The Great Bed of Ware is shown here in hardwood (e.g Mahogany)
and in medium brown finish
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Click the thumbnails to see the detailed parts.
- Great Bed of Ware In Situ
- Great Bed of Ware - No Mattress
- Great Bed of Ware Headboard Carving
- Great Bed of Ware Headboard Carving
- Great Bed of Ware Headboard Post Carving
- Great Bed of Ware Headboard Roof
- Great Bed of Ware Top Carving
- Great Bed of Ware Top Carving
- Great Bed of Ware Top Carving
History and Detail
The most famous Four Poster Bed is the Great Bed of Ware, which can be seen in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. This was probably made for Sir Henry Fanshaw of Ware Park in about 1611. But by 1612 it had been transferred to the White Hart Inn, Ware, Hertfordshire. It was moved from inn to inn in the town until 1669. when it was removed to Rye House, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire. It is 10 feet 8 inches (3.25 metres) square and stands 8 feet 9 inches (2.67 metres) high, (the Guild craftsmen make your four poster bed to the size you specify) and, according to Sir Henry Chauncey's History of Hertford (1700), bedded six citizens and their wives from London Such a size was not unusual: the royal 4 poster beds of King Henry VII. King Henry VIII and King Edward VI was quoted as being II feet (3.35 metres) square when on display at Windsor in 1598. (Soft furnishings are not included in the price).
Standard Dimensions
Total height - 7'1" or (2m15cm)
To fit UK Size 4’6” wide 6’6” long
(Standard English double or 1m 36cm wide x 97.5cm long)
As the bed is made to order, we can make the bed to take (fit) any UK or American or European size mattress or bed base.
Height of Bed
You have three options when it comes to the height of the mattress.
- You can place a Divan base and mattress straight inside the frame so that it sits on the floor.
- We can provide you with slats (as an extra cost option of £50), which lay across the two bottom rails. You can then put a mattress straight on top of these.
- You can have the slats as in option 2, but can put a Divan base and mattress on top of these to give a traditional height.