People lived in castles during medieval times under a feudal system established by William the Conqueror. Lords owned the land and gave some to knights in exchange for military service. Peasants or serfs farmed the land or worked as craftsmen. The castle housed the lord and his family, knights and their families, and many servants who fulfilled roles like cooking, cleaning, crafting, and providing security. Life in a medieval castle involved hierarchies and specialized jobs that supported those who lived and worked there.

1. CASTLES
WHO LIVED IN CASTLES AND WHAT
JOBS DID PEOPLE DO?

2. 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’.

3. 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.)

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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!

12. SPINNERS, WEAVERS AND EMBROIDERERS
These people had the job of
providing all the clothes for the
people living in the castle.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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.