Wooden four-story beds have historically been considered a luxury in the UK. For centuries, these beds, consisting of four vertical columns and supporting an upper (usually) rectangular panel, have been considered a sign of wealth. It was believed that the better your bed, the better the class of the family from which you came. Even today, the same feeling seems to be transferred, as many people seem to still see that they have a wooden bed with four posters, which is a sign that you are in a hierarchy.
The Four Poster Bed first became popular in England in the 15th century, although it is believed that they originate from Australia, despite their almost classic British feeling. This type of bed has changed over time, and the version that we see today is a development that has been happening for thousands of years and generations.
The first wooden beds with four posters were considered heavy, with thick pillars that went straight to the floor and not attached to the main frame of the mattress. These heavy and short-looking beds really represented a high class and were often decorated with the best curtains, and luxurious stones for decoration represented this status. Bedding would be embroidered, often with gold thread, to present your class even further. The frame would also often be carefully carved, often in knights or hunting scenes. These individual carvings made these solid beds the promising structures that we see and know today.
By the 17th century, cheaper versions became available. They were made from cheaper resources and were much thinner than previous, often oak versions. These new, more subtle and accessible frames were an instant hit, becoming increasingly popular, probably because it meant even those that were not visible, since a higher class could have something that previously belonged only to the elite itself.
Some of you may have heard of the Great Bed of the Consumer. Probably the most famous bed with four posters, which can be seen in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. This famous bed was even represented in the writings of Shakespeare! The bed is located from the back in the 16th century, from Innkeeper in Ware. Bed length is more than 3 meters, which is approximately twice the size of the bed period. It is believed that it was built as a tourist attraction of the hotel. Visitors who used the bed carved their initials into thick oak pillars that are still visible today.
In the modern era there are literally hundreds of different styles to choose from. There are no longer only heavy sizes of oak. There are several different materials with four posters, including metal. There are both types available and luxurious wooden beds with four posters. There are also many finishes. Four bed posters are also available in different sizes, including single, double and royal.
