When Temperature Was 70

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Staying Warm in Bed this Winter?

In pre-industrial Europe, managing cold weather was a common preoccupation, especially when it came to keeping warm in bed. For those who could afford it, central heating was unheard of, and bedding was often made from straw or woollen flock. For most, keeping warm required creative solutions.

There were ten in the bed

One of the simplest ways to stay warm was to huddle together. Historian Carole Shammas has revealed that it was common for bedding to be made from straw, and even woollen flock was considered a luxury only available to the prosperous. Fluffy plant downs, such as the seed heads of the thistle, cattail or bulrush were commonly used. But even such humble materials were costly.

As historian A. Roger Ekirch has shown, bedding was so expensive it might equate to up to a quarter of the value of a modest household, explaining why commodities like pillows were reserved for those with some great need, like women during childbirth. For most, some other form of bolster was used, like a log.

Bedding down

Finer quality bedding materials were available, but they came at a prohibitive financial cost and could be difficult to source. Various downs had been used in Europe since the 7th century, and a down mattress would often be laid over one of stiffer material – like straw – to provide more support and even better insulation.

The most coveted down came from the Eider duck, of which there are various species. Eider ducks live along the northern coasts of Europe, North America and Siberia. Eiderdown is the down a female Eider duck pulls from her body to make a nest and has very high insulating properties as well as lightness, cohesion and resilience.

In places like Iceland, the production and trade of this valuable down had been controlled and protected by law since at least the 13th century, indicating its great worth to the wider Icelandic economy. Its impact was pronounced, and it attracted devotees. Letters relaying the latest political news were interspersed with advice on how to best sew down into a coverlet.

Alternative solutions

Not everyone had access to or preferred the luxury of eiderdown. Elizabeth Charlotte, duchesse d’Orléans, was the sister-in-law of king Louis XIV of France. Upon sleeping with eiderdown for the first time, she wrote to a relative to explain she much preferred her usual method of keeping warm in bed. That is, as the mother of an assortment of small dogs, to whom she was devoted, she simply tucked them around herself in her bed, under her covers, and slept comfortably through the night, warmed by her furry companions.

Conclusion
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Staying warm in bed has been a concern throughout history. From using humble materials like straw and logs to creating luxurious bedding like eiderdown, people have found various ways to keep warm. In pre-industrial Europe, creative solutions were often necessary to combat the cold. While our lives may be different today, the basic need to stay warm remains the same.

FAQs
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Q: What materials were used for bedding in pre-industrial Europe?
A: Bedding materials were often made from straw, woollen flock, and fluffy plant downs like thistle, cattail or bulrush.

Q: Who were the most likely to have access to expensive bedding materials?
A: The prosperous, such as those with a significant income or social status, were more likely to have access to expensive bedding materials.

Q: What was the significance of eiderdown in pre-industrial Europe?
A: Eiderdown was a highly prized material known for its insulating properties, lightness, cohesion, and resilience. It was a valuable commodity, and its production and trade were controlled and protected by law.

Q: How did people keep warm in bed during the winter in pre-industrial Europe?
A: People used a variety of methods to keep warm, including huddling together, using logs or other materials as bolsters, and relying on the warmth of their companions, such as pets or small children.