The strange reasons medieval people in Italy slept in cupboards

The strange reasons medieval people in Italy  slept in cupboards

In late medieval Europe, particularly in areas like Italy and the Netherlands, box beds, or cupboard beds, were common, with people often sleeping in a half-sitting, supported position, sometimes with pillows or bolsters to elevate their heads and backs.

This sleeping style was partly due to practical reasons, such as the beds being warm and space-saving, but also because the elevated position was thought to aid digestion and potentially help with breathing during congestion or illness.