Rosina Harrison

Provides the author's account of working as the personal maid for the American-born Lady Astor.

My Life in Service to Lady Astor

Rose

"In 1929, Yorkshire lass Rosina Harrison became personal maid to Lady Astor: the first female Member of Parliament to take her seat and wife of one of England's wealthiest lords. Lady Astor was brilliant yet tempestuous, but outspoken Rose gave as good as she got. For 35 years, the battle of wills and wits raged between the two women, until an unlikely friendship began to emerge. "The Lady's Maid" is a captivating insight into the great wealth 'upstairs' but also the endless work 'downstairs', but it is Rose's unique relationship with Lady Astor that makes this book a truly enticing read"--Publisher's description.

My Life in Service

The Lady's Maid

My Friends in Service

Gentlemen's Gentlemen

Rose was a lady's maid serving Lady Astor, first female member of Parliament, hostess to the aristocracy, and wife of one of England's wealthiest lords, for 35 years. This is her story.

You've read tales of lady's maids and cooks, housekeepers and nannies, but now it's time to hear from the other side of life as a servant. From the lamp boy to the butler, here are the fascinating storis from the men below stairs. This treasure-trove of memories, collected together by Rosina Harrison, bestselling author of The Lady's Maid, includes the night the ill-fated Edward VIII came to dinner; the time Charlie Chaplin scandalised the servants with his 'familiar' behaviour - and the occasion when a hot potato dropped down a lady's décolletage at a veryexclusive supper party . . .

From Boot Boys to Butlers, True Stories of Life Below Stairs

'I was able to get on well with everyone below stairs and above, or so I thought until I began working for Lady Astor...' In 1929, Yorkshire lass Rosina Harrison became personal maid to Lady Astor: the first female Member of Parliament to take her seat and wife of one of England's wealthiest lords. Lady Astor was brilliant yet tempestuous, but outspoken Rose gave as good as she got. For 35 years the battle of wills and wits raged between the two women, until an unlikely friendship began to emerge. The Lady's Maid is a captivating insight into the great wealth 'upstairs' but also the endless work 'downstairs', but it is Rose's unique relationship with Lady Astor that makes this book a truly enticing read. Please note, The Lady's Maid is the new title for the book originally published as Rose.

In 1928, Rosina Harrison arrived at the illustrious household of the Astor family to take up her new position as personal maid to the infamously temperamental Lady Nancy Astor, who sat in Parliament, entertained royalty, and traveled the world. "She's not a lady as you would understand a lady" was the butler's ominous warning. But what no one expected was that the iron-willed Lady Astor was about to meet her match in the no-nonsense, whip-smart girl from the country. For 35 years, from the parties thrown for royalty and trips across the globe, to the air raids during WWII, Rose was by Lady Astor's side and behind the scenes, keeping everything running smoothly. In charge of everything from the clothes and furs to the baggage to the priceless diamond "sparklers," Rose was closer to Lady Astor than anyone else. In her decades of service she received one £5 raise, but she traveled the world in style and retired with a lifetime's worth of stories. Like Gosford Park and Downton Abbey, ROSE is a captivating insight into the great wealth 'upstairs' and the endless work 'downstairs', but it is also the story of an unlikely decades-long friendship that grew between Her Ladyship and her spirited Yorkshire maid.

Rosina Harrison

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