’ Stevens because there is a rumour that she was once a chambermaid. But she still manages to up her social ante by marrying into the British aristocracy and becoming the wife of Sir Arthur Henry Fitzroy Paget. Once established as an aristocratic wife, she becomes a top-end marriage broker, introducing American heiresses to British aristocrats looking for wealthy brides. Yet the English toffs claim she has made society ‘more shallow and vulgar’ than before.

      Send him the bill

      Because male and female roles in the aristos’ world are so rigidly cast, paying the bills is always the man’s responsibility. The mistress of the house never carries any money at all. An English aristocratic wife is never involved in the financial planning of their estates. Yet she can spend – things like expensive clothing and décor are considered part and parcel of the massive effort in maintaining appearances at all times, and, of course, keeping up with the other wealthy women in their set.

      THE HAVE NOTS

      What servants earn in 1910:

       The Butler: £50–£100 a year

       The Housekeeper: £40–£70 a year

       The Cook or Chef: £18–£500 a year

       The Valet: £35–£50 a year

       Lady’s Maid: £20–£32 a year

       First Footman: £30–£40 a year

       Second Footman: £20–£30 a year

       First Housemaid: £28–£30 a year

       Second Housemaid: £22–£24 a year

       Kitchen Maid: £20–£24 a year

       Scullery Maid: £10–£14 a year

       Chauffeur: £10–£25 a year

       Hallboy: £16–£18 a year

       Nanny: £30–£40 a year

       Governess: £22–£40 a year