Where did servants sleep in medieval castles?


Where did servants sleep in medieval castles? Most domestic servants would have slept in shared chambers in either the cellars or attics of the castle buildings. There might also be simple buildings outside the castle for herdsmen, mill workers, wood-cutters, and craftspeople such as rope-makers, candle-makers, potters, basket-weavers, and spinners.


Where do guards sleep in a castle?

In the early Middle Ages, when few castles had large permanent garrisons, not only servants but military and administrative personnel slept in towers or in basements, or in the hall, or in lean-to structures; knights performing castle guard slept near their assigned posts.


Did servants sleep in the castle?

Lowlier servants slept anywhere within the castle they could find, and in summer started work at 5.30am, continuing until about 7pm. They had few days off and little pay, but were given uniforms (called liveries) in their lord's colours and regular meals all year round.


Where did people sleep in medieval castles?

In a castle, only the lord and lady would have had a bedroom of their own. They would probably also have been the only ones with a bed. The garrison would have slept in various rooms in the keep, and the servants would have slept where they worked: the kitchen, stables, and so on.