The theme for this week’s #Feature Fridays with Historic Houses is Rugs and Carpets.
Amazing though it may seem, carpets (or rugs as we would now call them) have actually been part of human existence since the 5th century BC.
To the English, these items were more commonly known as ‘Holbeins’ (thanks to their inclusion in the portraits of court painter Hans Holbein the Younger) or ‘Lottos’ and were incredibly expensive, since many of the best and most lavish examples were imported from abroad.
King Henry VIII was a known collector of Holbeins, as well as tapestries, which, unlike carpets, were designed to depict historical or biblical events and were made for hanging, rather than as floor coverings.
For most people, however, rugs were simply far too expensive, which is why the majority of Tudor homeowners used rushes to cover their floors instead. There is still some considerable debate about whether these rushes were strewn loosely onto the floor, or woven into something vaguely resembling a rug or carpet themselves, but we do know that handfuls of lavender and other fresh smelling herbs would be scattered in among them to keep the room smelling pleasant. Additionally, the use of the word ‘threshold’ to mean a doorway, comes from using rushes as flooring. The ‘thresh hold’ was a small lip that would literally prevent the rushes from being accidentally pushed or trodden outside.
Carpets as we know them today (a fitted, woven fabric that covers a whole room) did not start to become common in British homes until after the First World War when they were introduced to the mass market, although carpets (albeit laid in strips) had been a feature of some richer households since the 1700s.
As it is presented today, Hever Castle is carpeted in the Astor Suite and the bedrooms on the second floor. Many of the rooms on the lower floors house elaborate rugs including the Drawing Room, Dining Hall, Library and the Morning Room.
If you enjoyed this item on rugs and carpets then why not discover the previous #Feature Fridays news items:
Book your visit to Hever Castle & Gardens.
Within the grounds of the Hever Castle Estate, there are two opportunities for you to stay the night with us.
Hever Castle has played host to many important events and celebrations for over 600 years. In 1903 when William Waldorf Astor set about restoring Hever Castle to its former glory, he added the Astor Wing, to accommodate his family and guests, before creating a lake and the spectacular Italian Garden to house his impressive collection of ancient Greek and Roman statuary.
There are multiple places to eat & drink across the Hever Castle Estate. Select between the Castle & Gardens and Golf Club below to discover more.
Set in the mature grounds of the Hever Castle Estate, Hever Castle Golf Club is a 27 hole Kent golf course that will encourage and inspire all golf enthusiasts.
Set in the mature grounds of the Hever Castle Estate, the Wellbeing Centre consists of five smart treatment rooms.