Medieval Castle Life

Medieval Castle Life
Medieval Castle life was strictly governed by the Medieval Feudal System - a Pyramid of Power! If you were a Lord at the top of the Pyramid of life was obviously full of the comforts of life. The lower down the Feudal Pyramid the less pleasant the lifestyle. Medieval Castle Life varied according to status - and the differences were extreme. Strict Codes of Conduct dictated Medieval Castle life and the strict etiquette of everyday life revolved around the Code of Chivalry, courtly manners and courtly love. A Medieval castle was an extremely busy and noisy place - hundreds of people might inhabit a castle - the number would be dependant on the status of the Lord. Medieval Castle life revolved around the requirements of the Lord. A considerable amount of travelling was involved during the Medieval era - castle life therefore included packing, unpacking and settling into different castles.

Medieval Castle Life

Medieval Castle Life for the Lord and his Family
As the Medieval era progressed with time the castles became more and more comfortable:

• Life in the castle started at dawn
• Mass would be heard in the Chapel and additional private prayer might be made in the oratory
• Breakfast
• Lord would attend to business matters in relation to his land. Reports would be heard regarding estate crops, harvests and supplies. Finances - rents, taxes, customs and dues
• Complaints and disputes regarding tenants would be settled, permission to marry etc
• Political discussions and decisions
• As the Medieval era progressed time was spent on the arts - poetry, music etc
• Weapon practise
• The Lady would spend time on overseeing some important household duties
• Mid morning prayer and meal
• Lord would go hunting, hawking or inspect the estate
• Ladies would undertake needlework, embroidery etc
• Evening prayer and then supper in the Hall
• After supper there might be some Castle entertainment - music, dancing, masques, jugglers, acrobats, jesters, plays etc
• The time for bed was dictated by the time the Lord retired
• Bedtime prayers
• Feats and Banquets might be held on special occasions
• The Knight's skills would be occasionally displayed and practised in Tournaments, Jousting, Mock Duals etc

Medieval Castle Life

• The Daily routine of Medieval Castle life
• Medieval Castle Life for the Lord and his Family that lived in them
• Life in a Medieval Castle for the Knights, Squires and Pages
• Life in the rooms in a Medieval Castle

Life in a Medieval Castle - the Knights, Squires and Pages
The main occupants of the Medieval Castle  could be divided into two basic groups - the knights and the servants. The life of the Medieval Knights and their retinues centred around enhancing their Knightly skills in the use of weapons, horsemanship and medieval warfare. The sons of the Nobility, except those who were destined to take Holy Orders, were placed in the service of the great Lords of the land. These children were sent to live in the castle of their liege lord and commence their education as a Knight. The castle served as a 'Knight School!' A knight would start their life in a castle as a Page and then move up to the role of a Squire.

LIFE OF THE PAGE
The life of a castle Page would start at a very young age - seven years old. A Page was junior to a Squire. It was the duty of a Page to wait at table, care for the Lord's clothes and assist them in dressing. The Page was provided with a uniform of the colours and livery of the Lord.

LIFE OF THE SQUIRE
The life of a Squire (also called Esquire) would start as a teenager, usually fourteen years of age. A Squire was junior to a Knight. It was the duty of a Squire to learn about the Code of Chivalry, the rules of Heraldry, horsemanship and practise the use of weapons. It was also their duty to enter into the social life of the castle and learn courtly etiquette, music and dancing. The Squire served in this role for seven years and became a Knight at the age of twenty-one. Sometimes knighthood was conferred earlier as the reward for bravery on the battlefield

LIFE OF THE KNIGHT
It was the duty of a Knight to learn how to fight and so serve their Lord according to the Code of Chivalry. Weapon practise included enhancing skills in the two-handed sword, battle axe, mace, dagger and lance.

Life in a Medieval Castle - the servants and workers
The workers in the castle were expected to ensure the life of the Lord and his retinue was as comfortable and orderly as possible. Life in a Medieval Castle can be described by taking a tour of each of the castle rooms and considering the work that had to be carried out to ensure that life in the castle ran smoothly. The individual roles and duties of the castle servants and workers are detailed on the following link Medieval Occupations.

THE GREAT HALL

• The room in the castle called the Great Hall was intended for the main meeting and dining area and used by everyone who lived in the castle. The life of the castle revolved around this room. All of the meals were served in this room. Pages and servants waited on the tables. Servants ensured the Hall was cleaned, the fires were laid, the lighting was adequate. Entertainment was a major feature of Medieval castle life with music, dancing, masques, jugglers, acrobats, jesters, plays etc. Heralds, or Harkers, would present all visitors. The Steward supervised the events in the Great Hall. 

THE SOLAR

• The room in the castle called the Solar was intended for sleeping and private quarters and used by the Lord's family. It became a private sitting room favoured by the family. The solar suite of rooms was extended to include a wardrobe.

THE WARDROBE

• The room in the castle called the wardrobe was intended as a dressing room and storage room for clothes and used by Lord of the castle. It became the storage room for costly, personal items such as jewels, coins, furs, spices, and plates. The use of the wardrobe was extended to the room where dressmaking and hairdressing was conducted.

THE BOWER

• The room in the castle called the Bower was intended for the Lady of the castle and used as her private withdrawing-room where she would embroider

THE MINSTREL'S GALLERY

• The Minstrel's Gallery housed the Lord's musicians and was situated on a raised gallery overlooking the Great Hall. The Minstrel's gallery demonstrates the importance of entetainment in Medieval castle life

THE THRONE ROOM

• The Throne room illustrates the power of Royalty in Medieval castle life

THE BATHROOM

• The room in the castle called the wardrobe was extended and used by Lord of the castle as a bathroom!. Bathing was usually conducted in wooden barrels but simply designed bathrooms were added in Medieval Castles for the Lords

THE KITCHEN

• Kitchens were integrated into the Medieval castles - they included cooking ovens for baking and huge fireplaces for smoking and roasting food. They also had a water supply complete with a sink and drainage. A hive of activity with cooks, bakers, spit boys and scullions

THE BUTTERY

• The room in the castle called the Buttery was intended for storing and dispensing beverages, especially ale. The person who presided over the buttery was called the Butler. Next to the buttery another room was added later called the Bottlery. Water was not safe to drink and people drank ale and wine in Medieval Castle life

THE CHAPEL

• The importance of religion in Medieval life is illustrated with the incorporation of a Chapel within the castle

THE DUNGEON & THE OUBLIETTE

• The sinister side of Medieval castle life where prisoners were tortured and occasionally left to die

THE PLACE OF ARMS

• The room in the castle called the Place of Arms was a large area in a covered way, where troops could assemble. Men at Arms, Knights, Squires and Pages constituted at least half the inhabitants of the Medieval castle. Later quarters were called barracks and mess halls. A noisy, violent group of men who dominated Medieval castle life and whose actions were tempered by the Code of Chivalry. The horses were extremely important to the Lord and Knights - the horses had to be fed, groomed and their stables kept clean - life around the stables was also noisy and smelly!

Medieval Castle Life

Medieval Castle Life

• What different rooms were there in the Medieval castles?
• What entertainment was there for people who lived in the Medieval castles?
• The interiors of Medieval castles?
• What was the furniture like in Medieval Castles?
• The History of Medieval Castles
• Medieval Castle Life
• Medieval Castle Furniture