Summary: Great hall in Castle
Key dates:
All the Norman castles had a great hall which was used by the lord and his family and was situated at first floor level. Their private rooms were on the floors above. These great halls were used also for large banquets and, at these, the lord would sit on a raised platform at one end of the room, while his guests sat at long trestle tables. Sometimes there was a small gallery for musicians.
The heating came from at least two large fireplaces and wall mounted torches were used for light. Tapestries and carpets hung on the walls as they were regarded as much too valuable to walked upon! They did also have a use as draught excluders and were hung near windows or cracks in the walls.
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