Every year the meaning of the word "valet" is gradually erased from our memory. If older people still remember him, the younger generation only blinks in surprise when they hear him in a fleeting conversation or stumbled upon him in a historical book. But in the past, some people were even ready to make a deal with the devil, just to get the place of the valet.
Meaning of the word
The valet is a room servant with a rich gentleman. Often, such servants were started by nobles and monarchs, so that they were always at hand and help them with routine tasks. For example, a valet had to take care of his master's clothes, his bed, baggage, parcels, and so on.
Sometimes it even came to the point that this servant took over most of the financial operations. He paid the bills, paid off the workers, carried out secret orders and bribed the right people.
A valet is more than a servant
Of course, the nobles did not take anyone horrible. After all, the valet is more than a servant. This is a man who is always next to his master, which means that he knows all his secrets. Therefore, nobles hired only trusted people, in whose ability to keep their mouth shut did not doubt.
But they carefully selected candidates for the position of valet serving in the royal family. At the same time, young monarchs received such a servant at the age of seven, so that by their coming of age they could say exactly whether such a servant was suitable for them or not.
Privileges and disadvantages
The valet is a bonded person. Having assumed this position, he undertook to serve his master until his death, which limited his freedom. In addition, the well-being of the valet depended directly on the mores of the nobleman. So, history knows cases when angry aristocrats beat their servants even for minor errors.
However, many still happily took such a risk. After all, such a service allowed them to live in luxury. Moreover, the valet's salary was enough to start a family and provide her with everything necessary.