Meaning of the word healings (General)
by admin 
, Forest of Dean, Tuesday, March 03, 2009, 14:03 (5817 days ago)
You may be able to help me. We have not been able to find the meaning of the
word "healings" which has appeared in many of the wills we have transcribed mid
to late 1500s. It appears to be a physical object and is always in relation to
the bedding being bequeathed, along with bolsters etc. The MED is no help and
google focuses on healing as in "make better". We assume it may be local FoD
slang for say the drapes around the bed in question.Glenn Robertson
Meaning of the word healings
by slowhands 
, proud of his ancient Dean Forest roots, Tuesday, March 03, 2009, 22:54 (5816 days ago) @ admin
Healings
Its not just a Forest expression - I have seen it elsewhere in the context of Elizabethan chambers - blankets, pillows, bolsters, drapes etc
I have wondered if they are "hangings" for privacy or wall decoration ?
--
Ἀριστοτέλης A Gloster & Hereford Boy in the Forest of Dean ><((((*>
Meaning of the word healings
by wyerunner , Wednesday, March 04, 2009, 09:39 (5816 days ago) @ admin
Perhaps it comes from the old word hele/heel meaning "to cover" such as in "heel in" plants which means to cover them with earth. In other words, coverings for the bed.
Meaning of the word healings
by ellieperry , Wednesday, March 04, 2009, 15:29 (5816 days ago) @ admin
I have a really, really old Webster's dictionary:
heal; v.t. [ME. helen, hilen; AS. helan, to cover, conceal.] To cover, as a roof with slates, tin, etc. [Prov. Eng.]
I hope that helps.
Meaning of the word healings
by gerobertson , Tuesday, March 10, 2009, 23:04 (5809 days ago) @ admin
Thanks for the feedback. All make sense, it would be nice to pin it down. Cheers
Meaning of the word healings
by slowhands , proud of his ancient Dean Forest roots, Tuesday, March 10, 2009, 23:46 (5809 days ago) @ gerobertson
not sure how "pinned down" you want !
but Healings = Coverings seems to be the conclusion :-)
--
Ἀριστοτέλης A Gloster & Hereford Boy in the Forest of Dean ><((((*>