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Life in the Middle Ages could be very challenging and difficult. But there were many pieces of the time when warfare was minimal, crops were plentiful, and castles were houses of Lords, Ladies and large staff of administrators and officials. Here is a sketch of a typical day in the life of a medieval castle in times of prosperity.
A Castle was a large organization with many people and a lot of things that needed to be done. This was achieved with a well worked out system and hierarchy of power and responsibility. On top of this hierarchy was the Lord of the Castle and his Lady. Among them the responsibilities were divided into two general groups, the military group and the administrative / domestic group. The military group was responsible for all daily training of militias and the daily responsibility of security. The administrative / domestic half the castle was entrusted with the work of the castle and the running of the castle in so far as food, clothing, pay, cooking, hunting, serving, cleaning, and all other things that go into running a community of people.
The typical day in a castle began at sunrise when everyone would go up from bed and begin their daily routine. The militia would rise and the position of the Night Watch at the castle doors, towers and walls. And the staff would begin preparing for the meals of the day and chores. Religion is very important to live in a castle and the first order of business for the day was a Mass in the Chapel. There would be breakfast, which usually was very light and often just bread and wine.
After breakfast the castle inhabitants would begin their daily assigned duties. The Lord would take meetings on diplomacy, trade, war, or the legal and financial affairs. And the lady would often meet with her guests or pursue her personal projects such as embroidery patterns. Knights and squires would have lessons in fencing and other martial arts. Children were given lessons in various subjects, including religion. Many other people were performing their normal duties in the morning. The grooms would caring for the horses, the cooks would be preparing the days meals, and traders, such as blacksmiths, carpenters, masons, and it would all be performing their normal daily work.
Between the hours of ten am and noon dinner would be served. Mealtime for the inhabitants of a castle was very important and if they honored guests would be a very long and festive events are held. It always started with a word of grace than serving a variety of foods from pork to beef and different kinds of vegetables, including beans and peas. There would also fruits such as apples and pears. And when the castle was prosperous would also rare and exotic foods such as sugar, rice, almonds, raisins, or even pomegranates. During the dinner, especially when important guests, they would often be entertained by jokes, stories and music minstrels and harp players.
After dinner many would return to their daily work, but the royalty, guests and residents of rank would often interesting recreation pursue, such as horseback riding, archery, hunting, falconry, or playing chess and backgammon. This would continue until supper.
Dinner would be served in the late afternoon and usually consisted of a light meal with one or two courses over a tasting of cheese. After this meal the residents of the castle would relax and enjoy conversations or pursue their personal hobbies. In the late evening there was often one last light meal, after which everyone would retire to bed early to get ready for rising with the Sun the next day.
Life in a medieval castle was rich with many different experiences from doing the daily work, learning skills and crafts, the administration of the rights to the enjoyment of meals and recreation. When times were good, productive and prosperous community, it was an interesting, varied and good life.
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Hohner Harmonica Holder HH01 $9.99 The Hohner HH01 harmonica holder is smaller and lighter than other harmonica holders yet still offers a rubberized neck brace and a sturdy frame. Double wing nuts are lock your harmonica into playing position. About Hohner:Hohner is a family company founded in 1857 in Trossingen, Germany by Matthias Hohner. Hand-made quality and close attention to detail has set Hohner apart from the beginning. A top leading brand in harmonicas, Hohner harps are distributed worldwide. Hohner harmonicas are played on the street by buskers, in intimate nightclubs, on festival stages, and even in Carnegie Hall. Despite a diverse harmonica line used in music from country to classical genres, the most famous Hohner harmonicas are their simple, 10-hole diatonics used frequently by blues, rock, country, and folk musicians. |
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Modern Drummer Festival 2010 $29.99 By Various. DVD. DVD. Published by Hudson Music |