Medieval castles, for all their grandeur and fortification, did have rudimentary provisions for sanitation and waste management. Yet, they vastly differed from the bathrooms and toilets we are accustomed to today.
One such provision was the garderobe, a small room or privy that extended out from the castle walls, often located near the sleeping quarters for easy access. The wardrobe featured a narrow vertical shaft, or chute, leading down from a hole in the floor. Waste deposited into the chute would fall into the castle’s moat or a cesspit located directly below the wardrobe.
In larger castles, there might be several wardrobes to accommodate more residents. Wardrobes were typically built on the castle’s outer walls for waste disposal and to minimize the spread of unpleasant smells into living spaces. They were often placed away from the castle’s kitchen and dining areas for obvious hygienic reasons.
Regardless of their simplicity, wardrobes were more than just medieval toilets; They also served as storerooms for garments and textiles, as it was believed that the ammonia-rich environment would deter moths and other pests.
Additionally, some castles had communal latrines, particularly for castle staff and visitors. These latrines were larger and designed to accommodate multiple users simultaneously. They also usually emptied into a cesspit or the castle moat.
As for bathing facilities, some castles did possess bathhouses or bathing rooms, but these were less common than wardrobes. Bathing in medieval times was a less frequent activity, and it often required significant effort to heat and transport water, so these facilities were less standard.
Ultimately, even though medieval castles had their versions of bathrooms and toilets, they were far removed from modern facilities’ comforts and sanitation standards. Yet, they served their purpose and reflected the Middle Ages’ understanding of hygiene and sanitation.