DOI issue:
Nr. 106 (December, 1905)
DOI article:Levetus, A. S.: Ancient bedsteads and cradles
DOI Page / Citation link: https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.26961#0180
Ancient Bedsteads and Craales
HEAD OF GOTHIC BEDSTEAD 15™ CENTURY
( Count Wilcztk’s Collection)
those higher in rank was obviated. Visits of
condolence were also received in bed with appro-
priate mourning.
The lit de iustice was formed something like a
sofa; the king reclined upon it, and his court and
state ofhcers stood or knelt before him. The lit
de iustice, inaugurated by Louis IX., was the final
act of supreme authority. Louis XVI. was the
last king to exert this authority; in Order to pass
his two edicts without taking the vote of Parliament,
he had resort to the lit de justice, and by thus using
the solemn expression of supreme power helped to
rouse the revolutionary flame.
The lit de parade already existed in classical
times. On them the honoured dead were laid in
state. In later times the custom again revived.
There were other forms of beds, but it would take
me too far to even mention them.
Some of these beds, with their rieh appoint-
ments, were extremely costly. Francis I. gave
13,500 livres for a lit de camp. In the inventory of
Louis XIV. more than four hundred and thirteen
beds are mentioned, one hundred and fifty-three
being specially distinguished for their form and
cushions in Parliament. This
was erected on a platform
around which stood the
princes, while others either
stood or knelt according to
their rank : the bed in such
cases being the siege supreme.
Gradually the custom spread,
largely, no doubt, because it
was a means of showing off
the richness of the furniture
and other appointments. In
some countries it is still the
fashion for ladies to receive in
the bedroom. Men, too, re-
sorted to stratagem in Order
to show off their beautiful
possessions. Märtel teils us
of a gentleman wdio, having
received a bed from Alexan-
dria, pretended to be ill, and
took to his bed so that visitors
might see it. The bed served
too as a refuge in Order to
avoid the trammeis of etiquette,
for by receiving in bed the
necessity of doing homage to
136
FRENCIT CRADLE
MIDDLE OiqpÖTH CENTURY
(In the Figdoi Collection)
HEAD OF GOTHIC BEDSTEAD 15™ CENTURY
( Count Wilcztk’s Collection)
those higher in rank was obviated. Visits of
condolence were also received in bed with appro-
priate mourning.
The lit de iustice was formed something like a
sofa; the king reclined upon it, and his court and
state ofhcers stood or knelt before him. The lit
de iustice, inaugurated by Louis IX., was the final
act of supreme authority. Louis XVI. was the
last king to exert this authority; in Order to pass
his two edicts without taking the vote of Parliament,
he had resort to the lit de justice, and by thus using
the solemn expression of supreme power helped to
rouse the revolutionary flame.
The lit de parade already existed in classical
times. On them the honoured dead were laid in
state. In later times the custom again revived.
There were other forms of beds, but it would take
me too far to even mention them.
Some of these beds, with their rieh appoint-
ments, were extremely costly. Francis I. gave
13,500 livres for a lit de camp. In the inventory of
Louis XIV. more than four hundred and thirteen
beds are mentioned, one hundred and fifty-three
being specially distinguished for their form and
cushions in Parliament. This
was erected on a platform
around which stood the
princes, while others either
stood or knelt according to
their rank : the bed in such
cases being the siege supreme.
Gradually the custom spread,
largely, no doubt, because it
was a means of showing off
the richness of the furniture
and other appointments. In
some countries it is still the
fashion for ladies to receive in
the bedroom. Men, too, re-
sorted to stratagem in Order
to show off their beautiful
possessions. Märtel teils us
of a gentleman wdio, having
received a bed from Alexan-
dria, pretended to be ill, and
took to his bed so that visitors
might see it. The bed served
too as a refuge in Order to
avoid the trammeis of etiquette,
for by receiving in bed the
necessity of doing homage to
136
FRENCIT CRADLE
MIDDLE OiqpÖTH CENTURY
(In the Figdoi Collection)