In the early 20th century, during the reign of Edward VII and several years beyond, Britain was home to some of the richest people in the world. Edward VII's appetite for frivolity paved the way for men of commerce and industry to flaunt their wealth. With its marble hall, its silver-plated main staircase and its heated stables, Manderston — the country estate that serves as the setting for MANOR HOUSE — is testimony to the nouveau riche Edwardian tastes of the era. But at the same time, the general public was getting restless for social change. The women's suffrage movement was gaining momentum, and liberal politicians were winning elections. Talk about having your work cut out for you! The series begins downstairs at Manderston, a 109-room Edwardian mansion in Scotland, where Hugh Edgar, architect cum butler, and Jean Davies, grandmother cum housekeeper, organize the junior staff: first footman Charlie Clay, second footman Rob Daly, hallboy Kenny Skelton, groom Tristan Aldrich, kitch