Dr.
Lucy Worsley is the Chief Curator of Historic Royal Palaces and she takes
viewers on a tour of the bedchambers of the past monarchs. Royal bedchambers became so grand that
actual sleeping was often done in smaller quarters. Some monarchs took their bed with them when they traveled to
ensure a night of proper sleep since it
was a luxury for the host to have spare beds. In medieval times, the finest bedclothes were made of the
white belly fur of red squirrels.
There was also a problem with fleas and other unwanted creatures. Silk in large quantities became popular
but this could require a year of hand weaving. Queen Victoria was the first to shut her door on her private
affairs since the balance of power had shifted to Parliament. Victoria also had more privacy than in
today’s gossip filled media.
At
least in these modern times the hunger for every scrap of news from the Reigning
monarchy leaves some secrets from the bedchambers out of the news. This is probably a good thing because
previously the royal beds were stages for high drama. The fates of entire dynasties were determined by births. Beds were formal meeting places with
access to the royal ear. Quite a bit of interesting information. 3* (This movie is OK)
59
min, PBS Doc directed by Nick Gillam-Smith with Lucy Worsley, Tracy Borman,
Sebastian Edwards, Olivia Fryman, Helen Rappaport, Jane Spooner, Neil Thomas,
Anna Whitelock, Nicholas Witherick.
Note: Imdb 6.0 out of 10, Daily Telegraph 3*,
Amazon 3* with 1 review.
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