Castell d'Alaró
6
Life in the castle
At present, little information is available about life in the Castle during its earliest periods, whereas the Late Middle Ages, between 1232 and 1550, are extensively documented through written sources.
In addition to the walls and towers, there was once a miniature village inside the enclosure, now buried underground. Historical records mention a hermitage and five houses, including a kitchen-dining area, a porch, two animal-driven mills, two ovens and stables.
As for its inhabitants, the king appointed the castellan, usually a knight, who received the position, salary and lands corresponding to what is now the estate of Es Verger. The castellan, in turn, appointed a deputy castellan to manage the Castle in his absence.
The Castle garrison consisted of the so-called servants or guards, who were also paid by the Royal Administration. Over time, their numbers steadily decreased, from twenty men in the thirteenth century to just three in the fifteenth century.
A chaplain was paid to conduct certain religious ceremonies in the hermitage, although he did not live permanently in the fortress.
Throughout the entire medieval history of the Castle, only two women are documented. They served the castellan, but because they were not paid by the Royal Administration, they rarely appear in official records.
Notaries and scribes also climbed to the Castle to prepare inventories and supervise works. Other occasional workers included the royal falconer, collectors of orchil lichen — used as a dye and gathered from the cliffs — and carriers, labourers, carpenters and blacksmiths responsible for repairs and maintenance.
The weaponry stored in the keep included three types of crossbows, lances, darts or javelins, shields, iron gorgets, helmets and padded textile armour known as gambesons.
As for animals, records mention dogs, donkeys, mares and numerous goats.
Finally, regarding food supplies, provisions were stored in large wooden chests. In 1344, for example, documents record large quantities of wheat, millet, beans, chickpeas, bacon, salted meat, oil, wine, vinegar and salt.
In addition to the walls and towers, there was once a miniature village inside the enclosure, now buried underground. Historical records mention a hermitage and five houses, including a kitchen-dining area, a porch, two animal-driven mills, two ovens and stables.
As for its inhabitants, the king appointed the castellan, usually a knight, who received the position, salary and lands corresponding to what is now the estate of Es Verger. The castellan, in turn, appointed a deputy castellan to manage the Castle in his absence.
The Castle garrison consisted of the so-called servants or guards, who were also paid by the Royal Administration. Over time, their numbers steadily decreased, from twenty men in the thirteenth century to just three in the fifteenth century.
A chaplain was paid to conduct certain religious ceremonies in the hermitage, although he did not live permanently in the fortress.
Throughout the entire medieval history of the Castle, only two women are documented. They served the castellan, but because they were not paid by the Royal Administration, they rarely appear in official records.
Notaries and scribes also climbed to the Castle to prepare inventories and supervise works. Other occasional workers included the royal falconer, collectors of orchil lichen — used as a dye and gathered from the cliffs — and carriers, labourers, carpenters and blacksmiths responsible for repairs and maintenance.
The weaponry stored in the keep included three types of crossbows, lances, darts or javelins, shields, iron gorgets, helmets and padded textile armour known as gambesons.
As for animals, records mention dogs, donkeys, mares and numerous goats.
Finally, regarding food supplies, provisions were stored in large wooden chests. In 1344, for example, documents record large quantities of wheat, millet, beans, chickpeas, bacon, salted meat, oil, wine, vinegar and salt.
The eastern defenses
5
The western defenses