Who Lived in Castles in the Middle Ages?

By Staff WriterLast Updated April 03, 2020

The primary residents of European castles during the Middle Ages were the lord and lady of the realm. These might be royalty or simply the liege lords of the district where the castle was built.

Surrounding the noble family were a retinue of servants, specialists and tradesmen. Butlers, valets and chamberlains saw to the personal needs of the lord, while cooks, maids and groomsmen looked after the running of the castle. Watchmen, knights and soldiers of the garrison were charged with defending the castle, and a specialist class of treasurers and administrators oversaw the administration of the castle and the lord’s estate.