Hello, Martina!
I can "see" your passion about catles ans the history of the places that they held! i totally relate with your husband... ahaha I think I would be patient enough to wait to put on the smelly metal helmet and the heavy steel armor just for the fun of having it done! Ahahah
By the way, I remember my grandmother, and also my mother, told me about this tradition, back in 1960's in the interior part of Portugal too, it was a honor to receive the neighbors and relatives in the house where de person that deceased has held for 3 days before the burial. I think that from those "times" till our days, death has been "lived" in a much more unipersonal and distant way... It is "signs" of the times, right?
In Switzerland, it was common to have an open coffin at home for three days, so that relatives could come and pray for the soul. Until recently, it was done in Slovakia too.
Thank you for sharing with us all the good details that you two found in the castle. Didn't knew about the bear in the coat of arms of Bern and the "reason" for that! Very interesting!
Hello! 🙂 Thank you for your kind words and I am glad to see that you can post without downvotes again!
Oh, I didn't know that it was similar in Portugal. Maybe it was everywhere in Europe. Who knows..
I'm happy that you liked my post. I always take photos of the signs as well, so that I can share some info 🙂
Have a lovely day!