What was it like living in a medieval castle?

Life in a medieval castle would have been ordered and organised, full of pomp and ceremony, and also very cold and smelly! However, of course, life in a Medieval castle would have also included military activities. On many days, knights would have practiced their skills to defend their lord – and his king – in battle.

What does it feel like to live 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.

How would you describe a medieval castle?

A medieval castle was the fortified home of an important person, such as a lord or king. During this time, many castles were built in Europe and the Middle East. They ranged from simple wooden enclosures to vast stone palaces. A castle allowed a lord to control the surrounding land.

What was everyday life like in a castle?

Life in the early castles was far from comfortable. The wind whistled through the wooden shutters in the windows and most people slept on benches or on rough mattresses in the great hall. By 1200s, castles had well furnished bed chambers and living rooms, heated by large open fires and lit by candles.

What did the inside of a castle look like?

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.

Who would live in a medieval castle?

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 was it like to live in a castle ks1?

Knights would practice their fighting skills and soldiers would constantly defend and protect the castle. 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.

Why were castles important in medieval times?

Castles were common in Europe during the Middle Ages and were often the homes of royal families or other powerful people. The main purpose of castles was to protect the people who lived there from invasions. They were also a status symbol to show other people how important a family was.

How do you describe a castle?

A castle is a type of fortified structure built during the Middle Ages predominantly by the nobility or royalty and by military orders. Scholars debate the scope of the word castle, but usually consider it to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble.

What kind of things are in a castle?

Castle Features

• Outer defenses.
• Moat.
• Walls (inner and outer)
• Towers (inner and outer)
• Gatehouses, drawbridges and barbicans.
• Inner defenses.
• Baileys or wards.
• Living quarters and support buildings.

What is in a medieval castle?

The typical features of a medieval castle were: Moat – a perimeter ditch with or without water. Curtain Walls & Towers – the perimeter defensive wall. Fortified Gatehouse – the main castle entrance.

What was life like in a castle in medieval times?

Life in a Medieval Castle: Smells, Sounds and Structure of Medieval Castle Life. 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. Each new castle secured the power of the local lord over his vassals.

Does your family own a castle in Burgundy?

My mom’s side of the family owns a castle in Burgundy. Technically, they own two, a medieval castle, that’s half in ruins next to an early renaissance château, where we always spent our summer months (and sometimes Christmas and Easter too). Both castles are historical monuments, and we have visitors coming up all the time to visit them.

How many people would have worked or lived in a castle?

How many people would have worked or lived within a castle? Well, it evidently depends on the size of the castle, but, for a site like Goodrich Castle in England, you could expect around 100-150 people to surround the Lord’s family.

What were the obstacles to building a castle?

These obstacles included everything from moats (sometimes with spikes within) to gatehouses which contained all manner of obstacles, tricks and traps. Some castles occasionally even housed prisoners in their dungeons. Prisoners were most often kept for political reasons, and were sometimes held in terrible conditions.