How did people heat a castle?

Answer 1

I am by no means a castle expert, but I know a thing or two about building houses. Also I think its safe to say that 'heating techniques' probably varied by region and epoch.

The Short answer is: 1. Heated 'masses'. and 2. building fire was a science to people.

A common house design going back a couple hundred years includes a centrally located large fireplace and hearth to serve various purposes. Seeing as fire was the most advanced technology the people in question had at the time, fire would have been very central in their lives.

A large fireplace capable of safely burning full size logs, several feet long would need to be sturdily built. With brick or stone enclosures (and chimneys) several feet thick.

A fire place 5' tall x 7' long x 4' deep, could possibly involve over 100 cubic feet of stone heated to 800 or 900 degrees. There is what you call a 'heated mass'. Five or Six or who knows how many strategically placed large fires could certainly provide enough heat for a large structure.

Furthermore the actual building of a fire was a highly advanced skill for both men and women. They understood that different types of material burn at different rates, lights, and heats. If somebody had the means, one could have materials (wood) from other regions brought to them.

Answer 2

The castle had one heat source and it was a fireplace in the great hall. Later, in the 1800's ceramic heaters were added to the existing manors and castles. These are large freestanding enclosed heaters that burned coal, oil or wood at the bottom of the heater. They are often very decorated and nice to look at. I am not sure how well they heated the big rooms where they were located, but they were probably better than nothing.

Answer 3

There were fireplaces in most rooms, as there was no central heating. Heavy blankets were used to keep warm at night.

Answer 4

Fire places, luxurious pelts and multiple layers of clothing.

Answer 5

They would build fires, make and use blankets, and dress in the warmest clothes possible.