A specialized type of servant that first appeared in Europe in the 15th century was known as the running footman. His job was to run in front of the carriage and be available to help steer the horses around bad roads, or lift it out of ruts, as roads were in terrible condition. Footmen also ran ahead to prepare an inn for the master’s arrival. Eventually, though, these servants served as a mere status symbol. Chosen more for their good looks and level of fitness than for their good character, running footmen often wore a light cap, jockey coat, white linen trousers or just a knee-length linen shirt. They often ran carrying a pole six or seven feet long—or, if it were nighttime, a lighted torch. On their feet they wore thin-soled shoes. In the early 1700s some wore kilts, but these had a tendency to fly up as they ran—and they wore nothing underneath.
One story tells of the Duke of Queensberry who, some time during the late 1700s, was conducting “tryouts” for a new footman. He insisted that each of the candidates put on a fancy livery and then do a test run up Picadilly, in order to prove his skill as a swift runner. The Duke called down from his balcony to one especially speedy candidate, saying “You will do very well for me.” The man pointed at the fancy uniform he had been made to put on and replied, “And your livery will do very well for me!” With that he ran off, still wearing the expensive uniform, never to be seen again.*
As roads improved, by the early 19th century, running footmen had a hard time keeping up with carriages, and the position eventually became that of a house servant.