Tales from the Royal Bedchamber

Filmmaker Nick Gillam-Smith's PBS-aired documentary on the bedchambers of British royalty is hosted by the amiable Dr. Lucy Worsley, chief curator at Historic Royal Palaces. Worsley explores the historical significance of monarchs' beds as a public place (“like a little stage”) for events such as the witnessing of a marriage consummation (“For St. George and England!”), including a “did they or didn't they?” query about Arthur and Catherine of Aragon. Also covered are stories of childbirth, touching on Anne Boleyn's oppressively cocoon-like pregnancy, and the smear campaign that Prince James Francis Edward Stuart was an impostor baby smuggled into the bedchambers in a warming pan (“It was a good story…and that meant a lot of people believed it!”). Featuring reconstructions of beds (including Edward I's), the documentary also notes how the function of the royal bedchamber changed from a transport that reflected a mobile noble lifestyle to a stationary place with splendid furnishings. In addition, Tales from the Royal Bedchamber touches on topics including attendants (the Groom of the Stool was a surprisingly coveted job, and Queen Victoria was known to glean political advice from her ladies), rituals, and the practice of having state beds in commoner houses (in hopes of a monarch's visit). Likely to be popular with Anglophiles, this is highly recommended. Aud: P. (J. Williams-Wood)