Life in a castle Part I

Lesson Objectives To find out: What life was like for those that lived and worked within a castle (food, entertainment, jobs done)

I am King Edward I. When Llywelyn refused to accept me as king I decided to crush the Welsh. In 1282 I finally forced my way into the mountains of Wales. Within a few months Llywelyn was dead. Wales was mine. I built massive new castles and no-one had ever seen anything so fine. The Welsh never broke free from English control again. Recap

Using an atlas can you put the correct number next to each castle. Recap Castles built by Edward I 1. Flint 2. Rhuddlan 3. Conwy 4. Beaumaris 5. Caernarfon 6. Harlech 7. Aberystwyth 8. Builth

Mark the timeline with a cross indicating when you think castle building roughly began. Next, mark down the time in which we now live. A.D. 1 A.D. 1000 A.D. 1100 A.D. 1200 A.D. 1300 A.D. 1400 A.D. 1500 A.D. 1600 A.D. 1700 A.D. 1800 A.D. 1900 A.D. 2000 According to what you have marked down, roughly how long ago were the first castles built?

Castle Life Recap The first castles were built from wood. These castles were quick to build and the materials to construct them could usually be found nearby. Wood was eventually replaced by stone which was much stronger. Planning these stone castles could be a difficult job however. Building supplies sometimes had to be transported to the castle site, often by sea or river. A castle could take up to 10 or even 20 years to build and cost the equivalent of millions of pounds to build. © BBC

Castle Life The great age of castles began almost 1000 years ago and lasted for nearly 500 years. Castles acted as a base from which a lord and his soldiers could launch attack on enemies. They could also provide protection for the lord and his men. With high towers and thick walls they became impressive and intimidating defensive structures. But, they were also homes to many people with comfortable chambers, halls and chapels.

In order to build a castle like Beaumaris what type of labourers do you think you would have needed? Type of job Number of men needed Type of job Number of men needed Type of job Number of men needed

In order to build a castle like Beaumaris what type of labourers do you think you would have needed? Type of job Number of men needed Type of job Number of men needed Type of job Number of men needed To build Beaumaris Castle, 30 blacksmiths, 400 masons and 2,000 labourers were hired.

In early castles, life was not comfortable In early castles, life was not comfortable. The wind whistled through the arrow loops and open windows and the walls were damp. Over time the castle furnishings improved, especially within the bed chambers and living rooms. These were heated by large open fires and lit by candles which helped to protect the inhabitants from the chill air. Special rooms, like the Chapel or Lord’s Chamber often had glass windows and plastered walls hung with tapestries. Floors were even sometimes covered with sweet smelling herbs.

This is a pupil’s cutaway drawing of the inside of a castle tower. See if you can label the tower correctly. Room used by the Lord’s servants, notice no decoration or fire Guards kept check for attackers The Sleeping Chamber had mats on the floor and decorated walls and a burning fire The Cellar was often full of weapons and used for storage of food The Solar was the Lord’s private apartment

Garderobe exit holes at Caerphilly Castle – above the moat! Toilets (Garderobes) were usually built into the outer walls of the castle. The waste dropped into cess pits or the moat. The garderobe was also a place where clothes were sometimes hung. The awful smell often deterred moths who would get into the material. This is where the word wardrobe comes from, as ward can mean to discourage something. Garderobe exit holes at Caerphilly Castle – above the moat! The Lord sometimes had his own private toilet. Strips of linen were used instead of toilet paper and sweet smelling herbs were sprinkled on the floor.

When the Lord was away the kitchen was relatively quiet. Why do you think that this was? However when the Lord was in residence and when important guests were visiting the kitchen buzzed with activity. The cook shouted orders and the under cooks chopped the vegetables. The worst job in the kitchen, such as cleaning and fetching water, was done by young boys called scullions. Every castle needed its own water supply in order to survive a siege. Sometimes water would be channelled straight into the kitchen.

Please click on the screen The Lord and his family sat at the high table. There was usually some form of entertainment (music for example) for the Lord and his guests while they ate. Guests ate with their fingers or with knives or spoons. Forks had not been invented. A cup-bearer used to make sure the king’s cup was filled with wine. Meals began early at about 10 p.m. and lasted for several hours!

A Plan Of Conwy Castle Can you find and label… Rounded Towers The Great Hall The Well The Gatehouse © Cadw. Crown Copyright

Food and drink in the Middle Ages

Please click on the screen Food and drink in the Middle Ages Please click on the screen

Living Conditions (facilities, furniture…) What have we learnt about life in a castle? Living Conditions (facilities, furniture…) Jobs Activities Food

These websites may be of help when carrying out your research Clothing www.learner.org/exhibits/middleages/clothing.html Food www.castles_of_britain.com/castlesf.htm Castle Areas www.castlewales.com/beaumar1.html Medieval Jobs www.castles-ofbritain.com/castle32.htm END