Trundle Bed History

Today's trundle beds are a pair of beds. One is a regular-size bed; the second bed is slightly smaller and has rollers or casters that allow it to be stored underneath the larger bed. In some cases, the lower bed can be raised so that both beds are the same height. The lower bed does not have a box spring. If the mattress is removed, the lower bed might be used as a storage drawer. These space-saving beds have a long and colorful history.

Trundle beds found in early European castles were originally designed for servants. Before separate chambers existed, the lord of the manor, his family, and the servants slept in one large room, separated by curtains. A nobleman might require a faithful servant and armed guard to sleep at the foot of his bed to protect him as he slept. Attendants slept on pallets or trundle beds that were rolled out of sight when not in use. Kitchen and scullery maids slept on trundle beds in the kitchen.

Colonial-Time Trundle Beds
Main beds used ropes to suspend mattresses, and a key to tighten the ropes. In some colonial homes, several children slept in one bed. The average colonial home was crowded; children slept on smaller beds (trundles) that were pushed beneath the main beds when not in use. By this time, trundle beds were more common in the United States than in Europe.

Alabama history notes that one duty of a servant was to sleep on a pallet or trundle bed, ready to serve the needs of her master's children throughout the night. Another duty of a slave was to rest on a trundle bed close to her mistress and fan her with a turkey feather fan throughout the night, keeping away insects as well as the heat.