Life as a Governess in the Victorian Era | A Historical Overview

The governess is a notable figure within Victorian literature, featuring in classics like Jane Eyre and Vanity Fair. But what was it truly like to be a governess during the 19th century?
0:00 Introduction
0:50 Who became a governess?
1:47 Who employed a governess?
2:52 What were the qualifications of a governess?
3:37 What were the responsibilities of a governess?
4:23 How were governesses viewed by society?
Sources:
www.bbc.co.uk
www.bl.uk
The Victorian Governess by Kathryn Hughes
Music:
Nocturne in D-flat major, Op. 27, No. 2
Frédéric Chopin

[@stevecooper2541]

A very good video, thankyou. 'The Victorian Governess' by Kathryn Hughes is well worth reading, she explores the social tensions and practicalities of middle class women who had to work but wanted to maintain their social status. It also describes the various charities which worked to help them, as many faced destitution in later life.

[@JadeJoddle]

What an excellent video. It's very helpful to understand the context of Jane Eyre.

[@lovingLANA20]

Thanks so much for making this! Love the outro (Mr. Rochester🤭)

[@kelseychristine9998]

This is such a great video, I can’t wait for more like this! 😊

[@curiousworld7912]

Very nice. :) I'd love to see this topic expanded upon.

[@sunnydayzie1202]

I always felt it so cruel that Rochester made Jane stand there and endure Blanche's direct insults. :(

[@candicefrost4561]

Yeah it was a manipulative tactic that quite frankly isn’t surprising from a high society dude who is willing to make a woman half his age, who he has power over as her boss, into his mistress. 😂

[@stargirl7646]

This is very well-made! (Weirdly, I’m seeing some comparisons between this and my current job of being a native English teacher in an overseas school haha)

[@stepahead5944]

Wow, good point!

[@ThePinkBookworm]

Lovely video! I love learning about the daily life of people throughout history, so this specific look at a governess was fascinating.

[@superdani152003]

your channel is fantastic!!thank you so much for sharing with us ❤

[@desireepetitdemurat8660]

I would like to know more about their working schedule, about their day to day life.

[@juliamrodas]

Thanks so much for making this; an especially valuable resource for those of us thrown suddenly into distance learning mode!

[@unaanguila]

Thanks for sharing.

[@conniediaz6456]

Excellent video! Can you please give more information as to the names of textbooks or manuals used by governesses to educate their pupils?

[@florian8456]

Super video j’ai adorer 👍🏼

[@snowprincess6430]

This is such an interesting video! Thanks. Can you do one for Sherlock Holmes?🕵️‍♂️

[@saptarshymajumder9156]

What is the piano piece playing in the background? Its beautiful

[@annmenzzasalma6151]

I've come to the conclusion it was lousy being alive in the Victorian era.

[@conniediaz6456]

I would love to own all these beautiful paintings of governesses teaching the children. Is there any way you can reference them so I can purchase copies? Thank you!

[@patriciapalmer1377]

Sophie Marceau and Stephen Dillane in the movie "Firelight" is a must see about about a governess. Equal to films about Jane Eyre, and you will love it, you have my word. P

[@conniediaz6456]

Ooh! I need to check it out. Thank you!

[@EowynLis]

Just wondering if governess comes from not upper class but middle. Where did they get all the knowledge to teach ?

[@WolfieMcMuffin]

They were sent to boarding school or local schools.

[@kathyp1563]

From what I understand... girls education from this era was primarily in the home. Thus, the governesses were taught by their governesses or their parents. Therefore, the quality of education varied greatly per household.

[@marivg8948]

Sorry for sounding uneducated, but what are / were the differences between a governess and a nanny?

[@juliamrodas]

@Zoheret Actually, the opposite. Governesses were educated women with some social standing who were responsible generally for teaching older children academics and, importantly, manners. Nannies (usually called nurses) took care of younger children, including their bodily needs, seeing to their meals (prepared by a separate servant, the cook), helping them dress and taking care of their clothes, keeping them safe while playing, and providing discipline. But, nurses were SERVANTS and typically came from the working class families. Their "manners" were therefore considered "vulgar" and parents of higher social standing would not want their children to pick up the accents or gestures of such employees. The governess, while poor, would have come from the "genteel" classes and older children were put under the supervision of a governess in part so that they would have a "proper" model for their own language and deportment. Children were considered to have to unlearn habits acquired in the nursery.

[@lavendercavern]

Does anyone know the minimum age a governess would be?

[@valery668]

Ghastly position to have. You were hated by the upstairs staff and below-stairs staff. You were isolated in your own quarters and probably disliked by the children you had to take care of. You were easily the sexual target of the master of the house and could be dismissed without references and without money. Lots of middle-class girls with some intelligence and with no marriage prospects were shoved into governess positions. The families could unload the unwanted daughters onto to someone else. A brutal system that has been romanticized and usually incorrectly depicted in movies. We all love "Jane Eyre" because of her courage and feisty outlook and she is so unlike the impoverished reality.