For people of all social classes, the bed was the main piece of furniture. It was where the King and other dignitaries received guests.
In medieval times the bed was very basic – virtually square and big enough to sleep two to six people. For the average rural family, there was a main room where everyone lived, eating and sleeping together.
Among all social classes, to benefit from the fire, the bed was usually placed in a corner next to the fireplace, separated by a chair. Often the bed was placed on a wooden platform. Mattresses were of wool or feathers. There was a large pillow and a fur cover for warmth, all of which were covered by a quilt falling to the ground. For extra protection against the chill, the bed was surrounded by curtains mounted on an iron rod. These could be closed at night and drawn back during the day.
Most of the beds exhibited at the chateaux are recreations.
There are two reasons for this –
Firstly, the court was itinerant throughout most of the centuries. This meant that furniture was very basic and the rich appearance came from the fabrics used. That fortunately makes it easy for the various chateaux to furnish the rooms with examples evoking each relevant period.
Secondly, many original pieces of furniture did not survive the French Revolution. The contents of the Royal palaces were auctioned off, but locally many of the aristocratic residences were ransacked and their contents destroyed.
The French Kings who had been involved in the wars in Italy (1494 to 1544) returned with the new ideas they had seen. They had been amazed at the magnificence of the palaces of the Italian princes and their towns of “marble and silk”. Fabric, sumptuously enriched with precious embroidery, was the most important feature.
Our story starts with this period of the French Renaissance…..
