Life in the Castle

An aerial view of the castle as it may have appeared in the mid-16th century. Drawing by Jill Atherton. The inner castle was once divided into two courts: the service court and the main house.

The most important building in the main house was the public great hall of the castle, used for entertaining guests and holding feasts. Adjacent was a range of lodging chambers for the lord’s entourage, each with a private latrine housed in external towers.

Adjacent to the inner gatehouse was the great chamber, where the lord and his family had private meals. Below this was a cellar, with a Aerial view of the castle from the South-West. row of vertical handgun slots, for the defence of the castle entrance.

The service court contained stables, kitchens, a bakehouse and a brewhouse, as well as accommodation for servants.

Sir Henry Heydon extended the castle, adding the garden court in the early 15th century. The first of the family to be knighted, he held several positions of great responsibility. This gave the family new stability, and allowed Sir Henry’s successors to be peaceful and prosperous landlords.

This Venetian glass vessel, made in the form of a fantastical dragon, was found at the castle, and is currently on display at the Norwich Castle Museum © Norwich Museums and Archaeology Service’