FURNITURE AND FURNISHINGS 



high at the back and with deep sides, not for ornamental 

 purposes as at present but as protection against cold 

 draughts. This was essential to comfort in medieval 

 dwellings, whether castles or cottages, as their crude 

 structure and ill-fitting doors and window-casings did 

 not keep out gusts of wind. Even the draperies hung 

 about the walls were, in many cases, used for protec- 

 tion against the wandering gusts rather than for 

 ornament. 



The tables of this period were relatively light struc- 

 tures as compared to the heavy, high-backed settles 

 and chairs. People did not draw their chairs up to the 

 table, as at present, but had the table drawn up to 

 the chairs, or long settles along the sides of the halls. 

 In this manner only one side of the table was used by 

 the diners leaving the other free for the serving-men. 

 For convenience in handling, these tables were made 

 of light material, and it was not until movable stools, 

 benches, and finally chairs came into use, that the 

 great dining-tables calculated to accommodate guests 

 on all sides began to be constructed. 



But even the chairs used with these tables were 

 ponderous structures with arms, and this type of 

 heavy armchair remained in general use until hoop- 

 skirts came into fashion. Women wearing this incon- 

 venient form of apparel found it impossible to manage 

 their skirts when they attempted to sit in these chairs. 

 For their convenience, therefore, the arms were short- 

 ened and cut away at the sides, and eventually the 

 entire structure lightened until the modern chair was 

 evolved. 



