The Skullery Maid

Harriet Smith was the scullery maid at Hatfield House in 1846. Her role was one of the hardest ones in the kitchen and one of the least well paid, earning her a salary of u00a310 a year. She had to be the first up out of bed every morning to clean the kitchen range, and she was responsible for many of the physically demanding and unpleasant tasks in the kitchen, including washing the pots, scrubbing the floors and scouring the copper pans. She also helped the kitchen maids with preparing vegetables and plucking game. Following the visit, Harriet was promoted to kitchen maid and spent part of her time at Arlington Street, the Marquess of Salisbury's London residence. No doubt her early experience of the grand occasion of the Queen's visit made a lasting impression on this young scullery maid.