Do You Want To Be A Lady's Companion?

In my time travel series, my heroine, Lydia Harding, is transported back in time to 1813 and must find a way to support herself. With nothing, and as a single woman, she has two options:

Marry someone who will support her.
Find respectable employment.

In Lydia’s case, marriage is out of the question. So, what does a woman with a first-class, modern education do?

Well, there were not many employment options for a woman. She could seek the protection of a wealthy gentleman and become his courtesan. (Basically, she would allow him access to her body whenever he wished. In return, he would support her financially, until he decides to find someone else to take on the role.) Her other options are to become a governess/teacher or a lady’s companion. With such a myriad of choices, who can blame Lydia when she decides to become a lady’s companion? But what did that involve?

A companion was hired when a wealthy lady required a guardian for her reputation. These women were either young and unmarried, and did not have a close female relative to accompany them when they were out and about needed a chaperone, or older, unmarried or widowed, ladies who also needed someone to act as their companion.

What qualifications did a companion need?

A companion was of similar, genteel background to their employer, if a little lower in social standing. Companions were usually members of the gentry who had fallen on hard times and were forced to find employment. Often, they were a poor relation who relied on the kindness of their extended family, and in return they acted as a companion.
A companion could not be just some trumped-up servant. In order to venture into society with their employer, they must be well-educated and have good manners.
For a single female, such as a young debutante with only male relatives, the companion was usually older. They were responsible for guarding their charge’s reputation and ensuring they only socialised with suitable people.
For unmarried spinsters or widows, the companion was more of a helper, someone to do all the little tasks the lady did not wish to, or could not, carry out. They were also hired simply to entertain and spend time with them.
A servant was never considered a proper companion – servants could often be bribed to disappear and were therefore not a suitable protector for a lady’s reputation.

What were a companion’s duties?

A companion was expected to accompany their charge to social events, outings, converse with them, spend time with them, and entertain them by playing music or reading to them.
An unmarried lady’s companion must always ensure their charge was never left alone, especially when in the company of a male.
An “old-maid’s” or widow’s companion could be charged with any domestic duties her employer wished to hand over. It was never something that the lady would not consider doing herself, they had servants for that sort of thing, you know. Duties could involve writing menus, entertaining visitors, pouring tea, flower arranging, handling their correspondence, or walking the dog.

Walking a fine line

A companion’s role was often unappreciated. They were subservient as they were an employee, yet they walked a fine line between their employer and the rest of the servants. They were not equal to their employer, yet above the servants, too. They were given a room in the family part of the house, not the servant’s quarters, and ate their meals with their employer. Other servants often held a grudge against the companion due to the close relationship they had with their mistress.

A companion was not paid in “wages”, but given a small salary referred to as an “allowance”. It was standard to receive fifty pounds per annum (about two thousand pounds in modern money). In comparison, a butler, the highest ranking servant, often received wages of seventy pounds per annum and a housekeeper around sixty. It all depended on the generosity of one’s employer.

So, if you are not put off by the duties, or the allowance, or the fact that you will exist in a lonely space between your employer and the rest of the household, how does one become a lady’s companion?

Well, there were three routes:

The most common was by private recommendation. It’s all about who you know. Recommendation through a mutual acquaintance was the most preferable method to ensure a lady’s companion came from a trusted source.
Agencies – there were agencies that, like now, brought potential employers and employees together. But a fee had to be paid, and not all clients on an agent’s books were genuine.
Advertisement – newspapers have always been littered with posts from those seeking or offering employment. Both employers and employees took a chance when they entered into an agreement with an unknown individual. Females were particularly vulnerable to nefarious offers from other parties.

So, if you want to be a general dog’s body, you have a basic education and don’t mind the pathetic wages, or being treated as an outcast, then the role of lady’s companion is for you. Don’t forget, food and board are included, and if your employer likes you, you may get a nice leaving gift when they marry well, or bestow you a small token in their will.

I allow, I have taken a rather teasing tone in this piece. To our modern sensibilities, the role of a lady’s companion may seem unsatisfactory. To a Georgian woman, with few other options, it was considered a very desirable and reputable position of influence, especially within a high-ranking and noble family.