An English medieval castle, if a large one, could have a household staff of at least 50 people, which included all manner of specialised and skilled workers such as cooks, grooms, carpenters, masons, falconers, and musicians, as well as a compliment of knights, bowmen, and crossbow operators.

Who lived in the medieval castles?

During the late Middle Ages, from the 10th to the 16th centuries, kings and lords lived in castles. As well as the lord, the lady (his wife), and their family there were lots of staff. Some were important officials, such as the constable who took care of the castle when the lord was away.

How many people did it take to build a medieval castle?

Castle building employed about 3,000 workers (like carpenters, masons, diggers, quarrymen and blacksmiths) under the direction of a master builder (Master James of St. George built the Welsh castles of King Edward I). Castles generally took two to 10 years to build.

Did most of the people in the Middle Ages lived in castles?

During the Middle Ages, most people lived in castles. False: Most people were peasants or farmers working on land owned by nobles. Some of the more influential nobles lived in castles, which provided protection from attack or war. Under the feudal system, the nobles provided protection to peasants living on their land.

How big were most medieval castles?

Some later medieval castles had walls that were only about 15 to 20 feet (4.6 m to 6 m) high, but the walls of the stronger castles typically measured about 30 feet (9 m) in height and sometimes more.

How many guards were in a medieval castle?

They are divided into three guard teams arranged by height, with 80 conscripts and 8 sergeants per team.

Were castles clean or dirty?

Castles were very difficult to keep clean. There was no running water, so even simple washing tasks meant carrying a lot of bucketfuls of water from a well or stream. Few people had the luxury of being able to bathe regularly; the community was generally more tolerant of smells and dirt.

Where did knights sleep in a castle?

What other rooms were there in a Medieval castle? At the time of Chr tien de Troyes, the rooms where the lord of a castle, his family and his knights lived and ate and slept were in the Keep (called the Donjon), the rectangular tower inside the walls of a castle. This was meant to be the strongest and safest place.

Do families still live in castles?

The funny thing is, there are a surprising number of historic castles still in use today. These medieval castles are not only still standing, they remain private residences (at least in part) to families that can trace their lineage back through the centuries.

Were peasants allowed in the castle?

The people who farmed the land around the castle were called peasants. Most peasants lived in tiny one- or two-room thatched cottages with walls made of wattle and daub (woven strips of wood covered with a mixture of dung, straw, and clay). …

Article first time published on

What is the oldest castle still standing?

The Citadel of Aleppo is the oldest castle in the world, with some parts of the structure dating back to 3000 BC. Built in 1070 AD, Windsor Castle is the oldest castle that is still actively used today. Prague Castle is the largest castle in the world at 70,000 square meters.

Who built medieval castles?

History of Castles The Normans were the first group of people to build castles in England, although the Romans before them had built forts that the Normans then expanded and improved. Initially, castles were built out of wood, but eventually, people made castles from stone because they were stronger and lasted longer.

How much did a castle cost in medieval times?

The Construction Costs of Castles Again, from the medieval price list, the price of a modest house was around was around 10 pounds (2,400p). A castle gatehouse cost almost as much (10 pounds). An expensive house was around 100 pounds (24,000 pence), which was also just about the construction price of a church.

How thick is a castle wall?

The height of walls varied widely by castle, but were often 2.5–6 m (8.2–19.7 ft) thick. They were usually topped with crenellation or parapets that offered protection to defenders.

Were medieval castles painted?

The interior walls were usually plastered and painted, often with elaborate frescos and bright, expensive colours. Ultimately, the castle was a symbol of its owner’s wealth and power.

Why were castles built so big?

In order to defend themselves, they built their homes as large castles in the center of the land they ruled. They could defend from attacks as well as prepare to launch attacks of their own from their castles. Originally castles were made of wood and timber. Later they were replaced with stone to make them stronger.

How did they keep castles warm?

Castles weren’t always cold and dark places to live. But, in reality, the great hall of castle had a large open hearth to provide heat and light (at least until the late 12th century) and later it had wall fireplace. The hall would also have had tapestries which would have insulated the room against too much cold.

Why did they put straw on castle floors?

The herbs were laid on the floor along with reeds, rushes, or straw, so that pleasant odours would be released when people walked on them. … In a typical medieval English monastery, for instance, the floor of the dormitory would have been strewn with rushes that were swept and replaced once or twice a year.

How were castles kept warm?

Originally Answered: How did they keep warm in castles? They huddled together; slept with the hounds or if they were fortunate enough to have high enough status they got close to the fire(s) in the great hall. Many castles had a fire place in every room.

How many knights would a castle have?

In peace time, there might be only 10 or 12 knights and their horses staying in the castle, but when war threatened there would be many more. The knights and their servants and their mounts all had to eat, as did the lord, his family, and his servants and officials, and their families.

Did city guards exist?

A city guard, city watch, town guard, town watch, or watchman was a law enforcement and security formation found in many countries and historical periods, usually subordinate to the local municipal government.

How many knights would a baron have?

Thus this exceptionally powerful baron would have about 12 to 15 knights serving him. Based on the above, an ordinary baron may have far less than 20 manors. As a consequence, he would have 3 to 9 knights serving him.

Why are castles not used anymore?

After the 16th century, castles declined as a mode of defense, mostly because of the invention and improvement of heavy cannons and mortars. … The idea was that thick layers of dirt would absorb the impact of cannon fire. Also, these fortifications were easier and faster to build than castles.

Are there any real castles in the United States?

While fairytale castles may be more associated with medieval Europe, the USA is actually home to many beautiful chateaus, mansions and palaces – you just need to know where to find them. We round up the most enchanting American castles, from the grand Biltmore Estate in North Carolina to California’s Hearst Castle.

Can I live in a castle?

Live in your very own castle. Many people only dream of owning a castle, but you can actually do it. As long as you’re willing to commit to a few improvements, you can renovate a historical castle into a livable place. Or you can build your own.

Did medieval castles have rats?

Rats and other vermin flourished inside the walls of medieval towns. Castles — designed to withstand a siege — often contained stores of surplus grain, vegetables, and herbs. Along with their cool, dark interior, these stores provided a superb habitat for rats and mice.

What did the knights eat?

Knights often ate roasted meat (chicken, pig, rabbit, etc) and local vegetables like carrots, cabbage and onion.

What did knights do for fun?

These included archery, jousting, hammer-throwing, and wrestling. In some areas they played early versions of football (soccer), cricket, bowling, or golf.

When was the first castle built?

The first castles were built by the Normans The great age of castles began almost 1,000 years ago and lasted for nearly 500 years. The Normans introduced the first proper castles, starting with the wooden Motte and Bailey castles, to England following their victory at the Battle of Hastings in 1066.

What was life like living in a castle?

Life in a medieval castle would have been ordered and organised, full of pomp and ceremony, and also very cold and smelly! Essentially, castles were at the heart of Medieval society. Castles were built in England and Wales after 1066. They cemented a new social system of feudalism in place.

What did medieval lords wear?

For lords and royalty, the clothing attire would include the most expensive and lavish items. For example, many of the nobles often wore clothes made out of silk or velvet. A heavier cloth called “damask” was also worn and fur was often used for the trimmings of the sleeves or the trimmings of an outfit.