They are very ancient articles of furniture.The inventories of the contents of palaces and great houses in the early middle ages constantly made mention of them.

they were often of great size, covered with leather, and firm enough to serve as a seat,

 but the steady tendency of all furniture has been to grow smaller with time. they

were, indeed, used as seats at all events in france and spain at a much later period .in

the spanish court, they were even regarded as a peculiarly honorable substitute for a chair. because they are stuffed with wool, feathers and other spongy,soft materials , they

are also used for kneeling upon, or to soften the hardness of a couch. they can be used

temporarily outside , to soften a hard ground or prevent annoyances from moist grass

and biting insects