CASTLES

WHO LIVED IN CASTLES AND WHAT

JOBS DID PEOPLE DO?

MEDIEVAL LIFE

When William the Conqueror came to England, he introduced a way of life

called Feudalism.

This split people into two groups – those who had money, land and status, and

those who did not – the peasants.

The castle was the most important place in an area – people would live by the

castle, and villages and towns would grow.

The area covered by the castle and land owned by a lord was known as a

‘manor’.

THE FEUDAL SYSTEM

The King

The lords

Knights

Peasants / Serfs

The king gave land

to the lords.

The lords gave some of

their land to the knights.

The knights agreed to protect the lords and the king.

90% of the people were classed as peasants or serfs. There were 2 types – the free

peasants (who worked as carpenters, bakers, blacksmiths etc., and unfree peasants who

had to work for the lord without pay, but he let them live on the land without paying rent.)

THE LORD

The land in England was divided up into manors by the king, and given to

Norman Nobles.

Nobles, or lords were in charge of the manor, and carried out the laws of the

country.

The lords spent most days managing and organising their castles and land.

A manor would include farming land, pasture land for animals, and a village

surrounding the castle grounds.

THE KNIGHTS

Knights were professional soldiers (this means they got paid to fight).

They had to make a promise to fight 40 days a year for their lord. The lord in

return, would give the knights land.

The knights and their families would live in the tower, and be served by the

servants, just like the lord.

They would spend time training during the day, and possibly hunting or

inspecting their own lands.

THE SQUIRES

Squires would be boys over the age of 14

who had come to the castle to train as

knights.

A knight would be put in charge of

them, training them in how to use a

sword, how to ride a horse, and the art of

chivalry.

The boys could become knights when they

were 21 – this means they could be training

for 7 years.

THE LADY

The Lady of the castle would spend her day supervising the ladies-in-

waiting, the chambermaids, the spinners, weavers, and embroiderers.

They would also keep her company.

The ladies were also in charge of educating the young pages who came to the

castle before they trained as knights.

LADIES-IN-WAITING AND CHAMBERMAIDS

The chambermaids looked after the rooms of the lord and lady.

They would keep them clean and empty the chamber pots.

The ladies-in-waiting would keep the lady entertained, and look after her.

PEASANTS

All the other people living in or around the castle were known as peasants, or

serfs.

They were split into two groups – farmers, or craftsmen.

The farmers would work in the fields, tending the plants and animals.

The craftsmen were trained by their parent, or another craftsman.

They would make their goods to sell, but had to give money to their lord.

THE SOLDIERS

A group of soldiers included knights, guards, watchmen, men-at-arms, and a

porter to open the door.

They were all skilled in different fighting methods –

crossbowmen, archers, swordsmen, or lancers.

The knight was in charge of the

soldiers in the castle.

They were well paid, and lived

within the bailey, inside the castle

walls.

They would spend their days

patrolling the surrounding

areas, covering up to 30 miles in a

day.

KITCHEN MAIDS /COOKS

These people had the job of providing all the meals for the people living in the

castle.

The kitchen staff would usually sleep on the kitchen floor. It might have been

uncomfortable, but it was probably warm!

SPINNERS, WEAVERS AND EMBROIDERERS

These people had the job of

providing all the clothes for the

people living in the castle.

OTHER PEOPLE LIVING IN THE CASTLE

STEWARD: He was the person left in charge when

the lord was away. He had to know everything that

went on in the castle and estates.

BUTLER: He would be in charge of the wine and

beer.

CHAPLAIN: He looked after the chapel, supervised

building projects, and also gave spiritual advice to

others.

CHAMBERLAIN: He was in charge of the hall, and

was the lord’s personal servant.

MESSENGER: He carried letters and messages.

WATCHMAN: The head of security.

OTHER PEOPLE LIVING IN THE CASTLE

PORTER: He was in charge of the main castle door. (‘Porte’ in

French means ‘door’)

KEEPER OF THE WARDROBE: The wardrobe was the room in

the castle where the lord and lady would dress, and store their

clothes. The keeper would be in charge of the tailors and

laundress.

GARDENER: He was in charge of growing the plants and

herbs.

JESTER: He would perform and be silly to entertain people.

CHANDLER: He would make candles.

MARSHAL: He would be in charge of the stables

LAUNDRESS: She would wash all the clothes and linens

belonging to everyone living in the castle.

CRAFTSMEN

COBBLERS: He made and repaired shoes

ARMOURERS: These were in charge of making sure the

soldiers’ weapons were in good order.

COOPERS: Made barrels

BLACKSMITH: Made things out of iron, including swords.

SCRIBES: These were usually monks, who had been taught

to read and write.

POTTER: They made pots for cooking and storage.

PHYSICIAN: They would perform surgery.

PAINTER: He was in charge of keeping the castle painted.

FLETCHER: He made bows and arrows.