Castle Life
By:Kelly

      Medieval castle life was not as easy as you would picture it to be.  Life was challenging and even the wealthy found living in a castle difficult sometimes.

     There was no central heating except for the central hearth or fireplace.  Of course the heat was saved for the lord and his family.  The rest made due with tiny lamps and were cold many nights.

      During the warm months the castle was cool and damp and all residents spent most of the time outdoors.  Members had to wrap themselves in blankets to keep warm at work.  Baths were taken in wooden tubs so that the sun would warm the water and the bather.  The tub would be moved inside if the weather worsened.

     The day began when the guards blew their trumpets.  A small breakfast of bread and drinks is had by the people living in the castle.  The evening meal  or supper was eaten late in the day sometimes just before bedtime.  The servants then start to prepare the main meal or dinner, which was at mid-morning.  This meal had three or four courses as well as entertainment.  While dinner was cooking the servants had time to do their chores.  They had to sweep the floors and wash out the basins.

    The duties of the castle were divided among the people.  The Lord was the castle chief of administrator.  He was in charge  of his castle, the estate, and the subjects both inside the castle and that surrounding peasant villages.  The Stewart was in charge of the castle when the Lord was not present.  Other staff members included the chamberlain (who was charge of the great chamber hall) butler (made sure their was enough drinks stored in the buttery)  the cook, the Chandler (made the candles), and the Marshal (in charge of the stables.  Each of these had a staff to manage.

    The women of the castle was served by ladies-in-waiting and chambermaids she spent most of the day overseeing their work as well as supervising the activities in the kitchen staff.  The ladies were also responsible for educating the young Pages.

     Castles must have been noisy and smelly places. Animals roamed inside the sables, Blacksmiths clanged out ironwork, the soldiers practiced their skills, and children played when lessons were completed.

     People worked hard in the Middle Ages.  Holidays were times to relax and forget the stresses of life.  Castle life is not as glamorous as you dreamed it would be.

1) If you lived in the Middle ages  would you prefer to live in a castle or a regular house? Why or Why Not? Explain your answer.

2) Why do you think that the lady of the house was responsible for educating the young page? Explain?

3) State how medieval meal time differs from our meal time. T-chart.

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