According to the _Dictionnaire de Trévoux_, a _lit d’ange_ was a bed without pillars or posts, and whose curtains were looped back. To add to this, other authorities say that the _ciel_, or canopy, while being the same width as the bed, must not be as long. If it covers the entire bed, then it is a _lit à la duchesse_, and if it lacks a carved or decorative cornice, then it becomes simply a _lit à pavillon_. Finally, according to Havard, the true difference between a _lit d’ange_ and a “_lit vu de pieds_” of to-day is not to be determined by the dimensions of the canopy, nor by the arrangement of the curtains or lambrequins, which are the same, but that the foot of the bed is not simply covered by a long _courtepointe_, or counterpane, but should have the squares of drapery (_cantonnières_), hanging from the mattress repeating the form and trimmings of the upper valance and rest of the bed furniture. An early _lit d’ange_ recorded occurs in Cardinal Mazarin’s inventory, dated 1653, and is described as a _lit d’ange_ of China gauze on a background of flame-coloured silk, with flowers and syrens in gold. The counterpane and six curtains were of this rich material adorned with gold fringe. The _lit d’ange_ continued in fashion for about a hundred years. It became as popular as the _lit en housse_ had been; and, if we may believe _Des mots à la mode_, one of the merits of a courtier in 1692 was to “_juger en dernier ressort du grand art de retrousser les rideaux d’un lit d’ange_.” The _lit d’ange_ was sometimes as high as 12 feet; but it was generally 11 feet high, 6 feet wide, and nearly 7 feet long. Single beds were about 6 feet long, 6 feet high, and 3 feet wide. They were evidently comfortable, as the average number of mattresses was three, besides a feather-bed, and the bolster was frequently of down. Pillows never seem to have been used on the bed at all. For instance, the furnishings of Madame de Maintenon’s bed were: two woollen mattresses covered with fustian, one feather-bed, one hair-bolster; and, in addition to the sheets, she had a red blanket, a Marseilles quilt, and a wadded white satin quilt, the reverse being of white taffeta. Over the white Marseilles quilt, the crimson damask counterpane was smoothly drawn, and the valance neatly adjusted. Mademoiselle d’Aumale’s bed had three mattresses and a feather-bed and a feather-bolster. She had two white woollen blankets and a white Marseilles quilt.