With the film set to premiere in September, fans of Downton Abbey have plenty to be excited about. As one of the highest-rated series of its time, the historical drama ran for six seasons over five years, building a massive and devoted following.
The show captivated audiences with the intertwined lives of the aristocratic Crawleys and their downstairs staff, all set against the intriguing backdrop of the early 20th century. Its popularity ultimately paved the way for a feature film. Much of the show’s appeal comes from its historical setting, with many storylines and customs rooted in real events—including the rules governing the Crawley family. Some of these rules may be familiar, but others might surprise you. Here are ten of them!
1. Women Can’t Be Heirs
The daughters of Robert and Cora Crawley quickly became fan favorites, and it’s hard to imagine Downton Abbey without them. Audiences were thrilled that the Crawleys had only female heirs—especially women of such strength and character, bringing a much-loved dose of girl power to the screen.
Yet it’s important to remember that the show is set in the early 20th century, a time when women lacked many of the rights they enjoy today. One of the most significant was the right to inherit property, restricted by a law called the entail. This rigid rule caused panic in the family when the heir to Downton tragically died aboard the Titanic, highlighting just how tightly tradition controlled their lives.
2. No Closeness With The Servants
Let’s remember that Downton Abbey is, at its core, fiction—a compelling, touching, and sometimes heartbreaking story, but fiction nonetheless. Creative liberties are inevitable, especially when depicting the relationships between masters and servants for dramatic effect.
Historians might raise an eyebrow at how close the Crawleys appear to be with their staff, since, in reality, such familiarity would have been considered highly improper. Yet, while the show stretches the boundaries a bit, it never fully blurs the lines; the hierarchy remains clear and intact throughout.
3. A Marriage Is A Contract
For those of us born and raised in the 21st century, it’s hard to imagine marrying for any reason other than love. Today, marriage is seen primarily as a celebration of two people committing to build a life together.
In the early 20th century, however, things were very different. Marriages often weren’t about passion or romance but were arranged for social or financial advantage. Mary and Matthew were fortunate to eventually fall in love, but their union originally started as little more than a strategic contract.
For those born into servitude, life offered little chance of escape. The plight of Downton Abbey’s servants is made even more poignant when we remember that, in the early 20th century, social mobility was extremely limited—rising above one’s station was nearly impossible. Even for the nobility, losing status was easier than for servants, but the rules of grace and propriety still made life far from simple.
Being born into aristocracy came with its own strict expectations. Fans of the show often notice the Crawleys’ polished speech, and this was no accident: high-born men and women of the era were expected to speak with elegance and precision, reflecting their status and upbringing.
5. Careful With Mourning
When Queen Victoria lost her husband, she was so grief-stricken that she withdrew from her royal duties to mourn privately. Over time, this extended period of mourning was seen as detrimental to the nation, shaping a societal expectation that long bouts of mourning were no longer appropriate.
Lady Mary, however, largely ignored this shift. After the death of her husband Matthew, she entered a prolonged period of mourning herself. The Crawley family, of course, knew that society had largely moved on from such customs—but we’ll cut Mary some slack… after all, her grief was as heartfelt as ours feels even today.
6. No Children Outside of Wedlock
Some rules are made to be broken, and as we’ve seen, even the strict Crawley family occasionally bends them. In the early 20th century, having children out of wedlock was seen as one of the gravest social transgressions a woman could commit.
For many women, societal expectations boiled down to marrying well and producing heirs. Any indication that a woman wasn’t a virgin—particularly if it resulted in a child—could lead to her being ostracized. Lady Edith eventually found her happy ending, but by the standards of the time, she was very fortunate.
7. Help The Troops
In the middle of Season 2, viewers watched as Downton Abbey was transformed into a recovery home for soldiers wounded in World War I—a storyline rooted in historical fact. Highclere Castle, the real-life estate used for Downton, actually served this purpose when the Countess of Carnarvon opened its doors to support her country’s troops.
Although Cora Crawley was less than thrilled by the arrangement, aristocratic families understood that demonstrating loyalty to the nation was essential for maintaining their social standing.
8. Dress Elegantly
It’s no coincidence that Downton Abbey has earned multiple award nominations for costume design and hairstyling. The series excels at bringing early 20th-century fashion to life, from the servants and soldiers to the aristocratic Crawley family.
Fans can’t help but be impressed by the exquisite attire worn by both the men and women of Downton. These costumes are the epitome of wealth, opulence, and elegance—which is exactly how it should be. Nobles were expected to present themselves impeccably at all times, even if they weren’t leaving their estates.
9. Know Your Place
