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Sunday, August 01, 2021

Margaret Beaufort on preparations for Queen Elizabeth’s Lying In.

We may be thankful that Henry VII’s mother, Margaret Beaufort, was in the habit of writing down instructions to the Royal household. Here we have her instructions as to the Lying In chamber in which Queen Elizabeth will wait for the birth of Prince Arthur (on September 20, 1486). It may be considered, in most points, to be exemplary of the chamber of enceinte Queens.

Margaret’s instructions make clear that great care must be taken to prevent any negative emotions. The pregnant queen must spend her Lying In time surrounded by the height of luxury. All the senses must be spoiled. The eye with fine woven scenes. The touch with luxuriously soft fabrics and down. The taste and smell with her favorite foods,[1] spices and fine wine. She must be attended every moment. There must be no unsettling occurrence. Only women must enter her chambers.

A copy of the instructions survive in Leland's Johannis Lelandi Antiquarii de Rebus Britannicus Collectanea.[2] The few transcriptions that have been made into modern pages tend to skip difficult terms and phrases without ellipses. Irregular spelling is always a challenge for the lover of things Tudor. As far back as Margaret, many words originate in Middle French, into the bargain.

I have supplied modern spellings of some words in brackets. Several others are explained in footnotes. I have yet to decipher what were the fabrics called “Reine” or “Tarteron”. Perhaps someone will be so kind as to enlighten me in the comments.

ORDINAUNCES by Margaret Countesse of Richmond and Derby, as to what Preparation is to be made against the Deliveraunce of a Queen, as also for the Christening of the Child of which she shall be delivered.

HER Highnes Pleasure beinge understoode in what Chamber she will be delivered in, the same must be hanged with riche Clothe of Arras, Sydes, rowffe, Windows and all, excepte One Windowe, which must be hanged so as she may have Light when it pleasethe her. Then must there be set a Royall Bedde, and, the Flore layed all over and over with Carpets, and a Cupboard covered with the same Suyte that the Chamber is hanged withall. Also there must be ordayned a faier Pallet, and all Things appertayninge therunto, and a riche Sparver[3] hanginge over the same. And that Daye that the Queene (in good Tyme) will take her Chamber, the Chappell where her Highnes will receave and heare Devine Service, must be well and worshipfully arrayed. Also the greate Chamber must be hanged with riche Arrass, with a Clothe and Chaire of Estate, and Quishins [cushions] thereto belonginge, the Place under and aboute the same beinge well encarped.[4] Where the Queene (comminge from the Chappell with her Lords and Ladyes of Estate) may, either standinge or sittinge, at her Pleasure, receave Spices and Wyne. And the next Chamber betwixt the greate Chamber and the Queenes Chamber to be well and worshipfully hanged; which done, Two of the greatest Estats shall leade her to her Chamber, where they shall take their Leave of her. Then all the Ladyes and Gentilwomen to goe in with her, and none to come into the greate Chamber but Women; and Women to be made all Manner of Officers, as Butlers, Panters, Sewers, &c. and all Manner of Officers shall bringe them all neadfull Thinges unto the greate Chamber Dore, and the Women Officers shall receave it there of them.

The Furniture appertayninge to the Queues Bedde.

Fyrst ij Paire of Sheets of Reines, every of them 4 Yardes broade, and 5 Yardes longe, 2 Head Sheets of like Reines, 3 Yardes broade, and 4 Yardes longe, 2 longe and 2 square Pillows of Fustian, fluffed with fine Downe, every of them with 2 Beeves of Reines, a Pane of Skarlet furred with Ermyn, and embroudered with Crimson Velute[5] upon Velute, or riche Clothe of Golde; and a Head Sheete of like Clothe of Golde furred with Ermyn, a Kevertoure [coverture] of fine Lawne of v Breadthes, and 6 Yardes longe, and an Head Sheete of 4 Breadthes, and 5 Yardes longe; a Mattres fluffed with Wolle, a Fetherbed, with a Bolster of Downe, a Sparver of Crimson Sattin embroudered with Crownes of Golde, the Kinge and Queenes Arms, and other Device, lyned with double Tarteron, garnished with Frengs [fringes] of Silke, blewe Russet, and Golde, with a rounde Bowlle of Golde, or Sylver and gylte [gilt], 4 Quishins [cushions] of Crimson Damaske Clothe of Golde, a rownde Mantell of Crimson Velute plaine furred throwgheout with Ermyn, Backe for the Queene to weare aboute her in her Pallet. The Pallet at the Beddes Feete must be arraied, accordinge as the Bedde is, with Sheets and Panes, &c. excepte the Clothe of Golde of the Panes that longe to the Pallet to be of another Coloure then that of the Bedde. It must be forseene, that suche Estats as shall please the Kinge to appoint to goe to the Christninge, be placed neere to the Place where the Queene is delivered, to the ende, that anon after the Deliveraunce they may geve their readys [readiest?] Attendaunce upon the Childe to the Churche.




[1] This brief essay is not the place to explain what were the foods a pregnant woman was forbidden to eat.

[2] Leland, John. Johannis Lelandi Antiquarii de Rebus Britannicus Collectanea (1770). IV. 179-80.

[3] A canopy generally hung from the ceiling.

[4] encarpe is an Middle French term for hanging garlands of flowers and/or sculpted fruit.

[5] MF. velour, velouté = velvet


Also at Virtual Grub Street:

  • To Where Did Queen Elizabeth I Disappear in August 1564? July 18, 2021. “Leicestershire was in the opposite direction from London. Nichols could discover no more.”
  • Elizabeth I’s Progress to Cambridge University, 1564: Her Arrival. June 20, 2021. “The Queen would be the only woman riding a charger. It was a statement that she could rule as well as any king, including the rule of a war horse.”
  • Simnel Cake: Lenten Treat of the Ages. March 7, 2021. “Samuel Pegge sees confirmation that saffron was used in the crusts of simnel cakes in Shakespeare's Winter's Tale…”
  • Queen Elizabeth I’s Heart and the French Ambassador.  April 3, 2019.  “…the Queen of England, with the permission of her physicians, has been able to come out of her private chamber, she has permitted me… to see her…”
  • Lady Southwell on the Final Days of Queen Elizabeth I.  March 24, 2019.  “her majesty told [Lady Scrope] (commanding her to conceal the same ) that she saw, one night, in her bed, her body exceeding lean, and fearful in a light of fire.”
  • Check out the English Renaissance Article Index for many more articles and reviews about this fascinating time and about the Shakespeare Authorship Question.
  • Check out the English Renaissance Letter Index for many letters from this fascinating time, some related to the Shakespeare Authorship Question.


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