Expert: Mark Smith - 4/15/2005

Question
Mark,

You were great at answering my question concerning coaching routes so I thought I would ask another one.

I am having a hard time finding information out about governesses in 1780s England. What would she wear? Would she wear nice dresses or plain? A corset or just a chemise? Would she have a maid to help her or is she more like a servant and would have to dress by herself?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer
Hello Lisa.
Coaching routes is one thing, but governesses corsets are another ! A governess was usually a well educated woman from a middle class family or even an upper class family fallen on hard times. Consequently she was considered a degree above the ordinary uneducated servant, but not "one of the family". I would imagine she would wear good dresses, but not too showy so as to make the distinction between servant and mistress. I'm fairly sure she would wear a corset. She would have no servants of her own. The role of the governess in Victorian times is well documented, but less so during the 18th century. The novels Jane Eyre and Agnes Grey by Charlotte and Anne Bronte have governesses as main characters, but are dated about 40-50 years after the period you are writing about. Maria Edgeworth wrote The Good French Governess in 1801, so that would be nearer the date, but it's an obscure work that's probably difficult to find today.
Mark