- Cleaning and maintaining the household, including sweeping floors, dusting furniture, and washing clothes
- Preparing and serving meals
- Taking care of children, such as bathing, feeding, and dressing them
- Running errands and completing other tasks as needed
- Guarding the house and its occupants
- Providing entertainment, such as playing music or telling stories
Servants were often classified into different ranks, with higher-ranking servants having more responsibility and status than lower-ranking ones. For example, a butler might be in charge of managing the household and overseeing the other servants, while a scullery maid might be responsible for cleaning the kitchen and washing dishes.
Servants were typically hired by the year and were paid a wage, although some were also given food, lodging, and other benefits as part of their compensation. The life of a servant could be difficult, as the work was often long and hard and the pay was often low. However, servants were also an essential part of medieval society, and their work helped to keep households running smoothly and families comfortable.