[Ansteorra] Sleeping sitting up vs lying down

[Lady Valkyrie]

IIRC it was a matter of they felt that if they slept reclined vs laying completely flat, that it was better for getting the smoke out of their lungs, which they had been breathing in all day - that is what I learned while doing 17th century living history for a museum in MA.  They would recline at about a 45% angle, laying against large bolstered pillows.  Having slept on replica 17th century beds, I assure you, it is a very comfortable way to sleep.  

Kris

Lisa Sawyer <ysabeau.lists at gmail.com> wrote: Greetings all,

 I was watching a documentary the other day and something that was mentioned
as a passing comment has bothered me so I thought I'd put it out to everyone
here to see if you have heard of it.

The documentary was about underground structures and tunnels (Cities of the
Underworld) and they were in a barracks that was built underground in a fort
near Philadelphia (I think). The underground bunker was built
pre-Revolutionary War and was equipped with bunk beds. The host commented
that the beds were so short because people were shorter back then. The guide
corrected him and said that it was because people used to sleep sitting up
because it was "healthier". Sleeping laying down didn't become the standard
until around the late 1800s and early 1900s. That was why the beds were so
short, not because people were shorter.

I've never heard that before...has anyone else? I've heard that some people
slept propped up on pillows but I don't think that is any different than
today.

Thanks!
Ysabeau
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