Tester Bed

This is one of two oak tester beds in the collection. It is displayed in the Parlour which would have been a common arrangement in the 17th century when the Parlour was used as a bedroom and private sitting room. The bed hangings are copies of the original crewl work hangings which would have added privacy and kept out draughts. The word ‘tester’ refers to the roof or canopy of a four poster type bed.