Herbs in the House

[bunnyjadwiga]

Found in Warm and Snug: The History of the Bed by Lawrence Wright:
"There were two Long Galleries at Cowdray, one on each side of the court, and int he Book of Household Rules drawn up by Lord Montague in 1595 the "Yeoman of the Wardroppe" is to

see the galleryes and all lodgings reserved for st[r]angers cleanly and sweetly kepte, with herbes, flowers, and bowes in their seasons and the beddes of such as shall hither resorte att their first cominge to be mayde and the better sortes of quiltes of beddes at any tyme to be used at nightes taken off, and Yrish Rugges layd in their places.

p. 64.

So it appears that there were herbs and flowers, either strewn on the floors, or used as decoration/air freshener, in the guest 'bedrooms'.

Comments

[stringlady.livejournal.com]

And now the textile person wonders what Yrish Rugges were. Hmmm...

[ellid.livejournal.com]

This reference is gold - it not only confirms the use of quilts, it confirms the use of bed rugs! Where did you find this book? *jumps up and down in glee*

[ellid.livejournal.com]

Oh, one more thing...may I post this to a couple of quilting lists? This is an exciting find!

Thanks!

Sarah Davies

[thealiwoman.livejournal.com]

I think that makes sense, putting out/down flowers and herbs in the guest bedrooms. It's kinda the modern equivalent of vacuuming and spraying air freshener before you have guests come over. No one wants to stay in a room that smells musty; it just screams that the owners cleaned the room once awhile ago and haven't bothered to make it nice now for the guest.