Anson Britzchka Chariot and Shugborough fire engine (1)

The Britzska Chariot, also known as a sleeper carriage or a dormeuse is a heavy duty carriage. This type of carriage was built for long distance travel and was used by wealthy families when travelling at home and abroad and especially when journeying for several months at a time. Diplomats and King’s messengers also used them on their expeditions and they continued to be built until the development of the railways made them redundant.

The Chariot can carry two people and servants with substantial amounts of luggage. It was specifically designed to maximise passenger comfort on long journeys. The interior was designed to convert from seating to sleeping accommodation. The front boot, known as a dormeuse, opens from the inside to allow occupants to lie full length with their legs in the boot. Light could be well regulated when travelling. During the day sunshade, known as the calash, fitted above the front window could be lowered to reduce glare. In dull conditions or at night a light could be fitted outside the rear window. It was the servant’s job to light and extinguish it from their seat. Servants, usually a ladies maid and valet would sit in the rumble seat at the rear.

interior

A folding leather head (a hood no longer in existence on this carriage) would have joined onto the heavy leather apron to create almost a separate compartment and protect the servants. Luggage was carried in pine, leather covered cases known as imperials, budgets and cap cases. They were carried on the roof, rear seat and on the front boot and would have been packed in the bedroom before being carried out to the carriage.

This carriage has undergone extensive conservation work on the textiles, leather and paintwork revealing the original rich colours.

NT 1271499

Image reference:

(1)  Two chauffeurs from the Shugborough Estate.
On the left is George Rose. On the right is the Anson Britzchka Chariot and on the left is the Shugborough fire engine, which has not been seen since the Second World War.
Source: Staffordshire Museum Service