The First State Bed of Henry VII & Elizabeth of York

An investigation into the fascinating discovery of the marriage bed of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York.
We recently completed production on this long-form documentary, presented by historian, author and TV personality Dr Jonathan Foyle.
Acquired online by the current owner Ian Coulson in 2010, this finely carved but incomplete bed was believed to be Victorian, but upon delivery appeared much older, and with solely royal arms.
The film represents the culmination of many years of in-depth research where a team of experts, including Jonathan and Ian Coulson, have ascertained the object's story through a multi-disciplinary approach.
This combined a thorough physical inspection; forensic, biological and statistical sciences; art-historical analysis; tracing its provenance; and the remarkable chance discovery of further examples by the same fifteenth-century workshop. One of the scientific methods - dendrochronology - required an independent second opinion, both being checked by DNA identification of the timber. The weight of evidence demonstrates it to be an extremely important relic from Westminster Palace made in 1485 for a royal marriage uniting a couple cast as saviours of the nation in the wake of war.
It is surely the most significant surviving example of late medieval English royal furniture, its iconography transforming our understating of the Tudor monarchy at its outset. This film explains evidence about the bed to academics, historians and anyone with an interest in the Tudor period and English history.

[@sjn6297]

If my teenage self would have told me I'd be watching a 39 min video about a historical bed and actually enjoying it, I'd never have believed it!

[@lisatschernev2648]

I am a teenager and I would believe you haha

[@gailhandschuh1138]

SJ N Curiousness leads to knowledge, see new is not always the best ! We learn something every day.

[@AReneeDesign23]

gail handschuh curiousity is it!

[@KatherineUribe-1]

Funny what 40 years have done to me. Remarkable in itself.

[@radarlovedr]

True dat

[@peacewarrior1175]

I watched this because I couldn't understand how you could talk about a bed for 40 mins - and it is utterly fascinating - loved it

[@rosered103]

I'm with you. A wonderful talk about beds.

[@Jrmorgy27]

Me too

[@noomwa]

Guilty

[@mdwilliams79]

I read your comment and laughed out loud. So true! haha

[@1976mcfarlane]

Me too

[@glendapeterson1180]

Nerd #2 reporting. This was incredible. The knowledge of history, diaries, tree rings, color analysis--the analysis of this bed was unbelievable. The presentation was fantastic.

[@inhousefilms_]

Thank you for watching and your kind words... it’s an incredible discovery!

[@rickydunn6519]

Omg...I am obsessed with history...historic items like this should be in museums or restored castles of the period...this is glorious!!!

[@velvetindigonight]

Love the referral to the 'flame scorch' to ward off the fire sprites which was found on one of the four matching bed posts. Proof of a very different world view we no longer know anything of.

[@QueenBee-gx4rp]

Helen Bennett Oh, I found that fascinating as well. Now we’re much more concerned with what type of mattress we have and the thread count on the sheets!

[@MammaKush88]

On this day, I declare: I am officially a nerd. And I'm proud of it, cuz this was so interesting!

[@Luna.3.3.3]

I absolutely feel the same way about myself! lol I'm the geekiest Canadian Anglophile you'll ever know~

[@MammaKush88]

@@Luna.3.3.3 NICE!! Be proud! It's just such juicy information. I suppose I'm an all around europhile. I love all of the crazy and fascinating intricacies of European history! Asian history is much fun too!

[@Luna.3.3.3]

@@MammaKush88 Well Mamma, I am proud (in a self deprecating way, lol) If I may suggest, if you're interested: ANY and ALL docs with Lucy Worsley. David Starkey. I have several other Brit favourites if you'd like more, let me know :) Happy geeking!

[@MammaKush88]

@@Luna.3.3.3 oh thank u so much!! And yes I know starkey very well. Worlsey sounds familiar too! But I dont recognize her face. There is also a gentleman with dark hair on timeline I really like! Please, if u care to share more I would LOVE IT.

[@Luna.3.3.3]

@@MammaKush88 You will love *Lucy!* kzbin.info/aero/PLOyld5o9j8f1tk4pGiV_GzB8V5uFbbHRU Helen Castor: She-Wolves England's Earliest Queens (3 parts) Anything with *Dan Jones* you can find almost all on KZbin, ref: www.imdb.com/name/nm7712523/ *Suzannah Lipscomb* great doc on witches - there's so many more I could gush about but I think I'm taking up too much room here :)

[@rhaebae5733]

Who knew watching a documentary of a bed could be so interesting

[@anemoia2661]

4 in the morning, need to be up for work in 2 and a half hours, yet here I am... delving into the world of centuries old beds

[@kimma508]

I honestly thought a video about a bed would help me fall asleep but it had the opposite effect. This video was absolutely amazing and so fascinating that I am wide awake wanting to know more. The bed is an absolute work of art and the history behind is just wow. Thank you for sharing Henry VII and his beloved wife Elizabeth of York’s bed with us.

[@inhousefilms_]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@cronut6208]

Wonderful. I would love to see a photoshopped picture of this bed painted. Or an approximation of what it would have looked like. I can’t picture it with color!

[@inhousefilms_]

Jonathan himself has painted a beautiful representation of what the bed would have looked like... it might be on his Twitter page if you take a look :)

[@deewhittle9028]

Me too.

[@tamaliaalisjahbana9354]

Yes that would have been even more interesting!

[@jaycummings8116]

I kept waiting to see a representation of it colored. too.

[@Clint52279]

Thats what I was hoping for as well.

[@lynnehawkes4267]

Oh my, it's one thing to see an object in a museum and be told it belonged to so and so, but to be taken through the steps to identify who owned this bed, wow, absolutely fascinating.

[@ecwhittemore]

Omg -- this is the most fascinating & scholarly presentation of the most extraordinary piece of furniture I've ever seen. SO well done -- thank you!!!

[@inhousefilms_]

Thank you for your kind comments and glad to hear you enjoyed the film so much.

[@hannyhawkins7804]

inhousefilms I emphatically second all that EC Whittemore has written. I’m a history tragic and this doco stands out for it’s amazing variety of fascinating techniques, scientific and historical, and it’s wonderfully straightforward, unpatronising presentation. I loved that it eschewed the current fashion for portentous music and lengthy teasing announcements of what the presenter is going to show us. Thank you so much. I look forward to seeing your future documentaries.

[@legomego3333]

Why am I watching a doc about a Tudor bed? Oh. It’s 2 AM, isn’t it?

[@inhousefilms_]

As good a time as any!

[@uapnz0698]

What's my excuse it 930am here in New Zealand lol

[@historylvr8000]

It's 2am now and I am watching this...something about that time frame...

[@BallymurphyBabe]

Hahahaha 😂 my thoughts exactly as it is 2 am while I watch this!

[@alicat7281]

This is my situation, too.

[@annkelly0072]

Absolutely fascinating. The discussion and explanation of the iconography married with the history is superb. Well done! I could have listened to many more hours of this.

[@inhousefilms_]

Hi, thanks for watching and glad to hear you enjoyed the film.

[@lesleyhawes6895]

Brilliant. This documentary works like my brain used to, picking up clues from all around and then bringing them to an "obvious" conclusion. Very satisfying.

[@kerrinchurchill2616]

I would love to see an artistic rendering of how it might have been painted. So interesting.

[@brittanyw7962]

Around 32:51 when he is talking about the curtains for the bed, you can kind of see what it might've been painted like. It is an artist's rendition but it is from a perspective from a far corner of a room, however it is still lovely.

[@sebastianquinn1530]

Truly gripping. I was fascinated throughout. Great production value too.

[@plasticpalace]

This is one of the best videos on KZbin. Seriously.

[@SailorM15]

I am 3rd year anthropology major and a huge real history and time travel si-fi nerd. I accidentally I stumbled upon this video and I actually almost cried by how incredible this bed is. Thank you for uploading this documentary

[@18daisydoll65]

That is how to make and present a documentary

[@hannyhawkins7804]

It is exemplary.

[@NeilMcLinden]

"Specialist and Connoisseur of Historic Beds" is an incredible title.

[@Theodisc]

I love listening to his erudition and I am also impressed when someone can admit so publically that they were wrong.

[@bettyflipkowski235]

Theodisc ßwswßw

[@mtnmama5235]

Well said!! My thoughts exactly ❤

[@shariarnold9649]

Now that’s a detective story!

[@inhousefilms_]

Indeed. And one that spans many centuries!

[@shariarnold9649]

That’s what I call dogged determination!

[@user-ji9jd1gq9z]

I am spellbound ! I am really interested in Tudor era and I just happen to see this video after my search on Elizabeth of York. What brilliant scientists and how interesting details !

[@tamaliaalisjahbana9354]

That was amazing and exciting and so interesting - and somehow during these disturbing times of COVID, Brexit, troubles in America, in Hong Kong - this film, this talk was so calming and reassuring. More please Dr Foyle...

[@poponachtschnecke]

Being stoned, I thought this would be 9 minutes. I just finished the video confused, but oddly satisfied.

[@sgtmayhem7567]

I bet that was great.

[@lynnlindsay4480]

Hey I tried to watch the Royal wedding on videotape in 1985 of Diana and Charles and I swore being stoned that the thing was running backwards although all indications said it was on play. It seemed that wedding was hours and hours and hours.

[@kathyjones3586]

Remarkable forensics by truly gifted folk! Simply stunning. Thank you for contributing your expertise to recreate royal life and symbolism of a dynasty!

[@AnaSantos-jq4yi]

How marvellous I am living in a time when one has access to this kind of knowledge,hooray!

[@londawarren8278]

Thank you, Dr. Foyle. It's obvious that you enjoyed your investigation, and that, in turn, made the presentation to us more personal - not just some mechanical voice droning on ...

[@JanBanJoovi-ol1qv]

It’s bedtime and I clicked this video to help me fall asleep quickly. But end up wide awake as it became interesting. Never been so fascinated with a bed before. What a piece of history.

[@inhousefilms_]

Thank you - glad you enjoyed watching it :)

[@margyrowland]

It’s wonderful to see the important and respect given to marriage by the artisans who made that beautiful bed. Love from Australia 🇦🇺

[@GrippiAlex]

Margy Rowland thought I was the only one here. Fascinating isn’t it. Love the Tudors🧐🇦🇺

[@Roheryn100]

Yes, there is that angle. There is also the uncomfortable fact of dynastic marriages "for the good of the realm" , and the fact that Elizabeth of York had to go to her marriage bed, adorned with hopes of her fertility, with a man she barely knew, who was nine years older than her. Fortunately it appears that mutual love and respect did develop. But it was never guaranteed.

[@dalecouch1995]

Extremely well presented. I wish he had explained the original mistake for the determination of "American white oak." Ordinarily, species of wood in early furniture are differentiated through cell anatomy analysis. This is common in furniture research and I utilize it frequently. Although red oak (essentially American) is distinguishable by cell analysis from white oak, the white oaks of Europe and America are not distinguishable. It would seem that the proclamation of its being "American" was based in the dendrochronology that saw an American climatic pattern reflected. Obviously not American but I would like to know what caused the mistake. My concern does not take away from the integrated and complex analysis presented here. Brilliant and exemplary work. Kudos.

[@inhousefilms_]

Many thanks for watching and your comments.

[@gordonsmith8899]

The note pinned to the sample was written in German.

[@TooJubeJM1]

I watched a late night BBC discussion once between two specialists on ancient concrete and one expert on ancient dust. It was actually really interesting. These niche programmes are definitely a good thing

[@badjemima]

I cannot understand YT's ad policy. Do you honestly think that anyone watching this superb film is going to take the slightest notice of the shit you force us to skip every few minutes?

[@inhousefilms_]

We've adjusted the default ad settings. Thanks for watching.

[@1Hopeinhim]

This is the best historical presentation I've seen on YT. Thank you. I learned so much.

[@anothervoice9578]

What a superb piece of work! Absolutely fascinating.

[@brendonmcmorrow3886]

Quite incredible that such an important royal object has survived to this day. I think this documentary well illustrates how important all of the research is in substantiating the bed’s true identity. It might seem like a dry subject but Jonathan Foyle has the knack of making this sort of stuff very interesting. I wonder what it would sell for at auction.

[@benitasteffan7404]

I am so blown away by the artifacts that still exists. My heart will always belong to the UK.❤️🙏

[@loril1394]

Very interesting....Henry & Lizzie are my favorite couple and love hearing anything about them, beautiful couple and beautiful bed, thanks for posting:-)

[@TooJubeJM1]

I think Elizabeth of York was beautiful. She had beautiful parents too. Henry was ugly as sin as far as I can see.

[@Cheyenne07]

I could listen to this guy for ever. Very interesting.

[@helenjzkkillick4097]

We were so impressed with the story and the manner and knowledge of the presenter. Many thanks

[@tinawantland398]

Very captivatingly fascinating!! I learned a lot about dating woodwork, the medieval mindset/symbolism, as well as historical events. Love more educational videos such as this!

[@inhousefilms_]

Thank you… glad you enjoyed it :)

[@sherilynn]

Watching this on Jan 18. Which is mentioned as Henry and Elizabeth's wedding day...

[@judiesuh6858]

Oh...wow~🤭👍🐈

[@mikkiduf]

Fascinating story! It would be amazing if this bed was someday on display to the public! I’d love to see what it looked like with the original paint !

[@bienkee8474]

What an Amazing find and sharp eyed detective work. Thank you for sharing this historic piece of Royal English History.

[@Roheryn100]

Would I have ever believed there would be three or four genuinely jaw-dropping moments in a documentary about a BED ?!?! Heck, no !

[@britusman]

Thank you for such a great video. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

[@silkwormandcottontails803]

Great detective work , it’s wonderful that we have the technology now to identify the age and background of the bed . It must have been much harder for George Shaw to figure out the history in his day . Wonderful ,I really enjoyed watching this piece

[@hollygolightly8048]

Incredible! An expert in antique beds. Great informative video. Thank you!

[@heatherfeather1293]

Fascinating!! I love it when stuff from the late 1400's is found. Loved this video

[@katet4554]

......and this is why I was a history major, love this stuff!!

[@uapnz0698]

Thankful for the upload!

[@inhousefilms_]

Most welcome :)

[@kevinking7991]

If the basilisk be a rocking' don't come knocking.

[@caligulalonghbottom2629]

bet ole Henry's dong looked like a cockatrice with an apple in its mouth LOL

[@marytolhurst5165]

Perfectly presented. Factual, nothing gimmicky, direct... sigh...

[@Lickylongtym]

Loved it 😍 what a excellent history lesson in so many ways. The fact that this “bed” is still around today is amazing. Like so many of you what has said “40 mins about a BED” I also thought the EXACT SAME THING!!! so it was purely curiosity that got me watching it 😀 glad I did. Fabulous 🛌 👍

[@jumaris28]

Incredible presentation ! so well executed and enjoyable to watch from a very well educated and magnificent gentleman ! Really fascinating!!!

[@robinevans7194]

Loved this so much. Thank you for all the work this required,

[@inhousefilms_]

You're very welcome... glad you enjoyed it :)

[@mortalclown3812]

This was much more interesting than I expected and more than I hoped. Fascinated with the Tudors and those who keep track of them. Pax et lux.

[@ericamary6778]

Amazing stuff. I loved this. Thank you xx

[@leerdee]

Amazing Artifact. Very much enjoyed this video. What a find. Thank you.

[@inhousefilms_]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching 😊

[@leerdee]

@@inhousefilms_ My pleasure.

[@kathrynjordan7940]

Omg I am a history buff and this documentary is amazing. It’s well done 👍 it is so interesting. Never thought I would say that about a documentary on a bed

[@vanessabrooks8656]

Amazing ....what a story and very well told.

[@inhousefilms_]

Many thanks... glad you enjoyed it :)

[@loenigma69]

Very well presented. Amazing history.

[@ginacable5376]

Absolutely fascinating really enjoyed this.Thank you.

[@lburgess63]

Completely wonderful. A fascinating and satisfying presentation of an artistic masterpiece with staggering historic importance. I do wish they had showed us a computer simulation (or more simply, a drawing) of what the bed might have looked like when originally painted. It's tough to imagine anyone painting it, when the carving is so arresting.

[@iancoulson5637]

twitter.com/IANCOULSON2/status/1346593483533021195?s=19

[@lburgess63]

@@iancoulson5637 Thank you, IAN! That's tremendous!

[@jameshaddan8538]

I’m joining the list of history nerds here - what a wonderful video!!! Oh and I think I have a crush on Ian.

[@sumtingwog1273]

Just imagine if that bed would speak

[@christrinder1255]

A scholarly piece of detection work and brilliantly related! Thanks for posting 👏👏👏👏

[@inhousefilms_]

Jonathan is an expert detective and along with Ian's knowledge they have unravelled a great mystery :)

[@Macarite]

This is so well presented

[@zuke-ci4vd]

Outstanding work!

[@badjemima]

This is superb - you should be on TV! Absolutely fascinating.

[@inhousefilms_]

We'd love to make a feature length documentary for TV.

[@nadiazeeb1868]

Beautiful. Thank you❤️

[@historylvr8000]

Truly an enjoyable no nonsense documentary with pertinent investigating!

[@inhousefilms_]

Glad you like the format, Jonathan was very easy to work with, thanks for watching!

[@abbiejoliec3133]

I found this fascinating. It does make me even more angry with the destruction of the English Civil War era. I am sitting on a 20th Century American Four Poster Bed from Ethan Allen’s Royal Charter Collection from the 1970s. It has Linen Fold and Rope Twist elements. I love carved English Oak furniture and this modern likeness was as close as I could come. Such a wonder that the bed in this video survived for us to enjoy seeing!

[@leza6288]

I agree with your comment 100%!!! The civil war especially Cromwell and Henry VIII suppression destroyed so many historical artifacts such Royal garments, furniture, crowns, jewels, historical texts and manuscripts, the list is endless. Is beyond reprehensible. Beyond psyical artifacts, the number of humans whom died at the hands of these two is also a beyond belief. This presentation is fascinating!

[@suemiller9842]

What an incredible piece of detective work. I am amazed at the detail in the carvings, the panels must have taken months to carve. Do we have any idea what sort of mattress suspension system would have been used? Would it have been ropes, or perhaps wooden slats? I was also fascinated by the size of the gap below the carved headboard. Would there have been more paneling in the gap, (now lost), or did Henry sleep on a very thick mattress? Thanks for a great video.

[@inhousefilms_]

Thank you for watching Sue. We’ll forward your questions to Ian and Jonathan and report back. Thanks

[@mscott3918]

I think it would have been rope suspension with several mattresses filling the gap.

[@mothersuperior6751]

M Scott But that gap ends at elbow height. That is a lot of mattress.

[@tamarakindle73]

amazingly beautiful such a good documentary

[@MicaRayan]

Amazing piece of yesteryear's furniture, now they would restore it! Congrats and how fascinating is that. The fact that it was made by strong woods make it lasts, although partially there is no doubt that this relic is phenomenal ⭐⭐⭐ Those artisans were amazing, adore the details

[@tempusfugit7127]

Fascinating documentary about the bed of Henry V11 , I have always loved trees and the craft of carving . When I touch my collection of old furniture it really inspires me and triggers so many wonderful memories of my grandpa who made a dolls house and a rocking cradle from one huge piece of oak which he had ( don't know the word ) ' laid down for several years . Sadly my brother's used and abused my beloved hand carved toys , I am almost 70yrs old and I still tell them off about their naughty wrecking and other wickedness . Thank you for the knowledge you have shared , I had to sell my antique carved French bed because it was too small for my husband. ..but I still have my beautiful carved oak chest and I'm wondering who could give me information about it ..Bonhams , Sothebys perhaps . Any suggestions please ?

[@gordonsmith8899]

Have you tried sending photographs to the V&A or perhaps your nearest museum that has a furniture collection or maybe the National Trust might be able to help you.

[@shafur3]

So beautiful thank you for sharing.

[@nh4ci295]

Watching this video on a Saturday night is as wild as you get in our 30s

[@jonathanfoyle9172]

Making it was as wild as I got in my 40s.

[@allisonpimperton485]

Love history especially tudor would love to go back for a day to see it for myself thank you for this upload

[@emlynjessen2957]

This was amazing! Being a classical musician I love layers of meaning.

[@lynetteallpress8079]

This was soooo interesting. Thank you.

[@inhousefilms_]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@starcrib]

The best provenance search ever. What a terrific video !!!!! 🌐🌿🌐

[@harryburrows2112]

Brilliant and informative video. What a beautiful bed.

[@inhousefilms_]

It is stunning... to see it in real life is quite something.

[@ruthdorward6105]

So fascinating! I love the story of this bed!

[@18daisydoll65]

Johnathan Foyle and Appropriate music, at just the right time....glorious

[@marcusellius2542]

Enjoyed this very much. Love to read or see videos about Henry Vii and Viii.

[@rw2993]

I have watched this more than once.

[@karenknicely1788]

You know, the original sin was NOT sex, but disobedience of God?? Think about it, God told them NOT to eat of the tree of knowledge, and that is exactly what they did, ergo, disobedience is the original sin.

[@nebucamv5524]

Right, and the other sins are just the consequence.

[@eileenvandernoot3867]

Karen knicely that is such a load of bull!

[@budd2nd]

- sin is a man made concept, so it stands the reason it would be a man made action that would be called a sin.

[@peternakitch4167]

Not on the topic of the history of this bed, but since you raise this: I find it astounding that an all-powerful, all-seeing and all-knowing creator did not foresee what Adam and Eve would do - unless an omnipresent God set it up to fail from the start. And then to punish them (and by extension all of humanity). Which is perverse and cruel, that's love, is it? Not to me. Now back to the show ...

[@Mimi-yp9dl]

@@peternakitch4167 How can our human mind begin understand those things. It's too much for my puny little mind to fathom when I look around at the marvel of mankind, the earth, universe. Wow. Could it be possible that the free will He gave us have anything to do with it? He didn't want robots, I kinda get that. So, do we love Him conditionally? Only IF we understand, only when things are going good. And most of the time, they're not so great! That makes me rely more and more on Him, and He always shows up, it cannot be a constant coincidence. We do find what we're looking for, it's a fact. I think His plan is bigger than what we see and that someday, all will be known, in His time, on His terms. If not, well, OK. I see His love in so much around us; just the fact we get to live in this time in history, in this great country, shows me how much we are loved. He says "My ways are higher than your ways" that's a bit of a FYI statement if ever I heard one. Yep, He knew...

[@angeladesimone9755]

Extremely interesting and illuminating. Well presented and clear detailed explanations. Expertaly presented.

[@inhousefilms_]

Thanks for watching

[@wendytaylor2101]

Really enjoyable and very interesting. Thankyou

[@inhousefilms_]

Our pleasure!

[@1waychild]

SUPER freakin cool!! I am very intrigued by actual objects such as this. The trueness of it, the history. Seeing the very thing that was seen by the people for whom it was made. This was very interesting.

[@ithulah]

Beautiful. Oh how I miss Time Team!

[@benhaslam7765]

what an incredible story . Thankyou

[@Asswease1]

Absolutely fascinating!

[@joycefroney6162]

So well presented. Thank you science!

[@inhousefilms_]

Thank you for watching. 😊

[@DoingItOurselvesOfficial]

It’s probably French oak. The best forest are still in the Mayenne region where I live. That’s what they used for the new roof of notre dame. All the oak in my house is the same.

[@pheart2381]

This is fascinating!

[@mindfulcreative9168]

I've watch this video twice now; love it, utterly fascinating. Now, would some technical genius please meet with this gentleman in order to do a video simulation of what the bed could have look like at the time? Yes, I saw the picture with the outer post included in this video, but I would LOVE to see this bed in full color, dressed the way it would have been deck out back then PLEASE?!