Medieval Castle Life

Medieval Castle Life

• Medieval castles were dark, dank, and smelly fortresses infested with vermin and disease.
• Plumbing was non-existent, meaning no running water and no way to flush toilets, resulting in a massive cesspool of waste beneath the castle.
• The lack of running water also meant no baths, unless you were extremely wealthy.

Health and Hygiene

• Servants and lower-class individuals couldn't afford medicine, leading to widespread illness and reliance on home remedies or prayer.
• The absence of running water and proper sanitation led to the spread of diseases.
• Rats were everywhere in castles, carrying diseases like the plague that devastated Europe's population.

Living Conditions

• Castles were overcrowded, with dozens of servants and multiple generations of the lord's family living together.
• Privacy was non-existent, with toilets being communal and in full view of others.
• Living in a castle was like living in a tiny, cramped city, with everyone serving the needs of a single family.

Torture and Punishment

• Dungeons were used to imprison and torture criminals, political opponents, and others who offended the lord and lady.
• Torture methods included being eaten alive by rats, which was believed to cleanse the prisoner of their sins.

Daily Life

• Servants had to get up at sunrise to work, while lords and ladies could sleep in.
• Electric lighting didn't exist, so sunlight was crucial for getting work done.
• Drinking ale was a way to cope with the harsh realities of castle life, as it was safer to drink than contaminated water.

Bathing and Personal Hygiene

• Despite the challenges, people in medieval times wanted to take baths, but clean water was scarce, especially for the lower class.
• Baths were taken in large, portable wooden tubs that could be carried from room to room.
• Bathing was not a private or hygienic experience, but it was still a way to scrub off the dirt and grime of castle life.