The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1895-06-15
HENRY Wills BED.
The Blun King Retired with q Great Dea
of Ceremony.

of soyereign's actions In the days of
the sixteenth century, probably the
most ceremonious of all the centuries.
Formality and etiquette were the rule,
and the life of monarch was one
the morning until lie retired at night.
He was surrounded by almost innumer-
able servants, and the most ordinary
act was surrounded with so much cere-
mony and pageantry rs TO make 1t APP
pear almost ridiculous.
Especially was that commonplace
and necessary performance. the maxi
ing of the kings bed and his act of re-
firing, made the subject of ceremony,
rs much SO as n military parade or q
court ball.
The royal bed of the sixteenth CEN
fury stood under canopy or tester,
on four stout columns, having square
dado bases, and in general character
resembling balusters on a large scale.
The bed was supported by caryatides,
or terminal figures, and paneled with
arched or square recesses, containing
figure-carving of great merit. The
tester was paneled and all the frame
pieces, wherever set, were carved with
decorative holdings of many kinds.
This great "set-work, standing bed
stead" made of oak, was in the kings
chamber, which king was no less
parsonage than bluff English Harry"
himself AS to how the king got into
1t we may rely for information upon
the manuscript copy of an of
fetal guide used by Henry Fitz-
Alan, earl of Arundel, lord cham
bcrlain to his majesty in the
performance of his duties. The
directions are very explicit for this
very important ceremonial. and we
may imagine the pert pages in their
smart caps and jackets, and the un-
wielGy yeomen of the guard with their
enormous halberds, their thick doub-
let's and short, ample-puffcd trunk
hose, and the gentlemen in waiting in
their fancy attire. gay and debonair
men," all walking or standing in state
in and around the palace at Hampton
court.
Sixteenth century customs were very
different from our own, and the
"kynge's bedde" was not made until
the time for his majesty's retiring. 1t
mightbe half past nine or ten o'clock IN
the evening, for our ancestors retired
early, when groom took torch and,
going to the wardrobe of the kings
bed. brought the officials of that de-
partment with the "kynge's" stuff into
the chamber for making the same
"beddc." These officials consisted of
q gentleman usher and four yeomen.
The groom or page stood at the foot
of the bed and held the torch while
the wardrobe keepers advanced and
opened the "kynge's stuff of hys
bedde" upon ''faire sheete" between
the page and the foot of the bed. One
of the yeomen then with dagger
searched the straw of the kings bed
"that there be none untrenth therein"
This was to guard against the secret
ing of an assassin or robber in the
royal departments.
You are not to suppose, however,
Immediately upon the straw. After
the yeoman with his dagger had set his
mind ut rest about the assassin, there
was cast thereupon "a bedde OF
downe." This last the yeomen were
directed to tumble over for the search
thereof" They were to beat and buf.
fet the bed and lay the bolster where
1t fought to lye." Then they of the
wardrobe delivered over the sheets and
coverlets, which were laid on by the
four yeomen, each taking corner OF
the drapery and laying each article
separately upon the bed.
The "tuclxing up" and turning
down." as well as the placing of the
pillows, were provided for in due
course. When all was done the zoe.
men made "a crosse" and kissed 1t
where their hands had been. and with
q great deal of ceremony 1.-THE curtains
of the bed were let down"
Then gentleman usher brought in
the kings sword and placed 1t at the
head of the bed, and a squire was set
as keeper of the "bedde," with
light to sit up in the room until his
most Christian majesty should waddle
into his bed chamber. A luncheon was
then brought in, consisting of a loaf
of bread, u pot of ale and pot of
wine, ''for them that maketh the bedde,
and emmy man." 1t was partakcn Of
with great decorum, for the rules were
very strict.
A commotion outside announces at
last that the king is approaching; the
door is thrown open. In comes the
chamberlain with his wand of coffee in
his hand and followed by dozen of
the royal halberdiers, who strut like
harlequins into the room. Then comes
a groom carrying huge candlcstick
seven feet in height with a lighted
taper in it. Behind him is a great,
bloated figure. with bleared eyes, puffy,
infamed cheeks, breathing heavily as
IL Intoxicated, and waddling rather
than walking.
Down fall the halberdiers, the pages,
the yeomen of the guard and the gen.
tlemen ushers before that royal per-
sonage-Henry Tudor, king of En-
gland, Ireland and Wales.
When his yeomen, his squires. his
gentlemen ushers and his grooms have
arisen that bloated body Is disposed
between the sheets, and as they with
draw we will close the 'corteyns
of the kynge's bedde," and in charity
wish his majesty good night and pleas
ant Observation-Disclosures Times