Britain's oldest bed Still-In-Use Inside Berkeley Castle
Britain's oldest bed still-in-use, situated in Berkeley Castle, is more than 400 years old.
Competing for the distinction of Britain’s oldest bed are several antique four-poster beds.
Among these, a renowned contender is a 400-year-old bed, having accommodated 15 generations at Berkeley Castle.
It proudly asserts itself as the oldest bed consistently utilised by a single family, with its tenure dating back to 1608 within the Berkeley Castle estate in Gloucestershire.
Notably, the castle itself has been continuously inhabited by the same family since the late 12th century.
Experts in furniture history analyse the bed's posts, situating its style within the timeframe of 1560-1640.
The presence of a coat of arms on the headboard ties it to the Stuart monarchy, particularly post-1603. Its appearance on a 1608 inventory further solidifies its age.
Crafted from dark oak, the antique four-poster bed features an intricately carved headboard and square pillars adorned with floral motifs typical of Jacobean furniture, alongside carved figures depicting Henry Berkeley, 7th Baron Berkeley, and his second wife, Jane.
The bed’s uniqueness lies in its enduring use by the same family and its precise dating.
Far from being roped off into retirement like many pieces of historic furniture, John Berkeley, 81, and his wife Georgina, 73, still use the bed in the castle's Great State Bedroom.
The Berkeley family's lineage traces back to the Norman Conquest, with their roots firmly planted in the soil of Berkeley Castle.
This formidable fortress, perched atop a hill overlooking the River Severn, stands as a silent sentinel to the family's enduring legacy.
Originally built as a motte-and-bailey structure in the 11th century, Berkeley Castle has since been expanded and fortified, bearing witness to centuries of triumphs, tribulations, and tales of yore.
About Berkeley Castle
One of the most iconic symbols of the Berkeley family's enduring heritage is their ancestral home itself.
Berkeley Castle holds the distinction of being one of the few castles in England to have been continuously inhabited by the same family for over 900 years.
Tall towers, deep dungeon, grand and gruesome: homely and horrid. Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn & Elizabeth I all stayed here and Edward II was murdered here.
The Castle, built by William FitzOsbern in 1067, is one of the March Castles, built to keep out the Welsh.
It has all the trappings to match: trip steps designed to make the enemy stumble during an assault, arrow slits, murder holes, enormous barred doors, slots where the portcullis once fell, and worn stones where sentries stood guard.
It is also a fairytale Castle with its warm pink stone that glows in soft sunset light.
Outside, the battlements drop some 60' to the Great Lawn below; but inside the Inner Courtyard, the building is on a human scale, with uneven battlements, small towers, doors and windows of every shape and size.
The surrounding land would have been flooded for defence.
Throughout its extensive history, the caste has been witness to numerous dramatic events.
One such instance occurred during a turbulent period of British history known as The Anarchy, when Roger de Berkeley faced dispossession for his failure to align himself with the House of Plantagenet and their heiress Empress Matilda.
As a consequence, the castle changed hands and passed to Robert Fitzharding in 1152, a prosperous citizen of Bristol and a staunch supporter of the Plantagenets, who established a new Berkeley lineage.
Remarkably, his descendants persist in the castle's ownership to this day, rendering it the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Britain by a single family.
Two centuries later, Berkeley Castle found itself embroiled in another episode of intrigue.
In the early months of 1327, Edward II was dethroned by his wife, Isabella of France, and confined within the castle's walls.
On the 21st of September, rumours circulated that he met his demise within the castle, with various accounts speculating methods ranging from suffocation to the employment of a red-hot poker.
Like many formidable fortifications across England, Berkeley Castle became entangled in the turmoil of the English Civil War.
In 1645, Parliamentarian forces laid siege to the castle, ultimately wresting control from the Royalist defenders.
The Berkley’s
Throughout the ages, the Berkeleys have played pivotal roles in shaping the course of English history.
From serving as trusted advisors to monarchs to wielding political influence on the national stage, the family's impact has been profound and far-reaching.
Notable figures such as Robert Fitzharding, the founder of the Berkeley dynasty, and Robert de Berkeley, a staunch supporter of King Henry III during the Barons' War, have left an indelible imprint on the historical landscape.
However, it is not merely through politics and power that the Berkeley family has left its mark.
The family's patronage of the arts, literature, and architecture has helped cultivate a cultural legacy that endures to this day.
From commissioning renowned artists and architects to fostering a vibrant intellectual milieu, the Berkeleys have been steadfast custodians of creativity and innovation.
Yet, perhaps the most enduring legacy of the Berkeley family lies in their commitment to preserving tradition and heritage.
Through the centuries, successive generations of Berkeleys have dutifully safeguarded Berkeley Castle and its treasures, ensuring that their ancestral home remains a living testament to the past.
Whether through meticulously curated exhibitions, guided tours, or community outreach initiatives, the family remains dedicated to sharing their heritage with the world.
Someone who recently visited the castle said: “What a fabulous place to visit, it oozes history and there’s so much to see: furniture, works of art and many different rooms.
The guides are very knowledgeable and happy to explain the history. Plenty for kids to see as well.
Another person added: “Excellent castle to visit, better than I thought it'd be and worth paying that bit extra for the tour guide.
”Particularly enjoyed the beautiful gardens on a May day. Henry V111 & his wives, along with Oliver Cromwell made a visit, and did an amusing Blind Date sketch in the marquee in the gardens.”
Berkeley Castle is located in Gloucestershire just west of the A38 off the B4066 road, and there is free parking at the site.
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