What is it?
A historically accurate re-creation of King Edward I’s (1209-1307) bed. The King’s own bedchamber is shown as it might have looked when Edward stayed at the Tower for a week, while preparing for war with France in the winter of 1294.
What’s its story?
Making sure the bed was big enough for Edward was just part of the historical detective work that went into its re-creation. Other historical clues revealed that he had a feather mattress and his bed was probably painted green, spangled with stars and its canopy hung from chains.
It was essential that the King’s bed was easy to take apart and transport as Edward frequently travelled both in this country and abroad visiting his estates and putting down rebellions.
The chains and rails came down, the four posts, were pulled out of the dais (raised platform), curtains were thrown into leather sacks and the whole lot transported on carts or horseback.
