What Is A Solar Room In A Castle

Within castles they are often called the lords and ladies chamber or the great chamber.

What is a solar room in a castle.

Originally the word solar or soller was used to describe any room above the ground level of a building. The solar served as a kind of parlour to which the family of the owner of the manor house or castle could retire from the bustling communal living of the hall below. I ve had a quick look at my copy of life in a medieval castle and the first mention of a solar is a bit misleading. Later castles were built with private chambers on the upper levels for the lord s family.

The solar was a room in many english and french medieval manor houses great houses and castles. Later stannis baratheon demonstrates the fiery glow of lightbringer to samwell tarly and maester aemon in that solar radiance filling the room. The solar was a room in many english and french medieval manor houses great houses and castles mostly on an upper storey designed as the family s private living and sleeping quarters. In relation to the castle the solar or great chamber was the lord s private apartment or withdrawing room.

Elaborate windows might be glazed. The floor might be tiled rather than wooden. Garderobe derives from the french word for wardrobe a lockable place where clothes and other items are stored according to medieval architecture scholar frank bottomley garderobes were properly not a latrine or privy but a small room or large cupboard usually adjoining the chamber bedroom or solar living room and providing safe keeping for valuable clothes and other. Solar in architecture private room located on the floor above the great hall in a late medieval english manor house.

This is a plan of york castle which shows many of the key elements. The solar was later extended to include a wardrobe. These private chambers were used as a bedroom at night and a private family sitting room by day unless important guests were present. The room would be furnished luxuriously in accordance with the lord s status and wealth.

It refers to a well lighted parlour or chamber facing south no matter the floor level. Jon snow is accused of treachery by ser alliser thorne in the solar in king s tower of castle black. The room in the castle called the solar was intended for sleeping and private quarters and used by the lord s family. And a keep or donjon at their heart.

There might be tapestries on the walls. However many medieval castles shared similar features defensive barbicans and deep moats with a kitchen and a great hall. It may derive from the latin word solaris meaning sun often a room with. The word solar has two possible origins.

It became a private sitting room favoured by the family. The solar suite of rooms was extended to include a wardrobe.