Medieval wealth measured in—beds??

Alison Weir's Henry VIII King & Court: 

“A person’s wealth was often measured by the number of beds he owned: because of their carved decoration and sets of rich hangings, beds were usually the most valuable pieces of furniture” and were often bequeathed in wills."

Naturally, Henry had many beds.

He slept on not less than eight mattresses, and his Windsor bed was 11’ square. The fanciest ‘beds of estate’ were used for the ceremonial rising and retiring, and he had other (smaller) beds for actually sleeping in.

While most people slept on the floor or on straw mattresses, the wealthy had feather beds. Henry’s bed coverings were of the finest material: silk, velvet, and fur. The four post bed debuted late in Henry’s reign. 

image at right: Henry reading in his bedchamber, as depicted in his psalter. From the British Library

Royal pets: Monkeys, marmosets, and ferrets--Oh my!

Henry's favorite pets were his hunting dogs, especially the noble greyhounds. Wise courtiers knew to pamper Henry’s dogs to curry his favor, and it’s recorded that his dogs wore collars of velvet, some gold or pearl studded. Two of his favorite dogs: Cut and Ball.

Initially, courtiers could bring their dogs to court, but it grew to be such an issue that eventually dogs were banned—except for ladies’ lap dogs. Any pets that were permitted were required to be kept out of the lodgings and in the stables.

Henry was the only one allowed to keep ferrets. But who else would want to?

Ladies sometimes had birds like nightingales or canaries. Katherine of Aragon was painted with a monkey (image at right). Cardinal Wolsey kept a cat. The king was even offered a marmoset once. 

credits: Alison Weir