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Medieval Society
Military and domestic
The castle's role was not just military; it was the lord's residence and the place from which he administered his lands. The castle, as home, was a crowded place with little or no privacy. The lord and his lady were constantly attended by servants and surrounded by family as women bore many children because the mortality rate was very high. A lord usually only had three or four rooms that were for his use and to attempt to withdraw into one of these apartments on his own would be seen with indignation and as morale weakening. The castle was a place were people paid their rents, the lord had his court and justice was dealt with the nearby stocks and gallows. The castle has great purchasing power and was a centre for trade, attracting traders from around the region. The castle could be of protection to the commoners as well as the lord. In time of invasion peasants would seek refuge inside the castle walls along with their livestock, harvested crops and moveable possessions. The lord had to protect his tenants as ultimately he depended on them for his income and survival. At the castle of Jerbourg on Guernsey the peasantry, at one time, had a tax levied upon them for the repair of the castle. In 1337 the lord of Guernsey was granted money with which to repair the castle of Jerbourg for the protection of the King's subjects on the island. The islanders refused to go to the castle and so a proclamation was made to confiscate any goods or chattels that were left outside the castle. The castle was considered to be for the peoples own protection and parts of the castle were allocated to particular families and communities.
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