Facts about castles

10. Toilets
Fact: there were no toilets (at least, such as we know them now)
This is probably one of the most unpleasant features of the castle. WC was not, but there were small structures - restrooms, or "wardrobes" holes through which residents defecate, then waste troughs themselves in the nearest ditch. By the wretchedness of these latrines add another cold and damp. And, again, these wardrobes restrooms were called because tenants are often left his clothes, as the smell of insect repellent (and any person with a normal sense of smell, too, by the way).

9. Building Materials
Fact: The first castles were built of wood
When the Normans came to England for nearly a thousand years ago, they built a wooden castle on the top of mountains, to defend the castle. But such a wall, it should be noted, still very good burning ...

8. The oldest inhabited castle
Fact: Windsor Castle is the oldest
With a history of nearly 900 years, Windsor still serves as the seat for the Queen Elizabeth II. At first it was a wooden castle built by William I. Later it was rebuilt using stone, as well as adding exterior walls and round tower.

7. Protection
Fact: The castles were built to protect
Just look at all the accessories and appearance of castles, we can immediately understand the purpose for which they were built: ditches, ramparts, battlements, deadly hole. Each of these elements has been designed for protection against enemies. Through the hole on the enemy poured boiling liquid through loopholes sent bullets and arrows. Better to such locks without invitation was not suitable.

6. Stairwells
Fact: The stairs are always built clockwise
In the castles were always the stairs, built in a clockwise direction. This was necessary for one purpose: the enemies could climb the stairs this, but most of the soldiers were right-handed and room for maneuver to do. Inhabitants of the castle, on the contrary, going down, would have the advantage.

5. The set of locks
Fact: in England more than 1,500 seats castle
The key word is "place", as most castles have turned to dust, 800 - in ruins, but the 300 still stand.

4. Disadvantages
Fact: The locks were quite uncomfortable
No matter how large barn if it still smells like dirt and horses. And castles. Plus, they had poor lighting (sunlight came through the narrow windows), dampness and poor air circulation. In the end, all the locks were built for defense. Facilities also fade into the background. Later the fortress were supplied with beautiful carpets and glazed windows. Now, not only the appearance, but the interior of the wealth of the owner said.

3. Food for entertainment
Fact: The meals were the main entertainment
The castle was a very boring place. Outside held hunting and fighting training. Inside, everything was more dull. Some play chess, but the most important thing was the food entertainment. Spend their feasts with jesters and minstrels.

2. Life servants
Fact: the personal servants of the luxury received
For personal servants in the Middle Ages treated as a family dog, and it was not bad. They slept in the same locations as their owners, in the warmth of the fireplace. While the servants slept on the floor, they were given warm blankets. Other servants slept in the towers and relied only on the warmth of his body and a light blanket.

1. Well
Fact: The Achilles' heel? Well!
Could be any number of enemies pouring boiling pitch, and the strength of the walls withstood the onslaught of not one, but if the wells were poorly protected or dried up, everything else becomes useless. Enemies could easily poison the water in the well and win the battle.