The life and accomplishments of medieval knights are covered in legends. In novels and historical films, armored warriors perform numerous deeds in the name of their lady of the heart or participate in bloody battles on the side of their master. And what was the traditional life of a medieval knight?
Instruction manual
1
Any knight sought to live in his own castle. Not everyone could afford such a building, because the construction of the castle required significant funds and capabilities. Typically, castles were owned by those knights who were of noble origin or became rich in the service of their master. Less wealthy medieval warriors lived on modest estates in the hope of becoming rich.
2
Traditionally, castles were built in the most convenient places, the approaches to which were protected from sudden attacks of enemies by natural barriers and powerful walls. To enter the living room, you had to go through the gate and climb the steep stone stairs. The staircase leading to the castle was arranged quite cunningly.
3
Most often, the stairs in the locks were spiral and twisted up from left to right. The fact is that castles were built taking into account a possible attack by the enemy. Climbing such a ladder and holding a sword in his right hand, the enemy was in an uncomfortable position for attack. Often, stone steps were alternated with wooden, removing which, it was possible to make intractable voids in the stairs.
4
The main room of the knight's castle was the front hall. Feasts were held in it and visiting actors performed. Twilight reigned in the hall, as the small windows were protected by metal bars. Window openings were covered with canvases from a bull bubble. Glass in the Middle Ages was too expensive; they could only boast of the palaces of the richest lords, dukes and kings.
5
The rooms of the knight's castle were lit with tar torches. They were stuck in special racks or rings located in the walls. Additional lighting was provided by the fireplace, in which large logs and whole chunks of wood glowed. In the castle premises there was almost always a persistent smell of burning, soot and smoke.
6
In peacetime, the life of the inhabitants of the knight's castle was rather monotonous, boring and secluded. The owner of the castle was engaged in hunting, practiced martial arts, watched how the servants ran the household, and in the best case he accepted visiting travelers: vagrant monks, minstrels, merchants. Only in the days of large celebrations, knightly tournaments or wedding events, the castle was filled with numerous guests who gathered from all over the district. Such events were always expected with impatience and gave the knights no less pleasure than participation in wars.
