Mattresses in the 1300s: Medieval Bedding Materials

Imagine going back to the 14th century. The rich had grand beds with fancy canopies and embroidered hangings. It was a sign of their wealth¹. But, most people had simple straw mattresses on the floor. They used whatever they could find to stay warm².

By the 15th century, even middle-class families started getting featherbeds and bolsters. This showed a slight improvement in their sleep¹.

The most luxurious beds had canvas mattresses filled with wool or straw. They were topped with featherbeds, bolsters, and soft linen. Some even had fur or silk linings to show off the owner’s status¹. Bedding materials varied, from fine Rennes linen to coarse hemp. The most expensive coverlets were made of silk like samite, damask, and sendal¹.

Key Takeaways

• In the 14th century, the wealthiest households had large and elaborate beds with ornamented canopies and richly embroidered hangings.
• Middle-class families in the 15th century began acquiring more comfortable bedding, such as feather beds and soft sheets.
• The best beds in the medieval era featured canvas mattresses filled with wool or straw, topped with featherbeds, bolsters, linen sheets, blankets, and coverlets.
• Bedding materials ranged from the finest Rennes linen to coarse hemp, and luxurious silk varieties.
• Peasants slept on simple straw mattresses on the floor, while the elite enjoyed lavish sleeping quarters.

Sleeping Arrangements in Medieval Times

In the Middle Ages, how people slept changed based on their social status and wealth. The rich had fancy beds with canopies and curtains for warmth and privacy³. Their beds had canvas mattresses filled with wool or down feathers³.

Beds of the Nobility and Wealthy

The nobility and aristocracy had the most luxurious beds. These beds were four-poster with wooden frames and ropes, filled with feathers or down³. Beds were not just for sleeping; they were also places for social gatherings³.

Merchants and artisans had wooden bedsteads with simple headboards and feather mattresses⁴. Peasants and the very poor slept on straw, wool, and feathers, which they could roll up during the day⁴.

Sleeping in medieval times was hard, with little privacy and no control over temperature³. Castles were cold, drafty, and smoky. People used tapestries, furs, and heated rocks to stay warm³. The floors were dirty, with rushes that harbored fleas and lice³.

Despite these issues, many preferred sleeping on a trestle table in the great hall³.

As time went on, beds became more common. People slept in two parts, known as first and second sleep⁵. By the 17th century, beds were a big deal for families, costing a quarter of their household’s value⁵.

what were mattresses made of in the 1300s

In the 1300s, mattresses were made from various natural materials. This showed a person’s wealth and status⁶. Peasants slept on mattresses filled with straw or wool⁶. On the other hand, the rich enjoyed fancy beds with canopies and curtains⁶.

The poorest people had a simple straw mattress on the floor⁶. But, the rich had mattresses filled with feathers. This was a sign of their high status⁶.

The middle class in the 14th century had mattresses filled with wool or flock⁶. These woolen mattresses were so valuable, they were left in wills⁶. The rich added a featherbed on top for extra comfort⁶.

The most luxurious beds had canvas mattresses filled with wool and straw⁶. This made a soft and supportive bed for the rich⁶.

“Mattresses in the Middle Ages were a reflection of one’s social status and wealth, with the poorest sleeping on straw and the elite enjoying the luxury of feathers.”

The variety of materials used for mattresses shows the big differences in living conditions back then⁷. From straw beds for peasants to feather mattresses for nobles, the 1300s mattresses showed the social hierarchy⁶.

Conclusion

The⁸ medieval bedding materials and mattress compositions in the 1300s showed the social and economic status of their owners. The poorest slept on straw mattresses on the floor. But, the nobility and wealthy had fancy, canopied beds with featherbeds⁸.

Middle-class homes used mattresses filled with wool or flock. This showed the variety of sleeping options back then.

The materials for medieval mattresses, like straw to feathers⁹, tell us about the evolution of sleep habits. They highlight the bed’s role in daily life in the 14th century. From Sumerian beds with wooden frames and precious metal inlays to the beds of medieval England, the history of bedding shows how attitudes and practices changed over time.

Knowing the⁸ value placed on beds and bedding in the late medieval period is key. It also helps us understand the⁹ range of materials and techniques used in ancient Mesopotamia and medieval Europe. This lets us see the rich history of mattresses in the 1300s and how bedding materials shaped life and status⁸⁹.

Source Links

1. Beds in late Medieval and Elizabethan England – http://www.oldandinteresting.com/medieval-renaissance-beds.aspx
2. Medieval Beds: Two Examples from 1488 – Medievalists.net – https://www.medievalists.net/2023/08/medieval-beds/
3. medieval castle sleeping arrangements – History Undressed – https://historyundressed.wordpress.com/category/medieval-castle-sleeping-arrangements/
4. Sleep in the Middle Ages – https://stores.renstore.com/history-and-traditions/sleep-in-the-middle-ages
5. A Closer Look at Sleep Habits We’ve Left Behind – https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/sleep-habits-history
6. A short history of the bed – Beck’s Bedding – https://www.becksbedding.com.au/bedroom-design/a-short-history-of-the-bed/
7. What is the History of Bedding and Mattresses? – https://nobullmattress.com/bedding-history/?srsltid=AfmBOoqI3lu4wGC3TM3usJSaaiPeTcbUwqk5HuGGGaB-f9C7VuUx-45g
8. The Scene of Life and Death in Late Medieval England – https://quod.lib.umich.edu/f/frag/9772151.0005.003/–honest-bed-the-scene-of-life-and-death-in-late-medieval?rgn=main;view=fulltext
9. Ancient furniture – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_furniture