Mythbusting - Lords (Nick) The Lord of the castle was the most important person in the surrounding area. The Lord would ensure that rent fees would be paid and that his knights remained loyal and ready to defend his lands. The stewards carried out most of these tasks on the Lord. He issued orders to Bailiffs, who were in charge of collecting rents and fines. The Lord also acted as an judge settling local disputes and handing out punishments and fines to those who broke the law or disobeyed his laws. The Lord hosted banquets (feasts)in the great hall to entertain his guests (other lords or the king). The Lords and Nobles ate well. Most feasts contained meat and a range of vegetables. At banquets there was a great choice of food especially for those who sat at the top of the table with the Lord and lady of the castle. Rare meals such as swan and peacock could be served.
Mythbusting - Ladies (Nick) The life of a Lady could be quite tough. She married rarely out of love but more often as a pact between her father or a neighbouring lord. Marriages were sometimes arranged between children; and girls could get married at the age of 14. The lady was in charge of most duties. But, when the lord was away, she was in charge of the castle. She ensured that there was enough food in the storeroom to last many months. She watched over the salting period of food, which was necessary for preservation. The lady of the castle was also responsible for the watching of children. The children of the castle did not necessarily belong to the lord and lady of the castle. It was common to practice in the middle ages for nobles to send their children from the age of 7 upwards to another family to be thought.