From the ArcaMax Publishing, Trivia Newsletter:
http://www.arcamax.com/news/trivia/s-346623-454006
Englishmen of the 16th and 17th centuries believed that no one who lay upon feathers could die in peace. Therefore, when death approached, the pillow was withdrawn from under the dying person's head to ease the passing.
This news arrived on: 05/12/2008