Above Stairs

In the middle of the 19th century, the numbers of upper class nobility and gentry, those who inherited the great houses and estates, were small. An enquiry into who owned land in England in 1871, showed that a quarter was owned by only 1,200 people.

At this time, the old nobility were being bought out by men who had made their money in trade and industry, and now wanted a taste of life as a country gentleman. They also put money into building and improving many of the estate villages.

The great house dominated the local area, and so the relationship between the estate and village has always been of immense importance. The villagers’ livelihoods depended on employment on the estate, whether on the land, in various trades or in service.

The squire was the local landowner, particularly in rural areas, whose power was based on the land that he controlled. His influence was strong at least until the time of the First World War (1914).

There were many great houses in this area of Dorset during the late Victorian and Edwardian period. They varied in size and wealth, shown by the number of servants they employed. The largest was Crichel House, which had 41 servants in 1891. Its owner, Henry Gerrard Sturt, was an MP for Dorset. He was a friend of King Edward VII, who often stayed there during the shooting season. They also entertained Kaiser Wilhelm II of Prussia in 1907. Edmondsham House had 10 servants in 1891. Hector Monro, its owner, was a justice of peace for many years and a High Sheriff of Dorset.