Mr Barker the Gamekeeper Visits Mrs Crocombe - The Victorian Way

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Mrs Crocombe has a visitor today: Sylvanus Barker, one of the gamekeepers on the Audley End estate. He has come to discuss game birds for Mrs Crocombe's menu, but the conversation will soon turn to darker events. There has been a shooting on the estate. A tragic hunting accident? Or something more sinister? This true story from Audley End House in 1880 draws from contemporary newspaper accounts and the official inquest report.
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[@EnglishHeritage]

We hope you enjoy this new episode of The Victorian, welcoming a new member of the Audley End household staff. As always, here are the answers to some questions you may have from historian Dr Annie Gray. • Who is this exciting new addition to the world of The Victorian Way? Meet Sylvanus Barker, one of the gamekeepers on the Audley End estate. He’s played by Matt Wood, a long-time member of the interpretive team working on the ground at the house. Mr Barker was one of several members of the Barker family to work for the Neville family (Lord & Lady Braybrooke). His older brother Samuel was also a gamekeeper, having worked his way up from rabbit warrener to underkeeper, eventually becoming head gamekeeper. One of Sylvanus’s sons, John, was a groom while several of Samuel ‘s sons followed their uncles into the gamekeeping profession, all working at Audley End. There are still descendants of the family living in the area today. • That’s all lovely, but I meant that gorgeous black labrador. The lab is called Bess. Regular viewers of the English Heritage channel may recognise her from one of Kathy and Annie’s home cooking videos, as well as from other videos featuring Kathy. We love her very much indeed. And yes, she is a trained gun dog, so she didn’t have to study too hard for her appearance! • Is that the game larder at the beginning? Yes indeed. Audley had several game larders. There were two in the service yard: this one, and an octagonal larder which is quite rare. Game larders were used for storing game, which was hung long enough to start to decay and therefore soften and develop flavour. As you can see in the video, the windows were open to allow for good air circulation, but lined with gauze which stopped flies getting in. • What’s this about roast meat being served with heads and legs on? It was very much still the habit in the late nineteenth century to serve roasted animals and birds with legs and heads intact. Trussing them according to their species was quite the skill, and in the days of service à la Française, before written menus became common, recognising your game bird by the way it was trussed was a good test of class. • Did the servants really complain about having too much rabbit? Probably! We know they did at other houses. Servants could be some of the pickiest of eaters. We have some of the surviving game books from Audley End so we know, for example, that during November 1868 the household as a whole consumed on average 5 hares, 17 rabbits, 3 pheasants, 17 partridges, 2 ducks, 5 chickens and 1 turkey per week (this does not include butchers’ meat, which was listed separately). Rabbit was generally regarded as lower status than chicken, so it seems likely most of them went to the servants’ hall - or the poorhouse, which did indeed suffer an outbreak of influenza in 1880. • What is ‘Australian meat’? Mr Barker refers to Australian meat. It was tinned meat, mainly pork, imported and sold in grocery shops such as Maypole, Liptons and Sainsbury’s. It provided much-needed nutrition to the working classes, who otherwise struggled to afford meat, and suffered from dietary deficiencies as a result. The meat-free diet in 1881 was not seen as desirable, and was usually the result of poverty, accompanied often by malnutrition in a broader sense. • Was there really a shooting on the estate in 1880? There certainly was, and Mr Barker’s telling of it is taken both from contemporary newspaper accounts and the official inquest report.

[@Electroceratops]

I'd be interested to know more about the "clockwork bottle jack" roasting device mentioned.

[@ryzvonusef]

how big is/was the estate, was it big enough to provide game on a regular basis? Or were they referring to game from some hunting trip in some other location?

[@raraavis7782]

Thanks for all the extra information. It's much appreciated 👍

[@brian0902]

Thanks for this episode I liked it a lot and also adding in this too ❤❤

[@jworonchak]

very interesting read. please do more of these types of episodes, enjoyed it very much

[@faaaaah]

Love these episodes where the servants/staff just chat casually like it's 1880. And it's always nice to see new people joining Mrs. Crocombe. Alas, poor Mary Ann still can't catch a break 🤭

[@Familylawgroup]

Do any royals watch these episodes? While they may often live in the current version of these estates, it takes a show like this to really get the feel of the time Eric’s.

[@jonmarcantel]

Mary Ann shan't catch a break until she improves!

[@DrCuriensapprentice]

Mary Anne will catch a break when she gets better at cooking

[@user-yi4yl2bu8l]

I love this series. ‘After he’s had a few whiskeys in him.’ Mr. Barker is slamming the shade around equally.😂

[@Ana-dx7wk]

Well, as stated: "We like to roast something everyday", and Mr. Barker seems to be quite _"partial to a roast"_ himself. It's only to be expected 😉

[@crystallinecrisis3901]

Can’t survive a conversation with Avis Crocombe without some ability to throw shade

[@lumis5896]

"Sylvanus Barker" is an absolutely amazing name for a gamekeeper! Like something out of Harry Potter.

[@619chrisoriginal]

Well they are based off real people

[@tiffanyr9975]

I could listen to Mr. Barker and Mrs. Crocombe tell stories all day! It’s also fascinating how closely tied the gamekeepers and kitchens of a house were. I’m sure there was something satisfying about knowing exactly where the animals/fruits/vegetables on your table came from!

[@themermaidstale5008]

Estate to table. Jolly good!

[@adityasixviandyj7334]

I think read it somewhere that a sign of a Lord who can serve the best at their tables always had a good cook, good gardener, and good gamekeeper. But the details about how they help to shoot some beautiful games for helping the presentation on the tables is I never thought of before.

[@iamnoone21]

Having to adjust your menu and make backup plans in case your boss gets too drunk and makes a mess of your groceries--So unique to a time when meat resources were a tightly controlled privilege, and yet so oddly relatable

[@snitcheyes411]

I can sorta relate, in a way. Since the pandemic hit local grocery stores have been hit-or-miss with the produce selection, and even now it's not much better. I've had to figure out a lot of substitutions. 😅

[@FelinaofL2]

A new addition to the Audley End Cinematic Universe! I hope we get to see more of the servants.

[@quentinbarrentine5114]

I LOVE these little random conversation scenes they occasionally do on this channel. It makes the characters feel even more real.

[@MJK1965]

Mr. Barker spills the tea with Mrs. Crocombe. 😮 Loved it. We need to see more of him.

[@snurfbee58]

Can we take a moment to appreciate how well trained and behaved Bess is? Lovely doggo!

[@reddoorpaintedblack]

This guy is just fantastic!! I was spellbound, his storytelling came alive in my imagination. I beg some Christmas time ghost stories please!!

[@booksandpicnics]

So lovely to see Mrs Crocombe, Mr Barker and the autumnal vibes at Audley End - but utterly charmed by Labrador Bess 😍🍁

[@yasao_art]

Certainly didn't expect the dark turn this story took, but oh my, I'm here for it! More like this please! ♥

[@indigothecat]

I love when Mrs. Crocumbe introduces a new staff member! ❤

[@bookworm_braider3008]

Yes! Another character added the Audley End Cinematic Universe! (also, love that Miss Braybrooke is the better shot among the lords)

[@mhl653]

I absolutely love discovering new faces around the estate! Each is a colorful and interesting character in their own right!

[@idiocracydude]

More. Wish this was a mini series called A day in the life of Ms. Crocombe. Ms. Crocombe interacting with the other members of Audrey house is interesting.

[@roseweed1468]

These videos are so incredibly beautifully done. Impeccable script, costumes, right down to the music. I'm American, but i simply wouldn't miss these videos for anything. The videos make me feel as though I've been transported back in time. Thank you to everyone who puts so much time into these uploads.

[@jonmarcantel]

Same

[@Emeraldwitch30]

I too, am in the US and the closest I ever found was a series for school that was set in colonial Williamsburg. I ended up watching it with my son. It was short little stories with folks and how things worked in the colony days. But I'd love to see another set on our side of the pond. I watch the Townsend videos too

[@Bergen98]

Most of everything we learn about Victorian life is usually either about the aristocracy or the working class/poor. While I was always interested in how the servants of all those big houses lived and these videos hit just right, giving the spotlight to the people we don't usually hear/read/watch a lot about

[@Lornicopia]

I really enjoyed this episode! I am a waiter and caterer in Atlanta and what happens behind the scenes of a day or an event is always more interesting than the place, the operation and the event! We are all performers on a stage just like these actors reenacting the performers of everyday activities who had lives and drama and personality and hardship and successes. I love it!

[@ChizuruAotsuki]

It was wonderful seeing Mrs. Crocombe again, and meeting Mr. Barker. I love the depth and history these videos bring. Keep them coming! P.S.: Would love another video with Edgar and Mr. Vert or the handsome Mr. Lincoln, especially now that the holiday season is upon us! Love you guys!

[@MossyMozart]

Yes, we have to keep a weather eye out for a potential Mr Crocombe.

[@deborahdanhauer8525]

It’s hard to imagine how much work it took to keep a place like that running, and how many people too.❤️🤗🐝

[@guestuser1671]

... and without the modern little "helpers" too boot. Even the small things were incredibly labor-intensive back then. If you weren't aristocratic or insanely rich, you had to work a lot harder than we are used to today just to keep your household in order and food on the table.

[@deborahdanhauer8525]

@@guestuser1671 yes you sure did. And that was one of the reasons they had such short lives. It took a small army of people to keep that big house running, and food on the table, and care of the grounds, all so the lord and lady could do nothing but socialize all their lives. In truth, nothing much has changed. Instead of a big house, we have a big corporation and we have better tools. But everything else is still the same. Still an army of people working so one or two can do nothing lol. I don’t think we’ve learned much in all these years.❤️🤗🐝

[@puppsmcgee74]

This was awesome! I’d love to hear more of these tales from Audley End, so to speak. And the gossip on poor Mary Ann was hilarious. She’s made an impact on all the staff, it seems. lol

[@anujkalra6145]

Good to meet new people! Thanks for introducing them to us! Sounds horrible that people died in this poaching business! And that bit about Mrs. Crocombe doing away with Mary Ann over her burnt cakes was a great attempt at some dark humour! 😂

[@rosemarygilman8718]

What an excellent video! I love that you’ve dramatized an episode in the daily life of the people working at Audley End House. Everything about it was brilliant. The script, the acting, the visuals. And the dog was perfect touch. Thank you so much. Please do more like this one!

[@vikingmama93]

The intro music immediately transports me back into Mrs. Crocombe's time and for just a few minutes, I can forget my modern troubles. ❤

[@elisattack5645]

This episode is really just such a treat, i love the ones where we get to meet the other staff

[@nzmoggy3898]

As much as I love Mrs Crocombe we need more guest appearances by Bess. Also would there have been a kitchen cat ?

[@jonmarcantel]

IIRC, they kept more to the dry larder than the kitchen proper. Can't have cat hair in the soup!

[@MossyMozart]

And a kitchen budgie, chirping merrily away?

[@WyrdHag]

Apparently there might have been a kitchen HEDGEHOG (!!!) in some houses, kept for insect-control.

[@csengea]

I’m so glad youtube recommends Mrs Crocombe’s videos to me again. She’s a legend!

[@miriamhappe1066]

shes a legend to us all

[@user-mi6cl1nl8u]

Mr. Barker casually telling the details of a murder to an appalled Mrs. Crocombe lol And yet he can’t escape the sass of our queen

[@pqlasmdhryeiw8]

Talk about tea being spilled. But not without throwing some shade at poor Mary Anne. Excellent storytelling in this video! Almost like Daphne du Maurier's Jamaica Inn.

[@klausoshaunacey8429]

So excited for this new addition! At this rate we’re gonna meet the whole service wing before we even see any of the Neville family lol

[@Messier45_Pleiades]

Bring on more of these "slice of Victorian life" videos. Very enjoyable.

[@idraote]

Lovely to see the skill of two perfectly trained actors. It all sounded so natural and effortless.

[@westzed23]

It is nice to meet a new addition to the Victorian Way. I'm sure that we will be getting more recipes with the game that is available.

[@sorciere_de_la_foret]

This really took me back to a time and place I'm totally unfamiliar with yet feel so familiar. I'd love to see more! And it's so nice to see a new character!!

[@rosemarygilman8718]

What an excellent video! I love the way you've dramatised an episode in the daily life of the people who work at Audley End House. Every aspect of the story was wonderfully done. The script, the acting, the visuals. All brilliant! And the dog was the perfect touch. Thank you so much. Please do more like this one!

[@strangesoren2694]

I love anything and everything The Victorian Way makes. It's always fun to see new characters come into the story. So, thank you again for this video and I do love the Gamekeeper! I hope we get to see him again too. Like everyone else though, still longing for John Townsend crossever. As always, looking forward to all future videos! We appreciate the hardwork everyone puts into this series.

[@buddhabro.9130]

Episodes like these are some of my favorites. Is like opening a little window into the lives of ordinary everyday people. The everyday lives of Victorian servants were and still are not spoken of enough.

Wonderful! Please, more like this. As much as we love Mrs. Crocombe, how exciting to learn about ALL the different people/roles in and out of the household. So well done!

[@ErinHawethorne]

I need more like this.... I absolutely loved this. It would be neat to finally meet the Lord and Lady of Audley End someday.

[@maryearly3259]

This is an awesome video!!!! Truly a piece of back in time work. i felt so sorry for that dead mans family and almost boiled that the idiot who killed him didn't swing for it! It's amazing getting glimpses of this timeframe from these wonderful actors. Thank you for doing this. As I'm sure your aware of your videos are an absolute delight and well beloved by thousands including me. Thank you again for this lovly piece.

[@Tomanomanous]

It's always a splendid day when a new Mrs Crocombe video is uploaded! Love the conversation with Mr Barker. Thank you for bringing these historical eras back to life. Can't wait for more videos! 👏✨

[@astrinymris9953]

A good slice-of-life piece about the economy and culture of rural Victorian England for the ordinary people. And of course, it's always great to see Our Queen again!

[@rosemaryracine5476]

What a treat it is to see another adventure with Mrs. Crocombe.

[@nancygray5383]

Just when we need her, she comes. Thankyou for all you guys do.

[@armbones8519]

Yet another gorgeous and informative video! I really enjoy these videos of the interpretive team interacting with one another in character; it really gives you insight into a lot of the attitudes and mannerisms of the time in a way that feels real. The camera work always makes you feel like you're sitting down for tea with old friends. If I had one question for the channel I would ask: how does the interpretive team learn the period dialect which they use so fluently and how much time/research does that process take?

[@Fluffymonkeyem]

Yes! a new character.I love learning about the different roles that people played in the day. I loved the dialogue here!

[@rubyangel9707]

Yay! we get to see another staff member! So exciting! I love these little chats that give us a little peer into life in the house and the village. Keep up the good work!!!

[@wizzzard999]

Can't be a Mrs Crocombe episode without heaps of drama!

[@CelticFairyBox]

I love hearing stories through conversation, so interesting to think of all the people she had to coordinate for meals.

[@raraavis7782]

Lol. I heard 'you're looking for good looking game, then' as 'you're looking for good looking gay men'. And Mrs Crocombe answering quite sternly: 'Exactly!' made me giggle 😅

[@thebratqueen]

This was so great and interesting to watch. Here's hoping for more with Mr Barker, Bess, and "Day in the life" type conversations like this one.

[@greggiovanni1825]

This is easily most dramatic and satisfying episode yet! I love Mrs. Crocombe and the the English Heritage channel!!!!

[@jamesellsworth9673]

Another fine episode explaining food ways in Victorian England. The dog was also splendid. I am pleased his part was included.

[@telemachus53]

More, more! Listening to their conversation is better than any history lesson. I'm glad that rural workhouses got treated better than the ones in town.

[@alvarovaldovinos6836]

I truly love these stories that bring more depth and insight into the life of Mrs. Crocomb.

[@LloydSkyLion]

Law and Order: Audley End

[@pd10642]

DUN DUN!

[@simont390]

Law and Audler

[@cor8129]

I must say (with my new English accent) how much I look forward to this wonderful series.

[@plinkiplonk]

I does feel like sacrilege somehow, but I almost enjoy these little snippets of everyday life more than the coking instructions...

[@JL-ge1do]

What a monologue ❤

[@robertamckeon5082]

I love when you add new characters! I wish the catty butler from Christmas would come back!

[@bridgetbuchan1786]

You know it’s a good day when you get a video from this sassy cook😂

[@m_d1905]

I just love these. Such a wonderful 'slice of life' videos. It's a joy to see all the support staff.

[@AfonNoria]

Oh, it's always nice to see new faces at Audley End that share the load of educating us with Mrs Crocombe. To me, it is most entertaining that some of the staff had very fitting names for their professions: Mr Vert, the gardener (vert in French means "green") and now, Sylvanus Barker, the gamekeeper (Sylvanus is Latin for "of the woods"). And Bess was the best girl and perfectly cast!

[@kaithedragonair9040]

The shade is still strong here. Delightful as always!

[@r_dennett20]

The Mrs Crocombe cinematic universe is expanding and I am enthralled.

[@LoreOfNen]

What a pleasure to meet this nice gentleman

[@Grincheypoo]

I could only wish to meet Mrs. Crocombe. I totally would buy her cook book when I can afford it and have her autograph it💜💜💜

[@RetroMario]

This episode had a dark twist too! Mr Barker seems like a very nice gentleman. Thank you for another splendid look in the victorian age!

[@tessat338]

Poached game was a valuable commodity and sold for a relatively high price in cities. Poachers usually used snares or traps because they were quieter and less obvious to the gamekeepers than was firing off guns at night. Therefore, poached game was usually less damaged than was shot game, and it was also not riddled full of lead bird shot. So the gourmet food purveyors who purchased game actually preferred poached game and the poachers would know exactly where to sell their takings. It was a high status food item and serving it to guests implied that the host had connections to the landowners who owned game reserves. Beaters were usually given a bird or two as thanks for working the shooting parties and the gamekeepers would have had as a perquisite the right to sell off surplus animals to keep the population in balance and so the local farmers wouldn't complain so much about game animals coming off the estate lands and eating their crops or poultry. Think "Peter Rabbit" or "Fantastic Mr. Fox."

[@lauraoneal5146]

I absolutely love watching these videos. I live in the States but absolutely adore English history. My ancestors were Scotch/Irish and I dream of being able to come see the lands of my forefathers. Please keep doing this new series!!❤️

[@beaubrent]

I just love everything about Mrs Crocombe's videos, it was really nice to meet the gamekeeper. He should have been offered tea though.

[@MapleRhubarb]

This was another spectacular video as always! I really felt myself drawn to their conversation, and chuckled at the comments about going out after to get an animal shot so well you couldn't tell it was shot at all. It made me imagine some lord or lady tickled pink at the success of their hunt to their guests while the gamekeeper just smiles away. ;)

[@annettelee1]

Love the talk of the household that poor Mary Ann has been burning the tea cakes - Audley End's infamously bad baker. 😄🍞

[@linkfan160]

This is like a short movie all on its own. I love this series!

[@nunyabiznes33]

Nice to meat you Mr. Barker. Also, I want MOAR Mr. Lincoln.

[@lafierose]

This video came at a wonderful time! I love Mrs. Crocombe, she is a balm and such a joy!

[@gabe7631]

gotta love the constant shade thrown at marianne

[@karencolomb1191]

Please have more videos like this. ❤

[@mactorres7913]

More characters coming to life! Thank you, English Heritage

[@kathleenorr9237]

Loved this! Thank you for doing these

[@sammypierce6079]

Brilliant as always!!!🎉

[@TheWraith58]

Absolutely love these style videos.

[@Abel0179]

Always enjoy watching Mrs. Crocombe interact with other people at Audley End house. Love the video :D

[@sheilacasper2030]

Great video. Thanks.

[@melaniexochihua192]

I really enjoy these videos 😊

[@Ater_Draco]

Been so looking forward to this episode. Thanks EH 😁

[@juliancoulden1753]

Fascinating. Thank you.

[@JoMadge]

I loved every second of this! What a wonderful series.

[@barbaracatalano6299]

Great video. Love all the history. Thank you

[@samanthacomer1172]

Loooved this ❤ very cool concept, keep it coming 😊

[@madaug4389]

This was terrific.

[@2036livy]

Yay! Loved this..more🎉more🎉

[@GregWarks27]

As ever a fabulous video

[@ladym6738]

Always look forward to Mrs Crocombe. Thanks.

[@karengerber8390]

Thank you. Very interesting!!

[@TheGrumpy01]

YAY! A new Mrs Crocombe ep! been missing these.

[@berylwhite2983]

Very nice excellent work again

[@claudiocavaliere856]

Absolutely fabulous! Congratulations!