Scary dungeons. Knights in training. Grand feasts. Castles in the 1400s were full of adventure. This is what it would have been like to live in one.
All About Castles
You’re going to read an article about what it would be like to live in a castle in the 1400s. How much do you know about castles? Take this quiz to find out. (Don’t worry if you don’t know the answers. By the time you’re done, you’ll be an expert!)
You’re going to read an article about what it would be like to live in a castle in the 1400s. How much do you know about castles? Take this quiz to find out. (Don’t worry if you don’t know the answers. By the time you’re done, you’ll be an expert!)
1. Most castles are made of stone. But some of the very first castles were built using ________.
1. Most castles are made of stone. But some of the very first castles were built using ________.
Some of the first castles were made out of wood. However, wooden buildings were easily destroyed by enemies who attacked the castles. So people started building castles from stone. The thick walls and tall towers kept people safe—and enemies out.
Some of the first castles were made out of wood. However, wooden buildings were easily destroyed by enemies who attacked the castles. So people started building castles from stone. The thick walls and tall towers kept people safe—and enemies out.
2. Which part of a castle helped protect it from attacks?
2. Which part of a castle helped protect it from attacks?
All three helped keep castles safe. A moat is a deep ditch of water that goes all the way around a castle. Moats kept people from getting close to a castle. The only way in was a special bridge over the moat, called a drawbridge. Soldiers at the castle could raise or lower the drawbridge, depending on who was outside and whether they would be allowed into the castle. The battlements are the high walls around a castle. Soldiers shot arrows down at enemies while standing on the battlements.
All three helped keep castles safe. A moat is a deep ditch of water that goes all the way around a castle. Moats kept people from getting close to a castle. The only way in was a special bridge over the moat, called a drawbridge. Soldiers at the castle could raise or lower the drawbridge, depending on who was outside and whether they would be allowed into the castle. The battlements are the high walls around a castle. Soldiers shot arrows down at enemies while standing on the battlements.
3. If the castle were under attack and you wanted to hide out in its safest spot, where would you go?
3. If the castle were under attack and you wanted to hide out in its safest spot, where would you go?
The safest and most secure part of a castle was the keep. The keep was a separate building in the middle of a castle’s walls. During attacks on a castle, people could stay in the keep and have everything they needed to survive for many days.
The safest and most secure part of a castle was the keep. The keep was a separate building in the middle of a castle’s walls. During attacks on a castle, people could stay in the keep and have everything they needed to survive for many days.
4. True or false: Castles were warm and sunny inside, even in the winter.
4. True or false: Castles were warm and sunny inside, even in the winter.
False. Castles were usually cold, dark places. The thick stone walls made it hard to keep the inside of the castle warm. There were very few windows. And the windows didn’t have glass in them. Some rooms had fireplaces to help keep people warm. Castles might have been safe but they weren’t very comfortable.
False. Castles were usually cold, dark places. The thick stone walls made it hard to keep the inside of the castle warm. There were very few windows. And the windows didn’t have glass in them. Some rooms had fireplaces to help keep people warm. Castles might have been safe but they weren’t very comfortable.
5. Does anyone still live in a castle?
5. Does anyone still live in a castle?
Yes! People live in castles in England, Germany, France, and other places. Windsor Castle in England is the oldest and largest castle in use today. The Queen of England lives there sometimes. Windsor Castle was built in the year 1070. There are over 1,000 rooms in the castle!
Yes! People live in castles in England, Germany, France, and other places. Windsor Castle in England is the oldest and largest castle in use today. The Queen of England lives there sometimes. Windsor Castle was built in the year 1070. There are over 1,000 rooms in the castle!
1. Ride in a Wagon
1. Ride in a Wagon
The big day is here: You’re going to live at your aunt and uncle’s castle! There you’ll train to be a mighty warrior called a knight. You travel for hours in a wagon pulled by horses. Each time the wagon hits a bump in the road, you bounce on your hard seat. Ouch!
The big day is finally here. You’re going to live at your aunt and uncle’s castle! There you’ll train to be a knight. A knight is a mighty warrior. You travel for hours in a wagon pulled by horses. You bounce on the hard seat. Ouch!
2. Face the Guards
2. Face the Guards
At long last, you arrive. On top of the castle, guards with long, pointy spears glare down at you. They’re watching for enemies. Another way to keep the castle safe? The drawbridge. The giant stone castle is surrounded by water. Soldiers can raise or lower the bridge depending on who’s approaching. Gulp! Will they let you in?
At long last, you arrive. Guards look down at you from the top of the castle. They have long, pointy spears. They’re watching for enemies. Water around the castle also helps keep it safe. A drawbridge is the only way to enter. Soldiers can raise or lower the bridge depending on who’s coming. Gulp! Will they let you in?
3. Enter the Castle
3. Enter the Castle
Luckily, your aunt and uncle are expecting you. They’re the lady and lord of the castle, so they’re in charge. You cross the bridge and step inside. Your uncle stomps in. “Welcome to my castle!” he bellows.
Luckily, your aunt and uncle are expecting you. They’re the lady and lord of the castle. That means they’re in charge. You cross the bridge and step inside. Your uncle stomps in. “Welcome to my castle!” he yells.
Open Hearth
4. Get Ready for Knight Training
4. Prepare for Knight Training
Your uncle brings you outside to see your teenage cousin, Fergus. He’s already training to be a knight. You watch in wonder as he practices riding on horseback and fighting with a sword. Your training will take about 15 years, but it will be worth it. Being a knight is a huge honor. You can’t wait to get started!
Your uncle brings you outside. You see your teenage cousin, Fergus. He’s already training to be a knight. He practices riding horses and fighting with a sword. You watch in wonder. Your training will take about 15 years. But it will be worth it. Being a knight is a huge honor. You can’t wait to get started!
5. Explore the Castle
5. Explore the Castle
Later, your cousin shows you around your new home. You pass by an opening in the floor. “You don’t want to end up in there,” Fergus warns. “It’s the dungeon. It’s like a jail.” You hear spooky noises coming from inside. You shiver and run after Fergus.
Later, your cousin shows you around your new home. You pass by a hole in the floor. “You don’t want to end up in there,” Fergus says. “It’s the dungeon. It’s like a jail.” You hear spooky noises coming from inside. You shiver and run after Fergus.
6. Climb to Your Room
6. Climb to Your Room
Next, you climb some stairs . . . and more stairs . . . and MORE stairs. You’re huffing and puffing by the time you reach the top. Fergus shows you the garderobe, or toilet. It’s a seat with a hole in the bottom. Everything falls down a tunnel that leads outside the castle. Yuck!
Next, you climb some stairs . . . and more stairs . . . and MORE stairs. You’re out of breath by the time you reach the top. Fergus shows you the garderobe, or toilet. It’s a seat with a hole in the bottom. Everything falls down a tunnel that goes outside the castle. Yuck!
7. Prepare for a Feast
7. Prepare for a Feast
Tonight, your uncle is holding a feast in your honor. Should you take a bath? Nah. You took one a few months ago. You put on your best jacket and head down.
Tonight, your uncle is holding a feast for you. Should you take a bath? Nah. You took one a few months ago. You put on your best jacket and go down.
8. Dinner is Served
8. Dinner is Served
The Great Hall is packed with people sitting at long tables. You smell fresh bread, pies, and smoky meat. While you eat, musicians play songs and professional jokers called jesters tell silly stories. Dogs run around, eating out of people’s hands and pooping on the floor. It’s stinky but normal.
The Great Hall is packed with people. Everyone sits at long tables. You smell fresh bread, pies, and smoky meat. While you eat, musicians play songs. Professional jokers called jesters tell silly stories. Dogs run around. They eat out of people’s hands and poop on the floor. It’s stinky but normal.
9. Off to Bed
9. Off to Bed
It’s late when you finally head back up the stairs to bed. Fergus climbs into his wooden bed, but there’s no room for you. You sleep on the floor. At least you’re right next to the fireplace! As you drift off to sleep, you wonder what the next day in the castle will bring.
It’s late when you finally go back up the stairs to bed. Fergus gets into his wooden bed. But there’s no room for you. You sleep on the floor. At least you’re right next to the fireplace! As you fall asleep, you wonder what the next day in the castle will bring.
THINK AND WRITE
Would you want to live in a castle in the 1400s? Write a paragraph explaining why or why not.
THINK AND WRITE
Would you want to live in a castle in the 1400s? Write a paragraph explaining why or why not.
Can't Miss Teaching Extras
Explore what a different part of the world was like centuries ago in the Time Machine feature from December/January 2021: “This Land in the 1400s.”
Send your students on a research journey to learn more about what castle living was like with our Time Machine Learning Journey Research Kit.
