Did you know that in the 14th century, mattresses were filled with straw, wool, and feathers1? The rich slept on featherbeds, while the poor used straw mattresses on the floor2. This shows how different the quality of sleep was back then.
Peasants had straw mattresses, while nobles had fancy canopied beds1. Middle-class folks had wooden beds with feather mattresses, sheets, and pillows1. The bed of Vincenzo in 1488 was made with white poplar, walnut, and spiral designs1.
Key Takeaways
- Mattresses in the 14th century were made from a variety of materials, ranging from basic straw and wool to luxurious feathers for the wealthy.
- The poorest people slept on straw mattresses on the floor, while the richest had elaborate canopied beds with soft featherbeds and fine linen sheets.
- Middle-class families often had woolen or flock mattresses, which were valuable enough to be mentioned in wills.
- Mattresses were typically laid on a canvas or woven rush base, with a featherbed or wool-filled mattress on top.
- Beds were considered valuable furniture and were not casually passed down through generations.
Bedding for the Wealthy and Nobles
In the Middle Ages, only the richest could afford a room just for sleeping3. Their beds were the most valuable items in the house. These beds had mattresses, sheets, blankets, canopies, and curtains3. But, the poor had to sleep on stone slabs with thin hay or peat moss mattresses3.
Elaborate Canopied Beds and Featherbeds
The rich in the 14th century had grand beds with canopies and curtains. These beds were the highlights of any large house, showing off the family’s crest4. They were cozy spots where guests were welcomed to sleep3. These beds had canvas mattresses filled with wool or straw, topped with soft featherbeds3.
Their bedding included bolsters, sheets, blankets, and fancy coverlets. Some of these coverlets were lined with fur or made of silk4. Windisch-Graetz (1982) noted that the rich spent a lot on bed textiles and drapes4.
| Bedding for the Wealthy | Bedding for the Cottagers |
|---|---|
| Elaborate canopied beds with rich embroidered hangings | Simple stone slabs covered in thin mattresses of hay or peat moss |
| Comfortable gathering places, often shared with high-status visitors | No separate sleeping room, limited bedding options |
| Expensive featherbeds, bolsters, sheets, blankets, and decorative coverlets | Limited, basic bedding materials |
“The presence of pests like lice, fleas, and bed bugs was common in beds during the Middle Ages.”3
Mattress Materials for the Middle Class
In the 14th century, middle-class families had simpler bedding than the wealthy5. Their mattresses were often made of wool or a mix of wool and other materials, called “flock.”5 These mattresses were valuable enough to be mentioned in wills, showing their importance in middle-class homes5. In places like monasteries or almshouses, beds might have just a basic mattress, blanket, and pillow5. By the mid-15th century, even peasants had raised beds with mattresses, unlike sleeping on the floor5.
The bedding of the middle class was important, even if it wasn’t as fancy as the nobility’s5. These middle class mattresses and 14th century mattresses made of wool or flock offered comfort and warmth for a good night’s sleep5. The change from straw mattresses to wool mattresses and flock mattresses shows how bedding improved for the middle class over time5.
| Mattress Material | Description |
|---|---|
| Wool | A natural, warm, and durable material used for middle-class mattresses in the 14th century. |
| Flock | A mixture of wool and other materials, also used for middle-class mattresses in the 14th century. |
| Straw | A basic, inexpensive material used for the bedding of the lower classes in medieval times. |
The use of middle class mattresses and better bedding shows how living standards improved in medieval society5. As the middle class grew, so did their demand for better bedding for the middle class. This led to more diverse and comfortable mattress materials5.
“The mattress is the foundation of a good night’s sleep, and the middle class of the 14th century recognized its importance, even if they couldn’t afford the extravagance of the nobility.”
What Were Mattresses Made of in the 1300s?
In the medieval era, mattresses were made from many materials. This showed the resources and traditions of the time6. Straw, feathers, wool, and horsehair were common fillings6.
The rich could afford featherbeds, while the poor had straw sacks6. This difference was due to what materials were available and affordable6.
Mattress making was shaped by local resources and skills6. The materials used affected how comfortable mattresses were6. By the 14th century, only the wealthy had fancy four-poster beds7.
Today, we have many types of mattresses, from simple to advanced8. This shows how much we’ve changed in how we sleep8. Learning about medieval mattresses helps us appreciate the value of a good night’s sleep.
| Era | Mattress Materials |
|---|---|
| Neolithic Period | Piles of leaves and grass covered with animal skins8 |
| Roman Period (753 BC-476 AD) | Reeds, hay, or wool8 |
| Renaissance (1300-1600 AD) | Pea shucks or straw stuffed into fabric bags, covered in velvet, brocades, and silk8 |
| 1300s | Straw, feathers, wool, and sometimes horsehair6 |
| Industrial Revolution (1700 AD) | Cotton mattresses to ward off bugs and vermin8 |
| Today (21st Century) | Spring, foam, and gel mattress designs with advanced tailoring options8 |
In the 1300s, mattresses varied from straw to feathers and wool6. The materials used showed the social and economic times6. This journey through history helps us understand how our sleep has evolved.
Construction and Layers of Medieval Beds
In the medieval era, beds were made with great care. They had layers, like a canvas mattress filled with wool or straw, and a featherbed on top9. The mattress rested on a base of woven rushes or a canvas over the slats9.
Medieval beds also had bolsters, sheets, blankets, and a coverlet for decoration. They even had head sheets, later replaced by pillowcases9. Bed warmers, small devices with hot coals, were used to warm the bed before sleep9.
Mattresses, Bedding, and Bed Warmers
The rich had big, fancy beds in the 14th century, while the poor slept on straw on the floor10. Beds and bedding were very valuable and often mentioned in wills from the 14th century on10.
A smallholder in the mid-15th century had “three boards for a bed,” along with bedding and covers10. By 1487, a bed for the elderly in almshouses cost about 13 shillings and sixpence, including sheets10.
The finest beds had a canvas mattress filled with wool or straw, topped with a featherbed10. Mattresses were filled with wool, straw, or flock, and even a woolen mattress was seen as a luxury10. Featherbeds, a luxury, were paired with a feather bolster that stretched the bed’s width10.
In the 15th century, medieval furniture, like beds, saw big changes11. Framed panelling was brought back in the Burgundian Netherlands, making furniture larger11. New construction methods, like drawers in cupboards and better joints, were introduced11.
Chairs were rare in the Middle Ages, and even big houses had only a few chairs11. In the 15th century, tables were mostly trestle-style with long, rectangular tops that could be taken apart for moving11910.
Evolution of Bedding Through the Ages
The history of bedding is a journey through time, showing how materials, designs, and technologies have changed. From ancient straw and animal skin beds to today’s innerspring and memory foam mattresses, it all reflects human needs and advancements. The history of bedding shows how societies have evolved over the centuries.
In the Miocene period, early primates moved from sleeping in trees to using wooden platforms. The oldest mattress found was in South Africa, dating back 77,000 years. It was made from reeds, rushes, and leafy plants12. By 3200 BCE, both Egyptians and Scots had raised beds to keep snakes and rodents away12.
The evolution of mattresses continued with the ancient Persians inventing the waterbed around 1600 BCE. The Romans then introduced metal beds with straw or feather mattresses. The less wealthy used wooden frames with woolen-threaded mattresses12. By the 14th century, four-poster beds with fancy drapes were popular among the rich12.
In the 18th century, four-poster beds became less common. Simpler frames and metal springs supported rectangular linen sacks12. The first bedspring was patented in the U.S. in 1869, and the first innerspring mattress was invented two years later by Heinrich Westphal12.
The 20th century brought big changes in bedding. The 1950s saw a shift to innerspring mattresses, replacing cotton-stuffed ones12. In 1991, the first memory foam mattress was introduced, becoming a hit12. Today, mattresses use advanced materials for comfort and come in many shapes and sizes12.
The bedding through the centuries has seen amazing changes. It shows how human needs, technologies, and preferences have evolved. From simple to sophisticated, the history of bedding is a story of human ingenuity and adaptability in seeking restful sleep.
| Era | Bedding Materials and Advancements |
|---|---|
| Miocene Period | Primitive primates used woven hardwood platforms for sleep12 |
| 77,000 years ago | Earliest known mattress made from reeds, rushes, sedge grass, and compacted leafy plants12 |
| 3200 BCE | Egyptians and ancient Scots developed raised beds to protect against snakes and rodents12 |
| 1600 BCE | Ancient Persians invented the waterbed using goatskins filled with water12 |
| 753 BC – 476 AD | Romans introduced raised metal beds with straw or feather-filled mattresses12 |
| 5th century | Normans began hanging curtains around beds12 |
| 14th century | Four-poster beds with extravagant draperies were common among the wealthy12 |
| 18th century | Four-poster beds fell out of favor, simpler bed frames and metal springs were used12 |
| 1869 | First bedspring patented in the U.S12. |
| 1871 | First innerspring mattress invented by Heinrich Westphal12 |
| 1950s | Innerspring mattresses replaced traditional cotton-stuffed mattresses12 |
| 1991 | First memory foam mattress unveiled12 |
| Today | Mattresses designed with composite materials, gels, and advanced fabrics12 |
The table above gives a detailed look at the evolution of mattresses and changes in bedding over time. It highlights the key advancements and materials used in bedding history.
Conclusion
The materials and construction of medieval mattresses give us a peek into 14th century Europe’s sleeping habits and social classes. The working class used straw and wool, while the nobility enjoyed featherbeds. This shows how bedding changed over time, influenced by technology, materials, and views on comfort and sleep13.
The oldest mattress dates back 77,000 years, made from reeds and rushes13. In the 1300s, beds were made from many different materials and designs. Wills and inventories show how beds were valued in medieval homes14. The type of bed you had showed your place in society14.
Today, we have many bed materials, from wood and metal to modern composites13. You can even get beds made just for you, showing off your style13. Trends like smart beds and eco-friendly materials are changing sleep for the better. This journey from simple to luxurious beds shows our ongoing quest for a great night’s sleep.
FAQ
What were mattresses made of in the 1300s?
What materials were used for medieval bedding?
How were medieval beds constructed?
What features did the best medieval beds have?
How have mattresses and bedding evolved over time?
Source Links
- Medieval Beds: Two Examples from 1488 – Medievalists.net – https://www.medievalists.net/2023/08/medieval-beds/
- Sleep in the Early Middle Ages – Projekt Forlǫg – https://sagy.vikingove.cz/en/sleep-in-the-early-middle-ages/
- Sleep in the Middle Ages – https://stores.renstore.com/history-and-traditions/sleep-in-the-middle-ages
- Multilingual furniture dictionary: sleeping furniture – https://thomasguild.blogspot.com/2016/01/
- What is the History of Bedding and Mattresses? – https://nobullmattress.com/bedding-history/?srsltid=AfmBOopPNi7vt2OQ0sKTJdhuSK4Xy8N2NhQSmrX7VlySPVls4QTtXZSZ
- Need help deciding on a mattress – https://forum.mattressunderground.com/t/need-help-deciding-on-a-mattress/11314?page=3
- What is the History of Bedding and Mattresses? – https://nobullmattress.com/bedding-history/?srsltid=AfmBOooqEkfz6qpaw3oPfg9WucZ7R00eKEFOqQsT0twCateTVqs0ryrm
- The History Of The Mattress – The Sleep Matters Club – https://www.dreams.co.uk/sleep-matters-club/the-history-of-the-mattress
- A short history of the bed – Beck’s Bedding – https://www.becksbedding.com.au/bedroom-design/a-short-history-of-the-bed/
- Beds in late Medieval and Elizabethan England – http://www.oldandinteresting.com/medieval-renaissance-beds.aspx
- Furniture – Middle Ages | Britannica – https://www.britannica.com/technology/furniture/Middle-Ages
- What is the History of Bedding and Mattresses? – https://nobullmattress.com/bedding-history/?srsltid=AfmBOor1YSRiU6zepF97jHUuvsLuA-RSROZIHuEmEWdQYaXLYiO31b5x
- The Evolution of Beds: How Beds Reflect Personal Style – https://cozyliving.com.au/blogs/news/evolution-of-beds-to-reflect-personal-style?srsltid=AfmBOorBZi3NlcjjFmC1LHHil2ARkzA9YTOaRKUtjY_mbXU8fW6BlJsK
- 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