The Real Mrs Crocombe | Part Five: Life Below Stairs

📖Order your copy of Mrs Crocombe’s cookery book here: bit.ly/2RPyrvQ 📖
In the latest instalment of our behind-the-scenes look at The Victorian Way, Dr Annie Gray talks to historian Dr Andrew Hann about life 'below stairs' for servants at Audley End House in the 1800s.
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[@Floareintherain]

I finally got out to Audley End for a visit on my last long trip to London, and I cannot recommend it enough! Getting there is a bit of a journey - up on the train toward Cambridge then about 20 minutes of walking along a road (we were told there are taxis but that they require over an hour wait to be picked up or dropped off). Don’t let that deter you and you won’t be disappointed- it’s even more lovely in person than in the videos and they have delicious picnics you can purchase and go out on the grounds. I can’t wait to bring more friends to visit!! ❤️

[@EnglishHeritage]

Thank you for your lovely comment! We're so glad you enjoyed your day out at Audley End, and hope you'll visit again soon. Here's some inspiration to plan your next day out in history: goo.gl/bUwoRy

[@Jane-gt6ef]

Thanks for a tip! Are there many visitors there? :-)

[@debbieboring3422]

Another reason to visit my niece in London. From AZ I would see a whole lot while there. But this would be a must see.

[@adjiar]

Lol if you're healthy and whether allowed, a 20 minutes walk shouldn't deter anyone from getting anywhere. What a first world problem for the ones that can't walk for that long!

[@karinefonte516]

@@adjiar Not as much a "first world" problem as a problem for the elderly, large groups (country side roads in England tend to be narrow) and/or unaware people with inadequate shoes. Besides, sedentarism is quite a problem in the "third world" as well.

[@Currymonster-kr5zk]

English heritage do you realise how many views Mrs crocombe pulls in, more than any other English heritage video, this actress deserves an interview charting her role and how she studied and played the character

[@rhyfelwrDuw]

I agree! I love watching the Mrs Crocombe videos! She is an amazing actor who brings her role (not sure that's the correct word) out just perfectly!

[@akabga]

100% in agreement with you. I found this video to be a disappointment.

[@ItsJustLisa]

Bernadette Banner did a video around Christmas in 2019 interviewing Kathy Hipperson and her friend Hannah who ended up working with Kathy at Audley End. They both talk about being history interpreters. It’s on her channel.

[@Marialla.]

4:18 "It's a really large entourage to serve just two people." But of course, they didn't just serve two people, or even their guests. They served each other as well. The cooks and laundry and gardeners etc. all serviced one another's needs as well as those of the owners. And so, ironically, the more servants you get, the more servants you need in order to see that those servants' needs are met. A servant who spends all day scrubbing pots cannot ALSO cook her own meals and do her own laundry or raise her own garden. So it really was a deeply interactive community. The lives of servants fascinates me far more than the lives of rich people.

[@Anne--Marie]

I agree!

[@jimfoerster3234]

great point!

[@terrfomp92]

I wonder if the original Mrs. Crocombe ever considered that people are studying her life and others to learn more about servanthood in Victorian times

[@bronzedbirdy7790]

terrfomp92 Interesting thought, but somehow I doubt she had much time to reflect on those things. I mean, I'm a complete nobody and it has never occurred to me that people in the future might see my name and wonder what my life was like. I assume it was much the same for her.

[@christinethornhill]

T ITD No one is a nobody . You should allow yourself a bit of credit for responding . 👑 😇. Best wishes to you for always.

[@daisy8284]

Christine Thornhill you are so sweet and nice. Wish everyone on KZbin was like you.🙂💗

[@ifoundmyavalon]

I’m completely positive that a few hundred years from now there will be recreated videos of me in my thirties, cooking and picking up toys, chasing after errant children , with a voiceover commenting “ little does she know in a few short years she will be a wildly popular author, known the world over..”

[@awittyusernamepleaselaugh7481]

She might have hoped that her cookbook would have been picked up and used by future generations tbh, but probably didn't even dream of things to this level. People all over the world watching a recreation of her in her for the time rather ordinary job in a strange "play" on a vibrantly bright colour cinema with invisible reels of film being transmitted for everyone to see and put together her cooking everywhere? That's crazy magic right there. It would be amazing to see her reaction to that if she could have somehow known.

[@SuperRajat1984]

We would really love to see the sweet lady behind Mrs Crocombe. Please make a video showing an interview with her, in a modern setting. She does it so well. She hardly has any social media coverage.

[@EliteXtasy]

NOOOOOOO! It will ruin the mystique!

[@Andeavor]

Not a modern setting but here's an interview of her talking about a different historical character she's played: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5jHnYire9mFfKs

[@cheesecakelasagna]

It would be more fitting to have her interviewed in Victorian era fashion!

[@sunyyshinee]

Yeahh idk about that, like I think everyone, as well as myself would love that...but they are a business that needs to keep their image. So if they were to do that, it would "ruin" it.

[@danielintheantipodes6741]

I am glad you are giving the servants a voice. I enjoy costume drama as much as anyone, but it does tend to either bypass the servants, or dehumanise them.

[@valeriekesslerangeliclizar1386]

I wonder what the real Mrs. Crocombe would have thought about thousands of people being so excited to hear about her life a and see her recipes.

[@christinethornhill]

🌿🌺🌿 it's so good to see Mrs Crocombe. Great that so many people from so far distant also love the videos. Viva to the Mrs ! 🌿🌺🌿

[@debbieboring3422]

I'm from Phoenix,AZ and I love these videos.

[@christinethornhill]

debbie boring Hello to Phoenix ! ☀️

[@minastirith997]

I think it’s time that Mrs. Crocomb has her own tv show. 5 minuet videos are not enough. thank you very much.

[@TheMcKenzieHaus]

Imagine dying, only to become famous and beloved centuries after your death. What a wonderful impact her life had on human history. You truly never know how much of an impact your life will have just by simply living.

[@TM-cx5zg]

This channel is a blessing. Ever since I was young, I've always been intrigued by British, European, American and Caribbean history. English history and its Eras fascinates me the most. Thanks English Heritage for reviving a mere fraction of the Victorian Era. Much love and support!

[@victoriacaine7040]

I love this moment, me too!! :)

[@JunKurosu]

Mrs Crocombe is love Mrs Crocombe is life

[@er4206]

I'm not English, but I really like your videos. I'm from the Philippines, and people over here don't value history and culture as much because they "don't put food on the table". It's quite sad, but I understand where they're coming from--history is one of the last things on your mind when you're starving. In all honesty, I envy English people. You have groups like English Heritage creating contents like this; restoring/preserving grand houses; and keeping both old and new records about English culture and history. It's great! Appreciate them, please. Your taxes are not wasted! :P I really hope I could visit the UK one day. I need enough money, and to secure a visa, to be able to go there, though. Wish me luck haha! Another great content, EH! Looking forward to your future posts.

[@BestBFam]

Have maybe you could start your own KZbin channels on your history. I would watch it.

[@laurenamy7985]

It’s a shame because the Philippines is a beautiful country it’s important for all countries to preserve the history and culture x

[@VinCustodio]

Yay another Filipino like me. I'm so glad I'm not the only one.

[@monica_g456]

Ey, we do care about history (even though I hate studying it) It's just that people have different opinions on different things.. Like how we students hate algebra while (some) math teachers are ecstatic about teaching it.

[@imsohawtomdzii5869]

Lol taga-san kayo lol

[@Angie-GoneSoon]

I absolutely love Mrs Crocombe! Please make more vids of her cooking? I've watched the ones you have up several times.. can't get enough! Wish I could go to England, like those two girls who went there, and meet her! Perhaps I could be an extra in one of the shows..

[@charitysheppard4549]

As an "armchair historian" and Anglophile, I so enjoy your videos. Dr. Gray's enthusiasm is infectious and delightful! The videos that are produced make history accessible and entertaining, which is one of the most difficult objects to achieve when examining historical life and times. To spark that interest to look behind to learn about ourselves is an inestimable talent and gift. Thank you so much for your wonderful videos. If Dr. Gray has authored a book(s) I would appreciate the title(s). If not, ask her to get cracking on to that as her enthusiasm and knowledge would make a thrilling read. Thank you, from Louisiana, U.S.A.

[@EnglishHeritage]

Thank you for your comment Charity. Annie's latest book is 'The Greedy Queen', about Queen Victoria's famous relationship with food. Be sure to check out the rest of this series if you haven't already.

[@charitysheppard4549]

@@EnglishHeritage Thank you so much for the information! I am going to purchase Dr. Gary's book today!! I watch all of the English Heritage videos, and my favorite ones are the ones featuring the delightful Mrs. Crocombe!!

[@miken4624]

I’m really drawn to your historical representations about the folks that worked there - thank you so much for spending the time and your energy and creating a new history for us to share on KZbin. I really enjoyed it and I am not quite sure why I am so drawn to these characters but it is a testament to the work that you’ve done - thanks again :)

[@tsukiakari91]

i love mrs Crocombe, she is so nice and polite. I think that these videos are so interesting. It's a pity that we don't have video like that in Italy.

[@mariamrouchdi2058]

tsukiakari91 I'm from Italy too, and I love this channel!

[@kelsey1406]

I’m so glad you have done this! It’s so important to share the stories of those who tend to go unnoticed in history.

[@CrystalSanchez094]

never clicked on a video this fast before, finally! more of the wonderful tale of Mrs. Crocombe!

[@kaysdash8556]

Still waiting for that episode of Real Mrs. Crocombe where they sit and chat with the Actress who brilliantly portray Mrs. Avis Crocombe.....

[@nuttymadam3575]

YES! More Mrs Crocombe!

[@nickbreniuc]

Omg Emma I love you so much! Cant believe you watch Mrs. Crocombe as well!

[@anindyabakshi2010]

Really we love Mrs. Crocombe

[@AA-hy6nb]

We love Mrs. Crocombe!

[@bobknob5819]

With a passion

[@hectorbrown656]

Chere Mme Crocombe , you are the only person on KZbin that I comment on , you seem so real to us that I find myself getting more and more interested in you and your life . Thanks to English Heritage , mais surtout VIVRE Mme Crocombe . Bonjour de la Charente Maritime

[@andrecarvalho3713]

I love this series and hope visit Audley End some day. But, I'd like to know a little bit about the precious lady who portrays Mrs Crocombe.

[@theresanovak4199]

I liked this video and series but am just a teensy bit disappointed not to be seeing Mrs.Crocombe at work. Forgive me if I’ve missed it, but has anyone tracked down any descendants of hers?

[@rach_laze]

They had her cookbook manuscript donated by one of her descendants so I reckon they know more about it than we realise on this side if the camera

[@overthecounterbeanie]

She never had any children of her own, having married quite late in life. It's covered in one of the other "Real Mrs Crocombe" videos.

[@spinstercatlady]

Fascinating! Would love to see longer, more in depth videos!

[@calvinsweet3400]

I love the videos of Avis Crocombe. Its so great to get a glimpse of life in England back then.

[@ledzepgirlnmful]

Love the insight into what life was really like for the folks running the estate ! Wonderful video, thank you !!

[@cyberquasar2267]

I love how she talk with such passion about the project. We can see clearly how this whole thing is quite important and loved. I think this is the standing point to this youtube channel, it got heart with all the people involved

[@victoriacaine7040]

Thank you so much for preserving history, these episodes are such a joy to watch!

[@dannysimion]

Wow, im sure the royal family up in the front is interesting but I always found it so much fascinating seeing what goes on behind the scene that we don't get to see as public viewers. Absolutely amazed at this project English Heritage, I love it!! OMG, all I ever grew up with thats not even remotely close is watching the sitcom show, The Nanny.

[@lantanaverbena]

Interesting video. Crippling absence of our dearest Avis. I see more and more fans of hers.. you should give Kathy a bonus for drawing so many people in! ;)

[@fredm1918]

Thanks for creating these . I enjoy watching! :)

[@Angie-GoneSoon]

I would like to see Mrs Crocombe in action, interacting with her staff, and Lord and Lady Braybrooke.. perhaps getting the menu for the day, or talking about a new maid, in which Mrs Crocombe is introduced to by Lady Braybrooke.

[@Adlerjunges83]

You _were_ involved? It's not over yet, is it? We love Mrs Crocombe far too much for this to end - ever.

[@bz2unow]

Liked the background to this start of this series and would love and interview of the actor who plays the cook!

[@Anne--Marie]

Thank you for telling us how many people were employed there. I thought that there were more, quite honestly.

[@minnemano3289]

Very nice work.u guys could do reconstruction about the tenants too who lived in the palace:lord and lady Braybrooke?and the rest of the family

[@Pureimagination200]

I love these Mrs Crocombe videos

[@sherriemcwaters3195]

Hello from Louisville Kentucky I’m really enjoying this series. I love the history and all that comes with it. Thank you for sharing.

[@michaelmm5457]

Who else is watching this in 1881?

[@jamesrussels2126]

First all, hello from USA!! Second I really would like to see a weekly series with Mrs Crocombe cooking. I love historical cooking videos. Esp one she did with Townsend's (which is how came across this channel).

[@lesliejohnson2982]

Would LOVE to see a series or set of episodes about the front of the house servants like the butler, footmen, maids, etc. Especially how they dressed and what work was like.

[@massumaquraischi972]

I love this series. Mrs Crocombe inspired me to bake more in my kitchen.

[@Djdidndldmkrj]

Ms Crocombe I miss your cooking vids :(

[@Stefanie_T.]

Yeah, I watched them all.. now..what do I do now????

[@suzisaintjames]

So Mrs. Crocombe cooked for The Family and probably for the indoor staff, but who cooked for the outdoor staff, the grooms men and the gardeners? ❤🌅🌵

[@oldasyouromens]

Suzi SaintJames The kitchen maids would usually cook for all the servants, Mrs Crocombe included, under her supervision of course. The cook would have to focus on menu planning and creating the dishes for the people upstairs, which had to be pretty to look at and multi-course every night.

[@astrinymris9953]

In some of the videos, Mrs. Crocombe is explicitly cooking for the servants. Also, she'll sometimes throw in a line about how she'd do the dish differently if it was for the servants.

[@DodiTov]

While the reenactments are lovely, you must also remember that many of the staff were married and (in the case of senior staff) might have had separate accommodations, such as the head gardener, the stablemaster, and the butler. These people had their own families, often generations serving the same families, coming up through the ranks of the staff. If the whole family did not serve at the house, they would have maintained their own household and their own kitchens.

[@karinefonte516]

@@astrinymris9953 Because it's all about portions. You can cook for 20 and then reserve the best looking and tasting stuff for the ladys and lords of the house.

[@valeryhutchins7908]

I wonder what it cost to operate the house for a year?

[@laurametheny1008]

Lovely! Too short! LOL! I have watched so many docs and movies about this subject but this is one of my faves. Love you guys! Wish I could visit.😳😍🇬🇧

[@purplereign5889]

I tell you, if this were to be made into a television series like Downton Abbey, I'd be hooked on it as I am to this channel. Please make it possible 🙏🙏💚💜💚💜

[@jmickster029]

YAY!!! A NEW one!!! Keep them coming!!!

[@Nyuhx3]

What a great project! Really god job! The history and the knowledge of it must be saved and spread!

[@debbieboring3422]

Thank you for this perspective.

[@grumple_gloop]

I have an undying love for the Victorian era, working there sounds like heaven on earth. But unfortunately I live in the States so there isn't much hope to even vist.

[@amikireicraftstore]

Suddenly I feel like binging Downton Abbey.

[@AnnaAnna-uc2ff]

Thank you.

[@IGUniverse]

I want to hear more about their life bellow stairs there sonda tralla interesting

[@issacrom]

Sending love from MALAYSIA. Would love to visit someday.

[@veronicavatter6436]

Why don't they have programs like this in the US

[@peshgirl]

Veronica Vatter you should visit the Biltmore estate

[@guylewis7418]

It would become too complicated. Race and class would be brought into the presentations, and the owners of the mansion would be cast as oppressors. Feminists would join in, as women were oppressed, along with racial minorities.

[@Amyphere]

Sort of like what Guy says. The US has a different history of race and class than the U.K., and that most Americans are frankly uncomfortable with. There are some places that do this kind of history in the US, but the historical reenactors have to use a lot more tact when representing topics like slavery.

[@spinstercatlady]

Guy Lewis you're absolutely right. I live in America and it's sad that history cannot just be presented as it was, without being beat over the head with modern morals. Unfortunately, there were horrible events in history and we should learn from them but they also need to be presented as accurately as possible.

[@spinstercatlady]

Stephanie Morgan yes, Biltmore is amazing!

[@Victoria-ff9lv]

I would love to see an interview with the woman who plays mrs crocombe

[@michellecollie774]

Do you have available reproductions of the cookbooks you are using ?

[@alexanderdirmeier1853]

Sth like that would be lovely

[@suzisaintjames]

How different was the menu for The Family from the staff? With love ❤ from sunny 🌅 Arizona 🌵

[@Talula-Darling]

Bring back Mrs. C❣️

[@hotlanta5521]

*_Nice video_*

[@deliarodriquez7129]

I knew it.it was you.do the paper very well you make me laugh. Cause the way you look at Mrs Crumpton i think thats how you spell her name.

[@whitexchina]

In a way it way good that only two people employed so much staff.

[@penguin6385]

When I first started watching these videos I thought Mrs. Crocombe along with other characters were made up in order to represent the life during the time. To think that these people actually exists and lived their own lives once before is astounding to me

[@manramen]

Wait so Mrs. Crocombe only had 2-3 hands at best to help her make food her a whole family and any guests they had, so she ain't being shady about the rhubarb soup, she's THAT busy.

[@MarleeCraig]

This Channel Super Amazing 😀

[@JB-xi5ek]

Wouldn't life above stairs be more interesting, since many tasks below stairs may be similar for each country house, depending on numbers of available staff?

[@EnglishHeritage]

Interesting suggestion, Jan! There are certainly many more stories to explore at Audley End House.

[@itsokaytobreathe6803]

The Disneyland of Europe! I want to visit!!

[@TreScotts1Fan]

Did the actress who played Mrs Crocombe get fired or something? I've rewatched the videos. There hasn't been a recent one.

[@EnglishHeritage]

More coming soon!

[@jamesdillion4191]

The Real Mrs. Crocombe | Part Five: Life Below Stairs? The English Heritage version of click bait. LOL

[@COJ.Island]

FYI: This is the last part of "The Real Mrs. Crocombe" series. What's wrong with clickbait ✌✌

[@raraavis7782]

James Dillion As if we needed baiting 😉

[@artiscrutial]

🤣

[@MichelleSK6]

I'm confused, what's considered click bait? Below the stairs is what they called the servant quarters and where they worked. Sorry if I'm misunderstanding.

[@9shiptooffi]

It’s not the literal meaning.

[@lance5600]

I really wanna go there 😭😭😭

[@423mama]

This is probably a long shot but I noticed on the 1881 census a few lines above Avis was a Collins listed as "son" could anyone send me information on that?

[@bluejay5405]

I am very addicted.

[@flowerchild777]

Luckily there was a fire, and here we are today🤗

[@VarongTangkitphithakphon]

Food histrorian, I wish there're those courses in Thailand.

[@BOLANAREDE321]

2:30 Westie!

[@ebonimom6964]

Its mind boggling how many people had to dedicate their lives working all day just for a few ppl to live comfortably.

[@sammydubsky4287]

whats the song in the background

[@wishingstar22]

The title of this video is a tad misleading. I'm disappointed.

[@lordbyron3603]

Mrs. Crocombe ! ..... What’s for dinner ?

[@monica_g456]

I hate history, but this is just so cool!

[@purnotakabir]

Monica Galla GaWd ur missing out gurl or guy

[@nadinel5635]

I really like your videos, but I am a little disappointed with this one. Your project is really interesting, however, I would have liked to get more information about the life of servants downstairs. Tell me more about WHAT these scientists found out and not how and when the project took place.

[@melissalabtic8334]

Sorry i only know kathy hipperson

[@Malgorbia]

How has this series made me have a huge weird attraction to Mrs. Crocombe. God I'm such a useless lesbian like what IS THIS????? I'm a Crocombe fangirl, what does that even MEAN? Dead.

[@BaaFoKeemb]

Those pants...

[@santbeker778]

I wonder how many times did Mrs crocomber had to lay with the master

[@teresalynnhasan-kerr9373]

This was his first job?? Meanwhile in the US you need 16 years experience for any thing...

[@liltrooper29]

I don't understand why they always let her dress so casual. She's representing something and speaking on its behalf.

[@mariatheresavonhabsburg]

cosmo_rebeljdal97, is there something wrong with her clothes?

[@liltrooper29]

Little Spider No, but seeing that she is the host for a higher production KZbin series, I think that she should look a bit more professional is all :

[@cirenrose]

Big fire? Ciel Phantomhive?

[@marigeobrien]

Short video cut even shorter by a lot of background. Lots of promise, little delivery.

[@slamminjammin69]

duck

[@davidd7940]

Why are you wearing a t-shirt with "YES CHI CoN" (with the o in the style of a Barack Obama logo)? The t-shirt detracts from the story and looks ridiculous.

[@Minkkyblacc]

I wish they would hire a woman of color to play characters but sadly no due to slaves and what not. I think it still would have been fun to re create stuff

[@elizabethshaw734]

Got to keep that largely empty house clean for Lord and Lady.

[@akabga]

I have to say that this video was a disappointment. Just scan the comments. The 'real' Mrs. Crocombe in the collective mind of your audience is the sweet actress we look forward to - nearly to a cult following. Most of us here only subscribe to this channel because of her. I feel this video was short sighted in that regard. You'd do well to interview our beloved Mrs. Crocombe that we know and love.

[@EnglishHeritage]

Hi Adam. We know that people like to learn about the real Avis Crocombe and those who worked alongside her at Audley End House in the Victorian period. However, we are also planning to interview actress Kathy Hipperson later in the year! If you'd like to suggest a question for Kathy, you can do so here: goo.gl/iSStX4

[@George040270]

Those mics they are wearing are awfully big. The ones that are used in America are much smaller.

[@zalethice1984]

I just started to watch this video didn't even like it yet, just to notice it was liked for me...what's up with that?