Why did people in the olden days have canopy beds?

Answer 1

The Saxon bed was usually made up against a wall, as a type of bunk or cabin, sometimes in a recess, with a rough mattress placed on boards, together with covers, and curtains suspended from above. The curtains could be tightly drawn at night to keep draughts and light out, while keeping warmth and also illness in. The bedstead was a term used to denote the place, or stead, in which the bed was made, but when the bench was superseded by more elegant pieces of furniture, it still retained the now familiar name. At no time was the canopy used to keep critters and droppings from falling on the bed and persons sleeping.