Table of Contents
What is the purpose of a castle who lived in a castle?
Lesson Summary Medieval castles were built mainly for protection for the nobility, which is the noble class of a country such as royalty and important public figures. The natural resources of the land were used as a first line of defense for intruders, and the features of the castles served as even more protection.
Who lived in castles and why?
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.
What are the benefits of living in a castle?
Pros & Cons of Living in a Castle Pro: Beautiful View. When you move into the schloß, the first thing you notice is the beauty of the castle. Con: Wack Wifi. Pro: So. Con: s t a i r s. Pro: Places to Walk/ Run. Con: No Shower Curtains/ Mirrors. Pro: It’s a Castle. Pro/ Con: Bread.
Why did medieval people live in castles?
Castles were partially built to demonstrate the power and significance of their Lord and master, and would have had a vast retinue of servants who would have catered to the needs of the noble family. How many people would have worked or lived within a castle?.
Did castles smell bad?
Castles were dark inside with little natural light. There were also other problems with living in a medieval castle, the main one being that there were no sewers or flushing toilets. Often the moat surrounding the castle was used as a sewer. Both the moat and the castle quickly became smelly and dirty.
What was the point of castles?
Castles could serve as a centre for local government, administration and justice. They were also used by powerful lords to display their wealth and power through lavish architectural styles and decoration. Castles were not only built and used by the crown.
Do castles have toilets?
The toilets of a castle were usually built into the walls so that they projected out on corbels and any waste fell below and into the castle moat. Even better, waste went directly into a river as is the case of the latrines of one of the large stone halls at Chepstow Castle in Wales, built from the 11th century CE.
How did they keep castles warm?
Thick stone walls, tiny unglazed windows and inefficient open fires made the classic castle something of a challenge to keep warm. By heating the stones as well as the chamber, and directing the smoke away from the room, these fireplaces made life in a medieval castle a considerably more comfortable affair.
How did they keep castles warm in winter?
4. 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.
What was life like in castles?
Many people would have lived and worked in the castle. They would cook and clean for the lord or king. There would also be a gardener, stable hands, a blacksmith, a baker and a treasurer who counted all the money. Life in a castle in medieval times was very dark and cold.
What it was like to live in a castle?
What was it like living in a castle? Even when it wasn’t under attack, living in a castle was hectic, noisy and they were often packed full of people. Castles were large, dark, draughty and cold. Windows were often small, with wooden shutters or (if the nobleman could afford it), leadlight glass-panes.
Do people 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.
What did castles look like inside?
Inside the castle walls there might have been a magnificent hall, comfortable chambers and a beautiful chapel. Larger castles had their own fish ponds, orchards and vineyards, as well as gardens which supplied vegetables and herbs. Most castles had a small private chapel near to the lords chambers.
How old is the oldest castle in the world?
Probably the oldest and largest castle in the world is the Citadel of Aleppo located in the very old city of Aleppo, Syria, built around 3000 BC.
Where did knights sleep in a 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.
Why did they stop building castles?
Why did they stop building castles? Castles were great defences against the enemy. However, when gunpowder was invented the castles stopped being an effective form of defence. The medieval castle with its high vertical walls was no longer the invincible fortification it had been.
Where are castles usually located?
Location: Castles were usually built on top of a hill if one was handy. That way, the guards would spot attackers approaching. If there was no hill, a castle would be built at the ford of a river, or the entrance to a bay or harbor. But hill tops were best.
How were castles attacked?
Fire – Early castles were made of wood, so they were easy to attack by setting fire to them. Battering ram – A large log that was hit against the castle walls to weaken them. Catapult – Catapults, or trebuchets, threw large stones and burning objects at the castle.
