Tudor Royal Bed Etiquette Ended

“Everyone knows how steadfastly Queen Victoria respected tradition in matters of court etiquette and state observances. While she lived, she insisted that the elaborately mounted rules to be observed in the making of the sovereign's bed should occupy a conspicuous position in that portion of the palace set apart for Ladies of the Bedchamber. They have now been removed and there is much speculation as to what has become of them.” – So what had become of them?

Easier to Make King’s Bed... 

Quaint Old Rules Have at Last Been Completely Abolished and Bedmakers Rejoice 

Special Cable to The Herald

LONDON, June 9.— Those who are responsible for making King Edward's sleeping hours as comfortable os possible are no longer confronted with the quaint rules and regulations with regard to the making of his bed which have been handed down from Tudor times. Everyone knows how steadfastly Queen Victoria respected tradition in matters of court etiquette and state observances. While she lived, she insisted that the elaborately mounted rules to be observed in the making of the sovereign's bed should occupy a conspicuous position in that portion of the palace set apart for Ladies of the Bedchamber. They have now been removed and there is much speculation as to what has become of them.

A few extracts from this awe inspiring documents will give some idea of the time that must have been occupied in making the King's bed: “A yoeman or groome of ye wardrobe will holde ye syde curtena and ye foote curtens. A yoeman of ye crowne to leape upon ye bedde and rolle hym up and assaye ye litter. Then laye upon it ye fether bedde and bette it well and make it even and smoothe. Then shall yoemen of ye stuffe take ye fustian and caste it on ye bedde. Then shall squyers of ye bodye laye handes thereon and laye it streight upon ye bedde without any wrinkles and ye skeete in samewise. Then take bothe sheetes and fustian by ye bordure and put them in under ye fether bedde at both ye sydes and at ye feete also. 

Then laye on ye over sheetes and go to ye bedde's head and shake down ye bedde. Then laye on tother stuffe. Then rolle down ye bedde ye space ot an elle. Then let ye yoemen take ye pillows and bette them well and cast them up to ye squyers and lette them laye them on ye bedde us it pleaseth the king's grace.” After a considerable amount of additional labor is to be expended on placing more sheets and fixing curtains, “a squyer is to caste holy water oik ye bedde,” and then as a grand finale, “alle that were at ye making of ye hedde muste have bred and ale and wyn” – the most pleasant part of the performance, one would imagine. Who would dare to maintain after this that “Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown?” – Los Angeles Herald, 1906

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia