The governess is a notable figure within Victorian literature, featuring in classics like Jane Eyre and Vanity Fair. But what was it truly like to be a governess during the 19th century?

0:00 Introduction
0:50 Who became a governess?
1:47 Who employed a governess?
2:52 What were the qualifications of a governess?
3:37 What were the responsibilities of a governess?
4:23 How were governesses viewed by society?

Sources:
www.bbc.co.uk
www.bl.uk
The Victorian Governess by Kathryn Hughes

Music:
Nocturne in D-flat major, Op. 27, No. 2
Frédéric Chopin