Meet the Middle Ages
BackThe castles of the nobility
Most noblemen lived in manor-houses in the country-side. Some of them could afford to build a fortified mansion or castle of wood or stone. They built their castles on a cape, a hill or an island.The wealthiest of them built large strongholds, which might be surrounded by palisades or a moat. At the castle there would also be living quarters for the servants and craftsmen, as well as cattle-sheds and store-houses. Some of these buildings lay outside the castle itself.
From the castle, the nobleman controlled the peasants who farmed his land. The peasants paid their taxes to the Bailiff. When the Bailiff ordered them, they had to do labour at the castle, for example by repairing buildings or doing farm-work. It was important that the castle was in good order if there was a war going on. Particularly the castles on the border suffered many attacks from the enemy.
It impressed ordinary people if a nobleman could afford to build a castle or large manor house - it showed his power and strength. The King could sometimes feel threatened by these powerful noblemen. Throughout the Middle Ages, there was a power-struggle between the King and the most influential aristocratic families. Often, these noblemen would fight each other as well. A noblemen with a strongly fortified castle and many soldiers at his disposal was very much a threat to be reckoned with. The King felt threatened by noblemen who became too influential.