Bingham Bulletin | 1927-07-14 | Page 2 | Oldtime Beds Rigidly Excluded Fresh Air

Oidiime BZ2$ Rigidly Excluded Fresh Air A study of the evolution of the bed from the time of the Norman conquest con-quest of England to the present proves Interesting. The old bed of northern Europe, from which our own evolved, was a large wooden affair entirely Inclosed In panels. It bad a roof and was like a small room within a room. When the occupants, several in number, crawled Into It and closed the sliding panels, they wers completely protected protect-ed from the night air. The panels later were replaced with curtains, but the back panels snd the top wers kept These wera carved beds of Queen Elisabeth's time. Then In 1700 the back and the roof went, leaving the four posts which supported support-ed a wooden cornice from which cur. tains bung. These beds were still ponderous, and were wide enough so that the children as well as the parents could share the warmth of the curtains and billowy feather bedding. The tire-place tire-place and the bed were the only wurm spots In the house, and the best sprinter got the best place. Dy 17r0 the wooden cornice was replaced by a vnlnnce. It was at thts time that the four poster reached Us finest expression. The draperies, no longer a necessity, were hung to enhance the beauty of the bed. By 1800 the draperies were gone. Then the four posts were cut down shorter and shorter nnttl at last they disappeared and the headboards and footboards cams back. Kansas City Star.