Honest, sober and willing: the story of domestic service in Oxford Colleges

Since their foundation, Oxford colleges have relied on the labour of men, women and children to provide the comforts enjoyed by fellows and students. The history of these workers is often overlooked – from chefs and manciples to kitchen women and ‘scouts’ boys. What was a typical day like for a scout in the 19th and 20th centuries?  How did colleges provide for health care and retirement before the NHS and state pensions? Life away from work was equally interesting, college servants (as they were known for centuries) formed an impressive variety of clubs and societies, including sports, music and drama.