The Role of A Castle
Castles were necessary for the existence of Medieval Europe. Not only did they provide a means for defense and accommodations for the royal family, but they asserted the fixed hierarchy established by Feudalism, and stressed the individuality of people that contributed to Medieval Europe as a whole. Castles were a way for a person living during medieval times to embrace life at it's finest. The process of building a castle proved to be even more important, socially as castle building was a community event that showed the feudal system at work.
The Mason
Masons were the building blocks of Medieval society. They made up the working class, that without, there would be no one to build the castle. So because of this great need for masons, they became a valuable commodity in medieval Europe. They could be compared to slaves, that are worth so much simply because no one else is qualified for the job. And, much like slaves, they were ill-treated. Masons worked from the break of day until the set of sun, working in dangerous positions, while building the castle. As the importance of Masons was later identified, people began to value these people, and some harsh rituals were let go. But still, masons provided a useful skill that many were unwilling to undertake, and therefore were recognized as key figures in the Middle Ages. [16] |
Castles acted as the unifying force for medieval peoples, and showed the dominance of the Feudal system. A castles key components were those who built it-- the masons. While masons lead vagabond lifestyles, society eventually recognized their importance, and did it's best to preserve these skilled architects.