Norfolk Museums & Archaeology Service: The Little Oak Bedroom

The Little Oak Bedroom

The furniture here is mostly seventeenth century. The bedstead was made in about 1619 and was part of the original furniture of the Trinity Hospital almshouses at Castle Rising, Norfolk. A straw mattress rests on the rope base and on this is a bed wagon. A pan of hot embers was placed on the iron plate in the centre, and sheets and blankets were draped over the plate to air.

Near the door is a livery cupboard in which food and drink was kept for night-time snacks in the days when the bedroom was a very long way from the kitchen.

The bed wagon

The oak cradle is mounted on wooden rockers in typical seventeenth century style. The hood protected the baby from draughts, while the turned wooden knobs were used for rocking the cradle, as well as for winding wool in quiet moments. It was common for a piece of iron or some salt to be hidden in the cradle to ward off evil spirits. Traditionally, the cradle was set near to the fire so that the light from the hearth would reveal anything wicked approaching the child.

Boy with Coral

The portrait of the Boy with Coral shows a child in a baby-walker similar to the eighteenth century example in the corner of the room. Until they were breeched at the age of about six, boys wore the same clothing as girls. The boy in this portrait is wearing a lace-edged cap, a plain bib and apron, and matching cuffs to protect his dress. His triangular stomacher, like most of his clothes, is held in place with long pins. Pincushions were once an essential part of nursery equipment. The leading strings which hang from his shoulders were used as reins with which to steady or restrain him. He is holding a silver-gilt rattle with bells and a teething stick made of coral, which was thought to frighten away witches. He is also wearing a string of coral teething beads around his neck.