Object: Bed - Featherbed - Straw Bed - Bed Roll

Many people slept on a bed that was rolled up during the day and then rolled out at night, similar to a mattress or futon.   It might be made of cloth stuffed with feathers, straw, or 'bed straw' that was grown for this purpose and smelled good.

These beds  needed regular 'airing' and beating to keep insects from invading.   Featherbeds were often mentioned in wills as something important to pass along to a family.