Bedroom privacy

Does anyone know why so many older houses in East Anglia have their bedroom ceiling light fittings placed close to the window?

Were we such a bunch of prudes that we didn’t want our silhouette to be seen from the window to avoid casting a shadow on the curtains when undressing?

Or was it so a woman’s dressing table could be placed in front of the window with the light shining directly above in dull weather or during the hours of darkness?

Or was it supposed to replicate daylight coming in from the window?

Or did the original lightbulbs tend to explode over the bed?

It would be more logical to put the light fitting in the centre of the room – having them near the window certainly looks odd.

Any retired electricians out there?

C Anderson, Norwich