Share this page

Collections Items on Display

The must-see collection items displayed at Mary Arden's Farm

Wooden truckle bed with low headboard, without bedding to show the rope grid which supports the mattress. The bed measures about 3 foot by 1 foot 6 inches, a child's bed.

Truckle Bed

A truckle bed was a low bed, commonly made of oak, that sometimes had casters attached to the feet. These casters were added so that it could be pushed under the master bed when it was not in use. Truckle beds were typically used by servants who slept in their master’s quarters to be close at hand. They were also commonly used by children and were a convenient space saver! 

You can find this item in Bedchamber 1 of Palmer’s Farm.

To learn more, read about this item in our online catalogue: 2000-73 - Truckle bed

Court cupboard, relly shelves, in the dairy, with a pair of scales, a large metal and two leather pots and a number of stoneware bottles. In front of the cupboard is a small 3-legged stool.

Court Cupboard

This court cupboard dating to around 1660 is an example of what would have been one of the most important pieces of furniture within the household at that time. Used for holding vessels for eating and drinking, it would have acted as the sideboard of its period. You can see this one in use by our period interpreters when they lunch at Palmer’s Farm. 

You can find this item in the Hall of Palmer’s Farm.

To learn more, read about this item in our online catalogue: 1993-31/932 - Court cupboard

A boarded chest on four very short legs standing on a plinth. The front has a simple caving of vertical, horizontal and diagonal lines. The colour is dark brown; it stands in front of one of the internal horizontal beams in a plastered wall.

Boarded Chest

This chest dates from around 1540-1570 and would have been used for storage, most likely in a bedroom. Chests (or coffers) were commonly passed down from mother to daughter, perhaps with a view to the daughter’s marriage, and may have contained essential items which a woman would bring to her new home, such as linen.

You can find this item in Mary Arden’s House.

To learn more, read about this item in our online catalogue: 1999-16 - Boarded Chest

A circular stone about a foot tall, with a channel cut in the top, and standing on two rows of bricks. A central wooden pole supports a beam on the end of which is a round stone running in the channel.

Cider Press and Apple Crusher

While the cider making equipment at Mary Arden’s/Palmer’s Farm most likely dates to the 18th century rather than the 16th, it reflects the sort of activities that would have gone on at the farm during the Tudor period. The aptly named apple crusher would have been horse-drawn and would have crushed the apples to a pulp ready for the second stage of cider making; pressing all the juice out ready for fermenting.

You can find this item in the corner of the Tudor Farmyard.

To learn more, read about this item in our online catalogue: 1956-6 - Cider Press and Apple Crusher

An oak chair with wooden arms, with plain seat, square back legs and round front legs joined by a square wooden frame at floor level. The back shaped with a semi-circle at the centre top is carved with geometrical designs with an inset carved panel .

Panel-back Armchair

This panel-back armchair dates from around 1640. During the 1600s armchairs, which probably would have been furnished with a loose cushion, would still have been used as a sign of status and usually only provided for the master of the house or important guests.

You can find this item in Mary Arden’s House. 

To learn more, read about this item in our online catalogue: SBT 256 - Panel-back Armchair

Go behind the scenes

Collections Blog

Access our collections online

Online Catalogue
Shakespeare's Birthplace
Where Shakespeare's story started
Anne Hathaway's Cottage
Relive Shakespeare's love story
Shakespeare's New Place
Walk in Shakespeare's footsteps